The Short Answer
Ollie is excellent dog food, specifically their fresh (wet) recipes. They use human-grade ingredients, meaning the beef, chicken, and veggies are the same quality you'd buy at a grocery store. This is a significant upgrade from standard kibble, which often relies on Is Meat Meal Bad|Meat Meals and fillers.
However, they are not perfect. In late 2025, Ollie issued a voluntary recall for their "Gently Baked" beef recipe due to potential metal contamination. Their fresh food line remains recall-free since the company's founding in 2016. If you want the safest option, stick to their fresh meals and skip the dry baked pieces for now.
Why This Matters
Most commercial dog food is ultra-processed. Ollie is gently cooked.
This matters because high-heat processing (used for kibble) creates Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which are linked to inflammation and chronic disease. By cooking at lower temperatures, Ollie preserves more natural nutrients, reducing the need for synthetic vitamin packs.
They also tackle the obesity epidemic. 59% of dogs are overweight. Ollie creates a custom portion plan based on your dog's age, weight, and activity level, making it much harder to accidentally overfeed.
What's Actually In Ollie
Ollie offers two types of food: Fresh (frozen wet food) and Gently Baked (dry food). Their fresh recipes are the star here.
Fresh Beef Recipe Breakdown:
- Beef, Beef Kidney, Beef Liver: High-quality muscle meat and organs. What Should Be First Ingredient Dog Food|Real Meat is always the first ingredient.
- Sweet Potatoes & Potatoes: Digestible carbs for energy. Note: This is grain-free. Is Grain Free Dog Food Safe
- Peas & Chickpeas: Legumes used for fiber and protein. (Some owners avoid legumes due to DCM concerns; see Does Grain Free Cause Heart Disease).
- Spinach & Carrots: Whole food sources of vitamins.
- Salmon Oil: Excellent source of Omega-3s for coat health. Is Fish Oil Good For Dogs
Gently Baked Chicken Recipe Breakdown:
- Chicken: First ingredient.
- Oats: A healthy grain inclusion (good for those avoiding grain-free diets).
- Whole Dried Eggs: Highly bioavailable protein.
Safety Check: Recalls & Quality
For years, Ollie had a perfect safety record. That changed slightly in 2025.
The 2025 Recall:
- Product: Gently Baked Beef Dish with Sweet Potatoes.
- Date: November 14, 2025.
- Reason: Potential metal fragments found in a batch.
- Verdict: This was a voluntary recall of a specific dry product. The fresh food line was NOT affected.
The Fresh Food Record:
- Recalls: Zero.
- Kitchens: Made in USDA-certified kitchens in the USA.
- Testing: Each batch is lab-tested before shipping.
The Cost Reality
Ollie is expensive. There is no way around it.
| Dog Size | Est. Monthly Cost | Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10 lbs) | $60 - $80 | ~$2.50 |
| Medium (40 lbs) | $160 - $200 | ~$6.00 |
| Large (80 lbs) | $300 - $360 | ~$11.00 |
Pro Tip: Use their "Mixed Bowl" plan. They send you 50% fresh food to mix with your own kibble (or their baked food). This cuts the monthly bill in half while still adding fresh nutrition to your dog's diet.
The Best Options
If you sign up for Ollie, here is how to prioritize their menu:
| Recipe | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Beef | ✅ Best | High protein, organ-rich, dogs love the taste. |
| Fresh Chicken | ✅ Good | Leaner option, easy on sensitive stomachs. |
| Fresh Lamb | ✅ Good | Novel protein, great for dogs with chicken allergies. |
| Gently Baked Beef | ⚠️ Caution | The subject of the 2025 recall. Wait for quality control to stabilize. |
| Gently Baked Chicken | ✅ Acceptable | Good grain-inclusive dry option, but pricey for "kibble." |
The Bottom Line
1. Buy the Fresh. The frozen fresh meals are top-tier, safe, and nutritious.
2. Skip the Baked (for now). Given the recent recall, stick to the wet food until the baked line has a longer track record.
3. Mix it up. If $200/month is too steep, use Ollie as a topper. Even replacing 20% of your dog's kibble with fresh food can improve health outcomes.
FAQ
Is Ollie better than The Farmer's Dog?
They are very similar. The Farmer's Dog is slightly cheaper and has eco-friendlier packaging. Ollie wins on flexibility—offering baked options and easier "mixed" plans for budget-conscious owners. See Is Farmers Dog Good.
Does Ollie cause diarrhea?
Transitioning to fresh food often causes loose stool initially. This is a "detox" symptom of switching from dry processed pellets to real food. It usually clears up in 3-5 days.
Is Ollie AAFCO approved?
Yes. All Ollie recipes are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist to meet AAFCO standards for All Life Stages. It is complete and balanced.
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