Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
A Pup Above Gently Air Dried product range is made up of four recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 5 stars.
Each recipe is made with 100% human-grade ingredients, including non-GMO vegetables and fruits, all gently cooked to preserve nutrients.
Pros
- 100% Human grade
- 100% traceable ingredients
- USDA-inspected kitchens
Cons
- Expensive
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's Beef Pot Roast Gently Air Dried Recipe | 5 | M |
| A Pup Above's Chicka Pupatuoille Gently Air Dried Recipe | 5 | M |
| A Pup Above's Porky's Porchetta Gently Air Dried Recipe | 5 | M |
| A Pup Above's Turkey Pilaf Gently Air Dried Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
A Pup Above’s Chicka Pupatuoille Gently Air Dried Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
A Pup Above's Chicka Pupatuoille Gently Air Dried Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken heart, chicken gizzard, chicken liver, barley, oats, dried sweet potato, pork plasma, dried green beans, dried butternut squash, dried carrots, dried zucchini, dried cauliflower, apple cider vinegar, rice bran, celery, preservative [mixed tocopherols], thyme, parsley, salmon oil, cod liver oil, turmeric, minerals [calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, zinc amino acid chelate, choline bitartrate, iron amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, manganese amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite], vitamins [vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin B3 supplement, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride), vitamin A supplement, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid]
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 30% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 17% | 42% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 35% | 36% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient 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 chicken gizzard. The gizzard is a low-fat, meaty organ found in the digestive tract of birds and assists in grinding up a consumed food. This item is considered a canine dietary delicacy.
The fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth 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 dog.
The sixth ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh 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 eighth 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.
The ninth ingredient is dried green beans, a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
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 the product.
This recipe has three notable exceptions.
First, we note salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bioavailability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
This recipe contains 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.
In addition, this food includes 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’s Chicka Pupatuoille Gently Air Dried Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33.3%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 42%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 37.8% and a mean fat level of 12.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 41.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 34%.
This means A Pup Above Gently Air Dried food contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and below-average fat, when compared to 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 November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of A Pup Above Gently Air Dried Dog Food
A Pup Above is a premium dog food brand that uses human-grade ingredients and sourcing standards. It traces each batch of food back to its source, earning it 5 stars in our review.
About
A Pup Above was founded by pet parents Ruth and Javier Marriott and their pup, Lola Marriott.
It was created to make it simple to know what’s in your dog’s bowl. The couple also believe in making food more sustainable so it’s better for humans, pups, and the planet.
Compare A Pup Above Gently Air Dried Dog Food
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A Final Word
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