Ol Roy Dog Food Review: Is It Worth Buying in 2024?

Ol Roy dog food has been a budget-friendly staple in pet stores for decades, but just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your furry friend. Let’s dig into what’s actually in those bags and whether this wallet-friendly option deserves a spot in your dog’s bowl.

What Exactly Is Ol Roy Dog Food?

Ol Roy is Walmart’s in-house dog food brand, and it’s been around since the 1980s. The brand positions itself as an affordable alternative to premium brands, but affordability doesn’t always translate to quality nutrition. Ol Roy offers various formulas including wet food, dry kibble, and semi-moist options. The brand is owned by Big Heart Pet Brands (now part of J.M. Smucker Company), which also produces other budget and mid-range dog foods.

The product line includes flavors like beef, chicken, and bacon, marketed to appeal to dog owners looking to save money without completely sacrificing nutrition. However, the ingredient list tells a different story than the marketing promises.

Ingredient Analysis: What’s Really in the Bag?

Here’s where things get real. The typical Ol Roy formula starts with corn as the first ingredient—not meat. This is a red flag for many pet nutritionists. While corn isn’t toxic to dogs, it’s a cheap filler that provides less nutritional value than meat-based proteins.

Most Ol Roy formulas contain:

• Corn and corn meal (primary carbs)
• Meat by-products and meat meal (lower quality protein sources)
• Soybean meal (plant-based filler)
• Animal fat (often from rendered sources)
• Artificial colors and flavors
• BHA and BHT (chemical preservatives)

Compare this to premium brands that list real meat as the first ingredient, and you’ll see the difference immediately. The protein sources in Ol Roy are often by-products—think beaks, hooves, and low-grade meat scraps—rather than whole meat cuts.

Nutritional Content and AAFCO Standards

Ol Roy does meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for complete and balanced nutrition, which means it technically provides the minimum nutrients your dog needs. However, meeting minimum standards and providing optimal nutrition are two different things.

The protein content typically ranges from 18-25%, which is adequate but not exceptional. Premium brands often offer 25-35% protein with higher quality sources. Fat content is usually around 8-12%, which is on the lower end for active dogs.

For a detailed comparison of how budget brands stack up, check out our review of Is Purina One a Good Dog Food to see how mid-range options compare.

The Moist and Meaty Problem

Ol Roy’s moist and meaty dog food line is particularly concerning. These semi-moist products contain high sugar content and rely heavily on artificial colors and preservatives to maintain shelf stability. The moisture content might make them more palatable to dogs, but it doesn’t make them healthier.

Many vets report that dogs on a steady diet of semi-moist foods experience more dental issues and digestive problems compared to those on quality kibble or fresh diets.

Potential Health Issues Associated with Ol Roy

Several pet owners and veterinarians have reported concerns with Ol Roy dog food:

• Digestive upset: Many dogs experience diarrhea or loose stools when eating Ol Roy, likely due to the high corn content and artificial additives
• Allergic reactions: The artificial colors and by-products can trigger sensitivities in dogs with sensitive stomachs
• Nutrient deficiencies: Long-term feeding may lead to deficiencies in essential amino acids and micronutrients
• Obesity: The high carbohydrate content and low-quality ingredients can contribute to weight gain
• Dental problems: Semi-moist varieties don’t help clean teeth and can contribute to plaque buildup

How Ol Roy Compares to Other Budget Brands

Ol Roy isn’t the only budget option out there. When compared to other affordable brands, it falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. Brands like Purina Pro Plan offer better ingredient quality at similar price points. However, if you’re comparing it to truly premium options like Is Fromm Dog Food Good, the difference becomes stark.

The reality is that you often get what you pay for in dog food. A $15 bag of Ol Roy might seem like a steal compared to a $50 bag of premium kibble, but the cost-per-serving difference is smaller than you’d think when you account for the fact that dogs need less of higher-quality food.

Special Formulas and Limited Ingredient Options

Ol Roy does offer some specialized formulas, including options for sensitive stomachs and weight management. However, these formulas still rely on corn and by-products as primary ingredients. If your dog has genuine food sensitivities, you’d be better served by exploring limited ingredient dog food options from more reputable brands.

The brand also offers formulas with lamb meat, but again, lamb meal and by-products aren’t the same as whole lamb meat.

The Price-to-Value Equation

Let’s be honest: Ol Roy is cheap. A 50-pound bag might cost $20-30, which breaks down to less than $1 per pound. But here’s the catch—dogs eating lower-quality food often need larger portions to feel satisfied, and they may experience more health issues requiring vet visits.

