Finding the perfect dog food can be overwhelming with the sheer number of options available. As pet parents, we want food that’s not just nutritious but also delicious for our furry friends. ButcherBox for Pets offers a promising option with their Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food.
Known for their commitment to high-quality, human-grade ingredients, ButcherBox brings the same dedication to pet nutrition. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes this dog food stand out, from its unique slow-cooking process to its ingredient list, pros, and cons.
A sous-vide style fresh dog food where antibiotic-free, certified humane meat makes up over 50% of the recipe. Fortified with whole food ingredients for premium nutrition and enhanced with pre- and post-biotics to ensure healthy digestion.
Two quick notes: first, ButcherBox for Pets sent me samples of the beef recipe to try out with Freya. Second, I received the samples before they finalized the packaging. So, any images showing the front of the package are courtesy of ButcherBox for Pets.
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What Is ButcherBox for Pets Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food?
The newly launched Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food by Butcherbox for Pets is crafted using a slow-cooking process designed to retain more nutrients and natural flavors compared to traditional kibble.
Basically, this method involves gently cooking the ingredients at lower temperatures over a longer period. The result is a soft, tender texture that looks and tastes more like homemade meals, making it highly palatable for dogs.
The slow-cooking approach not only preserves the food’s natural taste but also makes sure that the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids remain intact. It’s a great option if you want to feed your pooch fresh, wholesome meals without the hassle of preparing them from scratch.
Let’s look at the ingredients and basic features first. Then we’ll dive into the pros and cons.
Features & Ingredients
ButcherBox for Pets prides itself on using high-quality, natural ingredients. The formula features:
- Real Meat as the First Ingredient: High-quality proteins like beef or chicken depending on the recipe.
- Whole Vegetables: Carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes for fiber and vitamins.
- Healthy Fats: Such as salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids, supporting skin and coat health.
- Essential Nutrients: Added vitamins and minerals to ensure a balanced diet.
- No Artificial Additives: Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Here’s a look at the beef recipe ingredients:
Beef, Beef Heart, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Beef Liver, Sunflower Oil, Blueberries, Whole Oats, Spinach, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Fructooligosaccharide, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite), Dried Kelp, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium, Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Cholecalciferol, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride,Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture
Despite what looks like a long list, there are really only 9 major ingredients. Once you hit “tricalcium phosphate,” you’re mostly looking at added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The meet makes up at least 50% of the recipe.
Also, both the beef and the chicken recipes meet the definition of “limited ingredient dog food” (one protein source and one carbohydrate), making them great for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Top Pros
- High-quality, human-grade ingredients
- Slow-cooked to retain nutrients and flavor
- No artificial additives or preservatives
- Highly palatable and easy to digest
High-Quality, Ethically Raised Human-Grade Ingredients:
ButcherBox for Pets takes great pride in using ingredients you’d feel comfortable eating yourself. They don’t mess around or compromise on this one guiding principle. They want your dog to have the same quality of food that you would want to eat. (I say “want to” because honestly, my dog eats better than I do).
Like its parent company (ButcherBox), they source their ingredients from the most ethical places possible. All of their recipes are “made with 3rd party certified humane ButcherBox meat.” In other words, someone other than themselves certifies that the animals used in their recipes are raised in the most humane way possible.
Slow-Cooked to Retain Nutrients and Flavor:
The slow-cooking process not only enhances the flavor of the sous vide style food but also helps preserve essential nutrients that can be lost during high-heat cooking methods. By cooking the food slowly at lower temperatures, the proteins maintain their structural integrity, which improves digestibility.
This gentle process also protects sensitive vitamins, like B-complex and antioxidants, ensuring that your dog receives the full spectrum of nutrients intended in the recipe.
No Artificial Additives or Preservatives:
Many commercial dog food brands rely on artificial preservatives and colors, but ButcherBox for Pets keeps it clean and natural, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities. You also won’t find antibiotics or added fillers anywhere in this food.
Highly Palatable and Easy to Digest:
I always feel weird saying “great-tasting” because it’s not like I try it myself. I put review products through the ringer but even I have my limits. Plus, I’m a picky eater. I don’t eat mammals and I don’t like most vegetables. See why I said my dog eats better than I do? 😀
That said, based on my dog’s reaction I can say that this food is both tasty and easy to digest. She gobbled it down AND kept it down. She’s always been a bit iffy with both beef and fresh pet food. She can really only tolerate it if it’s super high quality. I knew in advance that ButcherBox met her requirements since I’ve partnered with them before, both with their human food subscription service and their pet foods. Still, we took it slow just to be on the safe side.
Cons
- Higher price point compared to traditional kibble
- Requires refrigeration after opening
- Limited variety compared to some other brands
Higher Price Point Compared to Traditional Kibble:
The premium ingredients and slow-cooking process do come at a higher cost compared to traditional kibble, but that’s to be expected. I do think that ButcherBox for Pets is among the most budget-friendly overall.
Let me break it down for you a bit. The food currently comes in 8, 10, and 20 lb boxes, and you can either get a variety pack with both recipes or all of just one (beef or chicken). The bigger the box the lower the price per pound. As of today’s pricing, if you go with the 8 lb box, you’re paying roughly $8.75 per pound. With the 20 lb box it’s closer to $7.35 per pound.
I went on my local grocery store’s website to see how much it would cost to buy the main ingredients to make something similar. Generic store brand beef is $6.49/lb (and there’s no guarantee that it’s humanely raised, antibiotic free, etc). Sweet potatoes are $0.99 each. Between just those two ingredients you’re already over the cost per lb of a 20-lb box and we haven’t even gotten to the chickpeas, blueberries, and other ingredients. Granted, you could stretch the secondary ingredients across several pounds. Factor in the time you spend shopping and prepping the food, the electricity used to prepare it, etc and in the long run you’d either pay more or just about the same as ButcherBox for Pets’ price per pound.
Requires Refrigeration After Opening:
Since it’s fresh food without artificial preservatives, you’ll need to refrigerate it after opening. This may be less convenient for travel or on-the-go feeding. If you think about it, though, aside from kibble this is pretty much true of any dog food. Even cheap canned food has to be refrigerated after opening if you don’t use the entire package.
Limited Variety Compared to Some Other Brands:
While the recipes are thoughtfully crafted, there are currently fewer flavor options compared to brands with extensive product lines. This could be a downside if your dog is allergic to beef AND chicken, or if you prefer to use a rotation diet.
Keep in mind though that while ButcherBox itself has been around for a few years, ButcherBox for Pets is still relatively new. They’ve added a few new things to their product list already, but they don’t release a new product until they’re 100% confident that it’s as perfect as it can be. So be patient. New products are worth the wait.
Conclusion
ButcherBox for Pets Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food is an excellent choice for pet owners who prioritize quality, nutrition, and flavor. Its human-grade ingredients, nutrient-retaining slow-cooking process, and natural formulation make it a standout option in the fresh dog food market.
While it comes with a higher price tag and requires refrigeration, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for those looking to provide their dogs with a wholesome, balanced diet. If you’re ready to elevate your dog’s mealtime experience, it’s is definitely worth trying. Oh, and if you’re also a proud kitty parent, check out our ButcherBox for Pets Premium Nutrition Cat Food Review!
