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23 June 2025

7 MINS READ

Can All Dog Breeds Eat Fresh Dog Food?

Every dog is different, but here’s the good news: with the right approach, fresh food can work for every breed. Whether you’ve got a couch-loving French Bulldog or a high-energy Border Collie, fresh dog food delivers benefits like improved digestion, healthier coats, and better weight management across the board. The key is making sure it’s […]

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Every dog is different, but here’s the good news: with the right approach, fresh food can work for every breed.

Whether you’ve got a couch-loving French Bulldog or a high-energy Border Collie, fresh dog food delivers benefits like improved digestion, healthier coats, and better weight management across the board. The key is making sure it’s portioned and formulated to fit your dog’s specific needs.

That’s exactly what we do at Ollie. Our fresh meals are crafted with veterinarians and nutritionists, then personalized based on your dog’s breed, size, age, and activity level. Because what works for a Chihuahua won’t always work for a German Shepherd, and we think your pup deserves food made just for them.

In this article, we’ll break down how fresh food fits into every breed’s life, from tiny lap dogs to giant guardians, and why Ollie makes breed-specific feeding simple.

Is Fresh Dog Food Good for All Breeds?

Yes, fresh dog food is good for all breeds, as long as it’s nutritionally balanced and appropriately portioned.

Breed doesn’t determine whether fresh food is safe, it determines how that food should be served. A Mastiff and a Maltese both benefit from real meat, veggies, and healthy fats. But they need different amounts, different protein profiles, and sometimes different recipe tweaks to support their unique health needs.

That’s where Ollie comes in. We don’t just deliver the same meal to every dog. Our recipes are crafted with veterinary experts and then customized based on your dog’s breed, weight, age, and lifestyle. So whether you have a sprinter like a Whippet or a snoozer like an English Bulldog, Ollie builds a plan that works specifically for them.

Fresh food isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but with the right brand, it can be a right-for-every-breed solution.

Take The Ollie Food Quiz Today!

Why Breed-Specific Feeding Matters

Not all dogs have the same nutritional needs, and breed plays a big role in how their bodies process food.

Size Differences Mean Different Diets

Small breeds like Yorkies and Pugs burn energy quickly and need calorie-dense meals in smaller portions. On the flip side, large breeds like Great Danes and Bernese Mountain Dogs are prone to joint issues and weight gain, so they benefit from meals with joint-supportive ingredients and portion control.

Breed-Linked Health Concerns

Some breeds are more likely to face certain health challenges:

  • French Bulldogs: often deal with food sensitivities
  • Golden Retrievers: can be prone to weight gain
  • German Shepherds: may have sensitive stomachs or skin
  • Boxers: are known for food allergies

Feeding these breeds fresh food with limited, whole ingredients (like Ollie) can help reduce triggers and promote better overall health.

Activity Level and Metabolism

A lazy lap dog doesn’t need the same fuel as a working Border Collie. Breed often determines energy output, and fresh food allows for easier caloric adjustments.

That’s why Ollie meal plans go beyond generic “small/medium/large” categories. We build every plan based on your dog’s breed-specific needs, so your pup gets exactly what they need, every time.

How Ollie Customizes Fresh Food by Breed

At Ollie, we know your dog’s breed isn’t just a fun fact,it’s a key part of their nutritional blueprint.

That’s why we start every meal plan with questions that matter:

  • What’s your dog’s breed?
  • How old are they?
  • What’s their current weight?
  • How active are they each day?

This info helps us build a customized plan that’s fine-tuned to your dog’s breed-specific needs. Whether they’re a high-energy Jack Russell Terrier or a mellow Basset Hound, we calculate precise portion sizes and suggest recipes that support their lifestyle, health, and goals.

Vet-Crafted, Breed-Informed Nutrition

Our recipes are formulated with veterinarians and nutritionists, then personalized based on the answers you provide. That means:

  • Lamb for sensitive skin
  • Chicken for lean protein
  • Beef for active breeds needing more energy
  • Turkey for dogs with food sensitivities

And yes, we even adjust portion sizes and calorie targets down to the ounce, because small breed dogs and large breeds digest and metabolize food very differently.

With Ollie, you’re not just getting “fresh food.” You’re getting fresh food that fits your dog, right down to their DNA.

Small Breeds That Thrive on Fresh Food

Small dogs may be tiny, but their nutritional needs are no small thing. In fact, they often have faster metabolisms, more sensitive stomachs, and smaller mouths, making what they eat (and how it’s prepared) incredibly important.

Breeds That Benefit:

  • Yorkshire Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pomeranians
  • Miniature Dachshunds
  • Chihuahuas

Why Fresh Works:

  • Easier Digestion: Gently cooked, limited-ingredient meals are easier on delicate stomachs.
  • Smaller Bites: Ollie fresh food is soft and portioned in bite-size bits that are easier for small dogs to chew.
  • Better Weight Control: With Ollie’s portioning, it’s easy to avoid overfeeding—a common issue in small breeds.
  • Support for Skin & Coat: Many small dogs have sensitive skin. Fresh food made with natural fats and omega-3s can lead to shinier coats and fewer itches.

