Healthy Grains Small Breed Real Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
Verified May 23, 2026
This is a dry kibble formulated for adult small-breed dogs, built around deboned chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources with brown rice, barley, and oatmeal providing digestible grains. It offers moderate-to-high protein and fat levels suitable for active small dogs, plus added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat and joint-support ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. The recipe also includes probiotics and fiber sources to support healthy digestion.
Nutritionally, this looks like a very solid choice for healthy adult small-breed dogs who do well on chicken and grains. It provides good-quality, named animal proteins, appropriate protein and fat levels for most small dogs, and several nice extras such as omega fatty acids, joint support nutrients, and probiotic cultures. It’s a grain-inclusive, pea- and lentil-free formula, which many owners prefer, but it won’t be suitable for dogs with chicken (or sometimes turkey) sensitivities.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients, giving good-quality, animal-based protein at a reasonable 27% for a dry small-breed diet.
- Uses digestible whole grains (brown rice, barley, oatmeal, quinoa) instead of relying on peas, lentils, or potatoes, which is reassuring for owners avoiding legume-heavy diets.
- Includes added omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids from salmon meal, salmon oil, flaxseed, and sunflower oil to help support skin and coat health.
- Contains added glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health in small dogs, along with multiple probiotic strains and fermentable fibers to support digestion.
Considerations
- Contains several poultry sources (chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal), so it is not a good option for dogs with known chicken or poultry allergies.
- At 473 kcal per cup, this kibble is fairly calorie-dense, so portion sizes will need to be carefully controlled to prevent weight gain in small dogs with lower activity levels.
- Includes dried yeast and multiple fiber sources, which are well tolerated by most dogs but could cause gas or soft stool in a small minority of very sensitive dogs, especially during a rapid diet change.
Full Ingredient List
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
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
04
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain used in pet foods primarily as a digestible carbohydrate and source of dietary fiber (including soluble beta‑glucans), along with modest amounts of B vitamins and minerals. It can support healthy digestion, help moderate post‑meal blood sugar and aid weight management in dogs, but provides limited protein for obligate carnivores like cats, must be cooked/processed for good digestibility, and may be unsuitable for pets with grain sensitivities or calorie‑restricted diets.
05
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (notably beta‑glucans), serving as a gentle filler or binder that can support healthy digestion and steady energy release. It provides B vitamins and minerals, is generally well tolerated by dogs and many cats when cooked and plain, but should be free of added sugars or flavorings and used cautiously for overweight or diabetic pets or animals with individual grain sensitivities.
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.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
Brand
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 MerrickManufacturer
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
Merrick Healthy Grains Small Breed Real Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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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.
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.
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