4.4(428)Amazon rating$25.951,000+ bought last month
Our verdict
Merrick's Lil' Plates Dinner Duos variety pack offers small, grain-free tubs of beef stew and chicken pot pie style wet food built specifically for small breed adult dogs, and its 4.4 star average across 428 reviews suggests it's a well-liked option for pint-sized eaters.
Small breed adult dogs who need portion-appropriate, grain-free wet food, and owners who like variety between two flavors in one case.
Skip if
You have a large or giant breed dog, since these are small 3.5 oz tubs sized for small dogs and would be an expensive way to feed a bigger dog.
Form Chunks In Gravy
Flavor Vp Beef Stew/Pot Pie
Benefits High Protein, Grain-Free, Promotes Muscle Health, Convenient Packaging
Best for Lactose Free Sensitive Skin Bpa Free Natural Grain Free Raw Rawhide Free Digestive Health High-Protein Gluten Free Corn Free Wheat Free Soy Free Bone Health Vitamins & Minerals Active No Fillers No Artificial Colors No Artificial Flavors No Artificial Preservatives Non-Prescription
Breed size Small
Our scorecard
4.4/5overall
Owner rating4.4/5
4.4 average across 428 owner ratings
Popularity0.8/5
428 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog food and health supplements we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This case includes 12 small 3.5 oz tubs (42 oz total) of Merrick's Lil' Plates Dinner Duos, split between a beef stew and a chicken pot pie style recipe served as chunks in gravy. It's formulated specifically for adult small breed dogs and is grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free.", 'The label also lists it as free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, with claims around digestive health, bone health, and high protein content to support active small dogs. Merrick positions it as flexible enough to serve as a complete meal, a topper over kibble, or an occasional snack.', "At $25.95 for the 12-tub case, it's priced at a premium relative to standard-size wet food, reflecting both the grain-free formulation and the small-portion convenience. A 4.4 star rating across 428 reviews, with about 1,000 bought last month, points to a smaller but satisfied customer base compared to more mainstream brands."]
Pros
Grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free recipe
Two flavors (beef stew and chicken pot pie style) in one variety pack
Sized specifically for small breed adult dogs
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
High protein claim aimed at supporting active small dogs
Cons
Premium price per ounce compared to standard can sizes
Not suitable for large or giant breeds
Smaller review base (428) than some more established wet food lines
Specifications
Form
Chunks In Gravy
Flavor
Vp Beef Stew/Pot Pie
Benefits
High Protein, Grain-Free, Promotes Muscle Health, Convenient Packaging
Best for
Lactose Free Sensitive Skin Bpa Free Natural Grain Free Raw Rawhide Free Digestive Health High-Protein Gluten Free Corn Free Wheat Free Soy Free Bone Health Vitamins & Minerals Active No Fillers No Artificial Colors No Artificial Flavors No Artificial Preservatives Non-Prescription
Breed size
Small
Performance notes
The chunks-in-gravy texture and small tub portions are designed to match a small dog's smaller stomach and appetite, which can help reduce waste compared to opening a full-size can for a small dog. The grain-free, allergen-free ingredient list also targets dogs with sensitive digestion or skin, since it strips out common triggers like corn, wheat, and soy.
What buyers say
A 4.4 star average across 428 reviews and roughly 1,000 units bought last month suggests a smaller but genuinely satisfied customer base, consistent with a specialty small-breed product rather than a mass-market staple.
Yes, it's specifically formulated and portioned for small breed adult dogs, so it's not sized or balanced for medium, large, or giant breeds.
Is it grain-free?
Yes, Merrick lists this recipe as grain-free along with being corn-free, wheat-free, and soy-free, based on the product's labeling.
Can this be used as more than a full meal?
Merrick recommends it for multiple uses, including as a complete meal, a topper for dry food, or an occasional snack, so you can adjust how you use it based on your dog's needs.
We use necessary cookies to keep the site working. With your permission, we also use functional, analytics, and marketing cookies. Read our Cookie Policy.
