PetPlate Review 2025: Are Custom Plans Worth It?

Overview

PetPlate stands out in the pet food subscription space for its impressive variety and flexibility. It caters to a broad spectrum of dietary needs and feeding preferences with its customizable meal plans featuring FreshCooked and FreshBaked meals, plus treats and supplements.

Its human-grade recipes are all developed under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition. Meals are cooked in small batches to preserve ingredient quality.

The pricing structure and meal types accommodate a wide range of budgets, from fresh topper plans to full fresh or dry meals to combo options. While there’s no sample or trial order, the money-back guarantee on your first box helps mitigate any risk. Shipping is fast and always free, though you’ll have to contact customer services to change the preset delivery frequencies online.

Overall, I found that PetPlate delivers well-balanced, high-quality nutrition with a notable degree of customization through its initial quiz. It’s especially well-suited for picky pups with specific dietary needs or taste preferences. While I uncovered a few downsides, the company’s commitment to quality, variety, and sustainability makes it a strong option if you’re looking for personalized dog food delivery.

PetPlate Meals: Human-Grade Meals Made in Small Batches

Plans and Recipes: Plenty of Fresh & Baked Options

PetPlate gives you the flexibility to build a meal plan that fits your dog’s dietary needs and your feeding preferences. You can customize your dog’s plan based on age, weight, activity level, breed, allergies, and flavor preferences. Whether you want to fully switch to PetPlate or start by mixing it in with your current routine, it offers enough variety to suit different lifestyles and budgets.

There are 2 types of main meals to choose from: FreshCooked and FreshBaked. The FreshCooked recipes are, as the name suggests, fresh and gently cooked, and cater to a wide range of dietary needs and taste preferences. They include:

• Barkin' Beef: High in protein and ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies.

• Chompin’ Chicken: Lean, grain-free, and often favored by picky eaters.

• Tail Waggin’ Turkey: Easy to digest and good for dogs that need a mild formula.

• Lip Lickin’ Lamb: A novel protein with fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

• Power Packed Pork: High in protein and designed to promote skin and coat health.

• Lean & Mean Venison: A lower-fat option made with novel protein.

If you prefer to feed dry food, PetPlate’s FreshBaked line delivers that format without compromising ingredient quality. This might be a good option for dogs that are used to the crunch of kibble. There are 2 dry options: 

• Roost Rulin’ Chicken: Grain-free and loaded with prebiotics and postbiotics to support gut health.

• Trail Blazin’ Beef: Grain-inclusive and rich in both protein and gut-supporting ingredients.

PetPlate offers a range of plans depending on whether you want wet or dry food, or a combo of both:

• FreshCooked Full Plan: Made for dogs that thrive on wet, gently-cooked meals. It covers 100% of your dog’s calories with soft, high-moisture food that's easy to digest and rich in taste.

• FreshCooked Toppers: A smaller portion of gently-cooked food designed to supplement your current dog food. It provides 25% of your dog’s daily calories and adds premium flavor and nutrients to their bowl.

• FreshBaked Plan: This is a dry, shelf-stable option that features gently baked food. It provides all of your dog’s daily calories and is ideal for those who prefer the convenience of kibble with a focus on quality ingredients.

• FreshCombo Plan: Combines wet and dry formats with a 50/50 split between FreshCooked and FreshBaked meals. It’s a good match for dogs that like textural variety or for pet parents who want the benefits of both cooked and baked food.

In addition to meals, PetPlate offers treats and soft chew supplements that complement your dog’s daily routine. You can include treats and supplements as part of your regular deliveries.

Treats include Chicken Apple Sausage Bites and Beef & Sweet Potato Bites. There are also options for supplements (each pack contains 28 chews). These include:

• Soothe Operator: With prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health.

• Hip Hopping: With glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint function.

• Up to Fluff: With biotin and salmon oil to promote skin and coat health.

• Chill Out: With ashwagandha and L-theanine to support calm behavior.

PetPlate’s range of plans and recipes is really flexible. You can mix and match formats and proteins and adjust your plan over time.

