Pet Food
Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Mature Recipe Pate Canned Cat Food

Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Mature Recipe Pate Canned Cat Food

By Merrick 11 reviews analyzed Updated Oct 2023 85% confidence
6.7 /10
Quality
6.8
Value
5.5
Design
0.0
Function
7.0
Durability
7.2

In a Nutshell

  • Healthy and grain-free option for mature cats
  • Often requires added water to make it palatable
  • Some cats may not be enthused about the flavor

Quick Verdict

The Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Mature Recipe Pate Canned Cat Food receives mostly positive feedback for taste and quality. However, some users mention that the food is too dense and requires added water to make it palatable for their cats. Overall, it's a decent option for cat owners looking for a healthy, grain-free canned food, but it may not be suitable for all cats, especially picky eaters.

Quick Stats

Reviews Analyzed 11
Would Recommend 64%
Would Buy Again 45%
Avg Lifespan null

Pet Compatibility

🐕 Dogs
Caution
🐈 Cats
Suitable

Critical Warnings

high

handful of cats who refuse to eat, similar being overcooked in unexpected zones

Prevention: Mix with water, pilot tiny portion sizes.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Healthy Ingredients (3)

    Many owners appreciate the grain-free and high-quality ingredients in this product.

  • Taste and Quality (4)

    Pets love the taste!

  • Delivery Satisfaction (2)

    They appreciate the fast delivery of this product.

Cons

  • Density Issues (2) major

    Some reviewers noted that the food is overly dense and requires added water to make it palatable for their cats.

    Tip: Add water to soften the texture

  • Unfavorable Texture (3) major

    Some cats refuse to eat this food, indicating issues with the texture.

    Tip: Cat owners are left with no workaround.

  • Cost (3) minor

    Some users find the product quite expensive, especially when considering that some cats may not eat it.

Who Is This For?

Best For

  • cat owners looking for healthy options or needing solutions for hiding pills — 5-star ratings for health and for using them as pill substitutes.

Skip If

  • owners of picky eaters or those seeking better value for money — texture complaints and high cost relative to usage.

Durability & Care

Expected Lifespan null

Factors: null

Cleaning Methods

Machine wash
Hand wash
Spot clean

Care Tips from Users

  • 💡 possilbe use with water

Floor Compatibility

⚠️ Hardwood
⚠️ Tile
⚠️ Carpet
⚠️ Vinyl
⚠️ Laminate

Rating Distribution

3.6
11 reviews
5★
45%
4★
18%
3★
9%
2★
0%
1★
27%
pill substitute (1) fine ingredient (2) density (2) value (2)

Common Questions

How to handle the dense texture of the food?

Adding water & smashing the food as a solution

Will the cats enjoy the taste?

some cats outright reject the product and require mothering

Is the food worth the price?

Mixed feedback, some owners find the value average or above-average

Highlighted Reviews

— Bill

"Our Labradors love these. We use them as a pill pocket substitute and they are much healthier than the pill pocket brand. Break in half, insert pill, push pieces back together and feed to dog. Voila!"

— CatFoodie

"I rarely review things based on whether cats did or did not like it, but we have 20+ cats and none seemed to enjoy this food in the week we served it. Moreover, the gravy was in an overcooked pancake form on the bottom, suggesting poor manufacturing QC."

Bottom Line

This is a decent option for cat owners looking for a grain-free canned food. Some cats may require added water to make it easier to eat, and it might not be suitable for picky eaters, but overall, it's a healthy choice for many cats.

6.7 /10
Average