Dog food comes in various forms, including crunching kibbles, wet stews, and fresh options. But there are other options, including a relatively uncommon form called rolled dog food.
We’ll slice into the facts surrounding this type of canine cuisine and share our picks for the best dog food in a roll below!
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Best Overall Dog Food in a Roll
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Most Affordable Dog Food in a Roll
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Best Tasting Dog Food in a Roll
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What Is Dog Food in a Roll?
Dog food in a roll is precisely what the name implies: dog food that’s packaged in a roll.
The food isn’t the crunchy kibble you’re used to seeing bagged on store shelves. Rather, it’s a mutt meatloaf of sorts, usually containing a protein, vegetables, and grains. The ingredients have usually been cooked to temperature and packaged, and they are designed to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer.
When dinner time arrives, simply portion the appropriate serving, add it to your pup’s bowl, and watch her chow down!
As with any dog food, check the label of any prospective dog food in a roll to ensure it meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for complete and balanced nutrition for your pup’s life stage. Some are only intended for supplemental feeding, meaning you need to feed the roll and your dog’s regular diet, like kibble.
The 7 Best Dog Food in a Roll
Now that we know the scoop on dog food in a roll, we can dig into specific offerings. Let’s get to know our picks for today’s best dog food roll products.
1. Redbarn Dog Food Roll
A single-protein dog food roll containing nutrient-dense organ meat, grains, and fatty acids.
About: Serve up something tasty with Redbarn’s Dog Food Roll, a meaty recipe prepared using low-temperature cooking methods to preserve taste, texture, and moisture. Offer it cubed or shredded as a main meal, or give it to your pooch as a tasty topper over kibble or as a snack during training.
Features:
- Real meat is always the primary ingredient
- Doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages
- Made in the USA using US-sourced ingredients
Options: Available in Lamb, Chicken, and Beef
Ingredients List
Chicken, Chicken Hearts, Chicken Liver, Whole Wheat Flour...,
Sucrose, Brown Rice Flour, Pea Protein, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sea Salt, Flaxseed, Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salmon Oil, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Choline (Choline Chloride), Rosemary, Sodium Erythorbate, Betaine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E (Vitamin E Supplement), Vitamin D (Vitamin D3 Supplement), Copper Sulfate, Vitamin B12 (Vitamin B12 Supplement), Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate), Vitamin B3 (Niacin Supplement), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), Manganous Oxide, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin Supplement), Vitamin A (Vitamin A Supplement), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ferrous Sulfate
Pros
- Most dogs seem to go barkin’ bonkers for the taste of this rolled dog food
- Can be used as a primary food source, meal topper, pill pocket, or high-value training treat
- Single-protein recipes ideal for dogs with dietary restrictions
Cons
- Handling the 4-pound log can be a little awkward
- Pricing is on the higher side compared to kibble
2. Freshpet Nature’s Fresh®
About: Freshpet Nature’s Fresh® is a budget-friendly dog food roll containing high-quality meat, produce, and carbohydrate sources, yet it contains no artificial preservatives, meat meals, meat powders, or by-products. Best of all, the company’s earth-conscious focus includes being landfill-free, powered by wind, and offsetting its carbon footprint through planting trees.
Features:
- An animal welfare-certified meat is always the primary ingredient
- Steamed at low temperatures to remove pathogens while protecting flavor and nutrients
- Regular microbial testing during manufacturing ensures food safety
- Made in the USA using sustainably sourced US and global ingredients
Options: Roll varieties include Beef & Brown Rice, Grain-Free Turkey, Chicken & Brown Rice, and Grain-Free Salmon & Alaskan Pollock.
Ingredients List
Beef, Chicken, Beef Liver, Beef Broth, Carrots, Peas...,
Eggs, Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Carrageenan, Natural Flavors, Celery Powder, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins, Spinach, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate
Pros
- Most pet parents are tickled pink with the food’s quality for the price
- Dogs seem to love the taste
- Impressive assortment of recipes available (including grain-inclusive and grain-free)
- The company’s sustainability and ethical harvesting practices are top-notch
Cons
- Mixed protein recipes aren’t a good match for dogs with food sensitivities
- Pricing is pretty high, especially if you’re feeding a large dog or multiple pups
3. Lucy Pet Products Dog Food Roll
A flavor-packed roll of dog food made with organ meat, healthy fats, and grains to satisfy the pickiest puppers.
About: Lucy Pet Products Dog Food Roll is a shelf-stable roll of deliciousness featuring organ meat, grains for satiety and energy, plus healthy fats to keep your canine’s skin and coat feeling great. The food can be fed on its own as a complete meal or served chopped or shredded over kibble to entice your finicky floof into clearing her bowl.
Features:
- Semi-moist recipe highly palatable to pups (and boosts hydration!)
- Quality testing is performed on every batch to ensure food safety and proper nutrient levels
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages, including large breed dogs
- Made in the USA
Options: Available in Beef and Chicken.
