ol roy vs pedigree canned dog food

Ol Roy Dog Food Review (Canned)

Ol Roy Dog Food Review (Canned)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: April 22, 2024

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Which Ol Roy Canned Recipes GetOur Best Ratings?

Ol Roy canned dog food receives the Advisors lowest tier rating of 1.5 stars.

The Ol Roy product line includes 20 canned recipes, one claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and 19 for all life stages.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.

• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Country Stew
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy T-Bone Flavor
• Ol Roy Strips in Gravy Ribeye Flavor
• Ol Roy Meaty Loaf with Savory Beef
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy with Savory Beef
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy with Lamb and Rice
• Ol Roy Strips in Gravy Filet Mignon Flavor
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Cheeseburger Flavor
• Ol Roy Strips in Gravy New York Strip Flavor
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Savory Chicken Dinner
• Ol Roy Strips in Gravy with Turkey and Bacon
• Ol Roy Strips in Gravy with Savory Beef Flavor
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Rotisserie Chicken Flavor
• Ol Roy Meaty Loaf Filet Mignon Flavor (2.5 stars)
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Stew with Beef and Vegetables
• Ol Roy Meaty Loaf with Beef and Vegetables (2.5 stars)
• Ol Roy Meaty Loaf Porterhouse Steak Flavor (2.5 stars)
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Bacon Cheeseburger Flavor (2.5 stars)
• Ol Roy Cuts in Gravy Senior with Savory Beef Flavor (2 stars)
• Ol Roy Meaty Loaf Puppy Chicken and Beef Flavor (2.5 stars)

Ol Roy Strips in Gravy Filet Mignon Flavor was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.

Ol' Roy Strips in Gravy Filet Mignon Flavor

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Water, chicken, meat by-products, wheat flour, beef, liver, modified corn starch, chicken meal, salt, vegetable oil (preserved with BHA/BHT), sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, artificial filet mignon flavor, titanium dioxide (color), iron oxide (color), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), caramel color, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, onion extract, garlic extract,

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%

Red denotes any controversial items

The first ingredient in this dog food is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.

The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken.²

Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The third ingredient includes meat by-products, an item made from slaughterhouse waste. This is whats left of slaughtered animals after all the prime striated muscle cuts have been removed.

With the exception of hair, horns, teeth and hooves, this item can include almost any other part of the animal.³

Whats worse, this particular item is anonymous. So, the meat itself can come from any combination of cattle, pigs, sheep or goats which can make identifying specific food allergies impossible.

Although most meat by-products can be nutritious, we do not consider such vaguely described (generic) ingredients to be as high in quality as those derived from a named animal source.

The fourth ingredient is wheat flour, a highly-refined product of wheat milling. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.

The fifth ingredient is beef. Beef is defined as the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.⁴

Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The sixth ingredient is liver. Normally, liver can be considered a quality component. However, in this case, the source of the liver is not identified. For this reason, its impossible to judge the quality of this item.

The seventh ingredient is corn starch, a starchy powder extracted from the endosperm found at the heart of a kernel of corn. Corn starch is most likely used here to thicken the broth into a gravy.

Corn starch isnt a true red flag item. Yet weve highlighted here for those wishing to avoid corn-based ingredients.

The eighth ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The ninth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. Thats because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals including humans.

However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isnt disclosed on the list of ingredients, its impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With 5 notable exceptions

First, vegetable oil is a generic oil of unknown origin. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in any oil is nutritionally critical and can vary significantly (depending on the source).

Without knowing more, its impossible to judge the quality of an item so vaguely described. However, compared to a named animal fat, a generic vegetable oil cannot be considered a quality ingredient.

Whats worse, this fat is preserved with BHA/BHT, both suspected cancer-causing agents.

Next, were always disappointed to find artificial coloring in any pet food. Thats because coloring is used to make the product more appealing to humans not your dog. After all, do you really think your dog cares what color his food is?

