My senior dog, Maggie, is notorious for her picky eating habits. Over the decade she’s been with me, we’ve likely cycled through a dozen different dog food brands. Even with the foods she eventually deigns to eat, she has this peculiar ritual – she grabs a sock and shoves it into her food bowl, as if “hiding” or “burying” some of it. Then, she’ll cautiously sniff around the sock, attempting to eat whatever kibble she can reach. It’s truly a comical sight, if not a little baffling.
For years, I’ve relied on traditional kibble, often topped with a bit of wet food to entice her. However, I decided it was time for a change, hoping to find a food that Maggie genuinely enjoys as she enters her golden years, and perhaps simplify her bizarre eating habits. My search began by asking fellow dog owners during our evening walks.
One evening, while chatting with a gentleman walking a remarkably friendly and shiny Golden Retriever, he offered an interesting suggestion: a fresh dog food brand called Ollie. He raved about how it kept his dog happy and healthy. Intrigued, I immediately looked them up when I got home. To my surprise, Ollie wasn’t just some niche brand; they boasted thousands of glowing 5-star reviews.
Keep reading for my comprehensive review of Ollie Dog Food, detailing Maggie’s experience and my overall thoughts! If you’re eager to jump ahead, you can explore Ollie directly here.
Getting Started with Ollie: The Personalized Quiz
The first step in discovering the perfect Ollie meal plan for Maggie was completing their thorough online quiz. This wasn’t a basic questionnaire; it delved into Maggie’s specifics, asking about her birthday, breed mix, current weight, age, activity level, and even details about her digestion and stool. After inputting all the necessary information about my furry friend, Ollie provided a daily calorie recommendation of 300 calories, along with a breakdown of their different meal plan options tailored to Maggie’s needs.
Exploring Ollie’s Meal Plans
Ollie offers three distinct subscription plans to cater to various needs and budgets: Full Fresh, Mixed Bowl, and Half Fresh. It’s important to note that the pricing detailed below is specific to a 13-pound senior dog with low activity levels, like Maggie. If you have a larger breed, a puppy, or a highly active dog, your plan will likely be priced higher due to the increased food requirements.
Full Fresh Plan:
- Price: Starting at $27, discounted to $13.50/week for my dog’s profile.
- Composition: Exclusively fresh, human-grade dog food.
- Calorie Provision: Provides 100% of your dog’s recommended daily calories.
- Key Benefit: Optimal nutrition with entirely fresh ingredients.
Mixed Bowl Plan:
- Price: Starting at $23, discounted to $11.50/week for my dog’s profile.
- Composition: A combination of half fresh food and half baked food (similar in appearance to kibble but more gently processed). Both components are human-grade.
- Calorie Provision: Provides 100% of your dog’s recommended daily calories.
- Key Benefit: Balanced nutrition with a mix of textures, potentially cost-effective.
Half Fresh Plan:
- Price: Starting at $18.90, discounted to $9.45/week for my dog’s profile.
- Composition: Only fresh, human-grade dog food.
- Calorie Provision: Provides 50% of your dog’s recommended daily calories.
- Key Benefit: Ideal as a nutritious topper or supplement to your dog’s existing food, budget-friendly entry to fresh food.
After considering all options, I opted for the Full Fresh plan. The primary attraction of Ollie for me was the emphasis on freshness. I was drawn to the idea of feeding Maggie something genuinely wholesome, resembling food I might eat myself. While I don’t intend to sample Maggie’s meals, it’s reassuring to know it’s made with human-grade ingredients! Important reminder: Dog food is for dogs! Let’s leave it to our furry friends.
Discover which Ollie plan is the perfect fit for your canine companion!
Ollie’s Delicious Recipes: A Variety of Fresh Options
Ollie boasts a tempting array of recipes, and I’m excited to share them all with you. Spoiler alert: I initially chose the Fresh Beef and Fresh Lamb recipes for Maggie, simply because I thought those flavors might appeal to her the most.
If I continue my Ollie subscription (stay tuned for my final verdict!), I’m considering trying the chicken and perhaps the turkey recipes. Maggie has a somewhat sensitive stomach, but she also has a weakness for chicken. However, I try to limit her chicken intake as she tends to eat it too quickly, which is a choking hazard for her – a genuine concern!
