Tailored Nutrition for Your Canine Companion Exploring River Run Pet Food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Dog Nutrition

The food which you feed your dog is the single most important thing you can do for its health, happiness and wellbeing, so understanding dog nutrition is essential for a responsible dog owner.

We've put together this helpful guide on dog nutrition and compiled all of our best resources to help educate you in keeping your favourite furry friend happy and healthy.

Dog Nutritional Requirements

There are 37 essential nutrients that dogs must eat in their food.Prepared complete dog foods are formulated to provide all of these in the right amounts and proportions. Manufacturers of prepared complete dog food take great care to ensure that the end result is appealing to dogs, so you can be confident your canine friend is enjoying their well-balanced diet!

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and there are foods available that suit whether they are small or large breeds, as well as if they are puppies or adults.

For example, small breed dogs need more calories per kilo than larger dogs, meaning they need food that is energy dense to allow them to eat enough food for their energy requirements.

It's also important to note that the nutritional needs of dogs can vary throughout their lives depending on their activity levels and age.Even though dogs' teeth are adapted to tear and shear, they also have flatter teeth that can crush plant material. Your dogs intestines are relatively long (about six times the length of their bodies!)to allow fermentation of more fibrous plants. Meats, cereals and vegetables can all be utilised relatively quickly by your dogs digestive system.

How much should I feed my dog?

The feeding guidelines on your chosen dog food and yourlocal vet can provide guidance on how much you need to feed your dog and at whatintervals.

It is always important to read the feeding guidelines asthese can vary from product to product.

As well as speaking to your vet,many pet food manufacturers provide customer care lines with feedingadvice for owners, and a number also have dedicated puppy/kitten clubs.In terms of what is the best pet food, we would recommend a speciallyformulated life stage diet as these have been specifically designed to meetthe nutritional needs of your pet at this time in her life.

When should I feed my dog?

There isno fixed answeras to when to feed a dog. It is entirely individual. Some owners may feed their dog once a day only, and some owners may feed their dog twice a day,whilst other owners may feed their dog three or four times throughout the day.

The key to a happy, healthy pet is feeding them the righttype andright amountof foodspecific to their age andlifestyle. Historically, dogs are scavengers, so they will eat whenever the opportunity arises, however, this can easily lead to overfeeding.

Manufacturers guidelinesfound on all commercially prepared pet food packaging (including dry food and wet food) recommend total daily amounts, which can then be divided into a chosen number of meals. Your pet food manufacturer should also be able to provide furtherindividualadvice if you contact them directly.

It is important to remember that your dog's nutritional requirements and appetite will vary as they go through life and depend on a number of factors, including:

Breed/Size
Weight
Life Stage/Age
Activity Level

It is essential that your pet maintains an ideal body condition throughout life for optimum health and to try to minimise the risk and impact of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Dog Size & Weight Chart

Download Here

When can I start feeding my puppy adult dog food?

A puppy can be transitioned from puppy to adult food from skeletal maturity, so it depends on your puppy's anticipated adult size.

Small breed dogs (such as Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers) have a shorter growing period and may be considered adults as early as 8 months. Larger breed dogs, like Great Danes or St Bernards, may still be growing at two years of age.

We strongly recommend that a vet assess your dog before making this decision. They will then be able to advise you on when to transition your puppy to adult dog food.

When you transfer your puppy from a growth or puppy food to an adult dog food, introducethe adult foodgradually to their puppy foodat first to allow the puppy's tummy to adjust, ideally over a period of 7 days.

What food will make my dog's coat shiny?

A glossy coat is a telltale sign that your dog is in tip-top condition, so what factors play a role in your dogs skin and coat health?

Genetics
Nutrition
Internal or external parasites
Health
Grooming

Although heredity factors determine the thickness, length, colour and texture of your dogs coat, your care will also have a significant impact on skin and coat health. So, what is the best thing you can do? Feed a good quality nutritionally balanced diet.

Dogs need a good supply of protein in their diet for healthy body function, and hair is actually 95% protein! Studies have found that certain fatty acids play a vital role in canine skin and coat health too.

Vets and scientists have known for some time that linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is good for achieving and maintaining a full, glossy coat. However, consuming large quantities is not the best. Recent research has shown that its not the precise amount but the balance of omega- 6 and omega-3 fatty acids that are important.

Remember, if youre feeding a complete diet, you dont need to supplement it as itll already contain all the nutrients your dog needs.

Whilst diet significantly contributes to a good coat, regular grooming is a must too. Grooming removes loose hair and dirt and distributes skin oils, plus its a great bonding activity.