Titanium dioxide is a white coloring agent. Although most claim the pigment to be a safe food additive, one international agency⁵ has classified titanium dioxide as a Group 2B carcinogen possibly linked to cancer in humans.

And iron oxide is a synthetic color additive used in industry to impart a reddish color to food and paint. In its natural form, this chemical compound is more commonly known as iron rust.

In addition, we also note the use of caramel, a natural coloring agent made by caramelizing carbohydrates. Its used by pet food manufacturers to impart a golden brown tint to the finished product.

However, the concentrated version of this ingredient commonly known as caramel coloring has been more recently considered controversial and found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.⁶

Next, onion and garlic are controversial items. In rare cases, both have been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs⁷.

Although many favor garlic for its claimed health benefits, one must weigh the potential benefits of feeding garlic against its proven tendency to cause subclinical damage to the red blood cells of the animal.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Judging by its ingredients alone, Ol Roy looks like a below-average wet product.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the products meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 31%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 19%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 30% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 43%.

Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the soy flour and textured vegetable protein contained in some recipes in this product line, this looks like the profile of a wet food containing a notable amount of meat.

Our Rating of Ol Roy Canned Dog Food

Ol Roy is a grain-inclusive canned dog food using a notable amount of named and unnamed meat by-products as its dominant sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 1.5 stars.

Not recommended.

Ol Roy Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Ol Roy through April.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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More Ol Roy Reviews

The following Ol Roy dog food reviews are also posted on this website:

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Ol Roy Dog Food Review: Tasty and Affordable Meals For Your Pup

Ol' Roy dog food is a Walmart private label brand that is made and marketed by Walmart. It is quite typical for bigger department stores and box stores to have their own brands, and the Walmart chain is no exception with this brand.

Until 2007, when it was sold to Mars, Inc., this brand of pet food was produced by Doane Pet Food. Brentwood, Tennessee currently serves as the company's headquarters.

Mars, Inc. also produces other pet food brands like Pedigree, Eukanuba, Greenies, and Whiskas.

Continue reading for our thorough Ol' Roy dog food review.

Brand Quick Look:

• Parent Company: Mars, Inc.
• Founded in: 1980
• Available at: Walmart
• Types of Food: Dry, Wet, Treats
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients?: No
• Recalled in the Past?: Yes

Who Makes Ol Roy Dog Food?

It is unclear whether the Ol Roy brand of dog food is made in the United States. While the packages of dog food carry the label, Distributed by Mars, Inc. it does not carry a label saying, Made in the USA or anything to that effect.

Ol' Roy Dog Food Reviews

1. Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken & Rice

First 5 Ingredients: Ground Whole Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat, Corn Gluten Meals

Rating: 2/5

Best for: Adult dogs of all sizes

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Marketed as a complete food, this roasted chicken and rice flavor will encourage your buddy to eat more due to its aroma and palatibility.

Guaranteed Analysis:

This formula purports to offer a well-rounded diet suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages, boasting a savory meat flavor aimed at enticing a healthy appetite. Additionally, it claims to be fortified with essential nutrients to promote skin and coat health, along with a balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio for optimal dental and skeletal strength.

However, a closer examination of the ingredients reveals potential discrepancies with these claims. Contrary to expectations, the primary ingredient in this dry dog food is ground yellow corn, a widely regarded low-quality and non-nutritive filler. Corn, being indigestible for dogs, contributes little to their nutritional needs.

Furthermore, the inclusion of corn gluten meal, while a protein source, offers limited nutritional value due to its plant-based nature. The subsequent ingredients consist of various by-products and unspecified components like animal fat and poultry by-product meal.

Additionally, artificial colors and flavors are present, alongside vitamin and mineral supplements, though notably lacking chelation, which could hinder optimal nutrient absorption for your dog.

Key Takeaways:

Overall, this doesnt have much going for it. Not only does it start with a plant ingredient rather than a meat, but it includes several corn and soy ingredients which offer little nutrition and come with a high risk for triggering food allergies.

