Just Food for Dogs Review: The Truth About Their Open Kitchens

JustFoodForDogs legitimacy and licensing

Yes. JustFoodForDogs has been in business since 2010, cooks in its own kitchens (12 open to the public plus one in Irvine, California), and sells through Amazon, Chewy, Petco, PetSmart, Tractor Supply and grocery chains. Private equity firm L Catterton led a $68 million investment in 2019, according to the Orange County Business Journal.

Its daily dog recipes are formulated to AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, and the company says all daily diets passed AAFCO protocol feeding trials at Cal Poly Pomona. Its nutrition team includes a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and a board-certified veterinary toxicologist. The weak spot is customer service: the BBB gives it an F, and the few Trustpilot reviews are mostly negative.

How much JustFoodForDogs costs

Fresh frozen boxes run from $153.99 (fourteen 18 oz packs of Chicken & Rice) to $447.99 (twenty-eight packs of Venison & Squash). Chicken & Rice has 774 calories per pack, so at list price you pay about $1.42 per 100 calories. A dog that eats 400 calories a day would cost about $5.70 a day; one that eats 1,000 calories about $14.20. Pricier proteins cost more.

First Subscribe & Save orders get 50% off (up to $139) and free shipping, then 5% off. Shipping is free over $49, otherwise $19.99. Local same-day delivery near a kitchen is $9.99 where available. Custom diets need a $500 formulation fee, and JustFoodForDogs estimates $600 to $900 or more for four weeks for a 30 lb dog.

What JustFoodForDogs sells

Fresh Frozen: six daily recipes, including Chicken & Rice and Fish & Sweet Potato, which are approved for all life stages including large breed puppies. Pantry Fresh and JustFresh: shelf-stable versions that keep up to two years unopened. Vet Support: diets such as Renal Support Low Protein and Hepatic Support Low Fat, meant to be fed under veterinary supervision; check with your vet first. Custom diets: recipes formulated after the team reviews your dog’s medical records. DIY Nutrient Blends: supplement packs with recipes so you can cook at home.

JustFoodForDogs recall history

The FDA lists one JustFoodForDogs recall. In January 2018, the company voluntarily recalled Beef & Russet Potato, Fish & Sweet Potato and Turducken meals in all sizes because green beans from a supplier might have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was completed and terminated. A customer had reported vomiting and diarrhea in her dogs before the recall, according to Petful’s recall record.

You can check for new recalls on the FDA’s pet food recall page. If your dog gets sick after eating any food, stop feeding it, call your vet, and keep the packaging and lot code.

Subscriptions, cancellation and refunds

Subscribe & Save has no minimum commitment. Orders process every Friday, and changes or skips must be made by 11 a.m. Pacific on Thursday that week, in your account’s Subscriptions tab. Customer service is at (866) 726-9509, Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific.

The Clean Bowl Guarantee refunds your first direct purchase in full within 30 days, once per person, minus shipping. After that, perishable food can’t be returned. Items bought from a reseller go back to that store under its policy, and custom diets aren’t refundable once formulation starts (except in limited cases within 30 days of your consult). If food arrives thawed, bags that are still partly frozen are safe to refreeze; contact support about bags that aren’t.

JustFoodForDogs complaints and how to avoid them

The main complaint pattern on Trustpilot and the BBB is billing: subscription orders that keep coming after customers say they canceled. Others report slow replies, stomach upset after switching and recipe changes. The review counts are small, so weigh them along with your own experience.

To avoid problems: cancel or skip in your account before Thursday’s cutoff and save a screenshot, check your next order date after any change, and switch foods gradually over about a week. Check your card statement for separate frozen and dry goods charges.

Who should pick something else

If you have a large dog and a firm food budget, JustFoodForDogs can cost several hundred dollars a month. It’s also a hassle without freezer room: a large box holds twenty-eight 18 oz packs. Dogs with medical conditions should only go on a vet support diet with their veterinarian’s approval, and any diet change for a sick dog belongs in a vet conversation first.