Which A Pup Above recipes include grains or rice?

Some A Pup Above recipes are grain-friendly and may include grains like rice, while others are grain-free. For example, Chicka Chicka Bow Wow includes rice as a gentle, easy-to-digest carbohydrate that is low-fat and gluten free. If grains are a trigger for your dog, choose a grain-free recipe and transition slowly to confirm tolerance.

What common sensitive-stomach triggers should I check for?

Common triggers to check include the main protein, grains, and any specific fruits or vegetables your dog reacts to. A Pup Above recipes always include real meat and real bone broth, plus non-GMO vegetables, so the most meaningful comparison is usually protein first, then carbs like rice and individual produce ingredients. If your dog has a known sensitivity, pick a recipe that avoids it and keep the rest of the diet consistent during the transition.

How does sous-vide gentle cooking affect digestion and texture?

Sous-vide gentle cooking helps keep a softer texture than extruded kibble and is designed to preserve nutrients and moisture. A Pup Above cooks its fresh, human-grade dog food sous-vide and then freezes it to lock in nutrition. Many dogs with sensitive stomachs do best with slow changes, so transition gradually even when switching to gently cooked food.

What is in the Chicka Chicka Bow Wow recipe exactly?

The Chicka Chicka Bow Wow recipe includes chicken, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, chicken bone broth, rice, apples, spinach, kale, turmeric, thyme, parsley, and an APA nutrient mix. A Pup Above lists chicken and chicken liver first, followed by sweet potatoes and bone broth, then rice and produce. If you are tracking triggers, this recipe contains poultry, rice, apples, and leafy greens.

What makes A Pup Above a human-grade dog food?

A Pup Above uses 100% human-grade ingredients and prepares its gently cooked recipes in a USDA-certified facility. The meals are made with real meat, non-GMO vegetables, and real bone broth, then frozen to lock in nutrition. If you are moving from kibble, a gradual transition can help your dog adjust to the richer moisture and protein profile.

How is this different from kibble for sensitive stomachs?

This food is gently cooked sous-vide and includes real bone broth, rather than being extruded like kibble. A Pup Above freezes the food after cooking to help lock in nutrition, and the recipes use human-grade ingredients like real meat and non-GMO vegetables. If your dog is sensitive, the biggest practical difference is often fewer processed steps and a softer, higher-moisture meal.

How do I transition my dog to gently cooked fresh food?

A gradual transition is the simplest way to reduce stomach upset when switching foods. A Pup Above is a richer, gently cooked, human-grade meal with real bone broth, so many dogs do best when you mix it into the current food and increase the fresh portion over several days. If loose stool shows up, slow the pace and keep treats and toppers consistent until things stabilize.

Can I use this as a full meal or as a topper?

Yes, A Pup Above Fresh Dog Food, Gently Cooked can be used as a complete meal or served as a topper over kibble. The product is designed as fresh dog food, and the brand also shows it used both ways, as a meal and as a top-over option. For sensitive stomachs, start with a small topper amount first, then move toward full meals as tolerated.

Where is A Pup Above fresh dog food made?

A Pup Above fresh dog food is made in the USA in a USDA-certified facility. The recipes use human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked sous-vide, then frozen to lock in nutrition. If your dog has ingredient sensitivities, the consistent process can make it easier to compare recipes and isolate which ingredients work best.

What role does bone broth play in these recipes?

Real bone broth adds moisture and flavor and is commonly used to support digestibility in fresh foods. A Pup Above includes real bone broth in every recipe and gently cooks the food sous-vide before freezing it. If your dog is picky or you are trying to support appetite during a transition, the bone broth can help make meals more enticing.

Who formulates A Pup Above recipes and nutrition?

A Pup Above recipes are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. The food is made with human-grade ingredients, cooked sous-vide, and prepared in a USDA-certified facility. If your dog has a medical condition or a long list of triggers, share the full ingredient list of the recipe you are considering with your vet to confirm fit.

