Frequently Asked Questions

Get Joy recipes are designed around one simple idea: when the gut works better, everything works better.

Instead of focusing only on food trends or formats, we build our meals to support digestion, nutrient absorption, immune health, and overall vitality. That starts with real, whole ingredients and thoughtful formulation.

We offer two types of meals, each created with the same gut-first philosophy.

Freeze-Dried Raw Recipes

Our freeze-dried raw recipes preserve whole ingredients by gently removing moisture at low temperatures rather than cooking them. This helps maintain nutrient integrity while creating a convenient, shelf-stable food. Each recipe combines premium proteins and whole ingredients with our proprietary Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support digestive balance.

Gently Cooked Fresh Meals

Our fresh meals are made with whole ingredients that are gently cooked to support safety, digestibility, and flavor. They provide balanced nutrition using high-quality proteins, vegetables, and functional nutrients.

Across both formats, Get Joy recipes are:

• Made with real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients

• Designed to support digestive health and the gut microbiome

• Formulated for complete and balanced daily nutrition

The result is functional nutrition that helps dogs feel better from the inside out — supporting digestion, steady energy, and everyday wellness.

Yes. Get Joy recipes are formulated to support dogs at all life stages, including puppies.

Healthy digestion is especially important during puppyhood because your puppy’s gut and immune system are still developing. Nutrition that supports gut balance can help support nutrient absorption, energy, and overall growth.

Many dog parents choose Get Joy to help establish strong digestive health early in life.

As with any diet change, we recommend transitioning gradually over 7–10 days to allow your puppy’s digestive system to adjust.

If your puppy has specific health concerns or unique dietary needs, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before making changes to their diet.

Many traditional dog foods are designed primarily for shelf stability and cost efficiency.

Functional dog nutrition focuses on supporting the body’s systems intentionally, starting with digestive health.

Because the gut influences immunity, nutrient absorption, energy levels, and inflammation balance, supporting the gut can help improve overall wellness.

Get Joy combines whole freeze-dried raw food with Belly Biotics™ to support digestive balance in every meal.

Freeze-dried raw is a way of preserving real, raw ingredients while protecting their natural nutrients.

The process gently removes moisture from raw food at very low temperatures. Because it avoids high heat, more of the original nutrients, enzymes, and flavor remain intact compared to many traditional processing methods.

The result is raw nutrition that is shelf-stable, convenient to store, and easy to serve.

At Get Joy, our freeze-dried raw recipes are paired with our proprietary Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, helping support digestive balance and gut health in every bowl.

Many dog parents choose freeze-dried raw because it delivers the benefits of raw nutrition with the convenience of a dry food.

Cooking for your dog at home may seem like a healthy option, but creating a nutritionally complete diet for dogs is more complex than it appears.

Dogs require precise levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and fiber to support digestion, immune health, growth, and long-term wellness. Even well-intentioned homemade meals can unintentionally miss key nutrients or provide them in the wrong balance.

Over time, nutritional gaps can affect energy levels, digestion, bone health, and overall wellbeing.

Get Joy recipes are carefully formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition, using whole ingredients combined with our Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to help support gut health and digestion.

For many dog parents, this provides the benefits of thoughtfully prepared nutrition without the complexity of balancing nutrients at home.

Both freeze-dried raw and gently cooked fresh dog food are minimally processed options that can provide high-quality nutrition for dogs.

Fresh meals are often a great step up from traditional heavily processed foods because they use whole ingredients and gentle preparation methods.

Freeze-dried raw goes one step further.

By removing moisture at very low temperatures instead of cooking the food, freeze-drying helps preserve more of the natural nutrients and integrity of raw ingredients while still creating a convenient, shelf-stable meal.

At Get Joy, we offer both formats because they serve different needs.

• Gently cooked fresh meals provide soft, whole-food nutrition that many dogs love.

• Freeze-dried raw meals deliver highly concentrated, nutrient-dense nutrition with the convenience of a shelf-stable food.

Both are designed around our gut-first philosophy, supporting digestion, nutrient absorption, and whole-body wellness. Many dog parents start with fresh meals and add freeze-dried raw as a topper or transition to it over time for more concentrated functional nutrition.

The cost of your plan depends on your dog’s size, calorie needs, and feeding portion.

Many customers choose to use Get Joy as a complete meal or a functional topper, making it easy to fit into a variety of budgets.

You can receive a personalized recommendation through our onboarding quiz.

When you sign up, we ask a few questions about your dog’s:

• Age

• Weight

• Breed size

• Activity level

• Body condition

This information helps us recommend an appropriate daily feeding plan to support healthy digestion and energy balance.

