A Pup Above burst onto the pet food scene back in 2020 from Austin, Texas. Really made a splash by doing things differently – they went all-in on human-grade dog food right from the start.
They kicked things off with wet food, using this fancy sous-vide cooking method (think slow-cooked at perfect temps). Pretty smart approach, honestly. Then last year, they branched out into kibble, but not your usual stuff. They air-dry it instead.
Here’s what makes them different: While most brands blast their kibble with intense heat and pressure (we’re talking 150-180°C), A Pup Above takes it easy. Their air-drying process runs way cooler (just 60-70°C). Gentler on the ingredients, keeps more of the good stuff intact. Plus, everything’s made in proper USDA-certified kitchens – same places that make human food. You don’t see that every day in pet food.
✅ Pros
- No Synthetic Additives: Free from chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or pre-mixes.
- No Corn, Soy, Gluten : Most formulas avoid these common allergens.
- Good Protein Content: Most formulas contain above-average protein levels (30-41%).
- No Artificial Preservatives: Avoids all preservatives, including mixed tocopherols.
- Non-GMO Verified: All formulas are certified non-GMO.
- Fresh Human-Grade Ingredients: Made in USDA-inspected facilities for human food. It means stricter safety and quality standards than regular pet food manufacturing.
- No High Glycemic Ingredients: Good glycemic control across formulas.
- Added Taurine: Important addition in grain-free formulas.
- Fresh Meat First: All formulas list fresh meat as the first ingredient (chicken, lamb, beef).
- Transparent Ingredients: Clear labeling of protein sources and supplements.
- Moderate Carbohydrate Content
- Animal protein: Approximately 70% of total protein content in some recipes.
- Alternatives available : the brand also produces fresh food, which is a great alternatives to kibbles.
- Air-Dried Processing: Unlike standard extrusion (high heat, high pressure), air-drying preserves more nutrients.
❌ Cons
- Price Point: Premium pricing due to human-grade ingredients.
- Mineral Imbalances: low calcium levels (0.46-0.51%, should be 1-1.8%. Poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratios across all formulas (worst: 0.52:1 in Porky’s). Below AAFCO minimums for optimal growth for puppies.
A pup above Dry Food Review Review Ratings
We will provide a detailed analysis of one recipe, followed by quick reviews of a few other recipes from the brand.
A pup above Chicken Pupatouille
72/100
INGREDIENTS
| Criteria | Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Content | 🟠 32% | At this carbohydrate level, the dog’s metabolism will primarily use glucose as a primary energy source, rather than ketone bodies from fat metabolism. This may be suitable for dogs with fast metabolisms or those needing energy quickly. On the other hand, it’s less optimal for dogs that are overweight or prone to metabolic disease. |
| Protein Content | 🟢 30% | Good protein level suitable for adult maintenance. Supports muscle mass maintenance and general health. |
| Protein-Calorie Ratio | 🟢 83 | Good protein density relative to calories. Shows efficient protein delivery without excess calories. |
| Protein-Phosphorus Ratio | 🟢 47 | Excellent ratio suggesting good quality protein sources with minimal bone content. |
| Protein-Ash Ratio | 🟢 4.0 | Good ratio indicating quality protein sources with minimal mineral content. |
| Fat Content | 🟠 19% | Slightly higher than optimal range. May provide excess calories for less active dogs. |
| Ash Content | Not specified | – |
| Fiber Content | 🟢 2% | Optimal fiber level for healthy digestion and stool quality. |
| Moisture Content | 🟢 9% | Good moisture level for dry food, supporting preservation while maintaining nutrient integrity. |
| Calcium Content | 🔴 0.51% | Critically low calcium level. Major concern for bone health and development. |
| Phosphorus Content | 🟢 0.64% | Good phosphorus level, though ratio with calcium is concerning. |
| High Glycemic Ingredients | 🟠 Present | Contains grains (barley, oat) but not in first ingredients. |
| Animal vs Plant Protein | 🟢 70% | Good proportion of animal proteins, supporting better amino acid profile. |
| Quality of Animal Proteins | 🟢 Good | Fresh chicken and heart as primary proteins. Good quality sources. Human grade. |
| Preservatives | 🟢 Natural | Uses natural preservatives only. |
| Manufacturing Location | 🟢 USA | USDA-inspected human food facilities with clear traceability. |
| Cooking Method | 🟢 Air-dried | Air-dried at lower temperatures (60-70°C), preserving more nutrients than traditional extrusion. |
| Fat Quality | 🟢 Named | Named sources (salmon oil), clearly identified fats. |
| Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio | 🔴 0.79:1 | Unbalanced ratio, well below recommended range of 1.2-1.4:1. |
| Omega-6/3 Ratio | 🟢 2.15:1 | Excellent anti-inflammatory ratio, well within optimal range. |
| Brand Transparency | 🟢 High | Clear communication on ingredients, processes, and nutritional data. |
| Veterinary Formulation | 🟢 Yes | Indication of veterinary involvement in formula development. |
| Non-GMO Status | 🟢 Yes | Verified non-GMO ingredients. |
| Corn/Gluten/Wheat/Soy | 🟢 Free | Free from these common allergens. |
| Human Grade | 🟢 Yes | Made in USDA-inspected human food facilities. |
| Organic Certification | 🔴 No | Not certified organic. |
| Scientific Research | 🔴 No | No cited studies backing formulation. |
| Added Taurine | 🟢 Yes | Contains added taurine. |
A pup above Turkey Pilaf
68/100
The lightest formula of the bunch (protein 31%, fat 18%). Good choice for weight control. Indeed, it provides good nutrition with fewer calories.
