Just Food For Dogs Review

If you're ready to switch from "mystery" kibble to a fresh diet, Just Food For Dogs is the perfect place to start.

Here at My First Shiba, we encourage our readers to feed as fresh as possible. 

However, like most things in life - this is easier said than done. 

Learning how to create a balanced meal plan for your Shiba that includes all of the necessary vitamins and minerals requires quite a bit of knowledge and know-how to get it done right.

That's where companies like Just Food For Dogs come in.

The meals that they offer are fresh, balanced, and ready to serve. 

It's a great place to start learning about the benefits of feeding fresh and how to do it right!

Let's learn more.

What is Just Food For Dogs (JFFD)?

Just Food For Dogs has a mission to provide fresh, human-grade food to as many pets as possible

The founder, Shawn Buckley, rescued his dog, Simon, from a shelter. Simon was 6 months at the time. 

When Shawn learned that things like chemical additives, coloring agents linked to health problems, binders, and carbohydrates are rife in commercial kibble - he made it his mission to provide Simon with only the best food available.

Shawn learned the in's and out's of creating fresh meals for Simon who of course, loved the food and enjoyed improved health on top of it.

Shawn wanted these benefits to be appreciated by all pets and pet parents so he  summoned a team of board-certified veterinarian nutritionists and dog specialists to create nutritionally balanced meals for pets.

And just like that, Just Food For Dogs launched in 2010.

And a cool fact about the company is that pet owners and their pooches could actually watch the food being prepared fresh and come right out of the oven!

Just Food For Dog Kitchens can be found in New Castle, Delaware and Irvine, California.

Just Food For Dogs is committed to the following:

• Being transparent in their work and food ingredients
• Making meal decisions based on scientific research
• Advocating pet health
• Supporting rescue efforts

 Just Food For Dogs Features

There are a couple of things about Just Food For Dogs that make their company stand out from the rest of the pack.

JFFD holds the quality of their food to the highest of standards. Every recipe is quality checked, and only approved meats, including USDA inspected beef, are used.

In fact, most of the ingredients are procured from the same farmers and merchants who provide food for human consumption.

JFFD is also the only fresh pet food company in the US to conduct independent feeding trials.

The protocols used either meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) standards.

Scientific Feeding Trials

Just Food For Dogs routinely participates in feeding trials and you can read the results of the studies on their website.

Veterinary students from the Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University work together with Just Food For Dogs to create the best fresh food available.

Interestingly, the feeding trials never use laboratory animals; the trials are humane and some of the largest conducted.

The end results were presented at the 2014 AAVN/ACVIM veterinary conference. Researchers found that JFFD recipes promoted a healthier immune system.

Furthermore, JFFD looked into the digestibility of their products.

 JFFD was found to be 40% more digestible than dry dog food!

An additional study was conducted and published in the Journal of Animal Science. The data started that dogs who ate Just Food For Dogs meals not only absorbed more nutrients, but they also produced 66% less poop than when they were fed premium kibble.

Were you aware that excessive pooping is a sign that your dog's meals are not as nutritious as it should be?

The more nutritious the food, the less waste is produced as most of it is digested and utilized by the body's systems.

Also, when dogs have to poop constantly, it can actually be straining and uncomfortable for your dog.

How Does Just Food For Dogs Work?

Conveniently, meals from Just Food For Dogs can be delivered directly to your door in eco-friendly packaging.

You can also purchase meals from 200 pet pantries found in vet hospitals and animal clinics. 

Some pet stores, like Petco, also carry JFFD products.

Optionally, you can subscribe for deliveries on Amazon.

How to Order Just Food For Dogs

Many fresh food companies require you to make an account or sign up for a "monthly subscription" to get their products.

Just Food For Dogs simplifies things.

 Whether you want one meal or several, the steps are the same: 

• Visit the JFFD home page
• Find the “Get Started” button
• Input the information in the Feeding Calculator
• Figure out the primary goal for the food (ex. Improving health, losing weight, digestion)
• Provide a valid email
• Indicate your dog’s breed, known allergies, and basic information (weight, activity level, etc.)
• Select how many treats your dog gets and what their current diet is like
• View the recommended food list then decide what to order from there

Meals By Just Food For Dogs

Just Food For Dogs offers a nice variety of meals.

Even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something that they enjoy.

In addition to their fresh dog food offerings, JFFD also carries fresh frozen meals, veterinary support RX meals, PantryFresh (shelf-stable), supplements, treats, and even feline food.

