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LINE VS LINE · MERRICK KIBBLE

Merrick Backcountry vs Merrick Grain Free

Merrick Backcountry vs Merrick Grain Free: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

Merrick Backcountry against Merrick Grain Free, measured across 13 and 14 kibble recipes: 33.8% vs 31.3% protein and 29% vs 33% starch, as fed.

13 kibble recipes reviewed 14 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Both lines are close on macros as fed: Merrick Backcountry averages 33.8% protein and 16.5% fat, Merrick Grain Free averages 31.3% protein and 15.1% fat.
  • Estimated starch is higher in Merrick Grain Free, averaging 33%, than in Merrick Backcountry, averaging 29%.
  • Merrick Backcountry is 77% grain-free by recipe share, while Merrick Grain Free is 100% grain-free.
  • Merrick Backcountry recipes average more calories per cup at 433 compared with 406 for Merrick Grain Free.
  • Merrick Backcountry has 13 recipes, including one for all life stages, at an estimated $4.25 per pound; Merrick Grain Free has 14 recipes, including one for seniors, at an estimated $3.32 per pound.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Merrick Backcountry Merrick Grain Free Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 13 14 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 33.8%28.0% to 38.0% 31.3%28.0% to 38.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 16.5%14.0% to 17.0% 15.1%10.0% to 17.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 29%25% to 38% 33%25% to 38% 37%
Calories per cup 433386 to 522 406352 to 462 398
Grain-free recipes 77% 100%
Life stages Adult 9, Puppy 2, All Life Stages 1 Adult 11, Puppy 2, Senior 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 13, Large Breed 1 All Breeds 14, Large Breed 1
Price per pound, estimate $4.25/lbEstimate, median of 11 of 13 recipesRecipes run $4.22 to $5.60Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 $3.32/lbEstimate, median of 11 of 14 recipesRecipes run $2.40 to $3.54Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

Merrick Backcountry

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 38.0% as fed Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Hero’s Banquet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 38% Fat 17% Starch 25% 396 kcal/cup Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 28% Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 35% Fat 17% Starch 28% 394 kcal/cup Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 386 kcal per cup Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 34% Fat 17% Starch 29% 386 kcal/cup

Merrick Grain Free

Merrick Grain-Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 34.0% as fed Merrick Grain-Free Real Duck + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 34% Fat 17% Starch 29% 389 kcal/cup Merrick Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 32% Merrick Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 17% Starch 32% 393 kcal/cup Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 352 kcal per cup Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 30% Fat 10% Starch 38% 352 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Merrick Backcountry

  • Owners wanting more calories per cup, since Backcountry averages 433 kcal per cup.
  • Owners wanting a recipe made for all life stages, such as Hero's Banquet.
  • Owners wanting a grain-inclusive recipe, like the Puppy Recipe + Grains.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Merrick Grain Free

  • Owners wanting a fully grain-free line, since Grain Free is 100% grain-free across recipes.
  • Owners of senior dogs, since Grain Free includes a Senior Real Chicken + Sweet Potato recipe.
  • Owners wanting a recipe made for weight management, such as the Healthy Weight Recipe.
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every Merrick Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
Grain Free 14 31.3% 15.1% 33% 406 100% $3.32
Backcountry 13 33.8% 16.5% 29% 433 77% $4.25
Kitchen Comforts 10 26.3% 15.0% 30% 414 0% $2.92
Lil' Plates 9 30.7% 15.3% 33% 444 89% $3.50
Full Source 6 31.7% 16.3% 32% 386 33% $3.64
Limited Ingredient Diet 5 23.8% 14.0% 41% 427 60% $3.45
Backcountry Raw Infused 1 32.0% 16.0% 32% 395 100% $4.25

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

More Merrick Line Comparisons

Merrick Backcountry vs Merrick Lil' Plates Merrick Backcountry vs Merrick Kitchen Comforts Merrick Grain Free vs Merrick Lil' Plates Merrick Grain Free vs Merrick Kitchen Comforts Merrick Lil' Plates vs Merrick Kitchen Comforts

The Merrick Lines

All Merrick food Merrick Grain Free Merrick Backcountry Merrick Kitchen Comforts Merrick Lil' Plates Merrick Full Source Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused

Merrick Against Other Brands

Merrick vs Blue Buffalo Merrick vs Wellness Merrick vs Taste of the Wild Canidae vs Merrick Merrick vs Fromm

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

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