Dogs

Hungry Bark Dog Food Review

May 11, 2022

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Hungry Bark Dog Food Review

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Your dog is unlike any other and that’s what you love about him. As a dog owner, you want what’s best for your canine companion and that includes a healthy diet.

You and your dog both deserve a dog food company that sees your dog as an individual – one that offers customized nutrition to help your dog live his best life. At Hungry Bark, every dog receives an individualized nutrition plan designed specifically with your dog in mind.

Plus, they send it right to your door in convenient monthly deliveries.

Hungry Bark’s custom meal plans are personalized with your dog’s breed, age, weight, activity level, and allergies in mind. Every recipe is developed by pet nutritionists, approved by veterinarians, and shipped directly to your door. All you have to do is fill out a simple quiz to get started.

We tested Hungry Bark to see what their custom nutrition plans look like and to sample their products. In this in-depth review, you’ll learn more about Hungry Bark and you’ll come to see how big a difference custom nutrition can make in your dog’s life.

Hungry Bark Dog Food
Brand
hungry bark logo
Overall Score
Pros
  • Shop on your own or create a custom meal-plan for your dog – view all available products with or without creating a profile.
  • Choose from four recipes of protein-rich kibble made with real animal protein and superfood ingredients.
  • The specially designed Ever-Fresh packaging keeps food fresh to the last bite – packaging is made from recycled materials.
Cons
  • Cost varies according to the dog’s size and calorie requirements but may be more expensive than the average dry food brand.
  • Products are not pre-portioned according to your dog’s specific calorie needs, though feeding recommendations are provided.
Pros
  • Shop on your own or create a custom meal-plan for your dog – view all available products with or without creating a profile.
  • Choose from four recipes of protein-rich kibble made with real animal protein and superfood ingredients.
  • The specially designed Ever-Fresh packaging keeps food fresh to the last bite – packaging is made from recycled materials.
Cons
  • Cost varies according to the dog’s size and calorie requirements but may be more expensive than the average dry food brand.
  • Products are not pre-portioned according to your dog’s specific calorie needs, though feeding recommendations are provided.
Price
Ingredient Quality
Recipe Variety
Options for Customization
Environmentally Friendly

Overview Of The Hungry Bark Brand

Hungry Bark was founded by Nick Molina. Having turned around his own life by working with a certified nutritionist to develop a customized diet, Molina realized his two rescue dogs, Shorty and Barkley, could benefit from the same treatment.

Molina believed his dogs deserved better than average and set out to create the Hungry Bark brand.

At Hungry Bark, you have the option to create a custom meal plan according to your dog’s nutritional needs, or you can simply shop their selection of products. Hungry Bark aims to help you find the perfect combination of dog food products to help your dog live his best and healthiest life.

Hungry Bark offers a variety of high-quality, vet-approved pet food products including nutritious kibble made with superfood ingredients, protein-packed mix-ins, and a variety of supplements.

Shop premium kibble made with superfood ingredients and real animal proteins like chicken, lamb, turkey, and duck or choose from supplements designed to support hip & joint health, healthy digestion, or anxiety. Hungry Bark also offers a selection of single-ingredient, all-natural mix-ins to give your dog’s daily diet a boost of protein and natural flavor.

Not only does Hungry Bark support pets and their parents, but they are committed to giving back to dogs in need all around the country by partnering with local shelters and rescue organizations.

What Dog Food Products Do They Offer?

Hungry Bark offers three main categories of products: kibble, supplements, and mix-ins.

With four recipes to choose from, Hungry Bark kibble is made with the freshest natural ingredients including real animal protein and nutrient-rich superfoods. Each recipe is nutritionally balanced and supplemented with omega fatty acids, probiotics, and bioavailable trace minerals.

