Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Real Salmon Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food

Wet food for cats · by Merrick

See the full breakdown in Beagly

What to watch for

• Pea protein Moderate risk
  Protein extracted from peas, used to raise the protein number without more meat. The FDA has been investigating reports of heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating diets high in peas, lentils and other legumes, often grain-free. No cause has been proven, but it is worth knowing when legumes sit near the top of the list.
• Potato protein Low risk
  Protein extracted from potatoes, used to raise the protein number in grain-free foods.
• Natural flavor Low risk
  Flavoring from natural sources. Normally safe, but the term can hide which animal or plant it came from, which matters for allergies.
• Salt Low risk
  Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which dogs need. Pet foods use small amounts; high salt is mainly a concern for dogs with heart or kidney disease.
• Copper sulfate Low risk
  A source of copper, an essential trace mineral. Some breeds accumulate copper in the liver, and vets have raised concern that some dog foods supply more than dogs need.

What it does well

• Named meat first
  First ingredient is salmon.
• Taurine added
  Cats need taurine in their diet; this label lists it.

Ingredients

Deboned Salmon, Fish Broth, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Agar-Agar, Flaxseed, Locust Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodate, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate). Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Real Salmon Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food, 5.5 Oz

What the label cannot tell you

• Ingredient order is by weight before cooking; fresh meat counts water.
• Mineral levels are not printed on this label.
• We could not find the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for this product. Scan the bag to confirm it is complete and balanced.

Sizes and barcodes

• Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Real Salmon Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food, 5.5 Oz, 24 Ct UPC 022808471509

Higher-scoring wet food for cats

• Tiki Pets Tiki Cat Luau Wet Cat Food, Variety 91/100 · Excellent
• Wellness Complete Health Adult Cat Wet Food - Seafood Pate, Variety 91/100 · Excellent
• Wellness Complete Health Pate Adult Wet Cat Food, Natural, Protein-Rich, Grain-Free, 3 Ounce, 24 Pack, (Chicken & Herring) 91/100 · Excellent
• Wellness Complete Health Wet Adult Cat Food - Chicken & Turkey Lovers, Variety 91/100 · Excellent
• Wellness Signature Selects Adult Cat Wet Food - Grain Free, Flaked, 2.8 Oz - Tuna & Mackerel 91/100 · Excellent

More from Merrick

• Merrick Before Grain Grain-Free Chicken #1 Dry Cat Food 83/100 · Excellent
• Merrick Before Grain Grain-Free Chicken #1 Dry Cat Food, 11.1 lb - 11.1 fl oz 81/100 · Excellent
• Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Real Beef Recipe Cuts Wet Cat Food 77/100 · Excellent
• Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain Free Chicken Recipe Adult Pate Wet Cat Food 76/100 · Excellent
• Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Duck Pate Wet Cat Food 76/100 · Excellent

Informational, not veterinary advice. The score is our opinion of a food, built from the facts on its label with our published method. No brand pays to rank higher. Recipes change: check the bag you have, or scan it in the app.

Score version 2026.11.6 · Page updated 2026-11-03