The mineral balance disappoints again. Low calcium (0.49%) with poor ratios continues the brand’s pattern. The omega balance needs work too (4.66:1 ratio is too inflammatory).
Ingredients show basic but solid choices. Turkey leads, followed by quality grains. The turnip addition is interesting – adds nutrients without heavy carbs. The vitamin mix stays complete.
Fat Content: 🟠 18%
Ash Content: 🟢 8%
Fiber Content: 🟢 2%
Moisture Content: 🟢 5%
Calcium Content: 🔴 0.49%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 0.64%
Metabolizable Energy: 🟢 3,704 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 🟢 0.62%
Omega-6 Content: 🔴 2.89%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟠 34%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 🟢 83.7
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 0.76
Animal Protein Content: 🟢 75%
All formulas include: High Glycemic Ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
A pup above Beef Pot Roast
77/100
This formula runs rich (442 kcal/cup). Indeed, it packs the highest fat (26%) in the line. Protein stays strong (36%), good for muscle maintenance.
The minerals is still concerning. Calcium remains too low (0.49%), though the ratio improves slightly (1.02:1). It’s still below ideal range (1.2-1.4:1).
Ingredient-wise, they nail the protein sources. Fresh beef then heart provides quality amino acids. The fat blend works well (salmon oil + olive oil). But again, those legumes rank high in the list…
Fat Content: 🔴 26%
Ash Content: 🟢 8%
Fiber Content: 🟢 2%
Moisture Content: 🟢 8%
Calcium Content: 🔴 0.49%
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 0.48%
Metabolizable Energy: 🟢 3,686 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 🟢 1.23%
Omega-6 Content: 🟢 1.11%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟢 20%
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 🟢 97.7
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 1.02
Animal Protein Content: 🟢 80% (>70%)
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
A pup above Porky’s Porchetta
75/100
This recipe hits hard with protein (41% as-fed). Indeed, using pork and heart creates a rich amino acid profile. The fat stays moderate (20%), good for active dogs.
Red flag: mineral balance is poor. The calcium (0.46%) sits dangerously low, while phosphorus runs high (0.87%). This creates a terrible ratio (0.52:1). Indeed, this imbalance risks bone health long-term.
The ingredient list shows smart choices. Fresh pork leads, then heart adds nutrients. But watch out – peas and lentils appear high up. This means some protein comes from plants. Good use of two oils (salmon + olive) for balanced fats.
Fat Content: 🟠 20% (18-23%)
Ash Content: 🟢 8% (<8%)
Fiber Content: 🟢 2%
Moisture Content: 🟢 6%
Calcium Content: 🔴 0.46% (1-1.3%)
Phosphorus Content: 🟢 0.87% (0.8-1.2%)
Metabolizable Energy: 🟢 3,511 kcal/kg
Omega-3 Content: 🟢 1.27%
Omega-6 Content: 🟢 1.17%
Carbohydrate Content: 🟢 23% (<30%)
Protein/Calorie Ratio: 🟢 116.8
Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio: 🔴 0.52 (<1)
Animal Protein Content: 🟢 70%
High Glycemic Ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/Wheat/Soy Content: 🟢 Free
Chelated Minerals: 🟠 Mix
Our Opinion on A Pup Above
A Pup Above stands out in the premium pet food market with several strong points. The brand demonstrates exceptional commitment to quality with their human-grade ingredients and innovative air-dried processing method.
While the calcium levels (0.46-0.51%) and calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (0.52-1.02:1) need investigation, as they deviate from recommended standards, the overall nutritional profile is impressive:
- Excellent protein quality (30-41%) with real meat first
- Human-grade ingredients in USDA facilities
- Innovative air-dried processing preserving nutrients
- Outstanding omega ratios (particularly 2.15:1 in chicken)
- Clean ingredient list free from common allergens
- Good carbohydrate management in most recipes
- Natural preservatives
The brand excels in transparency, quality sourcing, and processing methods. Their commitment to human-grade ingredients and gentle processing sets them apart in the premium segment. While the mineral balance warrants attention, this could be addressed through formula refinement or supplementation under veterinary guidance.
For pet owners seeking high-quality, minimally processed nutrition, A Pup Above offers a compelling option and might be part of the best dry food for dogs, provided the calcium-phosphorus aspect is properly managed.