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Front of the Pack is a US-based dog food brand serving up air-dried human-grade meals for your fur-baby. Each of Front of the Pack's
grain-inclusive recipes are
gluten and dairy-free, with no fillers or artificial preservatives. Air-dried at low temperatures, Front of the Pack's dog food is loaded with nutrients and shelf-stable for significantly longer than fresh or
raw foods.
Formulated by veterinary experts and nutritionists, Front of the Pack's dog food contains over 86% whole meats and GMO-free, organic produce. We give Front of the Pack 5 paws up for its
protein content and high-quality, nutritious ingredients, including beetroot, pomegranate, and
fish oil.
Scroll down to read our Front of the Pack review, which includes recalls, brand history, pros, cons, and more!
Front of the Pack product ranges and flavors
Front of the Pack has two varieties of air-dried dog food. Here's a quick look at each flavor.

Front of the Pack Grass-Fed USDA Beef Recipe
Grass-Fed USDA Beef
Front of the Pack Grass-Fed USDA Beef dog food is air-dried to preserve nutritional value and is made with 100% human-grade ingredients.
The first five ingredients in the Grass-Fed USDA Beef recipe are:
- 88% USDA grass-fed beef
- Bone concentrate
- Pumpkin seed oil
- Organic beets
- Organic blueberry
With
35% protein as dry matter, Front of the Pack's Grass-Fed USDA Beef
contains protein levels usually seen in premium dog foods. Bone concentrate is safe for dogs and a great source of protein and
fatty acids.
Healthy
ingredients like beets are a great source of nitric oxide, which helps
manage blood pressure and boosts heart health. This recipe also contains
blueberries, a superfood loaded with vitamins and
antioxidants that
keep your pup's brain in tip-top shape.

Front of the Pack Cage-Free Chicken Recipe
Cage-Free Chicken recipe
Front of the Pack Cage-Free Chicken recipe
is air-dried at a low temperature to preserve nutritional value and is
made with 100% human-grade ingredients.
The first five ingredients in the Cage-free Chicken recipe are:
- 86% cage-free chicken
- Organic sweet potato
- Organic oats (gluten free)
- Organic guar fiber
- Organic beets
Front
of the Pack Cage-Free Chicken recipe contains over 37% protein as dry matter, making it the most protein-rich of Front of the Pack's two
recipes. It's worth noting that the chicken recipe contains a higher quantity of oats than the beef recipe.
Guar gum is a thickener derived from guar beans which has a low nutritional value. Sweet potatoes are nutritious for dogs, with high levels of beta-carotene and
antioxidants.
Front of the Pack's Cage-Free Chicken recipes meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for maintenance (adults).
Why Wag! likes Front of the Pack
Here are a few reasons why Wag! highly rates Front of the Pack dog food.
Made with high-quality human-grade ingredients
Front of the Pack formulates its dog foods with 100% human-grade ingredients, including whole meats and organic produce. The two main protein sources in its food — grass-fed beef and cage-free chicken — constitute at least 86% of each recipe's ingredients. Each recipe contains no fillers or artificial flavors, preservatives, or
colors.
Common ingredients in both recipes, like
pumpkin, guar fiber, pomegranate, and gluten-free oats aid digestion, support the immune system, and improve skin health.
Air-drying preserves nutrients and prolongs shelf life
Air drying dog food at low temperatures is the next best thing to serving your pup raw dog food (feeding a raw diet can
harm your health). Front of the Pack air-dries at 142 degrees Fahrenheit, the lowest temperature for killing harmful pathogens and bacteria.
Air-drying ensures your dog's food is safe to consume while preserving as much nutritional value as possible. Plus, it massively improves a dog food's shelf life — unsealed Front of the Pack dog food has a shelf life of up to 6 months.
Recommended by Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and vet consultant
“Front of the Pack dog food offers balanced nutrition, good digestibility, high-quality protein, and has eliminated common allergens such as
corn, wheat, and
soy. This food is also fortified with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that promote wellness and an improved immune system.”
Committed to sustainability
Front of the Pack uses minimal plastic in its products to meet high sustainability standards. Front of the Pack's "stay-fresh pouches" are plastic-free, biodegradable, and made with 100% recycled paper. Its shipping boxes are also sustainable, plastic-free, and made from 90% recycled cardboard.
Generous money-back guarantee
Front of the Pack has an excellent refund policy to keep pet parents and fur-babies happy. You can get a full refund within 90 days of purchase if there's a problem or your dog simply doesn't like Front of the Pack. You'll just need to return the product to Front of the Pack. Alternatively, you can keep the product and get a 30% refund (these are granted on a case-by-case basis).

