Upgrade Their Bowl: Why Stella & Chewy’s Is the Ultimate Choice for Healthier Dogs - iHeartDogs.com

Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

Upgrade Their Bowl: Why Stella & Chewy’s Is the Ultimate Choice for Healthier Dogs

By: Kelli Brinegar
Kelli Brinegar uses her storytelling skills and nose for research to help pet parents better understand their cats and dogs. In her lifetime, she’s opened her home to more than thirty furry friends.Read more
| August 6, 2025
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’re looking for the cleanest, most biologically appropriate dog food without fully committing to homemade raw, Stella & Chewy’s hits the sweet spot. This brand delivers real, raw nutrition made with premium meats and zero junk. Dogs love the flavor, pet parents love the health benefits, and the convenience makes it totally doable for everyday feeding.

Stella & Chewy’s offers super clean, ultra-high-quality dog food that pets absolutely love. While it does come at a premium price, many pet parents find the investment worthwhile thanks to the noticeable health benefits, improved digestion, and irresistible flavor that even picky eaters go wild for.

Born From a Dog Mom’s Passion

Stella & Chewy’s began with a simple story. Founder Marie Moody wanted to help her sick pup thrive. When traditional food wasn’t cutting it, she turned to raw, and the transformation was dramatic. That journey inspired a brand with a single mission: to make it easy for pet parents to feed their pets real, raw food without the hassle.

Today, every Stella & Chewy’s product is made in the USA with responsibly sourced proteins and organic fruits and vegetables. No fillers, no corners cut—just food you can trust.

What’s Really in the Bowl?

Ingredient quality is where Stella & Chewy’s truly shines. Most recipes start with 85–95% real meat, organs, and bone from grass-fed, cage-free, or wild-caught sources. They keep it simple, using limited ingredients and zero grains, potatoes, peas, or lentils.

You’ll also find added taurine for heart health, probiotics for digestion, and omega-3 fatty acids for a shiny coat. Their recipes are AAFCO-compliant and packed with whole-body nutrition dogs instinctively crave.

Explore the Lineup: Something for Every Pup

Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

The OG raw food solution, Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties are where it all started. These patties are lightweight, shelf-stable, and easy to serve. Just crumble into a bowl and add water, or serve dry as a complete meal. Available in single-protein options like Chewy’s Chicken or Dandy Lamb, they’re perfect for dogs with sensitivities or picky appetites.

petsmart

Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Mixers

Think of these as raw-powered sprinkles for your dog’s food. Just scoop and serve on top of kibble for a major flavor and nutritional upgrade. Great for dogs who turn their nose up at regular meals. Just a little bit of this raw topper goes a long way.

petsmart

Raw Coated Kibble

For pet parents who want the ease of dry food with the benefits of raw, this option offers the best of both worlds. Each piece of kibble is gently baked to retain flavor and nutrients, and is then coated in freeze-dried raw meat. It’s more affordable than full freeze-dried meals and still delivers excellent protein and flavor.

petsmart

Stews, Wet Meals, & More

For dogs who crave something juicy and satisfying, Stella & Chewy’s wet food lineup is the way to go. From slow-cooked stews to limited-ingredient recipes and even yummy bone broth, these meals are packed with protein and flavor, perfect for picky eaters, sensitive stomachs, or small breeds. Just open and serve for an easy mealtime win.

petsmart

Wholesome Treats

Whether you’re training or just spoiling your pup, the treats lineup includes freeze-dried meats, soft chews, and jerky bites—always free from grains, by-products, or weird additives.

petsmart

Real Nutrition, Real Results

Stella & Chewy’s formulas are crafted to be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, closely mimicking a dog’s natural ancestral diet. With 85–95% of the recipe made from real meat, organs, and bone, these meals deliver dense nutrition without unnecessary fillers. Their limited-ingredient approach makes them an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities, while the rich flavor appeals to even the pickiest eaters. Active dogs in particular will benefit from the high protein content, and all recipes meet AAFCO standards, ensuring they’re safe for daily feeding, whether as a complete meal or a nutrient-dense topper.

Yes, It’s Premium. Here’s Why It’s Worth It.

This isn’t your average grocery store kibble. With most bags starting around $50, Stella & Chewy’s is definitely in the premium price category. But when you look at the ingredient list and see actual meat, not by-products or grains, you’ll understand the value.

Meal Mixers are a budget-friendly way to test the raw food waters or add a little bit of raw to your pet’s existing diet. You can also watch for promotions through PetSmart and auto-ship discounts.

What Other Pet Parents Say

Stella & Chewy’s has earned a loyal following among pet parents for good reason. From the moment you open the bag, you can tell this isn’t ordinary dog food. The ingredient lists read like something you’d cook yourself—real meat, organic produce, no mystery fillers. Whether you’re feeding a full raw diet or just sprinkling some raw nutrition on top of kibble, pet parents consistently rave about the visible improvements in their dogs’ health, energy, and overall happiness.

Pros 

  • Dogs love the taste; even picky eaters approve
  • Noticeable improvements in digestion and coat health
  • Many report increased energy and fewer allergy symptoms

Cons

  • Price can be a barrier for some families
  • Freeze-dried patties may crumble during shipping
  • Some dogs may need time to transition due to richness

Should You Try It?

If your dog has food sensitivities, refuses to eat basic kibble, or you simply want to feed a more natural diet, Stella & Chewy’s is an outstanding option. The brand has earned a loyal following for a reason: real ingredients, visible results, and recipes that respect a dog’s natural biology.

Not sure where to start? Try Meal Mixers or Dinner Patties first to ease into raw feeding.  Save 35% On Your First Autoship Order! Explore the Stella & Chewy’s collection at PetSmart and treat your pup to what they were born to eat.

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog