alpo dry dog food reviews

Alpo Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Alpo dog food a rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars.

The Alpo brand falls under the Purina-Nestle brand, though these days, its one of his lowest-selling brands. Alpo has been around for a long time, and its one of the most synonymous names for dog food.

However, its name isnt necessarily synonymous with high-quality dog food recipes. Their wet and dry food options are pretty limited these days, but you can find them at Walmart, Petco, The Dollar Tree, and other local retailers.

As more dog food brands have entered the market, the Alpo brand has fallen off the map. Today, many pet owners look for quality meals at affordable prices, and unfortunately, Alpo dog food has excellent price points but has failed when it comes to providing high-quality ingredients without fillers and preservatives.

So, Alpo will fit the bill if youre looking for a dog food brand that you can buy in a pinch if youre on a budget. However, if youre looking for high-quality ingredients from whole meats, veggies, and grains, you may want to pass on this brand.

Also, if your dog suffers from any health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems, allergies, stomach sensitivities, or yeast infections, Alpo may not be the best brand to support your dogs health issues.

At a Glance: The Best Alpo Pet Food Recipes

Alpo Pet Food Reviewed

Alpo dog food hit the scene in 1936 and was founded by Robert F. Hunsicker. However, it was acquired by the Nestle Purina Petcare brand years ago. Since its considered a budget-friendly dog brand, it has a limited number of products available, though it can be found in local pet stores worldwide.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the Alpo brand has been in the industry for close to 80 years and was one of the first dog food companies to revolutionize marketing for pet food products. Their successful marketing campaigns were responsible for many of the companys sales during the first few decades of operation.

However, their dog food recipes are simple, made of inexpensive ingredients, and arent known for being organic, holistic, or particularly nutritious. They provide wet and dry meals and a small list of doggie treats. They dont provide dog food specifically formulated for mature dogs or puppies, and they dont have any recipes made for dogs with health issues or for specific breeds.

What Dogs Is Alpo Dog Food Good For?

Overall, youll find that this brand of dog food is suitable for any breed, as it has the bare minimum needed from a nutrient standpoint. The brand doesnt have any specific age recommendations for their meals. However, as mentioned previously, you may think twice about providing this food for dogs suffering from health issues.

Alpo Dog Food Pricing

The best thing about Alpo is the price. You can get a can of Alpo or buy a 12-pack for about a reasonable price. Their dry food is also very inexpensive, which is about half the price of high-quality brands such as Royal Canin or Hills.

Alpo Dog Food Primary Ingredients

Alpo dog foods are fortified with vitamins, fiber, and minerals, including B vitamins in addition to vitamins A and D. Unfortunately, the main ingredients in many of the dog food products are meat by-products, animal fats, wheat, soy, and corn.

These ingredients arent uncommon in dog foods, but some dog owners prefer to have recipes with whole foods listed as the main ingredients. Also, the brand has quite a number of different additives.

Many dry food formulas include corn (which is high in carbohydrates) as the main ingredient, which has been known to contribute to obesity issues in dogs.Lets take a closer look at some of the main ingredients in their foods.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is the crushed bones and hubs of different animals that have been slaughtered. It usually contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that dogs need for everyday health. However, the quality of the bone meal will vary by brand.

Soybean Meal

Soybean meal is another protein supplement thats commonly added to dog food. However, soy has been known to cause allergy issues in humans and dogs. Though soybean meal can help bulk up dog food and add considerable volume, its not necessarily the healthiest meal for your dog.

Yes, soybeans are packed with amino acids, protein, and other minerals, but they pale in comparison to high-quality meats such as chicken, beef, liver, and turkey. Its considered an additive used by manufacturers to keep costs down, which is not favorable for pet owners looking for the best of the best in dog food recipes.

Meat Meal

Meat meal is a dried end product made from various organs of different animals. It is not considered a whole-meat option. Meat meal recipes can be fortified with protein and are very high in fat, additives, and carbohydrates.

Recall History

As mentioned previously, Alpo has been around for over 80 years. Recently, it has had several recalls for its wet and dry products. However, most of the recalls have been for canned dog food products for reasons ranging from melamine contamination to bad expiration dates. One of the more recent recalls happened in 2020 with various canned food products.

