When I got my dog, I did a lot of research to find out what the best option for his diet would be to ensure he had good health and a happy life. Through this research, I quickly discovered that veterinarians recommend home-cooked meals: this means preparing meals for your pet using fresh ingredients.
However, it seemed complicated and time-consuming to set up. So, I switched between several brands of premium kibble until I recently discovered the concept of Dog Chef, which cooks quality homemade meals for us and delivers them right to our doorstep. Let me share my experience over the past three months with this service!
What is Dog Chef?
Source: dogchef.com
DOG CHEF – PREMIUM DOG FOOD DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR | |
Concept | Fresh, balanced, and healthy home-cooked meals for your dog delivered to your doorstep. |
Options |
|
Examples of Menus |
➕ Green beans, rice, carrots, parsnips, celery, fruits… depending on the selected recipe. |
Pricing | 💰 Starting from approximately $1.84 per day for the full meal plan 💰 Starting from $1.34 per day for the half meal plan (Prices for a dog weighing 17 to 24 pounds. Prices vary based on your pet’s size.) |
Factors Considered for Meal Preparation | Based on the pet’s weight, whether it’s male or female, if it’s spayed or neutered, its activity level, breed… |
Delivery Fees | Free and flexible delivery |
Commitment | No |
👍 I Loved It
- The quality of these meals,
- The time savings provided by Dog Chef,
- The convenient and easy-to-store individual packaging,
- The delivery scheduling, so you never run out,
- The affordable trial offer,
- The ability to alternate with traditional kibble to save a little on costs.
❌ Areas for Improvement
- It would be great to add a grain-free option for chicken or pork recipes, for example.
- The fact that the first order automatically starts a subscription (which you can cancel immediately without any hassle) is unclear. I was caught off guard!
Source: dogchef.com
How Does Dog Chef Work?
Dog Chef is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. The goal is to reduce the mental load associated with managing your dog’s meals, while providing them with homemade-style meals.
When you sign up, you will answer a questionnaire about your dog, which will help to customize the amount of food needed for them.
Next, you’ll have the option to choose from several balanced recipes. Finally, you can select the delivery date and location, so you can have your groceries delivered directly to where you want (home, work, a friend’s place, etc.).
Source: dogchef.com
When you place your first order, you are automatically subscribed to receive a new order once your current order has been consumed. If this doesn’t interest you, you can easily unsubscribe at no cost and quickly through your Dog Chef account or via the app.
How is my dog’s menu created?
The menu offered for your dog has been designed by Dog Chef and reviewed and approved by veterinary nutritionists.
The recommended amounts and scents will depend on:
- The age of your dog (puppy, adult, senior),
- Whether it is a male or female,
- Its weight,
- Whether it is spayed or neutered,
- Its daily activity level (rather calm, active, sporty),
- Any potential health issues (digestive problems, allergies, etc.).
Source: dogchef.com
Is there any commitment with Dog Chef?
No, Dog Chef is no commitment. When you place your first order, it starts a subscription, which you can cancel anytime with just one click from your account dashboard.
Source: dogchef.com
Where can I find the book Dog Chef?
Dog Chef products are shipped to mainland France (excluding Corsica), Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany.
🌴 If you’re going on vacation, you can temporarily change your shipping address or reschedule your delivery. To do this, feel free to check out this tutorial video that shows you how to proceed!
How Does Delivery Work at Dog Chef?
You can have your order delivered to your preferred location: at home, at work, or even to a friend’s house who can keep the items cool until you come to pick them up.
Since this is a delivery of prepared meals, Dog Chef ensures that there is a strict adherence to the cold chain. The meals are transported in refrigerated vans or insulated containers.
Source: dogchef.com
To ensure that you can receive your order and quickly refrigerate it, you have the option to choose the day and time slot for your delivery. It’s very convenient!
👉 If you are a subscriber and still have plenty of food left, you can postpone your next delivery from your customer account, as long as it hasn’t been paid for or confirmed via email yet.
Can I order Dog Chef for multiple dogs?
Yes! This even gives you a discount. If you want to add a dog, simply start by creating a profile for your first dog, which will set up your account.
