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You’ve probably heard of the many fresh food delivery options available to us humans. Everything from farm fresh produce, to fruit-of-the-month clubs, to complete meals from the likes of Blue Apron and Hello Fresh exist to help keep us eating right even on a tight schedule.
Likely, you’ve also heard about some dog delivery services, such as Bark Box, which sends along a box of dog treats and toys each month. What you might not have known, is that fresh food delivery services also exist for Fido. Your options vary according to where you live and what your dog’s dietary needs might be, but because eating fresh offers many benefits for Bingo, fresh dog food delivery services might be worth investigating.
Pet owners who have made the switch to fresh food, as well as several veterinarians, cite many benefits to health and well-being by feeding your dog fresh. Some of them include:
- longer life;
- decreased risk of cancer;
- healthier skin and coat;
- improved activity level and more energy;
- improved immune system;
- better overall health; and
- fewer vet bills.
Today, there are several companies that offer fresh dog food delivery for your dog. We investigate several of them below. Find the one that’s right for you and Rufus!
What to Look for in Dog Food
Before pet owners can decide what to look for in a dog food delivery service, they need to know what to look for in pet food. There are a lot of qualities that make for great pet food, for both dogs and cats, as the qualities translate despite the differences in the two creatures. Here are some qualities to consider when looking at the best pet food for your pooch.
Raw Dog Food
Raw dog food has made some waves as an up and coming trend over recent years. Raw pet food is a bit controversial, as some veterinarians are for the diet and others are against. This is another debate that spans all types of pet food, particularly when discussing dogs and cats.
Raw dog food essentially means feeding your dog raw– read: uncooked– meat. The raw dog food diet circles back to the idea that dogs descend from hunters who had no need for processed food, as the meat they would eat in the wild would be raw. Think Paleo for pooches. There are claims that this approach helps improve a dog’s skin and coat, their activity level, and introduces beneficial bacteria into their digestive tract.
That being said, introducing raw pet food comes with many risks. Depending on where you buy your meat, you may be introducing hidden fillers or antibiotics into your dog’s meal plans. There are risks to your health and well-being as well. Leaving uncooked meat sitting around after your dog has left his dish alone can be a problem, as can a dog who roams with their food. If you’re going to use raw pet food, source local meat from the farmer’s market, introduce small batches, and be mindful of your dog’s eating habits. As always, talk to your vet before making the switch.
Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food is what many pet food delivery companies hope to make more accessible. While your intentions may be good, it can be challenging to stick to meal plans for people, let alone incorporating homemade food into the rotation. Making homemade dog food gives you control over what ingredients your dog ingests. Some pet owners do it only a few times a week to supplement their dog’s kibble. Other pet owners aim to completely replace their dog and cat food with homemade food.
For pet parents looking to make the switch, but lacking the time to follow their own recipes, a homemade dog food delivery service might be the right option. Be sure to read the ingredient labels and ensure that you’re getting what’s promised when choosing a pet food delivery service.
Grain-Free Dog Food
Grain-free dog food is high on the list of priorities for pet parents, whether looking for a good source of dry dog food, or searching for a pet food delivery service. Grains such as wheat, corn, and soy are used as fillers in dog food. They offer no nutritional value and can even contribute to common ailments, such as dull skin and coat.
There are, however, some dog foods that aren’t grain-free but still offer great quality. Any of those that use high-quality grains in their recipes, such as brown rice, are better dry dog food choices than those that use fillers and artificial flavors. It’s also worth noting the distinction between grain-free and carb free. Carbohydrates are an important part of dry dog food, as long as they come from smart sources, like sweet potato, beets, carrots, and other starchy vegetables.
For the best dog food you can buy, see our comprehensive brand reviews. If you’re interested in cat food for the rest of your furry family, check out our sister site Oliveknows.
Now, without further ado, here are some of the best dog food delivery services around:
The Farmer’s Dog
Based of out New York, The Farmer’s Dog runs no retail stores, but consists of a human-grade kitchen and a delivery service. All the ingredients used in their food are human-grade, sourced from local farms and restaurant suppliers. The Farmer’s Dog provides your pooch with a customized nutrition plan based on an algorithm after you have filled out the company’s online questionnaire. Following your dog’s first few meals, professionals at The Farmer’s Dog monitor dog’s progress and can modify his food accordingly.
