All pet parents want their dogs to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet so they may live happier and healthier lives.

Dogs, like humans, have particular dietary requirements, such as essential vitamins and minerals, in order to maintain overall health.

"If you're a dog owner like me, you know how frustrating it is to see your dog refuse to eat their food. As you consider your next step, it might be a difficult scenario."

While you may be familiar with classic brands found at the supermarket or pet store, there has been a big shift in recent years toward freshly cooked dog meals.

You may find it difficult to find time to prepare home-cooked meals for your dog if you work full-time, especially if you have your own meals to prepare. It might also be difficult to get the portions correct to ensure that home prepared meals have the necessary elements to suit your dog’s daily requirements.

That’s why I admire the services of dog food delivery providers. They make your dog’s meals and deliver them to your door according to your schedule.

It might be home-cooked dinners, custom-made kibble, or other delectables created specifically for your dog. This direct to consumer model is helping dogs eat fresh each day and is largely responsible for the increased use of fresh food in Canada! 

In this article, we’ll look at some of the top Canadian options for fresh food currently available for home delivery. In each section we’ll review recipes, ingredients, prices, packaging, delivery options, expertise and after-care service. These brands represent the highest quality foods for dogs available in Canada and our list excludes non-Canadian options.

Editor’s note: This website’s information is intended to be educational, but it should not be construed as veterinary, medical, or professional advice. The information in our articles is not intended to be veterinary advice. Before making any modifications to your pet’s diet or feeding schedule, consult your veterinarian or a professional pet nutritionist.

Jump to Section : 

• Kabo
• Tom & Sawyer 
• NutriCanine
• Cola’s Kitchen
• Puppy Gang Fresh Food

When addressing reviews, we look for verified, real reviews first. The bulk of these reviews are from Trustpilot, which weeds out fake reviews. Some brands use Facebook or Google reviews which cannot be verified

How we chose the best dog food delivery in Canada

We’ve considered 8 key points for each brand:

• Ingredients
• Recipe Variety
• Packaging and Preparation
• Ordering experience
• Price
• Delivery schedule
• In-house expertise
• After sales service

Best Dog Food 2021

Our top pick overall : #1 KABO

Kabo started out as the brainchild of twin brothers Vijay and Vino when their pup fell ill. Essentially their idea was to provide healthy, fresh meals to enhance the preventative health of dogs. 

Today, Kabo serves pup-parents across Canada with a range of gently cooked fresh foods and kibble options, all made with human grade, Canadian ingredients.

"According to their website Kabo promises human grade certified ingredients all from trusted local Canadian suppliers. "

Kabo develops each of their recipes with the expertise of veterinary nutritionists, and their own in-house nutritional R&D scientist. 

Their claim of drool worthy food is exciting news for parents of allergy prone dogs or picky eaters. When used as a topper, like I do with my pup, it makes their current food more palatable, while adding wholesome nutrients. 

Kabo customizes each meal to ensure that no matter the type, activity level or life-stage of your dog, your food will reflect their nutritional needs. To start the process you’ll be asked a series of questions about your dog.

"They have also made their packaging as eco friendly as possible with all components being recyclable. "

​Main Points

• Tell Kabo all about your doggo
  • Enter all of your dog’s specific information including breed, age, weight, activity level, and more. They use this information to customize your dog’s portions for you. 
    
• Custom Plans and Prices
  • Based on your pup’s particulars, Kabo calculates the price based on how much food you require. This way you always get the best price. You can select a number of plans and meal options, including their Fresh Kibble.
    
• Drool Worthy Meals Delivered Free
  • You won’t have to worry about missing work to go to the pet store. Your meals will be delivered right to your door for free. No charge shipping is available to 95%+ of Canadian homes. You may also recycle all of the packaging to help the earth.
    
• Serve for Happy Pups
  • There’s little fuss or mess at dinner time because their meals are stored in these portioned pouches (below). Simply defrost the meals before serving to your eagerly awaiting pup. 

• Safety First
  • To ensure food safety and quality, Kabo is one of the few companies that test all of their foods for both foodborne pathogens and nutritional quality, before they ship it to you. Because of their diligence Kabo has not had a recall of any manner to date.

Recipes

• Savoury Beef
  • Fresh ground beef, Russet potato, Sweet potato, Carrots, Red apples, Green peas, Green Beans, Beef liver, Nutrient mix, Nutritional yeast, Dicalcium phosphate, Sunflower oil, Fish oil, Monosodium phosphate

• Tender Chicken
  • Fresh ground chicken, Long grain rice, Chicken liver, Carrots, Red apples, Green peas, Green beans, Dicalcium phosphate, Nutrient mix, Nutritional yeast, Fish oil, Sunflower oil, Sea salt

• Luscious Lamb
  • Fresh ground Ontario lamb, Chickpeas, Potatoes, Squash, Green beans, Kale, Broccoli, Chia, Nutrient mix. 

