Spot & Tango Review

Overview

Spot & Tango are one of the original names when it comes to pet meal delivery services. This type of service has been growing in popularity, ever since pet owners started questioning what exactly they were feeding their dogs. The questionable ingredient lists, and frequent recalls, have made some shy away from pre-packaged kibble and instead start seeking out healthier alternatives. 

Meal delivery services provide your dog with fresh, real meals that are made from whole ingredients and have no fillers or additives. These recipes are not designed with the goal of being shelf-stable, but instead the focus is solely on providing your pet with a balanced meal that is suited to their canine digestive system. 

Spot & Tango, like similar companies, emphasises the benefits of switching to their product, stating that fresh food allows for numerous health benefits, and can promote a longer lifespan in your beloved furry friend. Many owners report that after making the switch, they tend to notice things such as an increase in energy levels, shinier and more luscious coats, and less instances of digestive issues or allergies. 

For those who are willing to spend a bit more in order to provide your dog with the best type of food possible, brands such as Spot & Tango are a wonderful way to ensure all of your dog’s nutritional needs are being met. Some may question why they cannot just make this type of food themselves, but studies have shown that almost all owners who make homemade meals tend to not meet nutritional requirements. Instead of worrying about if you’re doing in correctly, take the hassle out of the process and allow Spot & Tango to do the hard work for you.

Brand

Spot & Tango was founded back in 2013, making it one of the first meal services established in the United States. In 2007 there was a massive pet food recall due to the presence of melamine in many recipes. Melamine is a type of resin plastic that is often used in the making of plywood, meaning it is in no way safe for human or animal consumption. 

Following the recall, founder Russell Breuer decided to switch his dog to a homemade diet that he could be certain was safe and nutritious. From his home kitchen in New York, Russell found that his dog took to the homemade food right away and it prompted him to see if he could turn this idea into a thriving business. Working each weekend on the project, he eventually started up Spot & Tango, leading to the massive operation that it is today. 

The recipes they offer today are still based around the original meal that Russel made for his own dog, but they have since teamed up with nutritionists, veterinarians, and even scientists in order to perfect each option and ensure that it exceeds all standards. 

Sustainability is also something that Spot & Tango discusses on their website, and they are very clear about where their ingredients are sourced from. The company works closely with farmers and suppliers in order to ensure that they use local products that are ethically sourced. 

All meats are hormone-free, and they do not use by-products or fillers. For every one pound of food there is 8 ounces of meat included, as well as generous amounts of vegetables. Each recipe is slow cooked so that the nutritional elements are retained, and then is flash frozen. This means that when you receive your meals, you will simply defrost them prior to serving. 

As a whole, Spot & Tango is positively viewed by consumers and reviews indicate that both pets and owners are happy with the product. While they are not registered with the BBB, you are able to find many reviews online, and all financial information can be found by looking up the company name: Spot & Tango.

Recipes & Ingredients

Spot & Tango offers a total of three different recipes, each made up of a varying protein as well as a unique carbohydrate. Ingredients are listed on the website, and you will also find a full nutritional breakdown. 

The only thing you will not find, however, is a list of what nutrients are added to their proprietary blend, something that some pet owners may be wary of. While it does state that it is an all-natural blend, not knowing the specific details of which vitamins and minerals are added hurts their transparency rating. 

Companies will oftentimes use proprietary blends as a way to keep their recipes secret from competitors, and it does not mean that there is anything negative hidden inside. Unfortunately, however, there is no way to verify this or know it for sure, so that is a small gamble you will have to take. 

With that said, Spot & Tango does guarantee that there are no artificial additives, and the nutritional blend that is added is simply there to ensure that each recipe makes up a complete and balanced meal for all life stages. From puppies to seniors, each dog will get exactly what they need in order to thrive. 

Below we will break down the three options, their ingredients, and the nutritional information.

One of the key things to note in the above ingredient lists is just how few ingredients there actually are. This is a key difference between Spot & Tango and other companies, where they really focus on keeping everything clean and healthy. 

Part of the reason the list is so small is due to the fact that the vitamins and minerals are not listed out, but even so, there is nothing that someone cannot pronounce, has never heard of, or wouldn’t be comfortable feeding their dog. The only improvement that could be suggested is to move away from a proprietary blend and become more transparent.

Ordering & Delivery

One unique thing about Spot & Tango is that if you live in the New York area, there are actually select pet stores that sell their food. For those who don’t want to be locked into a subscription, or prefer shopping in stores as opposed to online, this is an option that isn’t available with similar companies. 

However, the majority of the people who use Spot & Tango do so via the website, which helps owners learn what and how much they should be feeding their pet. Like with other brands, new customers are required to fill out a survey about each of their pets, which covers their age, weight, activity level, and health concerns. 

Next you will be presented with which of their three recipes are recommended for your pet based on their individual needs. You can select the one they recommend, choose a different recipe, or mix and match between them. 

Once you have your protein selected, you will then be able to decide whether or not you want Spot & Tango to be the only thing your dog eats, or if you plan on just using it as a topper. Some people find they like the price of kibble, but they want the added nutrients associated with fresh food, so they blend the two together at meal times. Whichever works best for you, the website will break down the price differences, and then create a delivery plan.

