ButcherBox for Pets Dog Food Review: Premium Nutrition with a Subscription Twist

When it comes to providing your dog with top-notch nutrition, the options can be overwhelming. ButcherBox for Pets aims to simplify the process with their premium dog food made from high-quality ingredients, all conveniently delivered to your door. If you’re considering subscribing to a dog food delivery service, this review will help you determine if it’s the right choice for your furry friend!

In addition to the food itself, we’ll also look over some of the other nifty goodies that you can add into your plan, like their meal topper and treats (all of which my Freya went NUTS over). 

Just so we’re all on the same page, here’s what we’re talking about today:

 What is ButcherBox for Pets?

While ButcherBox for Pets may be relatively new to the dog food delivery service industry, the brand ButcherBox has been around for at least a few years now. I’m not sure exactly when it launched, but I worked with them on a review of their human food delivery service years ago on my own blog, Pretty Opinionated, back in 2018, so it was at least 6 years ago. 

One of the things that I was most impressed by is the fact that their beef is grass-fed (and grass-finished), their chicken is free-range, and all of the meat is the highest quality and from the most ethical sources possible. So, when I heard that ButcherBox launched for pets, too, I was excited to see if all of those pros carried over to their dog food as well. Spoiler alert- it does. 

ButcherBox for Pets Dog Food Review

Let’s start with a deep dive into the food itself, starting with a quick peek at the top features. 

Top Features

• High-Quality Protein: Made primarily from chicken, offering a high-protein diet that supports muscle development and overall health.
• Natural Ingredients: Free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products, ensuring your dog gets only the best.
• Convenient Subscription Service: Delivered directly to your door on a customizable schedule, so you never run out of dog food.
• Grain-Free Recipe: Ideal for dogs with grain sensitivities or those on a grain-free diet.
• Veterinarian-Approved: Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all life stages.
• Ethically Sourced: Ingredients are responsibly sourced, aligning with ButcherBox’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

Ingredients

Organic chicken, quinoa, millet, pearled barley, chicken meal, potato protein, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, flaxseed, fish oil, salt, calcium carbonate, yeast culture, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin), choline chloride, minerals (zinc methionine complex, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide), taurine, mixed tocopherols (preservative), rosemary extract

Pros 

As always, we’ll do a quick rundown of the pros, then talk about them in a bit more depth. 

• High Protein Content and Low Fat
• Grain-Free Formula
• No Artificial Additives
• Ethical Sourcing
• Convenience
• Customizable Subscription

High Protein, Low Fat: 

Since the primary ingredient in ButcherBox for Pets dog food is chicken, a high-quality, digestible protein, it ensures that your dog gets the essential amino acids needed for overall health and vitality. This makes it a great option for dogs that lead active lifestyles (like my Freya) or are recovering from illness or injury.

As for the low-fat side of things, that’s kind of a no-brainer. Yes, dogs need fat for energy and nutrient absorption, but too much can lead to weight gain, which can increase the risk of joint issues, diabetes, and heart disease. 

By keeping fat levels moderate and including mainly healthy fats, ButcherBox for Pets helps support a healthy weight while still providing the essential fatty acids dogs need for energy, skin health, and a shiny coat. This balance makes the food ideal for dogs prone to weight gain, as it allows them to build lean muscle without accumulating excess fat.

Grain-Free 

First, there’s the obvious benefit to this pro- it’s good for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities. Beyond that, though, grain-free formulas often include alternative sources of fiber and carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes and peas, which are easier for some dogs to digest while providing sustained energy. 

Ethical Sourcing

ButcherBox places a strong emphasis on responsibly and ethically sourced ingredients, which is a significant pro for those of us concerned about sustainability and animal welfare. The chicken used in their dog food comes from farms that follow humane practices.

Basically, the animals are raised in healthy, stress-free (and free-range) environments without the use of hormones or antibiotics. 

Convenient and Customizable Subscription

The customizable subscription is a major advantage for busy pet owners. With the ability to tailor your delivery schedule to your dog’s specific needs, you can choose how often you receive a fresh supply—whether it’s monthly, bi-weekly, or even more frequently if you have multiple dogs or larger breeds with higher food consumption.

Plus, if you ever need to pause or change your order, the subscription is easy to modify, providing peace of mind and reducing waste or overstocking. 

Freya rooting through the box to see what kind of goodies she got

As far as customizations go, ButcherBox goes beyond just letting you tailor the amount of dog food that you receive (and how often). After answering a few questions about your dog, you’ll see a screen that looks like this:

Notice the “Next” button at the bottom? Click that and you’ll see something that looks like this:

I had to zoom way out to show you all of the potential add-ons, which include everything from food toppers to treats and even toys. 

If you have a picky pup, I HIGHLY recommend the Chicken & Quinoa Recipe Topper. Freya LOVES it. The first five ingredients (and the ones that make up the bulk of the food) are Organic Chicken, Chicken broth, Carrots, Green Beans, and Quinoa. 

Quinoa Topper (on top of Freya’s regular kibble mixed with ButcherBox for easier transitions).

I also highly recommend grabbing a few bags of their treats. They have a few different bundles, or you can get single bags. We tried the All-Natural Turkey Jerky Bites, the Calming Support Chews, and the Skin & Coat Support Salmon Treats. They’re all soft chews (although some are softer than others). So you can easily break them apart into smaller training treats if you want to. 

Freya checking out all the yummy treats.

Cons 

As amazing as ButcherBox for Pets is, there are a few downsides. Again, we’ll do a quick peek, then talk about them in more detail. 

• Limited Flavors
• Price
• Subscription Commitment

Limited Flavors: 

As of right now, chicken is the only flavor/recipe available for adults, and turkey is the only option for puppies. If your pooch is allergic to those proteins then this food won’t work for you. 

Keep in mind, though, that ButcherBox for Pets is pretty new. So, they may offer additional recipes later. I know they’re working on cat food right now, so they’re definitely continuing to develop their product line. 

Price:

The cost is higher compared to some other premium dog foods that you may find in stores or on Chewy/PetSmart/etc.. That said, it’s pretty much in line with other dog food delivery services. Depending on the size of your dog, expect to pay anywhere from $1 to $2.35 per meal. 

Subscription Commitment: 

While convenient, the subscription model may not appeal to those who prefer buying as needed. One thing I want to note, though, is that while you need a plan to buy the dog food, you can buy most of the treats, the topper, and the toys on their own. 

Plus, you can cancel at any time through your account, so if you decide to try the food and it’s not for you, you’re not locked into an ongoing commitment. 

Conclusion

ButcherBox for Pets offers a premium dog food option that combines high-quality, natural ingredients with the convenience of home delivery. It’s a solid choice for pet parents who prioritize nutrition and convenience, and the subscription model ensures you’ll never have to worry about running out of food. However, the higher price point and limited flavor options might be drawbacks for some. 

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to ensure your dog gets the best, ButcherBox for Pets is worth considering, especially if you’re already a fan of ButcherBox’s human food offerings.