Redbarn Dog Food Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Overview

Redbarn is a pet food brand that offers products for dogs and cats. The company was founded in 1996 and today it has around 150 pet products in its range, mostly for dogs. It's a family business that was co-founded by 2 friends, but it now has more than 500 team members.

The company offers meals and treats for dogs. It sources ingredients internationally but prepares recipes in the USA for the most part. You can choose from a variety of proteins, so you're bound to find options for even the most finicky dogs on its website. And the brand describes its meals thoroughly, which is great when catering to pets with health concerns. 

But the business also has drawbacks that may or may not be deal-breakers, depending on your priorities and point of view. So read my review to learn more about the company and find alternatives if you decide it's not the best fit for you or your pet.  Ollie is a good option if you’re looking for a range of fresh and dried foods, treats, and supplements tailored for dogs.

Redbarn Dog Food’s Meals: Quality Recipes for All Kinds of Pups

Redbarn has 4 meal types for dogs. These are dry, air-dried, semi-moist, and canned meals. Besides these, you can find several types of pup treats on its menu. If you have cats, the company only has a few treats on offer. Check out our best cat food delivery services if you're looking for cat meals.

Now, let's dive into the Redbarn dog food assortment. 

Plans & Recipes: 30+ Meals & Hundreds of Treats

Redbarn has 30+ dog meals and over 100 dog treats on offer, and most of the customer-rated products have 5 stars.

There are 5 air-dried meals on offer, including chicken, beef, and fish recipes, a meal specifically for small breeds containing chicken hearts and livers, and a puppy meal with similar ingredients.

The dry line of meals features 10 products. These contain various proteins such as pork, lamb, chicken, salmon, and beef, and there are grain-free and grain-inclusive options. 

Redbarn offers 5 semi-moist rolled recipes for your pets. These are Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Grain-Free Beef, and Grain-Free Chicken meals. Further, there are 5 variety packs available in the Rolled Recipes menu. Most of these packs include a selection of different rolled products. You'll also find 1 unique pack that combines rolled and air-dried meals with treats.

The canned meal selection features 5 recipes: Chicken & Pumpkin, Turkey & Carrot, Whitefish & Sweet Potato, Beef & Carrot, and Lamb & Carrot Hearty Stews. These dishes suit dogs over 1 year of age. If your dog is younger than a year, check out our best food delivery services for puppies.

The selection of treats is pretty vast. You can choose between various sticks (bully, collagen, etc.), meaty bones, choppers, training treats, and other products. 

I like that the product descriptions indicate who they're good for. When I checked the Air Dried Chicken Recipe, I learned that the dish is good for joint health and muscle development, among other things. I also discovered that it's recommended for light and medium chewers.

But what I don't like is the lack of plans that could help you search for a specific diet. In other words, you have to check each product individually to see if it's good for your dog. If your pet has digestive problems, for example, I recommend checking out our selection of the best food services for pets with sensitive stomachs. 

But you can shortlist recipes using a side filter that has a few categories. These are Age, Chews, Flavor, and Preferences. The Treats menu also adds Assortment, with the Bones and Bully Sticks choices, to the filtering system.

The Age filter has the Puppy/Kitten, Adolescent (1-2 years), Adult (3-8 years), and Senior (8+ years) sub-filters. The only Chews option for meals is Specialty, while Treat Chews alternatives are Antlers, Esophagus, Hooves, and Specialty. Some Flavor options are Beef, Chicken, and Salmon. Preference sub-filters are Grain-Free, Chicken-Free, and No Rawhide. 

You can take an on-site Product Picker to tailor meals and treats for your furry friend. You'll have to answer a series of questions during the survey to help the company personalize your pet's mealtime best. You can include either food, treats, or both in tailoring your dog’s diet.

Start by stating the age of your pet (Puppy, Adolescent, etc.), their size, chewing habits, and favorite foods. You can also specify if they eat grain-free, chicken-free, or no rawhide meals. When I completed the survey, I got over a dozen recommendations. If you don't quite agree with the suggestions or wish to change inputs, you can start the questionnaire over. 

While I find the quiz helpful, I don't think it's especially detailed. I reviewed various dog food delivery services, and most of them have questionnaires that consider many other factors. 

One of them is The Farmer's Dog, which lists dozens of health concerns your pup may have. It also lets you state your pup’s prescription diet, if any, and their exact age in weeks and months. 

Redbarn tests its meals in state-of-the-art facilities, performing thousands of checks monthly. The company also conducts internal and external audits and has passed the SQF (Safe Quality Food) Program. And it conducts surprise audits of its suppliers to ensure the utmost quality.