A dog on Ol Roy might need 3 cups daily, while a dog on quality food might need 2 cups. Over a year, that adds up. Plus, potential vet bills for digestive issues, allergies, or dental problems can quickly erase any savings.

What Veterinarians Say About Ol Roy

Most veterinarians don’t recommend Ol Roy as a primary diet, though they acknowledge it’s better than some alternatives. The consensus is that while it won’t harm a healthy dog in the short term, it’s not ideal for long-term feeding, especially for puppies, senior dogs, or those with health conditions.

According to PetMD’s nutritional guidelines, dogs benefit most from foods with named meat sources and minimal fillers. The American Kennel Club (AKC) similarly recommends looking for AAFCO certification (which Ol Roy has) but also emphasizes the importance of ingredient quality.

Many veterinary nutritionists suggest that if budget is a concern, it’s better to feed a smaller amount of higher-quality food than larger quantities of low-quality options.

Who Might Actually Benefit from Ol Roy?

There are limited scenarios where Ol Roy might be a reasonable choice:

• Extremely budget-constrained households: If feeding your dog at all is the only option, Ol Roy is better than nothing
• Healthy adult dogs with iron stomachs: Some dogs seem to tolerate it fine without digestive issues
• Supplemental feeding: Using it as an occasional supplement to better-quality food
• Dogs with no health sensitivities: Dogs without allergies or digestive issues might handle it better than sensitive pups

However, even in these cases, exploring slightly more expensive alternatives is usually worthwhile.

Better Budget-Friendly Alternatives

If you’re price-conscious but want better quality, consider these alternatives:

• Purina Pro Plan: Often only slightly more expensive with significantly better ingredients
• Iams: Mid-range pricing with better protein sources than Ol Roy
• Store brands from quality manufacturers: Some grocery store brands are made by reputable companies with better formulations
• Buying in bulk: Purchasing larger quantities of better-quality food can reduce per-pound costs
• Mixing approaches: Combining a quality kibble with affordable fresh ingredients like eggs or sweet potato

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ol Roy dog food safe for dogs?

Ol Roy is technically safe and meets AAFCO standards, meaning it won’t poison your dog. However, it’s not optimal for long-term feeding due to low-quality ingredients, artificial additives, and high filler content. Many dogs experience digestive issues on this food.

Why is Ol Roy so cheap?

Ol Roy uses inexpensive ingredients like corn, meat by-products, and soy meal instead of whole meat proteins. The brand also has minimal marketing costs and benefits from Walmart’s distribution network, allowing them to keep prices extremely low.

Can I feed my puppy Ol Roy?

It’s not recommended. Puppies need higher-quality nutrition with better protein sources and proper mineral ratios for bone development. Feeding Ol Roy to a growing puppy could lead to developmental issues and nutritional deficiencies.

Will switching from Ol Roy to better food help my dog’s digestive issues?

Possibly. Many dogs experience improved digestion, coat quality, and energy levels when switched to higher-quality food. If your dog has chronic diarrhea or loose stools on Ol Roy, a diet change could help. Always transition gradually over 7-10 days to avoid upset stomach.

How does Ol Roy compare to Purina?

Purina actually owns several brands at different quality levels. Purina Pro Plan is significantly better than Ol Roy despite similar pricing, while basic Purina ONE falls somewhere in between. Purina’s premium lines use better protein sources and fewer fillers.

Is Ol Roy good for senior dogs?

Senior dogs benefit from higher-quality protein and specific nutrient profiles for aging joints and organs. Ol Roy’s low protein quality and high carb content make it a poor choice for senior dogs. Look for senior-specific formulas from better brands.

The Bottom Line

Ol Roy dog food represents the absolute budget end of the market, and you get what you pay for. While it technically meets minimum nutritional standards and won’t immediately harm a healthy adult dog, it’s far from ideal for optimal canine health. The reliance on corn, meat by-products, artificial additives, and chemical preservatives makes it a choice that prioritizes your wallet over your dog’s wellbeing.

For most dog owners, spending an extra $10-15 per month on better-quality food is a worthwhile investment that could save you hundreds in potential vet bills down the road. Your dog’s health is worth more than the few dollars you’d save by choosing Ol Roy over better alternatives. If budget is genuinely tight, explore the mid-range options or consider supplementing a smaller amount of quality food with affordable whole ingredients like eggs, rice, or vegetables.