Limited Ingredient Diet With Healthy Grains Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a limited ingredient, chicken-based wet food for adult dogs, designed with a short ingredient list and simple grains for dogs with food sensitivities or sensitive digestion. It uses deboned chicken and chicken liver as the sole animal protein sources, with brown rice and oatmeal providing gentle, grain-based carbohydrates and fiber. The pate texture and relatively high moisture content can work well for dogs who benefit from softer food or extra hydration.
Overall, this is a high-quality limited ingredient wet food for adult dogs who do well on chicken and tolerate grains. It offers a single animal protein source, moderate protein and fat levels for a canned food, and avoids peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, soy, corn, dairy, and eggs. This can be a good option for dogs with suspected food sensitivities when chicken is not a problem ingredient 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
- Single animal protein source from deboned chicken and chicken liver, which can be helpful when trying to identify or avoid certain food triggers.
- Uses brown rice and oatmeal as gentle, well-tolerated grains to provide carbohydrates and fiber for digestive support.
- Limited ingredient formula without peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, soy, corn, dairy, eggs, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, which simplifies the diet for sensitive dogs.
- Wet pate format with high moisture content that can aid hydration and be easier to eat for dogs with dental or chewing issues.
Considerations
- Chicken is a very common food allergen in dogs, so this recipe is not appropriate if your dog reacts to chicken or poultry.
- Protein level is moderate for a wet food; very active or working dogs may need a higher-protein overall diet depending on their total intake.
- Contains multiple gums (locust bean gum, guar gum) as thickeners; most dogs tolerate these well, but a small number with very delicate GI tracts can be sensitive to them.
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
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.
04
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.
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 Limited Ingredient Diet With Healthy Grains Real Chicken & Brown Rice 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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