Get Joy – At A Glance

With the growing number of fresh and subscription-based dog food brands on the market, pet owners have more choices than ever. While this is great news, it can also make selecting the right option overwhelming. We’re here to break down what’s available and help you find the best fit for your pup.

We’re taking a deep dive into JustFoodForDogs, a pet food company known for its gently cooked, human-grade meals made from whole ingredients. What sets this brand apart is its range of options, including freezer-ready, shelf-stable, and DIY meal kits, along with prescription and custom diet plans. Keep reading for our full review.

Recipes

The menu is divided into three primary categories: Daily Meals, Special, and Other. Daily Meals include essential food options for dogs, while the Special category focuses on veterinarian-supported and customized diets. The Other section features treats, supplements, bundles, and a small selection of cat-related products.

One standout aspect of JustFoodForDogs is its transparency—meals are prepared in open-to-the-public kitchens. The food is cooked using methods similar to those for human-grade meals, preserving essential nutrients before freezing. Freezing further helps retain nutritional value, ensuring each meal remains fresh and nutrient-rich.

Fresh Frozen

Fresh Frozen meals are made with human-grade ingredients and are free from preservatives. These meals arrive frozen to maintain freshness. Options include Fish & Sweet Potato, Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni, Chicken & White Rice, and Beef & Russet Potato, among others. Additionally, this category features specialized recipes such as Sensitive Skin & Stomach and Healthy Weight, along with a few other tailored options.

JustFresh

JustFresh meals are crafted from human-grade ingredients without preservatives. These shelf-stable meals can last up to two years unopened and do not require refrigeration. Designed for convenience, the resealable pouches are ideal for travel and come in packs of seven, each containing 12 ounces. Currently, the available protein options include chicken and beef.

Pantry Fresh

Pantry Fresh meals are made with whole food ingredients and have a shelf life of up to two years. Like Fresh Frozen meals, they contain no preservatives and do not require refrigeration. Available options include Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice, Hepatic Support, Joint & Skin Support, Renal Support, and Metabolic Support, among others. This category also offers bundles featuring chicken, beef, and digestion support options.

DIY Homemade

For those who prefer making their own dog food, there are several DIY options to choose from. Each recipe includes a shopping list and is designed with a specially formulated nutrient blend to ensure your dog gets a well-balanced diet.

Available protein choices include beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, and venison. These come in two variations: a standard DIY nutrient blend or a DIY + Omega bundle. The Omega bundle offers additional benefits, supporting joint, coat, skin, and heart health while also boosting immune function and cognitive development.

Variety Packs

Variety Packs are designed to let you and your dog explore different meal options within a single category at a time. You can sample recipes from Fresh Frozen, Pantry Fresh, or DIY Homemade to find your pup’s favorites. These packs serve multiple purposes—they make great starter kits for new customers and can also be used as meal toppers to ease the transition to a new diet.

Vet Support

The Vet Support collection offers a range of specialized recipes formulated for dogs with specific health needs. These meals require a prescription but maintain the same preservative-free quality as the rest of the food. To get started, you can schedule a consultation with a nutrition expert. Veterinary food specialists will review your pet’s medical records and collaborate with you to determine the best dietary options for your dog.

Ingredients

JustFoodForDogs follows strict quality standards to ensure the highest level of nutrition and safety. Their dog food undergoes rigorous testing and is scientifically validated by a respected university.

The company also adheres to National Research Council guidelines, which help shape and update pet food regulations in collaboration with the FDA. This commitment ensures that their meals meet industry-leading nutritional standards.

Every meal offered is free from preservatives and GMOs, providing real, unprocessed, and nutrient-dense ingredients. Additionally, the meats used are USDA-approved for human consumption, meeting the same quality standards as those found in restaurants and grocery stores.

Nutritional Value

The Chicken & White Rice Fresh Frozen meal is a high-protein option, containing a minimum crude protein level of 8%, which is considered solid but not the highest available. For comparison, some brands, like Spot & Tango, offer meals with higher protein content.

