You might have noticed more people talking about fresh, human-grade, freeze-dried raw, and “food as medicine” when it comes to dog food lately — and for good reason. More pet owners aren’t just looking for cheap food that fills the bowl; they want food that nourishes, supports wellness, and feels as close to what we eat as possible.
If you’re considering upgrading your pup’s diet — whether because of digestive issues, allergies, or just wanting your pups to thrive — here’s what’s trending, what to look for, and how to make a switch without stress.
What’s Changing in Dog Food (What the Data Shows)
-
Fresh, Refrigerated, and Human-Grade Foods Are Exploding
According to a report by Dogster, sales of fresh dog food are up ~86.5% since 2021. Just like the food we eat, pet parents are pursuing food thats minimal processed with no artificial preservatives and they're second guessing the basic kibble they may have been feeding from the beginning. -
Functional Food = Food as Medicine
Pet parents are looking for way more than just calories. They look for food, treats, and supplements that help with broader issues like anxiety, joint health, skin & coat, dental & breath health. Terms like sensitive stomach, limited-ingredient diets, prebiotics / probiotics are showing rapid growth. Pet parents are tuning in to the needs of their pup and digging in to the healthy benefits to be sure the nutrition is matching their needs. -
More Variety & Texture
Wet food, freeze-dried raw foods, and various toppers are increasingly popular — they give our dogs new and varying textures & flavors, and help make mealtime feel more exciting and rewarding for both them and us as parents.
How to Choose the Right Dog Food
Carefully Check the Labels to See How the Food is Prepared
Look for terms like "freeze-dried raw", “freshly cooked”, “refrigerated”, and “minimally processed” and then actually verify the method. If your purchasing food that is frozen or refrigerated, make sure to understand exactly how the product is stored, shipped and handled so you don't risk any undue harm with food that may have spoiled along the way. Artie includes freeze-dried raw and dehydrated ingredients that are completely shelf-stable.
Protein Source & Quality
Real meat should always be the first ingredient listed. Also be sure to review the brand's adherence to WSAVA guidelines and be sure the food you are feeding is "complete and balanced" to meet AAFCO standards. Artie always starts with protein as the first ingredient and meets or exceeds all AAFCO standards. You can also review our WSAVA guidelines in a separate post.
Texture & Palatability
Fresh, wet, and freeze-dried options often smell & taste better and are more appealing, especially to picky eaters or dogs who don’t seem excited by kibble. Toppers can also help transition or enhance flavor. Artie provides the best of both worlds through freeze-dried raw proteins and wet recipes that improve hydration and are prepared warm.
Transparency & Brand Practices
How transparent is the brand about sourcing, freezing / refrigeration, preservatives, and third-party testing? Take a very close look at the way the company operates and how the recipes are produced, sold and distributed. Only trust recipes that have been reviewed and approved by a board certified veterinary nutritionist given their extensive training in nutrition. All Artie recipes, meal plans and recommendations are approved by a dedicated board certified veterinary nutritionist. We also welcome any questions about our nutrition, safety standards, and how our products are produced and distributed.
Artie’s Approach: Where We Fit In
At Artie we believe in minimally processed, whole food meals served warm - put simply, we believe our dogs deserve the type of warm and nutritious meals we'd feed ourselves. Like us, dogs also prefer warm meals and we believe Artie is the most convenient way to prepare them.
Every Artie recipe starts with high-quality protein as the number one ingredient. We also include nutritious fruits, veggies and healthy grains, along with functional nutrients for digestion, skin & coat, and overall vitality.
Every Artie meal is precisely portioned to prevent over-feeding. After taking a quick quiz about your dog, we calculate your dog's precise calorie needs and deliver them to you through pre-portioned breakfast and dinner servings. This helps ensure you feed your dog just the right amount of nutritious food, while taking away the stress and mess of measuring and portioning.
Mistakes to Avoid When Switching Food
It's important to transition your dog slowly to a new recipe or food format. Switching too quickly can cause digestive upset. At Artie, we provide transition instructions as well as 1-on-1 transition concierge calls to help you and your dog adjust to our meals and subscriptions.
Don't fall for buzzwords (like "fresh", “natural”, or "human grade" etc.) without truly verifying the nutritional and ingredient quality. Ensure the recipes have been reviewed and approved by a board certified veterinary nutritionist - don't just take the dog food label's word for it.
When determining how much to feed, don't neglect your dog’s individual needs like age, breed, body condition and activity level. It's just as easy to over-feed your dog and make them obese as it is to under-feed them and starve them of the nutrients they need. At Artie, we evaluate all these factors to determine your dog's personalized portion sizes, helping ensure they get the right level of nutrition without over or under-feeding.
Conclusion & Action Steps
It's important to stay tuned to your dog's health when it comes to their nutrition. Keep an eye out for changes in their energy level, stool quality, skin and coat condition, and any behavioral changes they may exhibit. All of these could be addressed through proper nutrition. But in all cases, it's best to start with a discussion with your vet.
Rather than just jumping into a new format of food (like switching directly from kibble to fresh food) start with small changes: introduce a small sample, topper, or serve small amounts of new food as a treat to see how your dog responds. Artie provides Sample Packs just for this purpose - ensuring your dog both loves the meals and adjusts to them well.
Lastly, be sure to carefully consider and evaluate the price vs. long-term benefit of high end nutrition for your pup. In most cases, investing in high quality nutrition like Artie may save you money later from expensive vet bills or better yet - may help expand their life expectancy so you can enjoy your time with them as long as possible.
