Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains Review
$18.19 First Auto-Ship Order
35% Off First Auto-Ship
$22.38 w/ code PawDiet20
Use Code: PawDiet20
$55.24 First Auto-Ship Order
35% Off First Auto-Ship
$67.98 w/ code PawDiet20
Use Code: PawDiet20
PawDiet has been helping pet owners since 2015. To fund our efforts, articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission.
Review of Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains
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 Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains 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 Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains, 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.
Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.
Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.
Salmon meal is a high-quality protein source that also provides omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, as well as overall wellness.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.
Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that is often used as a supplement in dog food. It's beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities or those on a plant-based diet.
Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.
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.
Lamb is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It's also a good option for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources, such as chicken or beef.
Lamb meal is a concentrated protein source, providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support muscle development and overall health in dogs.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Beef liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which support your dog's overall health and well-being. It is also a good source of high-quality protein, which helps maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.
Dried yeast is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It supports a healthy immune system, promotes skin and coat health, and aids in maintaining overall well-being in your dog.
Tapioca is a gluten-free carbohydrate source that provides energy and can be easily digested by most dogs.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.
Iron amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of iron for dogs, which supports red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body. It helps maintain overall health and vitality for your furry friend.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Manganese amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, an essential trace mineral that supports healthy bones, joints, and metabolism. This ingredient ensures that your dog receives the proper amount of manganese for optimal health.
Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and promotes red blood cell production.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.
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.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
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.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
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.
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic form of vitamin K, which plays a vital role in blood clotting and bone metabolism for your dog's overall health.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
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 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.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 34.00%: The high protein content in this pet food is primarily contributed by the animal-based ingredients listed, such as deboned beef, chicken meal, salmon meal, lamb, and lamb meal. These ingredients are rich sources of protein that are essential for muscle development and overall health in pets. The pea protein also contributes to the total protein content, although it is a plant-based source.
Crude Fat (min) of 17.00%: The fat content is likely to come from the deboned beef, chicken fat, and salmon meal, as these ingredients typically have higher fat content. Fats are crucial for providing energy, supporting cell structure, and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The inclusion of flaxseed may also contribute some fat, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.50%: The fiber in the food is most likely provided by the brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. These grains contain varying levels of soluble and insoluble fiber, which can aid in digestive health and help maintain bowel regularity. The fiber content is not excessively high, which is suitable for a carnivorous diet that should be relatively low in fiber.
Calories of 3760.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy the food provides. It is derived from the three macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Given that this food is high in protein and fat, these two macronutrients contribute significantly to the calorie count. The carbohydrates present in the brown rice, oatmeal, and barley also contribute to the overall caloric content, providing energy for daily activities.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains costs approximately $4.71 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 | $26.82 |
| 10 lbs | $45.10 |
| 15 lbs | $61.13 |
| 20 lbs | $75.85 |
| 30 lbs | $102.81 |
| 40 lbs | $127.57 |
| 50 lbs | $150.81 |
| 60 lbs | $172.91 |
| 70 lbs | $194.10 |
| 80 lbs | $214.55 |
| 90 lbs | $234.36 |
| 100 lbs | $253.63 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Many customers have shared their satisfaction with Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe + Grains, praising the food's appeal to their pets. Dogs seem to enjoy the freeze-dried chunks, often preferring them over the kibble, and some pet owners have noticed improvements in their dogs' coat and reduced itching. The inclusion of grains in the recipe has been well-received by those concerned about grain-free diets, with reports of dogs with sensitive stomachs handling the food well.
While some customers expressed disappointment with the inconsistency in the amount of freeze-dried pieces and issues with crumbled kibble, others have found the balance of ingredients to be perfect for their furry friends. The product has been successful for picky eaters, with dogs eagerly sorting out and enjoying the new food from their old mix. Positive feedback also includes the food helping to control dogs' weight and providing a filling meal that satisfies their hunger throughout the day.
A few reviews mentioned concerns about possible formula changes or quality control issues, but these were not the majority. Overall, the majority of dogs appear to thrive on this food, with pet owners appreciating the brand's ability to offer a product that balances quality ingredients with taste that appeals to their pets.