Ingredients: Human Grade & Completely Transparent

PetPlate’s meals use human-grade meats and vegetables, and they’re prepared in small batches following USDA cooking standards. Every PetPlate entrée has real meat as the first ingredient, followed by a selection of wholesome vegetables. This ensures your dog gets high-quality animal protein as the foundation of their diet, paired with nutrient-rich produce. 

I like that every recipe comes with a complete ingredient list, so you always know exactly what you're feeding your dog. It’s easy to find this if you click on the recipe and scroll down to the ingredients section. For me, it’s important to see recognizable ingredients without fillers or mystery components.

You won’t find anything artificial in these recipes. PetPlate avoids artificial colors, preservatives, and thickening agents like carrageenan, which has been linked to inflammation and digestive issues in dogs. It also excludes common allergens and low-value ingredients such as corn, soy, and meat by-products. 

Nutrition: Crafted With a Board-Certified Vet Nutritionist

Every recipe has an upfront guaranteed analysis. But if you don’t know what to look out for, you can rest assured that each meets AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition.

PetPlate’s recipes are all developed under the guidance of Dr. Renee Streeter, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (one of only 300 with that distinction). She has worked with the company from the beginning to ensure its meals are tasty but also nutritionally complete for dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. 

What Makes PetPlate Different?

• Lots of options for a subscription service – Dogs are among the most diverse species on the planet, and PetPlate has created its meals to reflect that. Instead of a one-size-fits-all formula, it provides one of the widest selections of meals available. With multiple proteins, textures, and plans to choose from, you have a good chance of creating a plan that meets your dog’s specific needs, preferences, and sensitivities.

• A loyalty club – PetPlate rewards commitment through its PetPerks Loyalty Club. I haven’t seen anything like this offered by other premium dog food subscription brands. When you join, you’ll earn “PupPoints” with every purchase. You also get points for things like referring friends or following on social media. These points can then be redeemed for cash discounts and exclusive gifts. 

Unboxing: Arrives Frozen (& It’s All Fully Recyclable!)

Each shipment arrives in a box made with environmentally responsible materials. The contents are safely packed with the right amount of dry ice and insulation to keep food cold and fresh for up to 5 days during transit.

If you choose the FreshCooked plan, you’ll get recyclable, pre-portioned containers that are expected to arrive frozen or cold to the touch. These containers are carefully stored within the insulated box to maintain their temperature. 

If you chose the FreshCombo plan or added supplements and treats, all of your items are packed together in a single shipment. Note that if you choose a FreshBaked-only plan, the package won’t contain dry ice.

You will likely need to portion out the meals yourself, though. Each meal plan is based on 2 meals a day, and you’ll need to check your dog’s account to see the ideal calorie range for them to consume per day. You can find the feeding guidelines on the FreshCooked containers or FreshBaked boxes. PetPlate will also send you feeding guidelines when you make your first order.

Here’s (roughly) how much food is in a FreshCooked container, depending on your pup’s size. 

• Tiny dogs under 9 pounds: 3-4 full meals per container

• Small and medium dogs: 2 full meals per container

• Large dogs: 1 full meal per container (so no portioning required here!)

FreshCooked meals from PetPlate must be kept refrigerated or frozen to maintain freshness. They arrive frozen or cold to the touch and can be defrosted in the fridge before serving. Once thawed, meals should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 5 to 7 days. It's safe to keep up to a week's worth of meals in the fridge, while any extra should remain frozen until needed. Each container includes a best-by date on the bottom for guidance. If preferred, meals can be gently warmed in the microwave for 10 to 30 seconds to bring them to room temperature. 

Every part of the packaging is 100% recyclable, which is an added benefit for sustainability-minded pet parents:

• Box, liner, container holders, and dry ice holder: recyclable in most curbside cardboard bins

• FreshCooked containers: recyclable with glass, metal, or plastic items

Prices: Reasonable Pricing That Suits a Range of Budgets

PetPlate’s 4 plans come in at varying price points. The FreshCooked Topper plan is the most budget-friendly option, but that’s because it’ll only cover about 25% of your dog’s caloric needs. 

