Frequently Asked Questions
Gut-Healthy Nutrition
The microbiome is the community of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your dog's digestive system.
These microbes help break down food, support nutrient absorption, produce beneficial compounds, and maintain digestive balance. When the microbiome is healthy and diverse, it supports digestion, immunity, and overall wellness. When it becomes imbalanced, digestive issues and other health challenges can follow.
Supporting the microbiome through nutrition — with whole foods and functional ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics — helps maintain long-term digestive health.
Functional gut-healthy nutrition is food designed to do more than satisfy hunger — it's designed to support specific functions in the body. At Get Joy, that starts with the gut.
The digestive system influences nutrient absorption, immune health, energy levels, and overall wellness. That's why we combine whole-food nutrition with Belly Biotics™ (prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics) to intentionally support gut health and digestive balance — rather than just filling a bowl.
When the gut works better, everything works better. That's the difference between format-led food and function-led nutrition.
Why gut health drives whole-body health → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Belly Biotics™ is Get Joy's proprietary gut-health blend built structurally into every Freeze-Dried Raw Meal — not added as a separate supplement or sprinkled on after processing. It combines three components that work together as one complete system:
Prebiotics (Inulin)
Dietary fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria already living in your dog's gut. Without prebiotics, probiotics have limited fuel to establish and survive.
Probiotics (5 strains)
Live beneficial microorganisms including Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bifidobacterium animalis — replenishing and supporting a balanced gut microbiome. Get Joy retains 3 billion CFU per pound, one of the highest concentrations in pet food.
Postbiotics (Yeast Culture)
The bioactive compounds produced when probiotics ferment prebiotics — including short-chain fatty acids that nourish the gut lining and support immune regulation. Postbiotics are the functional output of a healthy gut. Most foods stop at probiotics. We go one step further.
All three depend on each other, which is why Belly Biotics™ was designed as a complete, integrated system rather than a single-ingredient supplement. This is what makes Get Joy function-led nutrition — not just food.
Pre, pro & postbiotics explained → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Many whole foods commonly called “superfoods” can be beneficial for dogs when used appropriately. Examples include:
- Blueberries for antioxidants
- Pumpkin for digestive support
- Spinach and leafy greens for nutrients
- Salmon and healthy fats for skin and coat health
These ingredients support overall wellness, especially as part of a balanced diet. The most important thing is how ingredients work together: a well-formulated meal focuses on balance, digestibility, and supporting the gut, rather than relying on any single ingredient.
Why balance beats any single superfood → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Your dog's body gives you helpful signals. Signs your dog is getting the right nutrition include:
- Consistent, well-formed stools
- Steady energy throughout the day
- A healthy coat and skin
- Maintaining an ideal body weight
- Strong appetite and enthusiasm at mealtime
If your dog has inconsistent digestion, low energy, or changes in coat quality, it may be a sign their current diet isn't fully supporting their needs. Because digestion is at the center of nutrient absorption, supporting gut health helps your dog get the most out of every meal.
Feeding meals made with USDA-quality meat means starting with ingredients held to high standards for safety and quality. But quality meat is just one piece of the puzzle.
Dogs thrive on balanced nutrition that supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall wellness. High-quality protein provides essential amino acids for muscle development, energy, and everyday vitality. Paired with thoughtfully selected, gut-supportive ingredients, these meals can help:
- Support healthy digestion
- Promote steady energy
- Maintain strong muscles
- Contribute to overall wellbeing
The goal isn't just feeding protein. It's feeding your dog in a way that supports how their body actually works — starting with the gut.
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 — starting with real, whole ingredients and thoughtful formulation. We offer two types of meals, each created with the same gut-first philosophy:
Freeze-Dried Raw Meals — whole ingredients preserved by gently removing moisture at low temperatures (not cooking), keeping nutrient integrity in a convenient, shelf-stable food. Each recipe combines premium proteins with our proprietary Belly Biotics™ blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.
Gently Cooked Fresh Meals — whole ingredients gently cooked for safety, digestibility, and flavor, providing balanced nutrition with high-quality proteins and vegetables.
Across both formats, Get Joy recipes are made with real, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, designed to support the gut microbiome, and formulated for complete and balanced daily nutrition. The result is functional nutrition that helps dogs feel better from the inside out.
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 stay intact compared to many traditional processing methods. The result is raw nutrition that's shelf-stable, easy 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 to 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.
How to feed freeze-dried raw (incl. as a topper) → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Creating Your Plan
The cost of fresh dog food depends on your dog's size, calorie needs, and feeding plan. Smaller dogs typically require less food, while larger or more active dogs need more to support their energy.
Many dog parents choose to:
- Feed fresh or freeze-dried raw as a full meal
- Use it as a topper to enhance their current food
This flexibility lets you find an approach that fits your dog's needs and your budget. As a guide, Get Joy Freeze-Dried Raw starts at about $3.47 per day for a 10 lb dog on subscription, or roughly $1–$3 a day as a topper. The focus is consistent, high-quality nutrition that supports your dog's health over time.
Use freeze-dried raw as an affordable topper → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
The best place to start is simple. Look for meals made with real, whole ingredients that are easy to digest and nutritionally balanced. Starting with a single protein your dog already tolerates well helps make the transition smoother.
Many dog parents begin by:
- Using fresh or freeze-dried raw food as a topper
- Gradually transitioning over 7–10 days
- Keeping feeding consistent day to day
The key isn't perfection — it's consistency. Over time, even small improvements in what you feed can support better digestion, energy, and overall wellness.
Start with a freeze-dried raw topper → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
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.
Your Subscription
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 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, supporting smoother digestion and more consistent stools. If your dog has a particularly sensitive stomach, extend the transition a little longer. Consistency and patience usually lead to the best results.
More on switching foods smoothly → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Packaging and Shipping
Caring for dogs also means caring for the planet they explore every day, so we design our packaging to balance sustainability, safety, and food freshness.
Our Fresh Meals arrive in a recyclable cardboard box with insulated liners that keep meals cold in transit. We use a paper-based liner that is 100% curbside recyclable and designed to replace materials like Styrofoam — it locks in cold and blocks heat while reducing environmental impact.
All of our packaging materials are BPA-free, non-toxic, and food-safe, and we keep looking for ways to reduce waste. For the most accurate disposal instructions, refer to the liner included in your shipment.
The Gut Health Journey
Yes. Just like exercise, sleep, and good nutrition support our health throughout life, gut health benefits from consistent daily care.
The gut microbiome is constantly changing in response to diet, environment, age, and lifestyle. Continuing to feed nutritious, gut-supportive meals helps maintain digestive balance and supports overall wellness throughout your dog's life.
The goal isn't to “fix” the gut once. It's to support a healthy, resilient digestive system for years to come.
Why gut health is a lifelong habit → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Some dog parents notice changes within the first few weeks, while others see gradual improvements over a longer period.
The timeline depends on factors such as your dog's age, current diet, activity level, and overall digestive health. The most important thing is consistency — supporting gut health is a long-term investment, and the benefits often build over time.
How gut health develops over time → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Many improvements begin inside the body before they're obvious on the outside. Over time, you may notice:
- More consistent stools
- Comfortable digestion
- Steadier energy
- Healthy appetite
- Improved overall vitality
Every dog's journey is different, but these are common signs that digestive balance and overall wellness are moving in the right direction. Consistency is key — gut health builds over time.
Stool changes are one of the most common signs that your dog's digestive system is adapting to a new diet.
As new ingredients and nutrients enter the digestive tract, the gut microbiome begins adjusting, and stool consistency may temporarily change. In many cases this is simply a sign the digestive system is adapting. Gradual transitions and consistent feeding help support a smoother adjustment.
If you have concerns or symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.
The first two weeks are a period of adjustment as your dog's digestive system adapts to new nutrition. Many dogs transition smoothly, while others may have temporary digestive changes as their gut microbiome adjusts.
During the first few days, your dog is simply getting used to the new food. Around the middle of the transition, you may notice changes in stool consistency or digestion. As the gut adapts, many dogs begin showing signs of improved digestive balance and more consistent stools.
Every dog is different, but a little adjustment during the first week is completely normal. A gradual transition over 7–10 days helps.
How to transition your dog's food → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Health and wellness are an investment, not a quick fix.
When you change your dog's food, their digestive system and gut microbiome need time to adjust. Beneficial bacteria are adapting, nutrient absorption is changing, and the body is learning to process new ingredients. Some dogs show improvements quickly, while others need more time.
The goal isn't a dramatic overnight transformation. It's helping your dog build a stronger foundation for long-term health and wellbeing.
Gut Health 101
Yes. Nutrition plays an important role in supporting the gut's natural ability to maintain balance and resilience.
The digestive system is constantly renewing itself, and the nutrients your dog consumes help support that process. Whole foods, quality proteins, fiber, and gut-supportive ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics can help nourish beneficial bacteria and promote a healthier digestive environment.
While every dog is different, consistent nutrition can help support digestive balance over time.
Gut health is built meal by meal, not overnight.
