Mills Review 2025: Is It Better Than Kibble?

Mills is a premium dog food subscription service that offers dry food recipes in 3 proteins: chicken, lamb, and salmon. Each recipe starts with real meat as the first ingredient and is gently cooked before being coated with freeze-dried raw meat to boost protein content and flavor. The plans are customizable, allowing you to tailor meals to your dog’s preferences, allergies, and nutritional needs. I found the raw-coated approach relatively unique in the dry food market, making it a good choice to try out with picky eaters.

Low-temperature cooking preserves nutrients and enhances digestibility, and the formulas are suitable for dogs of all life stages. All Mills recipes are made with natural, grain-free ingredients and avoid fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. One downside is that the full ingredients list and nutritional values aren’t visible until after you’ve started the sign-up quiz and filled in some details.

I like Mills' unique take on packaging. Instead of large, bulky sacks, food is divided into recyclable, customized “Daily Packs,” which help maintain freshness and prevent overfeeding. These single-day packs are easy to store and serve, with no need for special storage once opened. I found them particularly useful for travel and feeding on the go. 

Pricing is competitive, even for larger breeds, and new customers can get a discounted 14-day trial pack with a money-back guarantee. Deliveries shift to monthly shipments after the initial trial. Overall, I found Mills a great option for pet parents looking to upgrade from low-quality kibble and who like the idea of convenient, nutrient-rich, customizable dry food for their pups.

Mills Meals: Raw-Coated Dog Food in 3 Proteins 

Plans and Recipes: Customized Plans for Your Pup

Mills dog food offers a lineup of dry recipes to suit dogs with different tastes and nutritional needs. Each recipe has meat as the first ingredient and comes in 3 distinct protein bases:

• Chicken

• Lamb

• Salmon

Mills gives pet owners the flexibility to customize their plan so that it aligns with their dog’s exact preferences and needs. Each recipe is gently cooked and then coated with a layer of freeze-dried raw meat. This step not only locks in an extra boost of protein but also adds flavor, encouraging even picky eaters.

The customized daily packs arrive in a size customized to your pup’s exact details, which you’ll outline in the sign-up quiz. 

Ingredients: All Natural + No Fillers

Mills is made with all-natural ingredients and real meat. Unlike many low-quality, store-bought kibbles, the recipes don’t include any additives or fillers (like corn, wheat, or soy), and they’re also grain-free. 

Each recipe also contains a blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids as well as powerful prebiotics and probiotics, to help promote healthy digestion and overall wellness.

I couldn’t find the recipes’ full ingredients online before starting the sign-up process. But once you’ve filled out your dog’s details, you’ll be given a recommended recipe where you can browse the list of key ingredients and their benefits. For example, the Chicken and Vegetable Recipe includes the following:

• Chicken – Quality protein with amino acids and healthy fats to support muscles, immunity, brain, joints, and coat.

• Carrots – Low-glycemic fiber plus vitamin A and antioxidants for vision, digestion, and immunity.

• Chicken Liver – Freeze-dried superfood rich in vitamins A & B12 and iron for vision, energy, and immunity.

• Apples – Natural fiber for digestion and vitamins A & C for immune function and skin health.

• Peas – Plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins (A, B1, B6, C, K) plus iron, zinc, and potassium.

• Salmon Oil – Omega-3s (EPA & DHA) to support skin, coat, reduce inflammation, and promote brain and joint health.

• Chickpeas – Plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients including iron, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins.

• Lentils – High in plant protein, fiber, and complex carbs for energy, digestive health, and muscle maintenance.

If you scroll down on the same page, you’ll also be able to find the full ingredients list in a drop-down section (pictured above). This is especially important if your pup has certain allergies and you need to know exactly what’s in the recipe. It’s not like it's behind a pay wall, but I’d have liked to see this info more accessible on the Recipes section of the site.

Nutrition: Science-Based & Suitable for All Life Stages

Mills’ recipes are science-based and research-backed to make sure you’re getting balanced nutrition for your dog's life stage. The 3 proteins offer the following benefits:

• Chicken supports muscle development, immunity, brain function, joint health, and coat condition with its high-quality protein, amino acids, and healthy fats. 

• Lamb is a digestible, nutrient-rich protein source packed with iron and B vitamins, making it ideal for aiding muscle growth and suiting dogs with sensitive stomachs.

