Finding the best food for your pup can be a challenge, especially when pet owners are bombarded with hundreds of brands, even more products, and different diets to consider. And what’s more, they all claim to be the best. How are pet owners to know?
The popularity of human-grade, fresh pet food diets is proving to be a big hit with those who want the best for their pups. But is it all that?
We also created a personalized plan to see how easy (or hard!) it is for you and your pup and what kind of price points you might be paying.
So, how do Spot & Tango stand up against the other fresh food competitors? Let’s dive in to get the scoop on their fresh food offerings.
At a Glance: Spot & Tango Food Favorites
Best
Overall
Beef & Barley UnKibble
Best for Hypoallergenic Diets
Lamb & Brown Rice Fresh Food
Best for
Picky Eaters
Beef & Milet Fresh Food
Note: Clicking the above links take you to SpotandTango.com, where you can get additional product information and customer reviews. If you make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Brand History
Spot & Tango are a personalized subscription-based food service that aims to make it easier for pet parents to keep their dogs happy and healthy. That’s why they deliver human-grade meals that are unique to every dog and their dietary needs.
Spot & Tango was founded in 2013 by CEO Russell Breuer, making them one of the more established fresh food brands out there. Since then, they have launched new products, including a non-kibble kibble line (we explain this later!). They are looking to expand even more, and the CEO states that they want to become a health and wellness platform for all pet parents. So, you can expect bigger things from the company in the future.
Recall History
When it comes to choosing the right food for our pups, choosing a brand that takes the safety of our dogs seriously is right up there in our considerations. When a product does not meet the expected standards, it can be recalled by the company or the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA governs pet food standards nationally.
To date, Spot & Tango has had no product recalls. This clean record means that they have met all of the standards expected by them and the pet food industry, which is a reassuring notion for us doggy parents.
Range Of Products
Spot & Tango offers two product lines. The first line is their Fresh recipes, and the second is their UnKibble range (the non-kibble kibble we mentioned earlier). After choosing your plan, you have the option of adding snack bags, too. This additional range and snacks set Spot & Tango apart from other subscription-based pet food companies offering fresh products.
Both lines use fresh ingredients, so what’s the difference between them? The main difference is how they are processed, which we take a look at later on. Both ranges use 100% fresh, human-grade ingredients. None of the recipes contain artificial additives, flavors, or colors.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards, all recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced. This seal of approval means that every recipe is suitable for every dog regardless of age and size. So although they do not offer life stage or size-specific recipes, you can be sure that they take your dog’s age and size into account.
On the surface, Spot & Tango does not offer products for those needing to manage their weight. Whether that be to gain, maintain, or lose it. However, they ask questions to determine your dog’s body shape, lifestyle, and weight, allowing them to calculate the ideal calorie intake that your dog needs. Meaning it’s much more personalized than generalized weight management kibbles. It takes the hassle out of your dog’s diet, so no more calorie counting for you or Fido.
To meet every dog’s diverse needs, Spot & Tango also offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options in both of their product ranges. This choice is another bonus that some other fresh subscription-based services do not provide, who tend to stick to one diet or the other.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Personalized veterinary formulated recipes | Limited range of recipes compared to traditional kibble |
| Every recipe is human-grade certified | Need to be organized thawing day before |
| Choice of Fresh or UnKibble ranges | More expensive than kibble diets |
| Everything is fresh and flash-frozen to maintain nutritional goodness | No customer telephone number available – only email |
| Free from preservatives, colors, and fillers | |
| Optional snack bags | |
| Packaging is eco-friendly | |
| Hassle-free subscription controlled by you | |
| 100% money-back guarantee on the starter pack |
Spot & Tango Recipes
Each recipe lists meat as the first ingredient. This is an excellent sign of a good quality recipe because meat is the most substantial ingredient. The recipes from the Fresh line only list one meat ingredient, which some dogs find simpler to digest. They also all include eggs, which are a rich source of protein and full of healthy omega fats. The recipes from the UnKibble range either list two whole meat sources or meat organs that are nutritionally rich and super tasty.
