Dr. Marty’s Dog Food Review: Is This Freeze-Dried Fancy Feast Worth It?

Let’s be real – when I first saw the price tag on Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend, I nearly choked on my coffee. $50 for a tiny 16oz bag? My golden retriever goes through that in about four days. But after my vet mentioned my dog’s dull coat might need better nutrition, I decided to take the plunge. Here’s what I discovered after two months of testing this supposedly “premium” food.

The Kibble Conundrum

Like most dog owners, I used to grab whatever kibble was on sale. But when Bailey started scratching constantly and turning her nose up at dinner, I realized maybe the bargain bin wasn’t cutting it. The problem? Most kibble gets nuked during manufacturing, stripping away nutrients. Raw food would be ideal, but between work and kids, I don’t have time to play butcher in my kitchen.

That’s where Dr. Marty’s comes in – all the benefits of raw food without the mess. At least, that’s the promise. But does it deliver? Well…

Cracking Open the Bag

First impressions matter, right? The 16oz resealable bag feels fancy, like something you’d find at a boutique pet store. The ingredients list reads like a health nut’s grocery list:

• Real beef, salmon, and duck (none of that mystery “meat meal” nonsense)
• Blueberries and pumpkin (my dog eats better than I do)
• No corn, wheat, or artificial junk

But here’s the kicker – it’s freeze-dried, not cooked. That means they basically freeze the raw ingredients and remove the water, keeping more nutrients intact. Smart, if it actually works.

The Good, The Bad, and The Expensive

Let’s break this down honestly:

The Wins:

• Bailey’s coat went from dull to shiny in about three weeks
• Her energy levels shot up (which is great… unless you enjoy lazy Sundays)
• No more picky eating – she actually gets excited for meals now

The Drawbacks:

• That price tag still hurts my soul
• The texture threw her off at first (more on that later)
• You go through bags alarmingly fast with bigger dogs

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

I’m not made of money, so I compared Dr. Marty’s to other freeze-dried options:

• Stella & Chewy’s: Cheaper ($43 vs $50), but uses more fillers
• Primal: More protein options, but harder to find locally
• Honest Kitchen: Similar concept, but their texture is mushier

At the end of the day, Dr. Marty’s does have the cleanest ingredient list I’ve found. But is that worth the premium? Depends how much you love your dog, I guess.

The Wallet Factor

Let’s talk numbers because this is where it gets painful:

• For my 60lb golden, one bag lasts about a week
• That’s roughly $200/month just on dog food
• Compared to $50/month for decent kibble… ouch

Pro Tip: I started mixing it 50/50 with a high-quality kibble to stretch it further. Bailey didn’t even notice, and my credit card thanked me.

Dr. Marty’s Dog Food: My Month-Llong Experiment (With Pictures!)

So there I was, standing in my kitchen at 6 AM, staring at this fancy $50 bag of dog food wondering if I’d lost my mind. My golden retriever Bailey was giving me that “you expect me to eat this?” look while sniffing suspiciously at her bowl. This was day one of my Dr. Marty’s experiment, and let me tell you – things got interesting.

The First Bite Challenge

I should’ve known better than to just dump this strange freeze-dried stuff in her bowl like regular kibble. The moment it hit the ceramic, Bailey’s nose crinkled up like she’d smelled something rotten. She took one cautious sniff, gave me major side-eye, and walked away. Not exactly the enthusiastic reaction I’d hoped for after dropping fifty bucks.

Here’s what finally worked to get her eating:

• The Warm Chicken Broth Trick (game changer)
• Mixing in her favorite toppers (I may have caved and used cheese at first)
• Crushing some pieces into powder to mix with her old food

After about three days of this song and dance, something clicked. I came downstairs one morning to find Bailey actually waiting by her bowl – a first in her 5 years of life.

What Actually Improved?

About two weeks in, I started noticing some real changes:

1. Coat Upgrade – Her normally dull fur started getting this ridiculous shine. Like “dog shampoo commercial” level shine. My neighbor actually stopped me to ask what I was feeding her.
2. Energy Levels – My lazy couch potato suddenly wanted to play fetch for hours. Great for her, exhausting for me.
3. Digestion – No more of those disgusting protein farts that could clear a room. Praise be.

But here’s the thing nobody talks about – the portion sizes feel tiny compared to kibble. I kept second-guessing if I was feeding her enough, even though the bag said it was correct.

The Cold Hard Truth About Cost

Let’s talk numbers because this is where it gets painful:

• Bailey eats about 1.5 cups per day
• That’s roughly one $50 bag per week
• Do the math – we’re talking $200+ per month

I nearly had a heart attack when I realized this. My solution? I started mixing it 50/50 with a high-quality kibble. Surprisingly, Bailey didn’t seem to notice the difference, and my bank account breathed a sigh of relief.

What Other Dog Parents Say

After posting about our experience on a local dog owners Facebook group, I got some interesting responses:

“Best thing I ever bought for my senior lab! He acts 5 years younger!” – Jenna R.

“My picky shih tzu wouldn’t touch it. I ended up donating the bag to the shelter.” – Marcus T.

“Love the results but holy sticker shock. I only use it as a topper now.” – Sarah K.

Where to Buy (And Where to Avoid)

Word to the wise – don’t buy this on Amazon. I made that mistake once and got a bag that was clearly past its prime. The official website actually has better deals if you do their subscription, plus they sometimes run sales around holidays.

The Bottom Line (For Now)

After a full month, here’s my take:

Worth it if:

• Your dog has skin/coat issues
• You’re dealing with allergies
• Money isn’t a huge concern

Skip it if:

• Your dog is super picky about textures
• You have a giant breed (the cost would be insane)
• You’re on a tight budget

I’m planning to continue for another month to see if the benefits hold up. Next update I’ll share whether the “honeymoon phase” wears off, and if I’ve found any cheaper alternatives that work just as well.

