Merrick Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef Review

Compare Prices To Find The Lowest Price
48.96 + Shipping ($4.95)
$31.82 First Auto-Ship Order
Free 1-3 Day Shipping Orders $49+
35% Off First Auto-Ship
48.96 + Shipping ($5.95)
$39.17 w/ code PawDiet20
20% Off First AutoShip
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 Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef

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 Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef 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 Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef, we'll examine all 46 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. Vegetable broth provides not only hydration but also essential nutrients and flavor to make the meal more appealing to dogs.

  4. 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.

  5. Sweet potato is a highly nutritious and easily digestible source of complex carbohydrates for your dog. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, promoting a healthy digestive system and immune function.

  6. Green beans are a good source of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber. They can add valuable nutrients to your dog's diet and aid in weight management due to their low caloric content.

  7. 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.

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

  9. Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive system.

  10. Dried pea is a nutritious legume that provides an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and potassium for your dog's overall health.

  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. Agar-agar is a natural, plant-based thickening agent that helps create the desired consistency in dog food, while also providing a source of fiber to support digestion.

  13. Natural smoke flavor adds a delicious, smoky taste to your dog's food, making it more enjoyable and enticing. This ingredient encourages a healthy appetite, ensuring that your dog receives the necessary nutrients for overall health and vitality.

  14. Dried tomato is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, helping to support a strong immune system and overall health in dogs.

  15. Sodium phosphate is commonly used as a stabilizer in wet pet food products, helping maintain texture and prevent separation of the ingredients.

  16. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.

  17. 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.

  18. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  19. 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.

  20. Fruit juice color is a natural food coloring derived from fruit sources, providing a safe and visually appealing appearance to your dog's food.

  21. Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help to maintain a healthy skin and coat in dogs, while also supporting heart health and immune function.

  22. Cumin is a natural spice that adds flavor to dog food and may provide potential antioxidant benefits to support overall health.

  23. Dried celery is a low-calorie vegetable that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It can help support your dog's immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and contribute to overall health.

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

  25. 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.

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

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

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

  29. 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.

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

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

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

  33. 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.

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

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. Cane molasses is a natural sweetener that adds a touch of sweetness to your dog's food, making it more palatable and enjoyable.

  38. Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.

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

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. Cobalt glucoheptonate is a highly bioavailable source of cobalt, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in the production of vitamin B12. This ingredient supports your dog's overall health and well-being, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and vitality.

  44. 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.

  45. Xanthan gum is a natural thickening agent used in dog food to improve its texture and consistency. While it doesn't provide direct nutritional benefits, it can make the food more palatable and appealing for your dog.

  46. Cinnamon is a natural spice that can help support healthy blood sugar levels and provide antioxidant benefits for your dog's overall health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) of 8.00%: The primary contributor to the crude protein content in this pet food is the deboned beef, which is the first ingredient and thus the most prevalent in the formulation. Beef is a high-quality source of protein that provides essential amino acids necessary for a dog's health. Secondary contributors to the protein content include beef liver, which is another rich source of protein, and to a lesser extent, the dried egg product and dried peas.

Crude Fat (min) of 2.00%: The crude fat content is relatively low in this product, which is likely due to the lean nature of the deboned beef used. Additional fat contributions may come from the beef liver, sunflower oil, salmon oil, and flaxseed oil. These oils are also sources of essential fatty acids that are beneficial for a dog's skin and coat health.

Crude Fiber (max) of 1.00%: The crude fiber content is minimal, which indicates that this food is not high in indigestible plant material. Ingredients like sweet potatoes, green beans, and dried peas may contribute small amounts of fiber. However, the low percentage suggests that these ingredients are not present in large quantities or that other ingredients, such as meat, are more dominant.

Calories of 926.00 per kg: The caloric content is derived from the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates present in the food. The deboned beef, along with the fats from oils and the carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and other vegetable ingredients, all contribute to the total caloric value. The balance of these macronutrients provides the energy content listed in the guaranteed analysis.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Merrick Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef costs approximately $4.95 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult
5 lbs $114.53
10 lbs $192.61
15 lbs $261.07
20 lbs $323.93
30 lbs $439.06
40 lbs $544.79
50 lbs $644.03
60 lbs $738.41
70 lbs $828.91
80 lbs $916.22
90 lbs $1000.84
100 lbs $1083.13

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the Merrick Slow Cooked BBQ Texas Style With Braised Beef dog food, noting their dogs' excitement and eagerness to eat. Owners are happy to see their pets enjoy their meals, with many dogs licking their bowls clean, indicating a strong preference for the flavor and texture of the food.

Several reviews highlight the quality of the ingredients, expressing satisfaction that the product is made in the USA without unnecessary preservatives. Pet owners are confident in feeding their dogs this food, with some noting its suitability for dogs with specific dietary needs, such as those with grain allergies or diabetic conditions.

While there are a few negative experiences mentioned, where dogs either did not like the food or had digestive issues, these are relatively rare in comparison to the positive feedback. To address these concerns, it's worth noting that individual dogs may have unique preferences and sensitivities, and what works for one may not work for another.

Owners of dogs with grain sensitivities appreciate the grain-free formula, and many are impressed by the food's aroma, which is likened to actual BBQ. The food's smell and appearance are also points of praise, with some owners noting that it doesn't have the typical unpleasant dog food odor and that it looks like a hearty stew.

Overall, the product seems to be a hit with most canine companions, with owners noting their dogs' increased excitement at meal times and the clean bowls as evidence of the food's palatability. The brand's consistency in quality and ingredients is commended, making it a recommended choice for many dog owners looking for a tasty and nutritious option for their pets.