Ollie Dog Food: Pros and Cons
Here’s a balanced look at the advantages and disadvantages of Ollie dog food based on my experience and research:
Pros:
- Convenient, Easy-to-Open Fresh Food: Pre-portioned pouches are incredibly easy to handle.
- Human-Grade Ingredients: Provides peace of mind about quality and safety.
- Minimally Processed: Retains more nutrients compared to heavily processed kibble.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Focus on real meat, fruits, and vegetables.
- No Unwanted Additives: Free from preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors.
- Meat as First Ingredient: Prioritizes animal protein, essential for dogs.
- Grain-Free Options: No corn, wheat, or soy, beneficial for dogs with sensitivities.
- Made in US Facilities: Ensures quality control and adheres to US standards.
- Formulated with Veterinary Nutritionists: Recipes are designed to meet dogs’ nutritional needs.
- Meets AAFCO Standards: Confirms nutritional adequacy.
- Appeals to Picky Eaters: The fresh taste is often more enticing for finicky dogs.
- Supports Easy Digestion: Fresh ingredients can be gentler on the digestive system.
- Promotes a Healthier Coat: Rich in omega fatty acids for coat shine.
- Boosts Energy Levels: High-quality nutrition contributes to vitality.
- Personalized Meal Plans: Tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Cons:
- Frozen Storage Required: Fresh food needs to be kept frozen and thawed before serving, requiring freezer space.
- Subscription-Based Service: Requires ongoing subscription, not available for one-time purchases in most cases.
- No Individual Pack Purchases: You can’t typically buy single pouches to test before committing to a plan.
- Limited Baked Food Options: No fully baked food plan for those seeking kibble alternatives.
Ollie’s Nutritional Extras: Supplements and Treats
While I didn’t include them in my initial order, Ollie offers a tempting range of add-on supplements and treats that I’m eager to explore in future boxes. Their selection includes:
- Beef and Sweet Potato Treats: A wholesome and nutritious treat suitable for dogs of all ages.
- Chicken and Apple Treats: Packed with antioxidants, protein, and fiber in a tasty treat.
- Sweet Potato Slices: Simple, single-ingredient treats made from dehydrated sweet potatoes.
- Probiotic Chews: Designed to support healthy digestion and gut balance.
- Hip & Joint Chews: Formulated to promote joint health and mobility, particularly beneficial for senior dogs.
- Calming Chews: Intended to help dogs relax and manage stress, useful in various situations.
Given Maggie’s senior status, I’m particularly interested in trying the Hip & Joint Supplement Chews for her in the future. I’ll be sure to provide an update once we give those a try!
Ollie Deals and Discounts: Making Fresh Food Accessible
As mentioned earlier, my first box, containing two weeks’ worth of Ollie food, was just $21.96. This was thanks to a 40% introductory discount. Currently, you can even save 50% on your first order!. If you’re considering trying Ollie for your dog, I highly recommend taking advantage of their generous introductory offer – it significantly reduces the initial cost and makes it a very worthwhile trial.
The Final Verdict: Maggie’s Ollie Dog Food Review
Intellectually, I’ve covered all the key aspects of Ollie dog food. But the most crucial question remains: Does my notoriously picky senior dog actually enjoy it?
Drumroll, please…
The answer is a resounding YES!
Initially, when I placed the Ollie food in her bowl, Maggie seemed slightly hesitant. She’s accustomed to kibble and the familiar clinking sound it makes. However, after a thorough sniff (and her obligatory sock-burying attempt), she dove in and began lapping it up with gusto. She genuinely devoured it! We started with the Fresh Beef recipe, and her enthusiastic response was identical with the Lamb recipe. She absolutely loved both.
Will I Continue My Ollie Subscription?
Without a doubt, yes. When it comes to Maggie’s nutrition, I’ve had a revelation – she deserves the very best. And for her, the best is Ollie dog food. Witnessing the focused joy on her face as she relished her first taste of fresh food in her long life was all the confirmation I needed.
If you’re eager to try Ollie for your own cherished dog, you can receive 50% off your first box when you order today (no promo code necessary)!