Source: dogchef.com
Once you have an account, you can add a dog by logging in and going to the section titled “MY BOX“. On the page that appears, near the heading “FAMILY“, you will see a button that says “NEW DOG“. By clicking on it, you will gain access to a personalized questionnaire for a new dog.
What to Expect When Ordering Dog Chef?
When I purchased my first Dog Chef meals, I had no idea what the meals I was ordering would look like. However, it’s always nice to have some information before placing an order online. So here’s an overview of Dog Chef products!
Source: dogchef.com
What menus are available?
Dog Chef offers 5 recipes, all free of preservatives and artificial coloring. Here are the flavors available:
- Chicken,
- Beef,
- Pork,
- Duck,
- Fish.
Each type of meat makes up about 50% of the meal. On top of that, vegetables and fruits are added, along with a bit of grains for dogs that need them. Some of the ingredients used to create Dog Chef meals include mealworms, carrots, parsnips, celeriac… as well as apples, rice, and oils (such as sardine oil and vegetable oils).
Source: dogchef.com
What Does a Dog Chef Meal Look Like?
Meals are conveniently packaged in hermetically sealed, sausage-shaped bags. Each flavor is easily identifiable by the corresponding color of the packaging. They should be stored in a cool place and opened only when it’s time to feed your dog.
Source: dogchef.com
👉 Meals can be kept in the refrigerator for 7 days and in the freezer for 4 months. To thaw, the easiest method is to take the portion out 24 hours in advance and let it sit in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler or the microwave.
📅 Once a meal is opened, it lasts up to 3 days in the refrigerator at most!
5 Things to Know About Dog Chef Menus
In the following lines, I will share with you five essential things to know about Dog Chef before placing your order!
They are created by veterinarians
All Dog Chef recipes are developed and overseen by certified veterinary nutritionists. They ensure that each recipe is balanced, paying special attention to the quantities of vitamins and minerals in every dish.
Source: dogchef.com
👉 They ensure that the hypoallergenic recipes are truly hypoallergenic!
Dog Chef is meant for all dogs
No matter what type of dog you have, there’s definitely a Dog Chef menu that’s right for them. I’ve particularly recommended Dog Chef to those around me who have a puppy or a senior dog, as the menus are tailored to meet their needs too!
Source: dogchef.com
There Are Grain-Free Menus at Dog Chef
All Dog-Chef menus are gluten-free. Additionally, the duck recipe is specifically designed to be grain-free.
Dog Chef Offers You Hypoallergenic Menus
When I ordered for the first time, I was really focused on this aspect because my dog tends to have allergies. So, I was thrilled to see that Dog Chef offered two hypoallergenic recipes (duck and fish).
About the Dog Chef Duck Recipe, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and grain-free
Source: dogchef.com
You can get a discount if you have multiple dogs!
If you have multiple dogs, Dog Chef automatically applies a discount. To create their profile, simply log in to your account in the “My Box” section and click on “New Dog”.
How much does Dog Chef cost?
The cost of Dog Chef depends on your dog’s needs, based on their size and characteristics. For a full meal plan, it generally ranges from around $2 to $5 per day, whereas for a half meal plan, the prices are more like $1.30 to $4 per day.
Feel free to use the price estimation tool available on the Dog Chef homepage to get a personalized quote!
Source: dogchef.com
What is the price of Dog Chef?
Here are some price estimates obtained using the Dog Chef calculator tool:
Product | Price per day / full board without discount | Price per day / half board without discount |
5 kg dog | $2.07 | $1.58 |
Approximately 10 kg dog | $2.76 | $2.08 |
Approximately 20 kg dog | $4.69 | $2.39 |
Approximately 40 kg dog | $6.00 | $4.00 |
Are there shipping fees with Dog Chef?
The shipping costs are free because they are included in the price!
Discover Dog Chef with a 15-day trial for 20% off!
If you just signed up, Dog Chef is offering you an exclusive discount of 20% on all of its menus for 15 days of meals. This discount will automatically apply to your first order, and it’s a fantastic deal. You don’t need to do anything!
Source: dogchef.com
🤑 For example, for a 22-pound dog in full boarding, you pay $2.10 per day instead of $2.67, resulting in a total savings of about $7!
