Ol’ Roy dog food is a Walmart-exclusive brand named after Sam Walton’s hunting dog, offering budget dry and wet dog food marketed as complete and balanced nutrition for all breeds.
Independent reviewers rate Ol’ Roy at 1 star out of 5, citing corn and soy as primary ingredients rather than named meat proteins. The brand meets AAFCO minimum standards but scores below average on protein quality and ingredient sourcing by most expert analyses.
Our team at Eat Proteins reviewed Ol’ Roy’s full ingredient lineup, nutritional data, recall history, and owner feedback. Here is everything you need to know before putting it in your dog’s bowl.
What Is Ol’ Roy Dog Food?
Ol’ Roy is a Walmart-exclusive dog food brand named after Sam Walton’s hunting dog, positioned as a budget-friendly option providing complete and balanced nutrition. The brand was created by Walmart and carries Sam Walton’s personal endorsement story on its packaging.
Ol’ Roy’s marketing centers on accessibility and value. It is one of the most widely distributed dog food brands in the US, available at thousands of Walmart locations nationwide at prices significantly below premium competitors.
To be clear, Ol’ Roy is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional minimums for all life stages. Meeting the minimum standard does not mean it is a high-quality diet. It means it clears the legal baseline required to sell dog food in the US.
Ol’ Roy Product Range:
- Complete Nutrition dry kibble (Roasted Chicken and Rice, T-Bone and Bacon, Chicken and Oatmeal)
- Hi-Protein dry dog food (27/12 protein-to-fat ratio, chicken flavor)
- Wet dog food variety packs (Tender Morsels, Grain-Free cups)
- Puppy-specific dry formula (Chicken and Oatmeal Flavor)
Who Makes Ol’ Roy Dog Food?
Ol’ Roy is a Walmart private-label brand, manufactured by third-party pet food producers on behalf of Walmart, Inc. The brand is sold exclusively through Walmart stores and Walmart.com.
Sam Walton named the brand after his beloved bird dog. That story remains central to Ol’ Roy marketing decades after its introduction, though Walmart does not publicly disclose which contract manufacturers produce the food.
What Types of Food Does Ol’ Roy Offer?
Ol’ Roy offers dry kibble, wet food pouches, and canned options across adult, puppy, and grain-free segments. Most products are priced at the lowest tier of the US pet food market.
The Hi-Protein line is the brand’s premium sub-range, featuring a 27% protein and 12% fat ratio with a chicken flavor formula. The brand markets it as vet-formulated and suitable for all breeds.
What Are the Ingredients in Ol’ Roy Dog Food?
The first ingredient in Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition is corn, an inexpensive cereal grain that provides energy but offers only modest nutritional value as a primary protein source for dogs.
The second ingredient is soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production more commonly found in farm animal feeds. Soybean meal contains approximately 48% protein but has lower biological value than named meat proteins.
Ingredient reviewers at Dog Food Advisor flag Ol’ Roy for its use of meat and bone meal or poultry by-product meal as its main animal protein sources. These are generic, unnamed protein meals considered lower quality than named proteins like chicken meal or beef meal.
Does Ol’ Roy Contain Corn and Soy?
Yes. Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition lists corn as its first ingredient and soybean meal as its second, making these the two primary components by weight in the formula.
This ingredient ordering is a consistent critique across expert reviews. Corn and soy are inexpensive calorie sources. Their placement ahead of any animal protein in the ingredient list is the primary reason Ol’ Roy receives low scores from independent nutrition analysts.
What Protein Sources Does Ol’ Roy Use?
Ol’ Roy uses meat and bone meal and poultry by-product meal as its primary animal protein sources, both of which are unnamed generic by-products rather than specific named meats.
By comparison, higher-rated dog foods list named proteins like ‘chicken meal’ or ‘deboned beef’ as primary ingredients. Generic meal designations make it harder for owners to verify the actual protein source and quality.
Ol’ Roy Ingredient Quality Breakdown:
| Ingredient | Position | Quality Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | 1st | Low (energy filler) |
| Soybean Meal | 2nd | Low (by-product, farm-grade) |
| Meat and Bone Meal | 3rd | Low (unnamed generic) |
| Poultry By-Product Meal | Varies | Low (unnamed generic) |
Is Ol’ Roy Dog Food Complete and Balanced?
Yes. Ol’ Roy is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, meeting the legal minimum standard for complete and balanced dog food in the US.
Meeting AAFCO minimum standards means the food will not cause rapid nutritional deficiencies. It does not mean the diet is optimal, high-quality, or recommended by nutrition experts. Ol’ Roy clears the floor, not the ceiling.
Does Ol’ Roy Meet AAFCO Standards?
Yes. Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition carries AAFCO compliance statements on its packaging, confirming it meets nutrient minimums for all life stages including growth (puppies) and maintenance (adults).
However, independent reviews note that all four Ol’ Roy product lines reviewed by Dog Food Advisor received an ‘Unspecified’ AAFCO profile rating. The testing methodology used to confirm compliance is not always transparent.
What Are the Protein, Fat, and Carb Levels in Ol’ Roy?
