Dr. Marty is a relative newcomer to the pet food industry, offering unique freeze-dried raw dog food formulas. With so many dog food options on the market, how do Dr. Marty’s recipes stand up? This comprehensive review will analyze Dr. Marty’s key features, ingredients, and how their food could benefit your dog.
An Overview of Dr. Marty Dog Food
Dr. Marty was founded in 2019 by veterinarian Dr. Marty Goldstein. His formulas are designed to mimic a dog’s ancestral raw diet in a convenient freeze-dried form.
Key features that set Dr. Marty apart include:
- Minimal processing: Ingredients are gently freeze-dried to retain nutrients.
- Single protein source: Formulas focus on one animal protein like beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Grain-free: No grains, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
- Mix of organs and muscle meat: Formulas include liver, kidney, heart and meat.
- Fruits and vegetables: Some limited non-starchy veggies and fruits are added for antioxidants.
- Raw goat milk: Some recipes contain raw goat milk for probiotics.
- Omission of common allergens: No corn, wheat, soy or by-products.
Dr. Marty offers six main freeze-dried raw recipes:
|Formula|Key Protein Source|
|-|-|
| Nature’s Blend | Beef |
| Nature’s Feast | Turkey & Chicken |
| Nature’s Promise | Lamb & Cod |
| Nature’s Selection | Duck & Salmon |
| Nature’s Variety | Beef, Turkey, Chicken & Salmon |
| Nature’s Matrix | Beef & Organ Meats |
In-Depth Analysis of Dr. Marty Ingredients
Next, let’s analyze the key components in Dr. Marty’s dog foods. We’ll examine the pros and cons of each major ingredient:
Animal Protein Sources
Dr. Marty focuses each formula around a single or couple protein sources like beef, chicken, lamb or salmon.
Pros: Minimally processed meats provide high-quality protein and essential amino acids. Muscle meat and organs offer a balanced nutrition profile.
Cons: Some dogs may have sensitivities to certain proteins like chicken. Rotating proteins is recommended.
Fruits and Vegetables
Limited fruits and veggies like apples, carrots and cranberries are included.
Pros: Natural sources of key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Cons: Too many fruits and veggies can irritate some dog’s stomachs. Starchy veggies should be avoided.
Grains, Legumes & Fillers
No grains, legumes, peas or fillers are used.
Pros: Eliminates ingredients linked to allergies.
Cons: None. Most dogs thrive without grains or fillers.
Raw Goat Milk
Some recipes include raw goat milk.
Pros: Goat milk provides probiotics for healthy digestion. Gentle form of dairy for most dogs.
Cons: Dogs with severe dairy sensitivity may still react to goat milk.
Dr. Marty Dog Food Product Line Reviews
Next, let’s dive into reviews of Dr. Marty’s top five freeze-dried raw formulas:
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Key Features:
- Single protein: Beef
- Includes beef heart, beef liver, ground beef bone and beef kidneys
- Veggies: Carrots, apples, cranberries
Nature’s Blend is a beef-focused formula that provides a balanced mix of muscle meat and organs. It derives protein solely from grass-fed beef.
The beef organs offer a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals often lacking in muscle meat alone. This mimics how wild wolves and dogs would consume whole prey.
A few antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies are included but carbohydrate levels are kept low. Apples, cranberries, and carrots provide key nutrients without upsetting stomachs.
Pros
- Primarily beef; good for dogs with chicken sensitivities
- Muscle meat and organs for balanced nutrition
- No common allergens like corn, soy, wheat
Cons
- Only one protein source; rotation recommended
- Contains cranberries which may cause GI upset in some dogs
Bottom Line: Nature’s Blend is a high-quality freeze-dried raw formula that provides a diet rich in beef. Dogs that prefer beef over chicken or turkey would do well on this more limited-ingredient formula.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Key Features:
- Turkey and chicken protein
- Turkey heart, gizzards and livers
- Chicken meat, bones and cartilage
- Goat milk, carrots, apples, cranberries
Nature’s Feast offers a balanced raw diet with two lean protein sources: turkey and chicken.
Turkey organs like heart and liver provide iron, B vitamins, vitamin A, copper and other key nutrients. The chicken includes a mix of meat, bones and cartilage for a well-rounded amino acid profile.
This formula also incorporates goat milk for natural probiotics. The vegetable and fruit blend is kept low for easy digestion.