No. Get Joy’s gently cooked fresh meals are fully cooked and ready to serve.

The ingredients are gently cooked during preparation to preserve nutrients while ensuring the food is safe and digestible for your dog. Because of this, there’s no additional cooking required at home.

Simply store the meals in the refrigerator, portion the recommended amount, and serve.

Some dog parents like to let the food sit at room temperature for a few minutes or add a splash of warm water to enhance aroma and texture, but this is completely optional.

Storage depends on the type of Get Joy food you’re serving.

Freeze-Dried Raw Food

Our freeze-dried raw recipes are shelf-stable. Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. After opening, reseal the bag tightly to maintain freshness and nutrient integrity. Refrigeration or freezing is not required.

Gently Cooked Fresh Meals

Our gently cooked meals should be kept refrigerated and used by the date listed on the package. If you’re not planning to serve them right away, they can also be stored in the freezer and thawed in the refrigerator before feeding.

No matter which option you choose, proper storage helps maintain the quality of the ingredients and ensures your dog receives the full nutritional benefits in every meal.

Dogs. They’re honest, enthusiastic, and never shy about sharing their opinions. If a bowl doesn’t come back empty, we go back to work.

That’s why every Get Joy order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee. If your pup isn’t loving their meals, just let us know and we’ll make it right.

Creating a Get Joy wellness plan is simple. Start by selecting the type of nutrition that fits your dog’s needs, provide a few details about your dog and your on your way!

Freeze-Dried Raw Wellness Plan

Choose your preferred recipe and bag size, then select a subscription that delivers food on a regular schedule. Freeze-dried raw meals are shelf-stable and designed to provide nutrient-dense nutrition with our Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support gut health and digestion. 

Gently Cooked Fresh Wellness Plan

Select your dog’s preferred fresh recipe and portion size, and choose how often you’d like deliveries. Our gently cooked meals use whole ingredients and balanced nutrition designed to support digestion, energy, and overall wellness. 

Once you’ve selected your meals, your wellness plan delivers food automatically based on your dog’s needs. You can adjust recipes, delivery frequency, or portions anytime through your account.

The goal is simple: consistent, gut-healthy nutrition that supports your dog’s digestion, energy, and everyday wellbeing.

Your dog’s portions are personalized based on several factors, including age, weight, breed size, activity level, and ideal body condition.

We use nutritional guidelines developed alongside veterinary nutrition expertise to estimate the calories your dog needs each day to support healthy digestion, steady energy, and overall wellness.

Because every dog is unique and metabolism can vary, portions may need small adjustments over time. You can easily update your feeding plan if your dog’s needs change.

We recommend transitioning gradually over 7–10 days to help your dog’s digestive system adjust comfortably.

Start by mixing a small amount of Get Joy with your dog’s current food and slowly increase the amount each day:

Days 1–3: 25% Get Joy, 75% current food

Days 4–6: 50% Get Joy, 50% current food

Days 7–9: 75% Get Joy, 25% current food

Day 10+: 100% Get Joy

A gradual transition helps your dog’s gut microbiome adjust to the new nutrition, which can support smoother digestion and more consistent stools.

If your dog has a particularly sensitive stomach, you can extend the transition period a little longer. Consistency and patience usually lead to the best results.

Yes. You can easily pause, cancel, or reactivate your subscription anytime through your Get Joy account portal.

If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always happy to help. Just reach out to us at cares@getjoyfood.com or speak with Joy, our wellness concierge.  

Subscription billing follows the delivery cadence selected at checkout. You can view your billing schedule and order details anytime in your Get Joy account. We’ll also send an email reminder before each order is processed.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at cares@getjoyfood.com, or you can reach out to Joy, our wellness concierge.

Caring for dogs also means caring for the planet they explore every day. That’s why we design our packaging to balance sustainability, safety, and food freshness.

Our Fresh Meals arrive in a recyclable cardboard box with insulated liners designed to keep your dog’s meals cold during transit. We use a paper-based liner that is 100% curbside recyclable and designed to replace traditional materials like Styrofoam.

These liners help lock in cold temperatures and block heat, protecting your dog’s food while reducing environmental impact.

All of our packaging materials are BPA-free, non-toxic, and food-safe, and we continue looking for ways to improve our packaging and reduce waste wherever possible.

For the most accurate disposal instructions, please refer to the liner included in your shipment.

We currently ship to the 48 contiguous United States.

