Our Journey to Find the Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers
Like most pet parents, we are obsessed with our dogs.
We want them to live long and happy lives.
We bring them with us on adventures.
And we would do anything for them.
So when it came to picking the best dog food, I was overwhelmed by all the options.
This blog will share our journey and why we have used the same food for nearly three years with no intentions of switching.
Our weight loss journey in less than 45 seconds
Our Journey
When my wife and I added Ellie, an 8-week-old golden retriever puppy, to our family, we knew we had a lot to figure out.
Regarding dog food, we started with a google search: What is the best food for an eight-week-old puppy?
As new dog owners, we chose an affordable option: a kibble that was designed for large breeds and looked healthy on the package.
At the time, we didn't realize the importance of food on health and wellbeing.
Fast Forward
Our veterinarian informed us that Ellie was getting larger and advised us on the risks of an overweight dog.
It was difficult to notice since we were around Ellie every day, but looking back at one of our favorite pictures in our home, it was clear she was not in the best shape.
According to the Body Condition Score (BCS), a hands-on weight assessment, Ellie was a 7.
The ideal rating is a 4-5, which meant it was time for some changes.
Health Kick
In our quest to be the best pet parents, we decided to make changes to maximize Ellie's health and quality of life.
Step 1: Increase exercise
Step 2: Find a healthier food
Transparency
This search began in 2020 as we gained an online presence and subsequently had several food brands reaching out.
We spoke with our veterinarian, conducted significant research, and tested several brands before finding Spot & Tango UnKibble.
After a three-month trial, we saw the impact on Ellie's health and agreed to a partnership.
Meet Spot & Tango UnKibble
⭐️ Ellie began losing weight.
Within the following year, Ellie went from 87 to 68 pounds.
Her body condition score went from a 7 (overweight) to a 5 (ideal).
⭐️ Increased energy.
Ellie didn't lag behind us during walks. Instead, she kept a pep in her step and wanted to go on longer walks/hikes.
⭐️ Itching Relief.
Ellie has had allergies since she was a puppy, but after switching to UnKibble, her itching has significantly decreased, and she hasn't had any hot spots.
⭐️ Excitement for meals.
Ellie has always been a foodie, but now her mealtime excitement is next level. If you don't believe me, check out some of our videos. She loves her food so much that we use it for most of our training sessions.
⭐️ Softer coat.
Ellie meets many people, and one of the most common remarks we hear is how soft her fur is! This wasn't something we often heard before switching food.
⭐️ High-quality poop!
Didn’t expect that one, did ya??
Ellie’s stool is smaller and harder because her Spot & Tango food is made of natural ingredients that can more effectively be absorbed into the body.
Meet Emma
In 2022, we added Emma, another golden retriever puppy, to our family.
We wanted to prioritize her health and planned on transitioning her off kibble shortly after coming home.
Research
Puppies have different needs than adult dogs, so we consulted our veterinarian and a certified pet nutritionist for advice on caloric needs and essential nutrients.
We discovered that the ideal growth pattern for large breed puppies (any dog over 50 pounds at their adult stage) is to grow UP and then fill OUT around eight months of age.
Spot & Tango UnKibble Cod & Salmon
Spot & Tango's Cod and Salmon recipe met our parameters and was the best choice for Emma.
⭐️ Used for training.
Emma is obsessed with her food, which was excellent for training to become a therapy dog like Ellie.
Pro Tip: Until Emma turns six months old, we will split her food into three portions (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and hand-feed her during training sessions.
⭐️ Confidence in the ingredients.
Spot & Tango UnKibble is made from human-grade food that is slowly cooked and gently dried. It doesn't contain artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers and has the correct nutritional inclusion for Emma.
⭐️ Custom meal plan.
Spot & Tango customizes the portion sizes based on Emma's individual needs, so we do not have to switch from puppy to adult food like many other brands.
⭐️ Convenience is a significant factor!
We're an adventurous and active family. UnKibble gives us the benefits of fresh food with the convenience of a kibble. No refrigeration is needed.
Where’s Spot & Tango?
UnKibble is the perfect solution for our lifestyle and has joined us in 7 countries abroad and on road trips to over 25 states!
FAQ
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Ellie eats the Beef and Barley recipe.
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Emma eats the Cod and Salmon recipe.
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Yes! Use promo: GOLDEN or this link for 60% off your first Spot & Tango order.
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Kibble is made in a variety of ways, but the most common is through an extrusion process. Basically, a large machine forces ingredients together under high pressure to form kibble. This process creates a very dense product that can predispose dogs to obesity and other conditions if they are overfed even a little. Although dogs can survive on kibble, there are much healthier options such as UnKibble.
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UnKibble is DRY, fresh food made of simple ingredients. Unlike traditional kibble, UnKibble is gentle cooked and slowly dried to maintain nutritional value. It does not have to be refrigerated!
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When you sign up for a meal plan, you will be asked questions about your pet's breed, weight, and activity level to create a personalized plan. Then, your Spot & Tango will arrive at your home with a custom scoop and instructions regarding proportions for each meal.
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UnKibble is an online subscription-based food service sent directly to your door. We like that the food arrives on a recurring basis, and we do not have to run to the store. Instead, we receive an email reminder before the food ships. You can pause or modify your order at any time, and shipping is FREE!
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Spot & Tango ingredients are all farm-fresh, whole foods that are typically grown for and used in the human food supply chain. The food is gently dried at a slow temperature. No artificial additives, colors, or flavors are present. All ingredients are clearly displayed on the front of the package.
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Our family is often often on-the-go and time is limited. I prefer UnKibble because I’m able to feed Ellie an Emma fresh food without any of the hassle of thawing, traveling with frozen food, taking up freezer space.
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Spot & Tango offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all trials. If your dog doesn't love the food, just let them know before the end of your trial, and they'll refund you.
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