Pros
- Good combination of turkey and chicken
- Goat milk for probiotic boost
- No common allergens
Cons
- Contains multiple protein sources
- Cranberries may cause stomach upset
Bottom Line: Nature’s Feast gives dogs the best of both worlds with turkey and chicken. The addition of raw goat milk also provides a natural probiotic punch. Dogs that do well on both proteins would benefit from this balanced raw diet.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Promise Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Key Features:
- Lamb and cod protein
- Lamb muscle meat, hearts, livers and kidneys
- Wild-caught cod
- Carrots, apples, cranberries
Nature’s Promise offers another limited two-protein recipe, this time with lamb and cod.
The lamb provides iron-rich muscle meat and organs. Cod offers an alternative fish protein source compared to salmon. Together they create a complete amino acid profile.
A few fiber-rich fruits and veggies support digestion. The overall fat and carb content remains low.
Pros
- Novel protein sources compared to beef, chicken, turkey
- Low-fat recipe with cod and lamb
- Easily digestible
Cons
- Contains multiple proteins
- Cod is not tolerated well by some dogs
- Cranberries may cause stomach upset
Bottom Line: Nature’s Promise offers dogs a taste of lamb and cod. It provides lower-fat complete proteins. Dogs with sensitivity to richer red meats may do better on this formula.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Selection Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Key Features:
- Duck and salmon protein
- Duck meat, livers and hearts
- Wild-caught salmon
- Carrots, apples, cranberries
Nature’s Selection provides another novel protein pairing: duck and salmon.
Duck delivers iron and zinc not found in chicken or turkey. Salmon is naturally high in omega-3s for skin and coat health.
Together they create a nutritionally balanced raw diet. A small amount of produce supports digestion without excess carbs.
Pros
- Unique duck and salmon proteins
- Omega-3 rich salmon
- Easily digestible
Cons
- Contains multiple proteins
- Duck is rich; may cause loose stools
- Cranberries may cause stomach upset
Bottom Line: Nature’s Selection is a good choice for dogs wanting novel duck and salmon proteins. The omega-3s support skin, coat, joint and brain health.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Variety Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Key Features:
- Beef, turkey, chicken and salmon protein
- Beef heart, liver, kidneys
- Turkey gizzards, hearts, livers
- Chicken meat, cartilage, bones
- Wild salmon
- Carrots, apples, cranberries
Nature’s Variety offers Dr. Marty’s most protein-packed formula, with four animal protein sources.
It provides a rotating source of proteins including beef, turkey, chicken and salmon. This level of variety helps prevent developing sensitivities to one protein long-term.
The mix of land and sea proteins creates a complete amino acid profile with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Pros
- Wide variety of protein sources
- Includes rich organ meats
- Provides omega-3s from salmon
Cons
- High protein diversity; risk of reaction
- Cranberries may cause stomach upset
Bottom Line: Nature’s Variety gives dogs the most protein diversity. It works well for healthy dogs wanting balanced nutrition. Closely monitor dogs with food sensitivities.
Dr. Marty Dog Food Recall History
Dr. Marty is a new company, founded in 2019. Since they do not actually manufacture the raw food, their recall history depends on their suppliers’ facilities and quality control processes.
As of 2022, Dr. Marty has not been affected by any recalls.
All Dr. Marty formulas are made in the United States in FDA-approved, regularly inspected facilities. This helps ensure high food safety standards.
However, raw food always carries a slightly higher risk of bacterial contamination compared to dry kibble. Proper food handling when reconstituting the freeze-dried recipes can help mitigate this risk.
Dr. Marty Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Dr. Marty freeze-dried dog foods currently receive overwhelmingly positive reviews and ratings:
- Chewy – 4.8 stars with over 5,600 reviews
- Amazon – 4.6 stars with over 1,400 reviews
The two most common compliments about Dr. Marty formulas are:
- Improved digestive health: Owners notice less gas, smaller stools, and consistent digestion when switching to Dr. Marty. The moisture-rich raw diet with natural probiotics supports healthy stomachs and intestines.
- Decreased skin issues: Dogs with itchy, dry skin or “doggie odor” often improve on Dr. Marty food. The omega-3s and moisture-rich proteins lead to shinier, softer coats.
The most common complaints focus on picky dogs disliking the taste and higher cost relative to kibble:
- Picky dogs: Some finicky dogs may turn up their nose at the freeze-dried consistency or raw flavor. Owners recommend mixing with warmed water or wet food when first transitioning to increase acceptance.