Each recipe lists a blend of non-GMO fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, apples, cranberries, and blueberries. These ingredients provide your dog with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fiber, which aids in smooth digestion. Each recipe is fortified in vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure your dog’s immune system has the tools it needs to stay healthy.
You can choose from a selection of grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Two of the grain-free options include Beef & Millet and Turkey & Red Quinoa. Spot & Tango’s website points out that millet and red quinoa are seeds rather than grains. The Beef & Barley recipe is the only formula that is not gluten-free.
Fresh Recipes
Spot & Tango only use fresh ingredients, and there are only 12 of them. By using a small selection of ingredients, you can be sure that each one is beneficial for your pup’s nutritional needs. Each component is human-grade, meaning that if you really wanted to try Fido’s dinner, you could. Let’s take a look at the ingredients list for each recipe from the Fresh range:
Turkey & Red Quinoa
- Ingredients: Turkey, Red Quinoa, Spinach, Carrots, Peas, Apple, Eggs, Parsely, Apple Cider Vinegar, Safflower Oil, Vegetable Stock
- Vitamins & Minerals: Calcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium, Kelp, Potassium, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Vitamin D3, Copper, Selenium, Folic Acid, Iodine, Vitamin B12
- Gluten-Free
Beef & Millet
- Ingredients: Beef, Millet, Spinach, Carrots, Peas, Cranberries, Eggs, Parsley, Apple Cider Vinegar, Safflower Oil Vegetable Stock, Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins & Minerals: Calcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium, Kelp, Potassium, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Vitamin D3, Copper, Selenium, Folic Acid, Iodine, Vitamin B12
- Gluten-Free
Lamb & Brown Rice
- Ingredients: Lamb, Brown Rice, Spinach, Carrots, Peas, Blueberries, Eggs, Parsely, Apple Cider Vinegar, Safflower Oil, Vegetable Stock, Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins & Minerals: Calcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium, Kelp, Potassium, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Vitamin D3, Copper, Selenium, Folic Acid, Iodine, Vitamin B12
- Gluten-Free
UnKibble Recipes
Cod & Salmon
- Ingredients: Cod, Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seeds, Tapioca, Strawberries, Carrots, Spinach, Parsley, Rosemary, Kelp, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (natural source of Vitamin E), Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins & Minerals: Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Flaxseed Oil, Choline Chloride, L-Tryptophan, L-Threonine, Organic Zinc Proteinate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Organic Selenium Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Beet, Tomato, Broccoli, Carrot, Spinach, Orange, Cherry, Cranberry, Strawberry, Apple, Blueberry, Pumpkin, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12, & more…
- Gluten-Free
Beef & Barley
- Ingredients: Beef, Barley, Flax, Carrots, Green Beans, Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Beets, Cranberries, Rosemary, Kelp, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (natural source of Vitamin E), Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins & Minerals: Cellulose Powder, Fish Oil, L-Tryptophan, Choline Chloride, Organic Zinc Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Rosemary Extract and Mixed Tocopherols, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Selenium Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, and more.
Chicken & Brown Rice
- Ingredients: Chicken Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Apples, Kale, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Sunflower Seeds, Ginger Root, Kelp, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (natural source of Vitamin E) Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins & Minerals: Cellulose Powder, Fish Oil, L-Tryptophan, Choline Chloride, Organic Zinc Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Rosemary Extract and Mixed Tocopherols, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Selenium Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, and more.
- Gluten-Free
Turkey & Sweet Potato
- Ingredients: Chicken Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Apples, Kale, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Sunflower Seeds, Ginger Root, Kelp, Salt.
- Vitamins & Minerals: Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, L-Tryptophan, L-Threonine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E, Selenium Yeast, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D, Folic Acid.
Nutritional Analysis
Their fresh recipes are made in small batches and gently cooked at low temperatures to maintain nutritional integrity. Each ingredient is top quality, but what does this mean for your pup’s nutritional needs? According to the Dog Food Advisor, the recipes offer an average protein content of 41% and a mean fat content of 20%. This means the recipes offer above-average protein, below-average fat, and above-average carbs. Overall, this earns the brand top marks as a premium, healthy dog food brand.
