Should you be feeding your dog fresh food? You might have seen countless ads on social media, TV, or even on a passing bus if you’re in a major city, suggesting that not buying fresh dog food will lead to an una🐎ppetizin🅘g and slow demise of your pup.
If that’s you, you’re not alone. With a husband in advertising, I watch how brands pull strings and convince people they need something they didn’t know they needed, but even I, a person who watches manipulation play out in a world of commerce, was beginning to have a dull panicked ache inside that I was hurting my dog by not feeding her high-quality ingredients.
RELATED: How to ꧂choose the right food for your dog, according to veterinarians
I’ve been researching dog food and interviewing veterinarians at the New York Post for soไme time now. Not only to provide readers wi🤪th quality information but to also ensure that my 50-pound Mini Sheepadoodle, Lucy, gets the best life possible.
Why fresh food over kibble?
I’ve spoken to vets who back fresh food and high-quality kibble, such as Royal Canin, as a way of life, making this choice even harder to navigate vet-approved diets. But, no matter how awesome your kibble is, almost all dry dog food on the shelf requires some sort of preservative that isn’t great for your dog to digest (or humans, for that matter).
Overall, vets want your dog to eat high-quality proteins and grains without shortcuts — full stop, whether that be wet, dry, or fresh. So, finding a br♒and that is transparent and able to sha🍷re scientific studies along with transparent ingredients is a great place to start. That is why I have been testing with Lucy.
Each fresh recipe is made with whole ingredients that contain no artificialဣ preservatives, fillers, or additives (unlike kibble). It is safe for both puppies and adults, meets , and is free from GMOs and hormones, probably a higher standard than what you eat.
The food looks delicious, and my husband aꦅnd I joke that if we 💟get desperate, we can all share a meal together because it looks better than our dinners most nights.
is cooked in small batches in a , ensuring high standards🌟 are met with nutritional integrity.
Why buy Spot & Tango UnKibble over regular kibble?
uses 100% fresh premium ingredients in their “UnKibble” and preserves their food naturally with vitamin E and apple cider vinegar to avoid low-quality ingredients and harsh preservatives.
The brand’s meals are customized to your dog’s weight, breed, and activity level based on a quick three-minute quiz taken at the start of the website. It’s easy and kind of fun, if I’m being honest.
The brand ensures a personalized plan for its nutrition needs while gently drying it at low temperatures to maintain a high nutrition value💜 without cooking it out. ജUnKibble is sold directly to you without any retail markup, which helps keep the price lower while maintaining high quality. UnKibble uses real ingredients in straightforward, nutritious recipes from cod and salmon to turkey and sweet potato.
Each UnKibble order comes with a labeled scoop for the type of food ordered, eliminating guesswork. No matter what we feed Lucy, she always says it’s not enough, but this scoop helps us with the guilt trips. And if you ever feel like your dog isn’t getting enough, Spot & Tango will be more than happy to re-evaluate your dog’s needs.
Should I use fresh food or UnKibble for my dog?
It really depends on your dog’s dietary needs. After testing fres🐷h food for over two months, I’ve noticed a major difference in Lucy’s energ💦y levels, and she’s lost the five pounds the vet has been asking us to help her lose for over a year.
There are a few challenges🙈 that come with feeding fresh frozen food, starting with the cost. It’s significantly more expensive than store-bought kibble, but I feel more confident that I’m taking better care of my dog in the long run.
However, living in a 600-square-foot apartment has its challenges, one being my freezer has two drawers, so I can’t store very much food, and on a writer’s salary, I can’t buy it all the time either. But with UnKibble, I can not only store more in my pantry, but it’s 40% less expensive and still 100% fresh. It looks so good, in fact, that my husband and I joke about just adding milk and eating it for breakfast ourselves. Spot & Tango says UnKibble is their most popular product.
So check out our FAQ below and Spot & Tango options for feꦜeding your dog.
