You’re Guaranteed to Get Things Off On the Right Paw…
When I decided to adopt a puppy, my anxieties were (I’d imagine) akin to those of an expecting parent. I had no idea what I was doing. From dog beds to walking routes to pee pads, there were endless questions swirling around my head. The one element I was determined not to f*ck up was food.
When I asked our pup’s foster family about recommended food, they listed three generic kibble brands that they’d seen success with. When I went online to compare them, I started to pick up on a few unsettling patterns: additives I couldn’t pronounce, lack of flavor variety, and carbohydrates like rice listed as top ingredients. In short, none of them sounded very fresh.
When I added the keyword “fresh” to my puppy food search, I found Ollie.
Cut to about a month later: when I picked up my baby at 12 weeks old, I had our first Ollie shipment waiting so we could get her started on what has proven to be the best food I have ever given any pet. At 6 months old, my baby is still loving (and lapping up) his Ollie meals.
A Puppy’s Diet is High-Maintenance
In all of my pre-adoption research, I learned that there is quite a bit of growth happening in a puppy’s body early on; the brain, the heart, their bones. This window is a crucial time to establish a well-balanced diet that will support these essential developmental processes.
I read that the food I choose as a puppy mom should not only supply the nutrients and calories to support physical growth, but should also benefit cognitive development and neurological function.
Key puppy food ingredients seemed to be:
- Complex carbohydrates (for maximum nutrient absorption)
- Minimally processed ingredients for easy digestion
- High-quality meat protein to build lean muscles
- Antioxidant-rich fruits & vegetables to strengthen the immune system
- DHA (from fish oil) to support cognitive & vision development
- Vitamin A & omega-6 fatty acids for shiny coats and healthy skin
The whole experience would be closer to raising a kid than I’d realized… but after finding Ollie, I felt more ready than ever.
Ollie’s Standards Stand Apart From the Rest
While comparing different dog food options online, I learned that the vast majority of commercial kibble brands are overcooked and filled with shortcuts including animal by-product meals, preservatives, artificial dyes, corn syrup… the list goes on.
Just a few clicks through the Ollie website revealed these magic words: “No artificial flavors, by-products, or harmful fillers used.” Exactly what I wanted to hear.
I went on to read that Ollie uses premium, whole ingredients sourced from trusted vendors and cooked at low temperatures in small batches. Every order is hand-packed (and cooked) in their US-based facilities.
As I skimmed through Ollie’s recipe offerings (5 Fresh, 2 Baked) the necessary ingredients for puppies jumped out at me like fireworks: sweet potatoes! Spinach! Beef! Lamb! Blueberries! Salmon oil! Oats! Oh my!
I still had the jitters, but knowing that my little guy would be eating human-grade food that met AAFCO guidelines eased my mind tremendously. I also learned that Ollie meals are vet-backed and formulated by veterinary nutritionists to guarantee complete & balanced recipes. No wonder they checked every puppy-focused box on my list…
Customized Fresh Meals, Delivered to Our Doorstep
Getting started with Ollie was a breeze. I filled out their quick online welcome quiz, which asks for pawsonal (see what I did there?) information like age, weight, and activity level. They also asked which of Ollie’s 3 meal plans I’d prefer: Full Fresh, Half Fresh, or Mixed (more on these later).
I went with the latter in hopes of maximizing variety… then, we got to pick flavors.
I ordered the Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Turkey with Blueberries, and Baked Chicken with Carrots for our Starter Box. This initial delivery was discounted and included feeding information, a free storage “Puptainer,” and a free food scoop.
Ollie takes the guesswork out of how much to feed your pup by providing precise portion advice from canine experts (more on the Ollie Health team shortly!). These personalized servings support growth and development for each puppy, helping them maintain a healthy weight while preventing canine obesity and other health issues further down the line. Score!
Unbeatable Price Point, Undeniable Convenience
A few words on the aforementioned meal plans: the Full Fresh Plan starts at $1.57/meal and is just about the closest you can get to feeding your dog human food. As a more budget-friendly option, the Half Fresh Plan starts at just $1/meal and provides a nutritious boost to round out your pup’s current diet. Last but not least (and actually, my favorite) is the Mixed Plan. This starts at $1.36/meal and combines Fresh and Baked recipes in one healthy bowl.
My favorite Ollie bonus is their unlimited (!) health screening service, which comes free with any Ollie subscription. Through the Ollie app, a team of veterinary experts provides on-call advice regarding weight, digestion, dental health, and skin & coat care. The platform combines data from over 100,000 dogs and years of professional experience for informed, thorough results.
Ollie even offers a Diet Transition Screening to ensure the seamless integration of their recipes into your pup’s diet (complete with the option to submit stool photos for review). With Ollie, I knew we’d be taken care of.
A Unique Meal Plan To Grow With Them
So far, puppy parenting has been going swimmingly, and I know for a fact that Ollie has played a huge role in my success.
Our Mixed Meal plan got my boy off to a strong start with the nutrition she needs, through food she wants. Not that puppies are lacking for energy, but I swear my baby is more sprightly and energetic than the others in the park. And at home, she consistently bounds over to her bowl for every meal.
As with a child, a puppy’s early days are critical for establishing a solid foundation, especially regarding nutrition. The decisions we make as parents can and will have a lasting impact on our dogs’ long-term health. If you’re stressed about making the right choices for your pup–and even if you aren’t!–Ollie is the place to start.
