Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains Review
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Review of Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains
According to our data, this Merrick recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains, we'll examine all 38 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 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.
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.
Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.
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.
Potato protein is a high-quality, easily digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle development and maintenance.
Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's immune system, brain function, and skin and coat health.
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.
Salmon oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support your dog's skin and coat health, immune system, and cognitive function.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
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.
Tapioca is a gluten-free carbohydrate source that provides energy and can be easily digested by most dogs.
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 28.00%: The high protein content in this pet food is primarily contributed by the deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, and salmon listed in the ingredients. Chicken meal and turkey meal are concentrated sources of protein because they are rendered forms of the meat with most of the moisture removed, which means they contain a higher percentage of protein by weight. Deboned chicken and salmon also contribute to the overall protein content but to a lesser extent due to their higher water content. Potato protein may also contribute slightly to the total protein content.
Crude Fat (min) of 16.00%: The crude fat content is likely derived from the chicken fat, salmon, and salmon oil. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of essential fatty acids and is very palatable for dogs. Salmon is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the fat content as well as providing health benefits. Salmon oil is also a concentrated source of fat and omega-3 fatty acids, which can contribute to the healthy development of puppies.
Crude Fiber (max) of 3.50%: The crude fiber content comes from the digestible carbohydrates and grains in the food, such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. These ingredients provide the necessary fiber for a healthy digestive system. The fiber content is controlled to ensure it is not too high, which is important for maintaining the food's overall digestibility and ensuring it meets the energy needs of growing puppies.
Calories of 3764.00 per kg: The calorie content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. This is influenced by the levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in the diet. The deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal contribute to the calorie content through protein, while the chicken fat, salmon, and salmon oil contribute through fats. The grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley also contribute energy but to a lesser extent than fats and proteins. The overall caloric density of this food supports the energy requirements of puppies, who generally require more calories for growth and development compared to adult dogs.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains costs approximately $6.00 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Puppy |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $21.85 |
| 10 lbs | $36.74 |
| 15 lbs | $49.80 |
| 20 lbs | $61.79 |
| 30 lbs | $83.75 |
| 40 lbs | $103.92 |
| 50 lbs | $122.85 |
| 60 lbs | $140.85 |
| 70 lbs | $158.12 |
| 80 lbs | $174.77 |
| 90 lbs | $190.91 |
| 100 lbs | $206.61 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Many customers have praised the Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains for its positive impact on their puppies' health and digestion. One customer found that after trying multiple dog foods, this particular recipe settled their puppy's stomach and improved stool firmness. Another noted that their puppy, which is a large breed, gained a healthy amount of weight and showed enthusiasm for the food, countering initial concerns about the product's suitability for growth support.
Several reviews highlighted the appeal of the freeze-dried raw pieces mixed with the kibble. Puppies seem to find the combination delicious and visually appealing, with one owner using the kibble as a training treat due to their puppy's fondness for it. Additionally, some customers observed that their puppies became more energetic and happier after switching to this food, suggesting a positive overall impact on their pets' well-being.
Despite some concerns about the quantity of freeze-dried pieces in the bags, many reviews focused on the high-quality ingredients and the health benefits provided by the food. For example, one customer was pleased to find a grain-inclusive formula without peas or lentils that their puppy loved. Another review appreciated that the food was well-received by all their dogs, not just the puppy, indicating a broad appeal across different ages.
The product has also been well-received by owners of dogs with sensitive stomachs, with one customer recommending it based on their German Shepherd's improved digestive health. The addition of grains and the absence of strong odors, often associated with salmon-flavored dog food, were also mentioned as positive aspects. Overall, the majority of reviews suggest that Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe + Grains is a high-quality, nutritious option that many puppies enjoy.