Concerns & considerations
Here are a few concerns and considerations to think about before purchasing Front of the Pack for your pup.
High quality means higher prices
Front of the Pack is more expensive than some other dog foods due to its ingredient quality and manufacturing processes. At the time of writing, a 2.5-pound pouch of its Cage-Free Chicken recipe costs around $64 when bought with a Meal Plan subscription, which reduces the cost by 20%.
A 2.5-pound pouch equates to roughly 11.5 cups of dog food, which will last a 40-pound dog between seven and nine days. That works out to around $3.04 per meal a dog Front of the Pack dog food. While Front of the Pack is on the pricey side, it's one of the best air-dried dog foods available and is well worth the price tag.
Lack of flavor varieties
Front of the Pack only produces two flavor varieties: beef and chicken. So if your dog is sensitive or
allergic to beef or chicken, or your pooch is a
fussy eater, Front of the Pack may not be the right option for your fur-baby. Chat with your vet if you're unsure about switching your dog to Front of the Pack.
Only available through Front of the Pack
Front of the Pack is unavailable on Chewy, Amazon, or local pet stores. You'll have to order directly through Front of the Pack to receive your dog's food. That said, ordering through Front of the Pack is easy and flexible, with five delivery frequencies ranging from every 14 days to every 42 days and free shipping for orders over $20.
No options for puppies
At the time of writing, Front of the Pack doesn't offer recipes formulated to meet AAFCO's nutrient profiles for growth (puppies). But the good news is the beef recipe is suitable for all life stages, which means you can feed your pup the same food throughout their life — no need to
transition them to a new food in their old age!
What pet parents say about Front of the Pack
"2 of my dogs are very particular about their food. If they don’t like it they won’t eat. They love [Front of the Pack] chicken."
"My pup loves his new food. I’m so happy that he does because he is very picky. Definitely will recommend this product to friends and family."
Front of the Pack brand history
Chris Wilkinson and Neil Hutchinson founded Front of the Pack in October 2019 in California. They founded Front of the Pack after seeing a rise of preventable health conditions and issues in dogs, including
obesity,
joint failure, and dental hygiene.
Realizing that a dog's diet significantly affects these conditions, Chris and Neil decided to develop a range of supplements and dog foods specially formulated to provide pups with as much nutritional support as possible.
With the help of experts like Chief Science Officer Dr. Jamie Peyton, DVM, and nutritional biochemist Anthony L. Almada, MSc, Front of the Pack created high-quality supplements and air-dried dog food recipes. All Front of the Pack recipes are made in the USA with ingredients from trusted global suppliers.
Front of the Pack recalls
There's no evidence that Front of the Pack has been recalled in its history.
All product images sourced from the Front of the Pack website. Copyright Front of the Pack.
FAQ
Is Front of the Pack formulated to meet AAFCO standards?
Yes, both Front of the Pack recipes are "complete and balanced," meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles. Grass-Fed USDA Beef is suitable for all life stages, while Cage-Free Chicken is suitable for maintenance (adults) only.
Can I feed my dog air-dried food only?
Yes, you can feed your dog only air-dried food. As it's "complete and balanced," Front of the Pack dog food meets all your dog's nutritional needs. You can also use Front of the Pack as a topper for kibble if your dog is picky or you want to save money.
What is Front of the Pack dog food's shelf life?
Front of the Pack dog food has a shelf life of 6 months when unopened. After breaking the seal, Front of the Pack dog food should be eaten within six weeks.
How do I transition my dog to Front of the Pack?
You shouldn't immediately swap your dog from one food to another, as it may upset their stomach. Instead, gradually incorporate Front of the Pack into your dog's diet before eliminating their old food. A 25% increase of new food in your dog's diet every two days is recommended when transitioning your dog to Front of the Pack.
How does Wag! determine paw ratings for dog food?
Our editorial team conducts independent research when choosing which foods to feature and how to rate them. Our paw ratings are largely based on the ingredients and nutritional content of each food. Here’s a quick guide to what our paw ratings mean:
- 1 paw: High filler content, meat not listed as first ingredient
- 2 paws: Meat meal, bone meal or meat by-products listed as first ingredient
- 3 paws: Named meat listed as first ingredient (e.g., chicken)
- 4 paws:Same as 3 paws, but also made with whole, limited ingredients and minimal processing
- 5 paws: Same as 4 paws, but is also veterinarian or veterinary body approved and includes human-grade ingredients
- Half-paws may be awarded for extra benefits, like affordability, trustworthiness, etc.