Stella and Chewy Reviews
Special raw and grain-free diets are becoming increasingly popular as pet owners are becoming increasingly conscious about their pets’ diets. Stella and Chewy’s dog foods is there to meet the demand for high quality kibble and freeze dried raw food for pets.
In this dog food review, we will be going over just how good the food products from this company are. We will do this by breaking down the ingredients and explaining which ingredients are considered to be quality and which are largely regarded to be cheap fillers.
In addition to this, we will also be explaining a little more about this company. This includes the brand’s history, where their pet food is made, and if there have been any recalls on any of their products.
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About Stella And Chewy
This is a pet food company that sells healthy foods and treats. This company has multiple different types of pet foods and treats in its product line. However, all of these foods are branded as being a healthy alternatives to other dog and cat foods.
Possibly the most popular products from S and C’s are their raw foods. These foods come frozen and have no grains. In addition to this, this brand also has healthy kibble available, and they come in a variety of different formulas to meet a variety of different pets’ needs.
Stella And Chewy History
In the late 1990s owner and founder of Stella and Chewy’s food, Marie Moody adopted her dog Chewy to be a companion to her and her other dog Stella. Unfortunately, this new dog had some health issues, and Marie Moody’s vet recommended that Chewy be put on a homemade raw diet.
After making this special raw diet herself for a number of years, Marie Moody decided that she should create a quality brand that provides healthy options for pets with special dietary needs and sensitive stomachs. This is when she started her brand in 2003.
Since their beginning S and C’s has slowly added products to their product line. Now the brand has a variety of wet food, dry kibble, and frozen raw food available to pet owners. Plus, they also have some tasty treats for your pet as well.
Where Are Their Products Made?
This company’s pet products are all made within the United States. The main facility where S and C’s pet foods are made is in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Knowing that an animal product is made within the United States puts many pet owners at ease. This is because pet products made within the United States tend to be of much better quality than those made in some other areas like China.
Are Stella and Chewy Made In China?
No, these products are not made in China.
S and C’s Food Cost
S and C’s tend to be a bit on the more expensive end when compared to other brands. However, with the higher price tag, you also get a better quality product when you purchase pet foods from this company.
Stella And Chewy Food Ingredient Quality
S and C’s is known for its top quality ingredients no matter what type of food that it is. However, their ingredients do differ depending on what type of food it is.
For example, their freeze dried raw food contains different ingredients than their dry kibble does. Here is a thorough breakdown of S and C’s ingredient quality.
Frozen Raw Food Ingredient Quality
When it comes to the quality of ingredients in S and C’s frozen raw food, they tend to be very good ingredients that are not controversial. The following ingredients are commonly included in their raw frozen or freeze dried raw patties.
- real meat with ground bone (ex: rabbit with ground bone)
- liver from an identifiable meat source(ex: lamb liver)
- gizzard from an identifiable meat source (ex: turkey gizzard)
- pumpkin seed
- organic cranberries
- organic spinach
- organic broccoli
- organic beets
- organic carrots
- organic squash
- organic blueberries
- fenugreek seed
- potassium chloride
- dried kelp
- sodium phosphate
- tocopherols (a preservative)
- a variety of probiotics
Sources of high quality proteins like those above, the use of organic fruits and vegetables, and other high quality ingredients result in a great product. Plus, this type of food also contains some probiotics, which aid in digestion.
Although there are no controversial ingredients on this list, dog owners may need to be careful about the fat content in some of these frozen meals. This is especially true of those that contain fatty meats like duck, lamb, goose, turkey, and pork.
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Dry Dog Food Ingredient Quality
Like their raw goodness, S and C’s includes quality ingredients in their dry kibble as well. The ingredients in all of their dry products tend to be very similar.
The only main difference between these foods is that their grain inclusive formulas contain oatmeal while their products without grain ones do not. Here are the ingredients that are commonly included in S and C’s dry formulas.
- real meets (beef, duck, etc.)
- real meat meal (pork meal, lamb meal, etc.)
- oatmeal (for grain inclusive options only)
- peas
- lentils
- salmon meal
- chickpeas
- pea protein
- beef fat
- liver from an identifiable animal (ex: turkey liver)
- kidneys from an identifiable animal (ex: beef kidneys)
- natural vegetable flavors
- sunflower oil
- salmon oil
- flaxseed
- sun cured alfalfa
- heart from an identifiable animal (ex: rabbit heart)
- bone from an identifiable animal (ex: rabbit bone)
- tripe from an identifiable animal (ex: beef tripe)
- fenugreek seed
- pumpkin
- coconut flour
- pumpkin seed
- organic cranberries
- organic spinach
- organic broccoli
- organic beets
- organic carrots
- organic squash
- organic blueberries
- inulin (from chicory root)
- thyme
- sage
- rosemary extract
- taurine
- dried kelp
- tocopherols (a preservative)
- a variety of probiotics
The only ingredient on this list that is considered to be somewhat controversial is pea protein. The only reason for this is that pea protein is not considered to be as protein-rich as other sources such as real meats.
