If you’ve ever dabbled in raw feeding—or even just Googled “what the heck is actually in my dog’s kibble”—you’ve probably stumbled across Maev. They’ve been making waves with their human-grade raw food, promising top-tier nutrition without the mess or mystery. Naturally, I had to try it with Freya, my Pharaoh Hound and professional squirrel-stalker. She’s active, picky, and has zero chill, so finding a food that meets her energy needs and earns her approval is no easy feat. Spoiler: Maev came pretty close to nailing it.
Let’s dive in, starting with what actually goes into this food and what makes it stand out.
Maev, along with a team of PhD Veterinary Nutritionists, formulated their protein-rich Raw Food with 11 core ingredients including lean Beef or Chicken (plus Liver, Gizzard, and Sweetbreads), fresh vegetables and fruits, and functional supplements in every serving.
What’s in Maev’s Human-Grade Raw Food?
First things first: Maev isn’t tossing random leftovers into their formulas and calling it gourmet. Their raw dog food is made with USDA-certified human-grade ingredients. For Freya’s meals, we tried the Beef Recipe first, which includes:
- USDA-Certified Beef
- USDA-Certified Beef Liver
- Blanched Potato
- Green Bean
- Zucchini
- Blueberries
- Kale
- MaevMulti™ Peanut Butter Cube
- Chicory Root
- Probiotics
I appreciate that it’s a short ingredient list, but not too short. It’s not just “meat and hope for the best.” Every ingredient serves a purpose, whether it’s for joint support, gut health, skin, coat, or just plain taste appeal. Also, fun fact: they flash-freeze it so it stays nutrient-rich without needing preservatives.
What Makes Maev Different?
Aside from the fact that your dog is getting a complete meal, the biggest difference with Maev is the convenience factor. Rather than a “block” of frozen meat that has to be thawed before serving, Maev’s food comes in a bag with small cube and pebble-like pieces that pour easily and can be served frozen—super helpful on rushed mornings. Although, you can also thaw it to room temp if your dog doesn’t like super cold food.
Also, Maev’s formulas are purpose-driven. They don’t just feed your dog; they target specific issues like digestion, joint support, anxiety, and even itchy skin. I started with their beef formula, but we also have the chicken recipe to try out next. They also have other versions and bundles designed to address different needs (more on those in a bit).
Pros of Maev Dog Food
- Made with USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients
- No thawing—serve it straight from the freezer
- Purpose-driven formulas and bundles for real health needs
- No fillers, by-products, or mystery “meals”
Now the juicy details…
Incredible Ingredient Quality
When they say “human-grade,” they mean it. Their meats are USDA-certified, and there’s also real transparency here, which is refreshing in a sea of “meat flavor” kibbles that don’t even have actual meat listed first. What’s really neat is that you can actually see every single ingredient (well, maybe aside from the probiotics). I can look at a bowl of food and point to the green beans, the zucchini, the blueberries, etc. It’s not all just a mashed-up mishmash (say that 5 times fast).
Super Convenient
I’m not really into prepping raw foods for Freya. First, I haven’t even eaten beef (or any mammals, actually) in over 30 years, so I don’t know the first thing about which kind is good, how to prepare it, etc. While I do eat chicken, cutting it up for our dinners is bad enough. I really can’t stand the look or feel of raw meat. So, I’m glad Maev handles all of that for me.
The way the food is “designed” (that’s not really the right word but I can’t think of another more fitting one) is also massively convenient. I don’t always have time for defrosting raw patties every day. I’m lucky if I remember to pull out chicken from the freezer to defrost for our own dinner. Maev’s easy-pour frozen pieces fit into Freya’s bowl like kibble, but without the compromise.
Health-Focused Formulas
I love that this food isn’t just about calories—it’s designed to support digestion, weight, joint mobility, and more. While Freya doesn’t have any significant health issues (knock on wood), aside from a bit of a sensitive stomach occasionally, she is getting older, so I’ve been focusing more on foods and supplements that help improve her mobility.
Before we get to the drawbacks, I just want to go into a bit more detail about their health-focused formulas.