How & Where Is The Food Made?
Spot & Tango take a lot of care in the making and hand-packing their food in USDA-approved kitchens in New York and Wisconsin. All ingredients are cooked separately, mixed, then flash-frozen to preserve freshness. All of this is done just days before being delivered to your door.
The UnKibble formulas are a dried food product, but with a difference. Traditional kibbles are often cooked at high temperatures, which means they lose the nutritional goodness found in dehydrated dried foods. These recipes combine the ingredients into bite-size chunks. Then they are gently dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve freshness, nourishing goodness, and irresistible aromas. This process means that the UnKibble recipes maintain the same integrity and palatability as their Fresh range.
Their website states that they only use whole food ingredients sourced from farms and human food suppliers in the US. This statement suggests that their micro-ingredients, such as vitamins and minerals, may be sourced overseas. This is similar to most other pet food brands, but you can rest assured that they have strict processes that each supplier needs to meet to work with them.
How Does Spot & Tango Work?
Setting up your subscription trial is super easy and only takes a few minutes. Firstly, you are asked for your name and email address to set up an online portal. They ask you how many dogs you have, their name, and your zip code.
From here, they ask further questions about your pup to help personalize their plan. First up, they ask the sex of your dog, whether they are neutered or spayed, breed type, and their birthday. And whether they have any particular health conditions to be considered when picking a plan, such as obesity, digestive issues, or joint problems.
And whether they have any particular health conditions to be considered when picking a plan, such as obesity, digestive issues, or joint problems.
From there, they recommend the formulas they think are best for your dog. However, you can choose all three options if you want variety. You can then select the complete or meal topper plan. You should mix the meal topper plan with your dog’s current food for added health benefits at a lower price.
Then you are taken to their shipping and payment page to finalize your order. The trial plan covers two weeks and is dispatched ready for your chosen date as soon as you make payment. If you are happy with the starter pack, you don’t need to do anything, as they will continue with your plan. If you aren’t satisfied, you can stop the subscription and cease future payments. They have a “Happy Pup Guarantee,” so if your pup isn’t fully satisfied, they refund your trial box.
Our First Hand Experience with Spot & Tango Dog Food
Her smaller younger dog Falkor, a Beagle Poodle mix, sampled the fresh food, and her older dog, Daisy, a Labrador Pitbull mix, tested the Unkibble.
Beef + Barley Unkibble was a hit with Daisy, who has been not wanting to eat a lot lately and has been picky about her kibble. She perked up as soon as she smelled the food and even mixed in with her regular food, gobbled it all up. She has been excited about mealtimes and very much enjoys the taste and texture. She has had more energy just in the week or so that she has been eating the food.
The fresh meals were also a big success, too, with Falkor, who could not wait to try the Turkey + Red Quinoa. He took to it right away and looked for more once he was done. He is a good eater but also very fussy with wet food, sometimes, he will refuse it. So, it was great that he liked this so much. He is even trying to eat his big sister’s food. His gas has been much less smelly and frequent, he is a dog that is known to fart a lot, and this has been a welcome change.
How Much Does Spot & Tango Cost?
According to the Spot & Tango website, their UnKibble plans start at $1 a day, and their Fresh plans are $2+ a day, both for smaller dogs. Each plan is different for every unique dog, so it’s impossible to provide a precise price estimate for how much your meal plan will cost. But it is easy to find out – Simply head over to their quick questionnaire to receive an exact quote.
Our readers can get 50% off their first order using this link with the code LOVEYOURDOG50 at check out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Spot & Tango.
How do Spot & Tango tailor the recipe to my dog?
Spot & Tango works with a team of animal nutritionists and vets who lead the development of all their products, including recipe formulation, lab analysis, feeding tests, and licensing. By entering your dog’s details into their short questionnaire, they can calculate your dog’s precise nutritional needs, meaning that the company offers a much more tailored service than traditional kibble you buy off the shelf.
