Large stores are known to own private-label dog food, and Walmart isn’t an exception. But the problem with this type of dog food is that it’s manufactured by a third-party company and uses low-quality ingredients, making it affordable.
Will Walmart’s Ol’ Roy dog food be different?
Well, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) certifies that Ol’ Roy dog food meets the nutritional requirements for different life stages.
However, in this comprehensive Ol’ Roy dog food review, I’ll provide an in-depth analysis of the ingredients, records of recalls, as well as the pros and cons of the brand.
Rating
Based on the nutritional value, affordability, and reviews from customers, I give the Ol' Roy dog food a rating of 2.5/5.
Based on the nutritional value, affordability, and reviews from customers, I give the Ol' Roy dog food a rating of 2.5/5.*Find out more about our editorial & review standards
Ol’ Roy Overview
Ol’ Roy dog food is Walmart’s private label brand, founded in 1981. It was named after Sam Walton’s bird dog with the aim of manufacturing a store brand that’s affordable but matches the quality of dog foods available on the market.
It’s not quite certain where Ol’ Roy dog food is manufactured, but in the beginning, it was produced by Doane Pet Food, headquartered in Tennessee.
Soon, Doane Pet Food became one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the United States. However, in 2006, Mars Inc acquired the company, taking over the production of Ol’ Roy dog food.
The dog food brand features 10 dry dog foods, 17 wet foods, and 16 snacks that cater to the needs of different breeds, sizes, and life stages.
Related: Farmina N&D Dog Food Review
Is Ol’ Roy Dog Food Good?
Prior to production, Sam Walton, owner of Walmart, wanted an economy dog food brand. Generally, such brands are cheap and don’t match up with premium dog foods as they utilize low-quality ingredients with low nutritional value.
In this case, Ol’ Roy dog foods prioritize grain corn and plant protein, which makes it a grain-inclusive dog food. However, dogs need animal protein as their primary protein source.
Because Ol’ Roy dog food contains the necessary ingredients for survival, some dogs may do well on them. However, dogs with food allergies or special dietary needs may need another dog food brand.
Pros
- Affordable, especially for pet parents with a tight budget
- Readily available in Walmart’s physical and online stores
- Meets the AAFCO standards for providing adequate nutritional value required for various life stages
Cons
- Utilizes several protein fillers to make up for the protein content
- Not suitable for all dogs
- A limited number of flavors compared to other dog food brands
Best of Ol’ Roy Dog Food
Although Ol’ Roy offers many dog foods, I’ll review some of the popular options.
1. Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Dog Food
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Dog food is a grain-inclusive meal with balanced nutrition. It’s specially formulated for the development of healthy bones and teeth, which makes it suitable for canines that are prone to bone issues.
Also, the recipe contains a blend of meat flavors and colors to make it appetizing for picky eaters. And it’s fortified with vitamin supplements and essential nutrients for a healthy and shiny coat.
The recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO for all life stages.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs |
Guaranteed Analysis | 22% | 8% | 55.5% |
Dry Matter Basis | 24.44% | 8.89% | 61.67% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 22.69% | 20.04% | 57.26% |
Ingredients List: Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, wheat middlings, animal fat (preserved in mixed tocopherols), corn gluten meal, ground wheat, animal digest, calcium carbonate, salt, garlic oil, added color (Red 40).
Ingredients Analysis
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Dog Food features ground yellow corn as its first ingredient. Corn is a great source of energy, protein, and fatty acids such as linolenic and linoleic for healthy skin and coat. However, it’s a cheap ingredient and dogs may not digest it properly unless it’s slow-cooked.
The next ingredient is soybean meal, which is a by-product of soybean processing. Although it contributes to the protein content of this dog food, it can’t be compared to meat protein.
Because dogs require sufficient meat, this Ol’ Roy dog food recipe uses meat and bone meal. While it isn’t exactly real meat, the source is unknown. This implies that it could come from chicken, pig, sheep, or cattle, thereby increasing the risk of allergic reactions. Similarly, the animal fat utilized in the dog food is worrisome because the source wasn’t mentioned.
Other ingredients used in the Ol’ Roy Complete recipe are vitamin E supplement, folic acid, and minerals for boosting immune system health.
Another disappointing aspect of the ingredient list is the use of artificial colors. Although artificial colors may be used to replace colors lost during food processing, there’s no guarantee that they’re FDA-approved and safe for pet consumption.
Also, there’s the use of menadione sodium bisulfite complex (a source of vitamin K activity), which is another controversial ingredient.
- Controversial Ingredients: Corn, artificial colors, and menadione
- Meat Content in Top 10 Ingredients: Meat and bone meal
2. Ol’ Roy Meaty Loaf with Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Ol’ Roy Meaty Loaf with Chicken & Rice Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO for adult maintenance, including larger dogs.
The recipe is made with real chicken and lends a unique flavor that appeals to canines with nausea or those requiring a bland diet.
Because it’s wet dog food, the recipe contains sufficient water, which adds moisture to the meal. However, you can mix it with some dry food to get a different texture.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs |
Guaranteed Analysis | 8.5% | 6% | 6.5% |
Dry Matter Basis | 38.65% | 27.27% | 29.55% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 28.74% | 49.26% | 21.98% |
Ingredients List: Chicken, water, chicken by-products, brewers rice, carrageenan, natural flavor, guar gum, sodium tripolyphosphate, salt, potassium chloride, vitamins, minerals.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken, which is a source of essential amino acids for muscle maintenance, bone health, and other life processes. Another source of animal protein in the Ol’ Roy chicken and rice dog food is chicken by-products. They contain chicken organs and are a rich source of many nutrients your canine requires for balanced nutrition.