Can dogs have milk?

As with cats, most dogs tend to be lactose intolerant. A puppy has the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the sugar in milk called lactose.Once the dog is weaned, he generally stops producing lactase and loses the ability to digest it. Milk products can then cause an upset stomach and diarrhoea. On the other hand, some dogs can tolerate milk and do enjoy small amounts.

Skimmed milk

Milk is a food, and although skimmed milk has fewer protein and calories, this can add up, particularly for a small dog. An alternative is to soften it with warm water or speak to the manufacturers customer care team, who will give you some tips.

Tailored Dog Food Review

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

Tailored arrives in a recyclable cardboard box with everything you need tucked inside.

Every dog owner likes to think their dog is special. Unique. The truth is every dog may be different, but their nutritional needs all have the same foundation. Protein is a must, ideally from animal sources, and healthy fats are important as well.

Tailored Dog Food

Brand

Customized nutrition sent right to your door
Real poultry, meat, or fish as the #1 ingredient
Made in the United States with high-quality ingredients

Cant view the entire recipe collection before purchase
Preference for peas/legumes over whole grains

Customized nutrition sent right to your door
Real poultry, meat, or fish as the #1 ingredient
Made in the United States with high-quality ingredients

Cant view the entire recipe collection before purchase
Preference for peas/legumes over whole grains

Throw in some vitamins and minerals, and you have a balanced diet.

The trouble is while all dogs have the same core nutritional needs, some dogs develop food allergies, intolerances, digestive disease, and other issues that necessitate an adjusted diet.

The recipes you find at the pet store may be marketed for certain things like urinary support or digestive health, but how do you know theyre really right for your dog?

Tailored Pet offers personalized recipes for your dogs best life. By completing a simple quiz, you can receive a bag of dog food tailormade for your pup and his unique needs. We tried it ourselves with our test dog Archies help to bring you the following review of our Tailored experience.

There are Better Fresh Dog Food Delivery Services to Choose from

There are better fresh options, a crop of new fresh cat food delivery competitors offer better, fresher dog food delivered right to your home.

Here are some our favorite fresh dog food brands you can choose from today. Most offer a heavy discount on your first order so you can see how your mutt likes it . Click here to read our full reviews:

Overview Of The Tailored Pet Brand

At Tailored, every dog deserves a diet catered specifically to his needs and preferences. This company offers nutrition worth barking about and its sent right to your front door.

The story of Tailored is one many pet owners are familiar with. It began with a group of pet parents who were overwhelmed with the options at the pet store yet unable to find the perfect fit for their pets. They teamed up with pet nutrition experts to solve the problem once and for all. Thus, Tailored was born. Its a company that crafts personalized recipes for dogs to give them exactly what they need.

When it comes to the specifics about Tailored, we were pleasantly surprised with the detail provided by their website. Their veterinary advisory board includes Doctors of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Emily Luisana and Dr. Katalin Grant and pet/canine nutrition experts Rudy Leschke and Dr. Larry Hawley. You can even view profiles for members of the Tailored family called pup success specialists.

Tailored believes no two dogs are the same and their nutrition shouldnt be either.

Here are some of the ingredients featured in their recipes:

High-quality proteins like chicken, salmon, bison, and lamb
Nutrient-rich farm-grown veggies and fruits
Wholesome, healthy, fiber-rich legumes

Depending on your dogs unique needs and preferences, his recipe could contain any combination of these ingredients. That being said, Tailored does offer Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) for dogs who have severe restrictions or allergies. These recipes are made with 7 to 10 ingredients plus supplements.

Where Are The Products Made?

At this time, Tailored only offers high-quality dry food for dogs. Their recipes have been formulated by leading nutritionists and veterinarians to provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition with high digestibility and a delicious taste.

Though they recognize all dogs have different tastes and requirements, Tailored believes kibble is the most cost effective way for the majority of pet parents to safely provide ultra-premium nutrition to their pets.

Tailored pet food is made in world-class facilities in Texas and California. The company is a little less forthcoming about the specifics of sourcing for their ingredients and they do admit to sourcing certain vitamin and mineral supplements from China.

Heres what they say about their ingredients:

While most of our ingredients are sourced from the USA, we also source high-quality ingredients from trusted supplier partners in other countries to ensure were providing pets with the best and most wholesome ingredients available on the market We hold every one of our ingredients and ingredient suppliers to the highest standards of quality and food safety.