• Salmon delivers high-quality protein and omega-3s that promote brain function, immune health, and lean muscle maintenance.

Mills cooks at low temperatures to preserve nutrients like Omega-3s, vitamins, and enzymes, while eliminating harmful pathogens and improving digestibility.

Similarly to the full ingredients section, you can’t see the full Nutritional Values and Guaranteed Analysis (pictured above) until you get your recommended recipe during the sign-up quiz. These are also in their own drop-down section.

What Makes Mills Different?

• Packs instead of sacks – Most dry food comes in a large sack requiring a scoop to portion, but Mills arrives in individual, custom, daily packs – more like premium fresh food. The company decided to do this because scooping from large sacks can result in overfeeding or underfeeding. In addition, once a large sack is opened and exposed to air and moisture, the quality can degrade. The individual packs keep food fresher, and are really easy to serve. 

• Raw-coated food – I’ve not seen any other dry offering where the food is coated with a layer of freeze-dried raw meat. This provides extra flavor and protein. I find this really unique in the dry dog food market. 

Unboxing: Daily Packs (But Don’t Worry, They’re Recyclable) 

Mills has moved away from the traditional bulk sack format and instead uses individually sealed Daily Packs. These packs are designed to protect food from the oxidation that can occur when dry food is repeatedly exposed to air and moisture. By locking in nutrients and flavor until it’s time to feed, this system helps ensure food is at its best quality for every meal with no staleness or guessing about portion sizes.

You will be dealing with a lot of packs, considering they’re meant for daily feeding. But the outer layer of each pack is recyclable and paired with BPA-free plastic. which, where recycling facilities exist, can offer a more environmentally conscious alternative to conventional large dog food sacks that often contain non-recyclable materials like aluminum.

The Daily Packs can be stored in a dry, cool place such as a drawer, cupboard, or countertop, making them easy to keep on hand. Because each pack is designed for daily consumption, no special storage is needed once opened. If a pack is split between 2 meals, you can simply reseal it with a chip clip or tie to maintain freshness until the next serving.

Prices: Affordable – Even For Big Breeds

Prices are competitive, even when you look at the standard pricing before any welcome discounts have been applied. I was quite impressed with how affordable the cost stayed, even for much larger breeds. The prices also remain consistent, no matter which protein option you choose. You’ll get free standard shipping within the continental US. 

For the first 2 weeks, Mills offers a starter pack, which you’ll usually be able to get at a decent discount, depending on which code you use. There’s also a money-back guarantee on the first order. 

Shipping & Delivery: All Straightforward

Mills ships across the continental United States, with most orders arriving within 2 to 5 business days after processing. You’ll get a tracking link by email once your order has been dispatched. If you need to make any changes to your upcoming shipment, you can do this online through your account dashboard.

Mills works by sending a 14-day trial as your first order. Then, you’ll get a second box of 14 meals for the next 2 weeks. This gives you a bit more time for your pup to adjust to the meals. After that, you’ll be switched to monthly deliveries, which contain 28 packs – enough to cover the whole month. 

How Mills Works (Step by Step Guide)

It’s really easy to sign up for Mills, and I actually found its questionnaire much quicker than many other subscription services. I’ll walk you through the whole process below. 

How to Sign Up (Just 5 Simple Steps)

1. Click the Customize Your Pack button from anywhere on the website.

   

2. Complete the simple quiz. This all sits on just one screen, unlike many other sites where you have to scroll through several pages of questions. Fill out basic details about your pup, including protein allergies. At the bottom, click Continue. You’ll then be taken to a page asking for your name and email address. 

3. Check your recommended recipe. Mills will recommend the best recipe for your pup based on your answer. You can check out all the ingredients and the full nutritional values on this page. If you want to look at other options to compare, simply click the Explore All Recipe Options link. If you’re happy with your choice, hit the Continue with Recommendation button.

   

4. Check your order summary. This will list any discounts and free gifts. You can also add another dog at this point if desired. When ready, hit Checkout.

   

5. Add your delivery and payment details. You’ll also be able to choose your shipping method and add a coupon at this stage. This page will also clearly show you what purchases are recurring and auto-renewing. When you’re ready, click Pay now.

