Lil' Plates Grain Free Petite Pot Pie Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a grain-free, high-moisture wet food formulated for small adult dogs, featuring deboned chicken and chicken liver as the primary animal protein sources. Potatoes, peas, carrots, and apples add carbohydrate and fiber, while added vitamins and minerals make it a complete and balanced option. Its soft chunks-in-gravy texture and single-serve trays can work well for small dogs with tiny mouths or those who prefer moist foods.
Overall, this is a high-quality wet food option for adult small-breed dogs who do well on a grain-free diet. It uses named animal proteins at the top of the ingredient list and includes a variety of whole-food ingredients plus a full vitamin and mineral premix for balanced nutrition. It’s a good fit for small dogs that enjoy a stew-style texture and need calorie-dense, palatable meals, as long as grain-free formulas are appropriate for them.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Deboned chicken and chicken liver are prominent animal protein sources, which are highly palatable and nutrient-dense for most dogs.
- Includes recognizable whole-food ingredients like potatoes, carrots, peas, and apples along with added vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition.
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, which is helpful for dogs that are sensitive to additives.
- Convenient, single-serve wet format with high moisture content, which can help support hydration and is often appealing to picky small dogs.
Considerations
- This is a grain-free formula that uses peas and potatoes as key carbohydrate sources; in some dogs, especially breeds at risk for heart disease, legume-heavy grain-free diets warrant a discussion with your veterinarian.
- Chicken and egg are common food allergens for dogs, so this recipe would not be appropriate for dogs with known sensitivities to those ingredients.
- The relatively low protein percentage on the label reflects the high moisture content typical of wet foods; dogs needing very high protein intake might do better with a higher-protein wet or dry food under veterinary guidance.
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 Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
Turkey Broth
Turkey broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavoring and moisture enhancer to improve palatability, and in wet formulas it contributes small amounts of protein, amino acids and electrolytes. It can help entice dogs and cats to eat or increase hydration, but caregivers should check sodium levels and avoid broths with onion, garlic, xylitol or other harmful additives, and be mindful if the pet has a poultry allergy.
04
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
05
Egg White
Egg white is a highly digestible, low‑fat, high‑quality protein source in pet foods, supplying concentrated albumin and essential amino acids that support muscle maintenance and growth in dogs and cats. It provides a lean protein alternative to meat but lacks the vitamins and fats of the yolk, can be an allergen for some pets, and raw egg white contains avidin (which can interfere with biotin) and may carry salmonella risk, so cooked or pasteurized forms are preferred.
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 Lil' Plates Grain Free Petite Pot Pie Wet 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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