Wilderness Blend Grain Free Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 17, 2026
This is a grain-free canned food for adult dogs that uses deboned duck as the primary protein, with added bison, venison, and beef liver for extra animal protein and flavor. Peas, potatoes, and carrots provide carbohydrates and fiber, while added fish and flaxseed oils contribute beneficial fatty acids. It can be fed as a complete wet meal or used as a topper to enhance a dry diet for dogs who enjoy chunky food in gravy.
This is a high-quality, grain-free wet food centered around multiple animal protein sources, which should be very palatable and provide good amino acid variety for most adult dogs. The moderate fat level and calorie density make it suitable for many normally active dogs, especially when used alongside a balanced dry food. It’s a good option for dogs who do well on grain-free formulas and enjoy rich, meaty stews, but it won’t be ideal for dogs with poultry/egg allergies or those where you’re trying to avoid peas or potatoes.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple named animal proteins (duck, bison, venison, beef liver) high in the ingredient list provide rich, varied protein sources.
- Grain-free formula for dogs that need or prefer diets without traditional grains, using peas and potatoes as the main carbohydrate sources.
- Includes fish oil and flaxseed oil, which contribute omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Chunk-in-gravy texture and relatively high calorie content per can can be helpful for dogs who need extra energy or enticement to eat.
Considerations
- Contains duck, beef, venison, bison, fish, and egg, so it’s not suitable for dogs with multiple protein allergies or egg sensitivities.
- Peas are a prominent ingredient in this grain-free recipe; for breeds where you’re cautious about legume-heavy, grain-free diets due to DCM concerns, you may want to discuss this choice with your veterinarian.
- The fat and calorie density may be a bit high for dogs needing strict weight control unless portions are carefully managed.
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
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
02
Beef Broth
Beef broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a savory flavoring and moisture enhancer to boost palatability and encourage hydration, and depending on preparation can contribute small amounts of protein, minerals and gelatin-derived collagen. Care should be taken because commercial broths are often high in sodium and may contain added ingredients (onion, garlic, spices, preservatives or sweeteners) that can be harmful to dogs or cats, so choose low-sodium, pet-safe formulations and avoid if your pet has a beef allergy or sodium-sensitive condition.
03
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth is typically used in pet foods and toppers as a low-calorie flavor enhancer and source of moisture to improve palatability and encourage drinking, but it contributes negligible protein or fat. It can provide small amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on the vegetables used, yet pet owners should check labels for added salt, onion or garlic (toxic to dogs and cats), and other seasonings or preservatives that may be unsuitable for pets or sodium-restricted diets.
04
Bison
Bison is used as a high-quality animal protein in dog and cat foods, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for pets with food sensitivities. It supplies essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins and is typically leaner than beef—making it a lower-fat option that may require added fat or formulation adjustments for energy needs; as with all meats it should be part of a complete, balanced diet (especially for cats who need adequate taurine), be sourced and processed safely, and may still cause allergic reactions in some individual pets.
05
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
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.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.
Visit MerrickManufacturer
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
Merrick Wilderness Blend Grain Free Wet Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Merrick ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Merrick. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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