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With fresh dog food surging in popularity, I thought it was only right I try out one of the most popular options out there: Ollie dog food.
My Australian shepherd Aloy and I had the chance to try out Ollie dog food for two weeks, taste-testing their various recipes and even some of their baked food. Since Aloy is a notoriously fussy eater—she knows what she likes!—I was very interested to see if she was a fan.
We tried out three of their fresh recipes as well as a bag of their baked kibble (and enjoyed the meal container and scoop that came along with them).
If you’ve been looking for Ollie dog food reviews, I’m ready to break down the features, the price, and answer all of your questions so you can decide if it’s for you before you shell out. Let’s dive in so you can make a decision!
Ollie Food Pros and Cons
As with anything, Ollie dog food has its pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know.
Ollie Food Pros
- Food Quality: Ollie uses human-grade ingredients in their dog food, which means the quality and handling of the food meet the standards safe enough for human consumption. That means you can be sure it’s good enough for your pup too!
- Customized Meals: Ollie offers customized meal plans based on your dog’s specific needs, and they consider factors like age, breed, activity level, and any special dietary requirements.
- Good Variety: Ollie offers multiple recipes to choose from, which can help prevent food boredom and also cater to dogs with specific protein preferences or allergies.
- Convenience: Prepacked portions are delivered right to your door, saving you time so you don’t have to measure out the food in advance. It’s also on a subscription service, so no need to worry about running out!
Ollie Food Cons
- Price: For many pet parents, fresh dog food in general just isn’t affordable, as it’s more expensive than kibble. Ollie food starts at around $4/day for very small breeds—however, you can always feed them some fresh food in combination with kibble!
- Storage Needs: Since Ollie’s food is fresh and not dry kibble, it requires refrigeration. This might be inconvenient for pet parents with limited fridge space or those who travel frequently with their pets. It also means you can’t leave it out for a long time (only up to four hours at room temperature), as it’ll go bad.
- Limited Options for Health Conditions: Although Ollie has many recipes in its offerings, it still can’t cater to dogs who need specific, special diets for health conditions.
Quick Verdict: Is Ollie Food Worth it?
After trying it out for two weeks, I’d have to say that yes, the fresh food is worth the money.
Although there are some undeniable disadvantages, like having to make room in your fridge (or freezer, for up to six months of storage life) for the food and the high cost, it’s high-quality food, so you know your dog is getting the best. It’s also tasty and can help out dogs who might be fussier.
The recipe variety also helps, as it prevents your dog from getting bored. If the price is too much for you, you can also feed it in combination with their baked kibble—or really, any kibble—to make it more affordable while still giving your dog the best!
You can also cancel your subscription at any time and aren’t locked in. If you try it out for two weeks and your dog isn’t a fan, you don’t have to keep going with it. They also offer 50% off and free shipping on your first box.
Who Is Ollie for?
Ollie dog food is for pet parents who are looking to go above and beyond for their pup. You’ll love this brand if:
- You want to feed your dog human-grade food with limited ingredients, so you know what’s going into their stomach
- Your dog has a sensitive stomach so you need to be gentle
- Your dog is one of the picky eaters and isn’t a big fan of stale kibble
- You have room in your fridge and a budget to spend on your dog
Ollie food, however, might not be for you if:
- You’re working with a very limited budget
- Your dog is a grazer and likes to snack on food all-day
- You travel a lot or just don’t have the storage options available
What Is Ollie Food?
Ollie is all about bringing something special to the dog food game. They focus on crafting premium meals that are more than just tasty; they’re also packed with nutrition.
Unlike some other brands, Ollie insists on using human-grade ingredients, which means everything in their dog food could technically be on your plate too!
What makes Ollie really stand out is their personalized approach to dog nutrition. Every dog is different, right? A spry little terrier has different needs from a big, lounging Labrador. Aloy, for example, is a hyperactive Australian shepherd, and she needs to pack in those calories to balance out the zoomies!
Ollie gets that. When you sign up, you’ll fill out a profile for your dog—things like breed, age, weight, and whether they’re a couch potato or the next canine athlete. They even ask about food allergies and any specific health concerns your dog might have.
Based on the info you provide, Ollie designs a meal plan that’s tailored just for your dog. They calculate everything your dog needs to maintain a healthy weight, support their energy levels, and keep their coat shiny and skin healthy.
No more puzzling over labels in the pet food aisle, trying to figure out if you’re giving your dog what they need.
