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Frequently Asked Questions

We want to be partners in the health of your pets, be completely transparent, and share our knowledge. Below you will find answers to some of our most-asked questions. Wondering about something you don’t see here? Please don't hesitate to contact us and our team of experts will get back to you as quickly as possible.

General FAQ

Yes. Each of our canine daily diets has gone through evidence-based research at a major university. Since day one, we have balanced our food to National Research Council (NRC) standards. The NRC reports directly to the FDA and is the most up-to-date authority on nutritional guidelines. Our feline recipe is formulated to meet the 2016 AAFCO nutritional profiles for feline maintenance.

Recommended reading: The Truth Behind AAFCO Feeding Trials

Product Shelf-Life
Frozen Food Up to 18 months (547 days) in the freezer.

Frozen at home

e.g.: DIY or repackaging buckets of frozen food purchased fresh

 6 to 8 weeks depending on how much air is removed from the bag as you package the food. If you are vacuum-sealing as we do, the food may last in the freezer for up to 1 year. 
Thawed Food - Fish Thawed fish-based recipes stay fresh when sealed in the original package for up to 5 days. Once opened, use within 3 days.
Thawed Food - All Other Proteins Thawed meals stay fresh when sealed in the original package for up to 7 days. Once opened, use within 5 days. 
Pantry Fresh Up to two years from the manufacture date. 5 days once opened. Keep refrigerated once opened. 
All Treats 1 year from the manufacture date. Keep protein treats (chicken breast, beef brisket, venison) refrigerated after opening. 
Omega Plus Supplement 2 years. The expiration date is printed on the bottom of the bottle. Keep refrigerated after opening. 
Probiotic Live Supplement 1 year from the manufacture date (printed on the bottom of the bottle.)
Skin & Allergy Care Supplement 3 years (sealed or opened) from the manufacture date (printed on the bottom of the bottle.)
Calm Supplement 3 years (sealed or opened) from the manufacture date (printed on the bottom of the bottle.)
Joint Care & Joint Care Plus Supplements 3 years (sealed or opened) from the manufacture date (printed on the bottom of the bottle.)
Do It Yourself Kits 2 years from the manufacture date. 

 

How to safely thaw JustFoodForDogs frozen meals:

The easiest way to feed our fresh frozen meals is to get into a cycle of the freezer to refrigerator to bowl. Remove the package from the freezer and defrost it in the refrigerator (preferred), or immerse it in cold water. Store in the refrigerator in a glass or plastic container and then serve the recommended amount. JustFoodForDogs frozen meals last up to 18 months when frozen.

In the refrigerator

  • One 18 oz package will take up to 24 hours to thaw in the refrigerator.
  • One 72 oz package will take up to 48 hours to thaw in the refrigerator. 
 

In cold water

  • If thawing in cold water, one 18oz package will take approximately 1 hour.
  • If thawing in cold water, one 72 oz package will take approximately 3 to 5 hours. 
 

*Cooked foods thawed by the cold-water method should never be refrozen.

How long to store thawed food in the refrigerator

For all proteins, excluding fish-based recipes: Thawed food stays fresh when stored in the refrigerator in an unopened package for up to 7 days. Once opened, use within 5 days. 

Fish-based meals: thawed food stays fresh when stored in the refrigerator in an unopened package for up to 5 days. Once opened, use within 3 days. 

Pantry Fresh

Pantry Fresh products are in shelf-stable packaging that may be kept in a pantry or cupboard up to 2 years from the manufacture date. Once the package is opened, store it in your refrigerator and feed it within 5 days. Please discard any unused portions after 5 days. 

Treats

Chicken Breast Treats, Venison Treats, and Beef Brisket Treats should be stored in the refrigerator after opening. 

Supplements

Omega Plus Fish Oil should be stored in the refrigerator after opening. 

Our only preservative is the freezer. We do not add any preservatives at all.

Suggested reading: The Benefits of Preservative-Free Dog Food

Real, unprocessed, bioavailable, and nutrient-rich ingredients in their natural state. Our meats are inspected and approved by the USDA for human consumption, and all of our ingredients are the same as you would find in a restaurant or grocery store. In fact, we use the same premium suppliers as the restaurant industry to source the highest quality ingredients for our meals.

It is nearly impossible for pets to get all of the nutrients they require daily from food alone. Any pet food must have added supplements if it is intended to be used for long-term feeding. Our food is balanced to standards established by the National Research Council (NRC), and then tested through AAFCO feeding trials. Unlike typical dog food, the supplements we use are high-quality nutrients intended for human consumption, which provide much greater bioavailability.

Every ingredient in JustFoodForDogs recipes serves a function, including carbs. Carbohydrates can be an excellent source of energy when that carbohydrate is from a whole-food, human-grade source. We believe feed-grade carbohydrates and grains must be avoided at all costs, due to possible contamination with toxins from an unregulated production system. We also offer grain-free and gluten-free diets for dogs who may have those associated sensitivities.

To learn more, we suggest reading: Carbohydrates for Dogs, Explained by Experts

Dogs are not true carnivores. They can actually live without meat in their diet, although we believe a diet containing high-quality meat is much better for them. We include fresh vegetables and fruit which provide excellent sources of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosinolates, thiocyanates, and a variety of vitamins.

All of our recipes are completely balanced for long-term feeding and do not need multi-vitamins added.

As a general rule, no more than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake should come from treats.

The correct serving of fresh food should keep your dog healthy, happy, and fit. If your dog is gaining unwanted weight, simply reduce the volume of food by 5-10% until they reach the desired weight. Just like people, all dogs have their own metabolism, so it is impossible to know how much each dog should consume just by knowing their weight. It can be a process, and as their pet parent, you are in the best position to judge the results.

Suggested reading: 

Our food is crafted by hand in our open-to-the-public Kitchens that you can visit, as well as in our own Kitchens in Irvine, California and New Castle, Delaware.

Ordering FAQ

We offer four different sizes – Small, Medium, and Large Boxes, and 14 Packs:

  • Small Boxes: 7 x 18-ounce packages
  • 14 Packs: 14 x 18-ounce packages
  • Medium Boxes: 21 x 18-ounce packages
  • Large Boxes: 7 x 72-ounce packages

We offer free shipping on frozen orders over $99 and dry orders over $49.

Frozen meals: Free shipping on orders over $99. To receive free shipping, order subtotal must meet or exceed $99 (before tax and discounts are applied).

Non-frozen & Dry (Pantry Fresh, DIY Kits, Supplements, Treats, and Merchandise): Free shipping on orders over $49. To receive free shipping, order subtotal must meet or exceed $49 (before tax and discounts are applied).

Our flat rate shipping fee is $19.99 for orders that do not meet our free shipping thresholds.

We have made significant improvements to our shipping and delivery processes to ensure that our deliveries are well-insulated and safe to eat. As long as each individual bag is partially frozen, it is safe to immediately refreeze or finish thawing for feeding. Any individual bag in the box that is not partially frozen, should be disposed of. Feel free to contact our customer service team for assistance.