When it comes to premium dog food options, A Pup Above has been making waves in the pet nutrition world. I’ve spent years analyzing dog food formulations, and this brand caught my attention with its unique cooking method and commitment to quality. Founded by Ruth and Javier Marriott after their own search for better food for their dog Lola, A Pup Above (formerly Grocery Pup) has carved out a niche in the human-grade dog food market.
The brand has grown from an online subscription service to being available in over 2,500 independent pet stores across the US, making it increasingly accessible for pet parents looking for fresh food alternatives. If you’ve been comparing different premium options and haven’t checked out our Pedigree dog food review yet, it might be worth looking at both ends of the spectrum before making your decision.
What Makes A Pup Above Different?
The sous-vide cooking method is what truly sets A Pup Above apart in the crowded dog food market. Instead of high-heat processing that can destroy nutrients, their meals are vacuum-sealed and slow-cooked in water baths at precise temperatures. This technique preserves more nutrients and natural flavors while killing harmful bacteria. I’ve found that dogs who turn their nose up at other foods often respond enthusiastically to the enhanced aromas and flavors this method creates.
Another standout feature is their commitment to transparency. Each package includes a lot number that you can enter on their website to trace exactly where each ingredient came from. In an industry often criticized for vague sourcing, this level of openness is refreshing and builds genuine trust.
Product Lines and Recipe Options
A Pup Above offers two main product lines: their flagship fresh sous-vide meals and their shelf-stable Whole Food Cubies. Both use the same high-quality ingredients and cooking methods, just with different final formats.
Fresh Sous-Vide Meals
The fresh food line features four protein-forward recipes:
• Texas Beef Stew – Featuring beef, beef liver, tomatoes, and carrots in a rich bone broth
• Porky’s Luau – Pork-based with superfoods like ginger and pineapple
• Turkey Pawella – Turkey combined with nutrient-dense vegetables and turmeric
• Chicka Chicka Bow Wow – Chicken recipe enhanced with anti-inflammatory ingredients
These fresh foods come frozen and need to be thawed before serving. While the limited recipe variety might seem restrictive compared to some competitors, each formula has been carefully developed to provide complete nutrition rather than just offering variety for variety’s sake.
Whole Food Cubies
If convenience is a priority, their air-dried Cubies offer the nutritional benefits of their fresh foods in a shelf-stable format. These are essentially sous-vide cooked recipes that are then air-dried to remove moisture while preserving nutrients. With approximately 70% animal protein, they pack a nutritional punch similar to the fresh options but without requiring refrigeration.
Ingredient Quality and Sourcing
A Pup Above uses exclusively human-grade ingredients in USDA-inspected facilities – a standard that only about 2% of dog food brands meet. All meats are free from antibiotics and hormones, and the vegetables are non-GMO. What’s impressive is that they use whole food ingredients rather than pre-made vitamin packs, allowing for better nutrient absorption.
The inclusion of bone broth in all recipes deserves special mention. This isn’t just a flavoring – it provides glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health plus collagen for skin and coat condition. They’ve also thoughtfully included functional ingredients like turmeric for inflammation and pumpkin for digestive health.
I particularly appreciate their commitment to using organ meats like liver, which provide concentrated sources of essential nutrients that muscle meat alone doesn’t supply. This mirrors more closely what dogs would eat in nature.
Nutritional Analysis
From a nutritional standpoint, A Pup Above exceeds many industry standards. Their protein levels average around 43% on a dry matter basis, which is significantly higher than many premium kibbles and even some other fresh foods. This higher protein content supports muscle maintenance and overall health.
All recipes meet AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, though it’s worth noting they don’t currently offer puppy-specific formulations. The use of chelated minerals (minerals bound to amino acids) improves absorption compared to standard mineral supplements found in many other brands.
The fat content is moderate to high, derived from quality animal sources rather than added oils, providing essential fatty acids in their most bioavailable form. Carbohydrate content is relatively low compared to conventional kibble, aligning better with a dog’s natural dietary needs.
Price Considerations
Let’s address the elephant in the room – A Pup Above is not budget-friendly. Fresh meals range from $34.99 for a 3-pound bag to $69.99 for a 7-pound bag, with daily feeding costs potentially reaching $15 for larger breeds. The Whole Food Cubies run about $52.99 for a 2.5-pound bag.
They do offer subscription discounts between 10-25%, which helps offset costs somewhat. Is it worth the premium price? In my professional opinion, you’re paying for exceptional ingredient quality, the nutrient-preserving cooking method, and rigorous safety standards – all of which can contribute to better long-term health and potentially fewer vet bills.