For those looking for the lowest cost full meal option, the FreshBaked Plan comes in cheapest, starting at $1.57 per day. At the higher end, the FreshCooked Full Plan is the most expensive, starting at $3.79 per day. I find PetPlate’s prices to be good value and on par with what I’d expect for fully cooked, premium meals that cover all of your dog’s nutritional requirements. If you want a middle ground in terms of price, the FreshCombo Plan is a good option (starting at $2.80 per day).

Shipping is always free, which I like to see, as it can really add up if you have a larger dog requiring weekly shipments! Treats cost $9.95-$10.95, and supplements are $14.95. 

You can buy some things without a subscription (like 4-pack treats and supplements), but meal plans are a subscription-only service. While PetPlate doesn’t offer a sample or trial, you could always start with the Topper plan to try a bit of the food first. There’s also a money-back guarantee on your first order. 

Shipping & Delivery: Free & Speedy, But the Frequency Is Preset

PetPlate offers free shipping within 1-3 days to all 48 contiguous states. Orders ship on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, although this will depend on your zip code. Many parts of the U.S are eligible for 1-day shipping.

PetPlate provides the following shipping frequency estimates depending on your dog’s size:

• Small dogs (2-30 lbs) – every 3 weeks

• Medium dogs (31-74 lbs) – every 2 weeks

• Large dogs (75-180 lbs) – weekly

How PetPlate Works (Step by Step Guide)

It’s super easy to sign up for a PetPlate subscription via the website. Simply click through a straightforward questionnaire to give PetPlate all the details it needs to create your customized plan.

How to Sign Up (Just 9 Simple Steps)

1. Select Create Your Meal Plan or Start Now on the homepage. You’ll then be taken to the start of a questionnaire. You’ll be asked a few basic questions about yourself, like your name, your pet’s name, and your email address.

2. Start the questionnaire. Go through each slide and provide the required info. PetPlate asks for info on breed, age, weight, exercise level, and whether your dog is neutered. The Continue button will be grayed out until each page is filled in.

3. Add optional details. You can also fill in whether your dog has any food sensitivities or wellness goals. Lastly, you’ll be asked if you have any plan preferences, such as partial portions or a soft texture.

4. Wait for PetPlate to calculate your answers. You’ll see an animated page where all of your answers pop up as PetPlate calculates a recommended plan for you.

5. Check out PetPlate’s recommended plan for you. You can also see what the other plans would cost. You can manually change your plan by selecting the Change Plan button and then Confirm Change.

6. Change entrées if desired. You can also manually change your recommended entrées, although PetPlate will explain why a certain entrée may not be suitable for your pup based on the answers you gave earlier.

7. Add optional treats and supplements. PetPlate will also tell you if these are suitable or not, depending on your earlier answers.

8. Click through to checkout. You’ll see a recap of your order, and then you can click through to the final checkout page where you’ll add your address, view shipping methods, and add your payment details. You’ll also see a breakdown of your order with prices, savings, and frequency. Hit Pay now to complete checkout.

Managing Your Subscription

Managing your PetPlate subscription is pretty easy, as most things can be done online. The company charges for shipments on the Friday before your delivery, so you’ll have to log in to your account and make any changes by Thursday. You can reschedule the date of a delivery this way. 

You can easily switch between the types of plan from your My Account page (e.g., switching from full fresh to a topper or from fresh to baked). Here’s how:

1. Go to the Pets and Subscriptions page

2. Click Manage to make profile changes

3. Next to the current plan, click Edit 

4. Choose the cooking style & plan you want to switch to

5. Hit Confirm Plan Choice

It’s also easy to adjust the flavors of your FreshCooked or FreshBaked meals, but they come in a set quantity based on your customized plan (this is based on your answers in the sign-up questionnaire about your dog). So in order to change the quantity, you’ll need to adjust your meal plan. For further customization of your plan, you’ll need to reach out to customer services.  

You can cancel your subscription without contacting customer services. Go to your Pets and Subscriptions page, click on your pup’s name, then Manage. From here, there’s a Cancel subscription option on the right-hand side (or the bottom of the page on mobile devices). 

