Ditch the fridge with these nutritious, filler-free, baked dog foods. Our Top Picks will leave you feeling good about the quality of food you’re feeding your pup, without the hassle of planning ahead.
The Daily Dog is reader-supported. This page contains affiliate links; read more here.
Ditch the fridge with these nutritious, filler-free, baked dog foods. Our Top Picks will leave you feeling good about the quality of food you’re feeding your pup, without the hassle of planning ahead.
The Daily Dog is reader-supported. This page contains affiliate links; read more here.
Ollie Baked Dog Food
  |  |  |  | |
Intro Offer | 60% Off + GWP | 20% Off | 20% Off | 20% Off |
Reviews | ||||
Recipes |
|
|
|
|
Meal Variety | Fresh and mixed meal plans also available | Fresh plans available |  | |
Purchase without subscription? | | |  | |
TeleHealth Offering? | | | | |
Available in stores? | | | Chewy | |
Pricing Structures | $$$ | $$$$ | $ | $$ |
Customer Service | 7 days a week | 7 days a week | Weekdays only | Weekdays only |
Freebies | Personalized scoop & bowl | Personalized scoop | | |
Giving Back |
| Eco-friendly packaging | Give Bark Program (1% of daily sales to partner rescue orgs) | Sharing Sundays Program (refund 50% of purchase price if donated to local shelter) |
Information as of 6/30/22
The Daily Dog does not provide veterinary advice. All information is general in nature and for informational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian.
Good nutrition is essential for your dog to lead a long, healthy, and happy life, but many fresh or raw diets are messy and difficult to store. Baked dog food can ensure your pup has a nutritious diet without their meals needing refrigeration. While baked dog food can be fed with a fresh product, by itself it is easier to pack and prevents a drastic diet change when you travel with your dog. The dog food industry is now producing more baked foods, and all the choices may be confusing. Our buyer’s guide will help you find the best baked dog food for your hungry four-legged friend.
Most canine kibble sold by pet stores is extruded because the process efficiently produces nutritious, shelf-stable food in large quantities. The process includes the following steps:
Oven baking is a slower process because the food is typically cooked in small batches at lower temperatures. However, oven baking preserves almost 100% of nutrients, while significant nutrient loss occurs when food is extruded. Also, the low temperatures used in oven cooking retain the protein source’s flavor, whereas extruded food loses flavor because of the high temperatures. This means oven-baked foods are healthier and tastier for your pup’s discerning palate and can also be easier to digest, making your pup’s poops less offensive.
So, you’ve decided to make the switch, but how do you know which product will provide the best nutrition and tastiness to your dog? You should consider several factors when selecting an appropriate baked dog food—but don’t worry, we explain the pertinent criteria to simplify the process.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulates pet food sales and distribution. It provides recommendations for quantities and ratios of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for a pet’s life stage. Ensure you choose a food formulated to meet their guidelines by checking that one of the following phrases is included on the label:
Some dog food companies employ one or more canine nutritionists, while others have their recipes crafted by canine nutritionists. These experts are knowledgeable in formulating nutritionally balanced diets for dogs. Companies that use a canine nutritionist’s expertise produce better food to meet your precious pup’s dietary requirements.
Dogs rely on proteins for energy. A high-quality baked dog food will list a whole protein, such as beef, chicken, or lamb, as the first ingredient, which should come from a reputable source with no added hormones or antibiotics.
Contrary to the grain-free foods hype, grains are not bad for dogs. Most dogs can easily digest cooked grains, which can be an essential source of calories, vitamins, and minerals. Whole grains are better than processed grains, so look for baked dog foods that contain the entire grain head instead of enriched grains, which tend to be fiber-deficient and contain only the calorie-dense seed core. Also, recent reports suggest a link between grain-free foods and certain heart conditions in dogs.
Avoid foods that contain excess chemical preservatives and fillers, including the following specific ingredients:
Food containing a variety of nutritious ingredients is a bonus for your pup’s health. Fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are rich in antioxidants to help prevent cell oxidation and support immune function. Omega-3 fatty acid sources, such as salmon, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil are needed to reduce inflammation and promote coat and skin health.
Every dog is an individual, and you cannot know if a baked dog food will work for your pup based on any report. Your dog will show you by how much they like it and how they perform on the diet. You want a food that your pup is enthusiastic about eating, and a diet that makes them energetic.
Before changing your dog’s diet, consult with your veterinarian to ensure the new food will meet your pup’s individual health needs. Chat with them about the amount to feed your pup, too, since that’s essential in maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your pup around for as long as possible.
If you are considering a baked dog food, this information should help you find the baked dog food that will best tempt your pup’s appetite.
Looking for articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice? Check out the Blog at TheDailyDog.com.
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY:
Jenny Alonge, DVM
Jenny Alonge received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Mississippi State University in 2002. She then went to Louisiana State University, where she completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery. After her internship, she joined an equine ambulatory service in northern Virginia, where she practiced for almost 17 years. Now Jenny is a veterinary copywriter and has two unruly kittens, Olive and Pops.
Most canine kibble sold by pet stores is extruded because the process efficiently produces nutritious, shelf-stable food in large quantities. The process includes the following steps:
The Daily Dog is brought to you by Ollie. We synthesize content from pet experts around the world, so you have the necessary information to give your dog the longest and healthiest life possible.
