I used to cook all of my dog’s meals. And it completely took over my life.

I had great intentions! I wasn’t satisfied with the nutritional gaps in the dog food options I’d seen – particularly some of the “premium” kibble brands – and I wanted to provide the very best for my best pal, Bear. What I didn’t anticipate was that meal-prepping for Bear would become so time-consuming, I’d start to sacrifice other important things – like a regular yoga practice, Netflix-and-chill time with my partner, and planning and making my own meals.

Eventually, I had to admit that this wasn’t sustainable. I wanted Bear to keep getting the fresh ingredients and wholesome nutrients that home-cooked meals provided, so we made the switch to Ollie – which has everything Bear needs for a healthy diet, without any hassle on my part.

See how Ollie stacks up to home-cooked here:

Home-Cooked Vs. Ollie

What Should Dogs Eat?

If you asked Bear, the answer would be “everything that I can get my snout on.” But, just like people, dogs need a nutritious, balanced diet. 

One of my favorite parts of cooking Bear’s meals was knowing that we were avoiding some of the sketchy things that can pop up in kibble – like animal byproducts, preservatives, and fillers. And I could also make sure he was getting enough of the good stuff, like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the correct ratios. Did you know that traditional dry kibble can be up to 90%(!!) carbs? It’s also highly processed, which strips the food of essential ingredients.

I definitely didn’t want to feed Bear kibble; that was out of the question. But I couldn’t continue devoting every weekend to doggy meal prep. Ollie came to the rescue! Their recipes are carefully constructed and veterinarian-approved to cater to dogs’ specific needs, so I never have to worry about any nutritional gaps. They use only fresh, gently-cooked, 100% human-grade ingredients – delivered straight to your door.

Ollie has effectively given me my life back! And Bear loves it too; he seriously devours all the recipes he’s tried, but particularly the Beef + Sweet Potato. 

Leave It To the Experts

When it comes to pet foods, it can be hard to figure out what’s safe and healthy. That’s why I was so excited to learn about AAFCO through Ollie. They’re the Association of American Feed Control Officials, basically the people who help guide state, federal, and international animal food producers on what’s safe for animals to eat. 

Ollie’s vet-designed recipes meet the AAFCO guidelines for all life stages of dogs, so when I made the switch, I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about what Bear was eating for the rest of his life. And honestly, I can’t say with 100% certainty that my home-cooked meals were meeting all of his various nutritional requirements – I felt so much peace of mind knowing that Ollie had him covered. 

Their onboarding questionnaire asks you all the important questions about your dog: breed, age, weight, goal weight, energy level… you name it, they’re thinking about it. And they use all of that info to come up with a meal plan that’s designed to ensure your dog is living their happiest and healthiest life. 

I’m Happy I Did It (And Happier To Be Done)

Thinking back on my stressed out Saturdays, I’m glad I had the experience of making my dog food. Not just because it led to healthier meals for Bear, but also because of how much I learned in the process. That being said…

Am I beyond glad to have discovered Ollie? YES. Knowing that Bear’s meals are designed by veterinarians, that they’re perfectly balanced for his nutritional needs, and that I don’t have to cook them myself has taken the weight of the world off my shoulders and allowed me to get back to quality time with my partner, myself, and – obviously – my BFF Bear.

If you want to make the switch to healthy, fresh-cooked food for your dog, you can grab your first box of Ollie for 70% off!