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Our Verdict
A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies product range is made up of four recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4.5 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| A Pup Above Chicka Pupatouille | 4.5 | M |
| A Pup Above Beef Pot Roast | 4.5 | M |
| A Pup Above Porky's Porchetta | 4.5 | M |
| A Pup Above Turkey Pilaf | 4.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
A Pup Above Chicka Pupatouille was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
A Pup Above Chicka Pupatouille
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken heart, sweet potato, barley, oat, carrot, cauliflower, eggs, pork plasma, flaxseed, cranberry, salmon oil, salt, cultured dried skim milk, thyme, parsley, minerals [calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, magnesium oxide], vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid].
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 30% | 19% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 21% | 38% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 42% | 31% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1.
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, heart tissue is pure muscle — all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The fifth ingredient is oat flakes, whole grain oats that have been steamed and milled to make them quicker to cook. Oat flakes are naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The sixth ingredient is carrots, they are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is cauliflower. Cauliflower is a member of the kale family. It’s rich in vitamins C, K, and several B vitamins, as well as fiber and various other nutrients.
Like other cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower is believed to provide inflammation soothing properties which can link to anti-cancer benefits.
The eighth ingredient is whole eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The ninth ingredient is pork plasma. Plasma is what remains of blood after the blood cells themselves have been removed. Plasma can be considered a nutritious addition.
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 three notable exceptions…
First, sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Secondly, salmon oil, this is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Thirdly, this recipe contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, A Pup Above Chicka Pupatouille looks like an above-average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 20.9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 38.2%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 37.1% and a mean fat level of 22.3%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 32.6% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
A Pup Above Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to A Pup Above through December 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies Dog Food
A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies includes both grain-inclusive and grain-free gently cooked dry, human-grade dog foods. Each recipe uses a generous amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein.
Compare A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies Dog Food
How does A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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