With Get Joy, your dog’s meals are delivered on a recurring and flexible schedule based on their personalized feeding plan. Depending on the products you choose, your order may include fresh, gently cooked meals or freeze-dried meals, both designed to support your dog’s health and make feeding simple.

Fresh meals arrive in refrigerated, insulated boxes that keep the food safe and cold during transit. Freeze-dried meals are shelf-stable and ship in protective packaging designed to keep them fresh.

Deliveries are timed to help ensure you never run out of meals, and you can easily adjust your delivery schedule, address, or quantities anytime through your Get Joy account.

If you ever need help, our team is here for you at cares@getjoyfood.com, or you can chat with JOY, our wellness concierge.

Yes. You can easily update your delivery schedule, shipping address, or order quantities anytime through your online Get Joy account.

If you have any questions or need help making a change, our team is always here to help. You can reach us at cares@getjoyfood.com or chat with JOY, our wellness concierge. 

Fresh meals should arrive frozen or very cold to the touch, similar to food that has just come out of the refrigerator. It’s normal for fresh meal packs to be partially thawed during transit, as long as they still feel cold and remain below 40°F.

If your meals arrive warm or if you’re unsure about the temperature, please reach out to our team at cares@getjoyfood.com or chat with JOY, our wellness concierge, and we’ll be happy to help.

No. The recipes, ingredients, and nutrition remain exactly the same.

We simplified our packaging to reduce waste and make feeding more consistent for dog parents.

Instead of multiple pack sizes, we now offer two: ½ lb and 1 lb packs. This change helps streamline production, cut down on packaging materials, and support a more sustainable approach to delivering your dog’s food.

Your dog’s personalized feeding plan determines how many packs you receive. We simply send the right number of packs to match your dog’s daily portion needs, making mealtime easy and consistent.

Yes. Your dog will continue to receive the same recommended daily amount of food based on their age, weight, and activity level.

The only thing changing is the pack size—not the amount of food your dog receives.

Your subscription will continue as usual, though you may notice some small changes.

Because we now use standard pack sizes (½ lb and 1 lb), the number of packs per shipment may look different. Some customers may also see slight changes to their delivery cadence or billing timing. In some cases, shipments may occur less often, or cadence of your charge may change.

What stays the same is the most important part: the price per meal and your dog’s personalized feeding plan.

The gut microbiome is the community of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms living in your dog’s digestive system.

These microbes help:

• Break down food

• Produce certain nutrients

• Support immune function

• Maintain digestive balance

When the microbiome is healthy and balanced, digestion tends to work more efficiently and the body can better absorb the nutrients it needs.

When it becomes imbalanced, dogs may experience digestive discomfort, inconsistent stools, or other health changes.

Supporting a healthy microbiome through nutrition can help maintain long-term digestive wellness.

Yes. The digestive system plays a central role in many areas of a dog’s health.

A balanced gut helps the body:

• Absorb nutrients more efficiently

• Support immune function

• Maintain healthy inflammation levels

• Produce steady energy

• Maintain healthy skin and coat

Because so much of the immune system is connected to the gut, improving digestive balance can support overall wellness from the inside out.

Digestive imbalance can show up in several ways. Some signs are obvious, while others are easy to overlook.

Common signs of gut imbalance may include:

• Inconsistent stools

• Gas or digestive sensitivity

• Frequent itching or skin irritation

• Low or inconsistent energy

• Changes in appetite

• Occasional vomiting or stomach upset

Because the gut plays such an important role in digestion, immunity, and inflammation balance, these symptoms can sometimes point to a digestive system that needs better support.

Improving nutrition and supporting the gut microbiome can often help restore balance over time.

Probiotics can play an important role in supporting the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

A healthy gut microbiome helps with digestion, nutrient absorption, immune support, and maintaining a stable digestive environment.

Many dog parents choose foods that include prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics to help support digestive balance. These components work together to help nourish beneficial bacteria and maintain a healthy gut ecosystem.

Consistent dietary support can help maintain that balance over time.

Ingredient quality plays a major role in how well a dog’s body can digest and use nutrients.

High-quality proteins, whole foods, and thoughtfully selected ingredients are typically easier for the digestive system to process and absorb. Lower-quality ingredients may be harder to break down or provide fewer usable nutrients.

When dogs consistently eat high-quality ingredients, their digestive system can function more efficiently, which supports nutrient absorption, stool consistency, and overall wellness.

Foods that support digestion are typically made with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that are easy for the body to absorb and use.