This recipe is heavy on plant products and unnamed ingredients, not to mention all the artificial additives. In short, there is no good reason to feed this product to your dog.

Pros

Affordable

Complete nutrition for adult dogs

Promotes healthy coat and skin

Has phosphorousand calcium for dental health

Cons

Contains by-products, artificial colors

Not suitable for dogs with gluten and soy sensitivities

Filled with plant-based products, and unnamed ingredients

2. Ol' Roy Complete Nutrition T-Bone & Bacon Flavor

First 5 Ingredients: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice Bran, Animal Fat

Rating: 2/5

Best for: Adult dogs

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Comprises of 21% protein and 10% fat content. It features a T-bone and bacon flavor plus essential nutrients your dog needs to thrive.

Guaranteed Analysis:

This is a dry food for adult dogs that provides complete and balanced nutrition. This new formula has added protein and fat content to help support muscle health. It is made of 21% protein and 10% fat.

Just like their other formulas, this recipe has calcium and phosphorous to promote stronger bones and teeth. It is also fortified with vitamins and minerals for overall health.

The recipes tasty T-bone and bacon flavor is developed to encourage a healthy appetite for your dog. Dried bacon fat is added for an extra boost of flavor. No artificial flavors are added to this formula. However, it does contain artificial colors and preservatives.

Key Takeaways:

While this new formula does have an increased protein level, this low nutrition dry dog food is still quite heavy on carbohydrates from plant-based ingredients. The animal proteins used are also unnamed.

Overall, this is an economical brand of dry dog food that bacon-loving pups are sure to enjoy. Your dogs get a lot of food that will last them a while at an affordable price. However, its low cost also means lower quality ingredients compared to some of its competitors.

Pros

Budget-friendly

Optimal levels of protein and fat

Tasty T-bone and bacon flavor

Contains essential nutrients

Cons

With unnamed ingredients

Has by-products, artificial colors, and artificial flavors

Has ingredients that are not easy to digest

3. Puppy Complete Chicken & Oatmeal Flavor

First 5 Ingredients: Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal

Rating: 2.5/5

Best for: Healthy Puppies; Coat care

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Packed with nutrients similar to mother's milk, this is specially made in reduced kibble size for easy digestion.

Guaranteed Analysis:

A kibble specially made for the nutritional needs of puppies. To support healthy brain development, this food is packed with essential nutrients similar to mother's milk. DHA is included to help puppies brain development.

This puppy food is quite heavy on the carbs with whole ground corn as the first ingredient. The main protein source is animal protein in the form of chicken by-product meal.

Personally, I am one with other pet parents that consider by-product meat meals as inferior quality ingredients. Corn gluten meal provides an additional source of protein.

Key Takeaways

According to reviews, pet parents like that their puppies enjoy the chicken and oatmeal recipe. The kibbles are just the right size for small puppies to chew and digest. It has also received feedback that puppies are thriving on this food and have grown shiny coats.

This is another product from the brand that is usually purchased for its affordability. It has better ingredients than some of the brands products as this has named proteins and contains no artificial flavors and preservatives. It does contain artificial colors, though, and is quite heavy on carbs.

Pros

Budget-friendly

DHA to support healthy brain development

With essential vitamins and minerals

Fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed

Cons

Corn is the primary source of protein

Packed with ingredients that are not easy to digest

Can trigger food sensitivities

4. Cuts in Gravy Country Stew Flavor

First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Meat By Products, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten

Rating: 2/5

Best for: Adult dogs; Suitable for eye care and coat care

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A tasty chicken dinner for adult dogs. It provides complete and balanced nutrition with every meal. It has an easy open can for convenience.

Guaranteed Analysis:

This canned dog food is a tasty chicken dinner for adult dogs. It provides complete and balanced nutrition with every meal. The meaty chunks are served in a rich and tasty sauce.

Country stew does contain real chicken and some beef, which make it a flavorful meal that dogs love. However, it also contains unnamed proteins such as meat derivatives and animal liver.