Ingredients: Healthy, Safe & US-Sourced Where Possible

Redbarn sources most of its ingredients from the USA. For certain quality foods not available domestically, Redbarn collaborates with international farmers and purveyors, but these overseas partners must adhere to stringent American standards to become Redbarn's suppliers.

Redbarn meals meet the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) standards for natural pet food, treats, and chews. While not certified organic or human grade for various reasons, including that they're not intended for human consumption, Redbarn ensures its products are healthy and safe for your pets.

Redbarn meals and treats contain various ingredients, depending on the recipe. Key proteins among them are beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, tuna, and salmon. Besides these, cheese and bacon are some other animal-derived ingredients. From fruits and vegetables, the company incorporates pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots, to mention a few. Selected meals also contain grains, such as oats, barley, and rice.

Let's take the Grain-Free Ocean Recipe for an ingredient breakdown. It's a dry meal whose main ingredients include salmon, trout, sweet potatoes, dried pumpkin, flaxseed, peas, and lentils. The recipe comprises many other additions, some of which are tocopherols, vitamins, minerals, and taurine. But, I’ll focus on proteins, fruits, and veggies. 

Salmon brims with omega-3 acids beneficial for immunity. Trout is easily digestible, catering to pets with sensitive tummies, and pumpkin is fiber-rich. Sweet potato is a great source of essential vitamins, while flaxseed contains nutrients beneficial for the dog's skin and coat. Peas provide minerals and vitamins, and lentils are a source of fiber, iron, and protein. 

Nutrition: Healthy Ingredients, but Some Preparation Methods Aren’t Specified

I referred to the guaranteed analysis of the Air Dried Chicken Recipe to assess its nutritional value. I found that this meal contains at least 45% crude protein and no less than 23% crude fat. It also has no more than 2% crude fiber.  

Redbarn’s air-dried and rolled dishes are slow-cooked, and while it seems likely that the dry recipes are prepared in a similar way, there's no explicit confirmation on the website. Also, the company doesn't specify the preparation process for its canned recipes.

Unboxing: Shelf-Stable Foods in a Recyclable Box

Redbarn ships its products fresh. The preparation process ensures freshness is maintained throughout transport. Each meal or treat arrives in its original packaging, so it's easy to tell them apart from one another. Kibbles are the size of most other manufacturers’ kibbles. 

Redbarn recipes have a long shelf life when stored properly. Dry and rolled foods typically last 18 months from their manufacturing date. Canned items have a longer shelf life of 36 months from the date of manufacture. 

You can store unopened rolled food in your pantry. Once opened, keep any unused portions in air-tight containers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 6 months. Remember to thaw rolled food to room temperature before serving it to your pet.

About eco-friendliness, note that the Air Dried Dog Food and Whole Grain & Grain-Free kibble bags aren't recyclable. On the bright side, the business's shipping boxes are recyclable. 

Prices: There Are Options to Suit Most Budgets

Redbarn has products for most budgets. Check the specific price range for each of its offerings in the following table:

When researching the Redbarn assortment, I found products in the middle and upper price range on sale. For instance, I could buy the Air Dried Food Variety 3-Pack, originally priced at $234.97 as listed in the table, for $211.48. I found that the company has various meals and treats on sale. 

Recipes and treats I checked were also available in larger packages and bundles. If you buy big, the cost per individual product tends to drop considerably. In the case of the Grain-Free Sky Recipe, the price of a 4 lb package was $21.99, while buying five 4 lb packages would set you back $89.99. 

As a subscriber, you enjoy a 10% discount. This subscription discount applied to every meal, treat, and bundle I reviewed in my research.

The cost of shipping is $7.99 unless your order is worth at least $79. In that case, the company waives the delivery fee.  

Redbarn lets you buy its items as a guest if you prefer. But you enjoy attractive discounts and can set a delivery schedule if you register for an account. The procedure is straightforward and requires a few minutes of your time. 

Shipping & Delivery: Flexible Frequency & US-Wide Shipping

The company delivers its products throughout the contiguous US. You can also order from this provider if you live in Hawaii or Alaska. It ships packages from its Kansas City warehouse that typically arrive in 2 to 7 days, depending on your location. You'll get a tracking number once the shipment hits the road.

Set your delivery schedule if you register an account with Redbarn. This can be weekly, yearly, or any other interval that suits your needs. You can easily reschedule deliveries as needed. You can also put your account on hold if necessary.

How Redbarn Works (Step by Step Guide)

Redbarn lets you buy its items as a guest if you prefer. But you enjoy attractive discounts and can set a delivery schedule if you register an account. The procedure is straightforward and requires a few minutes of your time. 