Here’s an overview of Hungry Bark’s kibble recipes:

Recipe Protein % Fat % Fiber % Moisture % Calories
Superfoods with Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice 24.5% min 14% min 4.0% max 10% max 359 kcal/cup
Superfoods with Turkey & Duck 29% min 17% min 4.5% max 10% max 422 kcal/cup
Superfoods with Lamb & Turkey 29% min 17% min 4% max 10% max 418 kcal/cup
Superfoods with Salmon 29% min 17% min 4.5% max 10% max 423 kcal/cup

In addition to their kibble recipes, Hungry Bark offers three different mix-ins: beef, chicken, and salmon. These recipes are made with a single source of animal protein, freeze-dried to preserve nutritional integrity. Simply sprinkle it on your dog’s food for a boost of flavor and protein.

Finally, Hungry Bark offers a selection of five different supplements.

Hungry Bark supplement chews come in 60-count containers and are uniquely crafted to support different aspects of your dog’s health. Choose from supplements for heart health or mobility as well as calming chews for anxiety and a standard multivitamin.

Where Is The Food Made?

All Hungry Bark products are made in the United States. This company uses state-of-the-art facilities to manufacture their products and they are kept scrupulously clean. Products are also tested by ISO-certified independent testing labs prior to sale to ensure safety and quality.

Each of Hungry Bark’s recipes is formulated with the help of a team of top animal nutritionists and veterinarians. Their ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmers, primarily in the U.S. but also from New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. Hungry Bark uses only cage-free poultry, farm-raised animal products, and non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

How To Get Started With Hungry Bark

When it comes to ordering Hungry Bark, you have two options. The first option is to browse the product selection on your own and add items to your cart. If you’re not sure what you need or you want some recommendations, you can fill out a profile for your pet to develop a customized meal plan.

Hungry Bark’s custom meal plans deliver personalized nutrition for your dog based on his breed, age, weight, activity level, and allergies. All you have to do is fill out a simple quiz.

To create a custom meal plan for your dog, Hungry Bark will gather the following information:

  • Your dog’s age and name
  • His sex and breed (or mix of breeds)
  • His body weight and condition
  • Your dog’s activity level
  • Any ingredients he doesn’t like
  • Food sensitivities or allergies

Hungry Bark also enables you to indicate specific health problems you want to focus on with your custom meal plan. This includes things like digestion, immunity support, heart health, skin/coat, bone health, improved mobility, and more.

Once you’ve completed the quiz, Hungry Bark presents you with a custom meal plan which includes a kibble recipe, a supplement, and a protein mix-in. You’ll receive special pricing on a 2-week trial as well as information about pricing for your regular 4-week meal plan after you’ve completed the trial.

Hungry Bark is incredibly transparent with their suggestions, making it easy to see what’s included in your dog’s custom meal plan and how much it will cost.

If you’re happy with the meal plan suggested you can continue to checkout or you can make modifications to your dog’s kibble, supplement, or mix-in suggestions. Once you’ve submitted your order, Hungry Bark does the rest, and you’ll receive your 2-week trial in the mail followed by regular deliveries at 4-week intervals after it’s over.

Take Hungry Bark’s online quiz to create your dog’s free custom meal plan.

Testing Hungry Bark Dog Food

To test Hungry Bark, we filled out the quiz to create a custom meal plan for our test dog Archie. We also ordered an assortment of supplements and protein mix-ins.

We found the process to create a custom meal plan was incredibly easy, though we also appreciated the ability to shop for products separately. Unlike some companies which make it difficult to view the details of their products without creating a subscription, Hungry Bark is incredibly transparent about what products they offer, how they are made, and what ingredients they contain.

Archie was able to test the Happy Heart supplement chews right away and he didn’t seem to find anything wrong with them. The kibble was an immediate hit as well. We ordered the salmon and beef protein mix-ins as well, and those drove him crazy.

All dogs love to sniff, but Archie could spend 10 minutes smelling the same smell without getting bored. Hungry Bark protein mix-ins are so aromatic that he wanted to stick his head right in the bag. Even now as we test other products, he sometimes won’t eat it until I add a sprinkle of Hungry Bark mix-in.

