Hey there, dog moms and dads! Tatum here, coming at you with the ultimate lowdown on Maev. If you haven‘t heard, Maev is the hot new startup shaking up the dog food scene with their subscription raw food delivery.
As a total foodie myself, I‘m always on the lookout for the best of the best to keep my fur baby living his best life. When I started seeing all the buzz about Maev on my Insta feed, I knew I had to put my paws on it and give you guys the full scoop.
What Is Maev?
First, the basics. Maev is a dog food company founded in 2018 by Katie Spies, a busy dog mom in NYC who was frustrated with the lack of convenient, healthy options on the market. She teamed up with animal nutritionists to create a line of complete and balanced raw meals, made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
The food arrives frozen in pre-portioned packs, ready to thaw and serve. You can customize your subscription based on your pup‘s unique needs and have it delivered right to your door on the schedule you choose. Maev also offers nutrient-dense bone broths and jerky-style "power bars" for on-the-go fuel.
Why Raw?
If you‘re new to raw feeding, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. The concept is that dogs evolved to eat a diet that more closely mirrors what they would hunt and scavenge in the wild – mainly meat, bones, and vegetation.
Proponents say that a raw diet can lead to benefits like:
- Shinier coat
- Healthier skin
- Cleaner teeth
- Higher energy levels
- Improved digestion
- Reduced allergies
- Better weight control
Raw food also typically contains higher levels of moisture and protein than kibble, which is heavily processed. Many raw feeders believe that cooking destroys nutrients and enzymes that are essential to canine health.
However, raw diets are somewhat controversial in the veterinary community. Risks can include bacterial contamination, potential for nutritional imbalances, and increased risk of choking or internal punctures from bones. It‘s important to source your raw food carefully and work with a vet or nutritionist to ensure your pup is getting everything they need.
Maev‘s Recipes and Ingredients
Okay, so what exactly is in this stuff? Maev offers four core recipes:
| Recipe | Protein | Fruits & Veggies | Superfoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Herd | Grass-fed beef | Sweet potato, kale, carrots | Blueberries, turmeric, milk thistle |
| The Roost | Cage-free chicken | Butternut squash, broccoli, parsley | Kelp, rosehips, dandelion greens |
| The Stream | Salmon, herring | Green beans, pumpkin, spinach | Spirulina, sea lettuce, dulse |
| The Farm | Turkey, goat, pork | Beets, cabbage, watercress | Apples, cranberries, ginger |
Every recipe also contains nutrient-dense organ meats like liver and heart, as well as ground bone for calcium. The only other ingredients are vitamins, minerals, and natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols and citric acid.
I love that Maev uses all human-grade, non-GMO ingredients from trusted suppliers. The meat comes from animals raised without antibiotics or hormones. And everything is prepared in USDA-inspected kitchens, with lab testing for pathogens and strict food safety protocols.
Compared to other raw brands I‘ve tried, Maev‘s ingredients really stand out in terms of quality, variety, and transparency. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into these formulas.
Customizing Your Pup‘s Plan
One thing that really sets Maev apart is how customizable it is. You start by creating a profile for your dog with info like their age, weight, breed, activity level, and health goals. Then Maev generates a personalized meal plan recommendation.
For example, here are the stats for my guy Gus:
- 4 year old neutered male
- Catahoula/Aussie mix
- 65 lbs, active lifestyle
- No major health concerns, but prone to skin irritation
Based on that, Maev suggested I start with the beef recipe and include their Skin+Coat supplement, which has omega-3 fatty acids from pollock oil and antioxidants from astaxanthin. I can also opt for the lean/lite version to help Gus maintain his svelte figure.
You can further tweak things with targeted "boosts" and treats:
- Mobility Boost: green-lipped mussels and turmeric for joint health
- Digestion Boost: goat‘s milk, probiotics, slippery elm for gut health
- Calm Boost: chamomile, valerian root, passionflower for anxiety
- Power Bars: beef liver or venison tendon chews for training and dental health
- Bone Broth: beef or chicken for added hydration and nutrition
I really appreciate being able to customize based on Gus‘s needs at any given time. When he was recovering from knee surgery last year, I was able to up the Mobility Boost and Bone Broth for some extra TLC.
Pricing, Shipping, and Packaging
I won‘t sugarcoat it – feeding raw is an investment. But if you‘re already spending $$$ on premium kibble or cans, Maev might actually save you money in the long run. Here‘s how the pricing breaks down:
| Amount | Price | Price per day |
|---|---|---|
| 18 lbs (2 wk supply) | $139 | $9.93 |
| 36 lbs (4 wk supply) | $269 | $9.61 |
| 72 lbs (8 wk supply) | $519 | $9.37 |
For reference, Gus eats about 2 lbs per day, so the 72 lb option lasts us a full month. The price includes free shipping, and they often run promos for first-time customers. I also appreciated that there‘s no commitment – you can pause, skip, or cancel anytime right from your account page.
The food arrives on your doorstep packed in an insulated box with dry ice to keep it frozen. Each pack tells you exactly how much to feed based on your dog‘s plan. It‘s foolproof and mess-free. You can thaw it in the fridge overnight or just set out what you need for the day. The packaging is all recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable too!
