Dog Food

Pallaby Dog Food Review

October 6, 2021
Avatar photo

author:

Pallaby Dog Food Review

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

NOTE: Pallaby is not currently making dog food. However, we have some recommended alternatives for you to try below.

Pallaby was started out of a desire to help dogs live better, longer lives. Their dog food is appropriate for any dog, of any age bracket, who is not sensitive to its ingredients. It is a good dietary solution for overweight or obese dogs whose parents want to take the guess work out, when it comes to how much food they actually need to feed their dogs.

Pallaby uses all-natural ingredients like real meat and whole grains in their dog food recipes, and each shipment is packaged and portioned based on your dog’s calorie needs.

How We Tested:

  • We purchased Pallaby dog food directly from their website to test and review
  • We spent several weeks testing the food on our dog
  • We did not receive this product in exchange for a favorable review and purchased it with our own money

Quick Picks (Products)

  • Pallaby premium dry dog food – chicken and brown rice
  • Pallaby premium dog treats – honey + oat + peanut butter recipe

Pallaby Dog Food – Top 2 Recipes Reviewed

Product NameFood TypeProtein (as fed)kcal/kg/kcal ME/kg
Pallaby Premium Dry Dog Food – Chicken And Brown RiceDry dog food25%3,680 kcal/kg; 385 kcal/cup
Pallaby Premium Dog Treats – Honey + Oat + Peanut Butter RecipeDry treats13% 4604 Kcal/kg; 20 Kcal/treat

Brand Score

Pallaby Dog Food Review
Brand
Overall Score
Pros
  • Uses high quality animal protein
  • Packaging is environmentally friendly
  • Meal plans are customizable
  • Your dogs plan comes pre-portioned
Cons
  • Currently only offer one recipe
  • Cost more than store bought kibble
  • No grain free options available
Pros
  • Uses high quality animal protein
  • Packaging is environmentally friendly
  • Meal plans are customizable
  • Your dogs plan comes pre-portioned
Cons
  • Currently only offer one recipe
  • Cost more than store bought kibble
  • No grain free options available
Ingredients
Pricing
Customization
Quality
Customer Reviews
Recall History
Recipe Variety

About

Pallaby was created by Brandon Stuart and Patrick DePeters and to offer custom meal plans for your pet’s ever-changing needs across all life stages.

These custom meal plans are designed by a veterinarian and pet nutritionist, as well as backed by a caloric algorithm that assesses each pet’s caloric needs based on gender, age, breed, medical history, activity level, and lifestyle. Then they adjust the volume of kibble based upon the data received from their customers.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

Pallaby is headquartered in Santa Monica, California but does not reveal where the food is made or if they manufacture it. They do state they work with the “best-in-class formulators that employ the strictest health and safety standards in the industry”.

Their manufacturing facilities are USDA inspected and routine kitchen audits are performed to ensure the quality and food safety.

Pallaby uses all natural ingredients like real meat and whole grains in their recipes, and each shipment is packaged in individual portions based on your dog’s calorie needs.

How Does Pallaby Dog Food Work?

You can start by going to Pallaby’s website and choose shop. According to their website they currently offer one dog food kibble recipe, chicken and brown rice, as well as dog treats and supplements. You can choose to buy food by the pouch or choose custom plan.

If you go the custom plan route you will need to answer a few questions about your dog so they can gather the information they need to determine your dog’s ideal caloric intake. the custom plan series of questions cover things like life stage, if your dog is spay or neutered, his weight, and activity level.

There is no need for profiles on this website but if you are unsure how much food your dog needs, you can customize your dogs meal plan by clicking on the “how much do I need” under the add to cart button.

After you’ve submitted your first order, you’ll start receiving automatic shipments of Pallaby pre-portioned dry dog food. Pallaby allows you to make a one time purchase or you can sign up for a monthly subscription. The subscription option will save you $5 per month and shipping within the continental US is always free.

Once your order is placed, you will be notified via email when the order is processed, and then notified again when it is shipped, with a tracking number.

You are also able to cancel your subscription at anytime in the member portal area on the website. If your dog is less than satisfied with their food they ask that you contact customer service to explore other options.

Unboxing

I received a big box of the Pallaby’s Premium Dry Dog Food kibble in a recyclable box, delivered to my door step. Opening up the box I found 62 pouches of pre-portioned Chicken and Brown Rice dog food and an instruction card.

Pallaby arrives in a large recyclable box

Each pouch is pre-portioned for my dogs caloric intake and according to the instruction card provided, my dog should receive two pouches per day.

These pouches felt like a lot of excess packaging, but according to Pallaby they are made from 100% compostable materials with polylactic acid (PLA) from plants and include a laminated protective ALOX coating. This means the 31 pouches in each month’s box, is actually less plastic, synthetic materials, and metals utilized in comparison to their competition.

Pallably pre-portioned pouches

Analysis/Review Of Pallaby Products

1.

PALLABY PREMIUM DRY DOG FOOD - CHICKEN AND BROWN RICE

Product Info

  • Protein: 25% Min
  • Fat: 15% Min
  • Fiber: 5% Max
  • Moisture: 10% Max

Here’s a look at the ingredients in this food:

 Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Pea Protein, Rice Bran, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Dried Peas, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseeds, Dried Egg Product, Dried Carrots, Oatmeal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, L- Threonine, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Oxide, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract

Lets look at the first 6 ingredients in the Pallaby Premium Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice recipe.
  • Chicken is the very first ingredient and is a protein source that supports muscle development and energy.
  • Chicken meal is rendered chicken meat that has been dried and ground up, and includes clean flesh, skin, and/or accompanying bone.
  • Brown rice is a natural whole grain that provides pets essential B vitamins and minerals, high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy and fiber. Fiber supports a healthy digestive tract.
  • Brewers rice is full of natural fiber, which helps a dog's digestion. It is also an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins D, B and minerals.
  • Pea protein is not considered a beneficial ingredient in dog food and is a by-product of pea processing. Peas, alongside most legumes, are naturally high in protein.
  • Rice Bran can serve as a functional ingredient in dog food by providing nutrients while replacing a percentage of meat. The bran also absorbs moisture, which can give products a thicker consistency.
2.

PALLABY PREMIUM DOG TREATS - HONEY + OAT + PEANUT BUTTER RECIPE

PALLABY PREMIUM DOG TREATS - HONEY + OAT + PEANUT BUTTER RECIPE

Product Info

  • Protein: 13% Min
  • Fat: 21.5% Min
  • Fiber: 2.0% Max
  • Moisture: 8.5% Max

Here’s a look at the first 6 ingredients in these treats:

Barley flour, palm oil, honey, rolled oats, peanut butter, oat flour, coconut oil, flax meal, peanut flour

These peanut butter treats are good source of protein, vitamins, iron, fiber and healthy fats. Lets look at the top 5 ingredients listed.
  • Barley flour is low in cholesterol and high in fiber, but it is a carbohydrates.
  • Palm oil is an edible, colorless, odorless vegetable oil which comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. It’s an extremely versatile ingredient and high in fatty acids.
  • Honey contains natural sugars and small amounts of vitamins and minerals, and is used as a sweetener in many pet foods and beverages. It is an excellent source of flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.
  • Rolled Oats is high in fiber and contains a plethora of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a great alternative carbohydrate for dogs that may be sensitive to wheat or grains
  • Peanut butter that is made specifically for pets is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.
  • Oat flour is a rich source of healthy dietary fibers and energy. Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they curb blood sugar spikes and promote heart health. Lastly, they’re an excellent source of healthy fats, and supply B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, iron, and selenium.

Taste Test

Sampson tried the Pallaby Premium Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice recipe mixed with his current kibble. He received 25% Pallaby with his current kibble for the first 2 days. On day 3 he was eating a 50/50 mix and increased to 75% Pallaby food by day 6 and 7. By day 8, he was eating Pallaby dog food completely.

Opening the packets or pouches of Pallaby dog food was simple due to the easy tear top. Each has a tab to tear at the top then dispose of. This makes meal time so quick and easy and it means there is no need to store the kibble in a container.

Pallaby meal directions

The instruction card included in the Pallaby box says my dog, at 60 pounds, should be eating two pouches of food daily. The food looks like typical pellet style dog food, not too big and not too small.

What Pallaby kibble looks like (2 pouches)

My dog usually eats a combination of kibble and fresh dog food but for the sake of this taste test he ate strictly Pallaby kibble for 30 days. I should add my dog will eat just about anything and is not very picky, especially when he is hungry.

Sampson loved the Pallaby food and wagged his tail while I ripped open the pouches. He could not wait for me to put it in the bowl in front of him. When I did, he ate it in record time for the two weeks. By week three, he was less enthusiastic but still ate the food.

The Downside Of Pallaby Dog Food

Pallaby dog food is not the cheapest kibble on the market and has a limited selection with only one flavor. Also, Pallaby is currently only available by subscription through their website.

Pallaby’s meal plans can cost from $39.99 to $69.99 a month, but it all depends on your dog’s weight and daily calorie needs. For a 60 pound dog like mine, you can expect to pay $69.99 a month for a customized meal subscription plan. Basically, you are paying for the convenience of having meals portioned for your dog and delivered.

Pallaby Monthly Cost Comparison

DOG FOOD BRANDDOG SIZEMONTHLY COST
Hungry Bark50 to 60 Pounds$ 95.00 to $ 107.00
Spot and Tango Unkibble 50 to 60 Pounds$ 87.90 to $ 97.50
Heed Foods50 To 60 Pounds$ 160.00 to $ 185.00
Pallaby50 To 60 Pounds$ 69.00 to $ 75.00

Is Pallaby Good Dog Food?

Yes, because their recipes are made with natural ingredients, featuring real meat, fruit, and vegetables and enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Pallaby’s kibble is also free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or artificial preservatives.

The pre-portioned food pouches are not only 100% compostable but makes serving up a meal quick, simple and accurate. This also makes travelling with your pup and his food easier.

Pallaby’s food is also formulated in a state of the art facility by veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and clinicians. The recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs.

Would I Subscribe To Pallaby Dog Food?

Yes I would. Not only did my dog like the food, the pre-portioned pouches made feeding him very easy and knowing these pouches are 100% compostable is a bonus. The high quality ingredients in this kibble means keeping my dog healthy at a reasonable price and having it arrive on my doorstep.

Get 15 % Off Your First Box When You Use The Code WELCOME20 At Checkout!

Avatar photo

Amy Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and pet lover. She is the proud owner of two rescue cats and a rescue dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *