When I first brought home my 6-lb Pomeranian, Tidley, I had no idea how intense I’d become about what went into her tiny little body. But after her first vet visit (where the words “early signs of food allergies” were casually dropped), I started researching fresh food options that could actually support her health—not just fill her up.
After trying two of the most popular fresh dog food brands—JustFoodForDogs and Ollie—one stood out in every way that mattered. Here's how they stack up across five essential categories:
The One With Whole Food Ingredients… JFFD
Both brands market themselves as fresh and healthy—but ingredient lists don’t lie.
JustFoodForDogs was the only one where I recognized every single ingredient. Their recipes are made with 100% human-grade, whole foods like chicken thighs, spinach, sweet potatoes, and even blueberries. USDA-certified meats, no preservatives, and zero mystery powders. It's basically grocery store food—if you had a dog chef on staff.
Ollie has solid protein and veggie combos, but it’s less transparent. They don't publish full AAFCO feeding trial data, and some ingredients were harder to trace or understand.
The One That’s Easy to Digest… JFFD
Here’s where it gets real: Tidley’s digestion literally changed depending on what she ate.
JustFoodForDogs had her poops looking perfect (yes, I said it). She had more energy, and her seasonal allergies? Less noticeable. Their meals are formulated by vet nutritionists and tested with AAFCO feeding trials, so I trust they’re not just guessing on nutrient balance.
Ollie did okay, but Tidley didn’t seem as enthusiastic to eat it, and I didn’t notice any real improvement in her digestion.
The One With Better Packaging… Ollie
This is where I’ll give Ollie some credit. Their custom portions arrive pre-portioned with simple peel-back trays. It’s a nice touch and saves you from having to scoop messy food.
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh meals are packaged like individual meal packs, so no scooping required, but the frozen options do come in bulk trays which take a little practice.
The Better Value… JFFD
JFFD is similarly priced to Ollie —and it’s worth every penny when you consider what you’re not getting (preservatives, additives, processing). And their variety packs make it easy to try different recipes without a full subscription. Here’s some deets:
- JustFoodForDogs Variety Pack Sampler: Starts at $2 per day depending on your dog's size
- Ollie averages around $6–$8 per meal, depending on the plan
With JFFD, you get premium nutrition, portion flexibility, and science-backed peace of mind.
The One That’s Super Convenient… JFFD
I travel a lot for work, so convenience matters just as much as quality.
JustFoodForDogs offers both Fresh Frozen and Pantry Fresh options—meaning I don’t have to stress if I forget to thaw a meal or need to toss a few meals in my suitcase. Pantry Fresh meals are fully shelf-stable for up to two years, and they don’t need refrigeration until opened. You don’t even need a subscription. Just order what you want, when you want. That flexibility alone sets them apart.
Ollie only offers frozen meals via subscription (and thawing can take forever). While their trays are portioned well, the whole system felt rigid. I missed a delivery once and had no backup—Tidley had to go back to dry food for two days. Not ideal.
Final Verdict: Why I’m Team JustFoodForDogs
After trying both brands, there was one I kept going back to—JustFoodForDogs.
It’s the only brand in this lineup that’s #1 vet-recommended, and after seeing how it improved Tidley’s digestion, energy, and even her coat, I completely understand why. The ingredients are human-grade and whole, not powdered or processed. And the convenience? Unmatched.
For us, it’s not just dog food. It’s real food, made by real people, for the little creature I love most in the world.