• Hearty Turkey
  • Fresh ground turkey, Long grain rice, Turkey liver, Whole eggs, Carrots, Red apples, Green peas, Green beans, Dicalcium phosphate, Nutrient mix, Nutritional yeast, Sunflower oil, Fish oil, Sea salt

Kabo also features kibbles, using the same philosophy as their gently cooked meals:

• Chicken Kibble
  • A tasty, crunchy kibble that is a good all around choice for most dogs.

• Turkey / Salmon Kibble
  • A kibble formulated with easily digestible ingredients and sources of omega 3. Great for senior dogs and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

• Duck Kibble
  • A meal for a dog with the itchy-scratchies. This recipe is designed for dogs with allergies and contains a novel protein with no grain, soy or dairy.

"Kabo’s fresh menu items are all produced in Canada with Canadian ingredients. No fillers, artificial colours or flavours, by-products or non-human certified ingredients are used."

Preparation and Packaging

Your dog’s meals are gently cooked to preserve nutrients, then flash frozen and shipped free in an insulated box. They’ll arrive in fresh condition even if you’re not home when it arrives. 

Testing for foodborne pathogens and nutritional quality, before shipping, costs more to do, but it’s something Kabo is absolutely committed to. It makes me feel more confident when feeding my own dog. 

"If you and your pup lead a hectic life like I do, mealtime is made so simple with pre-portioned packs of food."

I also like the flat pouches that store easily in the freezer. I simply put one pouch in the fridge the day before feeding.

If you’re ordering kibble too, like I do, it’s prepared weekly and shipped free to you.

Price and Delivery

Kabo will provide meals for your dog that are tailored to their specific nutritional needs. As a result, each dog’s meal and price will differ depending on essential characteristics such as age, size, and weight.

For my dachshund Lilly who weighs 18 lbs the monthly price for her is $197 for a full 100% fresh cooked meal plan. I never pay shipping since Kabo delivers their dog food for free across Canada. Of the comparison group, Kabo has the best price. They have other plans as well, such as a 25% or 50% fresh food plan, or plans that include their fresh kibble. 

Unlike other dog food delivery services, Kabo delivers free throughout the week, to 95%+ Canadian homes. I typically get my box on a Thursday. 

Kabo is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to cancel, pause, or skip at any time.   

Experts

All of Kabo’s recipes were formulated by Canadian animal nutrition experts in-house at Kabo. Kabo is the only dog food delivery company that directly employs an animal nutritionist, a veterinarian, and vet technicians. 

Support   

Kabo’s expert support team is unlike any other dog food brand in Canada. Kabo encourages free 1:1 access to their veterinarian to help answer any of your questions. Also on staff the  animal nutritionist, who helped develop our recipes, and a number of vet technicians.

These team members are not only responsible for the creation of their recipes, but are also available to chat one-to-one with clients, whenever they need support. It’s like a free tele-health service for your dog. Only Kabo provides these services.

Support is easy to access through telephone, email, and even text message. It should also be noted that Kabo is one of the only brands that offer a 100% money back guarantee on customers’ first boxes, should your pup not enjoy the food.  

Our Verdict

We’re big fans of Kabo here at Dog Breeds List, having tried all of the fresh food recipes with my dachshund Lilly. 

When it comes to eating things found in the yard, Lilly does not discriminate. But when it was mealtime, she was turning her nose up at her old kibble, until Kabo. 

"Not only are Lilly’s bowls clean after every meal but she actually gets excited for mealtime."

It gave me peace of mind knowing that my dachshund was eating balanced, complete meals that were free of any potentially harmful chemicals, fillers or anything I wouldn’t eat myself.

I observed a positive difference in her energy level, the appearance of her coat, and her overall health. Since switching to Kabo, Lilly has had great vet checkups!

"Kabo is the only brand to give it’s members personal access to a call with a board certified veterinarian- Dr. Suzee (for free)! That’s in addition to their support team which is made up of animal health experts."

For when we don’t need to go to the vet in-person we were able to have a no-cost call with Kabo’s in-house vet Dr. Suzee DVM DVSc. This saved me so much time and hassle. I was able to have all of my questions answered and scheduling was a breeze. Kabo is the only brand that offers this service and it’s made an impact with this customer. 