Convenience and Ordering
A Pup Above offers both subscription and one-time purchase options. The subscription model allows you to adjust delivery frequencies, skip deliveries, or change recipes through their online portal. One limitation is that fresh food must be purchased in two-bag bundles, which might be inconvenient for small dog owners or those wanting to try small amounts first.
Unlike some competitors, they don’t offer personalized meal plans based on your dog’s specific profile, instead providing general feeding guidelines based on weight. The expansion into retail stores does make it more accessible for those who prefer to purchase in person rather than commit to a subscription.
Customer Experiences
Customer feedback on A Pup Above is predominantly positive, with many reporting improved digestion, better energy levels, and enhanced coat quality in their dogs. The palatability factor receives high marks – even picky eaters seem to enjoy the food, likely due to the flavor-preserving sous-vide method.
The most common complaints revolve around price and the lack of customization options. Some customers also note that the food thaws unevenly or that the packaging could be improved for easier storage. It’s worth mentioning that as of this review, there have been no recalls of A Pup Above products – a positive sign regarding their quality control standards.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
For environmentally conscious pet parents, A Pup Above offers some appealing attributes. Their packaging is 100% recyclable, and they donate 1% of sales to the White Buffalo Land Trust, which promotes regenerative agriculture practices.
Their sous-vide cooking method is also relatively energy-efficient compared to traditional cooking processes. While they don’t explicitly market themselves as carbon-neutral (unlike some competitors), their practices demonstrate a commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining food safety.
What Kind of Dogs Is This Food Suitable For?
A Pup Above is primarily designed for adult dogs across all life stages except puppyhood. It’s particularly well-suited for:
• Dogs with food sensitivities or allergies – The limited ingredient recipes and absence of common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy make this a good option for dogs with dietary sensitivities.
• Senior dogs – The high-quality protein and inclusion of joint-supporting ingredients like bone broth can benefit aging dogs with mobility issues.
• Active adult dogs – The higher protein content supports muscle maintenance for dogs with moderate to high activity levels.
• Dogs needing weight management – The nutrient density means smaller portions can provide complete nutrition, potentially helping with weight control.
I’ve personally seen excellent results when recommending A Pup Above to dogs with digestive issues or those recovering from illness who need highly digestible nutrition. However, it’s not specifically formulated for puppies who have different nutritional requirements, particularly regarding calcium-phosphorus ratios.
The food is also not ideal for dogs requiring therapeutic diets for specific medical conditions like kidney disease, where protein restriction might be necessary. Always consult with your veterinarian before switching food if your dog has medical issues.
Is A Pup Above Dog Food Good? My Professional Assessment
After thoroughly analyzing A Pup Above’s formulations, sourcing practices, and nutritional profiles, I can confidently say this is a top-tier dog food option for those who can afford it. The human-grade ingredients, innovative sous-vide cooking method, and transparency in sourcing put it in the upper echelon of dog food quality.
Is it perfect? No. The limited recipe variety, lack of puppy formulations, and high price point are legitimate drawbacks. I also think their subscription model could be more flexible, taking a page from competitors who offer more personalized feeding plans.
When comparing to other premium options, A Pup Above offers superior protein content and bioavailability compared to most kibbles and even some other fresh foods. The nutrient preservation from their cooking method is scientifically sound and gives them an edge over conventional cooking processes.
That said, this food isn’t for everyone’s budget, and that’s okay. There are other good options at lower price points that still provide complete nutrition. But if optimal nutrition and ingredient quality are your top priorities and cost is secondary, A Pup Above genuinely delivers on its promises. I’ve recommended it to many clients with dogs needing highly digestible nutrition, and the feedback has been consistently positive.
Find Your Dog’s Perfect Food Match
While A Pup Above might be an excellent choice for many dogs, every canine companion has unique nutritional needs based on their age, size, activity level, and health conditions. What works wonderfully for one dog might not be ideal for another.
Instead of guessing which food might be best for your specific dog, why not get personalized recommendations? We’ve developed a quick questionnaire that analyzes your dog’s individual needs and matches them with their three most compatible food options. It takes less than a minute to complete, provides completely free results, and could make a significant difference in your dog’s health and happiness.
Whether you’re dealing with a picky eater, managing allergies, or simply want to ensure your best friend is getting optimal nutrition, you can find your dog’s perfect food match via this link. Your dog’s ideal diet is just a few clicks away!
