is alpo bad for dogs
Alpo Dog Food Review: Unraveling Taste, Nutrition, and Value
Due to shortage issues, ALPO products may currently be out of stock at some retailers. In the mean time, we recommend checking out our
Best Dog Foods for 2024.TheAlpo Dog Food brandwas founded in 1936 in Allentown, Pennsylvania with the goal of creating a simple, nutritious food that offered big, meaty taste. Today, a full 80 years later, Alpo claims to be delivering on that promise.
The name Alpo comes from an abbreviation of Allen Products the original name of the company and if you believe what you read on the brand website, it is a name that can be used synonymous with meat.
The Alpo website uses taglines like more than meats the eye and dont complicate your dogs food get to the meat of it, driving home the idea that their products are meat-rich and full of flavor.
Alpo claims that their recipes havent changed much in 80 years because dogs havent changed they still crave the flavor of meat.
What the website does not talk about, however, is the fact that their products contain by-products, fillers, and artificial additives. A quick review of some of Alpos products reveals that this brand is not all it claims to be.
Read on below for our in-depth Alpo dog food reviews.
Alpo Dog Food Reviews
The brand makes a big deal about saying that their products are made with real meat and loaded with meaty flavor. A quick review of their products reveals, however, that most of these meat flavors are artificial and the meat used in their products comes from unnamed, mostly low-quality sources.
It is also important to note that most of Alpos recipes make use of by-products, low-quality fillers, artificial colors/flavors, and synthetic supplements that offer limited bio-availability for dogs.
Alpos products may be complete and balanced in the most basic sense of the term, but this brand does not use quality ingredients in their products.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT |
|---|---|
ALPO Prime Cuts Savory Beef
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ALPO Prime Cuts with Beef in Gravy
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ALPO Come & Get It! Cookout Classic
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ALPO T-Bonz Porterhouse Flavor Dog Treats
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ALPO Small/ Medium Dental Chews
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ALPO Variety Snaps Little Bites
| Check Price on ChewyCheck Price on Amazon |
1. ALPO Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor
First 5 ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Meat And Bone Meal, Soybean Meal and Beef Fat
This product is described as packed with the good stuff your dog needs. It is marketed as a hearty, flavorful recipe loaded with crunchy texture and savory beef flavor.
According to the brand website, this recipe is no ordinary recipe it contains high-quality protein and 23 added vitamins and minerals, including calcium to give your dog strong bones ad joints.
This recipe delivers 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs but, if you look at the ingredients list, you will see that much of that nutrition comes from sub-par ingredients. In fact, meat isnt even the first ingredient on the list.
The first ingredient in this dog food is ground yellow corn this is a problem for multiple reasons. For one thing, no quality food lists anything other than protein as the first ingredient.
Furthermore, corn is a low-quality grain for dogs because it is difficult to digest, limited in terms of nutritional value, and there is a very real risk that is could trigger food allergies or sensitivities. This recipe also contains soybean meal which is a potential allergen as well as a plant-based source of protein.
When it comes to the protein or meat content of this dog meal, the main source is meat and bone meal this recipe doesnt actually contain any real beef. Meat and bone meal is a questionable ingredient for a number of reasons.
For one thing, it is an unnamed source of protein which means that you have no idea where it comes from. Furthermore, unnamed proteins vary greatly in quality from one batch to another so you really have no idea what kind of quality this ingredient has to offer.
This recipe also contains corn gluten meal which is a plant-based protein. Because it is a corn-based ingredient and a plant protein, corn gluten meal offers very limited nutritional value and bio-availability for dogs.
The remaining ingredients in this recipe consist primarily of fats, flavors, colors, and supplements. The main source of fat in this recipe is beef tallow it is also likely the main source of flavor in this recipe, though egg and chicken flavor also appears on the ingredients list.
Beef tallow is an inexpensive and low-quality fat commonly used in pet foods. This recipe also includes numerous artificial additives such as colors and flavors, plus it is made with numerous synthetic supplements.
These supplements are likely required to ensure nutritional balance because there are very few natural sources of quality nutrition included in this recipe. These supplements are not chelated, however, so your dog will not be able to absorb most of them.
This kibble is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.
Overall, it meets your dogs minimum nutritional requirements, but not through the use of any high-quality ingredients. The first ingredient in this recipe is a carbohydrate and a corn-based ingredient at that plus, the only source of animal protein comes from an unnamed source.
