TruDog Dog Food Review: Premium Raw Diet for Optimal Canine Health

Pet food companies have often used cheap ingredients to help hold down the cost of food, but at what real price? The founder of TruDog was shocked to discover the types of dangerous ingredients that go into many commercial dog foods, so she started TruDog.

It’s one of the first dog foods dedicated to anti-aging in dogs. It’s designed to prolong not just life but health and well-being. Let’s find out if it’s worth the hype and if it could truly give you more time with your special dog.

Read on for our unbiased, comprehensive TruDog Dog Food Review.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: TruPet LLC
• Founded in: 2013
• Made in: USA
• Available at:  Chewy, Amazon
• Types of Food: Freeze-dried raw, dehydrated raw
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : Yes

Behind the Brand

Lori R. Taylor had a beloved Great Dane named Truman who suddenly developed cancer at the age of seven and didn’t survive. Lori was baffled by the amount of known carcinogens found in typical dog foods, believing that feeding her beloved Truman a healthier diet free of these ingredients might have given her a bit more time.

She set out to formulate a dog food that could be as healthy as possible, allowing dogs to build their health and wellness throughout their lives. The result was TruDog, the first anti-aging food designed to slow the effects of a dog’s rapid aging without adding to the decline by using subpar and frankly dangerous ingredients.

She created a line of raw foods that use only the best ingredients and are freeze-dried or dehydrated to make them more convenient to store and serve. The foods are made in the USA following strict standards and use human grade ingredients.

The company believes that using the same standards for pet food as human food can help pets live healthier and lessen the effects of aging from a lifetime of processed, cheap meals.

TruDog Dog Food Review

 

1. Meal Bites Beef Recipe

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Beef
• Beef Heart
• Beef Liver
• Beef Lung
• Beef Kidney

This meaty recipe contains rich beef and organs to provide dogs with a densely nutritious meal that gives them energy all day long.

The recipe follows a raw carnivore diet, which includes body parts dogs would likely eat in the wild, such as the stomach lining to provide essential fatty acids, and stomach acid to ease digestion.

This grain-free, meat-only dog food contains no cheap fillers, artificial flavors, fruits, or vegetables, ensuring a pure protein source.

Beef provides high protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc, supporting muscle growth, bone health and immunity.

Beef liver adds vital nutrients, including Vitamins A, D, and B, while ground beef bone supplies calcium and phosphorus. Herring oil enhances skin, coat health, and energy levels.

Though pricey, it may reduce vet visits due to its high-quality ingredients. Storage is easy, and over 90% of reviewers highly recommend it, with many dogs loving the taste.

But there were also some that only tried it once and had to shift to another brand due to budget constraints. They found the product too expensive.

To sum it all up, it’s probably one of the best foods you could give your dog without taking the time to source ingredients and make it yourself. Taste, quality, and nutrient content are all outstanding, except for the price.

2. Meal Bites Turkey Recipe  

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Turkey
• Turkey Heart
• Turkey Liver
• Herring Oil
• Mixed Tocopherols

This is when healthy meets delicious. It is a great meal with real raw meat and packed with essential nutrients for all canines.

This recipe is equally savory as it is nourishing and made with real, nutrient-rich ingredients like quality cuts of turkey (plus organs), and herring oil to aid digestion. And since it is freeze-dried, all the nutrients are locked in. 

It’s all-natural and hypoallergenic and easy to digest, making it a great choice for dogs with sensitive bellies but are about to begin a raw diet. It does not contain any fillers or by-products.

The main ingredient, ground turkey with bone, provides high protein, riboflavin for energy production and phosphorus for kidney and heart health.

Turkey heart and liver add essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, B-complex, iron, zinc, and selenium. Herring oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids for heart, skin, coat, joint health and cancer prevention.

This gourmet gobbler is free from wheat, gluten, corn, soy, grains, antibiotics, artificial additives, added sugar, salt and hormones. It supports healthy teeth, gums, digestion, weight maintenance and immunity.

Mixed tocopherols act as a natural preservative. With 46% protein, it helps build lean muscle. Though expensive, it’s well-received, with over 70% of buyers giving it 5 stars.

