Mave dog food review - Tested & Reviewed

Mave dog food review

9 out of 10 dog owners are feeding their dog the wrong food

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Dog food from Mave

9 out of 10 dogs get the wrong dog food

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Ever wondered what the buzz around raw dog food is all about? Maev is making waves in the premium pet nutrition world as a standout raw food option. As someone who’s spent years analyzing dog food formulations, I’ve seen plenty of trends come and go, but Maev’s approach to raw feeding combines scientific rigor with remarkable convenience—something that’s genuinely hard to find in this category.

The Story Behind Maev Raw Dog Food

Founded in 2019 by Katie Spies, an MIT engineer and dedicated dog parent, Maev emerged from a personal journey. When Spies’ dog George developed health issues, she discovered gaps in traditional pet nutrition options and decided to create something better. The result is a human-grade raw food brand developed alongside PhD veterinary nutritionists that aims to deliver “easy-to-feed, efficacious daily nutrition” using whole foods and targeted nutrients.

What separates Maev from other raw brands is their balanced approach to science and practicality. They’ve managed to make raw feeding accessible without compromising nutritional integrity—a challenging balance that many brands struggle to achieve. Their frozen raw meals eliminate prep work while promising visible health improvements within 28 days.

What Makes Maev Different?

Maev operates on four core principles that define their products: biological appropriateness, transparency, veterinary science, and convenience. Unlike kibble or even cooked fresh foods, Maev’s formulas work with dogs’ natural digestive systems. Dogs have shorter gastrointestinal tracts and higher stomach acidity than humans, making them naturally equipped to process raw meat safely and efficiently.

The transparency factor is immediately apparent when you open a package—you’ll see recognizable whole foods like USDA-certified beef liver, green beans, blueberries, and kale. There’s no mystery meat or unidentifiable brown pellets here. What you see is genuinely what your dog gets.

Each formula is developed under the supervision of a veterinary team including board-certified nutritionists from top institutions like Cornell and Purdue. This expertise allows Maev to create targeted functional recipes that address specific health concerns:

  • Weight & Digestion formula with probiotics for gut health
  • Anxiety & Calming formula featuring bovine colostrum and L-theanine
  • Hip & Joint formula with chondroitin and glucosamine
  • Skin & Coat formula rich in omega fatty acids

All Maev products meet AAFCO standards and undergo pathogen testing for Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. They’re flash-frozen at -14°F to preserve nutrient density and eliminate bacterial concerns—addressing one of the most common worries about raw feeding.

Product Range and Nutritional Breakdown

Maev’s main offerings are frozen raw meals available in two primary proteins: beef and chicken, plus a specialized puppy formula. Each recipe follows an 11-component framework that includes USDA-certified lean muscle meat, organ meats for vitamins and minerals, low-glycemic vegetables, antioxidant-rich fruits, and functional supplements.

The nutritional profile is impressive compared to conventional options:

Maev contains approximately 45% more protein than typical kibble and about 20% more than fresh-cooked alternatives. The moisture content sits around 70% (versus less than 10% in kibble), which supports hydration—especially important for dogs who don’t drink enough water. Perhaps most importantly, Maev excludes binders, synthetic preservatives, and high-heat processing that can degrade nutrients.

Beyond their core meals, Maev offers bone broth toppers for additional hydration, freeze-dried treats, and supplement bars addressing specific health needs. Their subscription model provides flexibility with options like the “Big Dog Bundle,” which costs about $5.30 per day for a 30-pound dog. That’s pricier than kibble (around $2/day) but competitive with other premium fresh options like The Farmer’s Dog ($6.15/day).

Real-World Results and User Experiences

The proof is in the pudding—or in this case, the raw food. A 2025 survey of 845 Maev subscribers found that 87% reported observable improvements in their dogs’ health within just four weeks. Specific benefits included better dental health (reduced plaque in 68% of cases), improved digestive regularity, and enhanced coat quality (72% noted softer fur and reduced shedding).

Even professional athletes have taken notice. Tennis star Jessica Pegula endorses Maev, stating: “I’ve seen incredible improvements in my dogs’ digestion, skin and coat health, dental health and energy levels.” That’s a pretty powerful testimonial, though I always take celebrity endorsements with a grain of salt.

It’s not all perfect reviews, however. Common criticisms focus on two main issues: First, some dogs selectively eat the meat and leave fruits and vegetables behind, creating waste and mess. Second, with only beef and chicken options currently available, dogs with specific protein preferences or allergies might struggle. If your pup needs more exotic proteins like duck or lamb, you might want to check out Wildology dog food for more variety.