This recipe is loaded with artificial additives and it doesnt contain any natural sources for key nutrients (like fruits and vegetables), any chelated minerals, or any probiotics. There is a very real risk that long-term feeding of this product could have a negative impact on your dogs health.
2. ALPO Prime Cuts with Beef in Gravy
First 5 ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, Poultry, Meat by-products, Wheat Gluten and Beef
This canned dog food is, according to their website, loaded with tasty goodness and made with genuine flavor. This recipe contains 10% more protein than the leading competitors canned food and it is complete and balanced for adult dogs.
Alpo also notes that this recipe features 23 essential vitamins and minerals, plus it features beef as the main attraction. If you take a moment to actually read the information on the label, however, you will find that many of these claims are not quite true.
For example, this recipe is marketed as a beef-based food but chicken is the main source of protein. Furthermore, chicken is followed by meat by-products and an unnamed source of liver before the first beef-based ingredient is even mentioned.
The fact that chicken is listed as the main ingredient (second to water used for processing) is a good thing for this recipe, but things go quickly downhill.
Not only are the meat by-products used in this recipe from an unnamed source, but so is the liver. Beef is a secondary named source of animal protein but its position in the ingredients list makes it difficult to tell how much is actually used in this recipe.
The remaining ingredients in this canned food consist primarily of fillers,artificial flavors, and synthetic supplements. Both soy flour and rice flour offer limited nutritional value and the potential to trigger food allergies or sensitivities.
Guar gum and carrageenan are both used as thickeners and while the guar gum is not inherently dangerous, there is some evidence to suggest that carrageenan is a potential carcinogen for pets.
The synthetic supplements used in this recipe are included to ensure nutritional balance but they are much less biologically valuable for dogs than natural sources for the same nutrients things like fresh fruits and vegetables.
Your dog will only be able to actually absorb a fraction of the synthetic nutrient content of this recipe and these supplements are only needed because much of the nutritional integrity of the ingredients is lost when the product is cooked at extremely high temperatures.
Overall, this product offers better nutritional value and quality than either of Alpos dry food recipes mainly because it includes two named sources of animal protein.
This benefit is almost outweighed, however, by the fact that unnamed by-products and organ meats are used along with several low-quality fillers and artificial additives. You can certainly do worse than to choose this recipe for your dog but you can also do much better.
3. Come & Get It! Cookout Classic
First 5 ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Corn Germ Meal, Beef and Bone Meal, Soybean meal and Beef Fat
ALPO Come and Get It! cookout classic is a grain-inclusive dry dog food inspired by backyard barbecues that excite the whole family, including your pup. This meaty recipe has the rich flavors of beef, chicken, and pork that your dog is sure to enjoy.
The first five ingredients of this recipe are ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, beef and bone meal, soybean meal, and beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols.
While it is not particularly high in protein at 18%, it is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs. It does contain beef and bone meal, as well as pork and bone meal which are concentrated sources of protein.
Its most plentiful ingredient is ground yellow corn. This recipe does not contain wheat. If your dog is allergic to wheat, this can be safely fed to your pup. However it does contain corn and soy. Some dogs may be sensitive to these ingredients.
This recipe has 23 essential vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition in every serving. Each crunchy piece has calcium to help support strong bones. It also contains linoleic acid to help support skin and coat health.
It has proven to be quite popular among dogs (young and old dogs alike). The crunchy and tasty morsels are packed with the meaty flavors of beef, pork, and chicken, as well as natural grill flavor. This recipe has even passed the standards of some very picky pooches.
Many pet parents purchase this recipe as it not only keeps their dogs happy during mealtimes, but it is also quite affordable.
Overall, while it may not be among the highest in protein content, it is still enriched with the right nutrients needed by dogs to be healthy. It makes them excited for mealtimes, and they happily gobble up the crunchy pieces.
4. T-Bonz Porterhouse Flavor Dog Treats
First 5 ingredients: Ground Wheat, Water, Wheat Flour, Corn Gluten Meal and Sugar
These are grain-inclusive treats that are packed with meaty flavors that dogs love. These steak-shaped treats come in bite-sized chewy pieces making it the perfect training reward.
While its first five ingredients does not include meat, this recipe does contain real beef. To give it a richer, more savory flavor, it also has chicken by-product meal, liver, and bacon fat.
This tasty treat gets that distinct smoky goodness of a grilled steak from natural porterhouse steak flavor and smoke flavors.
It is designed to be a treat, and not given as a meal. It has sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors. It also contains unnamed animal ingredients such as liver and animal digest.