Ingredients List
Beef Lungs, Whole Wheat Flour, Sugar, Beef Kidney...,
Wheat Bran, Beef, Beef Spleens, Beef Fat(Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Ascorbic Acid), Salt, Whole Dried Eggs, Rice Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Lecithin, Natural Smoke Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Celery Powder, Natural Flavor, Kelp Meal, Brewers Yeast, Disodium Edta, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Sodium Erythorbate (Preservative), Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Biotin, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid
Pros
- Meaty, organ-rich recipe tempts even the pickiest of pup palates into giving it a try
- Good choice as a main meal, meal topper, or high-value treat in training
- Unopened, it’s shelf stable at room temperature for up to a year, making it ideal for travel
Cons
- Contains some controversial ingredients like sugar and celery powder
- More protein options would be ideal
4. Raw Paws Pet Food Beef and Vegetable
A raw roll of ethically-sourced protein processed in small batches in the USA.
About: Make your meat-eating mutt happy with Raw Paws Pet Food Beef and Vegetable, a raw dog food roll shipped frozen to your door. Because it is a raw product, we strongly recommend cooking the food to kill pathogens before feeding it to your pup.
Features:
- Free-range beef is the top ingredient
- Contains organic vegetables as natural sources of fiber and nutrients
- Sold in 20-packs of 1-pound rolls
- Made in the USA using small batch methods
Options: Offered in 11 recipes, including Beef and Vegetable, Chicken, and Wild-Caught Salmon.
Ingredients List
Beef Round, Beef Meat, Beef Bone, Beef Heart, Beef Tongue...,
Beef Liver, Carrots, Green Beans, Broccoli, Spinach, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, Beef Suet
Pros
- Excellent mix of real meat and organ meat in each recipe
- Common and novel protein options available, suiting canines with allergies
- Most dogs enjoy the taste and texture
Cons
- Because this is a raw food, we strongly recommend owners cook the food to temperature before serving to kill pathogens
- As with any raw food, pricing is steep
5. Raw Paws Pet Food Wild-Caught Raw Frozen Venison
A single-protein log of novel protein suiting dogs with multiple meat allergies.
About: Navigate your doggo’s food allergies with Raw Paws Pet Signature Venison, a roll of novel protein that may suit sniffers allergic to common meats like chicken. Shipped frozen, store the roll in your fridge and thaw portions as needed before cooking it to a food-safe temperature.
Features:
- Single-protein, single-ingredient recipe
- Comes in a 6-pack of 3-pound rolls
- Manufactured in small batches for improved safety
- Made in the USA from ethically-sourced Australian deer
Options: Available in Venison Recipe and Duck Recipe.
Ingredients List
Wild-Caught Venison...,
Pros
- Venison is a great novel protein for many dogs allergic to chicken or beef
- Can be easily cut into patties for serving
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee for added peace of mind
Cons
- Expensive
- Not nutritionally balanced; should only be used as a supplement
- Should be adequately cooked to kill pathogens and prevent illness
6. CountryPet Naturals Venison Recipe
A venison meat roll containing imported deer meat, organs, and omega-rich fatty acids.
About: CountryPet Naturals Venison Recipe is a frozen exotic meat offering in a rolled form featuring deer meat pasteurized at low temperatures, making it a good choice for pet parents interested in feeding raw food but concerned about pathogens. It can be fed on its own or added to your barker’s bowl as a delicious mix-in or topper.
Features:
- Real venison is the first ingredient, followed by heaps of nutrient-dense organ meat
- Non-GMO recipe made using humanely-raised, antibiotic-free animals
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages, including the growth of large breed dogs
- Venison Recipe is made in New Zealand
Options: Available in Beef & Lamb, Lamb & Vegetable, and Venison Recipes.
Ingredients List
Venison, Venison Lung, Venison Liver, Venison Kidney, Venison Spleen...,
Fish Oil, Sunflower Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Choline Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Kelp, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement
Pros
- Venison is a great novel protein for dogs with multiple meat allergies
- Pasteurization makes it a safer choice than traditional raw diets
- Most dogs seem to enjoy the taste
Cons
- This stuff is pricey
- Recipe lacks grains and produce
7. Happy Howie’s Soft Meat Roll
About: While not complete and balanced to feed on its own, Happy Howie’s Soft Meal Roll is the perfect tasty topper or treat to add to your dog’s routine, whether diced, cubed, or grated over food. For shelf stability and safety, you’ll need to refrigerate or freeze each roll after opening.
Features:
- Real meat is always the first ingredient
- Comes in 3-packs of 7- or 12-ounce rolls
- Works great as a high-value training treat
- Made in the USA
Options: Available in Beef, Lamb, and Turkey.