1 6

4M+ Meals Served

Chicka Chicka Bow Wow

Q: What are the ingredient differences between each recipe?

Each A Pup Above recipe uses a different main protein and its own mix of produce, carbs, and herbs, so the ingredient deck changes by recipe. For example, the Chicka Chicka Bow Wow recipe includes chicken, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, chicken bone broth, rice, apples, spinach, kale, turmeric, thyme, parsley, and an APA nutrient mix. If your dog is sensitive, compare proteins first, then look for common triggers like grains, legumes, or specific fruits and veggies.

Fresh, gently cooked sous-vide food crafted with 100% human-grade ingredients, non-GMO veggies, and nourishing bone broth. This recipe is single source protein - pawfect for pups with allergies!

Gently Cooked Sous Vide
100% Human Grade Ingredients
Cooked with Bone Broth
Vet Nutritionist Formulated

Size: 1LB PATTY

1LB PATTY

3LB BAG

7LB BAG Recommended Size

Protein: Chicken

Chicken

Pork

Beef

Turkey

Turducken

Fish

Puppy

Need help deciding?Take our Quiz

Bacon & Egg Skinny Cookies

Cheddar & Apple Skinny Cookies

Peanut Butter & Banana Skinny Cookies

Chicken & Waffles Skinny Cookies

Chicken Tendies Meat Strips

Jamón Jamón Meat Strips

Ingredients

Chicken, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, chicken bone broth, rice, apples, spinach, kale, turmeric, thyme, parsley, APA nutrient mix.

Nutritional info

Calorie content 1,384 kcal/kg, 39 kcal/oz or 626 kcal/ patty ME (Calculated) 1 patty = 1 pound of food

Guaranteed Analysis	Percentage
Crude protein	(min) 12.8%
Crude fat	(min) 5.2%
Crude fiber	(max) 1.8%
Moisture	(max) 69.2%
Taurine*	(min) 0.10%

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles.

View Full Nutritional Profile

Feeding guidelines

How Much food does your dog need?

Feed as a complete meal or a topper

Pup’s Weight	Patties Per Day1 Patty = 1 LB	# Of Bags Per Month	How Often?
5 lbs	1/4	2- 3 lb Bags	3 weeks
10 lbs	1/3	2- 3 lb Bags	3 weeks
15 lbs	1/2	2- 7 lb Bags	4 weeks
20 lbs	3/4	3- 7 lb Bags	4 weeks
30 lbs	1	3- 7 lb Bags	3 weeks
40 lbs	1 1/4	4- 7 lb Bags	3 weeks
50 lbs	1 1/3	4- 7 lb Bags	3 weeks
60 lbs	1 1/2	3- 7 lb Bags	2 weeks
70 lbs	1 3/4	4- 7 lb Bags	2 weeks
80 lbs	2	4- 7 lb Bags	2 weeks

These are only guidelines for adult maintenance. Please refer to the feeding chart as an initial recommendation and adjust food as needed to reach desired weight goal. We suggest dividing the amounts into two servings per day.

Food safety

Clinically validated nutrition

Six months of in-home feeding trials and third-party testing showed APA meals are 93% digestible. Less left behind, if you catch our drift.

100% human grade

Cooked in human food kitchens and batch-tested for pathogens, so every fresh meal is safe for you and your pup.

Vet formulated

Crafted by veterinary nutritionists for complete, balanced nutrition that meets AAFCO standards.

Farm to bowl transparency

Trace every ingredient back to its source, because transparency should be built into every bag.

View full details

Need help building their bowl?

Tell us about your pup and how you want to feed. We'll help customize their recipes and portions.

Start the quiz

Proven results. Third-Party tested.

To meet our own rigorous nutritional standards, we go the extra mile with third-party digestibility studies and feeding trials.

Learn About our Trials

Third-party testing validates nutritional quality, and digestibility data shows how effectively dogs absorb nutrients. A Pup Above’s strong results are evidence of the quality of its food.