As a dog owner who cares about the environment, I appreciate Kabo’s eco-friendly approach to packaging by offering fully recyclable packaging.

What people are saying about Kabo

Kabo has a 4.9 star rating on TrustPilot, this is based off of 624 reviews at time of writing. Of these reviews 99% are rated as great or excellent. It’s reassuring to see so many highly rated reviews for Kabo; it reaffirms our decision. 

One member remarked how eating habits for their picky dog changed completely:

"My pup is 11 years old and very picky! She's mainly been on a kibbel diet but since her teeth are becoming more brittle, we decided to switch to soft. She LOVES the beef and actually eats on a schedule now! Wish we switched sooner! The customer service is exceptional - highly recommend!"

This comment reflects the dedication Kabo has to their members

"Been feeding my dogs Kabo toppers for almost a year, all good. Suddenly this past long weekend I realized I hadn't received my biweekly pack and I only had one meal left! I emailed Kabo, they got back to me right away and got new food to me ASAP, delivered on the Tuesday after holiday Monday. SUPER customer service from a great company!"

Finally, this member appreciates not just the delivery service, but what it’s done for her pup.

"On the day of your delivery you receive real-time delivery texts of where your delivery is. Your pet's food is packed in a cold box packed with ice packs. Our doggie gobbles up all her breakfast and din din every day. Her favorite is the lamb. Her fur has become so luminous since switching in July. Thanks Kabo!"

Any Negatives?

Kabo has a great selection of meals to satisfy picky eating dogs, dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies. 

If freezer space is a premium in your home, you’ll likely have to go for the shorter 2-week replenishments. The pouches themselves are flat and can stack with ease.

Kabo currently does not provide samples, but you can get at least 40% off your first box, from what I’ve seen on their website. They also guarantee satisfaction 100% or your money back, which is oddly uncommon in this comparison group. 

Conclusions 

Kabo is a great option for dog owners who want their dogs to eat a healthy, nutritious human-grade, Canadian only diet.

Each of their fresh recipes are customized to meet each dog’s unique needs. You can rest easier knowing your dog’s food has been created by experts using only top quality Canadian, fresh ingredients. 

I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t need to shop and haul dog food anymore. Kabo’s fresh dog food deliveries kept me stocked, with free shipping always. Plus I can pause anytime I want. 

What absolutely stands out for Kabo is their dedication to sharing health information with their members. All members are encouraged to make a 1:1 call with Kabo’s own vet Dr. Suzee Camilleri DVM DVSc. This is in addition to the other pet health experts that provide exceptional customer service.

"You have to appreciate their business model. They try to keep your dog in top shape so they eat Kabo longer! ;)"

If you need more convincing, check out Kabo’s five-star reviews on TrustPilot.

Check out Kabo

Most Variety : #2 Tom & Sawyer

Tom & Sawyer is a popular Toronto Brand serving up fresh meals for dogs and cats in addition to dog treats and homemade pet bone broths. They are the only brand to have a storefront kitchen, having opened on Queen St. E in Toronto around 2016. 

With a minimum order, shipping is free within Ontario, which is convenient for stocking up. Recipes are developed by a team of animal health and nutrition experts and contain human grade Canadian ingredients from local suppliers. 

"With 12 Fresh Cooked menu options, there is bound to be a recipe your dog will love. "

Tom & Sawyer doesn’t pre-portion their meals for your dog, but they do have a calculator to help you determine how much you should feed your pup from each 454g pouch. 

You can set up a subscription to ship to your home or for pickup at over 20 penguin pickups across the GTA. They also have an in-store presence across Canada, with their fresh varieties at select pet store locations only. 

"Unlike other subscriptions, meals are in standard 454g package sizes and not customized to your pup- but there is a handy online calculator on their website to do the work for you. "

Main Points

• Great Variety
  • 12 Fresh cooked menu options are available from Tom & Sawyer; the best variety of all dog food delivery services.
• Human Grade Ingredients
  • Tom & Sawyer claim restaurant quality ingredients, and nutritionally balanced meals including the right balance of Omega 3/6 fatty acids, a digestive aid, pre-biotic, and a vitamin/mineral blend.
• Open Kitchen Concept
  • Situated at street level on Queen St. in Toronto, you can see their chefs hard at work preparing meals for our furry friends. Other partner kitchens prepare foods to the same high standards- but the open concept kitchen is unique! 
• Specialized Diets
  • 7 out of their 12 recipes are for pups requiring a special diet. You can find low fat, no grain, and bland options- whatever suits your dog. This is a huge plus for those that have dietary restrictions or allergies. 