Shipping is always free, and the food will be delivered to your door every two weeks. Because you fill out the survey beforehand, Spot & Tango then portions out the meals for you, so that you know exactly how much to feed each day. No questions or confusion, simply remove the food from the package and serve. 

All of the packaging used is eco-conscious, and it can be recycled. Even the insulation that is added to keep the product cold is fully biodegradable and is actually made from cornstarch. 

New customers are given 50% off of their first order, which helps alleviate some of that initial cost. And for those who are unsure if their dog will enjoy the food, Spot & Tango also guarantees a full refund for any unsatisfied owners or pets. 

Price

Like with all similar services, the cost associated with Spot & Tango is dependent on a few different factors. 

First, all three of the protein options are priced differently, so if your dog happens to prefer beef over turkey, or lamb over beef, then you’ll end up paying more or less respectively. 

Secondly, the size and activity level will play the biggest role in terms of how much you pay, as small dogs who are fairly lazy are going to have far less expensive plans than large breed dogs who are very active. This is something that is true no matter what type of food you choose to feed with, however, and is simply to be expected. 

If you have a dog who is 5lbs or under, then you can expect to pay around $10 per week, or $20 per order. Moving up in size, if your dog is closer to the 20lb mark, then you will likely pay $25 per week, or $50 per order. Medium sized breeds who sit around the 50lb weight class are looking at approximately $70 per week, or $140 per order, and finally, large breeds who are over 70lbs, but under 100lbs, will likely pay about $90 per week, or $180 per order.

Right away it is easy to see that this is more expensive than generic kibble, and even more so if you happen to have quite a bit dog. Small dog owners are less likely to see much of a difference in price, and therefore will have an easier time deciding to give it a try.

If cost is a major concern, fresh food may simply not be a realistic choice, but you can also choose to add it as a topper instead of being used solely as a meal. This will reduce costs significantly, while still allowing your dog to reap the nutritional benefits that are packed within each recipe. 

Those who are not on a tight budget, however, will find that making the switch provides numerous health benefits, leading to long-term savings over your dog’s lifespan. Less allergies and digestive issues means less veterinary visits, a huge savings, especially as your dog ages. 

Compared to similar brands, Spot & Tango is a bit more on the expensive side, although it is certainly not the most expensive option available. For the price you are getting immense value, as you know that you are receiving locally sourced ingredients that are high-quality and rich in nutrients. Overall, many find that the price is completely worth it, and most owners who switch over to fresh food never end up going back to processed kibble.

How it Compares

Starting with the chart above, we compared Spot & Tango to similar brands based on cost, delivery, and protein options. The brands used for comparison purposes are Ollie, Farmer’s Dog, and Pet Plate, which are all meal delivery services that operate within the United States. 

In terms of pricing, Spot & Tango does fall closer to the higher end of the price spectrum, coming it at around $7 per day on average. Again, this cost is extremely dependent on your individual pet, so keep this in mind. Brands such as Ollie and Farmer’s Dog are noticeably cheaper, but this can change as the dog size gets larger, so unless your pet is around the 50lb mark, you won’t know for sure unless you fill out the surveys. 

Like with all of the brands mentioned, Spot & Tango offers free delivery to 48 states, and the only places it does not ship to are Hawaii and Alaska. This is true across the board, and so if you live in either of those places you will have a hard time regardless of which company you choose. 

Protein-wise, most brands offer either three or four options, and Spot & Tango sits at a firm three. The only thing you will not be able to get with them that you can with most others is chicken, but they offer turkey as a poultry option. Some brands also offer a pork recipe, but that is used instead of lamb, and it is unlikely you will find pork and lamb on the menu. 

If you have a very picky eater, and your dog only likes chicken, then Spot & Tango may not work out for you. But, there haven’t been many reviews that discuss unhappy dogs, so there is a high chance your pet will enjoy at least one of the three proteins offered. If you aren’t sure, you can always purchase one of their sample packs before you order, which gives you the chance to try all three options.

Where Spot & Tango really stands out from the crowd is both with the amount of protein contained within each recipe as well as their packaging. Many similar brands only offer recipes that are made up of 30% protein, with a couple hitting the 40% mark. Spot & Tango ensures each package has a total of 50% protein, a significant increase over the competition. 

As for the packaging, Spot & Tango is extremely eco-friendly, and the lack of plastics and non-recyclable materials means that you can feel good about your environmental impact with each order. No one wants a ton of plastic wrapping or insulation that takes up garbage space, so they certainly win on this front.

Bottom Line

Overall, Spot & Tango has been in this business for a long time, and this shows through their perfected recipes and solid business plan model. They have built up a positive reputation, and work closely with their suppliers to ensure that all ingredients are fresh and human-grade quality. 

While they do cost more than other brands that are on the market, you are getting high value for that price. The recipes are simple, easy to read, and contains nothing that would be considered unsafe. With that said, their use of a proprietary nutritional blend does concern some people, but it is guaranteed to be all-natural and included simply to ensure that it meets all standards regardless of what stage of life your dog is in. 

For anyone looking to change their pet over to fresh food, and who wants to be confident that it is the right decision, Spot & Tango is one of the best ways to go. The 50% off of your first order helps reduce initial costs, and the fact that they will give you your money back if you aren’t happy is unique to this company. There is little reason not to want to try their food, and the many positive reviews are a wonderful endorsement of just how great their product truly is.