My senior dog, Maggie, is notorious for her discerning palate. In the decade she’s been my beloved companion, we’ve likely sampled around a dozen different dog food brands. Even when we find a food she deigns to eat, her dining rituals are… peculiar. She has this habit of grabbing a sock and meticulously placing it in her food bowl, as if “hiding” or “burying” a portion of her meal. Then, she’ll cautiously navigate around the sock, attempting to eat whatever kibble she can reach. It’s truly a baffling routine.
Typically, I’ve relied on traditional kibble, often enhanced with a wet food topper. However, I decided it was time for a change, hoping to find a food that Maggie genuinely enjoys and perhaps encourages a less eccentric eating behavior as she enjoys her golden years. My quest began by seeking recommendations from fellow dog owners we encounter on our evening walks.
During one such walk, an older gentleman, accompanied by an exceptionally friendly and remarkably glossy Golden Retriever, offered an intriguing suggestion: Ollie Food, a fresh dog food delivery service. He enthusiastically vouched for its positive impact on his dog’s happiness and health. Intrigued, I immediately researched Ollie when I returned home. To my surprise, Ollie wasn’t just a niche brand; they boasted thousands of glowing 5-star reviews, a testament to their popularity and customer satisfaction.
Keep reading for my comprehensive review of Ollie food, detailing Maggie’s experience and my overall thoughts on this fresh dog food service! If you’re eager to jump ahead, you can find more information here.
Getting Started with Ollie’s Personalized Approach
The first step in understanding Ollie food and how it could cater to Maggie’s needs was to complete the in-depth quiz on their website. This quiz is designed to gather crucial information about your dog to create a personalized meal plan. I was asked about Maggie’s birthday, breed (or breeds), weight, age, activity level, and even her stool habits! After providing all the necessary details, Ollie recommended a daily calorie intake of 300 calories for Maggie and presented a breakdown of their various meal plan options. This personalized approach immediately impressed me, highlighting Ollie’s commitment to tailoring their ollie food to each dog’s specific dietary requirements.
Exploring Ollie Food Plans: Freshness Tailored to Your Dog
Ollie food offers three distinct subscription plans, each designed to fit different needs and budgets: Full Fresh, Mixed Bowl, and Half Fresh. It’s important to note that the pricing detailed below is specific to Maggie, a 13-pound senior dog with a low activity level. If you have a larger, younger, or more active dog, your plan will naturally be priced higher due to the increased food quantity required.
Full Fresh Plan:
- Price: $27 discounted to $13.50/week (for Maggie’s profile)
- Features: Exclusively fresh Ollie food recipes.
- Ingredients: Made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
- Coverage: Provides 100% of your dog’s recommended daily caloric intake with ollie food.
Mixed Bowl Plan:
- Price: $23 discounted to $11.50/week (for Maggie’s profile)
- Features: A combination of half fresh Ollie food and half baked food (resembling kibble but more gently processed).
- Ingredients: Also crafted with human-grade ingredients.
- Coverage: Delivers 100% of your dog’s daily calorie needs through a mix of ollie food and baked options.
Half Fresh Plan:
- Price: $18.90 discounted to $9.45/week (for Maggie’s profile)
- Features: Solely fresh Ollie food.
- Ingredients: Human-grade quality maintained.
- Coverage: Supplies 50% of your dog’s recommended daily calories. This plan is ideal as a delicious topper or supplement to your dog’s existing food, allowing you to introduce the benefits of ollie food gradually.
After considering all options, I opted for the Full Fresh plan. The primary appeal of Ollie food for me was its freshness. I loved the idea of feeding Maggie something genuinely wholesome and minimally processed, akin to the food I would choose for myself. While I have no intention of sampling Maggie’s meals, the fact that ollie food is made with human-grade ingredients offers peace of mind about its quality and safety. Remember, dog food is for dogs! Let’s keep Ollie for our furry friends.
Discover which Ollie plan is the perfect fit for your canine companion!
Ollie Food Recipes: A Delectable Selection
Let’s delve into the variety of delicious recipe options Ollie food offers. While I’ll list all the available choices, I want to share upfront that I selected the Fresh Beef and Fresh Lamb recipes for Maggie. My decision was simply based on what I believed she would enjoy most, considering her preferences.