Recipes

Preparation and Packaging

Meals from Tom & Sawyer are packaged in 454g (1 lb) vacuum sealed bags. As mentioned, they do have a calculator, based on the weight and age of your dog, to determine the correct amount of food you should be feeding each time. 

This method is not as efficient as pre-portioned packs, and could lead to over/under feeding due to other factors such as sex, activity level, and current body type. 

"One popular aspect of their business is their storefront cafe where locals and their pups can pup-in for a cup of coffee."

Price and Delivery

Tom & Sawyer offers premium, gently-cooked dog food that is more expensive than standard retail dog food brands. However, knowing that your dog is eating fresh, vet-approved ingredients will give you peace of mind. 

Delivery is free within Ontario, and while they do ship to the rest of Canada, a minimum order and sometimes steep shipping fees may apply. If you wanted your fresh dog food delivered to Edmonton, their shipping tool quotes an additional $89. 

To feed Lilly, my dachshund 100% fresh cooked the monthly total would be approximately $275. Before shipping, this makes Tom & Sawyer the most expensive option available, out of our comparison group.  

Experts

Tom & Sawyer food has been developed using animal nutrition experts, both on staff, and on a consultation basis. The on-staff animal nutrition expert, Hannah, can be often found at their retail location, or a phone call away.  Tom & Sawyer does not employ a veterinarian to expertly guide you through any questions you may have. 

Support

Should you need product support or have questions, you can get in touch with Tom & Sawyer through phone, email and in-person at their retail store on Queen St. E in Toronto. With no apparent vet techs or vets on staff, your questions will be answered by staff at their retail location. 

Our Verdict

Since I did not want to order 14 packages of food to get free delivery, I found a couple of packages at a local pet store to try with Lilly. We tried Tummy Tamer, and the Beef & Broccoli recipes.

Lilly had no issues eating either when mixing it with her kibbles. The only issue I had was with portion control. Since Lilly eats 100% fresh food- this equates to 80% of 1 bag of food. I found my accuracy slipping and by the end of the week I was ‘eye-balling’ the portions, which is not optimal for Lilly.

What are people saying about it?

From their google reviews, customers are singing the praises of Tom & Sawyer. 

This is one of my favourites that highlights the community feel with their retail location. A number of their reviews specifically mention the coffee!

”Obviously great food and treats for the dogs but I also love that I can come in and get a coffee with my dog by my side too.”

Another wrote about their journey to Tom & Sawyer with their picky dogs.

”I am so happy I found this company. Just like the owners, I was shocked when I learnt how dog food was prepared. After I started doing more and more digging, I decided I'd start cooking for my dogs myself, until I found Tom& Sawyer. Not only are the meals balanced and high quality, my picky dogs absolutely love them! The blueberry, Louisiana Gumbo and Farmers Market are a hit.”

This customer just sums it up for us all.

”Best Home made Dog & Cat Food in TO!”

Any Negatives?

If you live outside of Toronto or Ontario, it may cost you more to receive your order. There is a weekly delivery service in Toronto, with a minimum order of 14 dog meals per box. 

That said, they do have retail partners across the country that stock their products. Although only select stores carry their fresh food. You can easily check out their website for locations near you.  

Conclusion

Tom & Sawyer really represents Toronto the good so well. Their recipes are unique, nutritious and made with wholesome human grade ingredients. It’s priced more than the others, but if you have a dog with an allergy or sensitivity, you might like their products.

Check out Tom & Sawyer

Best Raw Food : #3 NutriCanine

NutriCanine is a Canadian fresh dog food serving up both raw and gently cooked recipes, with its roots in Toronto. You can purchase any of their recipes individually or as part of a subscription plan. 

Before we go any further, it’s important to note that raw pet food, like any other type of pet nutrition, has advantages and disadvantages. Adopting a raw food diet for your dog, in particular, comes with some risks.

We advocate conducting your own research on raw fed dog diets so that you can determine whether raw pet food is good for your dog. 

All NutriCanine recipes are created by a dog food formulation specialist using human-grade local ingredients free of any hormones, antibiotics or artificial preservatives. 

"Consider the advice of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association with respect to starting on a raw diet."

Like Kabo, NutriCanine calculates the food required by your dog and portions their meals according to your dog’s specific characteristics. I’m a big fan of this approach as it simplifies prep and mealtime. 

