JustFoodForDogs vs. Ollie 2024: Which Fresh Is Best?

JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) and Ollie are two leading fresh food dog brands, and they both have their strengths and differences. The rise in demand for wholesome pet nutrition can leave you not knowing what to choose for your furry friend. Many pet owners, just like you, grapple with this choice, hoping to optimize their dog's health with every meal.

I've analyzed both brands. Drawing from their unique selling points and the overall experience they provide, I've delved deep into their offerings to bring clarity to your decision-making process. By focusing on the key elements that matter most to pet parents, I've drawn some interesting conclusions.

Ollie stands out as the superior choice. One of its biggest advantages is the pre-portioned meals it offers. Not only does this make feeding hassle-free, but these meals are also tailored to your pup's unique profile, ensuring optimal nutrition with every serving.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Ingredient Quality: Ollie Offers Fresh and Dried Options

Ollie takes the lead in the ingredient quality category. With fresh and dried meal types formulated by veterinary nutritionists, it offers a range that suits various pet parents. It’s also great that those on a budget can take advantage of Ollie’s nutritious recipes, as you can opt for different plans.

JFFD presents options like Fresh Frozen, PantryFresh, and DIY nutrient blends. However, Ollie’s adaptability with fresh and dried formats gives it an edge.

Both brands maintain high standards by using human-grade ingredients in USDA kitchens. A unique aspect of JFFD is the opportunity for you to see its kitchens and the meal preparation process.

Both companies prioritize clean recipes. Ollie’s meals don’t include fillers, artificial flavors, animal by-products, or preservatives. Ollie sources chicken and beef from the US and lamb from free-range farms.

Similarly, JFFD crafts its meals with whole food ingredients without any preservatives. This commitment from both brands ensures that you’re serving your pup meals that are pure, nutritious, and wholesome.

Superfoods make a significant appearance in Ollie’s recipes. It infuses its meals with superfoods like kale, blueberries, and salmon oil. For instance, the fresh Turkey recipe from Ollie boasts antioxidant-rich blueberries and carrots to improve eye health.

On the other hand, JFFD incorporates ingredients such as cranberries, spinach, and cod liver oil. Take its Chicken & White Rice Fresh Frozen recipe: the inclusion of spinach helps boost your pup’s immune health.

Meals and Customization: Each Service Has Its Own Strengths

When it comes to customization and meal variety, both Ollie and JFFD have strengths. Ollie stands out for its tailored approach, focusing on individual dog preferences, while JFFD provides a broader range of recipes.

Both companies use questionnaires to gather information about your pet. These tools help assess your dog's needs. Ollie's questionnaire dives deeper into specific preferences, especially when considering allergens, which can be crucial for dogs with sensitivities.

JFFD's approach seems more centered around determining the right food quantity, ensuring you order the right amount for your dog's size and activity level.

When addressing specific health concerns or allergies, both brands offer solutions. For dogs requiring diets based on specific medical needs, JFFD is a viable option. In contrast, Ollie seems better equipped to handle dogs with particular ingredient sensitivities or allergies.

Regarding the variety of meals, JFFD has a wider selection. It covers a broader spectrum of proteins, catering even to puppies and large breeds.

Ollie provides a total of 7 recipes – 5 fresh and 2 dried. One aspect of Ollie that might appeal to some is the ability to choose between plans that are exclusively fresh, mixed, or designed as toppers for other meals.

Lastly, both companies extend their meal offerings with extras. While both brands have treats and supplements in their product lines, JFFD offers bundled options, potentially providing more value for those looking to purchase complementary products.

Ordering and Delivery: Ollie Offers Simplicity and Flexibility

Ollie stands out in the ordering and delivery processes. While both companies offer seamless experiences, Ollie's straightforward and flexible system gives it a notable advantage.

Ordering with Ollie is user-friendly and tailored. By simply filling out a quiz about your dog, Ollie streamlines the selection process. Although JFFD offers a food calculator, it doesn't provide the same level of personalization as Ollie.

Changing an order post-selection is hassle-free with Ollie, thanks to its online portal and mobile app.

When considering plan flexibility, Ollie again has an edge. Unlike JFFD, which doesn't specify options for partial feeding plans, Ollie offers mixed fresh and dry plans and even a half fresh plan. These options allow pet owners to incorporate fresh ingredients into their dog's diet without completely overhauling it.

As for the ordering structure, Ollie starts you off with a 2-week starter box that converts into a subscription, while JFFD gives you the choice of a one-time order or recurring auto-ships.

In terms of delivery, both brands cover extensive ground. Ollie delivers to 48 continental US states, ensuring its products reach most of the country. JFFD, on the other hand, caters to all 50 states, but it's important to note that its frozen and non-frozen orders ship separately.