If I continue my Ollie food subscription (spoiler alert: keep reading for my final verdict!), I’m keen to try the chicken and possibly the turkey recipes. Maggie does have a somewhat sensitive stomach, but she’s also a big fan of chicken. However, I try to limit her chicken intake as she tends to eat it too quickly, which is a choking hazard for her. It’s a genuine concern!
Ollie Food: Pros & Cons
To provide a balanced perspective, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons I’ve observed with Ollie food:
Pros:
- Easy-to-open fresh food packaging: Convenient and user-friendly.
- Human-grade ingredients: High-quality and safe for consumption (by dogs!).
- Minimal processing: Retains nutritional value and natural flavors.
- High-quality ingredients: Focus on wholesome, real foods.
- No preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavors: Healthy and natural.
- Meat is the first ingredient: Protein-rich and biologically appropriate for dogs.
- No corn, wheat, or soy: Addresses common canine sensitivities and allergies.
- Crafted in US facilities: Ensures quality control and safety standards.
- Designed with vet nutritionists: Formulated by experts for optimal canine health.
- Meets AAFCO standards: Nutritionally complete and balanced.
- Great for picky eaters: Appealing taste and texture, as Maggie’s experience shows.
- Helps with easy digestion: Fresh ingredients are gentle on the stomach.
- Promotes a softer coat: Rich in beneficial nutrients and fatty acids.
- Sparks more energy: High-quality nutrition fuels vitality.
- Personalized plan: Tailored to individual dog’s needs.
Cons:
- Fresh dog food must be stored frozen prior to thawing: Requires freezer space.
- Available by subscription only: Less flexible than buying from a store.
- Can’t purchase individual packs of food: Subscription model is the only option.
- No full baked plan: Limited baked food options for those preferring kibble-like textures within the Full Fresh plan.
Ollie Food Extras: Treats and Supplements
While my initial Ollie food box didn’t include any extras, I’m definitely interested in exploring their add-on products in future orders. Ollie offers a tempting range of treats and supplements:
- Beef and Sweet Potato Treats: Nutritious treats suitable for dogs of all ages.
- Chicken and Apple Treats: Packed with antioxidants, protein, and fiber.
- Sweet Potato Slices: Simple, single-ingredient healthy treat.
- Probiotic Chews: Designed to support healthy digestion and gut health.
- Hip & Joint Chews: Formulated to promote healthy joints, particularly beneficial for senior dogs like Maggie.
- Calming Chews: Intended to help dogs relax and manage stress.
Given Maggie’s senior status, the Hip & Joint Supplement Chews seem particularly relevant, and I plan to try them and share an update in the future!
Ollie Food Deals: Making Fresh Food Accessible
As mentioned earlier, my first box of Ollie food, containing two weeks’ worth of meals, was only $21.96. This was thanks to their generous 40% introductory discount. Currently, they even offer an improved 50% off for your first box! If you’re considering trying Ollie food, I highly recommend taking advantage of this introductory offer – it significantly reduces the initial cost and makes it an excellent opportunity to test it out.
The Verdict: Does Maggie Love Ollie Food?
Intellectually, I’ve covered all the key aspects of Ollie food. But the most crucial question is: does my incredibly picky senior dog, Maggie, actually enjoy it?
Drumroll, please…
Yes, she absolutely does!
When I first placed the Ollie food in her bowl, Maggie was initially hesitant. Accustomed to kibble and its characteristic clinking sound, the fresh food was a new experience. However, after a thorough sniff (and a brief attempt to bury it with her sock!), she began to devour it with gusto. She truly gobbled it down! I started her with the Fresh Beef recipe, and her enthusiastic reaction was identical with the Lamb recipe. She devoured both.
Will I Continue My Ollie Food Subscription?
The answer is a resounding yes. When it comes to Maggie’s nutrition, I’ve realized she deserves the very best. And for her, the best is Ollie food. Witnessing the focused delight on her face as she savored her first taste of fresh food in her long life confirmed everything I needed to know.
If you’re seeking a healthy, delicious, and dog-approved food for your own cherished companion, I urge you to try Ollie food. You can receive 50% off your first box when you order today (no code necessary)!
