Best Dog Food Delivery

How We Determined the Best Dog Food Delivery Service

Anyone who has one knows: Dogs are family. And just like family, you want the very best for them—especially when it comes to their nutrition. But since very few of us have time to prepare homemade dog food from scratch every day, dog food delivery services are the next best thing. They’re convenient, reliable and, if you pick the right one, can be the healthiest thing you can do for your furry friend.

If you’re exploring a dog food delivery service, chances are good it’s because you want your pup to be eating the freshest, most nutritious and highest quality food—but you don’t have the time or knowledge to prepare homemade dog food yourself. But with so many companies claiming to be one of the best dog food brands, how do you go about picking the right one?

Here are some of the criteria we considered when choosing the best dog food delivery plan:

1. Healthy Dog Food Ingredients

The ingredient list will tell you a lot about what’s in a particular dog food. Since ingredients are listed in order of the most prevalent ingredient to the least, looking at the first three or so ingredients can help you determine if the formula is primarily vegetable-based (think corn and rice), or more of a meat meal—with chicken, fish or lamb. While every dog is different, many veterinarians recommend a protein-rich, meat-based diet.

Speaking of meat, veterinarians say it’s a good idea to choose a dog food delivery plan that specifically names the type of meat included. Look for beef, chicken or lamb, and keep in mind that anything listed simply as “meat,” “meat byproducts” or “bone meal” can be sourced from any animal. “Poultry meal” also refers to any bird.

The dog food ingredients list will also reveal additions you may want to avoid, like dyes, sugar and excess sodium (which is often used as a preservative). Vets also tend to frown upon solvents and other preservatives like propylene glycol, BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

2. Vet Recommended Dog Food (or Animal Nutritionist Approved)

If the idea of navigating ingredient lists and nutrition labels intimidates you, don’t worry—if the people behind the dog food you select are experts on the subject, you don’t have to be. Choosing a dog food subscription service that has animal nutritionists or veterinarians developing the food, is a foolproof way to ensure your dog’s health is a priority. They know which ingredients make sense for pups of every age, gender, breed and size. They’re also familiar with the health issues your dog might be experiencing, and can ensure the dog food they recommend is best for your furry friend.

It’s also a good idea to ensure that the dog food you select meets or exceeds the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This is a non-profit organization comprised of federal and state officials, veterinarians, scientists and more, who are tasked with identifying safe ingredients, outlining pet food label requirements and building science-based nutrient profiles based on the latest data in pet nutrition research.

Because animals at different life stages require different nutrition—a pregnant dog needs more nutrients than a senior dog, for instance—AAFCO established two nutrient profiles for both dogs—one for Growth and Reproduction, which includes growing, pregnant and nursing animals; and one for adult maintenance (most dogs over the age of one are considered adults, although there are a few exceptions).

One thing to keep in mind: You may see variations of these nutrient profiles on dog food packaging—a food that fits into the Growth and Reproduction nutrient profile may indicate that it’s formulated for puppies or gestational mothers.

3. Dietary Restrictions & Health Conditions

If your dog has health issues that necessitate a special diet, avoidance of certain ingredients, or inclusion of extra nutrients, you’ll want to make sure the dog food brands you’re considering can accommodate them.

If your dog needs to lose or gain weight, you’ll want to ensure that the dog food delivery service you choose will work with you to customize a meal plan that includes low or high calorie dog food. Many brands offer a variety of plans and take into account your dog’s breed, weight, age, activity level and health when determining the best dog food for your pup.

4. Dog Food Cost

While it’s true that many dog food delivery services tend to be bit a more expensive than the dog food you find in your local pet store. But there’s a reason for that: In most cases, you’re getting human-grade, nutritionally complete food delivered right to your door. Not only that, many dog food delivery companies will customize your dog’s meal plan based on his or her specific needs.

If cost is a concern for you, keep an eye out for promotions—many dog food delivery services offer discounts on shipping or even the first few weeks of the programs.

5. Dog Food Customer Reviews

If a dog food delivery brand boasts that it’s the best but the dog food reviews from customers suggest otherwise, you’ll want to think twice before moving forward. We’ve scrutinized the research and pored through thousands of dog food reviews to compile our list of the top dog food brands—so you don’t have to.

6. Company Policies

You’ll want to know if the dog food delivery service you choose offers a trial period so you can make sure your pup actually likes the dog food before you make a commitment, and that the shipping cadence makes sense for your lifestyle. If there’s no trial period, you’ll want to at least be sure you know the cancellation policy ahead of purchasing the service. Some companies offer full refunds, others just cancel future deliveries.

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