Dogs Reviews

Pallaby Dog Food Review

May 2, 2022

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Pallaby Dog Food Review

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If you choose to feed your dog kibble, you may think it’s as simple as filling his bowl twice a day.

What you may not realize, however, is that your dog needs to stay within a certain calorie range for optimal health in the same way you do. Too many pet owners overfeed their dogs which results in obesity.

Pallaby knows that healthy weight is connected to overall health and wellness, so they make it their mission to help pet owners treat their pets well.

By sending monthly deliveries of individually portioned recipes to dog owners, Pallaby helps pets get the quality nutrition they need in healthy portions.

We tested a month’s supply of Pallaby Chicken and Brown Rice kibble to bring you this review.

At a Glance: Pallaby Dog Food Review

Pallaby Dog Food
Brand
Overall Score
Pros
  • High-quality, natural dry food made with real animal protein, whole grains, and real veggies.
  • Pre-portioned daily meals packaged according to your dog’s unique calorie requirements.
  • Meals shipped in 100% compostable packaging, very environmentally friendly.
  • Makes portion control easy which helps support healthy body weight and long-term wellness.
Cons
  • May be more expensive than the average kibble, especially for large dogs.
  • Only one recipe currently available (more options coming in the future).
  • No grain-free options to choose from – may not be the best choice for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
Pros
  • High-quality, natural dry food made with real animal protein, whole grains, and real veggies.
  • Pre-portioned daily meals packaged according to your dog’s unique calorie requirements.
  • Meals shipped in 100% compostable packaging, very environmentally friendly.
  • Makes portion control easy which helps support healthy body weight and long-term wellness.
Cons
  • May be more expensive than the average kibble, especially for large dogs.
  • Only one recipe currently available (more options coming in the future).
  • No grain-free options to choose from – may not be the best choice for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
Weekly Price
Ingredient Quality
Recipe Variety
Options for Customization
Environmentally Friendly

Overview Of The Pallaby Brand

The Pallaby brand was started out of a desire to help dogs live better, longer lives. Founders Patrick and Brandon recognized a rising trend in pet obesity, largely linked to overfeeding, and sought to solve the problem in a way that provides dogs with personalized, high-quality nutrition.

Pallaby suggests, “providing a portion-controlled diet is essential to your dog’s health” and so are quality ingredients.

Not only does Pallaby use all-natural ingredients like real meat and whole grains in their formulas, but each shipment is packaged in individual portions according to your dog’s calorie needs.

In addition to providing detailed information about their products, Pallaby also offers a blog on their website to educate pet owners about the importance of portion control. They also provide tips on food storage, healthy exercise for dogs, and more.

Pallaby Dog Food
Pallaby offers pre-portioned bags of premium dry dog food packaged in compostable single-serve pouches.

Where Is The Food Made?

The headquarters for Pallaby is in Santa Monica, CA. Pallaby’s dry food is made from natural ingredients, formulated in state-of-the-art facilities. Pallaby consulted an exceptional team of world-class veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and clinicians to oversee formulation of every product to ensure balanced nutrition and unbeatable quality.

Though their FAQ section states that Pallaby products are made in the United States, they don’t provide specific information to say where. Upon consulting the customer care team via chat, we were told the products were made in California but weren’t able to get more specific information.

Of their formulation, Pallaby says,

“We evaluated countless formulators and subjected these operators to a stringent selection process… only a handful emerged as partners with whom we felt confident kept the end customer (your pups) at the forefront of every decision they made.”

pallaby chicken and brown rice kibble

What Dog Food Products Do They Offer?

Pallaby currently offers dry dog food (kibble) and treats. Their product selection is very limited with only one dry food recipe available at the time of this review, though another recipe is in the works. Pallaby also offers a single recipe for dog treats.

Here’s a quick overview of Pallaby’s dog food recipes:

Recipe Protein % Fat % Fiber % Moisture Calories/Cup
Chicken and Brown Rice Kibble 25 15 5 10 385
Salmon and Oatmeal Kibble 26 15 4 10 342

Again, at the time of review, only the Chicken and Brown Rice recipe kibble was available, but the Salmon and Oatmeal recipe is said to be coming soon.

Is Their Packing Environmentally Friendly?

At the top of the Pallaby website, it says “eco-friendly packaging” and we certainly found this to be the case. We were a little concerned because the kibble is divided into individual portions, but the bags themselves are 100% compostable and delivered in a standard, recyclable cardboard box.

