Maev was an instant hit when it launched as the first human-grade raw dog food brand in March 2020. With over 4 million meals sold by mid-2022, it's easy to see why pet parents flocked to this brand — each recipe includes no fillers or artificial ingredients and only USDA-certified protein. But is Maev good dog food?

We rate Maev dog food 5 out of 5 due to its use of only human-grade ingredients and outstanding protein and fat levels. Plus, each recipe contains less than a dozen primary ingredients. All in all, it's among the best quality raw dog foods on the market. 

Keep scrolling for Wag!'s full Maev dog food review, where we take a closer look at its ingredients, pros, cons, recalls, and history.

Maev has four dog food varieties that support specific health needs and a line of meal toppers and treats. Each formula is available in chicken or beef flavor.

All Maev dog food recipes are complete and balanced, meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile guidelines for all life stages or growth, including the growth of large breed dogs.

Maev makes all its dog foods with the same ingredients but with one distinction — it adds a different supplement mix to each recipe to support specific health needs. For example, the Weight & Digestion recipe includes supplements like chicory root, which contains inulin, a prebiotic that helps good bacteria in your dog's gut grow.

The ingredient quality in both Maev's chicken and beef recipes is exceptional, with USDA-certified meat as the top two or three ingredients, followed by bleached potatoes, green beans, zucchini, blueberries, and kale.

Fiber-rich green beans aid digestion, while zucchini is rich in antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc.

Potatoes are high in carbs and help dogs feel full, but they aren't the most nutritious ingredient. Further down the list, you'll find blueberries, high in vitamins A and C, and kale, a source of manganese and vitamin K.

Both recipes contain a single animal protein source and 11 or fewer ingredients — perfect for pups with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.

Maev dog food recipes also have pretty ideal macronutrient levels. Maev Chicken raw dog food contains above-average protein (48.1% as dry matter) and near-average fat (19.2% as dry matter) compared to other raw dog foods.  

Maev Raw Early Development dog food is specifically for young pups between eight weeks and two years old. Chicken is the only available flavor, and it's slightly different than Maev's main dog food line.

The top three ingredients are different cuts of chicken and then eggs, which are rich in protein to fuel growth, and omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy brain function. Next up is sweet potato, a great source of fiber to help regulate your puppy's bowel movement, and minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium.

The other ingredients are the same as Maev's main dog food line, including green beans, zucchini, blueberries, kale, and peanut butter.

Maev Early Development raw dog food contains surprisingly less protein and fat than Maev's other dog foods, with 37.2% protein and 14.5% fat as dry matter. Most companies formulate their puppy foods to be higher in fat and protein to support development and growth. 

Maev Bone Broth Meal Topper is super simple and consists of just bone, apple cider vinegar, and water.

Bones contain collagen as well as a whole host of amino acids like glucosamine and chondroitin, which support everything from immunity to digestion to joint health. Apple cider vinegar is great for your dog's skin and coat, helping prevent itchy and flaky skin.

One downside of this meal topper is its unappetizing appearance, but its pleasing crunchy consistency will encourage your pooch to chow down. Overall, the Maev Bone Broth Meal Topper is an excellent addition to your dog's diet.

Maev recently released new human-grade freeze-dried dog treats made with a single ingredient: USDA-approved beef liver. These treats provide a protein boost with over 60% protein a piece, and at just two calories each, they make a great anytime snack for your dog that won't make them pile on the pounds.

Maev makes its recipes with only human-grade ingredients and it shows, too — you can see chunks of real meat, pieces of green bean, and whole blueberries in every bag. Dog foods being 100% human-grade is fairly rare and only seen in the highest-quality products.

While feeding your dog human-grade food isn't necessary, it'll give you peace of mind that your pooch is eating the best quality food possible, made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives sometimes found in pet foods.

Maev dog foods have excellent protein and fat levels, helping to fuel your dog's day-to-day activities while maintaining a healthy amount of body fat and muscle. It's unclear why Maev's puppy food is lower in protein than its adult recipe, but its adult formulas are also suitable for puppies if you'd prefer to feed your pup on a high-protein diet.

Maev dog foods contain 11 ingredients or less with just a single protein source, making them a good option for dogs with dietary restrictions or sensitive stomachs. They're also free from common non-protein allergens, like wheat, corn, and dairy.

With only 11 ingredients a piece, you might be wondering, "How are Maev's recipes complete and balanced?" Maev works with two board-certified animal nutritionists to formulate its recipes to ensure they include all the nutrients your canine companion needs to be happy and healthy. Board-certified animal nutritionists are rare and highly sought after by pet food companies — there are only around 100 in the US.

One of the main downsides of Maev is its high price tag, which isn't surprising considering it's one of the best quality raw dog foods on the market. At the time of writing, a 20-lb bag of Maev Raw Weight & Digestion Beef dog food costs $179.00 on Chewy, at $8.95 per lb.

By comparison, A 6-lb bag of Instinct Beef Raw Frozen Adult Bites costs $39.99 on Chewy, at $6.67 per lb. It's worth noting that Instinct Raw Frozen Adult Bites aren't human-grade.

Consider using Maev as a meal topper if you find it too expensive, or check out our round-up of the best budget-friendly dog foods for an alternative.

One minor drawback of Maev raw dog foods is its limited flavor variety. All recipes are made with either chicken or beef, which isn't ideal for picky pups that prefer fish or dogs with allergies.

Maev dog food needs to stay frozen until you're ready to feed it to your canine, so you'll need to make plenty of space in your freezer for your dog's dinner.

Maev dog food can be fed from frozen, but if your dog doesn't like ice-cold food or has dental issues, Maev recommends letting it thaw for ten minutes before serving.

"This is my first time having my dogs try raw food. It came frozen nicely packaged. The bites were a good size as I have little dogs. Everything looked fresh. The package said you can give it to them frozen or allow it to thaw. Since I live in Arizona I think frozen would be good during the hot days. Today we tried it [at] room temp. I left it out for a couple of hours in their bowls. As soon as it came time to eat they enjoyed it. It smelled good and fresh. The meat chunk[s] are a good decent size."

"Our 100-pound Great Pyrenees loved this food. We have been using it as a topper for her regular kibble and she cleans her bowl where she would usually graze throughout the day. I love that it is healthy for her and that it is freeze-dried and easy to store - no refrigeration required. Since she is such a big pup, and eats a lot, we will most likely continue to use as a topper."

MIT and Harvard Business School graduate Katie Spies founded Maev in 2020 in Austin, Texas. The idea for Maev started in 2015 when Katie rescued an Italian Greyhound named George.

Shortly after adoption, George began experiencing seizures, but Katie couldn't work out why. She soon started examining George's diet and switched him to raw food. Once he changed to raw food, his seizures stopped. She also noted improvements in his overall well-being within 30 days of the switch, from his behavior to his energy levels.

After struggling to find an appropriate dog food in stores, Katie began cooking up her own. She started selling food to pet parents in her area, and after three years of delivering dog food door to door, the idea for Maev was born.

Five years later, Katie Spies is still Maev's CEO and has served millions of meals to dogs across the US.

There have been no Maev dog food recalls as of April 2025.