Just like people don't see the benefits of healthy eating after a single salad, dogs don't experience lasting digestive improvements from one bowl of food. The gut microbiome responds to consistent habits over time. Feeding a nutritionally balanced diet every day helps create an environment where beneficial bacteria can thrive and support digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall wellness.
Consistency is often one of the most important ingredients in long-term health.
Why consistency matters for gut health → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
A healthy gut does much more than digest food — it supports nutrient absorption, immune health, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Signs of a healthy gut in dogs may include:
- Consistent, well-formed stools
- Healthy appetite
- Steady energy throughout the day
- Comfortable digestion
- Healthy skin and coat
Because the gut influences so many systems throughout the body, supporting digestive health helps your dog thrive from the inside out.
Fresh dog food can support gut health when it's made with digestible, whole ingredients and balanced nutrition.
Because the gut is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, what your dog eats directly affects how well their digestive system functions. When meals are easier to digest, the body can:
- Absorb nutrients more efficiently
- Support a balanced gut microbiome
- Maintain consistent stools
- Support immune function
Fresh food is a great step toward better ingredient quality. For even deeper gut support, some diets include functional ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics that nourish beneficial gut bacteria — which is exactly what Get Joy builds in with Belly Biotics™.
The gut microbiome is the community of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms living in your dog's digestive system — and it matters because it influences far more than digestion.
These microbes help break down food, produce certain nutrients, support immune function, and maintain digestive balance. When the microbiome is healthy and balanced, digestion works more efficiently and the body absorbs more of the nutrients it needs. When it's imbalanced, dogs may experience digestive discomfort, inconsistent stools, or other health changes.
Because so much of the immune system is connected to the gut, supporting a healthy microbiome through nutrition can help maintain long-term wellness — from the inside out.
How pre, pro & postbiotics support the microbiome → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
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. This is the heart of Get Joy's gut-first approach.
Why gut health is whole-body health → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Digestive imbalance can show up in several ways — some obvious, some easy to overlook. Common signs of gut imbalance in dogs 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 point to a digestive system that needs better support. Improving nutrition and supporting the gut microbiome can often help restore balance over time.
If symptoms are severe or persistent, consult your veterinarian.
Probiotics can play an important role in supporting the balance of beneficial bacteria in your dog's 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, and postbiotics — these work together to nourish beneficial bacteria and maintain a healthy gut ecosystem.
Consistent dietary support helps maintain that balance over time. That's why Get Joy builds Belly Biotics™ — all three biotics — directly into every Freeze-Dried Raw Meal, rather than relying on a sprinkle-on probiotic alone.
Pre, pro & postbiotics explained → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
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.
Our Recipes
Belly Biotics™ is Get Joy's proprietary gut-health blend built structurally into every Freeze-Dried Raw Meal — not added as a separate supplement or sprinkled on after processing. It combines three components that work together as one complete system:
Prebiotics (Inulin)
Dietary fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria already living in your dog's gut. Without prebiotics, probiotics have limited fuel to establish and survive.
Probiotics (5 strains)
Live beneficial microorganisms including Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bifidobacterium animalis — replenishing and supporting a balanced gut microbiome. Get Joy retains 3 billion CFU per pound, one of the highest concentrations in pet food.
Postbiotics (Yeast Culture)
The bioactive compounds produced when probiotics ferment prebiotics — including short-chain fatty acids that nourish the gut lining and support immune regulation. Postbiotics are the functional output of a healthy gut. Most foods stop at probiotics. We go one step further.
All three depend on each other, which is why Belly Biotics™ was designed as a complete, integrated system rather than a single-ingredient supplement. This is what makes Get Joy function-led nutrition — not just food.
Pre, pro & postbiotics explained → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
Many whole foods commonly called “superfoods” can be beneficial for dogs when used appropriately. Examples include:
- Blueberries for antioxidants
- Pumpkin for digestive support
- Spinach and leafy greens for nutrients
- Salmon and healthy fats for skin and coat health
These ingredients support overall wellness, especially as part of a balanced diet. The most important thing is how ingredients work together: a well-formulated meal focuses on balance, digestibility, and supporting the gut, rather than relying on any single ingredient.
Why balance beats any single superfood → · Shop Freeze-Dried Raw →
“Vet-formulated” should mean more than a label. Look for food that is:
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Designed to support digestion and nutrient absorption
- Made with high-quality, whole ingredients
- Backed by nutritional expertise, not just trends
It also helps when the food supports long-term wellness, not just short-term feeding. A strong formulation considers how the body works — especially the digestive system, which plays a central role in overall health.
Get Joy recipes are formulated by ACVN Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists® and built around a gut-first philosophy.
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.
New Pack Size
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.