Main Points

• Variety
  • Offering both gently cooked and raw diet menu options are handy. NutriCanine is only one of a few top food companies offering a human-grade raw option- something that’s been lacing in the market. 
• Ease of serving
  • Packages are vacuum packed and frozen for delivery. Serving is easy with overnight defrosting in the fridge. 
• Free Ontario Delivery
  • If you’re a resident of Ontario, your shipping is free. While NutriCanine does ship to the rest of Canada, shipping fees will apply. 
• Fresh local Ingredients
  • NutriCanine recognizes the trend in local ingredients and currently uses human-grade local ingredients free from antibiotics or hormones in all its recipes. 

Recipes

Cooked: Chicken, Beef, Turkey, and Lamb

• Chicken Recipe
  • Whole Chicken (Ground), Potato, Chicken Liver, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Broccoli, Mixed Berries, Parsley
• Beef Recipe
  • Beef (Ground), Rice, Butternut Squash, Beef Liver, Carrots, Broccoli, Mixed berries, Parsley
• Turkey Recipe
  • Whole Turkey (Ground), Potato, Butternut Squash, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Kale, Mixed berries, Chicken Fat, Parsley
• Lamb Recipe
  • Lamb (Ground), Rice, Butternut Squash, Beef Liver, Carrots, Green Beans, Mixed berries, Parsley

Raw

• True Chicken
  • Chicken (Ground), Chicken Liver, Chicken Bone (Ground), Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Mixed Berries, Coconut Oil, Parsley
• True Turkey
  • Whole Turkey (Ground), Chicken Liver, Turkey Bone (Ground), Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Mixed Berries, Coconut Oil, Parsley
• True Beef
  • Beef (Ground), Beef Bone Meal, Beef Liver, Butternut Squash, Green Beans, Mixed Berries, Coconut Oil, Parsley
• True Salmon & Chicken
  • Chicken (Ground), Salmon, Chicken Bone (Ground), Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Mixed Berries, Coconut Oil, Parsley
• True Lamb
  • Lamb (Ground), Lamb Bone Meal, Lamb Liver, Butternut Squash, Green Beans, Mixed Berries, Coconut Oil, Parsley

Overall NutriCanine has 9 recipes for you to choose from. I typically only go for the gently cooked. But for those wanting a freshly prepared raw alternative, look no further. 

Preparation and Packaging

Meals are portioned in vacuum sealed packs and shipped to your door in a recyclable box with insulation. Prior to Covid-19, the company operated a Toronto only recycling program where your boxes, insulation and ice packs would be reused for another order. Hopefully that can begin again in time! 

Pricing and Delivery

Unlike Kabo, NutriCanine calculates and ships full meals. No custom portions which take into consideration other food sources, are available. 

I priced out the cost for Lilly to eat a 100% diet. At $7.57 per day that’s $227 per month. Their delivery options are flexible if you have too much or too little. 

Shipping is free within Ontario, but fees apply to the rest of Canada. For example, to have your dog food delivered to Calgary, the extra cost per shipment would be $95. Your orders will be sent every two weeks to ensure you don’t run out of food. You can easily adjust timings in your account page, email or over the phone.

Experts

After thorough research, we found that NutriCanine uses a dog food formulation expert to develop their recipes, which we found a bit vague. In this instance, no expert is named or identified personally, leaving more questions than answers about what areas of expertise NutriCanine relied on to create their meals. It’s surprising that NutriCanine has no on-staff vet or vet-techs, especially considering they also serve raw meals.

Support

Telephone and email product support is available, but with no information on who staffs the support lines. Though you’re likely to receive great product information, NutriCanine may not be able to give expert advice about your dog specifically, without on-staff vets or vet-techs.  

Our Verdict

I love the idea of being able to source both cooked and raw foods from a single supplier, but I wish three were options for portions when checking out on their website. For a topper potion, you’ll have to call in once you make your initial order to adjust the order timing. 

There are enough recipe options to suit most dogs although they don’t identify which recipes are good for allergies or upset stomachs. 

Finally, after learning all about NutriCanine I have to wonder about vitamin and mineral supplements that are added to their meals to ensure total nutrition. According to their full ingredient lists, these vitamins/minerals are not included. 

What are people saying about it?

The most recent google reviews for NutriCanine are positive, with customers remarking:

“My pup absolutely loves his gently cooked food like no other! And the customer service "

This client chose to order the sampler box and found meal prep a breeze:

“Our dog Nala loved her sample box from Nutricanine! We loved the variety and it was awesome how each portion was individually packaged making it very easy to meal prep. We highly highly recommend their food”

Another was appreciative of the pre-portioned packs and portions:

“The food and portions were great for our pup Socks. He really loved it and ate every last drop. The meals look really nice and I was really happy they were individually packaged” 

Any negatives?