Brad Quest, DVM

Up to

2.5 YEARS

More years together

One study found dogs fed as little as 20% fresh food lived up to 2.5 years longer than dogs fed conventional pet food.*

More than

93%

Highly digestible

Third-party digestibility studies validated A Pup Above meals are 93%+ digestible.**

Up to

50%

More digestible

A Pup Above fresh food is up to 50% more digestible than standard kibble.**

* Lippert and Sapy, “Relation Between the Domestic Dogs’ Well-Being and Life Expectancy” Statistical Essay.
** A Pup Above third-party digestibility studies conducted across recipes.

EACH INGREDIENT CHOSEN WITH PURPOSE

Hover over each ingredient to see why it’s included

Chicken

We 🤍 Chicken’s Taurine for Heart Health.

Chicken Liver

Doggy Delicacy + Nutritional Powerhouse.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet & Savory Fiber and Beta-Carotene.

Bone Broth

For Joint Rejuvenation & Gut Health.

Spinach

Leafy Greens Rich in Iron and Magnesium.

Apples

A Sweet, Crisp Source of Dietary Fiber & Vitamin C.

RICE

Delectable & Digestible.

Kale

Leafy Greens Rich in Antioxidants & Vitamins.

Turmeric

This Anti-Inflammatory Gives Dogs Great Bones.

PARSLEY

De-toxifying Parsley. Also improves puppy breath!

Thyme

We Choose Thyme for Tummies.

APA NUTRIENT MIX

For a complete & balanced meal

A Bowl Above The Rest

HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS

Ingredients you’d eat yourself, made in a USDA human grade facility

NON-GMO VEGGIES

Grown in nourishing soils higher in antioxidants and nutrients

+SUPERFOODS

Turmeric, thyme, parsley for joint, immune, digestive support.

SINGLE SOURCE PROTEIN

Cage free chicken without antibiotics or growth hormones

NUTRITIOUS BONE BROTH

Rich in collagen and healthy amino acids

HIGH PROTEIN

10g protein per 100kcal

Write a Review

average rating 4.9 out of 5

Based on 1094 reviews

5 Stars

986 Reviews
4 Stars

80 Reviews
3 Stars

17 Reviews
2 Stars

5 Reviews
1 Star

6 Reviews

88% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend

Digestive tolerance	Rated 4 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 4 out of 5

Customer photos and videos

Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal

Reviewed by Sylvia L.

Verified Buyer

Review posted

Reviewing

Best Sellers Bundle

I recommend this product

Rated 5 out of 5

Choose an option below

Senior (7yrs+)

Choose options below

Picky eater

Palatability — did your dog eat it?

Ate it right away

Visible coat / energy change

Yes — noticed improvement

How this compares to previous food

Significant upgrade

Would you recommend to another dog parent?

Absolutely

Bella and Abby Love Their Pup Above

I have a 2 year old Havanese (Bella) and a 14 year old Havanese (Abby) who love their Pup Above breakfasts and dinners. They are both in amazing shape and continue to do zoomies in our back yard. Two year old Bella usually takes the lead but 14 year old Abby at least tries to keep up. Both just had excellent annual physical results!!! Thank you to a Pup Above!!!

Digestive tolerance	Rated 5 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 4 out of 5

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by Patricia S.

Verified Buyer

Review posted

Reviewing

Fresh Dog Food, Gently Cooked

I recommend this product

Rated 5 out of 5

Choose an option below

Senior (7yrs+)

Choose options below

Allergies / food sensitivities
Weight management
Picky eater

Palatability — did your dog eat it?

Inhaled it immediately

Visible coat / energy change

No visible change

How this compares to previous food

Slight upgrade

Would you recommend to another dog parent?

Absolutely

Nellie loves her Porky Luau

Nellie was always a fussy eater, but she does happy dances when the Porky's Luau comes out of the refrigerator. She is a very happy girl.

Digestive tolerance	Rated 5 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 5 out of 5

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by Heather V.