Reviews of the 3 Best Alpo Food Recipes

Here are some of the best recipes the Alpo brand offers. There arent any Alpo dog food products available on Amazon or Chewy as of the moment. However, you can find Alpo at local pet food stores and Walmart.

1. Alpo Prime CutsDry Dog Food

Alpo Prime CutsDry Dog Food consists of prime beef. It includes vegetables and has 23 vitamins and minerals to give your dog a daily supply of nutrition. Prime Cuts is made to support strong muscles. The recipe contains meat by-products, gluten, soy, and modified starch. So, if your dog has health issues or stomach sensitivities, this may not be the best pick.

However, it is also fortified with vitamins A, B, D3, and folic acid. Its not the healthiest dog food brand available, but it can be a suitable meal for your dog if youre running low on funds and looking for a budget-friendly option.

• Affordable option
• Fortified with vitamins & minerals
• Easy to find in stores

• Contains by-products
• Doesnt support health issues
• Contains additives
• Limited online availability

2. Alpo Chop House Canned Dog Food

Here is another recipe you can stock up on if you need wet food for your dog. Alpo Chop House Canned Dog Food contains steak-flavored meat products with a tender texture. This soft food is suitable for young puppies that are still growing.

It also has 23 essential vitamins and minerals for everyday health and contains about 10% more protein than other canned meals by the brand. These classic meals are satisfying enough for small and large dogs.

• Chicken & Beef flavors
• Fortified with vitamins & minerals
• Affordable option

• Contains by-products
• Doesnt support health issues
• Contains additives
• Limited online availability

3. Alpo Come & Get It! Adult Dry Dog Food

Alpo Come & Get It! Adult Dry Dog Food is balanced and able to provide a dog with the basic essentials they need for everyday health. It is suitable for all dog breeds and dogs of various ages. It includes calcium, 23 essential vitamins and minerals, and linoleic acid to help support healthy skin and fur.

Most importantly, its one of the most inexpensive dry dog food options you can purchase.

• Tasty steak flavor
• Fortified with vitamins & minerals
• Affordable option

• Contains by-products
• Doesnt support health issues
• Contains additives
• Limited online availability

What Other Users Are Saying

The reviews amongst Alpo customers seem to be pretty mixed. Most buyers know that the brand may not be the best quality, but they are more than happy to buy the product at the current price to save money.

Many users also mentioned that they supplement the brand during times of budget constraint or use the products to mix with other, more expensive brands. There were also negative reviews of owners stating that their dogs became gassy, suffered from diarrhea, and, in some cases, appeared to have stomach nausea after consuming Alpo.

If youre introducing Alpo to your pup for the first time, you may want to start slowly to ensure it doesnt cause digestive irritation.

Our dog wasnt crazy about it. I tried this for our Great Pyrenees that is not at all picky. He wasnt crazy about it. He normally tries anything, even new dog foods, with no problem, but this he wasnt very interested in. I didnt notice any issues with him after eating it.

My dogs only eat this dry dog food twice a day. My dogs love both the Alpo dry and wet foods. They eat both twice a day. I love the price.

Good food. Fed it to a stray dog we were taking care of. She was eating puppy chow before this because thats what her puppies were eating. She liked it ok but preferred the puppy chow. After she got used to it, she liked it.

Conclusion

Dogs dont know if their dog food is healthy or harmful for them, which is why its vital for dog owners to be discerning. So, if you are looking for the healthiest wet or dry food option for your dog, Alpo isnt it. However, it is fortified with vitamins and minerals for daily nutrition and can be used as a substitute if youre in a pinch or on a budget.

However, you may want to introduce it to your dog in a phased approach to see how they react. Also, if your dog has any history of digestive problems, yeast infections, or other issues, you may not want to use this brand, as it is high in carbohydrates and additives that may exacerbate these issues.

The Alpo brand has carved out a small and relevant niche in the dog food world. Its known as a cheap and readily available food brand that you can get at almost any store, and it contains the basics that your dog needs for nutrition.

Featured Image Credit: Chewy

Alpo Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Alpo Dog Food a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

Dog food recipes keep changing by the day, and its hard to know which dog food is the best for your pup. Alpo is a common brand lining dollar store and department store isles for quick, easy meals. But how is the nutrition, does the recipe hold up, and is it something you should even be feeding your dog?

Well explain a little bit about the company and dive deep into our pose formula ingredients.

