Everything you need to know about fresh dog food delivery services

• Watch out for marketing buzzwords. Common terms like ‘small batch’ and ‘farm-to-table’ pop up a lot in the fresh dog food world. Only AAFCO-approved foods and those that align with WSAVA guidelines have a concrete meaning.
• Fresh dog food diets are healthy. If you’re concerned about preservatives and fillers in store-bought kibble, fresh dog food might settle your mind.
• Ask your vet before changing your dog’s diet. Each dog is different with unique dietary needs, and your pup’s vet is the best person to address those needs.

Fillers. You’ll see a lot of fresh food waving the “no filler” banner. First of all, we need to define what ‘fillers’ are, which is actually difficult. There is no one solid definition as most people are not in agreement. In general, fillers are anything that doesn’t add the proper nutritional value to the food but is included to give it more substance. This includes ingredients like corn gluten meal, grains, soy, wheat, etc. Some experts argue that certain fillers are fine for dogs and are even beneficial. In the fresh dog food world, ‘no fillers’ often just means ‘fewer total ingredients.’

USDA-approved. While the term “human-grade” pops up all over, even in a section above, it has no actual legal meaning. What you want to look for are companies that use USDA-approved ingredients (meats, veggies, etc.). USDA-approved means that the United States Department of Agriculture has deemed the food safe for human consumption. Those foods the administration approves must be up to certain standards. USDA-approved and human-grade are often used interchangeably, but only one carries real weight.

AAFCO-approved. AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials It is a non-governmental entity that releases guidelines on nutritional standards. Many fresh dog food delivery companies offer AAFCO-approved meals. AAFCO-approved means that the meals are balanced properly for an animal’s age according to nutritional standards determined by this group.

Animal byproducts. The USDA defines animal byproducts as anything other than the ‘dressed carcass’ of livestock. Dressed carcass means what is left of an animal after being slaughtered and butchered. Poultry byproducts are similarly defined. Byproducts include fat, skin, organs, blood, etc. Sorry for the colorful description, but it’s important to understand the meat of the issue.

Small batch. This is a buzzword you’re likely to come across often when perusing your dog’s fresh food delivery options. Like most buzzwords, it lacks an actual or even widely accepted definition. For your dog food purposes, companies use ‘small batch’ to mean their production of the food is not on the level of a massive corporation. The idea is that bigger dog food companies produce foods more efficiently in greater quantities. Small batch points to, in theory, a smaller operation. The idea is that the quality will be higher with small-batch foods. Whether that is actually true or not is another story.

Farm-to-table. In dog-food-speak, this is basically shorthand for ‘preservative-free.’ The notion here is that the meat comes from a farm. It goes to the kitchen where it is turned into a meal. Then your doggo gets a delicious delivery. All of that happens quickly enough where refrigeration is the only thing required to keep the food safe and fresh. However, never trust a buzzword. Always check the ingredients list yourself.

Pre-portioned. These meals will come in the pre-measured portion for your pup. This way there is no guesswork as to how much a serving is. Often when you sign up for fresh dog food delivery services, the company you choose will ask you to fill out a profile for your pooch. The profile includes things like size, weight, activity level, and dietary/health needs. The meal portion your dog enjoys is calculated based on those factors.

Lightly-cooked. This means the food is cooked at lower temperatures. It’s thought to make the meats easier for your pooch to digest.

🚨 Talk to your vet before you start a new diet. If your dog has any health conditions, your vet can offer information on what ingredients and nutrients to look for in a fresh dog food meal service. Two terms you will want to see are USDA-approved and AAFCO-approved.

How much do fresh food delivery services cost?

By the meal, fresh dog food delivery services start at about $2.00 per day. You can spend a whole lot more than that, though! Expect to spend more for larger dogs. Bigger belly, bigger budget. Some companies offer introductory offers to help you decide if the financial commitment is worth it.

How often will I get my deliveries?

The nice thing about a lot of fresh dog food delivery companies is that their delivery schedule is flexible. That way you can figure out what works best for you and your pup.

What is the “shelf life” of fresh dog food?

Because it’s human-grade, the same rules for human food apply for fresh dog food! Just check if the food will be delivered frozen or just refrigerated.

Can I warm up fresh dog food so my pup can smell it better?

Often! Just check the instructions on your dog’s meal.

How do I safely switch my dog from kibble to fresh dog food?

When introducing anything new in your dog’s life, it’s best to take it slow. Unless your vet recommends stopping one food and starting another overnight, you might consider mixing some of your dog’s old food in with the new fresh diet. That said, some dogs will have no problems with their new fresh menu. Their stomachs might disagree, however.

My dog is a picky eater. What should I do if I don’t want to commit a lot of money to a new service they might not like?

You can look for a fresh dog food delivery company that doesn’t force you to commit to a long-term plan outright. Some even offer trial periods or tell you where to find samples in your community.

Do I have to get fresh dog food delivered?

Some pet stores or veterinary offices offer fresh foods. They’ll be in a cooler or freezer. If you’re able to visit a shop or vet office often enough to keep your doggie stocked, this could be an option for you.