Review Summary
Our Final Verdict
We give Sundays dog food a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogSundays dog food takes a different approach to the fresh dog food craze that is becoming more common in the pet food industry. This company uses fresh and human-grade ingredients, but the food has a different look: it doesn’t look like kibble, and it doesn’t look like fresh food. Why, you ask? Let me explain.
Sundays uses all-natural ingredients to make a tasty jerky that is air-dried low and slow so that the nutrients in the food stay intact during the manufacturing process. This method also kills any germs and preserves the flavor. As far as appearance, the food looks more like treats rather than a meal, but don’t let that fool you; your dog will receive all the vital nutrients needed for a healthy life.
This food was created by a veterinarian and an engineer, and they put their expertise and knowledge together to produce healthy dog food that dogs love. My two dogs recently had the pleasure of trying this healthy dog food, and they gobbled it up. Join me in explaining this all-natural food and the company that makes it so that you can decide if Sundays is right for your pooch.
At a Glance: What We Reviewed
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUR FAVORITE | Sundays For Dogs Chicken Recipe | High in protein Complete and balanced with fruits and vegetables Legumes and potatoes are excluded due to possible health hazards | ||
| Sundays For Dogs Beef Recipe | High in protein Complete and balanced with fruits and vegetables Legumes and potatoes are excluded due to possible health hazards |
Sundays for Dogs Reviewed
Let’s now take an overall look at this dog food and its ingredients.
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogWho makes Sundays and where is it produced?
Sundays dog food came about when the founder’s dog became sick and couldn’t get better eating regular dog food. Dr. Tory Waxman is a small-animal veterinarian who dreamed up the concept for this food with the help of experts, such as world-leading animal nutritionists, board-certified veterinarian nutritionists, and food scientists. The food is made in a USDA-monitored facility in Ohio, using only human-grade and all-natural ingredients. The food looks more like treats than a meal, but rest assured that the food is packed with incredible, complete and balanced ingredients. All ingredients meet the FDA and AAFCO’s nutritional standards and are fit for human consumption.
Which Types of Dog is Sundays Best Suited For?
The answer to this question depends on which recipe you choose. The Sundays beef recipe is suitable for all dogs of any breed, size, and weight, while the chicken recipe is for adults only. When you sign up, you’ll be asked to provide information about your dog (or dogs), and they will cater a plan based on the information you enter.
The founders use a veterinarian-designed algorithm to determine how much to feed while considering various factors, such as your dog’s activity level, body condition, age, weight, and so on. However, there can be a bit of confusion with this, as there are feeding instructions on the box. Those instructions are meant to be basic guidelines, but the company will ship feeding guidelines based on your dog’s information that ships with the box.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and bad)
Sundays dog food offers two different recipes, beef or chicken. Both recipes have all-natural ingredients with slight variations in the two recipes, and we’ll list them below and explain the benefits of each one.
Protein
Dogs need protein to thrive and be their healthiest, and the type of meat used in the food makes a huge impact on dogs’ overall health. Meat by-products and meat meals are controversial ingredients in dog food because they are chemically treated and turned into gel-like substances during the manufacturing process. These by-products are leftover cartilage and bones that are not meant for human consumption. Sundays, however, only uses real meat, organs, and bones. Here are the protein sources used in Sundays dog food.
Chicken: Chicken provides an excellent source of protein for dogs. Before feeding chicken to your dog, ensure your dog is not allergic, as some dogs are allergic to chicken; it’s ranked among the top-10 allergy-inducing ingredients for dogs.
Chicken Liver: Chicken liver should always be cooked, and it holds plenty of nutrients and minerals for dogs, such as vitamin A and D. Not only does it contain many nutrients, but also, dogs love the taste.
Ground Bone: Ground bone is found in the chicken recipe and provides calcium and phosphorus for your dog.
Beef: Beef has plenty of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s an excellent source of protein.
Beef Liver: Beef liver is an exceptional source of vitamin A for humans, and that goes for dogs, too. This organ meat provides a high level of protein, and some refer to this food as a superfood.
Beef Heart: Beef heart is both organ meat and muscle meat from a cow. Beef heart provides an excellent source of vitamins B2, B6, and B12. This meat can aid in preventing cardiovascular disease, and it gives energy.
Eggs: Eggs are considered a dairy, but they are high in protein. Eggs may trigger allergies in dogs with sensitivities; however, the only recipe that contains eggs is the chicken recipe. If you don’t want to feed your dog eggs, you can opt for the beef recipe.
Grains/Starch
Oats: Oats are a terrific source of fiber and omega-6 amino acids.
Quinoa: Quinoa is a gluten-free grain alternative, which makes it an excellent source for doggies that may have gluten allergies. It’s chock-full of nutrients, including zinc, magnesium, and iron.
Millet: This gluten-free cereal grain provides fiber, antioxidants, and protein. Millet is considered an ancient grain and is used for bird feed, livestock, and human consumption.
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogVeggies
Kale: Kale can be a bit of a controversial ingredient because it could cause kidney and bladder stones in some dogs. Small to moderate amounts are ok, and the ingredient is listed as the 7th ingredient, meaning there is not a significant amount in the food.
Broccoli: Broccoli holds some nutritional value, but it could cause gastric upset due to the compound isothiocyanates, which is also found in kale. Small amounts should not pose any problems, and there is only a small amount in this food.
Shiitake Mushrooms: While these are actually fungi that grow on decaying hardwood trees, they taste like vegetables. These mushrooms promote heart health, and they offer a good source of fiber and vitamin B.
Carrots: Carrots are rich in vitamin A and fiber, which are both excellent for your dog.
Spinach: This food has a very small, beneficial amount and contains plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Zucchini: Zucchini is safe for dogs and one of the best veggies they can have in small amounts. The company does a great job in adding veggies only in the necessary and safe amounts.
