Our verdict
Is Alpha Sporting Puppy a good dog food?
We score it 58/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with dehydrated poultry proteins, rice and whole as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
43% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at giant dogs
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dehydrated poultry proteins
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated poultry proteins
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 29% · Fat 17%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29% |
| Fat | 17% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 6.50% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Puppies should be fed up to 4 small meals per day until about 8 weeks old, 3-4 meals per day from 8-12 weeks old, 3 times per day from 12-26 weeks and twice per day as a young adult. Daily guideline amounts vary by age and expected adult weight (Toy to Giant breeds).
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 20,000 iu/kg; Vitamin D3 2,000 iu/kg; Vitamin E 110 mg/kg (as alpha tocopherol); Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 100 mg/kg; Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 60 mg/kg; Manganese (Manganese (II) Oxide) 25 mg/kg; Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 5.00 mg/kg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous) 1.00 mg/kg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.15 mg/kg
Technological additives
Antioxidants
Ingredients (12)43% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 42.7%
- meat 34.1%
- oil 8.4%
- fibre 6.9%
- supplement 5.4%
- veg 2.5%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poultry Meal (28.0%) | Dehydrated Poultry Proteins | meat · good | 28 | 28.0 |
| 2 | White Rice (26.0%) | Rice - white | carb · medium | 26 | 26.0 |
| 3 | Whole Maize | Whole-Grain Maize | carb · medium | - | 9.1 |
| 4 | Poultry Oil | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | - | 8.3 |
| 5 | Maize Gluten Meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 7.6 |
| 6 | Sugar Beet Pellets | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.8 |
| 7 | Fish Meal | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 6.1 |
| 8 | Whole Linseed (2.5%) | Linseed | veg · good | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 9 | 0.1% Brewers Yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 10 | 0.1% Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 11 | 0.1% Chicory Root Extract | Chicory Root Extract | fibre · good | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 12 | Extract of Yucca Schidigera | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 5.3 |
- 1. Poultry Meal (28.0%)28% declared28.0% estimated
- 2. White Rice (26.0%)26% declared26.0% estimated
- 3. Whole Maize9.1% estimated
- 4. Poultry Oil8.3% estimated
- 5. Maize Gluten Meal7.6% estimated
- 6. Sugar Beet Pellets6.8% estimated
- 7. Fish Meal6.1% estimated
- 8. Whole Linseed (2.5%)2.5% declared2.5% estimated
- 9. 0.1% Brewers Yeast0.1% declared0.1% estimated
- 10. 0.1% Salmon Oil0.1% declared0.1% estimated
- 11. 0.1% Chicory Root Extract0.1% declared0.1% estimated
- 12. Extract of Yucca Schidigera5.3% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-15
Brand and contact: Alpha
- Website
- https://www.alphafeeds.com/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +44 (0)1522 778000
- Address
- Cranswick Pet Products Ltd, Lodge Farm, Wigsley Road, North Scarle, Lincoln, LN6 9HD
- Contact page
- www.alphafeeds.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-15
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.alphafeeds.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: 0.0/5 · 0 reviews
Facebook: - · 3 reviews
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 58 out of 100 based on several key factors. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, and the carbohydrate content added -4.8 points. Additionally, the overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +4.7 points, while ingredients without printed percentages added -4.6 points to the final assessment.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.68 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 28.4% | 0.096 | +2.72 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 41.5% | -0.115 | -4.78 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 9.2% | -0.092 | -0.85 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 2.5% | -0.005 | -0.01 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 5.5% | -0.012 | -0.07 |
| Recipe graded poor | 7.6% | -0.065 | -0.49 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 7.6% | 0.060 | +0.45 |
| Undeclared quantities | 43.2% | -0.106 | -4.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Additive penalty | -0.23 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.68 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 28.4% | 0.096 | +2.72 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 41.5% | -0.115 | -4.78 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 9.2% | -0.092 | -0.85 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 2.5% | -0.005 | -0.01 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 5.5% | -0.012 | -0.07 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 7.6% | -0.065 | -0.49 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 7.6% | 0.060 | +0.45 |
| Undeclared quantities | 43.2% | -0.106 | -4.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -0.23 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 57.8
- Final score
- 58/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 29 | 32 | 100 |
| Fat | 17 | 18.8 | 100 |
Scored over 2 declared nutrients (combined weight 40); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 9 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 20,000 iu/kg
- Vitamin D3 2,000 iu/kg
- Vitamin E 110 mg/kg (as alpha tocopherol)
- Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 100 mg/kg
- Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 60 mg/kg
- Manganese (Manganese (II) Oxide) 25 mg/kg
- Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 5.00 mg/kg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous) 1.00 mg/kg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.15 mg/kg
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (56.8% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 11.4/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Hypoallergenic & Wheat Gluten Free" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.
Consistent with the label
- "Balanced and Nutritionally Complete" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
5 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Meal & Linseed – Aids Healthy Skin & Coat Condition (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 29% Protein Aids Optimum Growth & Development (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Specially Formulated for Puppies (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Balanced and Nutritionally Complete (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No Added Artificial Colours or Flavours (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Hypoallergenic & Wheat Gluten Free (on pack) | Free-from | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| High Quality Chicken – a Good Source of Protein (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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