Ollie also makes feeding your dog super convenient. They deliver these meals right to your door, perfectly portioned. That means no more overfeeding or underfeeding. Every pack is just right for one meal, so your dog gets exactly what they need, no more, no less.
In a nutshell, Ollie’s approach to dog food is refreshing. They’re all about high quality, personalized nutrition, and convenience.
What Aloy and I Really Thought: Our Ollie Dog Food Review
I was wary of trying Ollie dog food. Aloy is a notoriously fussy eater, who likes every dog food the first time she tries it then casts it aside as it loses the novelty. I’ve spent many days thinking we’ve hit a winner on her diet when I open a new bag of kibble, only for her to not want to eat it the next day.
I thought the same might happen with Ollie so when she wolfed down the first meal, I was a little surprised but not particularly hopeful; I was sure she’d lose interest the next time. To my surprise, she didn’t, and the fresh food was a big hit with her—going as far as to eat the entire meal in one shot, every time.
If you’d ever met Aloy, you’d know this was unusual. Her Ollie dog food review, therefore, gets 2 paws up!
I did try the baked food they sent too, but it was a similar reaction to other kibble—interested at first, but then the novelty was lost. This likely isn’t a reflection on Ollie and just how Aloy tends to be with kibble.
The fresh food—their big seller, and the reason most people go to them for dog food—was a massive hit.
One thing we did note was that there was a chicken meal in our package. I can only assume it was in there by accident, as it wasn’t on the list of meals on the invoice and I definitely noted that Aloy actually has a chicken allergy (a fact first discovered during an emergency vet trip after we thought rice and chicken would be a great Thanksgiving meal… lesson learned!).
Thankfully, I checked the actual labels on the food before dishing them out and it was just one meal, but it’s important to check when you receive your shipment, especially if your dog has an allergy.
Overall, it was a hit though. Given that I’ve tried other fresh food in the past and it hasn’t been much of a success, I have to say I’m impressed with the quality of Ollie (or at least, Aloy was!).
Ollie Dog Food: Breakdown
My starter box came with the following:
The Fresh Food Meals
My box came with the following fresh food recipes, listed on the invoice:
- Turkey and blueberries
- Lamb and cranberries
- Beef with sweet potatoes
As mentioned above, there was also a random chicken and carrots package in there, but that wasn’t eaten. As much as I’m sure Aloy would have loved it, I have no desire to return to the emergency vet and revisit her allergies!
They also sent two bags of baked food, one large and one small bag. This was also beef and sweet potatoes, and looks to be healthier than other kibble which can be full of filler and additives.
Extra Goodies
As well as that, the box came with some extra goodies, like a storage box for food and a scoop. Our families don’t live near us and we’re often doing overnight and weekend drives and visits, so having a storage box to put in a cooler is actually really neat.
I think this was what both my husband and I were most excited about, even over Ollie’s fresh food, as good as it is!
Final Thoughts: To Buy Ollie Food or Not?
Ollie dog food definitely seems worth the money. In fact, we’ve made the decision to keep buying it, though we will likely feed it in combination with kibble to keep the expenses at a minimum—despite being relatively small, Aloy is a high-energy dog who needs a lot of calories!
It’s human-grade food for your pup that’s tailored just for them. I feel like I’ve done hours and hours of research about dog food trying to find the best option for Aloy, but the truth is, I’m not an expert. If I can put her diet in the hands of her own personal nutritionist and personal chef—thanks, Ollie—I’d love to, as it makes sure she’s getting the best.
Yes, it’s not the most accessible at the price point, but that’s pretty typical of fresh dog food. Kibble is processed in much higher batches and less customized, so brands can sell it for cheaper. A lot of what you’re paying for with fresh food is the customization aspect and the fact it’s on a subscription service and comes right to your door.
(How many times have you realized you’ve run out of dog food and had to run to the grocery store and get some as your dog eyes you irritably? If you’re anything like me, a lot!)
But despite the price, you can’t argue with the quality or the effort you’ve put in. If you look around most Ollie dog food reviews, you’ll see the same verdict: expensive, but worth it.
Alternatives to Ollie Fresh Dog Food
The main alternative to Ollie’s food is The Farmer’s Dog, another fresh food option.
Aloy has personally tried both, and Ollie wins for how excited she gets about it. However, The Farmer’s Dog can be around half the price, starting at $2/day. If your issue with Ollie is that it’s too expensive, trying out The Farmer’s Dog might be a more viable option.