At Ollie, we tailor every plan for your small dog’s size, metabolism, and health history. So even if your pup’s a picky eater, their bowl will always be full of food they actually want, and can comfortably eat.

Large Breeds That Benefit from Fresh Food

Big dogs bring big love—and big nutritional needs. Larger breeds are often prone to issues like joint strain, weight gain, and sensitive digestion, making quality food not just important—but essential.

Breeds That Benefit:

  • Labrador Retrievers
  • Golden Retrievers
  • German Shepherds
  • Great Danes
  • Boxers

Why Fresh Works:

  • Joint Support: Ollie’s recipes include natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like omega-3s that support joint health, especially important for larger frames.
  • Better Portion Control: Ollie custom-portions every meal to your dog’s exact weight and activity level, helping reduce the risk of overfeeding and obesity.
  • Digestive Simplicity: Large breeds often have sensitive guts. Fresh, minimally processed ingredients are easier to digest and can reduce bloating or gas.
  • Lean Muscle Maintenance: With high-quality proteins like beef, turkey, or lamb, Ollie helps maintain muscle mass without unnecessary fillers.

Big dogs need food that’s built for their bodies. At Ollie, we deliver vet-formulated meals made with your dog’s size, breed, and lifestyle in mind, because healthy giants need the right fuel to thrive.

Fresh Food for Puppies and Senior Dogs

Whether your dog is just starting life or entering their golden years, fresh food can play a major role in supporting breed-specific needs at every stage.

Fresh Food for Puppies

Growing puppies need precise nutrition, especially large breed pups who are prone to joint issues if they grow too fast. Fresh dog food for puppies can provide incredible benefits.

Why Ollie works for puppies:

  • Balanced calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bone development
  • High-quality protein to fuel growth without extra calories
  • Personalized portions so your pup grows at a healthy rate, not too fast

We use your puppy’s breed, projected adult weight, and activity level to build a meal plan that grows with them. For small breeds, that means calorie-dense meals in tiny portions. For large breeds, it means joint-conscious, energy-balanced recipes.

Fresh Food for Senior Dogs

Older dogs, especially certain breeds like Labs or Cocker Spaniels, often slow down, gain weight, or develop sensitive digestion. Fresh dog food for senior dogs can help to provide the nutrients that your elderly dog needs to thrive.

Why Ollie works for seniors:

  • Easily digestible ingredients that are gentle on aging stomachs
  • Portion control to manage weight gain
  • Supportive nutrients like omega-3s for brain and joint health

And since Ollie customizes meals based on age and breed, we adjust macronutrients over time to meet your dog’s changing needs.

From puppyhood to retirement, fresh food like Ollie adapts to your dog’s life, and breed-specific challenges, every step of the way.

Common Concerns: Can My [Breed] Eat Fresh Food?

If you’ve ever Googled “Can my [insert breed] eat fresh dog food?”—you’re not alone. Many pet parents wonder if their dog’s breed is a match for fresh meals. Good news: it usually is.

Here’s a quick look at some popular breeds and how they respond to fresh food like Ollie:

French Bulldogs

Common issue: Food sensitivities, gassiness
Ollie benefit: Limited-ingredient recipes and easier digestion

German Shepherds

Common issue: Sensitive stomachs, skin problems
Ollie benefit: Whole, gently cooked ingredients support gut and coat health

Labrador Retrievers

Common issue: Tendency to overeat and gain weight
Ollie benefit: Portion-controlled meals with lean proteins

Chihuahuas

Common issue: Tiny mouths, picky appetites
Ollie benefit: Small, soft bites with tasty, real ingredients

Pit Bulls

Common issue: Allergies and skin irritations
Ollie benefit: Simple, allergy-friendly recipes without fillers

Huskies

Common issue: High energy, picky eaters
Ollie benefit: Protein-rich meals tailored to keep up with activity levels

The truth is, fresh food can work for any breed, as long as it’s made with clean ingredients, balanced nutrition, and breed-aware portions. And that’s exactly what Ollie delivers.

Yes, Fresh Food Can Be Right for Every Breed

Every breed is unique,but they all have one thing in common: they thrive on real, nutrient-rich food that’s made for their body, not mass-produced in a factory.

Fresh food works for Chihuahuas, German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Great Danes, and every pup in between. What matters is how that food is crafted and portioned.

At Ollie, we take your dog’s breed, age, weight, and lifestyle into account to create meals that support their individual needs. Our recipes are built with veterinarians and pet nutritionists, using clean, human-grade ingredients and no artificial fillers.

So, can all dog breeds eat fresh dog food? Absolutely, with a little personalization, and a lot of care.

And that’s exactly what we do at Ollie.

Take The Ollie Food Quiz Today!

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