Oven Baked Cowboy Cookout Beef & Bacon Dog Treats
Verified Aug 22, 2026
A crunchy baked dog treat made with oats as the base ingredient and deboned beef plus bacon for flavor and protein. With only eight listed ingredients, it functions as a simple, limited-ingredient reward rather than a balanced diet. This is best used as an occasional treat for dogs of any size alongside a complete and balanced main food.
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Top Pick
From a nutrition standpoint, these are straightforward, limited-ingredient baked treats with oats as the main ingredient and added beef and bacon for taste and some protein. The formula avoids wheat, corn, and soy, and the relatively simple ingredient list can be helpful for owners who like to know exactly what they’re offering. As with any treat, they should be fed in moderation, especially for smaller or less active dogs, since they add extra calories without being a complete diet.
Computed from 3 of 3 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Short, simple ingredient list with identifiable components like oats, deboned beef, bacon, and canola oil.
- No wheat, corn, or soy, which may suit dogs already avoiding those ingredients for non-allergy reasons.
- Reasonable protein and fat levels for a crunchy treat, making them more than just empty calories.
- Relatively clear calorie information per treat (about 21 kcal), which helps with portion control.
Considerations
- Oats are the main ingredient, so these are primarily carbohydrate-based treats rather than a high-protein option.
- Contains beef and bacon, which can be problematic for dogs with known beef or pork sensitivities or who need lower-fat treats.
- At roughly 21 calories per treat, portions need to be carefully limited for small or overweight dogs to avoid excess daily calories.
- Not a complete and balanced food, so it should only be used as a small part of the overall daily intake.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Oat
Oats are commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (beta‑glucans), plant protein, B vitamins and minerals, which can support healthy digestion and help moderate blood glucose and cholesterol. They are generally well tolerated by dogs and can be included sparingly for cats, but owners should avoid flavored or sweetened preparations (and ingredients like xylitol or raisins), be mindful of possible grain sensitivities or cross‑contamination with gluten, and prefer cooked oats for better digestibility and portion control due to caloric content.
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02
Deboned Beef
Deboned beef is used primarily as a high-quality animal protein and palatability enhancer in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, bioavailable iron and B vitamins that support muscle maintenance, energy metabolism and overall health. Because it is deboned it reduces the risk associated with feeding whole bones, but pet parents should note beef can be a common allergen and variable fat content increases calorie density, so it should be part of a formulated, balanced diet rather than fed alone.
03
Oat Fiber
Oat fiber is used in pet foods primarily as an insoluble dietary fiber and bulking/texturizing ingredient to improve kibble structure, increase stool bulk, and promote feelings of fullness. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and cats and can support healthy digestion and weight management, but provides little protein or fat and in high amounts may dilute nutrient density or affect stool consistency, so formulations should be balanced and pets with rare oat sensitivities or cross‑contamination concerns monitored.
04
Canola Oil
Canola oil is used in pet foods as a concentrated fat source and palatability enhancer that supplies energy and essential fatty acids—mainly omega‑6 (linoleic acid) and some omega‑3 (ALA)—and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins. It can support skin and coat condition when balanced with animal fats or supplemental omega‑3s, but is calorie‑dense so must be portioned to avoid weight gain, does not provide species‑specific fats such as arachidonic acid for cats, and must be kept fresh to prevent oxidation.
05
Bacon
Bacon is used in pet foods primarily as a flavoring and palatability enhancer rather than a balanced protein source, and it contributes high levels of fat and sodium. While it may make food more appealing to dogs and cats, bacon provides limited essential nutrients and frequent or large amounts can promote obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, and increased exposure to preservatives (nitrates/nitrites), so it should be used sparingly or avoided in pets with pancreatitis, heart, or kidney disease.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Not sure how much of this to feed?
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Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Merrick offers premium dog and cat food made with real, whole ingredients and regional produce. The brand is known for its recipes such as 'Grain Free', 'Backcountry', and 'Classic'. Merrick targets pet owners seeking natural and grain-free diets for their pets, with an emphasis on U.S.-sourced meats and fresh, farm-to-bowl ingredients.
Manufacturer
Merrick Pet Care manufactures its food in company-owned facilities in Hereford, Texas. The company maintains in-house quality control and safety testing, adhering to USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards. Merrick emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and audits suppliers for quality and safety.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
No recall is listed for Merrick Oven Baked Cowboy Cookout Beef & Bacon Dog Treats.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 1, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Merrick ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Merrick. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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