Anyone else tried this stuff? I’m curious if your dog took to it right away or gave you the cold shoulder like Bailey did at first!

Dr. Marty’s Dog Food – The 6-Month Update (Was It Worth It?)

Six months ago, I made the questionable financial decision to switch my golden retriever Bailey to Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend. At $50 for a tiny 16oz bag, I needed to know: Does this stuff actually work long-term, or was I just buying into hype?

Spoiler alert: The results surprised me. Here’s the unfiltered truth after half a year of feeding this premium freeze-dried food.

The Good: What Actually Improved Over Time

1. The “Holy Crap, Your Dog’s Coat!” Effect

Around month three, something weird happened. Random strangers started stopping us on walks to compliment Bailey’s fur. Her previously dull, slightly wiry coat transformed into this ridiculously soft, shiny mane that feels like mink. Even her vet asked if I’d started giving her supplements (nope—just the food).

2. Bye-Bye Allergy Meds

Bailey used to take Apoquel for seasonal allergies. By month four? We stopped entirely. No more:

• Constant paw licking
• Ear infections
• That gross “dog smell”

3. Energy for Days (Help Me)

My once-lazy 7-year-old now acts like a puppy. She’s faster, more playful, and annoyingly persistent about fetch. Great for her, exhausting for me.

The Bad: What Nobody Tells You

1. The Texture Struggle Never Ends

Even after six months, Bailey still sometimes hesitates before eating. The freeze-dried nuggets aren’t as enticing as stinky wet food or crunchy kibble.

My hack: I add a splash of warm bone broth (cheap at Costco) to make it smell meatier.

2. The Cost is Still Painful

Let’s do the math:

• Bailey (60lbs) eats ~1.5 cups/day
• One 16oz bag = ~7 days
• Monthly cost: $200+

I tried mixing it with kibble, but the benefits dramatically decreased. So now I’m stuck choosing between my dog’s health and my savings account.

3. It’s Not a Miracle Cure

Bailey’s hip stiffness (common in goldens) hasn’t improved. Dr. Marty’s doesn’t contain glucosamine, so I had to add a separate supplement.

The Ugly: What I Wish I’d Known Sooner

1. Shipping Delays Are Real

Twice, my subscription arrived late, forcing me to buy emergency kibble. Bailey’s digestion hated the sudden switch.

2. Not All Dogs Respond the Same

My friend’s border collie hated the taste. My neighbor’s bulldog had loose stools for weeks. There’s no guarantee your dog will thrive on it.

3. The “Auto-Ship” Trap

Canceling the subscription required three phone calls and a minor argument. Not cool.

Is It Worth It? My Final Verdict

✅ Worth It If:

✔ Your dog has skin/allergy issues
✔ You can afford $200+/month
✔ You’re okay with occasional texture battles

❌ Not Worth It If:

✖ Your dog is ultra-picky
✖ You have a giant breed (cost would be insane)
✖ You want joint support (need separate supplements)

Breaking Up With Dr. Marty’s – My Cheaper, Better Alternative

After eight months of feeding Dr. Marty’s, I finally did the unthinkable: I quit. Not because it wasn’t working—Bailey’s coat and energy were still great—but because my wallet couldn’t take it anymore.

Here’s what happened when I switched to a more affordable freeze-dried option, plus whether Bailey noticed the difference.

The Final Straw: My Bank Account Cried Uncle

Let’s be real—$200+ per month on dog food is insane. That’s more than:

• My car payment
• Bailey’s pet insurance
• My coffee addiction

I tried everything to justify the cost:
✔ Cutting back on takeout
✔ Skipping my gym membership
✔ Pretending I didn’t see the credit card statement

But when my vet mentioned “You know there are similar foods for half the price, right?”—I finally caved.

The Contender: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried

Why I Chose It:

✅ Same freeze-dried raw concept
✅ $20 cheaper per bag
✅ Includes probiotics (Dr. Marty’s doesn’t)
✅ Wider variety of proteins (duck, rabbit, lamb)

The Switch: Would Bailey Notice?

I braced for the worst. Bailey had loved Dr. Marty’s (after the initial suspicion). But Stella & Chewy’s?

Day 1: She sniffed. Hesitated. Then… inhaled it.
Week 2: Her coat stayed just as shiny.
Month 1: Zero digestive issues. Energy still through the roof.

Biggest surprise? She actually prefers the texture of Stella & Chewy’s. The nuggets are smaller and easier to chew.

Cost Comparison: The Real Savings

Savings: $30+/month (that’s $360/year back in my pocket).

The Verdict: Was Dr. Marty’s Worth It?

✅ What It Did Right:

✔ Fixed Bailey’s dull coat & allergies
✔ Got her excited about mealtime
✔ No fillers or sketchy ingredients

❌ Where It Failed:

✖ Absurdly expensive long-term
✖ No probiotics (unlike competitors)
✖ Subscription cancelation hassle

Final Decision:

I’m sticking with Stella & Chewy’s for now. The results are nearly identical, but the cost is way more manageable.

What’s Next? Testing Farmer’s Dog Fresh Food

I’ve heard great things about fresh, pre-portioned meals (though they’re still pricey). If anyone’s tried it, tell me your honest thoughts below!

Your Turn: Questions & Tips

• Have you switched from Dr. Marty’s? What worked for you?
• Any budget-friendly raw food hacks? Share your secrets!

P.S. If you’re still set on Dr. Marty’s, wait for their Black Friday sale—last year they did 25% off!