My Take on DOG CHEF: A Genuine Alternative to Traditional Kibble?

When I got my dog, I did extensive research to find out what the best option for his diet was, to ensure he maintained good health and had a happy life. Through my research, I quickly discovered that veterinarians recommended home-cooked meals: this involves preparing meals for your pet using fresh ingredients.

However, it seemed complex and time-consuming to implement. So, I switched between several brands of premium kibble until I recently discovered the concept of Dog Chef, which prepares high-quality, homemade meals for us and delivers them right to our doorstep. I'm going to share my experience from the past three months with this service!

What is Dog Chef?

Dog chef

Source: dogchef.com

DOG CHEF - PREMIUM DOG FOOD DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR
Concept

Fresh, balanced, and healthy homemade meals for your dog delivered to your home.

Options
  • Full board: Dog Chef takes care of all your dog's meals,
  • Half board: you combine Dog Chef (in smaller portions) with another type of food.
Sample Menus
  • Pork
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Duck
  • Fish

āž• Green beans, rice, carrots, parsnips, celery, fruits... depending on the chosen recipe.

Pricing

šŸ’° Starting at approximately $2.50 CAD per day for full board

šŸ’° Starting at $1.80 CAD per day for half board

(Prices for a dog weighing 8 to 11 kilograms. Prices vary based on the size of your pet.)

Factors Considered in Meal Preparation

Based on the dog's weight, whether it's male or female, if it's spayed/neutered, its activity level, breed, and more...

Delivery Fees

Free and flexible delivery

    CommitmentNo

    šŸ‘ 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 to ensure you never miss an order,
    • The lower-cost trial offer,
    • The ability to alternate with regular kibble to save a bit on costs.

    āŒ Areas for Improvement

    • It would be great to add a grain-free option for the chicken or pork recipes, for instance.
    • The fact that the first order automatically starts a subscription (which can be cancelled immediately without any issues) is not very clear. I was caught off guard!

    dog chef my account

    Source: dogchef.com

    How Does Dog Chef Work?

    Dog Chef aims to be truly simple and intuitive. The goal is to reduce the mental burden of managing your dog's meals, while providing them with home-cooked style food.

    When you sign up, you'll be asked to complete a questionnaire about your dog, which will help customize the amount of food required for them.

    Next, you will have a variety of balanced recipes to choose from. Finally, you can select the date and location for delivery, so you can receive your food wherever you prefer (home, work, a friend's place...).

    dog chef making croquettes

    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 you're not interested, you can easily unsubscribe at no cost and quickly through your Dog Chef account or the app.

    How is my dog's menu established?

    The menu offered for your dog has been crafted 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's a male or female,
    • Its weight,
    • Whether it is spayed or neutered,
    • Its daily activity level (more relaxed, active, athletic),
    • Any potential health issues (digestive problems, allergies...).

    Dog Chef Recipe

    Source: dogchef.com

    Is there a commitment with Dog Chef?

    No, Dog Chef is commitment-free. When you place your first order, it starts a subscription, which you can cancel at any time with just one click from your customer account.

    Dog Chef Subscription

    Source: dogchef.com

    Where does Dog Chef deliver?

    Dog Chef products are shipped to metropolitan 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 learn how, be sure to check out this tutorial video that shows you how to do it!

    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 place who can keep the products cool until you can 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 trucks or insulated containers.

    Dog chef delivery

    Source: dogchef.com

    To ensure you can receive your order and quickly get it into the fridge, you can choose the day and time slot for your delivery. It's super convenient!

    šŸ‘‰ If you're a subscriber and still have plenty of food left, you can postpone your next delivery from your account, as long as it hasn't been paid for or confirmed by email yet.

    Is it possible to order Dog Chef for multiple dogs?

    Yes! This even qualifies you for a discount. If you want to add a dog, you just need to first create a profile for your first dog, which will set up your account.

    how much does it cost to be a dog chef

    Source: dogchef.com

    Once you have an account, you can add a dog by logging in and going to the "MY BOX" section. On the displayed page, near the title "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 from Dog Chef?

    When I first purchased my 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!

    Dog Chef Dog

    Source: dogchef.com

    What menus are offered?

    Dog Chef offers 5 recipes, all free from preservatives and artificial colours. The available flavours are as follows:

    • Chicken,
    • Beef,
    • Pork,
    • Duck,
    • Fish.

    Each type of meat makes up about 50% of the meal. This is complemented with vegetables and fruits, and sometimes a small amount of grains for dogs that require it. Some of the ingredients used to prepare Dog Chef meals include mealworms, carrots, parsnips, celeriac... as well as apples, rice, and oils (sardine oil, vegetable oils).

    Dog chef meal

    Source: dogchef.com

    What Does a Dog Chef Meal Look Like?

    The meals are conveniently packaged in hermetically sealed cylinder-shaped bags. Each flavour is easily identifiable by the corresponding colour of its packaging. They should be stored in a cool place and opened only when you are feeding your dog.

    dog chef

    Source: dogchef.com

    šŸ‘‰ Meals can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 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 a microwave.

    šŸ“… Once a meal is opened, it can be stored for a maximum of 3 days in the refrigerator!

