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Grain Free Senior Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick

Grain Free Senior Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jun 11, 2026

Dog · Dry Senior All Breed Sizes

This is a grain-free dry food formulated specifically for senior dogs, with deboned chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas provide carbohydrates, while added L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin support metabolism and joint health needs common in older dogs. The recipe also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish and plant oils to help maintain healthy skin and coat.

Over-the-counter No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.3 out of 10

This senior formula offers a high protein level for a dry food, with multiple animal-based meals that help support muscle maintenance in older dogs. The added omega fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin make it a thoughtful choice for many senior dogs who need support for heart, metabolism, skin, coat, and joints. It will suit seniors who do well on chicken and on a grain-free, legume-rich diet, but it is not ideal for dogs with chicken allergies or for owners concerned about grain-free diets with peas and potatoes as key ingredients.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
9.0 – 10 Top Pick
8.0 – 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 – 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 – 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Joint Care Skin Coat Health Weight Management Metabolic Support
Suitable For
Senior All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Deboned chicken and chicken meal lead the ingredient list, giving seniors a strong, animal-based protein source.
  • Protein and fat levels are appropriate for many older dogs who still need to maintain lean muscle while avoiding excess calories.
  • Includes salmon oil and flaxseed, which provide omega fatty acids to support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Contains taurine, L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which can be helpful for heart, metabolism, and joint support in senior dogs.

Considerations

  • Chicken appears in several forms, so this food will not work for dogs with chicken allergies or sensitivities.
  • Peas and potatoes are major carbohydrate sources in this grain-free recipe, which some owners may wish to avoid due to ongoing DCM research.
  • Menadione (a synthetic vitamin K source) is included; while allowed, some nutritionists prefer alternative vitamin K forms.
  • Being grain free, it may not be the best fit for dogs who do well on grains or for those whose vets recommend avoiding grain-free diets.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Sunflower Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Apples, Blueberries, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate), L-Carnitine, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Mixed Tocopherols for Freshness. 2C38494

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Deboned Chicken
Deboned chicken is a common primary animal protein in pet foods, providing highly digestible essential amino acids and nutrients such as B vitamins and iron that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health in both dogs and cats. It is generally palatable and relatively lean, but can be a common food allergen for some animals and its nutritional and fat content varies with inclusion of skin or fat—ensure proper sourcing and handling to reduce contamination risk and consult a veterinarian if you suspect a food sensitivity.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Potato
Potato is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate source and functional binder, supplying starch, fiber, and modest amounts of vitamins (B6, C) and potassium—often included as cooked or dehydrated flakes, starch, or protein concentrates. While it provides energy and helps formulate grain‑free recipes, potatoes are not a primary protein for dogs or cats (and are not nutritionally required for obligate‑carnivore cats), can contribute to excess calories or affect blood glucose in diabetic animals, and must be cooked and free of green skins or sprouts to avoid solanine toxicity; allergies are uncommon but possible.
05
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
30.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
12.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
3.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
11.00%
Low High
3603
kcal / Kg
382
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Senior
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

Brand

Merrick

Merrick offers premium dog and cat food made with real, whole ingredients and regional produce. The brand is known for its recipes such as 'Grain Free', 'Backcountry', and 'Classic'. Merrick targets pet owners seeking natural and grain-free diets for their pets, with an emphasis on U.S.-sourced meats and fresh, farm-to-bowl ingredients.

Visit Merrick
Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Merrick Pet Care
Parent company Nestlé Purina PetCare
Founded 1988
Headquarters Amarillo, Texas, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Texas
Manufacturing oversight

Merrick Pet Care manufactures its food in company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. The company maintains in-house quality control and safety testing, adhering to USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards. Merrick emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and audits suppliers for quality and safety.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

Merrick Grain Free Senior Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.3 /10 Grade A
Grain Free Senior Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Merrick · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Merrick ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Merrick. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.