High-quality proteins, natural sources of fiber, and foods that support the gut microbiome all play an important role. Ingredients like vegetables, healthy fats, and functional nutrients help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Equally important is how the food is made. Minimally processed foods that preserve nutrients and digestibility can help support a healthier gut environment over time.

When the digestive system is supported properly, dogs are better able to absorb nutrients, maintain steady energy, and produce consistent stools.

Many conversations about dog food focus on format — fresh, kibble, raw, freeze-dried, or canned.

But format alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Feeding for function means choosing food designed to support how the body actually works. This includes digestion, nutrient absorption, immune support, and overall vitality.

Two foods may share the same format but deliver very different benefits depending on ingredient quality, formulation, and whether they intentionally support gut health.

At Get Joy, we focus on function first, building recipes designed to support the digestive system and microbiome — the foundation of whole-body wellness.

How food is processed can influence how easily dogs digest and absorb nutrients.

High-heat processing can sometimes reduce the availability of certain nutrients and enzymes. Gentler preparation methods can help preserve ingredient integrity and natural nutrients that support digestion.

Different processing methods also affect how ingredients break down in the digestive system, which can impact how the gut microbiome responds to the food.

Choosing foods made with carefully handled ingredients and thoughtful preparation methods can help support a more balanced digestive environment.

Many traditional dog foods are designed primarily for shelf stability and cost efficiency, not digestive function.

Highly processed foods can lose some of the natural nutrients that help support the gut microbiome. In some cases, formulas rely on fillers or ingredients that may be harder for certain dogs to digest.

Supporting gut health requires more than just meeting minimum nutrition standards. It involves thoughtfully chosen ingredients, balanced nutrients, and functional components that help support the digestive system and beneficial gut bacteria.

That’s why foods designed with digestion in mind can often make a noticeable difference in how dogs feel day to day.

Get Joy recipes are designed around one core idea: gut health drives whole-body health. Instead of focusing only on ingredients or trends, our meals are built to support digestion, nutrient absorption, immunity, and overall vitality. 

We offer two types of meals, each designed with the same gut-first philosophy.

Freeze Dried Raw Meals

Our freeze-dried raw recipes preserve whole ingredients by gently removing moisture at low temperatures. This process helps retain nutrients while creating a convenient, shelf-stable food. These meals combine premium proteins, nutrient-dense organ meats, and superfoods with our proprietary Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support digestive balance and microbiome health. 

Gently Cooked Fresh Meals

Our fresh meals are made with whole ingredients that are gently cooked to support safety, digestibility, and flavor while maintaining nutritional integrity. They’re crafted to provide complete, balanced nutrition using real proteins, vegetables, and carefully selected nutrients. 

Across both formats, Get Joy recipes are:

• Developed with veterinary nutrition expertise

• Made with real, whole ingredients and no artificial fillers

• Formulated to support digestion and gut health

• Designed to provide complete and balanced daily nutrition

The result is functional nutrition that helps dogs feel better from the inside out—supporting digestion, energy, immunity, and everyday wellness.

Some Get Joy meals include carefully selected grains, while others are grain-free.

Our freeze-dried raw recipes are grain-free, focusing on high-quality proteins, organ meats, and whole-food ingredients designed to support digestion and gut health. 

Our gently cooked fresh meals may include wholesome grains, along with USDA-sourced meats and vegetables, to provide balanced nutrition and digestible energy for dogs. 

When grains are used, they’re chosen intentionally to provide fiber and nutrients that can support digestive health. And across all recipes, we prioritize whole ingredients and functional nutrition designed to support your dog’s gut, energy, and overall wellbeing.

You can always view the full ingredient list on each product page to see exactly what’s in your dog’s meal.

Get Joy offers two types of meals designed to support your dog’s digestion and overall wellness.

Freeze-Dried Raw Meals

Our freeze-dried raw recipes gently remove moisture from real, whole ingredients while preserving nutrients and flavor. This creates a shelf-stable food that’s easy to store and serve while maintaining the benefits of raw nutrition.

We currently offer Beef and Chicken freeze-dried raw recipes, each formulated with our Belly Biotics™ blend to help support gut health and digestion.

Gently Cooked Fresh Meals

Our fresh meals are made with whole ingredients that are gently cooked to support digestibility and safety while maintaining great taste and nutrition.

Our fresh meal recipes include Chicken, Beef, Turkey, and Lamb, giving dog parents multiple protein options to fit their dog’s preferences and dietary needs.

Both options are formulated to provide complete, balanced nutrition and can be served as a full meal or used as a topper to add functional nutrition to your dog’s bowl.