Hungry Bark Dog Food
Archie takes a look to see what’s inside his box of Hungry Bark products.
Recipe Spotlight
1.

Superfoods with Turkey & Duck

Product Info

  • Crude Protein: 29% Min
  • Crude Fat: 17% Min
  • Crude Fiber: 4.5% Max
  • Moisture: 10% Max
Pros
  • Packed with fresh sources of real animal protein
  • Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
  • High-quality ingredients, easy to digest
Cons
  • High in carbohydrates (estimated over 30%)
  • Contains several starchy ingredients
Overall, this Hungry Bark dry food is a rich source of animal protein and healthy nutrients. We love that it starts with sources of real animal protein as the first four ingredients with a fifth source listed within the top ten ingredients. That being said, this formula is very high in added carbohydrates.

After the first four ingredients, this formula lists four carb-heavy beans, legumes, and pulses. There’s some controversy surrounding these ingredients, partially due to concerns about a potential link between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The FDA hasn’t confirmed a direct link between the two but, either way, these kinds of ingredients are often used as fillers in pet food.

Though this formula is higher in carbohydrates than we’d like, there are a few other ingredients we appreciate. You’ll find menhaden fish oil as a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as probiotics which help support your dog’s digestion.

Ingredients:

Turkey, Duck, Turkey Meal, Duck Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Lentils, Fava Beans, Field Peas, Whitefish Meal, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Dried Sweet Potato, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lecithin, etc...

How Much Does It Cost?

Unlike many dog food subscriptions, Hungry Bark doesn’t price their products per day or per week. You simply purchase a bag of dog food or a container of supplement chews and buy more when you run out. If you choose a custom plan, you’ll receive advice for how much and how often you need to order according to your dog’s nutritional needs.

Hungry Bark kibble comes in 4-pound, 12-pound, and 24-pound bags with pricing starting at just $21.49. A 12-pound bag retails for $48.39 and a 24-pound bag costs $61.99.

If you want to save on Hungry Bark, your best bet is to create a custom meal plan for your dog to receive a 20% discount on your two-week trial and 10% off your regular deliveries every four weeks after. If you shop on your own, you can still receive 10% off with a subscription.

Hungry Bark supplements are priced between $21.49 and $28.79 per container and protein mix-ins are $13.49 for a 5-ounce bag.

Check below to see how Hungry Barks stacks up against other dog food brands for cost:

Premium Dog Food Price Comparison

Food Type Brand Average Price Price Per
Premium Dry Dog Food Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food $87.99 for 24lbs. $0.23 per ounce
Limited Ingredient Dry Food Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food $74.99 for 24lbs. $0.20 per ounce
Premium Wet Food Instinct Original Grain-Free Wet Dog Food $22.14 for 6 (13.2oz.) cans $0.28 per ounce
Freeze-Dried Raw Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Dinner Patties $51.99 for 25oz. $2.08 per ounce
Fresh Food Subscription The Farmer’s Dog* $45.57 per week $6.51 per day
Dry Dog Food Subscription Tailored Pet* $46.80 for 20lbs. (5 weeks) $1.34 per day
Dry Dog Food Hungry Bark $61.99 for 24lbs. $0.16 per ounce

*Subscription price based on a 40-pound, neutered male dog 4 years of age

Pros And Cons

Your dog deserves the best quality food you can afford. Whether that means a raw homemade diet or a high-quality kibble, it’s up to you to keep your dog’s best interests in mind. Hungry Bark offers affordable alternatives to pet owners looking to improve the quality of their dog’s diet without shelling out for fresh food. They also offer complementary products which many pet food subscriptions don’t.