Customer Service: Helpful Humans, but the Chatbot Could be Better

PetPlate has a decent offering when it comes to customer service, although there are a few areas it could improve. 

It has an impressively thorough FAQ section, which is divided into topics. There’s lots of useful information and troubleshooting advice in here, and it’s also searchable. I really like how upfront PetPlate is about things like pricing and cancellation here. Some other services hide this information away behind the paywall, so I appreciate PetPlate’s transparency.

When you land on the FAQ page (pictured above), you’ll see that the email address is advertised as being manned 24/7 by its Pet Care Specialists. But according to the FAQs, the hours of operation for email are as follows: 9 am - 5 pm EST, Monday - Friday and 12 pm - 5 pm EST, Saturday - Sunday).

If you need to contact PetPlate on the weekend, email is your best bet, as the phone lines only operate during the work week (Monday - Friday from 11 am EST - 4 pm EST). 

If you have an issue outside of those times, your only option is the chatbot. I found this to be basic, as it only points you to FAQs it thinks might answer your question, and this was pretty hit and miss for me. It says you can get in touch, but when I tried, this opened up an online form rather than taking me into a live chat situation.

PetPlate Recalls: No Reports of Recalls

PetPlate has no history of recalls. 

How PetPlate Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• PetPlate vs. The Farmer’s Dog: ​​PetPlate and The Farmer’s Dog both offer fresh, human-grade dog food delivered to your door, but they differ slightly in approach. The Farmer’s Dog focuses on fresh meals only, while PetPlate has dry options, too. PetPlate also has a few more protein options. Our reviewer highly rated the Farmer’s Dog’s meals and value, and I prefer its sign-up quiz.

• PetPlate vs. Ollie: These dog food subscription companies are very similar, as they both offer human-grade fresh, dry, and combo plans. When we tested Ollie, we loved that the first order came with a free puptainer and a scoop for easy storage. Although PetPlate is better for unusual proteins in its fresh recipes, like venison. 

The Bottom Line: Is PetPlate Worth It?

PetPlate is a great option for getting human-grade dog food delivered to your door. It’s on a level with other high-end companies that offer premium, human-grade, vet-nutritionist-designed meals. However, PetPlate has one of the largest varieties I’ve seen in a subscription company, both in terms of the types of protein available and the types of meals on offer.

PetPlate offers pretty good value for money across the board, and the range of plans means it caters to a wide variety of budgets. I liked how upfront it was about its pricing. You could find average prices easily, and the sign-up process was clear about the price across all of its different plan options, including showing you the discounted price and the standard price. 

If you have a picky eater or a sensitive tummy to cater to, PetPlate’s variety is great, but another company that offers a free trial might be a better pick, so you can see if the food works for your pup without committing. PetPlate does offer a money-back guarantee on your first box, though, and new customer discounts (like this one: Get 60% off the 1st box, 20% off the 2nd box, and 10% off the 3rd box), often give generous discounts. 

FAQ

How does PetPlate work?

PetPlate is a subscription-based dog food delivery service that offers human-grade, vet-designed meals tailored to your dog’s specific needs. When you sign up, you fill out a profile with your dog’s age, breed, weight, activity level, and health goals. Based on that, PetPlate customizes a meal plan and ships meals directly to your door.

Is PetPlate good for dogs with allergies or sensitivities?

 Yes, PetPlate can be a great option for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. You can choose from a range of sensitivities in the sign-up questionnaire, including grains and different proteins. When creating your customized plan, PetPlate will clearly tell you which meals are recommended, which aren’t suitable, and why.  

Generally, the meals are made from limited, whole-food ingredients and avoid common allergens like soy, corn, and by-products. PetPlate also offers a variety of proteins, including turkey, beef, chicken, and lamb, which can help in managing dietary restrictions.

How much does PetPlate cost per month?

The monthly cost of PetPlate varies depending on which types of meals you choose and your dog’s size and calorie needs. For smaller dogs, plans can start around $100 per month. There’s also a topper plan available at a lower price, which lets you mix PetPlate’s fresh offering with your current dog food to reduce costs.