Darwin’s Pet Food Review: Fresh Pet Food Delivery Service Review (Vet Approved)

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Dr. Linda Simon

Veterinary review
by Dr. Linda Simon

Dr. Linda Simon is a veterinary surgeon working with seven years of experience. She is a fellow of the British Veterinary Association and specializing in animal medicine. Also, she has been the Woman magazine resident vet for the past two years and writes a regular column for them, focusing on pets and their health.

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Updated on: 02/16/2022

With all of the available dog food and cat food options on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose one for your furry friends. The options are endless. However, many dog foods, and cat foods, are heavily processed and preserved. This could have serious implications for the long-term health of your pet. The brand of food that you choose to feed your pet is more important than you might think.

Dogs and cats should get all of their necessary vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. There should be no need to add any supplements or to give a daily multivitamin at the same time. Most vets would agree that a fresh, unprocessed diet provides the most bioavailable micronutrients. A premium raw food is the closest to what our pets’ ancestors consumed in the wild and their domesticated counterparts can benefit from a similar diet plan.

Darwin’s raw food was created in honor of the founder’s dog. His beloved dog suffered from crippling arthritis so the owner turned to a holistic vet for help. The vet suggested the dog’s diet was the culprit. This leads the owner to cook his dog’s meals at home using raw meat and vegetables. He was blown away by the improvements that he saw in his dog, simply from changing his diet.

Darwin’s makes raw dog and cat food that can be customized and shipped right to your door. They make it easy and convenient for pet parents so they don’t need to worry about preparing or sourcing their pets’ food. Darwin’s is passionate about providing the highest quality products and customer service as well. Read this food review article to find out if Darwin’s is the right food for your pet.

Short Preview

Price Per Serving: $$$ to $$$$ (Expensive though the actual price varies depending on the size and activity level of your pet).
Multi-Pet Formulas: Dog and cat food are available.
Natural/Alternative Options: Some available foods are meant to support certain organs. Darwin’s offers food with a kidney support formula for cats. For dogs, they have kidney, liver, joint and musculoskeletal, and cancer support formulas.
Customer Service: You can take a short quiz to see how much food to order for your pet and it is shipped right to your door.

Analysis

Company History

Gary Tashjian is the founder of Darwin’s natural pet products, and he did so in honor of his dog, Max. ^[1] When Max was ten years old, he began experiencing crippling arthritis, and his advanced age certainly did not help. Gary tried giving Max anti-inflammatory medications but they did not seem to help. He sought answers from a holistic veterinarian who insisted that Max’s dog food was the issue at hand. He recommended that Max should switch to raw dog food and provided Gary with the information he needed to get started.

Gary began cooking Max’s new meals with raw meat and vegetables right in his kitchen. In just 30 days, Max’s arthritis improved dramatically thanks to his new diet! He had more energy also. The founder’s other dog, Casey, also started eating raw dog food to help with skin problems. The diet helped clear up his skin and the problems eventually disappeared completely.

Gary began sharing his dogs’ raw diet stories with people he knew. He swore up and down that the new kind of raw food they ate was why their health improved. People were amused but always said they never had the time to cook for themselves, let alone their pets. That is when the lightbulb moment hit. Gary decided to begin creating pet food recipes to make it easy for other pet owners to feed their pets the high-quality diet they deserve. And thus, Darwin’s Natural Pet Products was born.

The Main Purpose of Darwin’s Products

Darwin’s primary mission is to help pet owners see a healthier and happier pet in 30 days. They are committed to providing pet owners with the convenience of making the food for them and shipping it right to their door. They are also committed to providing pets with high-quality and delicious raw recipes that they will love.

Pricing

The pricing of Darwin’s pet foods can vary widely, and it all depends on the animal, age, activity level, and ideal weight. Each package weighs two pounds and the price of each meat varies. The least expensive one is chicken ($11.94 per package for dogs and $13.30 for cats). The most expensive meat is lamb ($16.90 per package for dogs and $20.16 for cats).

There is a food amount calculator on Darwin’s website to assist you in determining how much food your pet will need. For example, a 50-pound adult dog with a normal activity level would need approximately 7.5 pounds of food per week or about 30 pounds per month.

Source of Materials

Companies that make raw pet food are held to high standards by the FDA and USDA. All of the meat used in Darwin’s products is free-range and cage-free or pasture-raised. They take pride in making products with ingredients that are ethically sourced. The vegetables are also all organic.

All of Darwin’s pet foods are minimally processed to keep the levels of essential nutrients high. This is the opposite of what occurs when making traditional dry pet foods; they typically heat food to high temperatures, which can affect the nutrient content.

Poorer quality foods often contain many filler ingredients that are difficult for dogs and cats to digest. Darwin’s does not contain any fillers, grains, hormones, or chemical preservatives.