At a Glance: The Best Alpo Dog Food Recipes

Rating	Image	Product	Details
	ALPO Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor Dry Dog Food	Colorful Flavorful Modest calorie levels	CHECK PRICE
	ALPO Come & Get It! Cookout Classic Dry Dog Food	Softer kibble Completely balanced Dogs love the flavor	CHECK PRICE
	ALPO Prime Cuts with Beef and Gravy	Recyclable cans Adequate protein and calories 23 essential vitamins and minerals	CHECK PRICE

Alpo Dog Food Reviewed

Alpo is a readily available dog food you can find in-store and online. But just because its readily available doesnt mean its nutritionally beneficial. There are plenty of choices on the market, fitting all kinds of budgets. Were here to tell you why you should avoid Alpo and buy your dog something that is more nutrient friendly. Lets learn a little about the company and why we cant recommend Alpo.

Who Makes Alpo and Where Is It Produced?

Alpo is made by Nestle Purina, a very well-known pet food company. Purina offers a long lineup of nutrition at varying costs. Alpo is at the bottom of the totem pole in both categories.

Which Type of Dog Is Alpo Best Suited For?

Alpo is a prevalent Purina dog food brand line you can find just about anywhere. Because its so readily available, you might mistakenly think its the best option for your dog. We beg to differ. We think that the only time Alpo should ever be fed to a dog is if its an emergency situation where another food is available or temporary until their traditional dog food comes in the mail.

Otherwise, Alpo uses many ingredients and formulas that can trigger all sorts of allergies and sensitivities and even aid in developing specific health issues.

Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

If youre trying to find a readily available brand on the shelves, you dont have to dismiss quality nutrition completely. Dogs with any sensitivity should never eat Alpo for any reason. It can trigger all sorts of unwanted symptoms related to digestive issues.

Purina dog food is popular as well, and they have several lines of comprehensive recipes to satisfy the taste buds and aid in the health of many different dogs. Its as convenient as what youre looking for. We understand the importance of being able to stay local and still be able to feed your Mtley Cre.

With Purina they carry high-quality lines of dog food that target particular health issues. You can check out all of their top-of-the-line recipes if you click here.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

Youve heard our disdain for this particular brand, but now you get to figure out exactly why. When we look at a dog food brand, we consider so many factors.

For us to consider dog food top quality, there should be a foundation protein source, wholesome ingredients with essential vitamins and minerals, and supportive bodily components. Alpo lacks severely in all categories.

• Ground yellow corn is the first ingredient in this dog food. Corn doesnt provide much for dogs in the way of nutrition.
• Meat and bone meal provide a concentrated protein source. But ideally, we like to see meat protein as the first ingredient in dog food because protein provides the most beneficial nutrition for dogs. It also doesnt specify what the meat is, which is not good for dogs that may have an allergy to certain kinds of meat.
• Soybean meal is a carbohydrate source found in many common dog foods. Many dogs have sensitivities to soy, so its not always the best ingredient to see in a lineup. However, soy is a good source of fiber for your dog.
• Beef fat added protein source with other health benefits.
• Corn gluten meal contains fiber and serves as a carbohydrate source. Some dogs are highly sensitive to gluten in dog food, so this ingredient is controversial.
• Egg and chicken flavor is an unusual phrasing because its hard to determine if it is natural or synthetic egg and chicken.
• Natural flavor is a very tricky element. Natural flavors have no one meaning and can signal many things, most of which are not good. Legally, natural flavors can contain many synthetic ingredients. So, it might look like some tricky marketing.
• Dyes

Here, we see all of these dyes and toxins.

• Red 40linked to stomach issues, migraines, nervousness, jitteriness
• Yellow 5can cause itching, coughing, vomiting
• Blue 2has been linked to tumors in male rats during studies
• Garlic Oilgarlic is highly toxic to dogs, as are all plants in the allium family

Dietary Triggers

Alpo offers a not-so-healthy lineup of ingredients that can cause all sorts of digestive upsetand some ingredients are just bad for all dogs in general.

Corn being the main ingredient is already a huge red flag, as there is more of a carbohydrate source than protein. Corn is not a nutrient-dense carb source, either, providing minimal nutritional benefit. While it isnt a filler, as some would say, it isnt the most nutritious choice. There are also tons of dyes, artificial preservatives, and flavors, some of which are synthetic ingredients.