It is packed with quite a fair amount of fillers as wheat flour takes the fourth spot in the ingredient list.

Key Takeaways

Most of the reviews this Ol Roy product has received is about dogs enjoying its meaty flavor. They are always excited for mealtimes and happily gobble up the chunks and gravy.

Overall, it may not be the best out of all wet dog foods in the market, as far as ingredients are concerned. The unnamed animal proteins are considered low-quality and cannot be fed to dogs with certain food allergies.

Pros

Easy-to-open pull-tab can

Affordable

Real chicken is the 2nd ingredient

Irresistible country stew flavor

Cons

Contains wheat

Not ideal for dogs with gluten sensitivity

Contains artificial colors, and guar gum

5. Gourmet Food for Dogs, Porterhouse Steak Flavor

First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Meat By-Products, Animal Liver, Chicken, Poultry By-Products

Rating: 2/5

Best for: Immune support (Not suitable for dogs with celiac disease, or dogs with gluten sensitivity).

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A wet dog food that is conveniently packaged in single-serve cups. No need to transfer to a bowl. It is a handy snack that is great for traveling with your pooch. It comes in porterhouse steak flavor in a tasty broth.

Guaranteed Analysis:

This is a wet dog food that is conveniently packaged in single-serve cups. It is a handy snack that is great for traveling with your pooch.

This tasty porterhouse steak recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition with every serving. The meaty shreds are served in a tasty and hydrating broth.

Key Takeaways

This porterhouse steak recipe does contain real chicken and beef. However, unnamed meat by-products and animal liver are the main ingredients of this wet dog food. It also contains artificial porterhouse flavor and colors. While it does not have fillers such as wheat flour, it contains additives such as carrageenan and guar gum.

It is a wet dog food that does not have high-carb have fillers compared to other Ol Roy recipes. This makes this affordable product extra flavorful and is enjoyed by pooches. However, the animal protein sources are mostly unnamed, although it does contain chicken and beef.

Pros

Easy-to-open package

Palatable

Contains beef and chicken

Cons

Contains additives

Has unknown salt amount and other undesirable ingredients

Meat by-products are the primary sources of protein

6. Cuts in Gravy Savory Cuts with Beef

First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Flour, Animal Liver

Rating: 2/5

Best for: Adult dogs; For eye care and coat care

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Described as a hearty dinner made with beef in gravy. It is a balanced and complete food with meaty, savory cuts of beef in an easy open can.

Guaranteed Analysis:

It is described as a hearty dinner made with meaty beef cuts in gravy. If you check the ingredients list, you will find several sources of animal protein which is good, but there are also some ingredients youd rather not see.

This formula contains beef and chicken, both of which could be quality ingredients, but there are also unnamed proteins and by-products like animal liver and meat by-products.

This recipe also contains a thickener called guar gum, which some experts claim could potentially be linked to certain health problems in dogs.

This product is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Key Takeaways

Overall, this hearty loaf is not the worst wet food on the market, but it is certainly not the best. This formula does contain several sources of animal protein which may be of decent quality, but there are also by-products and unnamed proteins as well. This formula also contains some questionable ingredients like guar gum and added color.

Pros

Easy to open and serve

Made with real beef

Real chicken is also a primary source of protein

Cons

Contains artificial colors, and flavors

Not suitable for dogs with gluten intolerance

With onion and garlic

Ingredient Sourcing

Not only is there little information available about where Ol Roy dog food is made, but the Walmart website also fails to provide information about the sourcing of their ingredients.

As a private label brand sold in retail stores, the primary goal of the Mars, Inc. company is likely to maximize profits while minimizing expenses this may mean compromising on the quality of ingredients.

Many store brands use low-quality ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy products as well as plant proteins, by-products, and artificial additives. This brand of dog food makes heavy use of ingredients like this, many of which could be sourced outside the U.S.

Ol Roy Dog Food Recall History

As a store brand designed for profits rather than quality, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of Ol Roy recalls in recent history.