I’d like to see more information relating to the vitamins and minerals that are included in each meal, and for there to be an option when signing up for smaller portion sizes vs. the standard size. 

Paying for shipping outside of Ontario could be a big added expense that makes this dog food subscription much less competitive.

In conclusion

By feeding your dog healthy food made with fresh local ingredients sounds like a no-brainer. We think this is a great alternative to preparing your dog’s own meals, especially for raw meals as they are one of the few companies in Canada that produce raw foods.

Check out NutriCanine

Second Best Priced Option : #4 Cola’s Kitchen

Cola’s Kitchen is another Ontario centric dog food delivery favourite, with its kitchens in Toronto. Serving up freshly cooked dog foods to clients on a subscription basis to clients located in Ontario. 

Their recipe formulations were created by Dr. Farshad Goodarzi Boroojeni. Farshad is an animal nutritionist with two PhDs in Animal Nutrition and Poultry Science. Cola’s Kitchen uses a proprietary AI system to calculate the nutrients and calories required by your dog.

Main Points

• Individualized meals
  • Meals are shipped in vacuum sealed packages, frozen for freshness. The AI program determines the quantity of ingredients in each package. One pack usually lasts one day, depending on your dog of course!
• No added nutrients
  • The idea behind Cola’s Kitchen’s formulations is that no added vitamins or minerals are added and that the ingredients themselves will provide all of the necessary nutrients your dog needs. 
• Limited to 3 recipes
  • Unlike the other brands we have reviewed, Cola’s Kitchen features the fewest menu options. For a picky eater or a dog with allergies, finding the right variety may be difficult. 

Recipes

• Hearty Beef 
  • Grass-Fed Ground Beef, Grass-Fed Beef Liver, Free Run Egg, Beef Tallow, Canola Oil, Sweet Potato, Kale, Carrot, Green Bean, Blueberry, Ground Almond, Calcium and Phosphorus Minerals, Sea Salt.
• Juicy Chicken
  • Chicken Breast, Chicken Liver, Free Run Egg, Sweet Potato, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Brown Rice, Spinach, Beetroot, Green Pea, Apple, Ground Peanut, Calcium and Phosphorus Minerals, Sea Salt.
• Tasty Salmon
  • Atlantic Salmon, Grass-Fed Beef Liver, Duck Fat, Sunflower Oil, Free Run Egg, Organic Quinoa, Russet Potato, Lettuce, Green Lentil, Carrot, Blackberry, Ground Hazelnut, Calcium and Phosphorus Minerals, Sea Salt.

While we can appreciate the benefits of fresh ingredients, there are no options for dogs with egg allergies as all of the recipes contain eggs. 

Preparation and Packaging

Similar to other delivery services, Cola’s Kitchen uses recyclable materials for packaging. Food is prepared from scratch in their own commercial kitchen located in Toronto. 

"Packaging is completely recyclable which is great for the environment."

Price and Delivery

Pricing for Lilly (18 lb dachshund) is approximately $198.82 per month, which is the second lowest priced option in our comparison. They also offer half portion plans in their online calculator, but not a 25% or topper plan. Delivery is available in Ontario only, but is free. So if you are looking for dog food delivery in Calgary, you’re out of luck with Cola’s Kitchen.

Experts

Cola’s Kitchen does not have any on-staff veterinarians, or other animal health experts. As mentioned earlier, the menu choices at Cola’s kitchen have been developed with the help of a contracted animal nutritionist Dr. Boroojeni, from Germany. Dr. Boroojeni, who specializes in poultry nutrition, is currently a research associate at the Free University Berlin, leaving doubt that he has time to answer your questions on animal nutrition directly. 

Support

Customer support from Cola’s Kitchen is accessible through email and by phone only. At time of writing there was no evidence of accredited animal health experts (vets, vet-techs, nutritionists) providing support for customers. When compared to others, Cola’s Kitchen would leave a gap in your dog support network.

Our Verdict

If you live in Ontario and your dog does not have any allergies to the ingredients, we think this is an interesting option. With only three recipes, finding the right one from this company may be tricky if you have a picky eating dog.

What people are saying about it

At this time there is only 1 5-star review on their facebook page. Other sources for reviews could not be found at time of writing. We’ll certainly keep our eyes peeled for reviews from this promising brand.

Any Negatives?

We went through the sign-up process a few times and found no meals that would accommodate Lilly’s allergies. While not a problem for many, we could not risk trialing the food with her.

