Introduction

If you’re just hearing about Valu-Pak dog food, you’re not alone. It’s not a flashy brand with big ads or prime spots on sites like Amazon or Chewy. Instead, it keeps things simple with no-nonsense packaging and a smaller product lineup. But don’t let its low profile fool you—Valu-Pak dog food focuses on delivering high-quality nutrition at an affordable price, without any unnecessary extras. That’s why we’ve rated it 4.5 stars overall. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this underrated brand.

Valu-Pak Dog Food: An In-Depth Review

Who Makes Valu-Pak Dog Food and Where Is It Made?

Valu-Pak dog food is owned by SpecialtyFeeds, Inc., a company that also manages four other dog food brands. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, SpecialtyFeeds has a long history—it started in 1960 as a small dairy farm in Mississippi. Today, the company produces its dog food at its Memphis facility, supplying products across 20 U.S. states.

Which Dogs Might Be Better Suited for a Different Brand?

Dogs with special dietary needs, puppies, and senior dogs might be better off with a different brand. While Valu-Pak is labeled as “suitable for all life stages,” including puppies, it doesn’t offer specific products tailored to puppies, seniors, or dogs with special health requirements.

If your dog has unique dietary needs, such as weight control, it’s best to consult your vet to find the most suitable brand for their needs.

Which Dogs Are Best Suited for Valu-Pak Dog Food?

Valu-Pak pet food is best suited for active adult dogs and those who need a balanced amount of protein in their diet. Several of Valu-Pak pet food’s formulas are designed specifically for active dogs, with protein content ranging from 18% to 28%. The Adult Athletes and Puppies formula stands out with a higher protein level of 30%, making it a great option for dogs with moderate energy levels who need that extra protein boost.

What’s Inside Valu-Pak Pet Food: The Good and the Bad Ingredients

Let’s break down one of Valu-Pak’s most popular products, the Valu-Pak Free 28-20 formula. The numbers on the bag represent the protein and fat content of the product. The ingredients in this formula include:

Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Dried Green Peas, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Ground Flaxseed, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, and Folic Acid.

This list gives you a clearer picture of what goes into this formula.

Free From Corn, Gluten, Soy, and Wheat

Some dog owners opt for corn-free, gluten-free, soy-free, or wheat-free diets, thinking they are healthier options. However, PetMD suggests that while corn, soy, and wheat are not harmful to dogs, they may not be the ideal ingredients to form the foundation of their diet.

Understanding Chicken By-Product Meal

If your dog has a chicken allergy, it’s important to note that this formula contains chicken by-product meal, so it’s best to avoid it. But, meat by-products are animal products that are not typically consumed by humans, such as organs, fat, or bones. If you’d rather feed your dog a diet without animal by-products, you may want to explore other dog food brands.

Ingredients That May Raise Concerns

Some ingredients in dog food have sparked debate for different reasons. In some cases, these ingredients are controversial due to concerns about their quality, while in others, they are thought to potentially be linked to health issues.

Recall History and Safety

We couldn’t find any evidence suggesting that Valu-Pak products have ever been recalled. This is great news and adds an extra layer of trust for dog owners to feel confident about their choices.

1. Valu-Pak Free 28-20 Formula

Valu-Pak Free 28-20 Formula seems to be the most popular and best-selling product from the brand. The numbers on the packaging refer to its protein and fat content—28% protein and 20% fat, a consistent feature across all Valu-Pak products. The formula includes two types of meat: chicken by-product meal and pork meal, with no wheat, soy, gluten, or corn.

Designed for active adult dogs and puppies from 4 weeks old, this product is labeled as suitable for “all life stages.” One of the standout qualities of Valu-Pak Free 28-20 is its simplicity—it’s a straightforward, no-fuss option for dog owners!

2. Valu-Pak 24-20 Formula

This 24-20 recipe contains 24% protein and 20% fat. Unlike the “free” products, it includes corn, gluten, and wheat, but no soy. It’s formulated for active adult dogs and promotes healthy skin and coats. The main meat source is pork meal.

The reviews we found for this product were more varied compared to the 28-20 formula. While some dog owners found it helped improve their dog’s coat condition, others felt it was too expensive for the value it provided.

Pros

3. Valu-Pak 30-20 for Active Adults and Puppies

This 30% protein, 20% fat formula is specifically designed for athletic dogs and puppies, offering a higher protein content than Valu-Pak’s other products. Athletic dogs require more protein to support muscle growth and maintain energy levels.

The primary protein source in this formula is chicken by-product meal. Unfortunately, it’s not available on Amazon, but you can find it through other online retailers and vendors.

Customer Feedback and Reviews

Considering what other users think about a brand is essential for our research. Without their input, we can’t gain a balanced perspective on how good a product truly is. That’s why we’ve gathered a few online reviews about Valu-Pak to share.

Amazon – Amazon offers valuable insights into how customers perceive a product in terms of quality and value. You can find reviews for Valu-Pak on Amazon here.
DogFoodAdvisor – “It’s a dry dog food with a balanced nutritional profile, offering many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep your dog healthy.”
NRS – “Based on our research from FDA, AVMA, and DogFoodAdvisor, we found no evidence of Valu-Pak dog food being recalled. This is quite impressive given Specialty Feeds Inc.’s long history of over fifty years.”

This approach allows us to see what dog owners are saying and helps us evaluate the brand more accurately.

Conclusion

Based on our research, we find Valu-Pak to be a trustworthy dog food brand due to its clean recall history and straightforward advertising. These factors give us confidence in the brand, and we have a lot of respect for long-standing companies that maintain a transparent and honest approach to their marketing. We also appreciate the simplicity of Valu-Pak, making it easy to choose a product from their modest selection.

Of course, no brand is without its drawbacks. Some might find Valu-Pak’s limited product range too minimal, and the brand doesn’t use whole or fresh meat in its formulas. Availability can also be an issue, as Valu-Pak’s products are hard to find on online platforms like Amazon, and Chewy doesn’t carry their products. However, overall, reviews for Valu-Pak, especially its 28-20 formula, are largely positive.