Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Each of our canine daily diets have 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.

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. 

You want to think about your dog’s fresh food the same way you do your own. An hour, or even two is not going to be a problem, but if you accidentally leave it out overnight, it should be thrown away.

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

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 provides much greater bioavailability.

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 cost, 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

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.

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.

We offer three different sizes – Small, Medium, and Large:

• Small Boxes: 7 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 $99.

Frozen meals: Free shipping on orders over $99.

Non-frozen & Dry (Pantry Fresh, DIY Kits, Supplements, Treats, and Merchandise): Free shipping on orders over $99.

To receive free shipping, order subtotal must meet or exceed $99 (before tax and after discounts are applied).

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

Our mission is to improve the length and quality of life for as many pets as possible. We invest in the things that matter but also keep our prices lower than other brands, so that more pet parents can afford the best nutrition possible.

You can place an order online and have it waiting for you inside the location of your choice.

Order a product for in-store pickup:

• Go to the product page
• Select your quantity
• Check Free Local Pick Up (box beneath quantity)
• Click the Find a Store link to select your location
• Add the item to your cart
• Repeat the process for each item you order
• Once you receive an email confirmation that your order is ready, head to your preferred location

To order a product for curbside pickup:

• Go to the product page
• Select your quantity
• Check Free Local Pick Up (box beneath quantity)
• Click the Find a Store link to select your location
• Add the item to your cart
• Repeat the process for each item you order
• Once you receive an email confirmation that your order is ready, head to your preferred location and call them upon arrival
• A Nutrition Consultant will bring your order out to you

You can park in any of your store's designated parking spots.

We will send you an email when your order is ready for pickup. You can also confirm directly with your preferred pickup location by calling the contact information provided in your order confirmation as well as on our store locator.

Good news! All our locations offer in-store and curbside pickup—excluding Petco and Pet Food Express. To find your nearest JustFoodForDogs Kitchen or Pantry, please visit our store locator.

Orders placed at least two hours before closing can be collected the same day. Please visit our store locator.

A photo ID and a copy of your order confirmation—digital or printed. Your online payment will be processed when you collect your items, so there’s no need to pay in-store.

Yes. They simply need a copy of your order confirmation and a photo ID.

Yes! They just need to bring their pet parent, order confirmation and a photo ID with them.

Only we can modify the pickup location for you. Call us at (866) 726-9509 and we’ll be happy to help. 

Your online payment method will be charged on pickup.

Yes. Please call us on (866) 726-9509 with your order number and we’ll help you with the cancellation.

An order may be canceled if items are out of stock, or if it wasn't collected within 72 hours. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

We hold an order for 72 hours after it is placed. We know our pet parents are busy people, so we also send reminder emails. If your order is not collected within 72 hours, it is canceled automatically.

As we roll out our pickup service across regions, it will become available in your store soon. We keep local store pages updated, so stay tuned!

Absolutely! Just enter your promo code at checkout.

This feature isn't available yet, but we are working on it.

It's not possible to add items to completed orders but you can purchase them in-store at pickup, or place another order online up to 2 hours before pickup. Please let us know you have multiple orders to collect.

If you are not completely satisfied with your first purchase for any reason whatsoever, we'll give you a full refund. (Shipping and/or delivery fees are non-refundable.) Please contact us on (866) 726-9509 - we're happy to help.