how to make just food for dogs
Just Food For Dogs review: A customizable fresh food delivery service that doesn't require a subscription
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
As someone who has worked in the pet industry for two decades as an assistant in veterinary offices and as a pets editor and writer I know more about the best dog food than most.
I've always fed my dog premium kibble and canned foods, but in the last year, I tried out companies that cook and ship fresh pet food, including Just Food For Dogs. In this Just Food For Dogs review, the company provided samples to feed my 10-year-old miniature poodle, Jger.
Just Food For Dogs review
Just Food For Dogs is great for pet parents who want options. You can choose from five different types of meals:
- Fresh Frozen: thaw and serve
- Pantry Fresh: shelf-stable for up to two years
- Vet Support: frozen and shelf-stable therapeutic diets that require a prescription from your veterinarian
- DIY Homemade Kits: recipes and nutrient blends, to which you add fresh meat and other ingredients to make homemade dog food
- Custom Diets: Formulated for dogs with special needs
Just Food For Dogs also sells its own line of supplements and treats and cat food, too, if you have a feline family member.
How to order Just Food For Dogs
Most fresh pet food companies require you to sign up for a subscription that includes auto-delivery. Not so with Just Food For Dogs. Although autoship is offered, it's not required.
You can buy food online at JustFoodForDogs.com, Amazon, Chewy, and Petco the company delivers to all 50 states. But if you're lucky enough to live near one of the company's eight open-to-the-public kitchens, you can walk in and buy your food. You can also buy food in person at more than 200 pantries located inside veterinary clinics and select Petco and Pet Food Express locations.
Just Food For Dogs makes all its food in its USDA-inspected kitchens, which are in California, New York, and Washington, and are staffed by full-time food safety experts and nutrition consultants who can help you choose the best food for your dog. Remote consultations are also available.
Before choosing my samples, I had a nutrition consultation over the phone. My consult was helpful and quite thorough, but it took some time to go over the many different meal options. With Fresh Frozen meals, you can choose from six recipes.
Pantry Fresh meals are available in eight recipes. Each Fresh Frozen recipe contains just one protein source. Grain-free and gluten-free options like Fish and Sweet Potato and Venison and Squash are also available. My consultant set up my account and placed my first order. Now I can log in and reorder food anytime.
Delivery and feeding
For the purposes of this review, I selected two recipes each from the Fresh Frozen and Pantry Fresh meal lines. The recipes I tried cost about $30 to $37 a week to feed my 20-pound dog.
My first delivery came on schedule. Because I happen to live close to one of Just Food For Dogs' kitchens, I was able to have the food delivered right to my door via one of their vehicles. My fresh-frozen food was packed in an insulated bag with frozen gel packs. I received email alerts letting me know that the driver was on their way.
As you might expect from the company's name, Just Food For Dogs Fresh Frozen meals look like real food. Everything is chopped up and mixed together, but you can see the individual ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and carrots. The consistency of the PantryFresh food is closer to canned dog food, but with visible chunks of fresh ingredients throughout.
Fresh frozen food must be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before feeding, but Pantry Fresh food can be fed right out of the box. To determine how much to feed your dog according to their weight, check the recommended feeding amounts for each recipe. Just Food For Dogs also offers a handy feeding calculator online. Although you can measure how much to feed by the cup, I found that measuring by weight with a kitchen scale was more accurate.
What makes Just Food For Dogs stand out
My dog loves both the Fresh Frozen and Pantry Fresh food. He races to his bowl and licks it clean every time. In fact, that little stinker recently turned up his nose at one of his favorite canned foods something he's never done before! I can tell that Just Food for Dogs agrees with him by looking at his poops, which are small and formed.
I also love that all the ingredients are inspected and approved by the USDA for human consumption. I also like that the ingredients and nutrition facts for each recipe are printed right on the package. All recipes have been formulated by a team of veterinarians to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance and/or growth. And here's something big: Just Food For Dogs is the only fresh pet food company that has conducted feeding trials on its recipes.
The bottom line
It should come as no surprise that fresh pet food is more expensive than kibble and canned dog food. There is a higher cost associated with using high-quality, human-grade ingredients, employing a team of veterinarians to develop recipes, and conducting feeding trials and other research. But many pet owners consider the health benefits of fresh, minimally processed dog food well worth the cost.
We've reviewed and recommended other fresh pet food brands, including Farmer's Dog, Nom Nom, Ollie, Pet Plate, and Spot and Tango. But no other fresh pet food company comes close in terms of variety and purchasing options. For pet owners looking to feed their dogs the very best, Just Food For Dogs is an excellent choice.