Both companies let you reschedule or make changes to your delivery. However, Ollie further simplifies this process with its dedicated app, allowing on-the-go modifications and tracking. This added layer of convenience from Ollie sets it apart.

How Do the Meals Arrive? Ollie’s Meals Arrive Pre-Portioned

Ollie takes the lead in terms of meal arrival and ease of use. With its clear instructions, pre-portioned meals, and recyclable packaging, Ollie manages to outshine JFFD in delivering a hassle-free experience for pet owners.

Storage instructions and shelf-life are crucial for any perishable product. Ollie's fresh meals, when kept frozen, can last up to 6 months. Once opened and stored in the fridge, they remain good for up to 4 days. On the other hand, JFFD offers shelf-stable meals with a shelf life of 2 years unopened. Its Fresh Frozen meals last up to a year when kept frozen.

Portioning is where Ollie truly shines. Each meal is pre-portioned, ensuring your dog gets the right amount of nutrition. Moreover, Ollie also provides a serving scoop to measure out the precise quantity of dry food. JFFD, in contrast, requires you to follow its guidelines closely to serve the appropriate amount, as its meals aren’t pre-portioned.

Meal preparation is straightforward for both brands, but with subtle differences. Ollie’s dried food only needs to be scooped and served, while its fresh food needs to be defrosted overnight in the fridge.

JFFD follows a similar defrosting process for its Fresh Frozen meals, and the Pantry Fresh meals need refrigeration after opening. Still, the need to check the label to ensure the right serving size puts JFFD at a slight disadvantage.

Lastly, sustainability plays a part in the overall experience. Much of Ollie’s packaging can be recycled curbside or via store drop-off. Although its food packs with easy-peel lids aren’t recyclable, Ollie compensates by offsetting 20% of its carbon footprint.

JFFD doesn't seem to match Ollie's overall sustainability efforts. However, it does deliver its orders in fully recyclable delivery boxes.

Pricing: JustFoodForDogs Is More Budget-Friendly

Prices work out slightly more cost-effective with JFFD. I used the example of a 3 lb Chihuahua to compare the 2 services directly. JFFD's Chicken & White Rice recipe worked out at $1.09 per day, making it an economical choice among its Fresh Frozen recipes. Ollie charges $2.54 for a similar daily serving. Don’t forget you can save extra with our discount code: Get 60% off + FREE Fi GPS Collar ($99 value). 

There's a variation in pricing for add-ons between the 2 companies. Ollie's treats start at $9 for a 5 oz bag, and its supplements are priced at $22 for a jar of 60 chews. In contrast, JFFD's treats start at $10.95 for a 5 oz bag, with supplement prices ranging from $19.95 for Omega Plus to $48.95 for Joint care supplements.

Shipping costs differ significantly. While Ollie provides free shipping for all its orders, JFFD has set shipping fees. For smaller orders, there's a $19.99 charge.

You can get free shipping with JFFD if your order qualifies. Your orders must contain frozen products or dry products totaling more than $99. Keep in mind that you can’t mix both dry and frozen items in the same order to qualify. Try our discount code to save more on your order: Get 50% off your first autoship order + 5% off all future orders.

Both companies have guarantees to address customer satisfaction. If you aren’t happy with Ollie's starter box, the company offers a full refund, no matter what. Similarly, JFFD provides a full refund for your first purchase, although it doesn't refund shipping costs.

Features Comparison: JustFoodForDogs vs. Ollie

And the Winner Is: Ollie

In my comparison, Ollie stands out as the more comprehensive choice. Its edge in customization, ordering simplicity, efficient delivery system, and user-friendly features, like the handy mobile app, create an experience that’s hard to rival.

Ollie’s meals arrive with clear storage instructions and are portioned, removing much of the guesswork for pet owners. Although JFFD showcases competitive pricing and has certain strengths in its own right, it falls short in some of the areas where Ollie excels. 

FAQ

Is Ollie recommended by vets?

Yes, many veterinarians recommend Ollie. Ollie formulates its recipes with the input and oversight of veterinary nutritionists to ensure balanced and healthy meals for dogs. This expertise ensures that the meals are nutritionally complete and suitable for various life stages and health conditions.

Which is more affordable, Ollie or JustFoodForDogs?

JustFoodForDogs is slightly more affordable than Ollie. However, costs can vary based on the size and dietary needs of your dog. Plus, JustFoodForDogs has a shipping charge of $19.99 for one-time orders unless you order over $99 of either fresh or frozen products.

Which is better for allergies, JustFoodForDogs or Ollie?

Ollie is typically better for dogs with specific ingredient sensitivities or allergies. Ollie’s customization questionnaire highlights allergens and offers options to help you customize your order. However, JustFoodForDogs is more suitable for dogs requiring diets based on specific medical needs as advised by veterinarians.