As a reporter and tester of pet products, I've tried many of the best fresh dog food delivery services with my pup. Since my first round of testing a couple of years ago, I've fed my picky 50-pound pit mix, Lyla, everything from traditional kibble and canned food to some of the fresh brands she's already enjoyed.
So when I got a chance to try The Pets Table — a newcomer in the pet food world from human meal delivery service HelloFresh — I was excited. Over the course of a month, I fed Lyla three of the brand's fresh frozen recipes: Chicken Casserole with Green Beans, Beef Stew with Carrots, and Turkey Casserole with Broccoli.
I assessed the brand based on factors like ordering, delivery, and nutritional value, but what truly stood out was Lyla's positive taste-testing experience and the brand's thoughtful packaging. Thanks to both, The Pets Table will be a mainstay in our home.
The Pets Table offers five fresh dog food recipes with a focus on straightforward ordering and convenient feeding. Prices for small dogs start at $2.48, and new subscribers can take 50% off their first two weeks of meals.
What we like
What we don't like
How it works
Recipes: The Pets Table recipes meet the nutrition standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for dogs of all life stages (puppies, adults, and pregnant or nursing dogs). The brand also follows the Global Nutrition Guidelines set by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). These guidelines help veterinarians and pet parents make informed choices about pet food based on expert formulations, nutrition, quality control, and more. Our top picks for the best dog foods also meet these guidelines.
The Pets Table offers five recipes featuring four animal protein options: chicken, turkey, beef, and pork. Each recipe includes added vitamins, minerals, and salmon oil, which can support skin and coat health like the best fish oil for dogs.
| Recipe | Ingredient highlights | Guaranteed analysis |
| Chicken Casserole with Green Beans | Chicken, chickpeas, chicken liver, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, spinach, salmon oil | Crude protein: 12% min Crude fat: 8.5% min Crude fiber: 1% max Moisture: 78% max |
| Turkey Casserole with Broccoli | Turkey, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, salmon oil | Crude protein: 11% min Crude fat: 8.5% min Crude fiber: 1% max Moisture: 78% max |
| Beef Stew with Carrots | Turkey, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, salmon oil | Crude protein: 11% min Crude fat: 8.5% min Crude fiber: 1% max Moisture: 78% max |
| Chicken Entree with Brown Rice | Chicken, brown rice, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash, spinach, flaxseed, salmon oil | Crude protein: 11.3% min Crude fat: 8% min Crude fiber: 1% max Moisture: 72.5% max |
| Pork Stew with Butternut Squash | Pork, brown rice, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, pork heart, pork liver, spinach, apples, zucchini, millet, flaxseed, salmon oil, beet powder | Crude protein: 11.5% min Crude fat: 7.5% min Crude fiber: 1.3% max Moisture: 72% max |
Ordering: When you sign up, you'll enter your dog's details, including their age, weight, and activity level. From there, you can choose up to three recipes and set your delivery preferences.
Customization: Unlike other sites, The Pets Table doesn't recommend specific recipes after you complete the questionnaire. Instead, you can choose up to three of the five recipes. Keep in mind that individual ingredients cannot be added or removed from the food.
Delivery: Delivery days vary by zip code. You can usually choose from four different delivery days. You can also add delivery instructions if you'd like the food left somewhere other than your front door, such as your back door or garage.
Packaging: The Pets Table ships its frozen meals in vacuum-sealed plastic bags packed in a cardboard box insulated with dry ice. Trial boxes include a reusable container for storing thawed food in the fridge. Food should be kept in the freezer until you're ready to thaw and serve it.
Our review of The Pets Table
After placing my order, The Pets Table sent frequent notifications about shipment and delivery status, both of which I could also track from my website account page. While this level of communication is standard among the brands I've tested, it's still a valuable feature.
The food arrived in a cardboard box packed with dry ice that kept it frozen solid. I've gone back and forth on whether I prefer dry ice or ice packs for fresh dog food deliveries, but ultimately I've landed on dry ice as the better option. I try to cut down on waste by reusing ice packs, but finding space in my freezer gets tough as orders stack up. The Pets Table also includes a few extras in your trial box: a storage container for thawed food, a feeding guide, a bandana, and a sample bag of treats for your pup.
Unpacking my order was a breeze thanks to the smart packaging — a major pro for me. The food comes in long, rectangular bags that lie flat in the freezer, making them easy to stack and helping conserve valuable freezer real estate.
The feeding guide included in the box provides thawing and serving instructions. After thawing the food in the refrigerator (at least 12 hours before serving), I simply cut open the bag and followed the measurement directions. Lyla's included feeding guide said she should eat one bag per day. This recommendation was fine, according to both her veterinarian and her appetite. For pet parents with dogs that require smaller portions, the measurements printed on the bag will be especially useful. Any leftover food went into the provided storage container to save for the next meal.
I've tried some fresh foods in the past that had a strong odor, but The Pets Table had virtually no smell. What I did smell of the food was pleasant, even when the food was leftover from the day before.
While I was impressed by the convenient packaging and feeding instructions, Lyla was, unsurprisingly, far more interested in the food. With most dog food brands, she tends to lose interest after a few weeks. But during our monthlong trial with The Pets Table, she ate every single meal without hesitation. If you have a picky eater, you'll understand my joy when she polished off each bowl twice a day.
Lyla enjoyed all three of the recipes we tried: the Chicken Casserole, Turkey Casserole, and Beef Stew. I eventually stopped feeding her the Beef Stew due to some slight stomach upset, but even that didn't deter her from coming back for more of The Pets Table. If your dog has food sensitivities, you can easily review the full ingredient lists for each recipe on The Pets Table website. However, you should consult your vet if you're unsure what may be causing your pet to have frequent stomach upset, as there may be a variety of causes.
Cons to consider
Unlike kibble or even canned food, fresh dog food isn't exactly budget-friendly. For this review, I was given a complimentary month of food, but had I subscribed myself, it would have been about $145 for two weeks of meals, plus $10.99 shipping. While The Pets Table is more affordable than some other fresh dog food delivery services, it's still more expensive than Lyla's usual rotation kibble and wet food.
Subscribers can swap recipes before delivery, but individual ingredients can't be customized. When it comes to scheduling delivery, The Pets Table also doesn't offer as much flexibility as other brands. You can choose the delivery date and pause or skip shipments, but The Pets Table determines your delivery frequency, which can range from two to eight weeks.
One other drawback is the limited availability of grain-inclusive recipes. Currently, The Pets Table offers just two grain-inclusive recipes, which were added shortly after I began testing. While my veterinarian and I determined that a grain-free diet is fine for my pup, that might not be the case for all dogs. It's best to consult your vet, who can determine the best diet to keep your four-legged friend healthy and happy.
The bottom line
I was pleasantly surprised by how much my picky dog liked The Pets Table — she enjoyed the flavor of all three recipes she tried. I also appreciated the simple ordering process and the convenient packaging. While it's not the most customizable option for fresh dog food, it's a great choice if you value a no-fuss, straightforward approach to feeding your pet.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
