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I put so much thought into every aspect of my dog Daisy’s life… except when it came to her food.
One afternoon roughly three months ago, I found myself in a looooong line at Petco. With quite literally nothing else to do, I flipped over the ginormous bag of kibble in my cart and started reading the ingredients. In less than a minute, I began to feel squeamish, and soon enough, I was throwing the kibble bag back on the shelf and heading home to do some research.
There had to be a better way to get my dog, Daisy, fed. It was that night that I learned how horrible the ingredients of most kibbles are, and I made the official switch to Ollie, a whole, fresh, nutrient-forward dog food brand that delivers customized meals to your door. We haven’t looked back since.
Pulling Back the Curtain on Kibble
The word “kibble” sounds too playful to be anything of substance. But for four years, that was all that we fed Daisy. I waited way too long to read the fine print.
The first “red flag” on her kibble’s ingredient list was “poultry meal,” which is about as wholesome as it sounds. According to my research, “meal” in pet food is a blend of animal by-products (leftover bits not fit for human consumption) and sometimes even dead or diseased animals. Because “meal” is an umbrella term, it’s impossible to know (or even estimate) the quality of the by-product used.
I also took issue with the heavy presence of fillers in Daisy’s old kibble. Fillers are ingredients with insignificant nutritional value that create a false sense of substance. Sorghum (a grain often used as livestock feed) and rice made up half of the first four ingredients in Daisy’s food. Suddenly, her Chicken and Pork kibble was sounding a lot less meat-centered and far more starchy (not ideal for protein-fueled animals).
Why I Chose Ollie’s Recipes
Reading the truth behind the contents of Daisy’s food had my head spinning. On a whim, I Googled “fresh dog food,” and Ollie was one of the first results. I’m still so thankful I happened across them.
Ollie is a delivery dog food brand founded in 2016 and beloved by so many (both people and dogs). They believe in treating dogs like the unique and individual family members they are with food that reflects this status. It almost goes without saying, then, that Ollie’s dog food has no fillers, no by-products (!!), and no artificial flavors. Their ingredients are whole, human-grade, and minimally processed.
In my eyes, one of the coolest parts of their production process is the fact that Ollie food is slow-baked in small batches. Whereas commercial dog food is often cooked quickly at high temperatures which strips it of essential vitamins and other nutrients, Ollie takes meticulous care to preserve the quality of their product… which means healthier (and happier) dogs.
The Right Kind of “Meal”
No two Ollie meal plans are the same, because they are highly customizable. When I registered Daisy to receive our first Ollie shipment, I filled out a survey explaining her age, breed, personality, and unique preferences. From my results, Ollie sent a menu.
The three core options at Ollie are as follows: the Fresh Plan, the Mixed Bowl Plan, and the Half Fresh Plan. Disclaimer: all of Ollie’s food is produced with the same caliber of ingredients. “Fresh” food is wet food, and it must be stored in the fridge (or freezer), whereas “Baked” food (included in the Mixed Bowl Plan) is dry and can be stored at room temperature.
Options quite literally abound: they offer seven different recipes (five fresh and two baked), each of which pairs one primary meat with veggies, fruits, or both. Each recipe was created with the input of a veterinary nutritionist to maximize the essential nutrients for canine health. Think Lamb Dish with Cranberries, Turkey Dish with Blueberries, and Pork Dish with Apples. They almost sound good enough for me to eat… and I suppose that’s the point.
The Science Behind Human-Grade Dog Food
Daisy takes after me—she likes to eat, and she always has. But I’ve never seen her as enthusiastic at mealtime as she was when I first introduced Ollie. Every serving is received like a bowl of treats. It’s unbelievable!
As it turns out, science backs up these reactions. It has been found that dogs who are fed whole, high-quality foods experience energy boosts, healthier weight, and enhanced brain health. They also have shinier coats and smoother digestive tracts (which makes sense, because there are way less fillers clogging up the works!). Better digestion paves the way to better sleep and more energy, both of which make for a healthier lifestyle overall.
Give Your Dog Meals to Look Forward To
It’s clear how I feel, so I want to highlight some of the professional attention Ollie has received over the years. Acclaimed dog-walking app Rover named Ollie Top Pick for Best Fresh Dog Food on the market, and Forbes named them “Best Dog Food Delivery With Convenient Packaging.” Even the Wall Street Journal has applauded Ollie’s revolutionary mission since the beginning.
Incorporating Ollie into our lifestyle required little to no effort on my end… I filled out the quiz, selected the recipes I thought Daisy would like best, and then they began arriving every two weeks like clockwork. I realize now that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying Ollie out—and now I can’t recommend them enough.