Safety Protocols and Quality Assurance

Raw feeding safety concerns are valid, but Maev addresses them through a comprehensive approach:

First, they implement triple-testing for bacterial pathogens before shipping. Second, they educate consumers about canine digestive systems—dogs naturally produce enzymes in their saliva that help neutralize bacteria. Finally, the flash-freezing process prevents bacterial growth during storage and shipping.

From a nutritional standpoint, Maev exceeds AAFCO requirements through what they call “whole-food nutrient synergy.” This means they leverage natural nutrient combinations—like how vitamin C in blueberries enhances iron absorption from beef liver—rather than relying heavily on synthetic supplements. Their formulations avoid common allergens like corn, soy, and wheat while maintaining impressive macronutrient ratios: approximately 38% protein, 18% fat, and less than 2% carbohydrates.

How Maev Compares to Competitors

Maev has carved out a unique position in the premium dog food market. Their 2025 partnership with Chewy expanded distribution to 48 states, making them more accessible than many boutique raw brands. Key advantages include their functional customization (four targeted formulas versus competitors’ one-size-fits-all approach) and their no-thaw, scoop-and-serve model that reduces the handling anxiety many pet parents feel about raw food.

At $5.30 per day for a medium-sized dog, Maev is more affordable than some premium fresh options like PetPlate ($6.40/day) while offering higher protein content and less processing. Compared to kibble, you’re paying significantly more, but the nutritional differences are substantial enough to justify the price for many pet parents focused on optimal health.

What Kind of Dogs is Maev Suitable For?

Maev’s product range is designed to accommodate dogs at various life stages and with different health needs. Their standard formulas are appropriate for healthy adult dogs, while their puppy-specific formula provides the additional nutrients needed during growth phases. The specialized functional recipes extend their suitability to dogs with specific health concerns.

The Weight & Digestion formula is ideal for overweight dogs or those with sensitive stomachs. Active dogs and working breeds benefit from the high protein content in all Maev formulas, supporting muscle maintenance and energy needs. Senior dogs with joint issues might particularly benefit from the Hip & Joint formula with its targeted supplements.

Maev might not be the best fit for extremely picky eaters who dislike visible vegetables in their food. It’s also worth considering that the price point makes it more suitable for small to medium-sized dogs if budget is a concern—feeding a very large breed exclusively on Maev could become quite expensive.

Dogs with rare protein allergies might need to look elsewhere given the limited protein options, but for the majority of dogs, Maev offers nutritionally sound options across life stages. I’ve personally seen excellent results with the Anxiety & Calming formula for rescue dogs adjusting to new homes.

Final Verdict: Is Maev Dog Food Good?

After thoroughly analyzing Maev’s ingredients, manufacturing processes, nutritional profiles, and real-world results, I can confidently say this is one of the better raw dog food options on the market today. The combination of human-grade ingredients, scientific formulation, convenience factor, and observable health benefits places it firmly in the premium category—and it delivers on its promises.

Is it perfect? No. The limited protein options and selective eating issues some dogs experience are legitimate drawbacks. The price point also puts it out of reach for some pet parents, especially those with large breeds or multiple dogs.

However, compared to many other raw and premium fresh options, Maev offers exceptional value. The veterinary oversight, pathogen testing, and functional formulations demonstrate a serious commitment to quality that goes beyond marketing hype. For pet parents willing and able to invest in high-quality nutrition, Maev represents money well spent.

I particularly appreciate their transparency and commitment to education around raw feeding. Rather than relying on scare tactics or pseudoscience, they explain the biological basis for their approach and back it with legitimate expertise.

My honest assessment: Maev earns a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s not quite perfect, but it’s certainly among the top tier of dog food options available today for those who can afford it and have dogs that enjoy the texture and ingredient mix.

Find Your Dog’s Perfect Food Match

Every dog is unique—from energetic Border Collies to laid-back Basset Hounds, and from tiny Chihuahuas to gentle giants like Great Danes. Their nutritional needs vary just as widely, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to dog food.

While Maev might be perfect for some dogs, others may thrive on completely different formulations. Factors like age, activity level, breed-specific concerns, and health conditions all play important roles in determining the ideal diet for your particular pup.

That’s why we’ve created a quick, free questionnaire to help match your dog with their ideal food. In less than a minute, you can answer a few simple questions about your dog and receive personalized recommendations for the three best dog food brands specifically suited to their needs.

No more endless hours researching dog food brands or wondering if you’re making the right choice. Get tailored recommendations based on nutritional science and your dog’s specific profile via this link. It’s completely free and might just be the simplest way to improve your dog’s health and happiness through better nutrition.

9 out of 10 dogs get the wrong dog food

Take the free nutrition check and find out in under 1 minute which food is best tailored to your dog!

Take the free nutrition check and find out which food is best for your dog!