Shipping within Ontario only leaves the rest of Canada out in the cold. Other options are available with free or paid shipping. 

In conclusion

We’ve found Cola’s Kitchen to be a respectable choice for unfussy, non-allergic dogs across Ontario. We wish there were more varieties available to try since they have done their homework with respect to balanced menus. 

Once they have an egg allergy friendly option, we’ll be happy to try!

Check out Cola’s Kitchen

Holistic Approach : #5 Puppy Gang 

Puppy Gang started in 2018 with the idea of helping one of the co-founders’ dogs, Kalinda, return to health. Based in Toronto the co-founders enlisted the help of a holistic veterinarian from France to develop their meals.

"A relatively new player, this brand aims to improve the health of dogs through whole food nutrition. "

They currently have 4 freshly cooked recipes for your pup to try. Their meals are made with a blend of ingredients to ensure a balanced nutritious meals. 

Customers pick their meals from their website and are available in a recurring subscription, or you can purchase boxes individually. A minimum order of 14, 464g packs is the standard for Puppy Gang Fresh Food. 

Delivery is only within Ontario, with the Greater Toronto Area being their home-base.

Main Points

• No Custom Options 
  • Portions are not customized to your individual dog, but there is a calculator on their website that indicates how much you should be feeding your dog based on weight alone. This could easily lead to over/under feeding. Other providers, like Kabo and NutriCanine, take into account age, sex, fitness level and more to determine the exact calories and nutrients needed for your dog. 
• Ingredients
  • All of the ingredients in Puppy Gang fresh food are recognizable and designed for your pups nutritional needs. Unlike other brands, Puppy Gang’s ingredients are not identified on their website as human-grade. 
• Ordering Options
  • For those wanting a dog food subscription service, Puppy Gang offers weekly deliveries in Ontario only. You set-up and adjust your delivery cycle within your account on the Puppy Gang website. 

Recipes

• Fisherman’s Catch
  • Salmon, Eggs, Peas, Spinach, Green Lentils, Organic Turmeric, Organic Kelp Powder, Ginger
• Zesty Rosemary Chicken
  • Chicken, Chicken Liver, Eggs, Cabbage, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Peas, Apples, Rosemary, Ground Eggshell (calcium carbonate), Organic Turmeric, Ginger, Organic Kelp Powder, Flax seeds
• Thanksgiving Turkey
  • Turkey, Turkey Liver, Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Kale, Pears, Ground Eggshell (calcium carbonate), Sage, Organic Kelp Powder, Flax Seeds
• Beef Lovers
  • Beef, Beef Liver, Eggs, Broccoli, Carrots, Kale, Parsley, Ground Eggshell (calcium carbonate), Organic Turmeric, Ginger, Organic Kelp Powder, Flax Seeds

Preparation and Packaging

Like Tom & Sawyer, Puppy Gang packs its meals in vacuum sealed pouches, each weighing about a pound or 464g. Not much info is provided on where they make their foods or if they use human-grade ingredients.

Meals are not pre-portioned for your dog meaning over/under feeding is a greater risk.

Price and Delivery

Puppy Gang Fresh foods does not have a calculator for just a topper or 25% of a meal. A full month of a 100% diet of Puppy Gang Fresh Food for Lilly costs $243.51. With some quick math, the cost for Lilly to eat just a fresh food topper for a month would cost at least $60. That said delivery is free within Ontario which helps keep costs down. 

Experts

Their foods have been created through consultations with a holistic nutritionist located in France. This particular nutritionist runs her own consulting business, answering questions for concerned pet parents or horse owners in France and beyond. Costs for her services, which would be independent of Puppy Gang Fresh Food, are not listed. At time of writing, Puppy Gang does not employ any vet-techs or veterinarians, but relies solely on their holistic nutritionist for formulations.  

Support

Although you can reach them by webform or email, Puppy Gang Fresh Foods does not offer the same level of expert service Kabo does- such as on-staff vet-techs, a vet and a companion animal nutritionist. Coupled with the fact that Puppy Gang does not offer any refunds or a product guarantee, it appears they somewhat skimp on after-service. 

What are people saying about it?

This particular customer loves the meals and service from Puppy Gang Fresh Foods:

”Samson is absolutely thrilled with Puppy Gang Fresh Foods! He is so excited for his meals! My only suggestion would be to chop or crush the peas. Thanks so much for your amazing meals and phenomenal service!”

One customer remarked on the extra energy their dog has for playtime:

“Since my dog started eating Puppy Gang Fresh Foods it has extra energy to run and jump and have fun!”

