One thing about my dog – a 30-pound corgi named Cooper – is that I’m pretty sure his favorite thing in the world is food. If he could talk, I know he’d tell me that, judging by the sheer excitement and urgency he shows whenever food’s around. Since my husband and I want to give him the best of the best (whether it’s bedding, treats, toys and pet products, or, in this case, food), we’ve recently been feeding him Ollie. You’ve probably heard of it – it’s a human-grade dog food brand offering fresh, refrigerated meals, baked kibble, and treats. And let me tell you, the fresh food has basically transformed his life (or at least, that’s how it seems based on his reactions). Ahead, I’m breaking down everything you need to know before trying an Ollie subscription for your pup.

About Ollie’s Human-Grade Dog Food

• Ollie creates customized meal plans based on your dog’s breed, age, weight, activity level, and health goals.
• They offer both fresh, refrigerated meals and baked kibble, in case your pup has a preference.
• The fresh food is delivered in pre-portioned packages for easy feeding.
• Your starter kit comes with a scooper for kibble and a dishwasher-safe container to store extra servings.
• The brand spells out the exact ingredients used in its recipes on its website.

What I Like About Ollie’s Human-Grade Dog Food

What I love most about Ollie’s human-grade dog food is how personalized and special the entire experience feels. Sure, grabbing a 35-pound bag of dog food at Costco works, but this process made me feel more confident that my dog is eating exactly what he wants and needs. It all starts with a quick quiz where you share details like your dog’s weight (and/or goal weight), activity level, whether they’re spayed or neutered, and any allergies. Based on that, the brand suggests a few tailored plan options, and you pick from several recipes (pork, beef, turkey, chicken, or lamb). For my chicken-obsessed pup, the choice was a no-brainer.

We selected the mixed plan, which includes both fresh food and baked kibble, and it’s more affordable than the full fresh option ($38/week compared to $51/week.) This was an experiment to see which one he’d prefer, and the fresh food was the clear winner. As you can see in the GIF below, Cooper could barely contain himself while we prepped his meal. Following the comprehensive instructions that came with his order, we feed him half a container of the fresh food for breakfast and 5/8 cups of his baked kibble for dinner. Depending on which meal plan you select, these instructions come spelled out in super-clear detail. Ollie even breaks down the total daily calories, which is perfect if your vet ever quizzes you on your dog’s diet.

What to Consider Before Buying Ollie’s Human-Grade Dog Food

First of all, Ollie is definitely an investment. While it’s a customized, human-grade experience, it’s not essential for your dog to live a healthy life. If you’re curious about upgrading your pup’s diet, it’s worth noting that there’s no solid evidence that human-grade food is superior to high-quality kibble – it’s an area that still needs more scientific exploration. One 2022 study published in the Journal of Animal Science compared mildly-cooked human-grade food (which sounds a lot like Ollie’s “gently cooked” meals) to kibble, and found a major shift in gut bacteria, but little difference in skin, coat, or gene health. Still, if you’re eager to give it a try like I was, make sure to consult your vet before making any big changes to your dog’s diet.

Another thing to keep in mind is that fresh food takes more prep time than kibble. Ollie recommends storing the fresh meals in your freezer and defrosting them in the fridge at least 24 hours before serving. Plus, if freezer space is tight, a larger order could be tricky to store.

Lastly, we had to make some adjustments to Cooper’s usual feeding routine with the Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder. While the feeder worked great for Ollie’s baked food (which he loved), the fresh food required a more hands-on approach. We started reserving it for special occasions, like weekends, when we could treat him to his favorite meal. Just take note of how his eyes widen with excitement – and how he starts eating before the bowl even hits the floor.

Where Is Ollie’s Human-Grade Dog Food Available to Shop?

Ollie’s human-grade dog food is available to purchase direct-from-consumer on the brand’s website at myollie.com.

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Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others.