Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner Review
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Review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner
According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner, we'll examine all 31 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Chicken broth is a flavorful, hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more palatable. It also contains essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to support your dog's overall health and well-being.
Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.
Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Locust bean gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the seeds of the carob tree. It is often used in dog food to improve texture and consistency, and has been deemed safe for consumption by dogs. While it does not provide significant nutritional value, it can help create a more appealing texture for your dog's food.
Tricalcium phosphate is used as a calcium supplement in dog foods, contributing to strong teeth and bones.
Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the guar bean, used to improve the texture of your dog's food. It also serves as a source of soluble fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and support overall gastrointestinal health.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Sodium tripolyphosphate is a food additive used in dog food to help maintain freshness and extend shelf life. It also acts as a binding agent, helping the dog food maintain its shape and texture.
Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.
Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of iodine in your dog's diet. Iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of your dog's thyroid gland.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The Crude Protein minimum of 10.00% in the Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner is primarily contributed by the Deboned Chicken, Chicken Liver, and Dried Egg Product. These ingredients are high in protein and are the main sources of this nutrient in the pet food.
The Crude Fat minimum of 6.00% is likely to be derived mostly from the Deboned Chicken and Chicken Liver. Both of these ingredients are not only high in protein, but also contain a significant amount of fat. The fat content in these ingredients contributes to the overall energy content of the pet food.
The Crude Fiber maximum of 3.00% could be derived from the Locust Bean Gum and Guar Gum. These ingredients are typically used as thickening agents in pet food, but they also provide some dietary fiber. The fiber content in pet food helps to support healthy digestion in pets.
The Calories of 1219.00 per kg are derived from the combination of all the ingredients but are primarily influenced by the levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the pet food. In this case, the high levels of protein from the Deboned Chicken, Chicken Liver, and Dried Egg Product, as well as the fat content from the Deboned Chicken and Chicken Liver, would contribute significantly to the calorie content.
The minerals and vitamins listed in the ingredients are added to ensure that the pet food meets the nutritional needs of pets. These include essential minerals like Zinc, Copper, and Manganese, and vitamins like Vitamin E, B-12, and D-3. These nutrients are crucial for various bodily functions in pets, including supporting immune function, bone health, and metabolic processes.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner costs approximately $4.86 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $85.42 |
| 10 lbs | $143.65 |
| 15 lbs | $194.71 |
| 20 lbs | $241.60 |
| 30 lbs | $327.46 |
| 40 lbs | $406.31 |
| 50 lbs | $480.34 |
| 60 lbs | $550.72 |
| 70 lbs | $618.22 |
| 80 lbs | $683.34 |
| 90 lbs | $746.45 |
| 100 lbs | $807.83 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers praised Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Dinner for its quality ingredients, with deboned chicken being the first ingredient. Many customers reported that even their picky dogs loved the taste, often gobbling it up quickly and even licking their bowls clean. Several customers also noted that their dogs did not experience any stomach issues after eating the product, indicating its gentle nature on the digestive system.
Customers also appreciated the texture of the product, describing it as a pate or loaf style recipe with chunks of meat. Many customers used the product as a topper for their dogs' dry food, and reported that their dogs seemed to enjoy it more than their regular meals. Customers also mentioned that the product was easy for their dogs to eat, even for older dogs with dental issues.
Many customers were pleased with the product's quality, noting that it contained chunks of real chicken and lacked artificial ingredients. They also appreciated that the product was made in the USA and provided complete nutrition for their dogs. Some customers also mentioned that they used the product as a high-value enrichment option, stuffing it into their dogs' toys.
Despite the overall positive response, some customers reported that their dogs did not like the product, suggesting that it might not be suitable for all dogs. However, the majority of customers highly recommend the product, with many stating that they would continue to purchase it.
Some customers also reported that their dogs had loose stools after eating the product, suggesting that it might not be suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. However, other customers did not report any such issues, indicating that the product's impact on digestion might vary between dogs.
