Lil' Plates is Merrick's line sold for small dogs, with 9 kibbles and 11 wet foods. The kibbles are built around deboned meat plus a meat meal, with sweet potatoes and potatoes as the main carbohydrates, and fish appears in all 9 kibble ingredient lists. The wet foods split into Petite Pates and Small Breed tubs, trays and pouches.
Kibble protein runs from 27% to 32% as fed, with estimated starch from 30.5% to 37.5%. That puts the kibble average of 30.7% protein above the catalog kibble average of 26.9%, and its 33.3% estimated starch below the 37.4% average. Kibble calories average 444 against a catalog average of 395. Wet protein sits between 8% and 9%, close to the 8.3% wet catalog average. Proteins across the line include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, duck, egg and fish.
The trade-off is narrow carbohydrate choice. 8 of the 9 kibbles are grain free and 8 include peas or lentils; the grain inclusive Lamb + Brown Rice kibble is discontinued. All 11 wet foods are grain free and contain peas or lentils, and the Small Breed wet recipes also list potato.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites Recipe | 32% | 16% | 31.5% | 449 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe | 32% | 16% | 31.5% | 440 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe | 32% | 15% | 32.5% | 451 | Deboned Beef, Pork And Bone Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites Recipe | 32% | 15% | 32.5% | 449 | Deboned Beef, Pork And Bone Meal, Salmon Meal |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potatoes Recipe | 31% | 15% | 33.5% | 475 | Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 15% | 33.5% | 393 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Senior Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 12% | 37.5% | 444 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe | 30% | 18% | 30.5% | 488 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes |
| Lil’ Plates Real Lamb + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains | 27% | 16% | 36.5% | 407 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice |
| Line average | 30.7% | 15.3% | 33.3% | 444 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
32% protein · 16% fat · 31.5% starch · 449 kcal/cup · Adult
This kibble adds raw bites to chicken, chicken meal and turkey meal, listing sweet potatoes before potatoes, at 32% protein and 449 kcal per cup. With 31.5% estimated starch, it suits adult dogs on poultry whose owners want raw bites in the bowl.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites Recipe32% protein · 16% fat · 31.5% starch · 440 kcal/cup · Adult
This chicken kibble lists potatoes ahead of sweet potatoes, unlike its raw bites sibling, and has 32% protein, 31.5% estimated starch and 440 kcal per cup. It suits adult small dogs that eat chicken and turkey.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes Recipe32% protein · 15% fat · 32.5% starch · 451 kcal/cup · Adult
Deboned beef leads this kibble, with pork and bone meal and salmon meal behind it, at 32% protein and 451 kcal per cup. Without raw bites, it suits adult small dogs whose owners want beef and pork rather than poultry.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe32% protein · 15% fat · 32.5% starch · 449 kcal/cup · Adult
This version of the Texas Beef kibble adds raw bites and comes in at 449 kcal per cup and 3620 kcal/kg, with 32% protein and 32.5% estimated starch. It suits adult small dogs on beef whose owners want raw pieces mixed in.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites Recipe31% protein · 15% fat · 33.5% starch · 475 kcal/cup · Adult
The salmon kibble is the only one here with fish as its sole animal protein, led by deboned salmon and salmon meal, at 475 kcal per cup. It suits adult small dogs whose owners want to avoid chicken and beef.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potatoes Recipe30% protein · 15% fat · 33.5% starch · 393 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This discontinued kibble has the fewest calories in the line at 393 kcal per cup, with deboned lamb and lamb meal ahead of sweet potatoes, peas and potatoes. Sold for all life stages, it suited small dogs that eat lamb.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 12% fat · 37.5% starch · 444 kcal/cup · Senior
The senior kibble has the least fat in the line at 12% and the most estimated starch at 37.5%, with deboned chicken, chicken meal and turkey meal first. It is sold for senior dogs, including small breeds.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Senior Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe30% protein · 18% fat · 30.5% starch · 488 kcal/cup · Puppy
The puppy kibble has the most fat at 18%, the least estimated starch at 30.5% and the most calories at 488 kcal per cup, and it lists pea protein among its first ingredients. It is made for puppies, including small breeds.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe27% protein · 16% fat · 36.5% starch · 407 kcal/cup · Adult
The only kibble here with grain and the only one without peas or lentils, using brown rice and oatmeal, it also has the least protein at 27%. Now discontinued, it suited adult small dogs whose owners avoided legumes.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Real Lamb + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free | 9% | 6% | 78% | 1,167 | Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Hearts |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Puppy | 8.5% | 3.5% | 82% | 968 | DEBONED CHICKEN, CHICKEN BROTH, TURKEY BROTH |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Surf & Turf Grain-Free | 8.5% | 3.5% | 82% | 895 | BEEF, BEEF BROTH, SALMON BROTH |
| Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free | 8% | 5% | 78% | 1,320 | Deboned Lamb, Beef Broth, Beef Liver |
| Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free | 8% | 5% | 78% | 1,184 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver |
| Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free | 8% | 5% | 78% | 1,266 | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Broth, Deboned Chicken |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Duck | 8% | 3.5% | 82% | 973 | Deboned Duck, Duck Broth, Chicken Broth |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Texas Steak Grain-Free | 8% | 3% | 82% | 930 | BEEF, BEEF BROTH, VENISON BROTH |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Beef Stew Grain-Free | 8% | 3% | 82% | 904 | BEEF, BEEF BROTH, VENISON BROTH |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Thanksgiving Grain-Free | 8% | 3.5% | 82% | 969 | DEBONED TURKEY, TURKEY BROTH, CHICKEN BROTH |
| Lil’ Plates Small Breed Chicken Grain-Free | 8% | 3% | 82% | 929 | DEBONED CHICKEN, CHICKEN BROTH, TURKEY BROTH |
| Line average | 8.2% | 4% | 80.5% | 1,046 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
9% protein · 6% fat · 99 kcal/can · Adult
The beef pate has the most fat in the line at 6%, plus 9% protein, with beef hearts and beef liver behind deboned beef. With only beef and egg as animal proteins, it suits adult dogs kept off poultry.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free8.5% protein · 3.5% fat · 96 kcal/container · Puppy
This is the only wet recipe in the line for puppies, led by deboned chicken with chicken broth, turkey broth and deboned turkey, at 8.5% protein and 96 kcal per container. It is made for small breed puppies.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Puppy8.5% protein · 3.5% fat · 89 kcal/pouch · Adult
Surf & Turf is the only wet food here with fish, adding salmon broth to beef, and has the fewest calories in the line at 89 kcal per pouch and 895 kcal/kg. It suits small breed adults whose owners want fewer calories per serving.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Surf & Turf Grain-Free8% protein · 5% fat · 112 kcal/can · Adult
The only wet recipe here with lamb, led by deboned lamb, beef broth and beef liver, and the most calorie dense wet food in the line at 1320 kcal/kg and 112 kcal per can. It suits adult dogs of all sizes that do well with lamb or beef.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free8% protein · 5% fat · 101 kcal/can · Adult
This chicken pate lists deboned chicken, chicken broth and chicken liver ahead of carrots and green beans, with egg as the only other animal protein. At 8% protein, 5% fat and 101 kcal per can, it suits adult dogs that eat chicken.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free8% protein · 5% fat · 108 kcal/can · Adult
Turkey leads this pate, followed by turkey broth, deboned chicken and turkey liver, at 1266 kcal/kg and 108 kcal per can. It suits adult dogs whose owners want turkey first in a denser pate than the Small Breed tubs.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free8% protein · 3.5% fat · 973 kcal/kg · Adult
The only wet recipe here with duck, which leads ahead of duck broth, chicken broth and chicken liver, at 973 kcal/kg. It is sold for small breed adults, and owners avoiding poultry should note the chicken in it.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Duck8% protein · 3% fat · 92 kcal/tray · Adult
Texas Steak lists beef, beef broth, venison broth and dried egg whites, with 3% fat and 92 kcal per tray. Its 930 kcal/kg sits slightly above the similar Beef Stew, and it suits small breed adults that prefer beef.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Texas Steak Grain-Free8% protein · 3% fat · 90 kcal/tray · Adult
Beef Stew shares its first ingredients with Texas Steak but comes in lower at 904 kcal/kg and 90 kcal per tray. With 8% protein and 3% fat, it suits small breed adults on beef whose owners count calories closely.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Beef Stew Grain-Free8% protein · 3.5% fat · 96 kcal/tub · Adult
Thanksgiving is turkey led, with turkey broth, chicken broth and chicken liver following, at 3.5% fat and 96 kcal per tub. It suits small breed adults that eat poultry and owners who want a turkey first tub.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Thanksgiving Grain-Free8% protein · 3% fat · 92 kcal/tub · Adult
This Small Breed tub is chicken led with turkey broth and dried egg whites, at 3% fat, 92 kcal per tub and 929 kcal/kg. It suits small breed adults whose owners want a chicken recipe with less fat than the chicken Petite Pate.
Full review of Lil’ Plates Small Breed Chicken Grain-FreeAlmost all of it. All 11 wet foods and 8 of the 9 kibbles are grain free; the exception is Real Lamb + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains, which is discontinued.
Among kibbles, Real Chicken + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites, Real Chicken + Sweet Potatoes and both Real Texas Beef recipes share the top figure of 32% protein as fed. Among wet foods, Petite Pates Beef has the most at 9%.
All 11 wet foods and 8 of the 9 kibbles include peas or lentils. Only the discontinued Real Lamb + Brown Rice kibble has none.
Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (34.5% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 33% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
95% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato with Raw Bites Recipe Dry Dog Food
36.0% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
31% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
393 kcal per cup
Beef dog treat varieties
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
Want the reason behind every answer? The 80-page e-book, $7.99
Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,207 foods.
