In partnership with Tally’s Ranch. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
My husband and I have long talked about feeding our dogs better food. It’s no secret that kibble isn’t great for them – it’s clearly burnt to a crisp and my dogs regularly go on hunger strikes. But, while there are plenty of “healthy” dog food options out there, most cost a fortune and require refrigeration. I don’t mind spending some good money on my fur babies, but I despise putting their food in the human refrigerator.
So, when I heard about a “best of both worlds” product that’s both better for dogs and doesn’t require refrigeration (!!) I had to learn more about this unique, freeze-dried dog food. Meet Tally’s Ranch.
We like
- Freeze-dried food is easy and mess-free to serve
- My dogs are obsessed with the taste!
- Personalized recipe recommendations for your dog’s needs
- Nutritional value supports all-around health and energy
- No need to store it in the freezer or fridge
We don't like
- Wish it was available in stores for convenience
- Have to get a lot of bags for bigger dogs
- Higher-end price
Featured Product
Good Girl, Tally
Tally’s Ranch founder Michael Goldman spent almost a decade working in the pet food industry before starting his own brand. Year after year, he saw pets being served highly-processed kibble, and while more nutrient-dense food has made a comeback in more recent years, Goldman saw many customers would not switch as the product was expensive and messy. He dreamed of a better way to feed pups everywhere – imagine: a reasonably-priced alternative that was great for pups and easy to serve…
Goldman’s experience in the industry certainly shaped his motivation to create a new type of dog food, but his other inspiration is a lot cuter: his dog, Tally! Once upon a time, Tally wound up in a shelter in Texas, but in a true moment of fate, was transported to NYC by a rescue mission. It was here that she met Michael. Tally loves to herd things, leading Michael to believe she spent some time on a ranch in Texas… hence the name “Tally’s Ranch.” She struggled with itchy skin and had some gastric struggles, all of which were tied to her food.
Freeze-Dried for More Fun
After years of speaking with veterinarians, researching, and visiting pet food manufacturers, Goldman landed in a whole new category: freeze-dried food. Freeze-drying involves sourcing high quality ingredients, forming and freezing them into delicious nuggets, then slowly vacuuming 97% of their water content out over the course of 24 hours. What’s left is incredibly nutrient-dense and delicious dog food that’s shelf-stable and convenient.
Tally’s new freeze-dried food allowed her skin and stomach to heal – and she and Goldman became determined to give every dog in the U.S. this same type of victory. Tally’s story was one of the reasons I was drawn to the brand. A few others? It’s made in the U.S. with USDA meat and human-grade veggies.
I have two rescue dogs: Jackson (14) and Joie (4). They have pretty much eaten a certain bulk store’s kibble brand their entire lives, with the exception of a few splurges we’ve done on wet food. They are so disinterested in their kibble, often leaving it untouched from 7 in the morning until 6 or so in the evening. My older dog has some tummy troubles and probably could lose a little weight. As for the wet food, even if it is certified “human grade,” I’ve always been grossed out by storing it in my fridge or freezer and hate serving it. Beyond that, we travel a lot with our dogs, which has made using this type of food nearly impossible with these guys.
The Taste Test
When I went to sign up for the Tally’s Ranch subscription, I was prompted to take a quick quiz about Jackson and Joie. The quiz took less than 2 minutes and spit out personalized recommendations for which recipe would be best for them. For Jackson, it recommended 6 bags of the Freeze-Dried Chicken to support his weight and aging joints. For Joie, who is about half his size, it recommended 5 bags of the Freeze-Dried Beef. The first order came straight to my door in just two days with all the food and a cute golden scoop for each recipe.
The dogs were definitely intrigued by the food when I brought it out for the first time – similar to the way they’re interested when I’m cooking beef or chicken. When I set it down, it was game over. They went straight for it, totally unlike the way they eat (or don’t…) their kibble.
This wasn’t just a one-time thing. Every time I’ve set this food out, they are all about it, and it’s gone in a second. I love watching them be excited about their food. To me, it really proves that there’s only real food in Tally’s Ranch, without any preservatives or fillers.
Is the Switch Worth It?
Jackson and Joie are serious joy bombs in our life. Whenever we’re going through hard stuff or even when we walk through the door at the end of the day, they are there. Our pets are family and frankly, I want to feed them like family! Tally’s Ranch is the only easy, mess-free way I’ve found to feed them real food that is great for them. Kiss picky-eating and nutritionless-kibble goodbye – a new era of food is here for your pup.