On a dry matter basis, Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition delivers approximately 24% protein, 11% fat, and 57% carbohydrates, placing it near-average for protein but above-average in carbohydrate content.
The brand’s full product line averages 26.1% protein and 12.2% fat across all recipes. The estimated carbohydrate content averages 49.3% on a dry matter basis. The fat-to-protein ratio sits at approximately 47%.
Ol’ Roy Nutritional Profile (Dry Matter Basis):
| Nutrient | Guaranteed Analysis | Dry Matter Basis | Calorie Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 21% | 24% | 22% |
| Fat | 10% | 11% | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | N/A | 57% | 52% |
What Do Ol’ Roy Dog Food Reviews Say?
Expert reviewers rate Ol’ Roy at 1 out of 5 stars, with Dog Food Advisor labeling it ‘Strongly Not Recommended’ due to its low-quality protein sources and high carbohydrate content.
Owner reviews are more mixed. Many budget-conscious owners report their dogs eat Ol’ Roy without issue for years. Nutrition experts and vets, however, consistently flag the ingredient quality as a long-term concern.
What Do Customers Like About Ol’ Roy?
The primary positive feedback centers on price. Customers report that Ol’ Roy provides one of the lowest per-pound costs of any dog food available nationally, making it accessible for multi-dog households and tight budgets.
Many owners also note their dogs accept Ol’ Roy readily. Some report stable digestion over years of feeding. For owners with limited resources, Ol’ Roy’s AAFCO compliance and wide availability are practical positives.
What Are the Common Complaints About Ol’ Roy?
The most frequent complaint among critical reviewers is ingredient quality: corn and soy as primary components rather than named animal proteins raise concerns about long-term nutritional optimization.
Some owners report loose stools, coat dullness, or low energy in dogs fed Ol’ Roy exclusively. Nutrition experts attribute these outcomes to the high carbohydrate load and low biological-value protein sources in standard formulas.
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Extremely low price, widely available at Walmart nationwide
- Pro: Meets AAFCO minimum standards for all life stages
- Pro: Dogs generally accept the flavor without issue
- Con: Corn is the primary ingredient, ahead of any animal protein
- Con: Uses unnamed generic protein meals (meat and bone meal, poultry by-product)
- Con: Rated 1 out of 5 stars by independent nutrition reviewers
- Con: High carbohydrate content (57% dry matter basis)
Has Ol’ Roy Dog Food Been Recalled?
Ol’ Roy has had recalls in its history. Dog Food Advisor’s recall tracking database includes Ol’ Roy recall events, though the brand has not had major headline recalls in recent years.
Owners are advised to check the most current recall lists before purchasing, as automated tracking databases are updated when new recalls are announced. No confirmed recalls were listed through June 2026 in available review data.
Is Ol’ Roy Dog Food Safe?
Ol’ Roy is considered safe to feed in the sense that it meets AAFCO minimums and has no active safety recalls flagged in current tracking databases. Safety and nutritional optimization are separate questions.
The concern with Ol’ Roy is not acute toxicity. It is long-term diet quality. A dog fed Ol’ Roy exclusively will meet minimum nutrient thresholds, but the ingredient quality is significantly below what most veterinary nutritionists recommend for long-term health.
How Much Does Ol’ Roy Dog Food Cost?
Ol’ Roy is one of the most affordable dog foods in the US, with a 15 lb (6.8 kg) bag typically priced between $8 and $12 at Walmart, translating to roughly $0.55 to $0.80 per pound.
The Hi-Protein line costs slightly more. At approximately $15 to $20 for 15 lb (6.8 kg), it remains well below premium brands. Wet food variety packs are available in multi-count formats at similarly low per-serving prices.
Is Ol’ Roy Dog Food Worth the Price?
At its price point, Ol’ Roy delivers AAFCO-compliant nutrition at the lowest cost available in mainstream retail, making it worth considering only as a short-term option or financial necessity.
Here’s the honest trade-off: the money saved on food may be offset by higher veterinary costs over time if the low-quality ingredient profile contributes to long-term health issues. Our experts at Eat Proteins recommend transitioning to a higher-quality brand as budget allows.
Should You Try Eat Proteins’ Ol’ Roy Recommendation?
Ol’ Roy is the most affordable AAFCO-compliant dog food widely available in the US, but its low ingredient quality makes it a last resort rather than a first choice. Our team at Eat Proteins does not recommend it as a long-term primary diet.
If budget is a genuine constraint, Ol’ Roy will keep a dog alive and meeting minimum nutritional thresholds. The goal, when financially possible, is to upgrade to a brand with named animal proteins as the primary ingredients. Your dog will feel the difference.
Is Ol’ Roy a Good Choice for Your Dog?
No, as a permanent primary diet. Ol’ Roy is not recommended by independent nutrition experts as a long-term diet, rating 1 out of 5 stars due to corn and generic by-product meal as primary protein sources.
For owners in financial hardship, Ol’ Roy is preferable to not feeding a dog at all. For owners with any flexibility in budget, transitioning to a brand with named meat as the first ingredient offers meaningfully better long-term nutrition for the investment.