Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains
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Ingredients (verbatim, per manufacturer product page): Deboned chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, barley, oat meal, turkey meal, chicken fat, potato protein, salmon, natural flavor, miscanthus grass, dried yeast, chicken hearts and livers, salmon oil, tapioca starch, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, MINERALS [zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, sodium selenite, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, calcium iodate], DL-Methionine, sunflower oil, taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Vitamin A supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin D-3 supplement], mixed tocopherols for freshness.
Guaranteed analysis (as fed, per manufacturer): Crude Protein (min) 28.0%, Crude Fat (min) 16.0%, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5%, Moisture (max) 11.0%, plus taurine, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin, not recognized as essential nutrients by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. Energy 3764 kcal/kg calculated metabolizable energy (480 kcal/cup). AAFCO: Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe + Grains is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult) (per manufacturer). Deboned chicken is the first ingredient.
Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains is a dry kibble Merrick formulates for puppies, sold in 4 lb, 10 lb bags. Because ingredients are listed by pre cooking weight, the first five on the label, deboned chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, barley, oat meal, are the ones present in the largest amounts before cooking removes water and reduces bulk. The guaranteed analysis on the label lists 28.0% crude protein and 16.0% crude fat as fed. Merrick publishes a body weight based feeding chart on the product page and label rather than a single daily amount, since portion depends on a dog's weight and activity level. Merrick markets the Backcountry line as a grain inclusive or grain free kibble base with freeze dried raw pieces mixed through it, distinct from the plain Grain Free line. Whatever food ends up in the bowl, a single ingredient freeze dried topper is a way to add interest without changing the diet, which is what Sniff and Shift makes in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Consolidated from publicly available manufacturer information (link above), compiled Sep 18, 2026. Not tested or evaluated by Sniff and Shift. Not medical advice, verify on current packaging and consult your veterinarian.
Questions about Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains
What are the first ingredients in Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains?
As listed on Merrick's product page, the first ingredients are Deboned chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, barley, oat meal. The full list is on the spec sheet above.
How much protein and fat does Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains have?
Merrick publishes crude protein 28.0% (as-fed min) and crude fat 16.0% (as-fed min), with 3764 kcal/kg (480 kcal/cup). These are the maker's published figures, not our measurements.
Does Merrick publish an AAFCO statement for Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains?
Merrick states: Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe + Grains is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult) (per manufacturer).
What kind of food is Merrick Backcountry Puppy Recipe with Healthy Grains?
Merrick lists it as dry kibble, puppy dog food.
Where do these numbers come from?
Every figure on this page is transcribed from Merrick's own product page, linked in the Source line above. Check the bag for the current label.
Source: Merrick product page (merrickpetcare.com), and the maker's supporting page. Figures are the maker's published values; check the bag for the current label.
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