Pet Plate – At A Glance

Pet Plate has been making waves in the fresh dog food industry since 2016, and for good reason. Founded by MIT graduate Renaldo Webb after his own dog struggled with digestive issues and picky eating, Pet Plate has grown to deliver over 15 million meals to pet parents across the United States. What started as a solution for one dog’s health problems has evolved into a comprehensive meal delivery service that puts human-grade nutrition at the center of canine wellness.

Pet Plate stands out from other fresh food services by offering both FreshCooked and FreshBaked options, giving pet owners flexibility in how they feed their dogs. The company takes personalization seriously, creating customized meal plans based on your dog’s unique profile including age, weight, breed, activity level, and any food sensitivities.

Recipes

Pet Plate offers an impressive variety of meal options designed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Their FreshCooked line features six different entrées: Barkin’ Beef, Chompin’ Chicken, Tail Waggin’ Turkey, Lip Lickin’ Lamb, Power Packed Pork, and Lean and Mean Venison. Each recipe is slow-cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients while ensuring food safety.

Ingredients

Every Pet Plate meal starts with premium, human-grade protein as the first ingredient. The recipes include USDA-certified meats from trusted farms, combined with nutrient-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. Essential vitamins, minerals, and supplements like salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids are added to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Pet Plate’s FreshBaked line offers a convenient alternative with two flavors: Roost Rulin’ Chicken and Trail Blazin’ Beef. These meals are made by baking fresh ingredients at low heat to remove moisture while retaining nutrients, creating a shelf-stable option that doesn’t require freezing.

The company uses gentle cooking methods that help preserve the bioavailability of nutrients. Unlike traditional kibble manufacturing that uses high heat and pressure, Pet Plate’s approach maintains the natural integrity of ingredients while eliminating harmful bacteria.

Nutritional Value

Pet Plate meals are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for all life stages, including growth of large breed dogs. The protein content varies by recipe, ranging from 7.9% to 11% as fed, which is typical for fresh dog food. For example, the Chompin’ Chicken entrée contains 10.8% crude protein and 4.5% crude fat, while the Barkin’ Beef offers 7.9% crude protein and 5.5% crude fat.

Each recipe is developed under the guidance of Dr. Renee Streeter, a Cornell-trained, board-certified veterinary nutritionist with extensive experience in companion animal nutrition. Dr. Streeter ensures that every meal provides complete and balanced nutrition while maintaining high palatability for dogs.

How it works?

Getting started with Pet Plate is straightforward. You begin by taking a nine-step questionnaire that provides detailed information about your dog’s specific needs. Based on this information, Pet Plate creates a personalized meal plan tailored to your pup’s requirements.

Meal Plan Options:

• Full Plan: Provides 100% of your dog’s daily nutrition with Pet Plate meals
• Topper Plan: Designed to supplement your dog’s existing food, providing 25% of daily calories
• 50/50 Plan: Combines both FreshCooked and FreshBaked meals for variety
• FreshBaked Only: Convenient shelf-stable option for busy pet owners

Your meals arrive pre-portioned in recyclable containers with clear labeling for easy identification. The company uses environmentally friendly packaging with 100% compostable insulation and dry ice to ensure meals arrive frozen and fresh.

Pet Plate’s subscription service is flexible, allowing you to modify orders, skip deliveries, or change meal selections through an easy-to-use online dashboard. Delivery frequency varies based on your dog’s size, typically ranging from every 2-4 weeks.

Pricing

Pet Plate operates at a premium price point, reflecting the quality of ingredients and personalized service. Pricing varies significantly based on your dog’s size and chosen meal plan. For reference, meals start at approximately $1.29 per day for the Full Meal Plan and $0.51 per day for the Topper Plan, though these promotional prices may not reflect standard pricing.

The cost can add up quickly for larger dogs. Customer reports suggest that for a 25-pound dog, you might expect to pay around $43 per week, while a 50-pound dog could cost approximately $65 per week. This puts Pet Plate in line with other premium fresh food services but significantly higher than traditional kibble.

While the cost is substantial, many customers find the investment worthwhile when they see improvements in their dog’s health, energy levels, and coat condition.

Shipping

Pet Plate ships nationwide across the contiguous United States, with meals arriving frozen in insulated packaging. The company uses dry ice and recyclable insulation to maintain proper temperature during transit, ensuring food safety upon delivery.

One area where Pet Plate could improve is delivery tracking. Unlike some competitors, they don’t provide upfront delivery estimates, and shipping notifications may not arrive until the day of delivery. However, once shipped, tracking through standard carriers is straightforward.

The packaging is designed with convenience in mind. Meals come in individual plastic containers with resealable lids, making portion control easy and allowing for convenient storage. Each container includes ingredient and nutritional information, though some customers report difficulty removing the protective film from containers.

Customer Support

Pet Plate offers multiple avenues for customer support, including phone, email, and live chat options. Their customer service team is generally responsive and helpful, particularly when addressing delivery issues or meal plan modifications.

The company’s website includes comprehensive FAQs and feeding guides to help new customers transition their dogs to fresh food. For subscription management, Pet Plate provides an intuitive online dashboard where customers can easily modify orders, update delivery schedules, or change meal selections.

Customer reviews on platforms like Trustpilot show mixed results, with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. While many customers praise the food quality and their dogs’ enthusiasm for the meals, some express frustration with subscription management and pricing increases.

Before this ends…

Pet Plate delivers on its promise of providing high-quality, human-grade nutrition for dogs. The variety of protein options, scientific formulation, and personalized approach make it an excellent choice for pet owners who prioritize their dog’s nutrition and are willing to invest in premium food.

The convenience of home delivery, combined with the quality of ingredients and expert nutritional formulation, justifies the premium pricing for many customers. Dogs consistently show enthusiasm for Pet Plate meals, and many owners report noticeable improvements in their pets’ health and energy levels.

However, the cost can be prohibitive for some families, especially those with larger dogs or multiple pets. The subscription model, while convenient, requires commitment and careful management to avoid unwanted deliveries. If budget is a primary concern, Pet Plate’s Topper Plan offers a more affordable way to incorporate high-quality nutrition into your dog’s diet.