Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef Dinner Review

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Review of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef 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 Beef 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 Beef Dinner, we'll examine all 29 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.

  1. 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.

  2. Beef broth is a flavorful and hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more appealing and easier to digest. It also provides essential nutrients and can help support overall health and well-being.

  3. 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.

  4. Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  13. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.

  14. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  15. Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.

  16. 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.

  17. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  18. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  19. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  23. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein minimum of 10.00% is most likely derived from the primary ingredients of Deboned Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, and Dried Egg Product. These ingredients are high in protein, which is essential for your pet's muscle development and maintenance.

The Crude Fat minimum of 6.00% is likely from the Deboned Beef and Beef Liver. Both of these ingredients contain fat, which provides energy and helps with the absorption of vitamins. The Dried Egg Product also contributes to this fat content.

Crude Fiber maximum of 1.40% is likely to come from the Locust Bean Gum and Guar Gum. These ingredients are used as thickening agents and provide some dietary fiber. However, the fiber content is kept low in this product as excessive fiber is not beneficial for carnivorous pets.

The calorie count of 1099.00 per kg is a cumulative result of all the ingredients, with the main contributors being the protein and fat sources - Deboned Beef, Beef Liver, and Dried Egg Product. These ingredients are energy-dense, contributing to the overall calorie content of the product.

The vitamins and minerals listed are added to ensure the pet food meets the nutritional needs of your pet. These include various important nutrients such as Vitamin E, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, and Sodium Selenite. These contribute to the overall health and well-being of your pet, supporting functions like immune health, bone health, and metabolic processes.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef 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 WeightAdult
5 lbs $94.74
10 lbs $159.34
15 lbs $215.97
20 lbs $267.98
30 lbs $363.22
40 lbs $450.68
50 lbs $532.78
60 lbs $610.85
70 lbs $685.72
80 lbs $757.95
90 lbs $827.95
100 lbs $896.03

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers have lauded the Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef Dinner for its high-quality ingredients, which they believe contributes to their dogs' health and well-being. They appreciate the fact that the food is grain-free and contains real beef. Many pet owners reported that their dogs, even the picky eaters, loved the food and ate it enthusiastically.

Some customers found that the food was easy to mix with dry food, making it a versatile choice for meal times. They also liked that it was dense and not overly watery. The food was also praised for being easy to digest, with some pet owners noting that their dogs had no issues after eating it.

Despite some negative reviews about dogs refusing to eat the food or experiencing digestive issues, the majority of customers found that their dogs enjoyed the food and showed no adverse reactions. One customer even noted that their dog, who is normally picky about pate, loved this particular product.

A few reviews highlighted that the food has a strong smell, which might be off-putting to some pet owners. However, many customers said their dogs loved the smell and taste of the food. Some even mentioned that their dogs seemed to prefer the Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef Dinner over other brands.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that while most dogs loved the food, a few dogs experienced loose stools after consuming it. Some customers also reported that the food smelled like vomit. Despite these few negative reviews, many customers were satisfied with the product overall and would recommend it to others.