Welcome to our review of Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food.

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Dry Dog Food

Name: Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food Review
Item: Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain-Free Game Bird Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Rating: 4.18
Author: Samuel James

Disclosure: As a Chewy affiliate, we earn commissions for qualifying purchases.

List of products

Merrick Backcountry Dry Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Backcountry Raw Infused With Healthy Grains Great Plains Red Recipe	4.3	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused With Healthy Grains Pacific Catch Recipe	4.6	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe With Healthy Grains	3.9	All Life Stages
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Big Game Recipe	4.1	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe	4.1	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe	4.1	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Hero's Banquet Recipe	4.2	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe	4.2	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Recipe	4.4	Maintenance
→ Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe	3.9	All Life Stages
→ Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Backcountry Bone Broth Coated Kibble Heartlands Recipe With Beef and Bison	4.2	Maintenance

This dog food line has 11 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe shows the quality, nutrition, and composition of the whole line.

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Ingredients

Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Pea Protein, Salmon Meal, Duck, Natural Flavor, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Tapioca, Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Salmon Oil, 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, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness.

Ingredient Analysis

The first five ingredients are highlighted as the primary ingredients in this review of Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food.

Primary Ingredients

→ Deboned turkey is turkey meat with all the bones taken out. It is clean meat and sometimes has skin. Each 100-gram portion of raw deboned turkey, whole, meat and skin, contains approximately 21.6 g of protein and 5.64 g of fat.

It is a good source of easy-to-digest protein in this Recipe. It has important amino acids and B vitamins that help with muscle health and overall wellness.

→ Turkey meal is a highly concentrated protein source created by rendering and drying whole turkeys or turkey parts (flesh, skin and bone). This process removes most fat and moisture, resulting in a dense ingredient that typically contains about 60–65% protein (dry-matter basis) to support lean muscle mass.

It can also contain naturally occurring glucosamine from cartilage and connective tissue, though amounts are variable and often supplemented separately in finished pet foods.

→ Chicken meal is rendered chicken meat that has been dried and ground, and it typically includes clean flesh, skin, and bone.

It has a higher protein concentration—approximately 65%—compared to deboned chicken, making it beneficial for muscle development.

Additionally, chicken meal is a natural source of glucosamine, a key component in supporting cartilage and joint health.

→ Sweet potatoes are a starchy, nutrient-dense root vegetable prized for their sweet flavor and versatility. They provide fiber and steady energy, support eye and immune health with beta-carotene, and are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Each 100 g of raw sweet potatoes (without skin) contains approximately 17.3 g of carbohydrates and 4.44 g of fiber.

→ Potatoes serve as a gluten-free carbohydrate source, providing energy, fiber (2.2g per 100g), and nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. They are easy to digest and often used in grain-free formulas.

However, their high starch content and glycemic index (which causes rapid blood sugar spikes) may not be suitable for dogs with diabetes.

Secondary Ingredients

The three ingredients immediately following the primary ingredients are highlighted as the secondary ingredients in this review of Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food.

→ Peas are a common part of commercial pet foods. They provide fiber, vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, manganese, phosphorus), and antioxidants.

Raw green peas have 5.42 g of protein and 14.4 g of carbohydrates in each 100-gram serving.

→ Chicken fat is the fat separated from chicken tissues during rendering. It is commonly used in dog food as a concentrated energy source and flavor enhancer.

It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, and is often preserved with mixed tocopherols to maintain freshness.

→ Pea protein is a plant-based protein extracted from peas, commonly used in dog food to increase protein content, especially in grain-free formulas.

Other Ingredients

→ Salmon meal is rendered salmon that has been dried and ground. It typically includes clean flesh, skin, and bone.
Salmon meal has a high protein concentration—approximately 60–70%—making it an excellent ingredient for supporting muscle maintenance and development.

It is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and a strong immune system.

→ Duck is a novel protein used in limited-ingredient dog foods formulated for pets with food sensitivities. As raw, skinless meat, each 100 g provides 18.99 g of high-quality protein to support lean muscle and 5.95 g of fat for sustained energy.

Additionally, it is a natural source of selenium (≈14 µg per 100 g), essential for metabolism, energy production, and thyroid health.

→ Natural flavor is an ingredient derived from plant or animal sources used to enhance taste and palatability.

It is commonly added to pet food to make it more appealing to dogs and may be sourced from herbs, meats, or concentrated extracts of animal products.

The Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe includes other beneficial ingredients further down the list to support your dog’s health. however, we won’t explore them in detail here due to the scope of this Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food Review.