Also, there’s Brewers rice, which is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It supplies energy and contains fiber and trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamin B6.
Like in most loaf-type wet dog food, carrageenan serves as a stabilizer and thickener. It’s extracted from seaweed but has been linked to inflammation in the gastrointestinal system of canines.
Another ingredient to look out for is sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). It’s popular in the production of detergent and used as a preservative in pet food, ensuring that it retains moisture. However, STPP could be a neurotoxin as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists it as a fungicide, insecticide, and rodenticide.
- Controversial Ingredients: Chicken, carrageenan, and sodium tripolyphosphate
- Meat Content in Top 10 Ingredients: Chicken and chicken by-product
3. Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition T-Bone & Bacon Flavor Dry Dog Food
The T-Bone and Bacon flavor dry dog food is manufactured for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
It contains essential nutrients that support a healthy lifestyle and a meaty flavor to encourage a healthy appetite in your dog.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs |
Guaranteed Analysis | 21% | 10% | 53% |
Dry Matter Basis | 23.86% | 11.36% | 60.23% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 21.36% | 24.7% | 53.93% |
Ingredients List: Ground whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, rice bran, animal fat (preserved with BHA and BHT), poultry by-product meal, natural flavor, minerals, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried bacon fat, vitamins.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in the recipe is corn, which some dog parents may disapprove of. But there’s rice bran, which is fiber-rich and promotes healthy bowel movements. It also supports cardiovascular health and weight management but should be consumed moderately.
As usual, Ol’ Roy prefers using meat by-products instead of real meat. So, you’ll find ingredients like meat and bone meal for the supply of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Also, there’s a poultry by-product meal, which contributes to the protein content of the recipe.
Despite the nutritional value of this dog food, it contains some controversial ingredients like dried bacon fat, animal fat, and artificial colors. Bacon fat isn’t healthy for dogs because it’s too oily and salty and could cause diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion.
The animal fat used in the recipe was preserved in Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT). Although these compounds are antioxidants, they’re linked to cancer in canines.
Worthy of mention is the addition of choline chloride, which is vital for cellular growth and a healthy liver in dogs. Also, there are vitamin supplements and minerals to make up for any deficits.
- Controversial Ingredients: Corn, animal fat (preserved with BHA and BHT), artificial color, and dried bacon fat
- Meat Content in Top 10 Ingredients: Meat and bone meal and poultry by-product meal
4. Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Chicken & Oatmeal Flavor Dry Dog Food
The Ol’ Roy Chicken & Oatmeal flavor is specially formulated for puppies so they can grow into healthy adults. It contains essential nutrients made to simulate the natural mother’s milk for brain development.
The recipe is packed with carbs, starting with ground corn. And for protein, you’ll find ingredients such as chicken by-products and soybean meal.
Although the recipe includes oatmeal, it uses a processed portion that doesn’t offer the complete nutrition that the whole oat contains. However, it’s a good alternative to wheat and grains.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs |
Guaranteed Analysis | 27% | 11% | 46% |
Dry Matter Basis | 30.68% | 12.5% | 52.27% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 27.07% | 26.79% | 46.13% |
Ingredients List: Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, soybean meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), natural flavor, feeding oatmeal, monocalcium phosphate, fish oil (stabilized with mixed tocopherols), brewers dried yeast, salt, caramel color.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in the Ol’ Roy Chicken and Oatmeal flavor is ground whole grain corn for the supply of energy and a healthy immune system, skin, and coat. Next is chicken by-product meal, which is a concentrated form of animal protein. It contains healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, and is highly digestible.
It’s important to note that the animal fat used in the recipe was preserved in citric acid and BHA, which are controversial Ingredients. Although citric acid contains antioxidants, it may have a negative effect on your pet when consumed in large quantities. This includes bloating and damage to the central nervous system.
- Controversial Ingredients: Corn, animal fat (preserved in BHA and citric acid), and brewers dried yeast
- Meat Content in Top 10 Ingredients: Chicken by-product
Ol’ Roy Dog Food Recalls – 4 Recalls
Ol’ Roy dog food has had a number of recalls in the past. This isn’t surprising as the brand uses inferior ingredients.
Also, the dog food is manufactured by a third-party pet food manufacturer that owns manufacturing plants in various locations. Hence, there’s little or no control over what goes into the recipe.
Here’s a summary of Ol’ Roy dog food recalls:
- Prior to its purchase by Mars Inc, Doane Pet Food recalled its dry dog food, including Ol’ Roy, in 1999. This was caused by a fungal toxin that resulted in the death of 25 dogs.
- In 2007, Ol’ Roy dog food was recalled alongside millions of products due to melamine contamination.
- In 2008, Mars Inc voluntarily recalled its products due to salmonella contamination in one of its plants.
- Following independent testing in 2018, Ol’ Roy Gravy Train samples showed traces of sodium pentobarbital, which is deadly for both dogs and cats.
Other Customer Reviews
After purchasing Ol’ Roy dog food for their pups, here’s what customers have to say:
Customer Review 1
Customer Review 2
Customer Review 3
Conclusion
Ol’ Roy dog food is one of the least-rated products I’ve reviewed. Its choice of ingredients is grain, animal by-products, some vitamins and minerals, and artificial colors.
In fact, the use of several controversial ingredients augurs ill with most pet owners. So, if your canine is sensitive or has food allergies, ensure you see a vet before choosing the best dog food for them.