The Taste Test
Moment of truth – would my discerning doggo give Maev the seal of approval? I started with the beef recipe and held my breath as I set down the bowl. Gus took one sniff, then face-planted and inhaled it in about 30 seconds flat. I swear I saw his tail wagging in a blur!
Over the past few months, we‘ve tried all the recipes and add-ons. Gus consistently devours the food and seems to be thriving. His poops are small and tidy (sorry TMI), his coat is glossy, and he just has this overall healthy glow. The only "problem" is that he now gives me major side-eye when I try to sneak in some boring dry food!
But don‘t just take my word for it. Maev has rave reviews from dogs and owners of all stripes. Here are a few that stood out to me:
"Since starting Maev, my dog‘s allergies have disappeared. No more constant scratching, ear infections, or upset tummy. It‘s been life-changing for him (and my vet bills!)." – Rachel A.
"My 9 year old pittie has never had so much energy. She plays like a puppy again and is so excited for mealtime. Even our vet commented on how great she looks. Worth every penny." – Jared T.
"We have a super picky Frenchie who would literally starve herself rather than eat most foods. She goes CRAZY for the Maev chicken recipe and licks the bowl clean. Miracle workers!" – Olivia G.
You can find tons more glowing testimonials on their website and social media. It‘s clear Maev is delivering noticeable results for a lot of lucky pups.
What the Experts Say
While I‘m a total convert, I wanted to get some professional opinions on Maev and raw feeding in general. I reached out to my vet, Dr. Patel, who had this to say:
"I think Maev is one of the most responsibly formulated raw diets out there. Their recipes are complete and balanced, with a nice variety of high-quality proteins and produce. I love that they use human-grade ingredients and have strict safety standards. Of course, raw isn‘t right for every dog, but for healthy pups I believe Maev is an excellent option."
I also spoke with Dr. Karen Becker, a leading integrative vet and raw feeding advocate. She explained:
"Dogs are scavenging carnivores, and their GI tracts are optimized for processing raw meat, bones, and vegetation. Kibble is a relatively new invention, and while it‘s certainly convenient, it doesn‘t provide the moisture, enzymes, or bioavailable nutrients of a raw diet. I‘ve seen remarkable improvements in my patients who switch to raw, from shinier coats to better dental health to reduced inflammation. Of course, it‘s crucial to choose a high-quality, balanced raw diet like Maev to avoid the risks of an unbalanced homemade or prey model diet."
It was reassuring to hear that Maev has the thumbs-up from trusted experts in the field. They‘ve clearly done their homework when it comes to formulation and safety.
Downsides to Consider
As much as I love Maev, no review would be complete without covering the potential cons. The biggest one for most people is probably the cost. Feeding raw is undeniably pricier than even premium kibble. However, I‘ve found that the health benefits save me money on vet bills in the long run. You might even be able to get some of the cost covered if you have pet insurance.
Another thing to keep in mind is that raw feeding does require some extra space in your fridge/freezer and a bit more planning than scooping kibble. If you travel a lot with your dog or board them frequently, dealing with raw food can be a hassle. Maev does offer a "raw alternative" kibble that‘s handy for these situations though.
Some dogs take a while to transition from processed food to raw, so there can be an adjustment period in the beginning. Maev has a great guide on how to do a gradual transition and what to expect. Temporary GI upset is normal but shouldn‘t last more than a week or so.
Finally, Maev is still a young company, so there have been a few hiccups with inventory and shipping as they‘ve scaled. A few times my order was delayed or arrived partially thawed. However, their customer service is amazing and always makes it right ASAP. They seem to be constantly improving their logistics and have been very transparent about any issues.
The Final Verdict
After months of feeding Maev and doing deep research on raw diets, I can confidently give them a resounding two paws up. The quality ingredients, personalized plans, and undeniable health benefits make Maev a game-changer for me and Gus.
I love having peace of mind that my boy is getting everything he needs to thrive, without me having to stress about sourcing and preparing it all myself. And you can‘t put a price tag on the joy of seeing your best friend truly excited about their food and radiating wellbeing from the inside out.
Of course, every dog is unique, and raw isn‘t necessarily the answer for all. I encourage you to educate yourself, consult with your vet, and factor in your lifestyle and budget. But if you have a generally healthy pup and are looking to upgrade their nutrition, I think Maev is 100% worth a try.
To me, Maev is the perfect intersection of cutting-edge canine nutrition and game-changing convenience for the modern pet parent. I can‘t wait to watch them grow and hopefully make raw feeding accessible to more dogs across the country.
At the end of the day, we all just want to do what‘s best for our furriest family members. If you‘re on the fence about Maev, I say trust your gut (and your pup‘s gut!). Use code TATUM50 for 50% off your first box and see the difference for yourself.
Your dog (and their doggy dermatologist) will thank you!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about my experience with Maev. I‘m always happy to chat dogs and dish about pet nutrition.
Until next time, keep living the well-fed wolf life! 🐺
xoxo,
Tatum + Gus