Maev Bundles: Which One Is Right for Your Dog?
Maev offers curated bundles that pair their raw food with specific supplements and add-ons. I love this idea because it takes the guesswork out of building a well-rounded diet. Some highlights:
- The Itchy Dog Bundle: Focuses on skin and coat health with probiotics and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- The Gassy Dog Bundle: Targets gut health with prebiotics and bone broth.
- The Achy Dog Bundle: Includes joint-support supplements for senior or mobility-challenged dogs.
- The Senior Dog Bundle: Covers digestion, mobility, and overall wellness for older pups.
You can subscribe or buy one-time, and the prices vary depending on the combo. It’s a solid way to customize your dog’s nutrition without juggling a million different products.
Cons of Maev Dog Food
Quick look first:
- Needs decent freezer space
- Pricey compared to kibble
- Some dogs may need a transition period
Now the context…
You’ll Need to Make Freezer Room
This stuff takes up space. A 5-lb bag fits fine, but if you’re ordering multiples or going with a bundle, clear out some room next to your ice cream. Also, you really do want to keep it frozen until serving—it’s not something that can chill on your pantry shelf.
I have two bags in my freezer. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to fit them in because you can’t really stack them the way you can with other brands. They actually ended up taking up a little less space than the “bricks” though, especially since I was able to kind of smoosh the bag down a bit. You can see what I mean in the pic below. That’s the smallest shelf in my freezer. The second bag is behind the first, and I even had room for chicken plus my ice packs on the same shelf.
It’s Not Cheap
Let’s be real: you’re paying for quality and convenience here. Compared to traditional kibble or even some freeze-dried raw options, Maev is on the pricier side. But if you’re already spending extra on supplements or vet visits for skin and digestion issues, this might actually save you in the long run.
If you’re comparing it to other dog food subscriptions (especially raw foods), it’s pretty on-par with the “average” price.
Transition May Take Time
Some dogs might need a slow switch to avoid upset stomachs. Maev does provide guidance (they literally provide an instruction manual!) on how to do that, so follow their plan if your pup has a sensitive tummy.
Other Products Maev Offers (Add-Ons or Standalone)
Beyond their core raw food lineup, Maev also offers a few handy extras that you can either buy on their own or add to your bundle to round out your pup’s nutrition plan. Here’s what we’ve tried (and what Freya loved):
Human-Grade Freeze Dried Treats (Freya’s Favorite)
One-ingredient beef liver. That’s it. No fillers, no junk. These are fantastic for training or just spoiling your dog without guilt. They’re light, easy to break into smaller pieces, and clearly smell amazing (at least according to Freya’s nose). Grab them here.
Hip & Joint Supplement Bars
These are like functional dog treats that don’t feel like “medicine.” They’re chewy, packed with glucosamine, chondroitin, and chia for joint health, and Freya scarfed hers down without hesitation. Perfect for aging dogs or active breeds. Check out all of the Maev supplement bars here.
Bone Broth Topper
This stuff is magic if your dog is a picky eater. It’s packed with amino acids, collagen, and gut-friendly nutrients. It comes in little cubes. You can either pop it into your dog’s food as it or melt it a bit and pour it over their food. It also makes a great little treat on a hot day! Grab them here!
Final Thoughts: Is Maev Worth It?
For me and Freya, Maev hit a sweet spot: raw food without the chaos. It’s nutritious, easy to serve, and—most importantly—Freya loves it. Is it more expensive than kibble? Yep. But if you want to feed a raw diet and you’re tired of prepping meat like a doggy sous chef, Maev makes it ridiculously simple.
If you’re still on the fence, I’d recommend trying one of their bundles or starting with a single bag of their beef formula. Freya gives it two dewclaws (which I’m convinced will eventually evolve into doggy thumbs) up!
Maev, along with a team of PhD Veterinary Nutritionists, formulated their protein-rich Raw Food with 11 core ingredients including lean Beef or Chicken (plus Liver, Gizzard, and Sweetbreads), fresh vegetables and fruits, and functional supplements in every serving.