Some noted issues with bowel movements and price, but overall, it’s a high-quality option, especially for dogs allergic to beef or chicken.

3. Beef Protein Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Topper

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Beef
• Beef Liver
• Beef Lung
• Beef Kidney
• Beef Heart

This is a remarkable booster to your dog's meal. This mix is made to enhance the flavor of the dog meal, thus the label enhancer. It is made with raw beef and herring oil that are exclusively sourced and packed in the USA to form a highly nutritious and tasty meal booster. 

This is a great product to entice dogs that are very picky or difficult to feed. It is also effective when transitioning the dog to a raw diet. It can be served to dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Just sprinkle at least two tablespoons of the product over every 1 cup of the dog's meal for that flavor-packed and nutrient-rich complement to the food. It can be applied to both dried and wet dog foods.

This freeze-dried beef-based food enhancer is rich in high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and vital nutrients like iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins.

Beef lung provides lean protein, iron, and folate, while beef liver adds Vitamins A, D, and B-complex for immune, digestive, and nerve health. Beef tripe offers probiotics and enzymes to support digestion.

With 49% crude protein and 24% crude fat, it’s a nutritious meal booster. Free from grains, artificial additives and hormones, it’s highly rated, with over 80% of reviews praising its appeal to picky eaters.

However, its high price and small package size are common concerns, with a few reports of digestive issues. Overall, it's an excellent supplement for enhancing taste and nutrition, especially for finicky dogs.

4. 100% Chicken Breast Raw Freeze-Dried Treats

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Only Ingredient:

• 100% Whole Chicken

The brand also presents high-quality raw freeze-dried dog treats that are prime choices especially for dogs on a raw diet. This raw chicken breast treats are surely a great treat for your furry loves.

This premium dog treat is made from 100% chicken breast that helps build and repair muscles, supports healthy skin and coat, and provides essential amino acids for overall well-being.

It is also rich in B vitamins, particularly B6 and B12, which aid in energy production, brain function, and red blood cell formation. Additionally, chicken breast contains phosphorus and selenium, which promote strong bones, a healthy metabolism and immune system support.

With 75% protein and 9% fat, it serves as a nutritious treat but not a meal replacement. While highly rated, with 72% of reviewers giving it 5 stars, some found it too crumbly or questioned its ingredients. Its high price makes it a premium choice, but more affordable alternatives exist.

5. Chicken Hearts Raw Treats

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Only Ingredient:

• Chicken hearts

Freeze-dried ground raw chicken hearts keep the essential nutrients valuable to the dog's health. This product is great for introducing a raw diet, especially when you intend to go for chicken as the main meal.

This savory treat is free of wheat, gluten, corn, soy, grain, antibiotics, artificial flavors, artificial coloring, added sugar, salt and hormones.

Chicken heart is the only ingredient in this treat. t is a great protein source alternative to dogs with food sensitivities to beef.

Plentiful in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorus, it offers many health benefits to dogs. Riboflavin is beneficial to canines as it is responsible for fats and carbohydrates producing energy. 

Phosphorus supports healthy kidneys by helping to get rid of toxins through urination. It also helps improve motor functions and control heart rate. The ground turkey bones are added for the much-needed calcium that toughens teeth and bones.

Chicken hearts are filled with healthy vitamins and minerals like lean protein, vitamins, and minerals. It contains thiamine, manganese, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, Vitamin B6, folate, Vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, iron, zinc, copper and selenium. 

This freeze-dried, raw treats provides 65% protein and 5% fat. It is only recommended as a treat or reward, and not as a substitute for complete meals.

Close to 90% of reviews gave this product the high mark. Many speak highly of its quality and flavor, with just a few exceptions. 

What Types of Dog Foods Do they offer?

TruDog offers a bridge between the convenience of kibble and the health benefits of raw meals. The raw foods are freeze-dried or dehydrated, preserving the natural nutritional value while making them more convenient to store and serve.

TruDog raw food dog meals only contain USDA-certified beef, humanely- sourced beef, poultry, and wild game, and sustainably produced fish. All recipes use 99% vital organs and meaty bone.