In the FAQ section of their website, Tailored mentions real lamb from New Zealand, duck from France, and seafood from Canada. Though they do source some ingredients outside the U.S., Tailored says they only used trusted suppliers and ensure every ingredient is thoroughly tested for safety and quality.

Each Tailored order comes with an information packet with key information.

Get 50% On Your First Order + FREE Shipping! Use Code TAILORED50 At Checkout

What Dog Products Do They Offer?

At the time of review, Tailored only offered dry dog food recipes. Their formulas are made with high-quality natural ingredients and designed to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Unfortunately, we werent able to view full list of their recipes, but we tinkered with the quiz to get a feel for the options.

Here are some of the recipes we came across:

Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chickpea & Pea Blend
Lamb, Goat Meal, Lentil & Pea Blend
Salmon, Salmon Meal, Lentil & Chickpea Blend
Beef, Barley & Millet Blend
Duck, Duck Meal, Sweet Potato & Pea Blend

Though we werent able to view a full list of recipes, the options in the quiz used to customize our recipe give us some clues. The main protein options seem to be salmon, chicken, duck, lamb, wild board, turkey, and beef with bison available as a premium protein.

Tailored also offers the following as ingredient exclusions:

Grains
Gluten
Flax
Eggs
Chicken
Red Meat
Potatoes

In playing around with the entry quiz, we found that all the recipe options we were given seemed to be grain-free, made with peas and legumes instead. In the FAQ section, Tailored comments that some of their recipes do contain grains. We didnt indicate any food sensitivities or allergies in filling out the quiz, so we get the impression that peas and legumes are the foundation for most recipes but Tailored will use grains in certain cases. Honestly, we prefer whole grains to peas and legumes for dogs.

Is Their Packing Environmentally Friendly?

At Tailored, its just as important to take care of the earth as it is to take care of the ones living on it. Theyve partnered with TerraCycle to design recyclable packaging and every order includes a biodegradable scooper (surprisingly dishwasher safe) made from 100% bamboo. All shipping boxes are corrugated cardboard with inserts made from recycled material both recyclable.

To recycle the packaging from your Tailored order, you simply have to visit TerraCycles website and sign up for a free account. You can then place the empty bag in a plain box then download, print, and attach a pre-paid shipping label. Simply drop the box off for shipping or have it picked up.

Not only does Tailored put special attention into the creation of their packaging, but they think about the details in their processing as well. They offset 100% of their carbon emissions from shipping. In other words, they balance out the carbon emissions created through the shipping process by creating a positive impact on the environment in other ways.

How Much Does It Cost?

Tailored says their customized nutrition plans are about the same price as a specialty pet store recipe. Though you may pay a little more than you would for the average kibble, youll receive high-quality nutritional personalized specifically for your dogs age, activity level, and sensitivities.

All that being said, pricing varies greatly with Tailored depending on your dogs calorie needs. This generally depends on his size and activity level.

Using the examples on the Tailored website, small dogs average $26/month, medium dogs about $40/month, and large dogs $54/month. Our test dog, Archie, is about 35 pounds and has no food sensitivities or restrictions. The full price for what Tailored offered was $52 for a 20-pound bag estimated to last about 5 weeks. That breaks down to a little over $10/week or $40/month.

Check below to see how Tailored Pet Brand stacks up against other dog food brands for cost:

Premium Dog Food Price Comparison
Food Type	Brand	Average Price	Price Per
Premium Dry Dog Food	Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food	$87.99 for 24lbs.	$0.23 per ounce
Limited Ingredient Dry Food	Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food	$74.99 for 24lbs.	$0.20 per ounce
Premium Wet Food	Instinct Original Grain-Free Wet Dog Food	$22.14 for 6 (13.2oz.) cans	$0.28 per ounce
Freeze-Dried Raw	Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Dinner Patties	$51.99 for 25oz.	$2.08 per ounce
Raw Food Subscription	Raws Paws Signature Blend Complete Beef for Cats and Dogs Roll*	$10.99 for 1lbs.	$0.68/ounce
Fresh Food Subscription	Nom Nom*	$48.51 per week	$6.93 per day
Fresh Food Subscription	The Farmers Dog*	$45.57 per week	$6.51 per day
Dry Dog Food Subscription	Tailored Pet*	$46.80 for 20lbs. (5 weeks)	$1.34 per day

*Subscription price based on a 40-pound, neutered male dog 4 years of age

What Did Our Test Dog Think?

In order to test Tailored dog food, we followed the same process any customer would. We visited the website and completed the quiz to provide the necessary details about our test dog, Archie. Having tried most of the other dog food subscriptions out there by now, we were familiar with the process.

