Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe with Beef and Lamb Review

Most grain-free formulas ask you to trust the ingredient panel. Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Red tries to make the case visually, mixing standard kibble with visible freeze-dried raw bites in the same bag, a format built to look and feel closer to what a dog would eat in the wild than a bowl of uniform brown pellets.

From a Texas Kitchen to Nestlé Purina's Portfolio

Garth Merrick started the company in 1988 after developing homemade recipes for his own dog in Hereford, Texas, and Merrick still manufactures out of that same Texas base today. Private equity firm Swander Pace Capital bought Merrick Pet Care in 2010 and used it to roll up other natural pet food brands including Castor & Pollux, Zuke's, and Whole Earth Farms. In 2015, Nestlé Purina PetCare acquired Merrick outright, a deal that drew criticism from some longtime Merrick customers wary of a mass-market conglomerate taking over a boutique brand. Nearly a decade later, Merrick continues to operate as a distinct label within Purina's portfolio rather than being folded into Purina's mainstream lines, with production still centered in its original U.S. facilities.

What's Actually in the Bag

The ingredient list opens strong: deboned beef, pork and bone meal, and salmon meal make up the first three ingredients, giving this recipe three named animal protein sources before a single carbohydrate appears. Lamb and beef liver show up further down the panel, bringing the total to five distinct animal-derived ingredients. The carbohydrate side leans on sweet potatoes, potatoes, and tapioca in place of grains, while peas and pea protein, plus potato protein, function as plant-based protein boosters that pad the guaranteed analysis without adding named meat.

That legume-and-potato-protein combination is worth flagging on its own: it's the same ingredient category the FDA highlighted in its ongoing investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Merrick's response shows up directly on the label: this recipe guarantees 0.17% minimum taurine, an amino acid tied to heart health that's frequently absent from at-risk formulas. Mixed tocopherols handle preservation naturally rather than through synthetic antioxidants.

Guaranteed Analysis and Dry Matter Basis

Confirmed directly from the label:

• Crude Protein (min.): 35.0%
• Crude Fat (min.): 17.0%
• Crude Fiber (max.): 3.5%
• Moisture (max.): 11.0%
• Taurine (min.): 0.17%
• Omega-6 Fatty Acid (min.): 2.3%
• Omega-3 Fatty Acid (min.): 0.3%
• Glucosamine (min.): 400 mg/kg
• Chondroitin Sulfate (min.): 400 mg/kg
• Calorie Content: 3,710 kcal/kg, or 394 kcal per cup

Converting to dry matter basis (DMB), with dry matter at 89% (100% minus 11% moisture):

• DMB Protein: 35 ÷ 0.89 = ~39.3%
• DMB Fat: 17 ÷ 0.89 = ~19.1%
• DMB Fiber: 3.5 ÷ 0.89 = ~3.9%
• Estimated DMB Ash: ~6.5% (not published on this label, category-average estimate)
• Estimated DMB Carbohydrates: 100 − 39.3 − 19.1 − 3.9 − 6.5 = ~31.2%

At ~39.3%, DMB protein here lands among the higher end of the grain-free category, close to what this site measured for Orijen Original at roughly 43.2% DMB protein, and well above the mass-market average. Fat at ~19.1% DMB is also on the richer side, appropriate for active adult dogs but worth watching for dogs prone to weight gain or pancreatitis.

Functional Ingredients: Joints, Skin, and Heart Health

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (400 mg/kg each) support joint health, while the guaranteed omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid minimums back skin and coat condition. The 0.17% taurine guarantee is the most notable addition given this formula's grain-free, legume-inclusive carbohydrate profile, and it reflects a formulation choice specifically responsive to the DCM concerns raised across the grain-free category since 2018.

Price Per 1,000 Kcal and Monthly Cost

Chewy carries this recipe in two sizes: a 4-lb bag at $27.98 ($7.00/lb) and a 20-lb bag at $84.98 ($4.25/lb), the better value of the two. At 3,710 kcal/kg, the 20-lb bag (9.07 kg) delivers approximately 33,650 total kcal, working out to roughly $2.53 per 1,000 kcal. That places it above Orijen Original's $2.42 per 1,000 kcal measured elsewhere on this site, making Backcountry Great Plains Red one of the pricier grain-free options reviewed here.

For a 30-lb dog, Merrick's own feeding chart recommends 2 cups per day, or 788 kcal. That's about 23,640 kcal per month, which at this food's price per calorie comes to roughly $59.70 per month from the 20-lb bag.

Recall History

Merrick's recall record is limited to dog treats, not dry kibble: incidents in 2010, 2011, and 2018 affected various treat lines, most notably a 2018 recall of beef treats over elevated naturally occurring thyroid hormone levels. To date, no Merrick dry dog food has been recalled, including this Backcountry line.

Who This Formula Is For

This recipe suits active adult dogs of any breed size who tolerate grain-free, legume-inclusive diets well and whose owners want a high-protein formula with a raw-inspired texture. It's a reasonable pick for dogs transitioning toward a raw or fresh-food diet without going fully raw. It's a poor fit for dogs on a vet-recommended taurine-monitoring protocol who need a non-legume carbohydrate source, and the elevated fat content warrants caution for dogs prone to pancreatitis or carrying excess weight.

What Owners Report

This recipe holds a 4.3-star average across 919 ratings on Chewy, with 70% five-star reviews but also 9% at one star, a wider spread than some competitors. Chewy's AI-assisted review summary shows 82% positive on protein source, 79% positive on protein content, 79% positive on digestibility, and 78% positive on nutrient balance. Recurring themes among positive reviews include dogs that were previously indifferent to kibble becoming enthusiastic eaters once the freeze-dried raw bites were introduced, and multiple long-term owners reporting stable weight and coat condition. A recurring negative theme among a minority of reviewers was softer stool, which several owners resolved by removing the freeze-dried raw component or mixing it at a lower ratio.

Feeding Guidelines

Merrick's feeding chart, confirmed from the label:

For dogs over 100 lb, Merrick recommends adding 1/4 cup per additional 10 lb. When switching foods, the brand recommends a gradual transition over 5 to 7 days.

Final Verdict

Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Red delivers a genuinely protein-forward formula, with three named animal proteins opening the ingredient list and a ~39.3% DMB protein figure that competes with the top tier of the grain-free category. The freeze-dried raw bites are a real differentiator for picky eaters, and the added taurine is a responsible touch given the grain-free DCM conversation. The tradeoffs are a premium price at ~$2.53 per 1,000 kcal, a legume-heavy carbohydrate base typical of the category, and a wider spread of owner satisfaction than some competitors. It's a solid choice for owners specifically drawn to the raw-inspired format who don't mind paying for it.

This review is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet, especially if your dog has existing health conditions.