The meats available for dogs include chicken meat, turkey meat, duck meat, grass-fed beef, and lamb meat. That is the order of least expensive to most expensive. For cats, the available options are chicken, turkey, and lamb.

Location of Manufacturing

Darwin’s is based in and manufactured in Seattle, Washington, USA. The facility is temperature-controlled to keep the pet foods fresh.

darwins pet food delivery service review

Packaging

Each Darwin’s pet food package weighs two pounds. They are made of BPA-free plastic and are frozen when they arrive at your house. The food should be thawed in your refrigerator before serving to your dog or cat. It can remain in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. If you know you are not going to use it within that time frame, place it in your freezer.

Lab Testing Transparency/Recalls

It is common for companies that produce raw pet foods to feel some pressure from the FDA. In December of 2021,

It is common for companies that produce raw pet foods to feel some pressure from the FDA. In December of 2021, an article was published that summarized Darwin’s experience with an FDA warning that occurred in March of 2019. In summary, the FDA tested three batches of Darwin’s raw dog food and found that it contained salmonella. The exact amount that was detected was not disclosed, however, Darwin’s was confident that it was only a trace amount. ^[2] The founder contacted Darwin’s customers upon hearing the news. He informed them of the situation and said they could either cook the food to kill the bacteria or return it for a full refund. Luckily, no pet owners reported any instances of their pets getting sick from the food.

Salmonella is a bacteria found in raw poultry. It can be very harmful to humans but does not pose as big a threat to most healthy dogs and cats.

It is important to note that Salmonella can make pets sick. They can experience bloody diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Young, elderly and unwell animals would be most at risk.
Dr. Linda Simon

It is admirable that the founder of Darwin’s was so transparent with customers and offered to remedy the situation if need be. One would hope that they have learned their lesson and this sort of incident will not be repeated going forward.

Popular Products

Darwin’s features three lines of raw foods for dogs and two for cats. The most popular line is called “Natural Selections.” Fun fact, the Darwin’s brand was named after the famous scientist Charles Darwin, and the Natural Selections line name is an homage to his most popular idea. The Natural Selections line is Darwin’s premium recipe of free-range meats and organic vegetables. They are free of steroids, antibiotics, and hormones. These foods will provide your dog or cat with the proper nutrition that they need while still tasting delicious.

Check out Dog Food Check out Cat Food

Shipping and Delivery

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products offers free shipping and handling for their two-legged and four-legged customers. There is also an auto-ship feature so pet owners never have to worry about remembering to place a new order when their supply is running low. Delivery times are also quite flexible. It is not a good idea to leave a shipment of raw food sitting on your doorstep, especially when the weather is warm. Darwin’s makes it easy to plan shipments around your schedule so you can be sure you are home to receive them.

All raw foods are immediately frozen after they are made and they are packed in vacuum-sealed packaging. It is shipped on dry ice in an insulated cooler. If the auto-ship feature is set up, reminder emails are sent to the pet owner before an order is shipped. Customers are free to change or cancel an order if they please, as long as it is done so before the order ships. There are also no contracts involved, so the order can be canceled at any time.^[3]

Guarantees and Refund Policy

Darwin’s wants all pets and pet owners to be 100% satisfied with all of their natural pet products. If a customer is not satisfied with a product for any reason, they can contact the customer service phone number or email. Depending on the situation, this may include replacing the product, providing a partial or full credit, or providing a full refund. Please note that photos may be required as evidence. ^[4]

Customer Service

Darwin’s is committed to top-notch customer service. All employees are passionate about animals and they want to serve you and your pet as best as they can. Pet owners can contact Darwin’s to ask questions, change an order, change a shipment, or cancel an order at any time by phone or by email. Their phone number is 1-877-738-6325 and their email address is customerservice@darwinspet.com.

Country Served

As of right now, Darwin’s pet food products are only shipped within the United States.

Save $50! Get 10 lbs for just $14.95 with free home delivery!

Is Darwin’s Human Grade?

Darwin’s pet food is made with human-grade ingredients, and this includes ethically sourced meat and organic vegetables. However, that does not mean that humans should eat Darwin’s pet food, even if they cook it first. It is not a good idea to eat any food that is meant for only pets.

Is Darwin’s a Good Raw Dog Food?

Darwin’s is a very high-quality raw dog food. There are many testimonials from customers that say that their dogs love the taste of the food and look forward to their meal times even more now. Dog owners have also stated that switching their dog’s food from traditional kibble to raw has done wonders for their health. Of course, this is all anecdotal and the effect it has on an individual will vary.

Is Darwin’s Raw Cat Food Safe?

Healthy cats (and dogs) ate raw food in the wild before they were domesticated. Raw food is commonly offered to pets around the world and many do well on it.