Across the board, JustFoodForDogs meals typically range from 8% to 10% minimum crude protein. The highest protein option in the Fresh Frozen category is the turkey recipe, which contains 10%. Each meal is carefully formulated to ensure a well-balanced nutritional profile with the right protein-to-ingredient ratio.

Crude fat levels in JustFoodForDogs meals generally average around 4%, though they can range from as low as 2% to as high as 6.5%. Checking the menu will help you find the best option for your pup’s specific dietary needs.

How it works

No matter what you order, your items will arrive neatly packed in a standard cardboard delivery box. The packaging varies based on the product type: Pantry Fresh meals come in tetra packs, Fresh Frozen meals are vacuum-sealed, JustFresh items are in resealable pouches, and DIY Homemade kits and treats are packaged in regular bags. Supplements, on the other hand, are stored in standard pharmacy-style bottles for easy use.

To explore the full menu, hover over the Shop section on the JustFoodForDogs website. Browse the available categories, including Fresh Frozen, Pantry Fresh, DIY Homemade, and more. Once you find a product that fits your pup’s needs, simply add it to your cart. You can mix and match items within the same order to create a customized selection of meals and treats.

Select a meal you’d like to purchase. Let’s use the Fresh Frozen Fish & Sweet Potato as an example. Choose among Small, 14 Pack, Medium, or Large boxes and decide between a one-time purchase or Autoship. Autoship subscribers receive 40% off their first order and 5% off future orders. Once you’ve made your selection, click Add to Cart to proceed with your purchase.

Click on the shopping cart icon in the top right corner to review your order details. Once you’re ready, click Continue to Checkout to proceed with payment and shipping options. To complete your purchase, enter your personal details, shipping address, and payment method at checkout. Review all information carefully, then scroll down and click Place Order once you’re sure everything is correct.

Pricing

With so many product combinations, it’s difficult to provide exact pricing for every option. To find the best fit for your pup, it’s best to check the website for current pricing and meal options. Additionally, the amount you need to order will depend on your dog’s size, activity level, and dietary needs. If you’re unsure, the Feeding Calculator can help—just answer a few simple questions to determine the right portion size for your dog.

Shipping is free for frozen orders totaling at least $99 before taxes and for non-frozen/dry orders of $49 before taxes. Orders below these amounts incur a flat shipping fee of $19.99. Keep in mind that frozen and dry items cannot be combined to meet the free shipping threshold.

Shipping

Orders typically ship within 3 to 5 business days, with delivery times varying based on your location and order date. JustFoodForDogs delivers to all 48 contiguous U.S. states but does not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, or Puerto Rico.

Delivery schedules are predetermined, meaning you cannot select specific delivery days. Orders placed on Monday or Tuesday generally arrive by Thursday or Friday, Wednesday orders arrive by Friday, and orders placed between Thursday and Sunday are delivered the following Wednesday.

Autoship is an optional service that allows you to schedule deliveries at intervals ranging from 1 to 12 weeks. Before each order is processed, you can make adjustments as needed. Autoship orders are processed every Friday for the coming week. While signing up is not required, it offers a convenient way to ensure your pup’s meals arrive regularly without the hassle of manually reordering.

You also have the option to pick up your order in-store. The website has a store locator you can use to find the nearest branch. Orders placed at least two hours before closing time are available for same-day pickup.

Customer Support

You have three ways to contact JustFoodForDogs. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 6 PM and on weekends from 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. You can also reach their customer support team by phone at (866) 726-9509 during these same hours.

You can submit a message through contact form on their website. However, since live chat offers extended availability, it’s often the quickest option for getting immediate answers to your questions.

Before this ends…

JustFoodForDogs provides high-quality, veterinarian-formulated fresh meals, but it does have some limitations in customization. Additionally, its menu isn’t as extensive as competitors like The Honest Kitchen. Whether it’s the right choice depends on your pet’s specific needs and how it compares to other top brands. Ultimately, it’s a strong option, but its value will vary based on individual preferences and dietary requirements.