Ollie Review

Overview

Many pet owners are no longer satisfied with the generic dog food options that sit on store shelves. That pre-packaged kibble or mystery meat canned food stands in stark contrast to the foods that we eat every day. Many people have begun to ask themselves, “If I wouldn’t eat, why should my pet?”, and that has lead to a new market for premium quality, healthy pet food. 

Based around using real ingredients and human-grade meats, companies such as Ollie are re-thinking how we see pet nutrition. Each package of Ollie food contains real ingredients, and is created without the use of any fillers or by-products. Plans are tailored towards the dog’s breed, temperament, activity level, and size, getting rid of the old “one size fits all” attitude. 

With custom food delivered right to your door, Ollie is making it easier than ever to ensure that your beloved pet eats healthy, while getting all of the nutrients they need to live a long and happy life. 

Ollie Brand Information

Ollie was founded in 2016 by co-founders Randy Jimenez, Alex Douzet, and Gabby Slome. Initially the team started off working from New York, but they have since expanded and now work in Pennsylvania as well. Their food is delivered anywhere within the United States, and the company ensures that no matter where someone lives the food will arrive fresh.

The company has seen tremendous success, and much of that is owed to the fact that they ensure each plan will meet the recommended nutritional requirements for every dog. They do this by working closely with a veterinary nutritionist, and all options meet AAFCO requirements. 

By 2018, the Ollie team watched their revenue grow by over 500%, and they continue to dominate in sales thanks to their transparency and commitment to healthy ingredients. Not only is their product nutritionally dense, but the lack of by-products and fillers means there are no issues around contamination or recalls. 

Another positive move for the brand is their initiative to give back, and they donate 1% of all revenue to no-kill shelters and rescues. In 2018 they hosted a 5k walk in order to promote adoption, and dogs at the event were available to find loving homes. On the day that they reached 5 million in sales, all profits made for 24 hours were also donated to Foster Dogs Inc, a non-profit rescue that the founders work closely with.

Given that the founders are all dog owners, it’s no surprise that they are committed to providing food that they would be happy serving their own furry friends. This is a promise they make, and deliver on, with every meal served. While they currently do not offer any trials for their meals, new customers are given a 50% off welcome bonus on their first order.

Ollie Recipes & Ingredients

The brand offers four different protein options: beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. Each option contains both the protein, as well as vegetables, fruit, and nutritional supplements. Picking which option is best for your dog is easy, as the ordering process involves filling out a survey which pairs your pet with their ideal plan.

Many people want to know exactly what is in their pet’s food, and this is even more true when you’re spending extra money every week to ensure it is high quality. Below is a breakdown of each protein, the ingredients, and the nutritional information.

Because Ollie does not use proprietary blends in their dog food, all items, including supplements, are listed in full. This high degree of transparency is a refreshing change in the world of pet food, and it can make consumers feel a lot more confident in their choice to purchase this brand. 

In addition, all food meets AAFCO standards and is certified for all life stages. Regardless of how old, how big, how small, or wha breed, Ollie food will fulfill all of their nutritional needs.

One thing to be aware of is that there can be an adjustment period depending on what type of food you were previously feeding your dog. It can take up to a total of two weeks before your pets stomach adjusts and re-learns how to properly break down fresh food as opposed to things like processed kibble. This adjustment period is completely normal and is not harmful, but Ollie does include a transition guide with your first order that helps you understand how to best go about making the switch.

Ordering & Delivery With Ollie

Before placing your order, Ollie has you fill out a questionnaire that is all about your pet. From their name, to their age and weight, Ollie focuses on what makes your dog special and unique. All of the information gathered is then used to make a personal recommendation, including the type of protein that will be best as well as how much they should be eating. 

The use of a questionnaire takes a lot of the hassle and stress out of switching to a new type of food for your dog. While kibble is scooped and dumped in a bowl, feeding fresh is a bit more complicated and confusing. Thankfully, you don’t need to have any skills in math in order to figure out how much to feed your dog each meal. 

Based on the feeding recommendation, Ollie then clearly lays out the cost of delivery each week. You will be sent exactly the right amount of food, which is pre-packaged into convenient packages that are re-sealable for ease of storage.

Once you have settled on what you will be feeding your dog, the next question Ollie asks you is what type of delivery schedule will work best for your feeding preferences. If you are looking to switch your dog completely to Ollie, simply select the “All Ollie” option. By choosing this, you will be sent enough food to last your dog for two weeks on a feeding plan that includes no other types of food. The other option is to serve your dog a mix of Ollie along with anyone food of your choice (presumably a kibble), and if this is what you are after then you simply choose the “Some Ollie” option. Instead of being sent the standard 28 meals every 2 weeks, your order will be reduced down to 14 meals every 2 weeks. 

Depending on the size of your dog, along with other factors, a few individuals will also be given a third schedule option which is the “Mostly Ollie” plan. If this comes up for you, it will shift around the numbers slightly, and this will now become the 14 meals every 2 weeks. “Some Ollie” will subsequently be reduced, and you will now be offered 7 meals every 2 weeks. Thankfully, the delivery plan options are clearly explained at the time of ordering, so simply check the description before you make your selection.

When it comes to shipping, there is no additional cost regardless of where you live in the USA. All orders are processed and shipped within 1 to 2 business days, and you are given tracking information in order to know where your package is. Once it arrives at your door, you will get an update notification sent to your inbox letting you know that it is there. If you are on a regular feeding plan with Ollie, your food will be shipped and arrive on the same day every 2 weeks, ensuring that there is never a skipped meal for your pup.