Fruits
Pumpkin: Pumpkin has awesome health benefits for your dog. It has plenty of vitamins and minerals, and it also aids in smooth digestion.
Blueberries: Blueberries are an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. They are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Apples: Another awesome ingredient that provides vitamins A, C, and fiber.
Tomatoes: tomatoes are safe in small amounts, which is the case in Sundays dog food.
Oranges: Oranges have fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
Cranberries: A tart treat rich in antioxidants.
Tart Cherries: Cherries contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Strawberries: Strawberries help boost the immune system, and they are full of potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Additional Ingredients
- Flaxseed
- Parsley
- Chicory Root
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Sunflower Oil
- Kelp
All these ingredients hold nutritional value for your dog, and the amount of each ingredient is carefully added so that it isn’t too much, and it makes the food complete and balanced.
Packaging and Presentation
While the box is super cute and complete with a crossword puzzle on the back, the box itself could be sturdier, but the resealable packaging keeps the food sealed and fresh. On the other hand, this food does not require refrigeration, nor does it arrive frozen, unlike some of its competitors.
Each box size depends on your breed (small, medium, or large), and they are packed neatly inside a shipping box upon arrival. The boxes I received were 36 ounces, but they can come in a range of sizes, depending on the recipe you choose. The food will last up to 8 weeks after opening, and it doesn’t take up any room in your fridge or freezer. As we’ve mentioned, there are feeding instructions on the box, but stick to the feeding instructions that ship with the food. The instructions that are shipped with the food are designed to help you feed your dog to the new food but they are not currently based on the information you provided, such as breed, weight, activity level, age, etc.
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogPricing
Subscribing to Sundays gives you 20% off on each box. If you don’t want to subscribe, you can buy 1, 2, or 3 boxes at a time. When you subscribe, you can pause, cancel, or resume at any time. You’ll also enjoy 50% off your first order. Shipping is free, and you can request a shipment at your preferred frequency if so inclined, or you can buy one box at a time. You can also receive 50% off when you refer a friend.
The food is expensive, but feeding your dog wholesome and healthy ingredients without any fillers or preservatives will cost more. In the end, the nutritional benefits outweigh the costs, and if it fits into your budget, it’s worth it for your dog.
A Quick Look at Sundays for Dogs
Pros
- Uses an air-dried method to retain all nutrients
- No need to refrigerate or freeze
- Food lasts up to 8 weeks after opening
- Suitable for all dog breeds
- All ingredients meet AAFCO’s nutrition standards
Cons
- Expensive
- Boxes could be sturdier
Reviews of the Sundays for Dogs We Tried
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the two recipes that Sundays Dog Food offers.
1.Chicken Recipe
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogThe chicken recipe has a calorie content of 520 kcal/cup. This recipe does not contain legumes or potatoes. The inventors purposely excluded these ingredients due to the ongoing research that legumes and potatoes could possibly cause a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This investigation is still ongoing, with no conclusion to the findings as of yet.
This recipe has a protein content of 38%, with real chicken as the first ingredient. It contains over 90% fresh meat, bones, and organs to give your dog the utmost nutrition with each serving. It has a fat content of 15% and a fiber content of 2%. The food is denser than kibble, so you don’t have to feed as much as you’re used to with kibble, but Sundays provides you with the correct feeding instructions for your particular dog. Following the meat in this recipe are veggies and fruits designed to be a complete and balanced meal.
You’ll want to avoid this recipe if your dog has a chicken allergy.
Pros
- Legumes and potatoes are excluded due to possible health hazards
- High in protein
- Complete and balanced with fruits and vegetables
Cons
- Contains chicken, which could be a potential food allergy in some dogs
2.Beef Recipe
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogThe beef recipe has a calorie content of 550 kcal/cup. Just like the chicken recipe, it contains over 90% of fresh meat, organs, and bone, followed by a blend of wholesome fruits and vegetables. It has a protein content of 35%, a fat content of 20%, and a fiber content of 2%. Just like the chicken recipe, the food is denser, so it may seem like you’re not feeding enough. However, you can trust the recommended feeding requirements that the company formulated specifically for your dog.
The beef recipe has a stronger smell than the chicken, but that did not deter my dogs from gobbling it up.
Pros
- Legumes and potatoes are excluded due to possible health hazards
- High in protein
- Complete and balanced with fruits and vegetables
Cons
- Food has a stronger smell than the chicken recipe
Our Experience With Sundays for Dogs
My Boston Terrier and Border Collie/Sheltie mix had the pleasure of trying this food firsthand. I have to admit that the appearance of the food was different from what I’m used to. The food looks like treats more than a meal, but that certainly did not bother my dogs in the least. My dogs had more energy while eating this food, and their stools were bulky and healthy.
The food may not look like it, but it is dense, so you don’t need to feed as much as you do with regular kibble. This makes the food last a bit longer, as well.
The boxes the food comes in are a little flimsy and tear easily, but the actual food is in a resealable package that keeps it fresh. You can also transfer the food into an airtight container if you don’t want to keep the box the food came in initially. Just make sure your container is actually completed sealed to avoid mold!
Dog parenting advice on the Sundays for Dogs blogConclusion
This food provides the necessary ingredients your dog needs to be healthy. It’s easy to feed and convenient; you just open the packaging and pour it into your dog’s bowl. Knowing how much food to feed is easy with the company’s customized plan that is included with your shipment. Both recipes include over 90% of fresh meat, bones, and organs, and both recipes are complete and balanced with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The company’s air-dried method keeps all the nutrients intact, and they comply with AAFCO’s nutritional standards.
We can proudly say that we give this food two thumbs up for the nutritional value it provides for dogs while adding no unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients.