Completing the quiz for Tailored takes a little longer than it does for other pet food subscriptions. In addition to the information about breed, size, and age, Tailored collects information about mobility, activity, and body type. They also ask questions related to digestion and skin/coat issues such as questions about stool, skin/coat condition, and dental health.

Though the quiz took a few extra minutes to complete, the questions were all clearly worded and the answer options were simple. We had no trouble filling it out.

When we received our custom order, we were very impressed with the packaging. Our Tailored order arrived in a branded cardboard box with a cute cardboard insert featuring pictures of different dogs. The order arrived with a helpful information packet and the promised biodegradable scoop. The bag of dog food had a custom label indicating Archies age, size, activity level, sensitivities, and wellness goals along with the name of his recipe.

Archie was interested in the box right away and seemed to know it was for him. While he was pawing at the bag, waiting for us to open it, we took a closer look.

We really appreciated that the feeding instructions are printed right on the back of the bag along with the ingredients list and guaranteed analysis. Some companies send the custom scoop but dont give clear separate instructions for the feeding amount. Archie dug right into his first bowl of Tailored and we found the resealable bag closed securely to keep the food fresh.

Archie digs into his customized bowl of kibble from Tailored.

Tailored Pet Dog Recalls

Product recalls are a major concern for pet owners and the history of a brand should be part of your research before you make your final decision.

A product recall happens when theres an issue with a product and it needs to be withdrawn from sale for consumer safety until the issue can be addressed.

Though manufacturers can voluntarily recall products if they become aware of an issue themselves, recalls are frequently issued by the FDA in response to testing or consumer complaints.

To our knowledge, Tailored has not had any product recalls in the limited history of the brand. Its important to note that a lack of recalls alone isnt enough to judge the quality of a brand, nor is the existence of a recall or two enough to indicate poor quality.

Is Tailored Pet Really Worth the Cost?

Every pet food company wants to set themselves apart from the pack. Some do it with fancy ingredients, others with unique packaging. Tailored is different because they customize your dogs nutrition based on his specific calorie requirements and other factors.

But is it worth the price you pay for such customization?

Whether you think Tailored is worth the cost is up to you, but we do want to say a few words about the benefit of upgrading your dogs diet. The quality of your dogs diet is one of the biggest determining factors in his long-term health and wellness. Without quality nutrition, your dogs body wont function at its optimal level and that can lead to a host of problems.

Dogs require balanced nutrition to live a healthy life its as simple as that.

The truth is high-quality ingredients are going to cost more than a grocery store dog food. Its important to do the research yourself to make sure you get what you pay for with a premium dog food, but theres no denying the benefit of a meat-based diet over a cheap food loaded with fillers. It all comes down to your dogs nutritional needs and what his body is evolved to digest and process efficiently.

Here are some additional benefits of feeding your dog premium dog food:

Improved and regulated digestion, less gas and diarrhea
Reduced stool volume and odor
Healthier coat with less shedding
Increased energy levels and vitality
Healthy weight loss (when needed for overweight dogs)
Improved dental health and oral hygiene
Better urinary health, reduced risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs)

To keep your dog happy and healthy for as long as possible, you should feed him the highest quality diet you can consistently afford. There are plenty of options for dog food out there, but we think Tailored is one you should consider. Keep reading to learn more about our experience with the brand.

How Do You Order It?

Subscription dog food services are usually pretty easy to sign up for you just provide some basic information and youre good to go. With Tailored, the idea is to customize your dogs recipe to his specific needs, so the process may take a few extra minutes. The questions are simple to answer, but there are a few extra clicks involved to get to the ordering page.

Heres the process to subscribe:

Click the Get Started button on the home page
Provide your dogs name and your email address
Indicate your dogs sex and birthdate
Fill in your dogs breed type or mix of breeds
Select from a range of breed sizes
Indicate your dogs weight and body type
Provide details about your dogs activity level
Select from a list of health concerns and ingredient exclusions
Describe your dogs mobility and coat health
Answer questions about his stool, teeth/gums, and immunity

Based on your answers to these questions, Tailored will provide you with a custom recipe. You may have the option to choose from different proteins before placing your order, depending on your answers. In our test order, we were given the option to choose between lamb and bison (for an added fee).

Tailored is designed to customize your dogs nutrition, but they understand if you dont know all the details. When providing your dogs birthdate, you can select I dont know as an option theres also a box to check if youre interested in senior-focused benefits for your dog.