It is also worth noting that this brand is manufactured by one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world and it is possible that their products are made in a variety of different plants both in and out of the country.

Having numerous production facilities leaves a lot of room for error, hence the number of

recalls. Here is a quick overview of recalls for Ol Roy food brand:

• In 1999, there was a massive recall for products made by Doane Pet Care in one of their plants due to a fungal toxin that killed 25 dogs. This recall affected 53 other brands as well.
• In March 2007, an AVMA report instigated a recall for dozens of Ol Roy dog food products in cans and pouches due to potential melamine contamination.
• In June 2007, the FDA issued a recall for 55-pound bags of Complete Nutrition dry food due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In September 2008, the FDA issued a recall for several dog food products produced at the Mars Petcare Everson, Pennsylvania facility due to potential salmonella contamination.

List Of Their Current Products

Not only is Ol Roy known for being one of the most affordable brands on the market, but they also offer a huge selection of different dry pet food products.

Dry Products

In addition to specific diets for performance, small breeds, and large breeds, this brand of dog food offers options with innovative recipes crafted with real meat flavors.

• Complete Nutrition
• Dinner Rounds
• Puppy Complete
• Bacon Flavor
• Cheeseburger Flavor
• Meaty Chunks & Gravy
• T-Bone & Chicken Flavor
• Ol Roy Soft & Moist: Moist Beef Flavor, and Beef & Cheese Flavor
• High Performance
• Small Breed
• Large Breed
• Tasty Benefits Original
• Weight Management
• Kibbles, Chunks & Chews

Wet Products

This brand currently offers traditional loaf-style wet foods, as well as strips, slices, and cuts in gravy.

• Strips in Gravy: Filet Mignon Flavor, Ribeye Flavor, and New York Strip Flavor
• Hearty Loaf: Porterhouse Steak Flavor, Top Sirloin, and Gourmet Dinner
• Meaty Loaf: Chopped Chicken Flavor, and Beef & Vegetables
• Hearty Slices in Gravy with Chicken
• Hearty Cuts in Gravy with Chicken & Rice
• Cuts in Gravy
• Tasty Benefits Chicken & Beef Medley
• Gourmet Grilled Chicken Flavor, and Filet Mignon Flavor
• Healthy Mix Rice & Lamb Stew, and Beef Stew

Ol' Roy Dog Treats

This brand offers a wide variety of dog goodies, including biscuits, chewy snacks, bones, dental chews, bully sticks, and more, in addition to their dry food and wet food options.

• Grilled Strips with Real Chicken
• Lean Barkn Bacn Treats
• Cheezy Barkn Bacn Treats
• Munchy Bone Liver Flavor Treats
• Munchy Bone Minis
• Original Munchy Bone
• Greek Yogurt Munchy Bone
• Ol' Roy Lamb and Rice Dog Biscuits
• Ol' Roy Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits
• Milk Flavored Dog Biscuits
• Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
• Jerky Sticks with Real Beef
• Jerky Strips Dog Treats
• Beef Basted Biscuits
• Pig Ear Chews
• Bully Sticks
• Twisted Treats
• Breath Freshening Dog Treats
• Dental Sticks

Is Ol Roy Dog Food Brand Good For Dogs?

This brand sports a grain-inclusive formula that contains a substantial amount of poultry by-product meals as its main protein source, hence, a 1-star dog food and not recommended.

Parting Words

In all honesty, Ol' Roy dog food has faced criticism and concerns regarding its ingredient quality and nutritional value. While it may be affordable and readily available, the inclusion of ingredients like ground yellow corn, unspecified by-products, and artificial additives raises questions about its overall quality.

While some dogs may tolerate it well, many pet owners and experts recommend opting for dog food brands with more transparent ingredient lists and higher nutritional standards to ensure the best health outcomes for your furry friend. It's essential to prioritize your dog's well-being and consult with your veterinarian to make informed choices about their diet.