As dog moms, we want the best for our pups. They’re not just pets—they’re family. For me and my black lab, Maggie, that means finding food that supports her health, energy, and happiness.
It was time to dig into the fresh dog food craze. I sat down to sort through three of the most popular dog food brands: Just Food For Dogs’ JustFresh, Spot & Tango’s Chicken & Rice UnKibble, and The Honest Kitchen’s Dehydrated Dog Food. In the end I decided to test out all three.
Here’s what Maggie and I found:
The dog food with just-right ingredients…Just Food for Dogs
All three brands—Just Food for Dogs, Spot & Tango, and Honest Kitchen—use human-grade ingredients, which is already a win for your dog’s health. But JustFresh goes further by offering whole, gently cooked meals made fresh, with no preservatives. For Maggie, this means real ingredients like chicken, rice, and spinach—food you could easily eat yourself.
By comparison, Spot & Tango’s UnKibble is made from fresh ingredients but processed into dry form. While convenient, this drying process removes some of the natural nutrients that whole, gently cooked foods retain, meaning your dog misses out on the optimal benefits fresh food provides. Honest Kitchen offers dehydrated food, but rehydrating doesn’t deliver the same level of freshness. Maggie can tell the difference, and so can I.
The one my dog devours…Just Food for Dogs
I’ll admit: Maggie is picky. There have been dark times when she would barely touch her food, and you don’t even want to know the lengths I’ve gone to please her appetite. My jaw dropped when I put JustFresh in her bowl for the first time—she licked it clean (and still does to this day). I’ve tried feeding her both Spot & Tango’s UnKibble and Honest Kitchen’s Dehydrated Dog Food, and while she didn’t reject them, she wasn’t as excited as she is with JustFresh.
JustFresh looks like a home-cooked meal, with visible chicken, rice, and vegetables. Maggie responds to that difference, and her energy levels have noticeably improved since we switched. She’s no longer lethargic, and she isn’t waking me up in the wee hours of the morning with her scratching anymore.
The lowest cost option…Spot & Tango
Feeding a dog high-quality food can get expensive, especially for larger breeds like Maggie. If you’re on a tight budget, Spot & Tango’s UnKibble is the most affordable of the three options. It’s a step up from regular kibble, providing good ingredients at a lower price point.
That said, I see JustFresh as a worthwhile investment. It’s the only one Maggie will consistently finish and you truly get what you pay for: fresher ingredients mean better flavor, more natural nutrients, and fewer fillers. Since switching, Maggie’s coat is shinier, her digestion is better, and she’s more active. When it comes to long-term benefits, JustFresh offers the best value for your dog’s well-being.
The perfect balance of convenience and quality…Just Food for Dogs
When it comes to feeding time, convenience is key. Just Food for Dogs' JustFresh is so easy to use - their 12 oz. pouches are shelf-stable and only need to be stored in the fridge after opening. The best part - the pouches are resealable for no mess! Fresh food like JustFresh gives more immediate benefits without the wait, and they tell you how many oz/cups you need for your pup when you use Just Food for Dogs' feeding calculator.
Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated food demands the most time, needing careful rehydration and mixing before it’s ready—great for nutrition, but not ideal for busy days. Spot & Tango’s UnKibble is definitely the easiest, as it’s served straight from the bag without any prep, though it doesn’t have the freshness of JustFresh.
In the end, JustFresh offers a good balance for me - it's fresh, but still convenient. Knowing I’m serving Maggie high-quality, real food makes it worth it.
JustFresh is just right for my dog
After trying all three, Maggie and I are sticking with JustFresh from Just Food For Dogs. It’s made a noticeable difference in her health, energy, and overall happiness.
While Spot & Tango and The Honest Kitchen are decent alternatives, JustFresh offers the best mix of quality, taste, and benefits. If you’re looking for a fresh, nutritious food upgrade for your dog, I highly recommend Just Food For Dogs. Maggie does, too!