If youre happy with the suggestions Tailored has made, you can move on to the subscription process. Choose from an 8-pound, 20-pound, or 40-pound bag. Tailored will tell you how long each bag should last according to your dogs calorie needs. You can also choose from making a one-time purchase or you can save with a recurring subscription. Your first order comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

When you complete your order, youll also create your customer account. From there you can track your order and place or make changes to future orders.

Your Tailored kibble arrives in a recyclable package with your dogs name and recipe information right on it.

Get 50% On Your First Order + FREE Shipping! Use Code TAILORED50 At Checkout

Customer Service

Ordering Tailored is extremely easy you simply visit the website and complete the 3-minute quiz. If you have concerns or questions at any point, however, Customer Care is readily available. You can contact Tailored Customer Care by phone, email, or through the chat function on the website.

Tips For Making The Transition

If you change your dogs diet too quickly, he may experience digestive upset. To avoid upsetting your dogs stomach, Tailored recommend making the transition onto the new dog food over a period of about 10 days. Youll find the details online and in the booklet that comes with your order.

Heres what Tailored suggests for transitioning your dog:

Days 1 thru 3: Serve 25% Tailored with 75% your dogs current diet
Days 4 thru 6: Serve 50% Tailored with 50% your dogs current diet
Days 7 thru 9: Serve 75% Tailored with 25% your dogs current diet
Days 10: Serve 100% Tailored dog food

Every dog is different, so yours might the transition more quickly or he might need a little more time. If your dog develops loose stools, go back to the previous step for another day or two before moving on to the next one. Its always better to be safe than sorry, so go slow!

Pros And Cons

As a pet owner, its your responsibility to choose your dogs diet and you want to make a smart choice. That involves research on your part, but it doesnt hurt to read some reviews to see what others have to say about the brand. Tailored offers some unique benefits other pet food companies dont and theres something to be said for a diet customized specifically for your dog.

That being said, every dog food brand has its pros and cons. Here are some of the things you need to know about Tailored:

Pros For Tailored:

Customized nutrition sent right to your door
Real poultry, meat, or fish as the #1 ingredient
Live probiotics added after cooking
Made in the United States with high-quality ingredients
Recyclable packaging, carbon neutral practices

Cons For Tailored:

Fairly expensive compared to typical dry food
Cant view the entire recipe collection before purchase
Preference for peas/legumes over whole grains

Every brand has its pros and cons, so its up to you as a dog owner to make the choice in the end. What youve learned here should be enough for you to decide if Tailored is the perfect pick for your pup.

Tailored makes sure you have everything you need to get started right away.

The Final Words

When we first heard about Tailored, we loved the idea of customized nutrition for pets. Weve reviewed other subscription services for dry dog food and werent impressed with the limited selection of recipes for so-called custom nutrition. Unfortunately, we werent able to view the entire lineup of Tailored recipes to see how much variety they really have, but the options do seem to be quite varied.

In testing Tailored, we werent surprised to find our test dog Archie loved the food. Hes learned that most of the boxes that arrive to our house contain something tasty for him, and hes always eager to dig into the box to find out what it is.

Tailored dog food does seem to live up to the promise of being packed with animal protein and free from harmful additives. The only thing we question is the preference of peas/legumes over whole grains, even in dogs that dont have grain allergies or sensitivities. Though the FDA didnt find any strong evidence suggesting a link between legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, legumes still dont seem to be quite as digestible and nutritious as other options.

Overall, we were pleased with our Tailored experience and think its a great option for pet parents who are struggling to find a recipe for dogs with allergies, sensitivities, or other health issues. At the very least, we encourage you to take the quiz to see what Tailored recommends and whether it might be within your budget to make the switch.

Get 50% On Your First Order + FREE Shipping! Use Code TAILORED50 At Checkout

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Tailored ever been recalled?

No, Tailored has not been recalled to our knowledge.

Is Tailored food grain-free?

It depends. Some Tailored recipes include grains while others do not. Whether your pets food includes grains depends on his needs and preferences.

Is Tailored food organic?

No, Tailored dog food is not organic, but it is natural with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine when needed.

Is Tailored food raw?

No, Tailored offers dry dog food.

How many calories per cup for Tailored dog food?

The calorie content of Tailored food varies depending on the recipe. When you sign up, Tailored calculates your dogs unique calorie needs based on weight, age, and activity level to personalize your feeding instructions.

Can I cancel my Tailored food subscription?

Yes, you can change or cancel your subscription at any time by logging into your customer account. You can also contact Customer Care by email, by phone, or through the chat option on the website.