Save 15% Forever with Our All-Inclusive Package!
If you choose the full board option, Dog Chef automatically applies a 15% discount on the total price of its food by weight. Personally, I opted for the half board because it’s more affordable, but I find that this option is really appealing if you have a picky dog or if you really want to feed your dog only home-cooked meals.
Can I gift Dog Chef to someone?
Currently, Dog Chef does not yet offer a gift card system. Feel free to check back at the time you read this review, as this may have changed!
Source: dogchef.com
It is still possible to give Dog Chef meal plans, but this will be done by providing the recipient with the equivalent amount of money directly!
What do customers think about Dog Chef?
Reading customer reviews gives you an idea of the quality of an online service and helps you understand what to expect when placing an order. To save you time, I’ve prepared a summary of the reviews available online about Dog Chef.
About Google
Dog Chef highlights its numerous positive Google reviews on the homepage of its website. The average rating is excellent, sitting at 4.5 out of 5, based on a total of 811 reviews to date.
Source: google.com
Let’s explore what customers have to say about Dog Chef:
💚 Customers loved it- The timeliness of delivery,
- The convenience of portion sizes,
- The quality of the food,
- The clarity of the instructions,
- The good digestibility of the food,
Positive review from Dog Chef customer posted on Google
❌ They liked it less
- Occasional issues with breaks in the cold chain that can occur,
- Prices are quite high.
Mixed customer review of Dog Chef left on Google
On Facebook
The company DogChef also displays customer reviews on its website from Facebook, where the average rating is 4.9 out of 5. This rating is based on 963 reviews.
Source: facebook.com
Customers who have tried it are generally thrilled with the appeal of the product. Their dogs often show a strong desire to eat this food, which is great to see. They are willing to pay a premium for products of such high quality.
The freshness of the meals is also appreciated, as well as the fact that they are not fattening.
Source: Facebook.com
However, some customers have experienced difficulties. There may be issues with dosage or delivery, but many customers have praised the responsiveness of customer service.
About Trustpilot
It’s now possible to read over 300 reviews on the independent review platform Trustpilot. The average rating is quite positive as well, sitting at 4.8 out of 5, with very few reviews rated at 1, 2, or 3 stars.
Source: Trustpilot.com
No matter the platform, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Only a small minority reported issues, which can occasionally happen with online orders. In such cases, Dog Chef’s customer service is ready to assist!
Dog Chef on Social Media
Dog Chef places a high value on its presence on social media, regularly sharing its updates as well as tips for dog owners. You can find the brand on:
👉 I also invite you to check out the Dog Chef YouTube channel, which offers a lot of video tutorials to train your dog and understand their behavior. It’s fascinating!
How to teach your dog not to pull on the leash?
Source: YouTube.com
Is Dog Chef Really Reliable?
Dog Chef is the brand of the Belgian company Fresh Chef SRL, which is based in Brussels. The project started in 2017, founded by Alexis d’Oultremont and Alexandre Cardon.
The company has experienced significant success since then and currently employs over a hundred people to produce more than 40 tons of food each week. It has an average of 20,000 subscribed customers.
It is therefore a reliable company that is dedicated to offering quality products and satisfying its customers. To achieve this, it can be contacted by phone, through live chat, and via email.
The company also takes the time to personally respond to individuals who leave reviews on Google and Facebook, demonstrating its commitment to customer service.
✅ Given this information, you can order confidently from Dog Chef. While it is a foreign brand, Belgium is close to France and the service aims to be impeccable.
My Verdict on Dog Chef ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It has been over three months since I started testing Dog Chef with my dog, and I’m now ready to share my experience with these meals. I invite you to read my review in the following sections!
Source: Instagram (@ruffoniofficial, @reallifeandheels, @seppethegolden)
Was it easy to order from the Dog Chef website?
The guided questionnaire is really helpful and provides all the necessary information for creating my dog’s personalized profile.
Personally, I have a 5-year-old male Shetland Sheepdog who is neutered and quite calm. He has a sensitive stomach, and my vet recommended homemade meals, but I haven’t had the time to implement that.