All of their fresh frozen meals are produced with restaurant-grade ingredients and doesn't contain preservatives.

The items are cooked fresh, flash frozen, and ready to be ordered.

Here is an overview of the recipes available through the Fresh Frozen collection:

• Chicken & White Rice
• Beef & Russet Potato
• Fish & Sweet Potato
• Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni
• Venison & Squash
• Lamb and Brown Rice

 
Additionally, you can purchase a DIY kit for any of the above recipes. 

Each kit comes with useful feeding guidelines, a nutrient blend, and a shopping list.

Yes, JFFD does have all of their recipes available online which is absolutely perfect for those just starting to cook homemade. 

 You can cook everything from scratch if that suits you best. Simply put in the nutrient blend to ensure that your dog is getting the proper amount of nutrition in their homemade meal.

Just Food For Dogs also has easy-to-follow videos on YouTube that teach you how to cook for your pupper:

The vet-supported recipes are designed to provide support for specific health issues. 

You'll need a veterinarian prescription to order them, so be sure to discuss the option with your dog’s vet. Like the Fresh Frozen meals, these Vet Support RX diets do not contain any harmful chemicals or preservatives and arrive frozen.

Here is an overview of what you can get: 

• Derm Support Fish
• Critical Care Support
• Metabolic Support Low Fat
• Hepatic Support Low Fat
• Renal Support Low Protein
• Balanced Remedy
• Renal Support Moderate Protein
• Joint and Skin Support

Next, we have the Pantry Fresh Daily diet menu. These meals do not require any refrigeration, so you can stock up. 

Each one has two years of shelf life.

You can get any of the following meals:

• Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni
• Chicken & White Rice
• Beef & Russet Potato
• Lamb & Brown Rice

Just Food For Dogs Treats and Supplements

In the treat department, seven options are available including:

• Beef 
• Liver bark
• Salmon bark
• Venison
• Chicken breast
• Chicken apple bark
• Pumpkin
• Beef brisket.

Just like the food, the ingredients in these treats are restaurant-sourced and purchased from reputable businesses.

JFFD also has carries supplements sourced from high quality ingredients.

You'll find an assortment of supplements for calming effects, joint care, allergy relief, probiotics for digestion, and more.

Is Just Food For Dogs Worth The Cost?

When we decide that we want to feed our dogs better. We are consciously making a decision to invest in the long-term health and well being of our beloved furry family members.

And just like with human food, healthier food of course is going to cost a bit more than processed stuff.

However the cost is well worth it when we at least know we are doing our best to feed our Shibas a food that not only optimally nourishes their health - but also excites their taste buds.

While "kibble" companies have tried their best to revamp their image due to the fact that dog owners are now being educated about what really goes on in kibble manufacturing - kibble is still kibble at the end of the day.

Dry.

Processed.

Low in bioavailable nutrients.

Full of preservatives.

Made with low quality "left over" scrap ingredients (***UNLESS produced by a handful of reputable kibble companies that actually care about the well-being of our animals. And while their kibble is great, it costs almost as much as fresh, delivered food)

What We Love About Just Food For Dogs

Here's our favorites:

• You can select frozen and shelf stable food options.
• Meals contain high-quality ingredients that have been tested to find which are the most digestible and nutritious for your pet.
• You can create a subscription or make a one-time purchase.
• Get veterinarian support for custom diets on the site.
• Meals can be delivered straight to your door or purchased from a nearby Petco, vet hospital, or another approved location.

she decided to solve her problem herself - and Walkee Paws was born.

How Just Food For Dogs Could Improve

We would love to have a higher protein option that would be necessary for active, working dogs.

Also since carbs like rice, potatoes, and pasta are cheap and easy to make, it would be great to have the option of buying meals that have everything (proteins, fruit, veggies, supplements, vitamins, minerals) except the carbs which we could easily add at home.

This would save a bit of money overall, especially when considering shipping.

Of course, this option would be geared for more advanced dog owners that know a bit about balancing their dog's meals properly.

Final Thoughts on Just Food For Dogs

Just Food For Dogs is an excellent fresh food company that has established themselves as respectable and trustworthy.

We love their commitment to science and how they continuously work on making their meals better.

We also love their mission to make their meals as affordable as possible in order to improve the lives of as many pets as they can.

It's a great feeling knowing that a company is passionate about their products and how their products can a positive impact in the lives of both pet and pet owners.