In response to questions about their packaging, Pallaby says,

“Kibble contains a healthy assortment of natural proteins, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that is enjoyed best when fresh! That’s why we’ve pre-portioned every Pallaby meal into a compostable pouch that both you and your pooch can enjoy guilt-free on the daily.”

These compostable packages are made from the polylactic acid (PLA) of plants with a laminated protective ALOX coating. Though each shipment contains 31 pouches, Pallaby uses less plastic, metal, and synthetic materials across their entire operational chain than their industry competitors.

pallaby chicken and brown rice recipe
Pallaby’s Chicken and Brown Rice recipe is made with real chicken and wholesome brown rice to deliver optimal nutrition.

How Much Does It Cost?

If you’ve shopped with other pet food subscription companies, you already know how it works. Your weekly or monthly cost is determined by how much food your dog needs. The same goes for Pallaby.

Pallaby’s subscription meal plans start at $69.99. We found that to be the case for our test dog, Archie, who weighs 30 pounds. We experimented a bit with the meal plan creator to get a feel for the cost to feed other dogs as well.

A monthly meal plan for a 60-pound dog came to $89.99 and the price was the same for an 80-pound dog.

In addition to their monthly pre-portioned kibble plan, Pallaby offers the option to add treats to your order for around $10 per month.

Check below to see how Pallaby 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
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
Human-Grade Dog Food Pouch Portland Pet Food Company $49.95 for 8 (9oz.) pouches $0.69 per ounce
Fresh Food Subscription The Farmer’s Dog* $45.57 per week $6.51 per day
Dry Food Subscription Tailored Pet* $46.80 for 20lbs. (5 weeks) $1.34 per day
Dry Food Subscription Pallaby* $63.29 per month $2.11 per day

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

What Did Our Test Dog Think?

When we received our first box of Pallaby, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. The order arrived in a simple carboard box with limited packaging aside, of course, from the individual packets of dry food.

We were happy to see they were made from plant fiber instead of plastic (the only other pre-portioned dry food we’ve tried is Crafted Kibble and they use plastic packaging).

Our test dog, Archie, had no trouble polishing off his first bowl of Pallaby. There seems to be something exciting about the sound of kibble hitting his bowl that he just doesn’t get with fresh food.

Fortunately, he doesn’t have sensitivities to chicken or grains, otherwise Pallaby wouldn’t be an option.

We found the ordering process for Pallaby very simple and we loved the convenience of the compostable pre-portioned packages. It was easy to pause the account online and we found the customer service team very responsive using the chat option.

pallaby chicken and brown rice recipe
By packaging their food in individual portions, Pallaby supports portion-control and keeps your dog’s food fresh until it hits the bowl.

Pallaby Dog Food Recalls

When shopping for pet food, it’s always a good idea to check for recalls. Fortunately, Pallaby hasn’t had any recalls to date.

It’s still a fairly new company, however, and we weren’t able to determine the specifics of where the food is manufactured or by who.

All Pallaby dog food is formulated to meet AAFCO standards and regulations. Their formulators are held to stringeest health and safety regulations and each meal plan is proofed by in-house veterinarians and pet nutritionists to make sure it’s just right for your dog.

Is Pallaby Really Worth the Cost?

Your dog deserves the highest quality nutrition you can consistently afford.

We are personal fans of fresh and raw food, but we understand that isn’t an option for every pet owner. If dry food is your preference, you may be wondering if Pallaby is worth the cost.

What makes Pallaby a little more expensive than the average kibble is the quality of the ingredients and the pre-portioned packages.

To some degree, you’re paying for the convenience of having your dog’s meals portioned for you. What you need to remember, however, is that portion control is extremely important for your dog’s long-term health and wellness.

The quality and freshness of Pallaby kibble is high as well.

If you feed your dog a poor-quality product, he may develop nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to chronic health issues (and expensive veterinary bills). Feeding your dog the highest quality diet you can afford will support his health and wellness (and your wallet) both in the short and long term.

Here are some additional benefits of feeding your dog premium dog food:

  • Improved and regulated digestion, less gas and diarrhea
  • Reduced stool volume and odor
  • Healthier coat with less shedding
  • Increased energy levels and vitality
  • Healthy weight loss (when needed for overweight dogs)
  • Improved dental health and oral hygiene
  • Better urinary health, reduced risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs)

The best thing you can do for your dog is feed him the best you can afford on a consistent basis. If you prefer to feed dry food, consider a high-quality option like Pallaby over a cheap store brand.

