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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.
JFFD also has carries supplements sourced from high quality ingredients.