These products are relatively high in protein, which is vital to the dog's health. But a high-protein diet is not recommended for dogs with kidney problems and other health issues. Best to consult your veterinarian first. 

Raw food has many benefits that can improve your dog's health and overall well-being. It can help minimize itching and scratching due to food allergies, and promote healthy digestion, immune system, and normal weight. The natural enzymes and ground bone likewise boost oral and gum health. 

Freeze drying is done to preserve the nutritional properties of fresh food through a special process that removes the water content. 

Moreover, TruDog dog meals are packed in a resealable bag that stores easily anywhere. It is also very convenient on the go without any refrigeration necessary, thus the catchy phrase “Raw without the Thaw.” No need for defrosting, cooking, and tedious preparation. 

The freeze-dried and dehydrated foods must be reconstituted following the directions on the bag. They’re easy to store and even more convenient to travel with. They aren’t specified for any particular life stage or breed size, so check with your vet before using this food for puppies, especially large breed ones.

The recipes use no cheap fillers like corn or soy that can cause allergic responses in dogs. They are free of artificial flavors and colors and do not use any meat meals or by-products that are not fit for human consumption. Each ingredient is designed to pack a powerful nutritional punch, giving your dog the best possible chance at a long life.

Here is a list of TruDog’s complete dog food recipes:

Feed Me Recipes

• Beef Bonanza
• Gourmet Gobbler
• Truducken
• Whitefish

RawGo! Recipes

• Chicken and Rosemary
• Beef and Carrots
• Lamb and Cranberry

Treat Me Recipes

• Beef Delight
• Gobbler Crunch Delight
• Savory Salmon Delight

Recall History

The company issued a recall in April 2018 for a single lot of dog meal boosters due to potential salmonella contamination. In February 2018, a single lot of dog treats were also recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. 

At this time, no dog food or complete meals from the brand has ever been recalled.

 

Customer Reviews

Customers love the results of switching to TruDog. It has some faithful fans and regularly gets rave reviews both from users and from trusted reviewers dedicated to providing the best sources of information for their readers.

The recipes have over four and a half out of five stars on most online retailers for almost all the recipes. The food is doing something right.

What Customers Like and Dislike about TruDog?

Customers like that the food is free of all artificial ingredients and uses none of the usual offenders in cheap dog foods. There are no cheap fillers such as corn or soy, no meat meals or by-products, and no complicated recipes with names customers couldn’t recognize. The meals are suitable for solo feeding or to spice up boring kibble.

Most dog owners had no trouble getting dogs to eat the food. It’s convenient to prepare and store, and most dogs showed signs of improved digestion, fewer allergic responses, and less itchy skin. Although there was no way to tell if the food truly does help a dog live longer, most also saw improvements in their senior dog’s quality of life.

Some noticed temporary digestion issues and gas as dogs adjusted to the food. To help alleviate this issue, make sure to transition your dog’s slowly to the new food by mixing a little more in their old food every day until you completely switched over. Most dogs’ digestion settled down soon enough.

Positive

• “This stuff is so delicious, according to my very picky eater doggie, that he will walk up to his food bowl and eat it all without leaving as he usually does. He will go outside then and come back in for a little more. He's 13 years old and this is the first dog food that has turned him on like this.” Cookie, chewy.com

Negative

• “My dog was unimpressed. I tried feeding it to him as a topper to his grain free kibble but after a couple of bites he walked away. Tried giving it to him for several days but finally gave up – so I still have about $22.00 worth of food to give away. Our Giant Schnauzer isn’t food driven and this food didn’t excite him.” JeanB, chewy.com

Parting Words

TruDog stands out as a high-quality option for pet owners seeking a raw, freeze-dried diet that prioritizes natural ingredients and nutrition.

The brand's focus on using real, human-grade meats without fillers, grains, or artificial additives makes it a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

The freeze-drying process preserves the nutrients of raw food while offering the convenience of a dry format, making it easy to store and serve.

However, its higher price point may not be accessible for all pet owners, and some dogs may take time to adjust to the texture or taste. Overall, it offers a nutrient-dense, premium product that can benefit dogs' health, especially those with high energy levels or special dietary needs.