How Do You Order It?

Ordering Pallaby dog food is quick and painless. All you have to do is answer a few questions about your dog so Pallaby can gather the information they need to determine his ideal caloric intake.

From there, they’ll make it easy to start receiving monthly deliveries of pre-portioned dog food.

Here’s how you order Pallaby kibble:

  1. Click the “Get Started” button at the top of the Pallaby home page
  2. Fill in your dog’s name then indicate his sex and whether he’s been altered
  3. Indicate any food allergies or nutritional preferences
  4. Fill in your dog’s breed and birth date (as close as you can guess, if you don’t know)
  5. Provide your dog’s current body weight and ideal body weight
  6. Indicate your dog’s activity level and weight goals for the next month
  7. Review the recommended meal plan and provide shipping and payment information

After you’ve submitted your first order, you’ll start receiving automatic shipments of Pallaby pre-portioned dry dog food. You can change, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time by logging into your account online. You can also make changes by contacting customer service.

Customer Service

Pallaby makes it easy to find the answers to your questions. Not only do they offer an extensive FAQ section, but the offer a chat option on their website.

You can talk directly to a customer service representative, or type in a keyword to browse the FAQs find the answer to your question.

Customer service at Pallaby is always available by email if the chat option isn’t your first choice. Simply click the “Help” link at the bottom of the page to contact the customer care team.

Tips for Making the Transition

Dogs have sensitive stomachs and have a tendency to develop diarrhea with sudden changes in their diet.

If you’re going to try Pallaby dog food, we recommend transitioning your dog onto the new diet. Pallaby recommends a 10-to-14-day transition.

Simply mix 75% of your dog’s old food with Pallaby kibble for the first three days then switch to a 50/50 ratio for days 4 and 5. For days 6 to 9, feed 25% the old food and 75% Pallaby before making the full transition on day 10.

If your dog experiences digestive upset at any point, just go back a step.

Pros and Cons

Dry food may not be the most biologically appropriate diet for dogs, but it is what’s most convenient and affordable for many dog owners. If you’re going to choose dry food for your dog, you should at least make sure it’s a nutritious, high-quality product like Pallaby.

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

Pros for Pallaby:

  • High-quality, natural dry food made with real animal protein, whole grains, and real veggies.
  • Pre-portioned daily meals packaged according to your dog’s unique calorie requirements.
  • Meals shipped in 100% compostable packaging, very environmentally friendly.
  • Makes portion control easy which helps support healthy body weight and long-term wellness.

Cons for Pallaby:

  • May be more expensive than the average kibble, especially for large dogs.
  • Only one recipe currently available (more options coming in the future).
  • No grain-free options to choose from – may not be the best choice for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

Your dog’s health is your responsibility, so it’s up to you to choose the highest quality diet you can consistently afford. If you want to stick with dry food, consider a high-quality option like Pallaby.

 The Final Word

Overall, we don’t have any major complaints about Pallaby. We love the brand’s commitment to environmental friendliness and we were a fan of the pre-portioned packages, especially knowing they are 100% compostable.

The whole ordering process was quick and easy as well.

The one complaint we have about Pallaby is their limited selection. It’s understandable, given the complexity of dry dog food production, but we’d like the brand more if they have a few more options.

We also didn’t like that we weren’t able to find out exactly who manufactures the kibble or where.

In the end, we wouldn’t say Pallaby is our top choice for dog food but it’s definitely a good option to consider if you prefer dry food and you’re looking for a subscription option.

Click Here to Order Your First Box Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Pallaby ever been recalled?

No, Pallaby has had no product recalls to date.

Is Pallaby food grain-free?

No. Pallaby currently only offers two recipes and both are grain inclusive. One includes brown rice and the other oatmeal.

Is Pallaby food organic?

No. Pallaby uses high-quality ingredients but they are not organic.

Is Pallaby food raw?

No. Pallaby is dry kibble, not raw or fresh food.

How many calories per cup for Pallaby food?

Pallaby’s Chicken and Brown Rice recipe contains 385 kcal/cup. The Salmon and Oatmeal recipe contains 342 kcal/cup.

Can I cancel my Pallaby food subscription?

Yes, you can change or cancel your subscription through your online account. You can also contact customer service directly to make changes.

Where can I buy Pallaby food?

Pallaby is currently only available by subscription through their website.

Can you heat up Pallaby food?

Because Pallaby is dry food, there’s no need to heat it up. If your dog prefers warm food, try soaking it in warm water or broth.

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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
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