Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free canned product range is made up of three recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 5 stars.
Real deboned meat is the primary ingredient for high-quality protein that supports your dog’s healthy energy levels and lean muscle mass, combined with fresh vegetables and added vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- Made without grain, corn, wheat, or soy, and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives
- USDA-certified meat
- Recognizable ingredients
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Merrick Backcountry Real Beef Dinner | 5 | M |
| Merrick Backcountry Real Chicken Dinner | 5 | M |
| Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero's Banquet Stew | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Merrick Backcountry Real Beef Dinner was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Merrick Backcountry Real Beef Dinner
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Deboned beef, beef broth, beef liver, dried egg product, natural flavor, salt, locust bean gum, potassium chloride, guar gum, sodium tripolyphosphate, calcium carbonate, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin a supplement, folic acid, vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin], taurine, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite]
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 10% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 46% | 27% | 19% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 35% | 51% | 15% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is beef broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries – from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
After the natural flavor, we find salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals – including humans.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Merrick product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Merrick Backcountry Real Beef Dinner looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.2%, a fat level of 26.9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 17.7%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 45.4% and a mean fat level of 25.5%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 15.6% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Which means this Merrick product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to other canned dog foods.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a significant amount of meat.
Merrick Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Merrick through December 2025.
- Merrick Recalls Multiple Dog Treats (May 23, 2018)
- Merrick Recalls Dog Treats (August 9, 2011)
- Merrick Pet Treats Recall 2011 (January 30, 2011)
- Merrick Expands Dog Treats Recall (August 16, 2010)
- Merrick Expands Recall of Dog Treats (August 4, 2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall (July 6, 2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall 2010 (January 15, 2010)
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Dog Food
Merrick Backcountry is a grain-free wet dog food using a significant amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
About
All Merrick dog foods are produced in the United States. Most of the brand’s dry and wet recipes are manufactured at one of its 3 company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. Unlike most pet food brands, Merrick owns its own cannery.
Merrick also owns Castor and Pollux Natural Petworks (a quality brand known for its certified organic dog and cat foods)… and produces Whole Earth Farms pet foods, too.
Merrick was sold to Nestle Purina PetCare in 2015.
Compare Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Dog Food
How does Merrick Backcountry Grain Free compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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