    5 Things to Know About Dog Chef Menus

    In the following lines, I’m sharing five essential facts about Dog Chef that you should know before placing your order!

    They are created by veterinarians

    All Dog Chef recipes are developed and overseen by certified veterinary nutritionists. They ensure that the recipes are balanced, particularly in terms of the vitamins and minerals included in each dish.

    Veterinarian review on dog chefs

    Source: dogchef.com

    šŸ‘‰ They make sure that the hypoallergenic recipes are truly hypoallergenic!

    Dog Chef is for All Dogs

    Regardless of your dog's profile, there's definitely a Dog Chef menu that suits them. I’ve especially recommended Dog Chef to those around me who have a puppy or a senior dog, as the menus are tailored for them too!

    dog chef puppy

    Source: dogchef.com

    Dog Chef Offers Grain-Free Menus

    All Dog-Chef menus are gluten-free. Furthermore, the recipe with duck is specially formulated to be grain-free.

    Dog Chef Offers Hypoallergenic Menus

    When I first placed my order, I was really interested in this aspect, as my pup tends to have allergies. I was thrilled to see that Dog Chef offered two hypoallergenic recipes (duck and fish).

    veterinarian dog chef

    About the Dog Chef Duck Recipe, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and grain-free

    Source: dogchef.com

    Get a discount when 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 under the "My Box" section and click on "New Dog".

    How much does Dog Chef cost?

    The price of Dog Chef depends on your dog’s needs, based on its size and characteristics. For full-service, it ranges from approximately $2 to $5 per day, while for half-service, the fees are typically between $1.30 and $4 per day.

    dog chef price

    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:

    ProductPrice per day / full board without discountPrice per day / half board without discount
    5 kg Dog$2.74$2.03
    Approximately 10 kg Dog$3.51$2.58
    Approximately 20 kg Dog$5.89$3.15
    Approximately 40 kg Dog$7.36$4.96

    Are there shipping fees with Dog Chef?

    The shipping costs are free because they are included in the price!

    Try Dog Chef with a 20% discount for 15 days!

    If you’ve just signed up, Dog Chef is offering you an exclusive discount of 20% on all its menus for 15 days of meals. This discount on your first order is truly a great deal and applies automatically. You don’t have to do anything!

    dog chef promo code

    Source: dogchef.com

    šŸ¤‘ For example, for a 10-kilogram dog in full boarding, you would pay $1.98 per day instead of $2.47, resulting in a total savings of about $7!

    Save with a permanent 15% off on full board!

    If you choose the full meal plan, Dog Chef automatically applies a 15% discount on the total price of their food, by weight. Personally, I opted for the half meal plan as it's more affordable, but I find this option really appealing if you have a picky dog or if you really want to feed them exclusively homemade meals.

    Can I give Dog Chef as a gift to someone?

    At this time, Dog Chef does not yet offer a gift card system. Feel free to check back when you read this review, as things may have changed!

    helmut or dog chef

    Source: dogchef.com

    It is still possible to give Dog Chef menus, but this will be done by providing the corresponding amount of money directly to the gift recipient!

    What Do Customers Think of Dog Chef?

    Reading customer reviews gives you an insight into 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.

    On Google

    Dog Chef highlights its numerous positive Google reviews on the homepage of its website. The average rating is quite impressive, standing at 4.5 out of 5, based on a total of 811 reviews to date.

    dog chef customer review

    Source: google.com

    Let's explore the feedback from Dog Chef customers together:

    šŸ’š Customers Loved It
    • The timeliness of delivery,
    • The convenience of the portion sizes,
    • The quality of the food,
    • The clarity of the instructions,
    • The good digestibility of the food,

    Dog chef positive reviews

    Positive customer review of Dog Chef left on Google

    āŒ They liked it less

    • Occasional issues with cold chain disruptions that can occur,
    • Fairly high prices.

    Dog chef negative review

    Mixed reviews from customers about Dog Chef posted on Google

    On Facebook

    The company DogChef also displays customer reviews on their website from Facebook, where the average rating is 4.9 out of 5. This rating is based on 963 reviews.

    Dog chef review

    Source: facebook.com

    Customers who have tried it are generally thrilled with the appeal of the product. Their dogs are often eager to eat this food, and it’s wonderful to see. They are therefore willing to pay a premium for products of such high quality.

    The freshness of meals is also valued, along with the fact that the meals are not fattening.

    customer review of dog chef

    Source: Facebook.com

    However, some customers have experienced difficulties. There may be issues with dosage or delivery, but many customers have highlighted the responsiveness of customer service.

    About Trustpilot

    You can now read over 300 reviews on the independent review platform Trustpilot. The average rating is very positive at 4.8 out of 5, with very few reviews scoring 1, 2, or 3 stars.

    Avis the Dog Chef

    Source: Trustpilot.com

    No matter the platform, the reviews are generally positive. Only a small minority have experienced issues, which can sometimes happen when ordering online. In such cases, Dog Chef's customer service is ready to assist!