Like myself, this client is using Puppy Gang Fresh Foods as a topper to mix in with their current dog food brand:

“I have 2 chihuahuas. Both 10-1/2 years old. I want to ensure they get good quality food. When I learned about Puppy Gang Fresh Foods I thought I'd give them a try. The girls love the taste. I love the ingredients. We haven't fully transitioned -- we use a mix of our old food and Puppy Gang. So far everything is working out great. Thanks Puppy Gang.”

Our Verdict

Puppy Gang Fresh Food is a good option for Ontario pup parents looking for an all natural diet that does not contain any added nutrients. They claim their ingredients alone are enough to support your dog nutritionally. 

Prices are slightly less than others, but I think there might be a trade off in ingredient quality for price, given other brands take their foods from the human supply chains. 

Any Negatives?

I’d like to see more transparency on their website with respect to where they source their ingredients and where their foods are produced. 

While I respect the fact that they used a veterinarian to formulate their meals, it should be noted that they are using a holistic vet outside of Canada to provide this guidance. But, if you’re looking for a natural approach this may be the food for you.

If you’re looking for dog food delivery in Calgary, Vancouver or anywhere outside of Ontario, you’re out of luck with Puppy Gang Fresh Foods.

Check out Puppy Gang Fresh Foods

In conclusion

Things To Consider When Picking A Dog Food Delivery Brand

Ingredients – If you’re going to invest in a dog food delivery service, you want to know that they’re only utilizing the best ingredients (ideally all Canadian, human-grade) to give your dog a well-balanced and nutritious diet.

Recipe Variety – If you have a picky dog, you’ll want to have a variety of recipes to keep your pups engaged. It can assist in keeping finicky dogs stimulated throughout meals to ensure proper nutrition. 

Packaging and Preparation – You want to provide your dog natural food without harming the environment. We appreciate it when businesses prepare and package their products responsibly and use fully recyclable materials. Custom portioning makes mealtimes simple while not over/under-feeding. 

Ordering Experience – If you’re moving towards online shopping and home delivery for your dog food, make sure you can understand your account and what options are available to you. Both Cola’s Kitchen and Kabo had the most user-friendly interface. 

Price – Just because you are prepared to pay a premium price for your dog’s meals does not mean it’s open season on your wallet. Value for your money is highly important in this category. Factor in such things as free shipping, and the type of service you receive after your purchase and what experts are available to you and your pup.

Delivery schedule – Pup parents are busy. Between work, family duties and life balance you’ll need a flexible delivery schedule. It’s key that these dog food brands offer fully flexible delivery options. 

Experts on Staff – Having expert advice at your fingertips from the folks that make and deliver your dog’s food is so important and often overlooked. If you decide to invest in wholesome, nutritious fresh cooked meals for your dog, be sure to look for added benefits of on-staff experts like veterinarians, animal nutritionists and veterinary technicians.  

Service – If you live outside of Ontario, be sure to look for free shipping on your dog food deliveries as this can help you save a bundle. But when it comes to aftercare, be cautious about ambiguous titles and what constitutes expert advice. Selling a dog food delivery service is much different than providing great post purchase expert care. 

Our Final Thoughts

We’ve reached the end of our feature on the best dog food delivery service in Canada at this moment.

We’re big fans of Kabo, who provide custom meals for your dog using fresh, healthy, human-grade, Canadian ingredients. Their meals are pre portioned so there’s little fuss at mealtime. Free delivery and amazing member support from their in-house vet, companion animal nutritionist, and vet-techs. Kabo’s service could be a paid stand-alone product, but it’s free to all members. 

For Canadian dog owners who are accustomed to feeding raw food to their dog, you may prefer to give NutriCanine has you covered. They only use human-grade ingredients and their food is tested for foodborne pathogens.

If your dog likes the crunch texture of kibbles, Kabo is the only supplier on the list. Their Fresh Kibble is made weekly and can be purchased as a one-off or as part of a subscription. 

If you are looking for maximum variety, look no further than Tom & Sawyers. Their product has a premium price, but their ingredients are human-grade. Shipping your dog’s food to Alberta and beyond can be pricey.  

Finally, Puppy Gang Fresh Foods are another option if you’re looking to feed your dog holistic,  home-cooked meals. They offer a limited range of recipes and currently ship their dog food to Ontario only.We definitely think that Kabo stands out as the top dog food delivery service, but we also think their service also stands alone in the dog food industry in Canada by offering open access to the professionals that created Kabo fresh dog food.