Alpos dog food recipes also contain meat and bone meal as one of the primary ingredients. However, this is very ambiguous, and it could be any kind of meat in the food. Some types of meat, such as chicken or beef, are common allergens for dogs. So its hard to know exactly what kind of meat youre getting.

A Quick Look at ALPO Food

Cons

• Contains potential allergy triggers
• Contains artificial flavors and dyes
• Contains byproducts and fillers
• Kibble contains very little protein

Recall History

From our research, we only found one recall on Alpo Dog food. In March of 2007, Alpo Prime Cuts was recalled due to possible melamine contamination.

Reviews of the 3 Best ALPO Dog Food Recipes

1. ALPO Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor Dry Dog Food

ALPO Prime Cuts Savory Beef Dry Dog Food is designed for flavor. It contains many delicious ingredients that might catch your picky dogs attention. It also has colorful elements to capture the eye.

However, even though these tactics are effective, this recipe doesnt contain the best ingredients. It only has 18.0% protein on the guaranteed analysis, which is very low. If you buy this dog food, we encourage you to mix it with a high-protein wet food topper.

Otherwise, its a modest calorie diet, so it would work well for various activity levels. It contains ground corn meal as the first ingredient, which we really dont like to see. Rather than a whole protein source, it has bone and meat mealnot the best source.

However, it is compatible with nutrient profile requirements.

Pros

• Modest calorie levels
• Flavorful
• Colorful

Cons

• Many unhealthy ingredients
• Very low protein

2. ALPO Come & Get It! Cookout Classic Dry Dog Food

ALPO Come & Get It Cookout Classic Dry Dog Food is a 100% complete and balanced recipe. It is a grain-inclusive recipe that meets nutritional requirements, providing 23 essential vitamins and minerals.

This recipe contains important ingredients like linoleic acids and calcium for healthy skin, fur, and bones. Essentially, its full of fillers, using starches and hard-to-digest ingredients for carbs. It contains a dangerously low amount of protein, however, averaging 18% on the guaranteed analysis.

We noticed this dog food contains a little more moisture than some dry dog foods, and you can tell slightly in the kibble texture. Your dogs might love the taste, but we give the recipe a big thumbs down.

Pros

• Completely balanced
• Softer kibble

Cons

• Low protein
• Uses artificial flavors, byproducts, and fillers

3. ALPO Prime Cuts with Beef and Gravy

ALPO Prime Cuts with Beef and Gravy is sure to tickle the taste buds of any pup. Its formulated with the basic 23 essential vitamins and minerals for dogs. It contains a meaty loaf sitting in a savory gravy that will spruce up fresh dry kibble with a hydrating surprise.

The recipe contains an average amount of calories and protein, making it adequate for most dogs with moderate activity levels.

While it might be full of moisture and meaty flavors, it doesnt contain the best ingredients. It shows unspecified poultry as the number one ingredient, followed by meat byproducts and wheat gluten. Its just screaming to trigger an allergy.

One positive is that the recipes are crafted in the United States. So, at least you can keep a closer eye on the business sourcing if need be.

Pros

• 23 essential vitamins and minerals
• Recyclable cans
• Adequate protein and calories

Cons

• Contains artificial ingredients

What Other Users Are Saying

We havent seen the best comments about Alpo from nutritionists. Many claim it is insufficient due to the number of artificial additives and low-quality ingredients.

However, many customer reviews disagree. It seems many owners have picky dogs who love the taste of Alpo.

We dont need to rag on Alpo, but they really should improve their dietary selections based on the current changes in the pet food industry.

By offering a more comprehensive selection of quality products that cater to different dietary sensitivities, it might severely limit their customer base and impact to the health of owners who choose to feed this dog food to their p

Conclusion

In good conscience, we cannot recommend Alpo dog food for your dog. It contains too many artificial ingredients and other potential allergy triggers that can be upsetting for many canines, even the healthy ones. There are plenty of other selections that you can find readily available in stores, such as other lines in the Purina dog food brand.

This is definitely not one of the best and we give it a big thumbs down. Your dog deserves the best nutrition, work with your veterinarian to pick a nutritionally solid dog food that works in your budget.

Sources

• https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/alpo-dog-food-dry/