According to customer reviews, pups go wild for these steak-flavored chewy treats. They love that it is full of beefy flavor, and they like the soft, easy to chew texture of this product.
As they come in small, steak-shaped pieces, they are just the right size for even small breed dogs. Older dogs are also able to enjoy these tasty treats.
If you are looking for treats that would surely tickle your meat-loving pups palette, it could be the one for him. Many pet parents purchase this product as it keeps their dogs happy at a very affordable price.
However, if you are looking for all-natural, healthy treats, these may not be the one for your pup.
5. Small/ Medium Dental Chews Dog Treat
First 5 ingredients: Rice, Water, Glycerin, Gelatin, and Chicken by-product meal
These chews are grain-inclusive treats that help clean small to medium sized dogs teeth while satisfying their need to chew. These tasty treats help reduce tartar build-up for healthier teeth and gums.
These tasty treats are enriched with the savory flavor of chicken from chicken by-product meal. They are just the right size for small to medium sized pups.
The star-shaped treats are excellent as rewards or light snacks for your dog. It keeps them entertained while keeping their teeth clean.
They are free from artificial flavors or colors. However, it contains carrageenan as an additive. Some experts claim that carrageenan may potentially contribute to certain conditions in dogs. These treats also have BHA and BHT as preservatives.
This is another product from the brand that dogs enjoy. Pups of all life stages just love chewing on on this dental chews.
Pet owners love them as they find good value in this affordable product. Some are even able to divide one piece of treat into 2-3 pieces for tiny dogs.
While many find good value in this product for keeping their pets happy at an affordable price, some prefer all natural treats that are free from additives. Such treats definitely cost more than these dental chews.
6. Variety Snaps Little Bites Dog Treats
First 5 ingredients: Wheat flour, Beef Tallow, Wheat Gluten, Lecithin and Calcium Phosphate
These are bite-sized baked snacks made just for dogs. Each piece is packed with the flavors of beef, chicken, liver, and lamb.
These little biscuits are just the right size for training rewards or a light and tasty snack. They are small enough for tiny breeds to happily snack on.
The first 5 ingredients of this recipe are wheat flour, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), wheat gluten, lecithin, and calcium phosphate.
These baked goodies are not just full of savory, meaty flavors from beef, chicken, liver, and lamb. Each treat has calcium to help support strong bones and teeth. Its crunchy texture helps keep pups teeth clean by scraping away plaque and tartar.
They are free from artificial flavors and preservatives. However, it does contain artificial food color.
While they are designed to be enjoyed by smaller dogs, reviews for this product show that dogs of all sizes and life stages enjoy the little snaps.A lot of large breed dogs grew up on Variety Snaps, and continue to enjoy them to this day.
They find the little biscuits tasty and easy to snack on. It has even passed the strict standards of some known picky pooches.
If you are looking for treats for your finicky little pup, this could be the one for your dog. These versatile biscuits are perfectly sized for training rewards for dogs of all sizes.
These flavorful and crunchy treats offer great value at an affordable price. While it is made of real animal ingredients, it does contain artificial food color.
Who Makes Alpo?
The Alpo brand belongs to the Purina family of brands which is currently produced and manufactured by the Nestle Purina PetCare Company. Originally the Ralston Purina company, Purina was acquired by Nestle in 2001 and merged with the Friskies PetCare Company.
Today, Nestle Purina PetCare is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and it is the second-largest pet food manufacturer in the world and the largest in the United States.
Is Alpo Made in the United States?
The Nestle Purina PetCare Company is the second-largest global manufacturer of pet food products with operations in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Though Purina pet foods are available all over the globe, the Alpo website states in their FAQs that Alpo products are all proudly manufactured in the United States.
Where Does Alpo Get Their Ingredients?
Their website talks about the brands goal of producing meaty, flavorful diets for dogs and states that their goal hasnt changed in 80 years of existence and their products havent either. They talk a lot about meat, specifically mentioning animal proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey.
According to the brand website, Alpos gravy recipes contain 25% more protein than the competition that their proteins come from high-quality sources. Nowhere on the Alpo website, however, is it stated exactly where all of that meat comes from. The FAQs mention that all of Alpos products are made in the U.S., but there is nothing to be said about where Alpo gets their ingredients.
Alpo Recall History
The Alpo brand belongs to the Purina family of brands which are produced and manufactured by the Nestle Purina PetCare Company. Though Nestle Purina has operations all over the world, Alpo products are made in the United States.