Pros: Fresh food, USDA-approved ingredients, no preservatives or byproducts, six different food types, wide variety of recipes to choose from plus rotating seasonal specials, veterinary support and custom diets available, no subscription required (although autoship option is available), nutrition consultants available
Cons: Expensive, feeding amounts vary depending on the type of food and also by recipe, food packs must be transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw, fresh food can't be left out all day like kibble
Jackie Brown
Freelance Writer
Pet expertJackieBrown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry.Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training.Jackiewrites regularly for pet and veterinary industry media, includingDogsterandCatstermagazines,The Spruce Pets,Great Pet CareandAll About Cats.She is a contributing writer for "National Geographic's Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness" and author of the book "It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases." She is contributing editor of DogsterandCatstermagazines, andthe former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101, and the Popular Cats Series.Jackie earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to starting her career in publishing, she spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and miniature poodle Jger, who she grooms at home.Jackiecan be reached atjackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.DIY Homemade Venison Dog Food Recipe
If youre a dog owner looking for a homemade venison dog food recipe that is healthy, easy to make, and delicious, look no further than this grain-free Venison & Squash recipe. Made with ground venison (deer meat), butternut squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and a few other key ingredients, this recipe is perfect for dogs health and longevity.
Made easily on your stove, your dog will love the taste and youll love knowing that youre feeding them a homemade nutritious meal thats free of fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
About this recipe
Venison has high protein, so it provides a seamless transition to a fresh whole-food diet for dogs who are currently eating a raw diet. Its also a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities that need a novel protein source.
Venison is also rich in nutrients like vitamins B12 and B6, riboflavin, and niacin, which all support a healthy and energetic metabolism. Butternut squash is extremely nutritious and rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and dietary fiber. It is also high in B vitamins, which are great for the overall energy and digestion your dog needs. The fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids that are important for maintaining healthy skin, a shiny coat, and brain development during growth.
By making your own dog food with high-quality ingredients, you can ensure your pup is getting complete and balanced nutrition.
Calorie Content (Calculated):872 kcal ME/kg; 25 kcal ME/oz450 kcal ME/18 oz; 1800 kcal ME/72 oz
Learn how to make this recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
If you dont have venison available but still want to ditch the kibble, try our other veterinary nutritionist-developed recipes Lamb & Brown Rice, Beef & Russet Potato, Fish, Green Beans & Sweet Potato, or Chicken & White Rice.
Ingredients List
Makes approximately 11.5 lbs*
Note: As with any dog food recipe, it is essential that it is complete and balanced. This recipe is nothing without the DIY Nutrient Blend, which is formulated specifically for each recipe to meet AAFCO recommendations. The blend is compounded from 100% human-grade nutraceuticals regulated by the FDA. As such, it is vital that you follow this recipe exactly as it is written.
Serving Size For Venison & Squash Dog Food
Venison & Squash Homemade Dog Food Recipe: Home Cooking Instructions
PREPARATION
1. Wash all fruits and veggies thoroughly. Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, but if one or two items are purchased frozen (may add as is), make sure there are no added ingredients such as salt or sugar.
2. As an alternative to cubing raw and boiling, butternut squash may also be baked, mashed and mixed. Do not butter or salt. If baking the squash, start this process first since it can take up to 90 minutes. Simple baking instructions are available online.
3. The weight of the squash should be verified after it is cubed, since a significant amount of weight can be lost in the preparation process.
4. Prepare a one-quart ice bath. Once the squash and potatoes are cooked, the ice will be used to cool them and to stop the cooking process so they retain their texture.
Cooking Instructions
1. Choose a pot that will hold all the squash and potatoes, add water and bring to a rapid boil. In the meantime, cube squash (remove seeds, stem and skin) and sweet potatoes (do not peel) to an appropriate bite size for your dog. Add squash and sweet potatoes to the boiling water and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked (soft to the touch). Add ice to stop the cooking process. Drain. Let the squash and potatoes cool to the touch.
2. In a nonstick skillet, brown the ground venison over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Add Brussels sprouts and cranberries while venison is still slightly pink.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, including the safflower and Omega Plus oils. Slowly sprinkle in DIY Nutrient Blend until fully incorporated.
4. Portion into individual serving sizes and store in freezer or refrigerator. Stored in the refrigerator, this recipe will stay fresh for up to 4 days. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months.
Summary
Making your own homemade pet food can be a rewarding and healthy choice for your dogs diet. This Venison & Squash dog food recipe is an easy and nutritious way to provide your dog with a balanced diet that they will love and that isnt highly processed dry food.
No matter how you choose to prepare it, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your home (other than dog treats, of course). So, grab your apron and get ready to whip up a batch of delicious homemade dog food that will keep your good dog a healthy dog!
*All weights indicated are raw or dry weight.
Prefer to make a smaller batch? This printable PDF includes instructions for full and half batches of food. You can also view instructions for making this recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