It is the closest type of diet to what their ancestors ate daily. They had to hunt before there were humans around to feed them! Unless your cat has a specific allergy or ailment, raw food may be an appropriate option. Before starting to raw feed, it is sensible to reach out to your vet to determine if it would work for your pet.

Of course, there is always the potential for the food to be contaminated; a situation which occurred in the past with Salmonella. This poses a potential health risk.
Dr. Linda Simon

Darwin’s Pet Food Comparison with Other Fresh Pet Food Brands

Farmer’s Dog

Price: approximately $52 per week for a 50-pound dog with a normal activity level
Source of Materials: all recipes are prepared with real, authentic ingredients, all of which come from local farms that meet USDA standards.
Safety: The Farmer’s Dog adheres to strict safety standards and regulations. At the time of writing this, they have not had any recalls.
Shipment and Customer Service: to find out which food is best for your dog, fill out their profile on the website (age, breed, weight, etc.). The ingredients can be customized as well. The Farmer’s Dog ships to 48 U.S. states and you can set up a delivery schedule that best suits you.

READ FULL REVIEW: Complete Farmer’s Dog Food Review

Pet Plate

Price: approximately $52 per week for a 50-pound dog with a normal activity level
Source of Materials: Each meal contains vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Safety: This raw dog food is prepared under the strict supervision of veterinary nutritionists.
Shipment and Customer Service: Enter information about your dog (breed, age, weight, activity level) to see how much food is recommended for them per week. You can order up to four different recipes for them.

READ FULL REVIEW: Pet Plate Fresh Pet Food Delivery Service Review

Spot and Tango

Pricing: approximately $70 per week for a 50-pound dog with a normal activity level.
Source of Materials: All ingredients are USDA certified. Some of the meat options include beef, lamb, and turkey. The other organic ingredients include carrots, peas, spinach, eggs, red quinoa as well as vitamins and minerals.
Safety: Spot and Tango products do not contain growth hormones, additives, or preservatives.
Shipment and Customer Service: Shipping is free and you can cancel your subscription at any time. There is also a two-week trial offered to test their dog food when you sign up for a subscription.

Final Words: Is It Worth It?

Every pet owner should want what is best for their pet. Feeding them a raw diet consisting of free-range meat and organic veggies is absolutely something worth looking into. Darwin’s raw dog food, and cat food, contain fresh and high-quality ingredients. This gives pet owners peace of mind knowing that there are no cheap fillers or preservatives. Sure, it is quite expensive, but there is no obligation to remain a customer if you choose not to. If this diet improves your pet’s health, you may even find you save money on vet visits and on the cost of long-term medicine. You are free to cancel shipments at any time.

If you have any questions about a raw diet, we suggest talking to your pet’s vet for more information.

Pros & Cons

Fresh and high-quality ingredients. Darwin’s pet foods are made with ethically sourced meats and organic vegetables. They provide dogs and cats with nutrition that is additive and preservative-free.
Options for dogs and cats. Raw dog food brands have become quite common in recent years, but now cat owners can reap the benefits, too. Darwin’s has raw meat options for both dogs and cats.
Free and fast shipping. Pet owners do not pay for shipping and handling. The food is shipped on dry ice to keep it at a proper temperature.
Convenient. Pet owners can choose to set up auto-ship and can contact Darwin’s to skip or change a shipment.
Cancel anytime. There are no contracts or obligations involved.
Tastes great. Dogs and cats cannot get enough of Darwin’s!

Price. Darwin’s dog food and cat food are relatively expensive in comparison to most commercial pet food diets. Any pet food made with raw, natural ingredients is going to have a high price tag.
May be inconvenient at times. Pet owners will not be able to travel with this food unless they can properly refrigerate or freeze it.
Potential health risks involved to the pet as well as the owner. Owners need to be cautious when handling raw food and must maintain good hygiene. Owners must also be aware that the raw food will be present in and around the pet’s mouth after eating, so it could be spread around the home. This poses a real risk to young children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system.

FAQs

Is Darwin’s Pet Food Safe?

Darwin’s pet food is safe for dogs and cats in most cases. As long as they do not have specific allergies or a compromised immune system, they will likely be fine eating it. Talk to your vet regarding any questions you have about a raw food diet.

Is Darwin’s Pet Food Good?

There are many Darwin’s pet food reviews from pet parents who say that their pets love the taste of Darwin’s! Many dog food reviews talk about Darwin’s in a positive manner.

Is Darwin’s Pet Food AAFCO Approved?

AAFCO stands for “Association of American Feed Control Officials.” Darwin’s has released a statement saying “Darwin’s meals are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog (or cat) food nutrient profiles for all life stages.” ^[5]

Does Darwin’s use HPP?

HPP stands for high-pressure processing. When this process occurs, the raw food becomes sterilized, which often kills healthy bacteria. Darwin’s does not believe that pet foods that use this method are truly raw. ^[6] Therefore, they do not use it.

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