What Alpo doesnt tell you, however, is where they get their ingredients this alone is a red flag. It is also worth noting that Alpo has been affected by one significant recall in recent history this recall took place in 2007. Here are the details for that recall:
- In March 2007, the FDA issued a recall for Alpo canned products having a Best By date of February 2009 more than a dozen individual recipes were affected. This recall was issued due to wheat gluten containing melamine.
Price Comparison
What many dog owners love about the Alpo brand is that it is very affordable. You have to keep in mind, however, that the lower the price of a product, the lower the quality is likely to be this certainly seems to be the case for the Alpo brand.
The price for a 16-pound bag of Alpo dry food ranges from about $16 to $30, depending on the recipe. You can purchase 13.2-ounce cans of Alpo wet productsin cases of 12 for $15 to $25 which gives you an average price of around $1.70 per can.
Their Selections
The brand is known primarily for its wet food recipes, though there are a few options for dry dog food and dog treats. According to their website, the brands ground recipes contain 10% more protein than the leading competitors product and their gravy recipes contain 25% more protein than the competitors product.
Alpo also states that their products are 100% complete and balanced for adult dogs, made from high-quality protein sources and formulated with 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Alpo uses animal proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey to ensure that their products are yummy and delicious pawfect.
Dry Products
They are primarily a wet food brand, though they do offer a limited selection of dry products two, to be exact. Alpo dry food is 100% complete and balanced for adult dogs and full of meaty flavor. Here are the dry food recipes Alpo has to offer:
- Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor
- Come & Get It Cookout Classics
Canned Products
Though the company does offer a limited selection of dry recipes, most of their products are wet or soft. Alpos Meal Helpers line of soft products is designed for use as a mix-in to add flavor to your dogs traditional diet. Alpo also offers four lines of wet products. Here is a list of the wet food products Alpo has to offer:
Chop House Wet Food Recipes:
- Filet Mignon & Bacon Flavor Cooked in Savory Juices
- Prime Rib Flavor Cooked in Savory Juices
- Roasted Chicken & Top Sirloin Flavors Cooked in Savory Juices
- T-Bone Steak & Ribeye Flavor Cooked in Savory Juices
- T-Bone Steak Flavor in Gourmet Gravy
- Beef Tenderloin Flavor in Gourmet Gravy
- Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gourmet Gravy
Prime Cuts Wet Food Recipes:
- With Lamb & Rice in Gravy
- With Beef in Gravy
- With Turkey & Bacon in Gravy
- With Beef, Bacon & Cheese in Gravy
- With Chicken & Wholesome Veggie Accents in Gravy
- Stew with Beef and Vegetables in Gravy
- London Grill & Wholesome Veggie Accents in Gravy
Gravy Cravers Wet Food Recipes:
- Roast Beef Flavor in Gravy
- With Beef in Gravy
- With Chicken in Gravy
Prime Classics Wet Food Recipes:
- With Beef
- With Chicken & Rice
- With Beef Plus Bacon & Cheese
Alpo Dog Treats
In addition to offering an assortment of wet food options and several dry food products, Alpo also has several lines of dog treats. The Twist-Ables line of treats combines two meaty flavors in one savory treat and the Variety Snaps line features four flavors in every crunchy bite.
Tbonz are steak-shaped dog treats with real beef flavor and Dental Chews are designed to help maintain your dogs dental health. Here is a list of the dog treats Alpo has to offer:
Treats:
- Dental Chews Small/Medium
- TBonz Filet Mignon Flavor
- TBonz Ribeye Flavor
- TBonz Porterhouse Flavor
- TBonz BBQ Pork Flavor
- TBonz Beef & Cheese Flavor
- TBonz Chicken Flavor
- Variety Snaps Little Bites Pouch
- Variety Snaps Little Bites with Beef, Chicken, Liver & Lamb Flavors
- Variety Snaps Little Bites with Beef, Bacon, Cheese & Peanut Butter Flavors
- Variety Snaps Big Bites with Beef, Chicken, Liver & Lamb Flavors
- Twist-Ables Beef & Cheese Flavors
Parting Words
In conclusion, Alpo dog food offers a range of options that cater to different dietary needs and preferences of dogs. While some owners appreciate its affordability and availability, others may have concerns about the quality of ingredients as it doesn't fit the quality dog food bill.
Ultimately, feeding Alpo for your dog depends on individual factors such as their health, taste preferences, and any specific dietary requirements. It's advisable to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best food option for your furry companion.