Considering that this food contains plenty of meat protein along with other high-quality ingredients like organic fruits this is overall a great, high-quality kibble. Plus, ingredients like liver and kidneys add a ton of healthy nutrients to their raw morsels.
Wet Food Ingredient Quality
In addition to their dry kibble and raw goodness, this company also offers a variety of wet foods as well. The following ingredients are commonly included in the formula for S and C’s wet dog foods.
- real meats
- chicken broth
- beef broth
- bone broth
- pumpkin
- carrots
- kale
- tapioca or tapioca starch
- sunflower oil
- salt
- flaxseed oil
- guar gum
- potato starch
- turmeric
- tocopherols (a preservative)
On this ingredient list, there are only two ingredients that are seen as somewhat controversial. These ingredients include tapioca and guar gum. Tapioca is generally considered to be a cheap filler that holds little nutrients, and there has been some evidence that guar gum could negatively impact a product’s digestibility.
Ingredients like whole range raw meats and organic vegetables are excellent ingredients.
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The Use Of Mixed Tocopherols
Raw products will need artificial preservatives like mixed tocopherols when massed produced. Considering that S and C use a lot of raw ingredients in their products, artificial preservatives are a must when it comes to keeping their products from spoiling quickly.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Added to Their Products and Nutrient Analysis
It is very common for companies to add some vitamin and mineral supplements to their recipe. This is a good thing because it ensures that your pet is getting all of the vitamins and minerals that they need. Here are some of the supplements that S and C commonly include.
- zinc proteinate
- iron proteinate
- vitamin E supplement
- taurine
- calcium carbonate
- thiamine mononitrate
- copper proteinate
- manganese proteinate
- sodium selenite
- niacin supplement
- d-calcium pantothenate
- riboflavin supplement
- vitamin A supplement
- vitamin D3 supplement
- Vitamin B12 supplement
- pyridoxine hydrochloride
- folic acid
The only controversial item on this list is sodium selenite. Sodium selenite is considered to be a controversial ingredient in products simply because it is not considered as good of a source of selenium as selenium yeast is.
All of the other ingredients like folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamins, and minerals are generally considered to be wholesome ingredients.
Does S and C Use Good Ingredients?
Yes, the ingredients used by this company are generally considered to be very good, and their products are also considered to be of good quality as well.
Is Stella and Chewy Really Raw?
Yes, raw ingredients are usually added to the products from this company.
Top Stella And Chewy’s Products
Although S and C mainly cater to those who are looking to feed a raw diet, they offer more options than just their frozen and freeze dried dinners.
Stella and Chewy’s products offer high quality canned food and kibble as well. Here are some of the best products that S and C’s have in their product line.
Freeze Dried Dinners
Possibly one of the most popular products that S and C have to offer is their raw morsels. These frozen dinners include raw meat and no grains, which is perfect for a pet on a raw diet. Here are some of the Freeze dried options that S and C have available.
- Duck Duck Goose Dinner Patties
- Super Beef Dinner Patties
- Tantalizing Turkey Dinner Patties
- Surf N’ Turf Dinner Patties
- Chicken Dinner Patties
- Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Patties
- Purely Pork Dinner Patties
- Remarkable Red Meat Dinner Patties
- Dandy Lamb Dinner Patties
- Venison Blend Dinner Patties
- Perfectly Puppy Chicken and Salmon Dinner Patties
- Perfectly Puppy Beef and Salmon Dinner Patties
- Lil’ Bites Chicken Little Recipe
- Lil’ Bites Little Lamb Recipe
- Lil’ Bites Itty Bitty Beef Recipe
- Lil’ Bites Dainty Duck Recipe
There are many options available for those looking to feed a raw diet. It is important to note though that some of these products may have a high fat content due to the type of raw meat used.
Freeze Dried Treats
S and C also offer freeze dried treats. These products are also made with raw meat and come frozen. Here are some of the frozen treats that S and C’s have on their product line.
- Carnivore Crunch Grass Fed Beef Recipe
- Carnivore Crunch Cage Free Chicken Recipe
- Carnivore Crunch Cage Free Duck Recipe
- Carnivore Crunch Cage Free Turkey Recipe
- Lamb Wild Weenies
- Beef Wild Weenies
- Chicken Wild Weenies
- Red Meat Wild Weenies
- Game Bird Wild Weenies
- Duck Wild Weenies
These treats make for a great healthy choice.
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Meal Mixers
This company also has some raw mixers in addition to their other products. These raw mixers are meant to be included as an additive to the meal. This adds some extra flavor and nutrients. Here are some of the mixers that S and C have on their product line.