   

Managing Your Subscription

Managing your Mills subscription is flexible and straightforward. You’ll get an email reminder 48 hours before each monthly renewal, which gives you time to make changes or cancel your plan if needed. During this window, you can update or cancel your subscription easily by logging into your account dashboard or by contacting Mills’ support team directly.

It’s also simple to personalize your dog’s experience. You can edit your dog’s profile and adjust food preferences anytime from your account or by emailing. However, once an order has been processed, cancellations and refunds may no longer be guaranteed.

Customer Service: A Decent Range of Channels + Clear Policies

You can find Mills' contact information in the footer of the website, where there’s an email address and a phone number. While there are no hours of operation listed, the live chat confirms that the team is available between 9 am to 8 pm EST, so the hours for email and phone support are likely to be the same or similar.

The FAQ page consists of drop-down questions all on one page. It’s not searchable, but like the rest of the site, it’s attractive and easy to use, and most key topics are covered. 

On your first order, you’re covered by a 14-day Money Back Guarantee – if you’re not satisfied for any reason, simply contact the team within 14 days of delivery and they will cancel your subscription and issue a refund to your original payment method. 

After the first order, returns aren’t accepted due to the company’s quality standards, but Mills offers a Donation-Refund Program. If you donate your shipment to a local dog shelter within a month and provide proof of donation, you’ll receive a full refund for that order.

If your package arrives damaged, defective, or with missing items, you should contact Mills’ support team immediately – ideally within 14 days – with your order number, photos of the issue, and a description of what happened. The team will verify the problem and either ship replacement products, issue store credit, or offer a full refund at their discretion.

Mills Recalls: None so Far

Mills has had no recalls to date. 

How Mills Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• Mills vs. The Farmer’s Dog: Mills operates a similar type of subscription to The Farmer’s Dog, offering personalized pouches of food for your pup; however, The Farmer’s Dog specializes in human-grade, fresh meals, and doesn’t offer dry food. TFD also offers treats. If your pup prefers a wet texture, The Farmer’s Dog will be a better choice. 

• Mills vs. Ollie: Ollie offers wet and dry food on subscription. So if you want to try out both types of food, or to mix and match, it’s a better option. Unlike Mills, its dry food comes in larger sacks, so Mills may be better if you prefer to forgo the scoop and use the daily pouch format instead. 

• Mills vs. Sundays: Like Mills, Sundays also offers a dried, healthier alternative to kibble as its main product. Sundays’ offering is gently dried to a jerky-like texture, and also comes in 3 proteins (but slightly different proteins to Mills – beef, chicken, and turkey). Unlike Mills, the food comes in larger, unpersonalized bags and needs to be portioned out. 

The Bottom Line: Is Mills Worth It?

For high-quality dry food, Mills offers a solid combination of convenience, quality, and price. The individually portioned Daily Packs feel more premium (and healthy) than traditional kibble and make mealtimes easier and less messy. 

While I wish the full ingredient and nutritional information were more visible up front, I found the website slick and easy to use, and I liked how quick the questionnaire was to complete. Other sites make you click through several slides to get your recommendations. The payoff is that there isn’t quite as much detail on health issues and allergies as some other brands, though. 

I also liked the raw-coated approach; for picky eaters, this flavor boost can encourage more enthusiastic eating than standard dry food. Of course, this won’t be the case for every pup, but it’s worth trying out, especially as the trial order is heavily discounted and there’s a money-back guarantee in place. If you’re still not sure, or want to compare fresh and mixed options as well, check out our list of the top dog food subscriptions for 2025. 

FAQ

What makes Mills different from regular dry dog food?

Mills stands out because each piece is gently cooked and then coated with freeze-dried raw meat. This process adds a protein boost and flavor that most dry dog foods don’t offer. The food also comes in individually portioned Daily Packs rather than large sacks, which keeps meals fresher and prevents overfeeding or underfeeding.

How does Mills’ trial and subscription work?

Your first order is a 14-day trial pack at a discounted price, often with a free gift included. If your dog enjoys the food, the service automatically shifts to monthly deliveries containing 28 Daily Packs. You’ll get an email 48 hours before renewal, and you can easily adjust or cancel your subscription from your online account.

Is Mills suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes?

Yes. The recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs at all life stages, from puppies to seniors. During sign-up, you’ll enter your dog’s age, weight, and activity level so Mills can recommend the right portion sizes.