Skip to content

6,000+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher on KibbleLab, 8.4 to 8.3. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.

Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food and Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food compared

Nutrients:
As Fed
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food
Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 26, 2026

Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 21, 2026

KibbleLab score The KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science.
8.3 / 10 8.4 / 10
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
Protein Guaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed.
34.00% 34.00%
Fat 16.00% 15.00%
Fiber 3.50% 4.50%
Calcium Not listed 1.50%
Phosphorus Not listed 1.00%
Omega-3 0.30% 0.50%
Omega-6 2.15% 3.50%
Taurine 0.17% 0.20%
Moisture Higher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above.
11.00% 10.00%
Calories 3684 kcal/kg 3682 kcal/kg
Calorie density Moderate Moderate
Ingredients
Full ingredient list Every ingredient on each label, in order of weight.
Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Turkey Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Bison, Pea Protein, Beef Bone Broth, Flaxseed, Miscanthus Grass, Dried Yeast, Beef Hearts, Beef Liver, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, MINERALS [Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate], Tapioca, DL-Methionine, Sunflower Oil, Taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols. A287624 Show full list
Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Dried Yeast, Dried Ground Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Dried Chicory Root, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Mixed Tocopherols (added to preserve freshness), Niacin, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint. Show full list
Limited ingredient No No
Health focus Skin coat health, Joint care, High energy Antioxidant support, Probiotic support, Skin coat health
Format & suitability
Food type Dry Dry
Texture Kibble Kibble
Processing Freeze Dried Not listed
Life stage Adult Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes All Breed Sizes
AAFCO nutritional adequacy
Complete & balanced Whether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test.
Not indicated Yes
Life stages Not listed Adult Maintenance
Substantiation How adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile.
Not listed Formulation
Maker standards
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No Yes
Recalls & where to buy
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy
Amazon
Amazon Chewy

Affiliate links · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Shared ingredients

Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Pea
  • Potato
  • Chicken Fat

Not sure which is right for your pet?

Sign in free to see Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food and Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.

Common Questions

Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?

Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher, 8.4 to 8.3 out of 10. Scores reflect published veterinary science.

Do these two foods share ingredients?

Yes. They share these top ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Pea, Potato, Chicken Fat.

Are both foods AAFCO complete and balanced?

Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food does not list an AAFCO status; Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food is labeled complete and balanced.

See the full profiles: Merrick Backcountry Grain Free Heartlands Beef & Bison Dry Dog Food and Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food .

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either product. A food's guaranteed analysis gives legal minimums and maximums for a few nutrients, not measured values. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Product details are compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest formulation. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us.