Home › Forums › Dog Food Reviews › Looking for Honest Vital Essentials Dog Food Reviews
- This topic has 13 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 2 weeks ago by
Friendly-Beagle-2696.
-
AuthorPosts
-
08/27/2024 at 6:41 PM #3318
Cozy_Terrier_1355
MemberHmm, Vital Essentials… yeah, I’ve been using the Vital Essential freeze-dried nuggets for my Golden Retriever, Max, for a few months now and he absolutely loves it! And boy oh boy, has his coat gotten shinier or what? I also noticed improvements in his digestion.
The price tag is somewhat hefty, no denying that! But I kinda consider it as an investment in Max’s health and well-being. The quality of ingredients is top-notch – all grain-free and raw which is a major plus!
One downside though; the smell can be quite strong and unpleasant (you know what raw food smells like), so keep your nose braced when you open that bag. But hey, nothing we wouldn’t do for our furry friends, right? 😉
So yes, Vital Essentials gets a huge thumbs up from Team Max! 🐕🦺👍
Feed Your Dog the Best with Vital Essentials!
Buy Now on Amazon09/17/2024 at 5:46 PM #3319Friendly-Husky-1118
MemberSure, it’s a tad bit on the expensive side but totally worth it considering the quality. Ingredients are all-natural with excellent protein sources. I mean, not every day you find dog food out there that uses real meat from organically raised animals without fillers or artificial stuff.
Definitely give it a shot if you haven’t already annd let us know how your furry buddy finds it! 🐾
10/15/2024 at 2:40 AM #3320lively_poodle_8214
MemberHowever, like anything you feed your furry friend, keep an eye on them after introducing a new food. Each dog is unique with their own dietary requirements and reactions to food. As always, it’s best to gradually introduce new foods to their diet instead of one big swap.
It’s a bit on the pricey side compared to some other options out there but for Oscar and me, the benefits far outweigh the cost. Giving it a try won’t hurt thogh; your pup might love it too! Just remember, every dog is different so what works for Oscar might not be perfect for another pooch. 🐾
10/18/2024 at 2:07 AM #3321Friendly_Dogmom_6775
MemberI’ve actually been using Vital Essentials for my golden retriever. She absolutely loves it! I like the ingredients they use, feels a lot more ‘real’ compared to some cheaper brand options. It’s grain-free and full of protein which is perfect for my active girl.
The only downside has been the price, it’s a bit on the expensive side. But from my viewpoint, I’m happy to fork out a little extra if it means a healthier diet for her. She’s part of the family after all, right?
I did try to transition slowly — mixing in old food with Vital Essentials until she was primarily eating VE. Cooler yet, she also had fewer digestive problems once we completed the switch.
Oh yeah – also noticed her coat seems shinier and she’s got more energy too. So far so good! Give it a shot if your budget allows, might be just what your pup needs. Cheers!
10/28/2024 at 1:46 PM #3322Brave-Pittie-5038
MemberI gotta admit, I was skeptical at first because the price is a bit steep compared to other brands we’ve tried. But seeing how Max’s coat got shinier and his energy level skyrocketed, I could tell we were on to something good.
The one downside (other than the price) I’ve noticed is that it can cause a bit of stomach upset initially as your pup adjusts. Max had some loose stools for the first week or so. Nothing major though, just something to keep in mind if you decide to switch over.
Everything considered, I’m pretty happy with Vital Essentials – especially because they don’t pack their food with unnecessary fillers. Give it a shot if you’re thinking about it! It may be pricey, but in my opinion, it’s worth every penny.
By the way, does anyone else feed their dog this brand? Love to hear others’ experiences too!
11/11/2024 at 3:41 AM #3323brave-bulldog-3378
MemberMy pup is also quite picky with food but she absolutely loves this stuff – maybe it’s because it’s raw freeze-dried and she finds it tasty? I know some feel a bit iffy about raw food, but honestly, VE ensures their food is safe and I’ve not had any issues. Fair warning though, it’s pricier than your average kibble but IMO, totally worth it.
Also, I recommend you switch over gradually if you do decide to go for VE. Changing foods drastically can upset their tummies, so maybe mix in a little to start with and then increase over time.
Anyway, that’s just my two cents! Good luck finding what works best for your furry family member!
11/26/2024 at 10:11 AM #3324friendly-chihuahua-1238
MemberBut on the downside, they’re quite pricey compared to other brands on the market. Plus, they’re really crunchy… so much so that sometimes Freddie has a hard time chewing them. I’ve tried soaking them in water first to soften up, but then it kinda loses its appeal for him.
I also wish they had more variety in flavors, as Freddie gets bored eating the same thing every day. So while the quality is good, I’m looking at trying something else soon for a balance in nutrition and taste.
Hope this helps you out a bit in making your decision! It’s always tricky finding what works best for our furry friends.
