The Pets Table Review: Fresh Dog Food with Flexible Plans for Real Life

The Pets Table doesn’t just offer fresh dog food, it clearly understands how people actually use it. From the way the meals are packaged to the flexibility of the plans, everything feels designed for real households.

We tested a mixed box that included fresh frozen Beef Stew with Carrots and Turkey Casserole with Broccoli, plus the Air-Dried Chicken & Sweet Potato recipe. Keep reading to see what Freya and I thought of it.

Ingredients vary by recipe, but for this breakdown we’re using Turkey Casserole with Broccoli as an example. The list is refreshingly short and readable.

We went with the Mixed Plan because I wanted to see how both formats fit into everyday feeding. It came with two types of fresh food, a large and small bag of the Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe air-dried food, and a fun welcome kit. 

The air-dried food isn’t just a backup option, it’s genuinely useful. While it can be fed as a complete meal, it also works beautifully as a training treat. It passed the treat test immediately (if she thinks it’s a treat vs dog food, it passes). 

Freya is very clear about what she considers “reward-worthy,” and she was more than happy to work for the air-dried chicken. And by “work for,” I mean walk out the door, bark at a squirrel, turn around and come back in, then demand a treat for “patrolling” the yard. It’s also the perfect size and shape to put in her puzzle games and snuffle mats. 

Fresh food preferences (Freya has opinions)

The fresh Turkey Casserole with Broccoli was the clear favorite. She liked the beef stew too, but turkey won, no contest. We’re currently using the fresh food as a topper, but with a heavier fresh-to-kibble ratio because she eats every bit of the fresh food first and then casually circles back to her kibble later.

If you’re on a tighter budget or not ready to switch fully, The Pets Table offers a 50% Fresh Plan specifically designed for mixing. That’s a smart option and one I wish more fresh brands offered clearly instead of burying it in fine print.

One important note, and this applies to any fresh brands: if you’re using it as a dog food topper, you do need to adjust portions so your dog is still getting the correct calorie intake overall. Fresh food is calorie-dense in a different way than kibble, so eyeballing it isn’t the best idea.

Packaging and storage (small detail, big impact)

I really like the long, thin, tube-style packaging for the fresh meals. It takes up less freezer space and slides easily between other items instead of forcing you to rearrange everything. The portion lines on the packaging are also genuinely helpful.

That said, you do need to plan ahead. Fresh meals should thaw in the fridge for 12–24 hours before serving. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to keep in mind if you’re used to pouring kibble and calling it a day.

Recipe variety and allergy considerations

There’s a solid amount of variety across both formats. The Pets Table currently offers five fresh recipes and three air-dried recipes, with multiple protein options including chicken, turkey, beef, pork, and salmon. Some recipes are grain-free, others are grain-inclusive with ingredients like oats or brown rice. None include corn, wheat, or soy. 

All recipes are complete and balanced for all life stages, including puppies over two months old. That means no juggling separate puppy formulas if you don’t want to.

Formulation and trust factor

One thing that stood out is the level of expertise behind the scenes. In addition to working with professional pet food formulators, The Pets Table has Sarah Wilson, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, overseeing their recipes. There are only around 100 of those specialists in the U.S., so that’s not a casual credential.  

The food is made in the U.S. in a human-grade, FDA-inspected facility, and every recipe is designed to meet or exceed AAFCO standards. If you’ve ever looked into cooking for your dog at home, you already know how hard it is to get that balance right consistently. This removes that stress entirely.

Storage and shelf life

Air-dried meals store easily in a cool, dry place and last up to six months once opened. Fresh meals can stay frozen for up to six months or refrigerated for up to seven days after thawing. It’s a system that works well as long as you have a little fridge or freezer space to spare.

Final Thoughts

The Pets Table feels like it was built by people who actually understand how dog food fits into daily life. The flexibility, the packaging, the mixed plan options, and the quality of the ingredients all work together instead of fighting each other. Freya’s reaction sealed it for me, but the thoughtful details are what really stood out.

If you’re curious about fresh food but don’t want to jump in all the way, this is one of the easiest, least intimidating ways to do it.