For a limited time, NY Post readers can save 50% off on their first order with promo code: NYPOST50
Pros:
- Non-GMO, hormone-free and gluten-free options are available
- No artificial fillers, additives, or preservatives
- Fresh human-grade ingredients
- Free shipping
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey for some
There are four recipes to choose from: Turkey + Quinoꦫa, Beef + Millet, and Lamb + Brown Rice.
Each product is formulated according to the AAFCO’s established requirements for animals of all sizes and breeds in all stages of life.
I will say that each freshly frozen package is small enough to place in your fridge for the day to defrost without taking up too much room and won’t spoil. If you’re only serving fresh food, one package should last a day for all three meals. But, if money is tight, add fresh food as a topper to your current kibble for added nutrition.
Depending on your dog’s nutritional needs, prices can be as low as $1.06 a meal or as high as $3.08. Although there isn’t a Spot & Tango discount code, they do offer 20% off your first two weeks and shipping is free.
But for a limited time, NY Post readers can save 50% off on their first order with promo code: NYPOST50
Pros:
- No artificial fillers, additives, or preservatives
- A list of easy instructions walks you through how much to serve with a personalized scoop based on your quiz results with your meal kits
- Food can be stored at room temperature
- Pricing is more accessible
- Free shipping sent straight to your door
Cons:
- None we can add to this product — we’re very impressed
UnKibble is unique to Spot & Tango, and so far, I find it the most sustainable from a price standpoint and for storage purposes. Plus, fresh food can get messy, so if you don’t enjoy cleaning up often, UnKibble may be a great option. All ingredients are 100% fresh and gently dried at low temperatures to lock in nutrition.
You can choose from Cod + Salmon, Beef + Barley, C🐓hicken + Brown Rice, or Turkey + Sweet Potato.
This budget-friendly option is shipped free straight to your door. Fill out the 3-minute quiz to sign up for 20% off your first two week꧒s.
But for a limited time, NY Post readers can save 50% off on their first order with promo code: NYPOST50
How we tested
- Feeding Trials: Lucy, our 50-pound sheepadoo𝔍dle, was the tester, and we (🔜her parents) monitored the results. We transitioned her to fresh food and then to UnKibble, monitoring her health, energy levels, and overall well-being throughout the trial.
- Nutritional Evaluation: We compared the nutritional value of fresh food and UnKibble against industry standards and examined their ingredient lists for transparency and quality.
- Storage and Practicality: We assessed the practicality of storing and managing fresh food versus UnKibble, especially considering limitations like freezer space and budget constraints.
- Cost Analysis: We ♋compared the cost of fresh food, kibble, and UnKibble, factoring in both the price and the convenience of each option.
FAQ
Can I switch my dog to fresh food or UnKibble if they have dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. Both fresh food and UnKibble can be tailored to meet specific dietary needs. Consult with your vet to determine which option is best for your dog’s individual health requirements.
Is UnKibble as nutritious as fresh food?
Yes, UnKibble is designed to be highly nutritious with real ingredients and is formulated to meet your dog’s specific needs. It offers a balanced diet while being more con🥀venient and cost-effective.
How do I know if fresh food or UnKibble is better for my dog?
It depends on your dog’s needs, budget, and practical considerations like storage space. Fresh food may offer more immediate health benefits but can be more expensive and require more storage. UnKibble is a convenient and affordable alternative that still provides high-quality nutrition.
What are the storage requirements for fresh food?
Fresh food typically requires lots of freezer space, as it is stored frozen until ready to serve day of. UnKibble may be a more pract♍ical choice if you have limited freezer space.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Emma Sutton-Williams, New York Post Commerce Reporter. Proud dog mom to a Mini Sheepadoodle named Lucy, Emma routinely tests top-rated pet products with her pup to find the best recommendations for fellow pet owners. In search of the best dog food brands, leashes, harnesses and more, Emma taps veterinarians and experts like Cesar Millan, better known as the “Dog Whisperer,” for pet health advice, FAQs and training secrets. In addition to her work at the Post, Emma’s byline has appeared in Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Parents, InStyle, StyleCast♛er and more.
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.