12/02/2024 at 8:41 PM #3325snuggly_retriever_1349
MemberI’ve been using Vital Essentials for my golden retriever for a while now and it’s been fantastic! She absolutely loves it, wolfs it down every time. It’s been great in terms of her digestion too — way fewer upsets compared to when I was feeding her some other brand. Think it has something to do with the raw food diet and natural ingredients they use.
Her coat’s a lot shinier now too and she’s got this newfound zest for life. I’d always read about the benefits of a raw diet but wasn’t sure where to start – but Vital Essentials made it so much easier!
Price point could be an issue for some, I guess, considering it’s more than your average dog kibble, but my girl definitely thinks it’s worth her happy dance! Definitely will continue to invest in her health and happiness with VE.
That said, do remember that every pup/dog is unique. What works wonders for my girl might not be the best fit for yours. Always worth trying though!
-JohnnyPaws44
12/25/2024 at 11:18 AM #3326dreamy_hound_2593
MemberSo, my furbaby has been on Vital Essentials for about 6 months now, and honestly, we’re both incredibly happy with it. My girl has a sensitive tummy and used to have all kinds of trouble digesting regular dog food brands. But since the switch? Zero issues at all! Her coat’s been gorgeous as well, super shiny and healthy.
Another bonus is that she absolutely LOVES the taste of it. Meal times used to be a bit of a struggle, but now she’s always excited when she hears the bag opening! The freeze-dried nuggets are her fave – especially the beef ones. Yumm-o (at least from her perspective).
Price-wise, it’s not the cheapest option out there. But hey, you get what you pay for, right? Plus, seeing her healthier and happier is worth every penny to me.
Just don’t forget to gradually introduce new food into her diet if you’re considering a switch. We faced some resistance in the beginning but after a week or so it was pure smooth sailing.
So yeah, two paws up from us for Vital Essentials! Worth a try if you’re hunting for a healthier dog food alternative.
01/17/2025 at 8:31 AM #3327CuriousTerrier9423
MemberI’m glad you asked about Vital Essentials. I’ve been feeding it to my golden, Buster, for the past year and it’s been such a game-changer! His coat is glossier, and he’s full of energy. I swear, he acts like a puppy even though he’s already 6.
The price might be a bit more than your average kibble but it’s worth every penny. Just remember, it’s freeze-dried so make sure to follow those hydration directions on the back of the pack.
One word of caution though, picky eaters may need some transitioning time because let’s be honest, it doesn’t look like the typical dog food most pups are used to. But Buster dug right in after a couple of days!
In all seriousness, Vital Essentials has my vote of confidence. Good luck with your pup!
02/21/2025 at 10:24 PM #3329FriendlyCorgi4647
MemberObviously, every doggo is unique, so what works for Beau may not work for others, but I feel like VE really focuses on using quality ingredients which makes a big difference. So far, no tummy troubles or anything negative!
The only downside? It’s a tad pricier than your typical kibble, but trust me when I say it’s 100% worth every penny when you see the positive changes in your pup! Just remember to introduce it slowly into their diets as you don’t want to shock their digestive systems. Hope this helps! 🐾
Plus, who can resist those cute little excited tail wags at mealtime? Certainly not me 😍 Let us know if you decide to give it a go!
03/12/2025 at 7:34 AM #3330Calm-Hound-3259
MemberFirst things first, it’s grain-free and gluten-free, so no worries about unwanted carbs messing with my buddy’s tummy. Plus, it’s all high-quality meat – no low-grade animal byproducts – which means my dog is getting his protein from real sources.
I know what you’re thinking…it’s probably expensive, right? To be honest, it is a bit pricier than your average kibble. But remember, you get what you pay for! My four-legged friend deserves the best and comparing it to some vet bills for health issues caused by cheaper food – the price really doesn’t look too steep any more.
Only downside I’ve noticed is that the food can be a tad crumbly sometimes. Nothing to fuss too much about though – my fur-baby doesn’t seem to mind!
Overall, we’re big fans of Vital Essentials in our house. Is anyone else seeing a positive difference in their pup after making the switch? Would love to hear your experiences!
03/12/2025 at 11:11 PM #3331Friendly-Beagle-2696
MemberDon’t get me wrong, at first, I was kind of skeptical switching from commercial kibble. But after doing some heavy research, you know how it goes… surfing the internet at 2 a.m. (lol)… the benefits seemed to outweigh any hesitations I had.
The only downside is the price, it’s on the pricier side. But honestly, for Rupert’s health and happiness? Worth every penny. It’s not quite five-star dining for every meal (wow my wallet would cry), but it definitely feels like an upgrade.
One thing is that Rupert can be quite picky (he once turned his nose up at bacon!!) and he loved it right away. If that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does 😉
Hope this helps! -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.