Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts Review
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Review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts
According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult cats. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult cats.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts, we'll examine all 39 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.
Turkey is a lean, highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your cat's overall health and well-being.
Turkey Broth is a flavorful and nutritious liquid that helps to keep your cat's food moist and palatable. It provides essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to overall health and wellbeing.
Chicken broth adds moisture and flavor to your cat's food, making it more appealing and enjoyable while also providing essential nutrients and hydration.
Turkey Liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals to support your cat's overall health and well-being.
Chicken is a high-quality source of lean protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth, healthy skin, and coat, and supporting your cat's overall well-being.
Dried Egg Whites are a highly digestible source of protein that supports your cat's muscle development and overall health. They also provide essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to ensure a balanced and complete diet.
Potato starch is often used as a carbohydrate source and thickening agent in cat food. While it's not harmful, it doesn't contribute much nutritional value for cats.
Natural flavor enhances the palatability of the cat food, making it more appealing to finicky eaters.
Guar Gum is a natural thickening agent and stabilizer, which helps to maintain the texture and consistency of wet cat food while also providing a source of soluble fiber for digestive health.
Sodium phosphate is used to balance the pH of the food and can help with the digestion process.
Salt is added in small amounts to cat food to help maintain electrolyte balance and support healthy nerve and muscle function.
Potassium Chloride is a vital mineral that supports your cat's overall health by maintaining proper muscle function, nerve communication, and fluid balance in the body.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in your cat's heart function, vision, and reproduction. Cats cannot synthesize taurine in sufficient amounts, making it a vital addition to their diet.
Salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, as well as cognitive function.
Choline chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in maintaining cellular function and overall health in cats.
Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that helps support your cat's red blood cell production and overall health.
Zinc Amino Acid Chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your cat's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall well-being.
Copper amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of copper, essential for your cat's overall health, including bone development, connective tissue formation, and iron absorption.
Manganese Amino Acid Chelate is a form of manganese, which is important for bone health and enzyme function in cats.
Sodium Selenite is an important source of selenium, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in your cat's antioxidant defense system. Selenium helps protect your cat's cells from damage and supports a healthy immune system, thyroid function, and overall health.
Potassium iodide is a source of iodine which is necessary for proper thyroid function in cats.
Calcium carbonate is a common ingredient in cat food, used as a source of dietary calcium to support bone health and several key metabolic functions.
Sodium Carbonate is a safe and commonly used ingredient in cat food that helps to maintain the proper pH balance in your cat's digestive system. This promotes a healthy gut environment and supports optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
Vitamin E Supplement is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in supporting your cat's immune system, skin health, and overall well-being. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your cat's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Thiamine mononitrate is a source of Vitamin B1, essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function in cats.
Niacin Supplement is a form of vitamin B3 that plays a crucial role in supporting your cat's skin, nervous system, and digestive health, as well as promoting energy production.
D-calcium pantothenate, also known as vitamin B5, is important for energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride, also known as Vitamin B6, plays a vital role in your cat's metabolism, immune system function, and nerve health, ensuring their overall well-being.
Riboflavin Supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which supports your cat's energy production, metabolism, and overall well-being.
Vitamin A Supplement is an essential nutrient that supports your cat's vision, immune system, and overall health. It is crucial for maintaining a well-balanced diet and proper body function.
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps support your cat's skin and coat health, as well as their metabolism and nervous system.
Vitamin D3 Supplement is an essential nutrient that supports your cat's bone health and immune system. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels, ensuring strong bones and teeth, and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall well-being.
A vitamin B12 supplement is an essential nutrient for your cat, supporting their nervous system, brain function, and red blood cell production.
Folic Acid is a B vitamin that is essential for your cat's health. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and the production of red blood cells. A deficiency in folic acid can lead to anemia and other health problems, making it an important ingredient in cat food.
Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your cat's gut, supporting a healthy digestive system and immune function.
Rosemary is a natural herb that provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your cat's immune system and overall health.
Sage can provide some antioxidant benefits, but it's not a necessary part of a cat's diet.
Thyme is known for its antibacterial properties and can contribute to your cat's overall well-being.
Rosemary Extract is a natural antioxidant and preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of your cat's food while also providing potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 9.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are the deboned turkey, turkey liver, deboned chicken, and dried egg whites. These are all high-quality sources of protein that help to build and maintain lean muscle mass in pets. The turkey and chicken are likely the largest contributors due to their placement as the first ingredients on the list, indicating they are present in the highest quantities.
Crude Fat (min) of 3.50%: The crude fat content is most likely coming from the deboned turkey, deboned chicken, and salmon oil. Fats are essential for providing energy, supporting cell growth, and aiding in the absorption of certain vitamins. Salmon oil is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a pet's skin and coat health.
Crude Fiber (max) of 1.20%: The crude fiber in this food is relatively low, which is typical for wet foods. Ingredients that contribute to fiber content include potato starch and inulin. Fiber is important for digestive health, but because this is a meat-focused, grain-free product, the fiber content is not emphasized.
Calories of 987.00 per kg: The caloric content is derived from the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the food. The deboned turkey, deboned chicken, and salmon oil are calorie-dense ingredients. The potato starch also contributes to the overall caloric content, providing energy for pets. The turkey and chicken broths may contribute to the moisture content, which affects the caloric density of the food.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts costs approximately $8.96 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your cat.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $194.49 |
| 10 lbs | $327.09 |
| 15 lbs | $443.34 |
| 20 lbs | $550.10 |
| 30 lbs | $745.60 |
| 40 lbs | $925.15 |
| 50 lbs | $1093.69 |
| 60 lbs | $1253.95 |
| 70 lbs | $1407.64 |
| 80 lbs | $1555.91 |
| 90 lbs | $1699.61 |
| 100 lbs | $1839.36 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have expressed that their cats are particularly fond of the Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Turkey Recipe Cuts, with one user noting that all four of their cats enjoy the food, a rare consensus in a multi-cat household. The high protein, carb-free formula has been beneficial for cats with specific health needs, such as diabetes and sensitive stomachs, with one owner reporting excellent health improvements in their pets.
While some customers have raised concerns about the size of the food chunks, suggesting they are too large for their cats to comfortably eat, resulting in the need to cut or squish the pieces, others have found their cats eagerly devouring the product, including the gravy. The convenience of the packaging has also been praised, with some mentioning the ease of opening the pouches and serving without utensils.
Despite some negative feedback regarding a few instances of spoiled or discolored food, which could be indicative of a quality control issue or a bad batch, the overall sentiment towards the food is positive. Many cats seem to love the taste and texture, with even picky eaters being satisfied. The product has also been recommended for its good ingredients and the added benefit of hydration when water is mixed in. Some users have found it necessary to supplement with dry food or rotate with other products due to portion sizes or nutritional content.