Dog Chef has allowed me to save a ton of time, as the first order takes about ten minutes to prepare, and after that, I just have to wait for the delivery.
Source: Instagram (@cavalouis_, @marli_thedachshund, @schipperke_chef)
How was the delivery of Dog Chef meals?
The delivery was handled by a specialized carrier, as it was always done with a refrigerated van. I appreciated being able to choose the exact date and time for the delivery, which helped me plan accordingly.
During the holidays, it’s really convenient to be able to reschedule your delivery or have it sent to your home. Personally, I prefer to give my dog kibble during the holidays because it’s easier.
Source: Instagram (@schipperke_chef, @taiga_husky_siberian, @maisondepaws)
Are Dog Chef menus as high-quality as they claim to be?
It’s very simple: my dog loves Dog Chef meals! There’s never a crumb left in the bowl, even though I do a half-and-half mix with premium kibble.
I’ve never had an issue with spoiled products and the meals smell great… much better than regular canned dog food!
Since my dog is sensitive, I feed him a hypoallergenic, grain-free duck menu, paired with premium grain-free kibble. He tolerates these foods very well.
Source: Facebook.com
I find it a bit unfortunate that the duck menu is the only option that is both hypoallergenic and grain-free. It would be great to offer another option for variety!
Is the subscription worth it?
The subscription is really convenient. It allows you to never run out of food without having to think about it. Since it is flexible and without commitment, you can easily postpone or cancel your next delivery. For me, it’s truly a hassle-free and practical solution.
The only issue is that it automatically activates with the first order, and even though you can cancel it immediately from your account, I would have preferred it to be more clearly stated.
Source: Instagram (@dogchef_fr)
✅ In summary, I am really pleased with the meals I receive for my dog from Dog Chef. They are balanced, and my pup is healthy! I can’t wait for them to offer more hypoallergenic and grain-free recipes to diversify his daily menu. 😊
FAQ about Dog Chef: I’m answering YOUR questions!
Lastly, here are some frequently asked questions about Dog Chef that have been asked online, along with their answers! 😊
What do veterinarians think about Dog Chef? 👩⚕️
Most veterinarians encourage dog owners to feed their pets homemade meals, which are better for their health both in the short and long term. Dog Chef offers fresh and balanced meal options, which is a great choice if you don’t have time to cook for your pet.
Is there a referral program at Dog Chef?
Yes! This allows you to enjoy great discounts while also doing a good deed. In fact, every referral unlocks the following bonuses:
- – 30% off the first order of the referral,
- $30 discount for each person referred,
- $5 donated to a shelter by Dog Chef.
Source: Dogchef.com
👉 Sponsoring is very simple: just retrieve the code available on your Dog Chef account. If you can’t find this code, the referred person can simply mention your name and email address along with their order to receive the discount and ensure that you get your $30 off!
How to Get a Dog Chef Promo Code? 🤑
Right now, the code WOUF30 gives you a 30% discount on your first order. If this code is no longer valid when you try it, you can still take advantage of the welcome offer of 20% off that is automatically applied!
There is also a referral program that allows you to earn 30% off if you are referred, or receive $30 if you refer a friend.
How to Contact Dog Chef by Phone? 📞
You can call Dog Chef at 03 39 88 00 54 (or +33339880054) for free during the following hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM,
- Wednesday from 8 AM to 4 PM,
- Saturday and holidays from 9 AM to 4 PM.
💬 If you prefer to contact Dog Chef in writing, you can also use:
- Live chat on the site by clicking on this link,
- Your regular messaging by sending an email to: hello@dogchef.com.
The Dog Chef Phone Advisors
Source: Dogchef.com
How to Cancel Your Dog Chef Subscription?
To cancel your subscription, simply log in to your account on the Dog Chef website and request the cancellation.
If you prefer to simply postpone, that is also possible by clicking on the postpone option.
👉 If this seems complicated, feel free to reach out to Dog Chef directly using one of the methods mentioned above.
I hope that my experience and the research I’ve done on Dog Chef have helped you to find the perfect food for your dog! Feel free to reach out or leave a comment if you have any thoughts or questions. 😉