    Dog Chef on Social Media

    Dog Chef places a high priority on its presence on social media and regularly shares its new offerings as well as helpful tips for dog owners. You can find the brand on:

          šŸ‘‰ I also invite you to check out the Dog Chef YouTube channel, which offers plenty of video tutorials to train your dog and understand their behaviour. It's fascinating!

          How to train your dog not to pull on the leash?

          Source: Youtube.com

          Is Dog Chef Really Trustworthy?

          Dog Chef is the brand of the Belgian company Fresh Chef SRL, which is based in Brussels. The project was launched in 2017 by its two founders: Alexis d'Oultremont and Alexandre Cardon.

          The company has seen significant success since then and currently employs over a hundred people, producing more than 40 tonnes of food each week. It has an average of 20,000 subscribed customers.

          Dog Chef Story

          It is therefore a reliable company that is dedicated to offering quality products and ensuring customer satisfaction. To achieve this, they can be reached by phone, through live chat, and by email.

          The company also takes the time to personally respond to individuals who leave reviews on Google and Facebook, which shows its commitment to customer service.

          āœ… Given this information, you can order confidently from Dog Chef. While it is indeed a foreign brand, Belgium is close to France, and the service aims to be impeccable.

          My Verdict on Dog Chef ⭐⭐⭐⭐

          It's 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 explore my insights in the upcoming sections!

          Dog chef my account

          Source: Instagram (@ruffoniofficial, @reallifeandheels, @seppethegolden)

          Was it easy to order from the Dog Chef website?

          The guided questionnaire is truly convenient and provides all the necessary information to create a personalized profile for my dog.

          Personally, I have a 5-year-old male Shetland Sheepdog who is neutered and quite calm. He is somewhat sensitive with his digestion, and my veterinarian had 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, all that's left to do is wait for the delivery.

          dog chef review

          Source: Instagram (@cavalouis_, @marli_thedachshund, @schipperke_chef)

          How was the meal delivery from Dog Chef?

          The delivery was carried out by a specialized carrier, as each time it involved a refrigerated truck. I appreciated being able to select the exact date and time of delivery to help me plan accordingly.

          During the holidays, it’s also really convenient to be able to postpone your delivery or have it delivered to your home. Personally, I prefer to give my dog only kibble during the holidays because it’s easier.

          DogChef review

          Source: Instagram (@schipperke_chef, @taiga_husky_siberien, @maisondepaws)

          Are Dog Chef menus as high-quality as they claim to be?

          It's quite simple: my dog loves Dog Chef meals! There's never a crumb left in the bowl, even though I do a mix of half and half with some premium kibble.

          I've never had any issues with spoiled products and the meals smell fantastic... much better than regular dog food cans!

          Since my dog is sensitive, I feed him a hypoallergenic, grain-free duck menu, paired with premium grain-free kibble. He tolerates these foods really well.

          dog chef

          Source: Facebook.com

          I find it a bit unfortunate that there is only the duck menu that is both hypoallergenic and grain-free. It would be great to offer another option to alternate!

          Is the subscription worth it?

          The subscription is incredibly convenient. It allows you to never run out of food without having to think about it. Since it's flexible and commitment-free, you can easily reschedule or cancel your next delivery. For me, it’s truly a hassle-free and practical solution.

          The only thing is that it automatically activates with the first order, and even though you can cancel it right away from your account, I would have preferred it to be more clearly stated.

          dog chef review price

          Source: Instagram (@dogchef_fr)

          āœ… To sum it up, I’m really pleased with the meals I'm getting 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. 😊

          Dog Chef FAQ: I’m here to answer YOUR questions!

          Lastly, here are some frequently asked questions about Dog Chef, along with their answers! 😊

          What do veterinarians think of Dog Chef? šŸ‘©ā€āš•ļø

          Most veterinarians encourage dog owners to feed their pets homemade meals, which are better for their health in both the short and long term. Dog Chef offers fresh and balanced meals, which is a great option if you don't have time to cook for your pet.

          Is there a referral program at Dog Chef?

          Yes! This allows for great discounts and also makes a positive impact. 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.

          Dog Chef Sponsorship

          Source: Dogchef.com

          šŸ‘‰ Sponsoring is very straightforward: you just need to get the code available in your Dog Chef account. If you can't find this code, the person you referred can simply mention your name and email address when placing their order to receive the discount and secure your €30 reward!

          How to Get a Dog Chef Promo Code? šŸ¤‘

          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 still have the welcome offer of 20% off that applies automatically!

          There's also a referral program that allows you to receive 30% off if you are referred, or 30 CAD if you refer someone close to you.

          How to Contact Dog Chef by Phone? šŸ“ž

          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 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM,
          • Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM,
          • Saturday and public holidays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

          šŸ’¬ If you prefer to contact Dog Chef in writing, you can also use:

          dog chef using a telephone

          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 submit your cancellation request.

          If you would simply prefer to postpone, that is also possible by clicking on the postpone option.

          šŸ‘‰ If this seems complicated, feel free to reach out to Dog Chef directly using one of the contact methods listed above.

          I hope that my testimony 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 to me or leave a comment if you have any feedback or questions. šŸ˜‰

          Found my review helpful and wondering if DOG CHEF is a genuine alternative to kibble? Visit the DOG CHEF Official Site