- Chicken Meal Mixers
- Duck Duck Goose Meal Mixers
- Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers
- Super Beef Meal Mixers
- Savory Salmon and Cod Meal Mixers
These are great to add on top of dinners like S and C’s raw patties.
Is Stella and Chewy Meal Mixers Good For Dogs?
Yes, these meal toppings can be a good additive for your pet and can add some extra nutrients to their meals.
Wild Red Classic Kibble
If you are just looking for a basic kibble then S and C’s has that too! Here are some of the high quality kibble options that are grain inclusive from S and C’s.
These products are great for those who are just looking for good quality products with no special diets involved. There are also gluten free as well as gluten inclusive options available.
Wild Red Raw Blend Kibble
Have you ever wanted to feed your dog a protein rich raw diet, but missed the convenience of dry kibble? Well, Stella and Chewy’s foods have an option for that! Wild Red Raw Blend is made with raw meat and is freeze dried for your convenience.
These products have both grain free and grain inclusive options. This makes this food great even for pets with sensitive stomachs.
Wild Red Raw Coated Kibble
This raw coated kibble also contains quality ingredients and is freeze dried. This way it does not need to be frozen or refrigerated, but it still contains all of the quality ingredients that S and C is known for.
- Wholesome Grains Ocean Recipe
- Ocean Recipe
- Wholesome Grains Prairie Recipe
- Prairie Recipe
- Red Meat Recipe
- Wholesome Grains Red Meat Recipe
- Puppy Prairie Recipe
There are both gluten free and grain inclusive options available for these products.
Wet Foods
Canned foods are always a popular option among pet owners for animal feed. Luckily, S and C’s have a few canned options available.
- Wild Red Grain Free Chicken and Turkey Stew
- Wild Red Grain Free Chicken and Beef Stew
- Wild Red Grain Free Chicken and Lamb Stew
Alternatives to S and C’s
If you are looking for a good S and C alternative then we’ve got your back! Here are some of the best alternatives to Stella and Chewy’s food that we could find.
Primal Freeze Dried Nuggets
Primal is a great option for those looking for an alternative to S and C’s frozen meals. This is because Primal also makes high quality freeze dried patties that are perfect for those looking to feed their dog a raw diet. Primal offers dog treats as a part of their product line as well.
Nulo Freestyle
Nulo is yet another great alternative to Stella and Chewy’s foods. This is because Nulo also offers some high quality freeze dried foods that are great for those on a raw diet. However, Nulo offers high quality canned food, treats, and dry kibble as well.
Tender and True
If you are looking for another company that makes high quality organic products like S and C then look no further! Tender and True uses organic ingredients that are healthy for your pet. This company offers canned food, dry kibble, and treats.
Gather Free Acres Dog Foods
Gather Free Acres is yet another great option for those looking for a dry kibble that uses organic ingredients. This food is also known to be incredibly nutritious as well.
Where to Buy Stella and Chewy’s Products
S and C products can be purchased in many neighborhood pet stores throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to this, their products can also be ordered online on websites like Chewy and Amazon. S and C pet products can also be purchased directly through their website as well.
S and C’s Recalls
This company does have a bit of a recall history. In 2015 there have been two voluntary recalls on select S and C products due to Listeria contamination. Listeria is a bacteria that is potentially dangerous to animals, children, the elderly, and those who are immune suppressed.
The first voluntary recall due to Listeria contamination took place on July 4th, 2015. Only products distributed within the United States were affected. The following products were subject to this recall.
- Freeze Dried Chicken Dinner for Dogs
- Frozen Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels for Dogs
- Frozen Chicken Dinner Morsels for Dogs
- Frozen Surf ‘N Turf Dinner Patties for Dogs
- Frozen Chicken Dinner Patties for Dogs
- Freeze Dried Chick Chick Chicken Dinner for Cats
- Freeze Dried Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats
- Freeze Dried Salmon and Chicken Dinner for Cats
- Carnivore Crunch Turkey Recipe
- Carnivore Crunch Chicken Recipe
- Freeze Dried Tantalizing Turkey Mixers
In December of 2015, there was yet another voluntary recall on S and C products due to Listeria contamination. The following products were recalled within the United States and Canada.
- Frozen Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Morsels for Dogs
- Frozen Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels for Cats
- Frozen Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels for Cats
Do Vets Recommend Stella and Chewy?
Yes, many vets recommend these products for a pet on a raw diet.
A Final Word
Overall, S and C’s offers high quality products no matter if it is treats, dry kibble, frozen raw diet, or canned food. As a result, we definitely believe that these products can be a healthy choice for your pet. The only thing that pet owners may need to consider is the amount of fat that is included in certain products, particularly those including fatty meats. This is overall a positive dog food review.
