When I first started looking into fresh food for my dog, I wasn’t sure it was worth the hype. I’d always gone for “premium” kibble brands like Hill’s Science Diet and Blue Buffalo, thinking the higher price tag meant better quality. But after my dog developed some skin issues and started leaving more food in the bowl than usual, I started questioning if what I was feeding her was actually healthy—or just heavily marketed.
Curious, I decided to try something different. I tested out JustFoodForDogs alongside our usual rotation of Hill’s Science Diet and Blue Buffalo to see if fresh, whole food would really make a difference.
Here’s what happened:
The one with healthy, human-grade ingredients…JFFD
Hill’s Science Diet and Blue Buffalo both market themselves as nutritious, but a look at the ingredient labels told another story. Hill’s lists things like chicken meal and brewers rice as top ingredients, while Blue Buffalo uses chicken by-product meal and pea starch. These are highly processed, shelf-stable ingredients designed for convenience and mass production—not nutrition.
JustFoodForDogs uses 100% human-grade ingredients, like ground turkey, carrots, spinach, and rice—real foods you’d find in your own kitchen. The recipes are crafted by veterinary nutritionists and gently cooked to preserve nutrients.
The one that’s convenient and worth the value… JFFD
Convenience is where I expected kibble to win—after all, it’s easy to scoop and store. But I was surprised.
Oven-baked kibble like Hill’s and Blue Buffalo might be shelf-stable, but that’s partly because they’re packed with preservatives. And neither brand offers a lot of flexibility in how you buy—you’re stuck with large bags or cans, and recurring purchases.
JustFoodForDogs, on the other hand, offers both Fresh Frozen and Pantry Fresh options. The Pantry Fresh meals blew me away—they’re shelf-stable for up to two years without artificial preservatives and don’t require refrigeration until opened. Plus, no subscription required.
And when you break down the cost? Meals start at just $2 per day depending on the size of your dog—talk about being comparable to what I was already spending on “premium” kibble plus toppers and treats to get my dog to actually eat.
The one that’s the most digestible… JFFD
After feeding my dog each brand for a few weeks, the differences became clear.
With Hill’s Science Diet, we had consistent stool quality but little else changed. Blue Buffalo led to some digestive inconsistency—her stools were a bit soft and her energy seemed to dip. But when I introduced JustFoodForDogs, I noticed real changes: firmer stools, less itching, more energy, and even a shinier coat.
JustFoodForDogs also balances all recipes to the standards set by the NRC (National Research Council) and backs them with AAFCO feeding trials—something most kibble companies skip.
The one that vets recommend… JFFD
JustFoodForDogs is now the #1 vet-recommended fresh dog food, and they’re leading the way when it comes to scientifically formulated meals made from whole food ingredients. Their in-house team of veterinary nutritionists makes them more than a trend—they’re setting a new standard.
The cheaper option… Hill's Science or Blue Buffalo
Yes, JustFoodForDogs is a little pricier than kibble. But what your dog gets out of it is so worth it (IMO). Plus, it really only comes out to around $2 per day depending on the size of your dog.
But if you're really on a budget, then kibble is the way to go. You can get a 30lb bag for $64-85.
Final Verdict: JFFD is Loved By Me and My Dog
I went into this comparison expecting Hill’s or Blue Buffalo to hold their ground. But after watching my dog thrive on JustFoodForDogs, seeing real ingredients, and learning how the food is made—it’s hard to go back to kibble.
Even the “premium” options just don’t compare when you put them side-by-side with real, whole food that’s backed by science, made by experts, and loved by dogs.
If you’re still feeding kibble because it’s familiar or convenient, I totally get it—I was there too. But trust me: once you see the difference that fresh food makes, there’s no going back.