How to Sign Up (5 Easy Steps)

You start the registration process by selecting Log In in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, you do the following:

1. Register an account by stating your name and email address. Create a strong password including uppercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols ($, @, &, etc).

2. Select the Hi (your name) icon to manage your account.

3. Click on the blank red button that will turn into the View Addresses button once you hover your cursor over it. After that, you can enter 1 or more delivery addresses.

4. Select the blank white button, which becomes Edit when you hover your cursor over it. Then, type your address.

5. Type 1 or more of your delivery addresses. Also state your phone number and select the Set as default address? box once done.

Once you complete these steps, you’re ready to order Redbarn’s products and enjoy membership benefits.

Managing Your Subscription

Subscription management from your account page is a piece of cake. When you land there after clicking on the Hi (your name) tab in the header, you'll arrive at a page that provides a detailed overview of different aspects of your account. 

From your account page, you can manage your email and physical addresses and check your subscription status. What's more, you can review your order history and reset your password. 

Customer Service: Reliable Email & Phone Support, but Limited FAQs

I had questions about food safety measures during transport and the recyclability of shipping boxes. Answers to these questions weren't available in the FAQ, so I reached out through a contact form. I also wondered whether Redbarn transports some of its products fresh or frozen.

The customer support agent addressed my query within a day, which I consider an OK response time, and he answered each question fully.

You can reach out to the company's customer support via contact form, email, and phone. The email address you can send a message to is [email protected]. If you prefer speaking with an agent, call (562) 495-7315 or toll-free (800) 775-3849. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 7 am to 4 pm PST. 

You can cancel your subscription at any time. Just do it before the next order deadline to avoid another delivery you'll be charged for. If you have further questions or need help, contact customer service.

Redbarn has an FAQ section, but I've seen much more comprehensive FAQs since I started reviewing pet food delivery services. It has sections like General Information, Dry Dog Food, and How to Purchase, among others. But I find the selection of answers quite sparse. 

Redbarn Recalls: 1 Recall in 2018

At the time of my review, Redbarn had recalls due to potential salmonella contamination. That happened in 2018 when bully sticks were recalled. If you're looking for a pet food delivery service with no recall history, I recommend checking out our Best Dog Food With No Recalls review.

How Redbarn Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

Redbarn vs. The Farmer’s Dog: Choose Redbarn if you're looking for dry, rolled, or canned meals. But, if you seek fresh meals, The Farmer's Dog, 1 of the top pet food delivery services, is a solid choice. Its meal customization quiz, among the best I've reviewed, considers various factors including health issues. Many dog owners have reported improved well-being in their pets after switching to The Farmer's Dog's food.

Redbarn vs. Ollie: Ollie is a great choice if you mix and match fresh and dry meals for your dog. It offers a Half Fresh Plan if you want to effectively combine its fresh food with meals from another producer. And unlike Redbarn, Ollie offers health screenings for pet parents who want to assess the health of their hounds. Equally important, Ollie doesn’t have a recall history.

Redbarn vs. We Feed Raw: We Feed Raw specializes in raw meals for both dogs and cats. Its meals are composed of almost 100% animal proteins, which are generally easier for dogs to digest compared to plant proteins. This makes it a particularly suitable choice for pets with allergies. The service also provides a meal customization questionnaire to cater to your pet's specific needs.

The Bottom Line: Is Redbarn Dog Food Worth It?

Redbarn is a good option if you prefer dry or rolled meals for your canines. It also offers canned recipes, but the selection of these meals is pretty limited. The company caters to a range of budgets, providing meals and treats for budget-conscious and discerning pet owners. Its products are available for order in the continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska, among other locations.

This pet food delivery service won't make the cut if you feed your pup fresh or raw meals. While it has a Product Picker, I find it rather basic, especially compared to some of the healthiest dog food delivery services offering meal personalization. Also, you’ll likely have to contact customer support if you have queries, since Redbarn has some of the least comprehensive FAQs I’ve encountered so far.

FAQ

Is Redbarn dog food good for dogs?

Yes, Redbarn dog food is generally good for dogs. It aligns with the AAFCO standards for pet nutrition, ensuring that its products are healthy and safe for canine and feline consumption. However, the company did recall some of its products back in 2018.

Who makes Redbarn dog food?

This is somewhat ambiguous. Many pet food delivery services openly state the involvement of pet nutritionists and veterinarians on their teams. But unlike them, Redbarn doesn't make any specific mention of such professionals on its website. Still, the company operates 2 modern facilities and asserts that it employs dedicated and professional QA members.

Is Redbarn made in the USA?

Redbarn has facilities in Long Beach, California, Great Bend, Kansas, and Paraguay. But most of its production, around 80%, comes from its Kansas facility.