I don’t have kids, but my Goldendoodle Jake may as well be my child. Though I’m not one of those crazy dog moms that indulges him, I keep it real, and he lives a happy, simple life– enjoying long walks, outings, and time hanging out with the family. But a while ago, my friend and I got into a heated discussion about dog food, something that I’ve never really thought twice about. She asked me if I’ve ever read the ingredients on the back of Jake’s dog food. Not really, I told her. But didn’t “premium” kibble mean premium ingredients?

Jake has eaten the same food since he was a puppy and never seemed to complain about it too much. Sometimes he gets finicky, but he will usually eat his food when I mix in a treat like cheese. He also sometimes scratches a lot after eating, which I thought might have been an allergy. My vet told me it was nothing to worry about. But my friend mentioned that when she started to notice her Chihuahua Bo acting lethargic, her vet narrowed it down to his diet. That led her to research dog food. To her surprise, she found that a lot of it is not what you think it is, even the premium stuff. Whether filled with byproducts, mystery “meat meal” or processed grains, she deemed her trusted kibble as no longer good enough for her Bo. That’s when she decided to switch to Ollie.

Ollie is a dog-food delivery service that sends human-grade fresh dog meals formulated to be nutritionally balanced to your door. The meals are actually prepared by a veterinary nutritionist who knows all the vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to help promote a healthy weight, healthier digestion, shinier coat and less itchy skin, and more energy. All you have to do is enter in some information about your dog and they figure out his exact calorie requirements. They then prepare perfectly portioned meals fresh to deliver on a schedule every 2 weeks or so (depending on the size of your dog).

My friend was surprised to see how quickly Bo took to Ollie. Within a month of eating the food, he was a lot more energetic and back to his old self. She recommended I try it for Jake, especially since it’s a good option for dogs with wheat allergies (all their recipes are corn, wheat, and soy free). However, I was really nervous about transitioning Jake off of the food he’s eaten for 9 years—I didn’t want him to have a bad reaction. But she assured me that Ollie provides a guide on exactly how to transition your dog. She convinced me there is no substitute for real, fresh ingredients, so I had to give it a try for Jake. He loved it!

After a few weeks of eating strictly Ollie, I noticed Jake was acclimating really well. There were clear differences in his appearance and overall health. He’s leaned up and is getting to a healthier weight for his size. My main concern was his allergies, and after transitioning to Ollie, he no longer sheds or itches as much and he’s sleeping much better at night. All vets agree that a healthier dog is much less likely to get diseases in the future. Ollie may be a bit more expensive than his old dog food, but if it makes Jake happier and gives him a healthier (and longer!) life, I’m more than happy to spend a bit extra on his food. By investing in my dog’s health now, I am investing in his future.

If you’re like me, you never thought twice about the actual ingredients in your dog’s food, thinking that “premium” food or a vet’s recommendation is the best. While it may cost extra, Ollie ended up being just what Jake and I needed. It was super convenient and easy for me to never have to think about ordering dog food in bulk again, and Jake eats every last bite and is healthier than ever! Jake and I are totally hooked on Ollie, and I feel so much better about what I’m feeding him. You can’t put a price on your dog’s health and happiness.

Update: The awesome team at Ollie is extending a special offer to our readers! Follow this link to receive 50% off your first order!