That being said, every dog food brand has its pros and cons. Here are some of the things you need to know about Hungry Bark:

Pros For Hungry Barks:

  • Shop on your own or create a custom meal-plan for your dog – view all available products with or without creating a profile.
  • Choose from four recipes of protein-rich kibble made with real animal protein and superfood ingredients.
  • The specially designed Ever-Fresh packaging keeps food fresh to the last bite – packaging is made from recycled materials.
  • Shop for dog food alone or add supplements or protein mix-ins to boost your dog’s nutrition.

Cons For Hungry Bark:

  • Cost varies according to the dog’s size and calorie requirements but may be more expensive than the average dry food brand.
  • Most recipes have significant carbohydrate content (over 30%), particularly the chicken recipe (estimated around 40%).
  • Products are not pre-portioned according to your dog’s specific calorie needs, though feeding recommendations are provided.

The Final Word

Overall, we were impressed with our Hungry Bark experience. We found the website extremely easy to navigate and really loved having the option to view and purchase products without creating a profile or going all the way to the end of the ordering stage.

That being said, we also loved Hungry Bark’s custom meal plan. The quiz takes just a few minutes to complete and at the end you’re given detailed recommendations for kibble, supplements, and protein mix-ins according to your dog’s breed, age, weight, and other specifics.

We did find Hungry Bark kibble to be a little higher in carbohydrate than we’d like, but the quality of the ingredients is still very high. We love that Hungry Bark provides detailed information about where their ingredients come from and how their products are made, so we didn’t have any doubts about the quality of the dog food itself.

If you’re looking for a high-quality kibble to upgrade your dog’s diet and you could use a little direction in choosing a recipe, Hungry Bark’s custom meal plans could be a great option.

Click Here To Get 20% Off

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Hungry Bark ever been recalled?

No. Since the brand’s inception, Hungry Bark has not had a single recall. They slow-cook their recipes to ensure optimal nutrition and put every batch through a rigorous testing process to ensure quality and safety before their products are shipped out to customers.

Is their packaging environmentally friendly?

Yes. Hungry Bark manufactures all their products in the United States and uses sustainable earth-friendly packaging. Their bags feature an Ever-Fresh locking interior and an Ever-Fresh Re-Seal lock to keep your kibble fresh until the last bowl. They use ultra-thick lining as well to protect against pests and everything is made with recycled materials.

Is Hungry Bark food grain-free?

Yes and no. Hungry Bark offers four dry food recipes, three of which are grain-free. The only recipe that includes grains is the Superfoods with Chicken, Turkey, & Brown Rice Recipe.

How many calories per cup in Hungry Bark food?

The calorie content of Hungry Bark kibble varies depending on the recipe. The lowest calorie content is for the chicken recipe and the highest calorie content is in the salmon recipe. Calorie content ranges from 359 kcal/cup to 423 kcal/cup.

Where can I buy Hungry Bark dog food?

At the moment, Hungry Bark products are only available through the company’s website. You can shop for individual products or fill out a quiz to create a custom meal plan for your dog.

Can I cancel my Hungry Bark subscription?

Yes, you can control your Hungry Bark subscription from your account page and make any changes you like. You can adjust, skip, or reschedule an order or you can cancel your account entirely.

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Kate Barrington is avid pet lover and adoring owner of three cats and one dog, her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. She has been writing about pet care and pet products since 2010
4 Comments
  1. Debra Huff

    I want to cancell and there is no place to do that on your website

    • Kate Barrington

      Hey Debra, sorry you're having trouble canceling! To cancel your subscription you'll need to log into your Hungry Bark account. From there, head to your Profile Settings and click Manage Subscription Preferences. That's where you'll find the option to cancel. Hope this helps!

  2. Jermaine

    i think that what he did was amazing. and considering everything that goes into making hungry bark, id say its worth it all

  3. Tina

    Not worth, lying company, refused my request to return a bag of mix in beef protein but said because its customized they cant... They do not live up to their guarantee on their website and my dogs did not love their food but they accepted it but they did not like the protein mix in and neither did 4 other dogs I watched to see if they would eat it.

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