Upon opening the package, you will find a welcome guide, a re-sealable container, and a scoop that is used to help portion out the food at each meal time. All of the food is frozen to ensure that it stays fresh during delivery, and will need to be thawed out before serving. You can keep the food in the fridge or freezer, and even if it is defrosted it will stay good for up to 14 days unopened. Once you do open it, however, it will need to be consumed within 5 days before it goes bad.

All of the packaging used is completely recyclable, and the individual items have an easy open tab so that you don’t need to hack at it with a knife or scissors. In addition, the re-sealable container and lid are both dishwasher safe, so you can keep them clean with ease.

Ollie Pricing

Given how transparent Ollie is about all of their ingredients and products, it may come as a surprise that no where on the website are you able to look at a full breakdown of the price. Some may see that as a deceptive tactic used to lure people in, but in reality it is simply due to the fact that the price is heavily dependent on a number of different factors. 

The size of your pet, their activity level, their age, their breed, and the delivery option you choose will all impact exactly how much it ends up costing you. Listing all of the price combinations is excessive, so instead, you can fill out the questionnaire and get a full price breakdown based on your pet and their needs.

On a general level, their lowest priced options for small, inactive dogs start at around $3 per day, and can go up to $15 per day for very active, large breed dogs. For those on an “All Ollie” plan, this ends up costing approximately $21 to $105 per week, or $42 to $210 per order. Again, these numbers will vary drastically between dogs, so the best way to know the cost for sure is to plug your information into their site. 

What you have previously fed your dog will impact how you see the price in terms of whether or not it is expensive. For a small dog, the cost stays pretty low and is on par, or cheaper, than feeding using canned meals. Kibble is always going to be a better deal, but with questionable ingredients and a high degree of processing, you really are getting what you pay for. 

Owners of large breed dogs are going to feel the cost difference the most, since they are likely to have been feeding using a more generic, low cost kibble in order to save money. Big eaters will need a lot more food, so Ollie will end up costing a fair bit every month. The important thing to remember, though, is that you are focusing on the health and well-being of your pet, and even at $15 a day, or $7.50 per meal, that is likely less than you spend on yourself.

If you have already been feeding a raw diet previously, the cost of Ollie is highly comparable, if not a bit cheaper than many raw options. This can end up saving you a bit of money each month, while removing some of the concerns that raw feeders need to be aware of. With Ollie, there is no contamination or salmonella issues, and while you do need to keep they bowl washed and cleaned, you should be doing this already regardless of what you are feeding them.

How Does Ollie Compare?

Many of the pet food delivery companies are aiming to do the same thing, so it’s common to see similar practices and policies across the board. The main difference you will come across is always going to be in terms of the price – with various companies either costing more or less depending.

Ollie is a bit more on the higher side in terms of price, but as we mentioned earlier, this is going to be very dependent on your dog’s needs. On average, it sits a few dollars higher per day than the cheapest brand, and a few dollars lower per day than the most expensive option.

For the price, Ollie guarantees human grade food with no unnecessary additives or by-products. All of their ingredients are listed directly on the website, and do not require you to hunt in order to find them. Compared to brands such as Farmer’s Dog, this transparency is welcomed, as Farmer’s Dog makes you sign up and pay before they allow you to access the majority of the information. 

Some key areas where Ollie stands out is with their intro offer, their charity initiatives, and their small dog plan prices. Unlike other companies who only offer 20% to new sign ups, Ollie gives 50% off your first order, which is a huge savings. This can help sway the decision on whether or not you really want to switch your pet’s diet, as your initial cost is fairly low and makes the product no more expensive than what you are likely currently feeding them.

Their prices for small dogs are noticeably cheaper than other companies, but this switches as the dog size gets bigger. Dogs that are under 15lbs will see the most in terms of savings, whereas dogs who are closer to 95 lbs will end up spending more than if they were to go with a different brand. This is why it is important to fill out the questionnaire based on your dog so that you can make a more accurate decision on whether or not the cost fits into your budget.

Finally, Ollie does an amazing job of giving back, and their partnership with Foster Dogs Inc goes a long way in supporting a non-profit shelter. They continuously donate 1% of all revenue, and host events to help raise even more money and awareness. Other companies also partake in charitable efforts, but they do not consistently donate revenue to the same degree.

In most other regards, Ollie performs the same or better than similar brands, and they meet all the same strict regulatory guidelines set in place to ensure your dog is meeting their nutritional needs. Their flexible delivery plans, free shipping, and the ability to add on some special treats, goes a long way in making them stand out from the crowd.

Bottom Line

Switching to a fresh food delivery service for your pet may not be within everyone’s budget, but for those who are committed to providing their dog with the best nutritional and ingredient rich food will likely be interested by companies such as Ollie. All of their food is grain free, making it a great choice for pets who have wheat or grain sensitivities, and you can pick your protein based on their preferences and dietary needs.

Ollie’s sign-up questionnaire is thorough and useful, and takes a lot of the stress and worry out of switching your dog to a new type of food. From new feeding guidelines, to pre-packaged meals, you no longer need to worry if your dog is over or under eating. 

All recyclable packaging, and their charitable donations, means that Ollie is a company you can feel good about supporting. All of their meats come from human-grade farms, and the animals are raised without the use of hormones. This is the type of food you would feel good about serving to yourself, so you can be confident that your pet will love it too. 

Overall, Ollie is an exceptional choice for anyone looking to provide their dog with the best meals possible, and you will likely see changes in your pup for the better. Many owners report increased energy levels, better immune systems, and a beautiful, shiny coat thanks to the switch. 

With their 50% off initial offer, making your first order is simple, straightforward, and well worth the investment into your pets health and longevity.