When I decided to switch my dog Jimmy to fresh food, it was a huge relief. 

He’d previously been on a commercial kibble diet but had started gaining an unhealthy amount of weight, plus our vet noted that he might not be getting enough nutrients. Immediately, I scoured the internet, searching for a fresh food solution that was easy, convenient, and wouldn’t break the bank. Score! Freshpet seemed to check all the boxes.

But pretty soon, I realized just how gag-worthy the wrong fresh food can be… Obviously, my dog’s nutrition is my top priority, but shouldn’t his food not make me want to throw up? Read on to see why I upgraded from Freshpet to Ollie.

A Fresh Food Fail (Sorry, Freshpet)

My first box of Freshpet arrived, and I was ready to change my dog’s life. I ordered both the bite-sized in-bag version, and the cut-and-serve rolls, just to see which one I / he preferred.

Much to my dismay, once the Freshpet package is opened, it must be consumed within *seven* days. But according to their portion guide, my small pup only needed ⅛ of a package every day – you see my dilemma? Add on the time it takes to transition, where new food is incorporated very gradually into your dog’s diet, and I was left with extra food that I could no longer be sure was safe for my dog.

Warning: it gets grosser…

I started with the bagged version featuring easily-servable chunks. I opened it up, tipped it over to pour it out just like the video on their website… and the food came glopping out, slimy and unappetizing and completely unlike the video! My dog enjoyed it just fine, but in my eyes it might as well have come out of a tin.

The cut-and-serve version was much worse. First of all, the whole vibe of this roll is eerily similar to Spam. I know it’s fresh, but it feels very processed! It’s a hard, perfectly cylindrical tube with no discernible chunks of real food. Anyway, you slice a portion directly from the roll, and then dice that up. It requires you to handle the food quite a bit, which is unpleasant. And once you remove an end of the roll, it’s exposed to air, leaving you to figure out how to properly store it without compromising the integrity of the food.

Both serving options made me legit nauseous! Again, I must stress that I want my precious angel dog to have the best of the best… but can’t it be a better experience for both of us?

And a Fresh Food Win (Ollie Ollie Ollie!)

I knew I needed to keep Jimmy on fresh food for all of its many health benefits, but I *literally* couldn't stomach feeding him Freshpet. Ditto for any other brand that comes in a tube or pouch you have to messily squeeze food out of! So, I decided to try Ollie. Ollie has easy-open packages, and your first box comes with free storage containers and a scoop – beyond convenient for storage!

Ollie’s “user experience,” if you will, was such a sharp contrast to Freshpet, I felt like I was in a dog food commercial. Who knew it could be this easy? This mess-free? Plus, the texture was so much better: chunky and hearty, with whole ingredients I could actually see – like blueberries, spinach, and turkey.

More importantly, Jimmy loved it! He’s never been a picky eater (maybe why he tolerated the Freshpet better than I), but every recipe from Ollie he devoured like it was his last meal on earth. I’ve also noticed he’s had an uptick in energy, his eyes are brighter, and his breath smells so much better.

Whether you’re buying fresh food for the first time, or switching from another popular fresh food brand, Ollie is the way to go. Try it and save 50% on your first order!

More Perks

Getting an Ollie subscription came with some other benefits, too – namely, the extra bits and bobs that you can add on to your subscription to really cover all your dog’s nutritional needs. They’ve got:

• Baked recipes – Does your pup prefer kibble? Or does your wallet? Ollie’s got your back. Using the same human-grade ingredients and gentle cooking, they offer a Mixed Meal Plan that combines both their wet and dry food. Their baked food is even available at some Petcos, making it uber-convenient in a pinch!

• Treats – Whether you’re looking for a nutrition-packed reward, a way to maintain oral health, or are ready to teach an old dog new tricks, the options are endless and delicious.

• Supplements – If you want to target specific issues, Ollie also makes delightful chews to give some daily support. (We particularly enjoy their plant-based Calming Chews that are a life-saver during storms!)

• Health screenings – A quick check-in with veterinary professionals isn’t easy to come by… until the My Ollie app, that is. They have a Digestion Screening to analyze gut health, Dental Screening to protect their pearly whites, and Weight Screenings to help your pup meet and maintain weight goals.

At the end of the day, if you’re feeding your dog fresh food, you’re doing the right thing for them. But if you want to do the right thing for *both of you*, I can’t recommend Ollie and their mess-free, stress-free recipes enough.

Ready for a premium fresh food experience? Right now, get 50% off your first box of Ollie!