Are you considering Ol’ Roy Dog Food for your canine companion? This budget-friendly dry kibble, often found at Walmart, promises complete nutrition but falls short in quality. In this comprehensive Ol’ Roy Dog Food Review, our team of pet nutrition experts rates the entire line at just 1 star. Backed by years of experience in pet food analysis, we break down ingredients, nutrients, and why it’s not recommended for most dogs.
Founded by Dr. Mike Sagman after a personal loss due to poor-quality pet food, Dog Food Advisor has reviewed thousands of formulas. Content director Julia Ogden and verified pet nutritionist Laura Ward (BSc Animal Science, University of Nottingham) updated this review in 2025. If you’re seeking healthier alternatives, check our reviews for farmer’s dog food.
Our Verdict
Ol’ Roy Dog Food’s four dry recipes earn a low 1-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. This score reflects heavy reliance on low-quality grains, by-products, and controversial additives rather than premium meat sources.
Here’s a quick overview of the product line, including our ratings and AAFCO nutrient profiles (G for Growth/puppy, M for Maintenance/adult, A for All Life Stages, U for Unspecified):
| Product Line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken and Rice Flavor | 1 Star | U |
| Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition T-Bone and Bacon Flavor | 1 Star | U |
| Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Chicken and Oatmeal Flavor Puppy | 1 Star | U |
| Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Adult | 1 Star | U |
For top-rated options, explore our best dog food lists.
Recipe and Label Analysis
We analyzed Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Adult as a representative recipe. Its guaranteed analysis shows 21% protein, 10% fat, and no carb guarantee. On a dry matter basis, this translates to approximately:
- Protein: 24.5%
- Fat: 12%
- Carbohydrates: 50.8%
Key Ingredients (top listed): Ground yellow corn, soybean meal, meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), corn gluten meal, natural flavor, salt, and various vitamins/minerals.
Fiber is estimated at 4.5% dry matter. Red flags include controversial preservatives and fillers.
| Estimated Nutrient Content | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Analysis | 21% | 10% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 24% | 11% | 57% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 26% | 52% |
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food
This formula prioritizes cost over nutrition, using inexpensive grains to inflate protein levels.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient, ground yellow corn, is a cheap cereal grain providing energy but little nutritional value for dogs. Corn is controversial due to potential allergies and poor digestibility—far from ideal as a top ingredient.
Next, soybean meal, a soy oil by-product common in livestock feed, boasts 48% protein but lower biological value than animal sources. It artificially boosts label protein without adding meat quality.
Meat and bone meal ranks third—an anonymous rendered product from mammal bones and tissues (excluding blood, hair, etc.). While concentrated protein, its high ash content reduces digestibility, and unknown sourcing raises allergen risks.
Poultry by-product meal follows, made from slaughterhouse leftovers like organs, feet, and beaks. It offers more protein than fresh poultry but varies in quality and lacks prime muscle meat.
Animal fat, preserved with suspected carcinogen BHA, is a generic rendering by-product—potentially from low-grade sources like spoiled meat.
Corn gluten meal adds more plant protein (60%), again lowering meat content perception.
Later concerns: No probiotics for gut health, and menadione sodium bisulfite (synthetic vitamin K), linked to liver issues, allergies, and red blood cell damage. AAFCO doesn’t require vitamin K, making this unnecessary risk.
In real-world experience, dogs on formulas like this often face digestive upset or nutrient gaps. For grain-sensitive pups, consider grain free dog food reviews uk.
Nutrient Analysis
On dry matter, Ol’ Roy averages 26.1% protein, 12.2% fat, and 49.3% carbs across recipes—a fat-to-protein ratio of 47%. This is near-average for dry foods but skewed by plant fillers.
Below-average fat limits energy for active dogs, while high carbs strain digestion. Premium brands prioritize meat for balanced profiles meeting AAFCO standards more effectively.
Recall History
As of November 2025, Ol’ Roy has no reported recalls. View all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
More Ol’ Roy Reviews and Comparisons
Compare Ol’ Roy to superior options like purina grain free dog food review or kirkland salmon sweet potato dog food review, which use named meats and avoid fillers.
Our Final Rating of Ol’ Roy Dog Food
1 Star: Strongly Not Recommended.
This grain-inclusive dry dog food relies on meat and bone meal plus poultry by-products for protein. Low-quality ingredients, preservatives, and synthetic additives make it unsuitable for optimal health.
A Final Word
Choosing dog food impacts your pet’s longevity and vitality. Skip Ol’ Roy and opt for vet-recommended formulas. Consult your veterinarian for personalized advice, and explore royal canin dog food reviews uk for breed-specific options.
Read more expert reviews on DogCareStory.com for healthier choices!
Sources
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), 2008 Edition.
- Shirley RB and Parsons CM, “Effect of Ash Content on Protein Quality of Meat and Bone Meal,” Poultry Science, 2001 (80:626-632).
This review is impartial; we may earn referral fees from linked retailers.