Shortly after your dog’s food is cooked, it is frozen and shipped to your door. While price depends on many factors, the cost for smaller dogs starts at about $3 per day, and they offer a two-week discounted trial period. If you’d rather prepare your dog’s food yourself, The Farmer’s Dog also offers a DIY option when trying to find the best food for dogs.
Nom Nom Now
Fresh food delivery service Nom Nom Now is based out of San Francisco, and delivers human-grade, portioned meals to your doorstep each week. You can get your first two orders at half price, and shipping is always free. Cost depends on several factors, but Nom Nom Now estimates that for the average, 32-pound dog, you can expect to spend less than $3 per meal. These meals are not delivered frozen, and can be stored in your refrigerator. Plus, they donate 1% of their sales to Keto Pet Sanctuary.
Lucky Dog Cuisine
Founded by Dr. Janice Elenbaas, Lucky Dog Cuisine is a small family business delivering to the continental United States. They also recently opened an office in Canada. Fido can enjoy his first shipment for just $69. After that, shipments arrive every 28 days at a cost of $149 per shipment. There is no contract period, and you can cancel your shipments anytime, for any reason. The food arrives frozen, and can keep in your freezer for up to six months. Once you have thawed it, you can store the food in your refrigerator for up to one week. In addition, all ingredients are human grade, and Lucky Dog Cuisine uses only humanely sourced beef and pork, hormone-free turkey, GMO-free produce, filtered water, and chemical free fish.
Ollie dog food differs from the companies discussed to this point in that as opposed to sending individual portions, they deliver one large portion of their fresh, homemade dog food with a scoop measured to properly portion your dog’s meal. The kitchen at Ollie dog food is human-grade, and low cooking temperatures help to preserve the ingredients’ nutritional value. New customers get 50% off their first delivery!
Ollie dog food differs from the companies discussed to this point in that as opposed to sending individual portions, they deliver one large portion of their fresh, homemade dog food with a scoop measured to properly portion your dog’s meal. The kitchen at Ollie dog food is human-grade, and low cooking temperatures help to preserve the ingredients’ nutritional value. New customers get 50% off their first delivery!
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Darwin’s delivers across the United States, their foods arriving frozen in vacuum-sealed packages. They do charge a shipping fee, which varies according to your location, and offer a variety of foods, including those that support a raw diet.
Pet Plate
Featured on the popular show Shark Tank, Pet Plate serves the entire continental United States and is based out of the mid-west. Plans vary, with shipping occurring anywhere from once a week to once a month, at no charge. The food arrives frozen, and you can opt for meals that include beef or turkey, and are even fit for large dogs over 70 pounds. In addition, they make sure their food meets all AAFCO guidelines, so you can be sure your dog’s nutritional needs are met.
ReelRaw delivers fresh dog food across the continental United States, though shipping costs may vary by location. The company was founded in 2009, though founder Alissa Zalneraitis has been serving the ReelRaw recipe to her own fur babies since 2002. She has partnered with renowned sushi chef Richard Reel IV to create ReelRaw, a raw dog food delivery service for dogs. The raw dog food arrives frozen in a cooler at your door, and is safe to thaw and refreeze, if necessary. Once thawed, the food will keep for three to four days in your refrigerator. ReelRaw subscribes to the Prey Model Raw diet, so no fruits, vegetables, or grains are included in their foods, which consist solely of protein sources.
ReelRaw delivers fresh dog food across the continental United States, though shipping costs may vary by location. The company was founded in 2009, though founder Alissa Zalneraitis has been serving the ReelRaw recipes to her own fur babies since 2002. She has partnered with renowned sushi chef Richard Reel IV to create ReelRaw, a raw dog food delivery service for dogs. The raw food arrives frozen in a cooler at your door, and is safe to thaw and refreeze, if necessary. Once thawed, the raw food will keep for three to four days in your refrigerator. ReelRaw subscribes to the Prey Model Raw diet, so no fruits, vegetables, or grains are included in their foods, which consist solely of protein sources.
Fresh Food for Fido
As you can see, several options exist for making sure your furry friend enjoys the most nutritious and freshest foods available–even if you don’t have time to prepare them yourself, or if Rufus is on a raw food diet. As always, it is best to consult your veterinarian before switching Fido’s food, but if you think fresh dog food delivery might be an ideal option for your lifestyle and your pooch’s palate, now you know where to start!
Continue reading:
Darwins Dog Food Service Review