Grain Free Puppy Plate Chicken Recipe Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 4, 2026
This is a grain-free canned puppy food featuring deboned chicken and turkey as the main animal protein sources in a chunky gravy. It includes sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, peas, and added vitamins and minerals to provide complete nutrition for growing puppies, with flaxseed and fish oil contributing beneficial fatty acids. The moisture-rich formula can be fed alone or used as a topper for dry puppy kibble to boost palatability and hydration.
This wet puppy food offers a nice balance of animal proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and added vitamins and minerals to support normal growth in puppies of all breeds. The inclusion of both chicken and turkey, along with egg and supplemental potato protein, helps provide a good amino acid mix, while the fat level is reasonable for a puppy formula when you account for the high moisture content. It’s a solid choice for owners who prefer a grain-free, canned option and are comfortable with legumes and potatoes in the recipe.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Deboned chicken and turkey are prominent ingredients, giving growing puppies high-quality, animal-based protein.
- Contains flaxseed oil and fish oil, which are good sources of omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall development.
- Grain-free formula can be useful for puppies that truly require a grain-free diet, and it avoids artificial flavors and preservatives.
- Moisture-rich canned format can help with hydration and may be easier for small mouths and teething puppies to eat.
Considerations
- Contains common protein allergens such as chicken, turkey, egg, and fish oil, so it’s not suitable for puppies with sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Includes peas and potato ingredients as part of a grain-free formulation; for dogs from breeds with known heart issues, some veterinarians prefer diets that are not heavily legume- or potato-based.
- Being grain free is not automatically a benefit for most puppies, and some dogs do very well on diets that include healthy grains.
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
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
04
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.
05
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.
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 Grain Free Puppy Plate Chicken Recipe 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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