Nutrient Sources - Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Pea Protein, Salmon Meal, Duck, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Yeast
Fat	Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal, Duck, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Yeast, Salmon Oil
Carbohydrate	Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca, Dried Yeast
Fiber	Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Yeast

Vitamins

This recipe includes essential vitamins A, D, E, and a full B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12). Vitamin K is present synthetically as menadione. All vitamins are added as stable synthetic supplements to ensure consistent levels, with mixed tocopherols supporting stability. No adequacy gaps are evident. It is a comprehensively fortified formula.

Minerals

The dog food features a robust mineral profile that adequately meets a dog’s nutritional needs.

Key minerals such as zinc, iron, manganese, and copper are provided as amino acid chelates, a form known to significantly enhance bioavailability and absorption.

The remaining minerals, selenium and iodine, are included in standard yet effective non-chelated forms.

Ingredient Concerns

While this dog food recipe is nutritionally complete and well formulated with high-quality ingredients, it presents several considerations for dogs with specific dietary needs.

The inclusion of multiple animal protein sources, including duck, chicken, salmon, and turkey, enhances the amino acid profile but may increase the risk of triggering sensitivities in predisposed dogs and makes the formula unsuitable for elimination diets.

Ingredients such as chicken meal, turkey meal, and salmon meal are concentrated protein sources; however, their quality depends heavily on sourcing and processing methods, which are not clearly disclosed. Additionally, their prominence over whole deboned meat may not align with some owners’ preferences.

The use of “natural flavor” raises concerns about ingredient transparency.

The inclusion of the synthetic vitamin K supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite, remains controversial among some nutrition advocates.

This review of Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food highlights both the strengths and potential concerns in the formulation, giving pet owners a clearer picture of what to expect from this popular dry dog food line.

Nutrient Analysis

Moisture=11% Max

Method of Analysis	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Fiber
→ Guaranteed Analysis	34%	17%	26.5%	3.5%
→ Dry Matter Basis	38.2%	19.1%	29.8%	3.9%
→ Calorie Content Basis	33.4%	40.6%	26%	NA

Normal dog food typically contains (18-35)% protein, (30–50)% carbohydrates and (9–25)% fat on a dry matter basis.

However, Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe contains 38.2% protein, 19.1% fat, and approximately 29.8% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

This makes it High in protein, Moderate in fat, and Low in carbohydrates.

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe contains 38.2% protein and 19.1% fat on a dry matter basis.

These levels exceed the minimum requirements for adult maintenance set by AAFCO and FEDIAF standards, ensuring the food provides sufficient protein and fat to support your dog’s overall health.

Every recipe in Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food line meets AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.

AAFCO Statement

“Merrick Backcountry Game Bird Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.”

The statement indicates that the recipe meets AAFCO nutrient requirements based on laboratory nutrient analysis, but it does not confirm that the food has undergone AAFCO-approved feeding trials.

Lab analysis verifies that the nutrient levels meet the required standards on paper, whereas feeding trials demonstrate real-world performance in dogs, including digestibility, palatability, and overall health outcomes.

Cost Analysis

Cost Metrics	4-lb bag	20-lb bag
→ Cost per Unit	$27.98	$84.98
→ Cost per Pound	$7.00	$4.25
→ Cost per Serving	$1.82	$1.11

The cost comparison for Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food’s Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe highlights important financial trade-offs.

The 4-lb bag, priced at $27.98, has a higher cost per pound ($7.00) and per serving ($1.82), offering a lower upfront cost but less overall economy. Conversely, the 20-lb bag requires a larger initial outlay of $84.98 but delivers a lower cost per pound ($4.25) and per serving ($1.11), resulting in substantial per-use savings.

While the smaller bag suits temporary or limited-budget needs, the bulk option significantly reduces recurring expenses. Therefore, for consistent feeders, the 20-lb bag provides the best overall value.

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Note: Prices are subject to change based on retailer, location, and availability.

Pros and Cons - Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food

Pros

High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient (deboned turkey)
Includes freeze-dried raw pieces for taste and variety
Enhanced with omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
Contains joint support nutrients (glucosamine & chondroitin)
Grain-free / gluten-free formula

Cons

Higher allergy risk due to multiple animal protein sources
Use of synthetic vitamin K (menadione sodium bisulfite complex)

Recalls and Safety

Merrick has had a few past recalls affecting specific dog treats: 2010 beef filet squares (Salmonella) and 2018 beef treats (high thyroid hormone). These were limited incidents, and none of their other dog food lines have been affected since.

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Our Rating

Our dog food rating system rated the Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe at 4.1 out of 5, while the Merrick Backcountry Dry Dog Food line received an overall rating of 4.18 out of 5.

Final Verdict

This article gives a basic look at dog food ingredients, but you should always ask your vet for specific advice. Your dog may have different needs, and an expert’s help is important.