Ingredients List
Beef, Rice Flour, Coconut Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Salt...,
Citric Acid, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Garlic, Silicon Dioxide, Mixed Tocopherols, Vegetable Oil, Rosemary Extract
Pros
- Versatility is a win – it can be a meal topper or treat
- Assortment of single-protein recipe rolls keeps canines interested
- Pricing isn’t bad at all for a 3-pack of goodies
Cons
- Not a complete and balanced diet; should only be used as a supplement
- Some questionable ingredients, like garlic
Dog Food in a Roll Benefits
So what makes dog food rolls a great choice in canine nutrition?
Well, that depends on the doggo, as dog food in a roll has several benefits to consider, including:
- Tasty: The meaty, moist texture and flavor of dog food in a roll is a win with most dogs, especially if you finely chop or shred it.
- Convenient: Toting a small tube of shelf-stable food for feeding on the go is easier than a bag of kibble or canned variety.
- Easy to chew: Rolled dog food is an easier dog food for canines with missing or weak teeth to eat, making it a solid choice for seniors and dogs with dental disease.
- Versatile: Many dog food rolls meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for complete and balanced nutrition, so you can feed them as meals, kibble accompaniments, or treats.
Dog Food in a Roll Drawbacks
While dog food in a roll is an excellent product for many mutts, it’s not the best option for others. This is especially true if you’re on a budget or looking for a mess-free feeding experience.
Downsides of dog food in a roll products include:
- Messy: While dog food rolls aren’t as messy as most canned dog food, they need more cleanup than kibble.
- Expensive: Feeding dog food in a roll is pricier than serving kibble, particularly if you’re feeding a large breed dog or multiple pups.
- Clunky to handle: Some dog food rolls come in 4 and 5-pound rolls that can be a pain to portion out.
- Storage concerns: Several rolls of dog food are shelf-stable unopened, but others require refrigeration, meaning you’ll need to sacrifice fridge or freeze space.
- Measuring woes: It’s easy to accidentally overfeed your pup with some rolled dog food products that require you to weigh food versus measuring in a cup.
- Some subpar products: As with any dog food, some dog food in a roll products feature low-quality ingredients.
What Should You Look for in a Rolled Dog Food?
Shopping for high-quality rolled dog food is the same as choosing dog food in general. You want to look for trustworthy brands, of course, but you also want to look at individual recipes to ensure a good fit.
If you’re planning on feeding dog food in a roll as your dog’s primary food source, make sure a product:
- Meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for your dog’s current life stage: A dog’s dietary needs change as she grows, with puppies, adults, and seniors having vastly different needs.
- Addresses any health concerns your dog has: Some health conditions can be helped through diet, such as extra fatty acids from fish for dogs with itchy skin.
- Receives your vet’s approval: Ideally, your vet should be on board with any dog food you select, whether it’s a rolled variety or kibble.
With these three concerns met, a dog food roll is likely a solid fit for your dog’s needs as long as her tummy tolerates it. However, there’s room for improvement if you want to narrow your options.
With rolled dog food being such a unique product, pay attention to the following:
- Shelf stability: Some products are shelf stable while unopened, meaning you can keep them in your pantry, but others always require refrigeration or freezing.
- Cooking/Pasteurization: Several rolled dog food products are offered raw, leaving your pup at risk of pathogens. Whenever possible, source fully cooked or pasteurized products, or at the very least, heat them to a food-safe temperature before serving.
- Protein Source: While most dog food in a roll products feature a labeled protein as the primary ingredient, this isn’t always the case. Always double-check that a food clearly labels all proteins, too. No mystery meat, please!
- Country of Origin: Look for food made in a Western nation such as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or Western Europe. These nations have stricter safety laws surrounding pet food manufacturing.
The Best Dog Food in a Roll: FAQ
Are you still mulling over rolled dog food? Check out these commonly asked questions surrounding this unique form of four-footer cuisine.
What are the best dog food rolls?
The best dog food roll for your dog will depend on her needs since every dog’s unique. That said, a solid choice for most canines is Redbarn’s Dog Food Roll or Freshpet Nature’s Fresh®. As with any dog food, ensure the dog food roll you choose meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for your dog’s life stage.
Is rolled dog food good for dogs?
As long as your rolled dog food of choice is formulated for complete and balanced nutrition, it’s likely a healthy option for feeding your dog as a meal. The recipes can be a little rich for some sniffer’s tummies, however, so if your pooch is prone to stomach sensitivity, check with your vet before offering.
What meat is in dog roll?
The meat used in dog food rolls varies by brand and recipe. Common proteins include chicken, beef, and lamb, but you can also find exotic offerings like venison. Organ meat is also commonly found in these rolled eats, including liver and heart.
How much dog roll should I feed my dog?
How much you feed your dog will vary by product and your sniffer’s size. As a ballpark estimate, we can look at the feeding instructions for Freshpet Nature’s Fresh®. A 60-pound pup would eat between 1 and 1 ⅜ pound daily, or ⅕ of the 5-pound roll that runs just over $22.
Does your four-footer enjoy rolled dog food? Has she dined on any of our picks for the best dog food in a roll? Share with us in the comments. We’d love to hear.
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