Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher on KibbleLab, 8.2 to 8.1. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food compared
| Attribute |
Verified Jul 19, 2026 |
Verified Jul 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
KibbleLab scoreThe KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science. No one can pay for a higher score. |
8.1 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Guaranteed analysis (as fed) | ||
ProteinGuaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed. |
24.00% | 21.00% |
| Fat | 14.00% | 14.00% |
| Fiber | 5.00% | 4.50% |
| Calcium | 1.00% | Not listed |
| Phosphorus | 0.70% | Not listed |
| Omega-3 | 0.50% | 0.60% |
| Omega-6 | 3.00% | 2.90% |
| Taurine | Not listed | 0.17% |
MoistureHigher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above. |
10.00% | 11.00% |
| Calories | 3633 kcal/kg | 3806 kcal/kg |
| Calorie density | Moderate | Moderate |
| Ingredients | ||
Full ingredient listEvery ingredient on each label, in order of weight. |
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids), Dried Yeast, Salt, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Potassium Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary. Show full list Show less |
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oat meal, barley, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, potato protein, flaxseed, natural flavor, miscanthus grass, dried yeast, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, MINERALS [zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, sodium selenite, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, calcium iodate], DL-Methionine, sunflower oil, taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Vitamin A supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin D-3 supplement], preserved with mixed tocopherols. C286324 Show full list Show less |
| Limited ingredient | No | Yes |
| Health focus | Immune support, Antioxidant support, Skin coat health | Skin coat health, Joint care, Sensitive stomach, Allergy support |
| Format & suitability | ||
| Food type | Dry | Dry |
| Texture | Kibble | Kibble |
| Processing | Not listed | Not listed |
| Life stage | Adult | Adult |
| Breed size | All Breed Sizes | All Breed Sizes |
| AAFCO nutritional adequacy | ||
Complete & balancedWhether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test. |
Not indicated | Not indicated |
| Life stages | Not listed | Not listed |
SubstantiationHow adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile. |
Not listed | Not listed |
| Maker standards | ||
WSAVA guidelinesThe World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands. |
No | No |
PSC accreditedThe Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality. |
No | No |
| Recalls & where to buy | ||
Recalls on recordKibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear. |
None | None |
| Where to buy | ||
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Shared ingredients
Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.
- Deboned Chicken
- Chicken
- Brown Rice
- Oatmeal
- Barley
- Chicken Fat
- Natural Flavor
Not sure which is right for your pet?
Sign in free to see Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.
Common Questions
Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher, 8.2 to 8.1 out of 10. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.
Do these two foods share ingredients?
Yes. They share these top ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor.
See the full profiles: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food .
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either product. A food's guaranteed analysis gives legal minimums and maximums for a few nutrients, not measured values. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.
Product details are compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest formulation. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us.

