Merrick® Backcountry® Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food - Natural, Freeze Dried Raw Bits, Lamb & Venison

by Merrick

Overall Score: 90/100

Ingredients

1. Deboned Lamb (protein)
2. Chicken Meal (protein)
3. Turkey Meal (protein)
4. Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
5. Potatoes (carbohydrate)
6. Peas (carbohydrate)
7. Pea Protein (protein)
8. Chicken Fat (protein)
9. Natural Flavor (additive)
10. Venison (protein)
11. Beef (protein)
12. Flaxseed (fat)
13. Beef Liver (protein)
14. Dried Yeast (other)
15. Tapioca (carbohydrate)
16. Potassium Chloride (mineral)
17. Salt (mineral)
18. Choline Chloride (vitamin)
19. Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex (other)
20. Iron Amino Acid Complex (other)
21. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
22. Manganese Amino Acid Complex (other)
23. Copper Amino Acid Complex (other)
24. Calcium Iodate) (other)
25. DL–Methionine (other)
26. Taurine (additive)
27. Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement (other)
28. Vitamin B12 Supplement (vitamin)
29. Vitamin A Supplement (vitamin)
30. Niacin (vitamin)
31. Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin)
32. Riboflavin Supplement (vitamin)
33. d–Calcium Pantothenate (other)
34. Folic Acid (vitamin)
35. Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (additive)
36. Biotin (vitamin)
37. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (other)
38. Vitamin D3 Supplement) (other)
39. Mixed Tocopherols For Freshness (other)

Ingredient concerns

• Peas (low concern): Peas and other legumes have been associated with the FDA investigation into a potential link between grain-free diets high in legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While a definitive causal relationship has not been established, the FDA continues to investigate. Peas are frequently used in grain-free formulations as a primary carbohydrate and protein source.
• Pea Protein (medium concern): Plant-based protein concentrates like pea protein can artificially inflate the total protein percentage on guaranteed analysis without providing the same amino acid profile as animal proteins. Associated with the FDA investigation into grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, though a causal link has not been definitively established.
• Sodium Selenite (low concern): Sodium selenite is an inorganic form of selenium with a narrower safety margin than organic forms (such as selenium yeast). It has lower bioavailability and higher potential for toxicity at elevated levels compared to organic selenium sources. Some premium pet foods use selenium yeast instead as a safer alternative.
• Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (high concern): Menadione (vitamin K3) is a synthetic form of vitamin K that has been banned for use in human dietary supplements in many countries due to toxicity concerns, including potential liver damage, allergic reactions, and cytotoxicity. It can cause oxidative damage to cell membranes. Natural forms of vitamin K (K1 from plants, K2 from bacterial fermentation) are considered safer alternatives. Despite these concerns, it remains widely used in pet food as an inexpensive vitamin K source.

Freeze-dried food, grain-free, for the adult life stage.

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