Verified Buyer

Review posted

Reviewing

Fresh Dog Food, Gently Cooked

I recommend this product

Rated 5 out of 5

Choose an option below

Adult (1–7yrs)

Choose options below

Allergies / food sensitivities
Weight management
Joint support needs

Palatability — did your dog eat it?

Inhaled it immediately

Visible coat / energy change

Yes — noticed improvement

How this compares to previous food

Significant upgrade

Would you recommend to another dog parent?

Absolutely

Delicious!

Our big guy absolutely loves the Pork Luau and Fish recipes! He gets so excited for breakfast/dinner and it’s easy to see just how much he enjoys every bite. Plus, both recipes smell great. Even the fish, which is something we haven’t experienced with other fish-based foods.

I also really appreciate that the company makes an effort to ethically source its ingredients. Knowing that we’re feeding him something he genuinely loves while supporting a company that cares about where its food comes from makes us feel even better about our choice. And the subscription process and shipping have been incredibly reliable, which makes the whole experience that much better. We’re big fans!

Digestive tolerance	Rated 5 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 5 out of 5

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by Alexis L.

Verified Buyer

Review posted

Reviewing

Fresh Dog Food, Gently Cooked

I recommend this product

Rated 5 out of 5

Choose an option below

Adult (1–7yrs)

Choose options below

Sensitive stomach
Allergies / food sensitivities
Picky eater

Palatability — did your dog eat it?

Ate it right away

Visible coat / energy change

No visible change

How this compares to previous food

Significant upgrade

Would you recommend to another dog parent?

Absolutely

He loves the pork

He absolutely loves the pork version. His cat siblings regularly try to sample some as well. Can’t wait till y’all make cat food too.

Digestive tolerance	Rated 5 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 5 out of 5

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by Hester T.

Verified Buyer

Review posted

Reviewing

Fresh Dog Food, Gently Cooked

I recommend this product

Rated 5 out of 5

Choose an option below

Adult (1–7yrs)

Choose options below

Sensitive stomach
Weight management

Palatability — did your dog eat it?

Ate it right away

Visible coat / energy change

Yes — noticed improvement

How this compares to previous food

Significant upgrade

Would you recommend to another dog parent?

Absolutely

Good for the Tum tum

Our little Dachshund pup isn’t a super picky eater but his tummy does better on certain foods. A pup above is the best food for his tummy- he always has good poops 💩 when he eats it. And I love that they include friendly grains in certain flavors.

Digestive tolerance	Rated 5 out of 5
Transition difficulty	Rated 5 out of 5

Was this helpful?

Questions? We’re here for you.

View all FAQs

Why does this cost more than kibble?

Kibble is cheap to make because it's mostly cooked at high heat from inexpensive fillers. Our recipes start with 100% human-grade meat, veggies, and bone broth, then we gently cook each batch to lock in nutrients. Real ingredients cost more than fillers - but you're feeding your pup actual food, not scraps.

Is fresh food actually better than premium kibble?

Yes. Even premium kibble is extruded at high heat and loaded with carb-heavy fillers to hold its shape. Our recipes are gently cooked (never fried or extruded), so more of the natural nutrients survive - and it's easier for most dogs to digest.

Do I Need to Cook the Food?

Nope! We do the cooking for you. All you have to do is defrost and serve to your pup. You can serve it directly from the fridge or add a touch of hot water if your dog prefers warm food.

How do I transition my dog?

Go slow over 5-7 days: start by mixing a small amount of A Pup Above in with your dog's current food, then gradually increase the ratio each day until they're fully switched over. This gives their stomach time to adjust and helps avoid any tummy upset.

Can I find this in stores?

Use our store locator to find A Pup Above near you. Contact your local store to check recipe availability.

100% Tail Wags Guaranteed

A black and white husky mix with blue eyes, tongue out

If your dog doesn’t love our food, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee—no questions asked.

Shop Now

Chicka Chicka Bow Wow