- Higher cost: Dr. Marty costs significantly more than economy kibble brands. But it aligns with pricing of other premium freeze-dried and fresh raw options. Feeding appropriate portion sizes helps manage cost.
Dr. Marty Dog Food Coupons & Recalls
As a newer brand, Dr. Marty doesn’t always offer coupons directly. However, authorized retailers like Chewy frequently discount Dr. Marty food and offer coupon codes.
Signing up for Dr. Marty’s email newsletter is the best way to stay notified of any future promotions or sales events.
Dr. Marty has no history of recalls to date. However, as a raw food it’s critical to follow safe handling and storage when reconstituting the freeze-dried recipes.
Dr. Marty Pros & Cons: Is It Right for Your Dog?
To summarize, here are the main pros and cons of Dr. Marty dog food:
Pros
- Gently freeze-dried raw formulas
- Single or limited protein sources
- Includes mix of meat, organs and bones
- Some recipes contain probiotic-rich goat milk
- No grains, fillers or artificial preservatives
- Company has no recall history
- All manufacturing done in the USA
Cons
- Higher cost than kibble
- Picky dogs may dislike consistency
- Always risk of contamination with raw food
- Limited protein options; rotation recommended
- Some inclusion of high-fiber fruits
Overall, Dr. Marty offers a convenient alternative to traditional raw feeding. The focus on freeze-drying creates a nutritionally balanced raw diet in an easy-to-use form.
Dogs who benefit most from Dr. Marty include:
- Pups with food sensitivities or allergies
- Dogs with chronic digestive issues like IBD
- Canines needing help managing weight
- Breeds prone to itchy, dry skin
Dr. Marty likely won’t suit dogs wanting a traditional extruded or baked kibble diet. The taste and texture differs significantly.
Making any switch to a new food always requires a gradual 7-10 day transition. Monitor stool quality and energy levels closely when changing formulas.
But for dogs thriving on a limited-ingredient raw diet, Dr. Marty offers quality recipes packed with premium animal proteins. Their unique raw formulas stand apart from traditional kibble and canned dog foods.
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Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food FAQs
Still have questions about Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried dog food? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q: Is Dr. Marty freeze-dried raw dog food safe?
A: Yes, Dr. Marty meets all FDA food safety requirements. However, like any raw food, there is always a slight risk of bacterial contamination. Following proper handling and storage helps mitigate this risk.
Q: How long does Dr. Marty dog food last once opened?
A: Each bag or tub of Dr. Marty has a 1 year shelf life from the date it was produced. Once opened, it’s best to use within 3-6 months for maximum freshness and nutritional value. Refrigerating unused portions slows nutrient breakdown.
Q: Can you mix Dr. Marty with kibble?
A: Yes, you can mix in some Dr. Marty as a kibble topper. For picky dogs, start with 25% Dr. Marty mixed with 75% kibble and gradually increase the raw food ratio over time.
Q: Is Dr. Marty good for puppies?
A: Dr. Marty can be fed to puppies over 6 months old. The raw formulas are highly digestible for young dogs. Always follow proper feeding guidelines by weight.
Q: Does Dr. Marty need to be refrigerated?
A: Unopened, Dr. Marty has a 1 year shelf life at room temperature. Once opened, refrigeration extends the life to 3-6 months. Freezing portions in air-tight bags also works well.
Q: Where is Dr. Marty dog food produced?
A: All Dr. Marty recipes are produced in human-grade facilities in the United States. However, the exact manufacturing locations vary based on the recipe.
The Bottom Line: Is Dr. Marty Worth Trying For Your Dog?
In the end, Dr. Marty freeze-dried dog food provides a nutritionally balanced raw diet focused on quality animal proteins. The gentle freeze-drying process helps retain key nutrients while extending shelf life compared to fresh raw.
Dogs needing a limited-ingredient, grain-free recipe with raw food benefits are the best candidates for Dr. Marty. Pups with food sensitivities, allergies, or chronic tummy troubles may find the most improvement.
While Dr. Marty costs more than kibble or canned food, it’s competitively priced for freeze-dried raw options. Feeding appropriate portion sizes helps manage the overall cost.
Try out a bag of Dr. Marty to see if your dog enjoys the unique textures and raw nutrition. Just transition slowly and properly handle the raw food as you would high-quality meat for yourself.
With their natural, minimally processed recipes focused on muscle meat, organs and bones, Dr. Marty offers a balanced alternative to conventional dog food that dogs thrive on.
