We all want our pets to live longer, happier lives, and good food is a big part of that. I love fresh food diets, because they use whole ingredients that are nutritious and easy to digest. But with so many brands on the market, it can be confusing to figure out which one is the best for your dog.
I narrowed down the search to three brands that are backed by science: PetPlate, JustFoodForDogs (JFFD), and Ollie. After a little more research, including a seal of approval from my two dogs, June and Margot, I landed on a clear winner!
Most affordable: PetPlate
It’s not exactly straightforward trying to do a cost comparison on fresh food, as the cost depends on what recipe you feed, how much your dog weighs, how active your dog is, and a variety of other factors. I looked at what it would cost to feed my 30 lb. rescue mutt, June, a few different recipes from each brand, and here is what I found.
PetPlate is the clear winner when it comes to affordability!
Best researched: It’s a tie
It’s no secret that the dog food industry is poorly regulated, so finding a science-backed brand is really important to me! All three of these brands are formulated by experts, and I don’t mean people who have a degree from Google. I’m talking about board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Additionally, all three vet-guided brands have conducted digestibility studies on all of their recipes to determine the actual amount of nutrients absorbed.
Most convenient: PetPlate
I don’t know about you, but it’s really important to me (and my sanity) to have dog food that is easy and convenient to portion out. PetPlate really shines in this category: their food comes in pre-portioned containers that are BPA-free and curbside recyclable! They also have resealable lids, which makes storing leftovers a breeze.
JFFD comes in vacuum-sealed bags. They offer 3 different sizes, but you have to portion the food out and find a container to store leftovers in. Ollie is packed in a similar manner, but they send you a reusable, resealable container. Because of this, I think PetPlate is the easiest, most convenient option.
Best taste: PetPlate
Let's be honest, my dogs go nuts over all food–I could probably feed them rocks and they'd be excited! Given that, taste wasn't a huge factor for me here. But if June and Margot's toe-tappies and spins are any indication, they're definitely fans of PetPlate's Veterinary Nutritionist-designed meals. PetPlate highlights whole ingredients like chunks of beef, sweet potatoes, beef liver, carrots, apples, and peas, and my dogs are like bees to honey when it's dished out.
Plus, each PetPlate meal is prepped in a USDA-approved kitchen & perfectly portioned so your pups receive the right amount of nutrients each time.
Best options: PetPlate
Having different options is nice, especially if your dog is a picky eater or has allergies or special dietary restrictions. All three brands offer the most common “flavors” like beef, chicken, and turkey.
If your dog has food allergies and you need a novel protein, PetPlate is going to have the most options with lamb, pork, and venison recipes. JFFD offers venison and fish, while Ollie offers lamb. PetPlate comes out on top as the brand with the most number of options to fit your dog’s needs.
The Winner: PetPlate
All three of these vet-approved, science-backed options are made for your pet to live their best life. That said, I’ve really fallen in love with PetPlate! And, based on their dinner dances, I’d say June and Margot give PetPlate recipes 4 out of 4 paws!