How do they ensure top-quality products?
All of their products undergo extensive research and development before they are available for purchase. Each formula has undergone extensive testing at the New Jersey Feed Lab and Midwest Laboratories to guarantee nutritional completeness and a balanced diet. All food is made in small batches in their state-of-the-art USDA-approved kitchens for better quality control.
Do I need to prepare anything?
No, everything is already prepared for you. The Fresh range needs to be stored in the freezer or the fridge if Fido eats it soon. It takes 24 hours to defrost – the only thing you need to do is to remember to thaw it in time for dinner. The UnKibble range comes in airtight packs, with a scoop and instructions about how much to feed your dog—no more guessing how much to feed Fido.
Is Spot & Tango food organic?
No, they are not an organic brand. They decided not to produce organic products because it would increase the price significantly to cover this additional cost. Instead, they use human-grade ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers. All of their fruits, vegetables, and starches are non-GMO. And their meats and eggs are humanely raised and antibiotic-free with no added hormones.
Who delivers the packages?
Spot & Tango use FedEx Ground and fulfills from their distribution facilities on both coasts. This allows them to deliver nationwide within one to three transit days. It does not matter if you are not in for the delivery time. Just be sure to get the products into the freezer as soon as possible to maintain their nutritional integrity. As long as the package is cold to the touch, it is safe to eat.
The Fresh recipes are packed with dry ice to keep them fresh for up to three days. Their team modifies the amount of dry ice depending on your climate and the delivery season. They pack the dry ice separately from the rest of the package to prevent children and dogs from touching it. The dry ice takes 24 hours to dissipate, so please keep it out of reach during that time.
Can I change my order?
When you start your subscription, you can make all your changes in the online portal. You can also update these details later by simply logging in and visiting your account details page. It is easy to adjust your address and payment details, switch up recipes, update your dog’s diet, or change delivery dates and frequency. You can also cancel your subscription anytime, making it convenient and hassle-free.
Final Thoughts
Spot & Tango is a premium dog food brand that has a few more product offerings than most other subscription companies. Not only do they provide fresh food, but they also have an alternative to traditional kibble, thanks to their UnKibble offering. Plus, they offer treats and supplements as part of an add on to any plan, too. What more could you, or Fido, want?
After thoroughly reviewing the brand, it’s difficult to criticize them. The main concern of some customers is the higher price point. But considering their use of top-quality, human-grade ingredients in various irresistible forms, you get what you pay for. Each recipe is AAFCO-compliant, offering the best nutritional integrity possible. A healthy dog is a happy dog, and with their Happy Pup Guarantee, why not give Spot & Tango a try?
Cellulose powder is found in all 3 of Spot & Tango’s UnKibbles. That is basically sawdust and a major filler in garbage commercial dog foods. Cellulose powder is listed under their vitamin & mineral content yet it is legitimate wood pulp with zero nutritional value. So yes, Spot & Tango does use fillers.
Can I feed my 15 and a half year old dachshund this kibble for her teeth? She has been on Hepatic support from just food for dogs for pancreatitis and elevated liver enzymes for a few years and seems to do well. I was hoping your kibble could help clean her teeth and give her some chewing pleasure.
Hi Diane,
We do not make this food but suggest you reach out directly to Spot & Tango to get their thoughts on your dog’s needs. You can email, live chat, text, or even do a phone call. The details for contacting them are here: https://help.spotandtango.com/how-do-i-contact-customer-support-HyNuz0Sv_
Do they use deboned meats & fish?
Yes, all meat and fish are deboned before making the food.
I ordered the frozen food program and some treats and received them one time.
I thought I had agreed for them to be sent regularly because you said they would be sent on January 28th, but I never received them. What do I need to do to get the delivery started again?
Hi Diana, We are not the company – we only provide unbiased, third-party reviews of other company’s products and services. Please follow up with Spot & Tango directly to figure out your shipping schedule. You can reach them by email at info@spotandtango.com All the best!