When I first adopted Finch, my now 15-16-year-old Poodle/Lhasa Apso mix, he was a fragile shadow of the dog he is today. Rescued from a backyard breeding operation in Columbia, SC, Finch arrived in my care malnourished, severely matted, and struggling with a slew of health issues. His brittle nails, dry, itchy skin, and lingering effects of intestinal parasites made every day a challenge.
Adding to this, Finch was—and still is—a notoriously picky eater. Unlike many dogs who eat with enthusiasm, Finch has always struggled to maintain a healthy weight. It was a constant battle to find food that he would not only eat but also thrive on. Luckily, after a long process of trial and error, we finally found Ollie.
Finch’s Feeding Journey
With his extreme pickiness, it was common for Finch to skip meals or even go whole days without eating. My vet chalked it up to his past, living in an outdoor pen with dozens of other dogs. While some pups in his situation might gulp whatever food they could find, Finch learned to do without. The result was a shy, nervous dog that ate just enough to survive. Seeing him miss out on something other dogs lived for—enjoying their meals—was heartbreaking.
I was cautiously optimistic when I learned that Ollie’s recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and utilize fresh, human-grade ingredients. Homecooked food was one of the most successful stops on Finch’s feeding journey. He loved the fresh ingredients, but purchasing, preparing, and storing homemade food was incredibly expensive and time-consuming (plus it monopolized all my storage containers)!
Getting Started with Ollie Dog Food
Instead of going to the store to shop for ingredients, Ollie shipped Finch’s perfectly portioned meals right to our door. First, I filled out a simple online questionnaire with basic info, including Finch’s weight, activity level, recipe preferences, and allergies. With Finch being a senior dog that has lost many teeth due to dental disease, I decided the Full Fresh Plan was best for his needs.
Out of the five flavor options, I decided Finch would most likely enjoy the Chicken Dish with Carrots, Beef Dish with Sweet Potato, and Pork Dish with Apples. Ollie also offers fresh food in Turkey Dish with Blueberries and Lamb Dish with Cranberries.
Finch’s two-week starter pack arrived less than a week after I submitted the questionnaire. The seven packages of fresh food were carefully packaged in an insulated box with dry ice. When I opened the box, it was so cold inside that steam rose out of it, and the packages of food were covered in frost!
Finch’s box also included:
- A personalized feeding guide
- Food storage container
- Fresh food scooper
- A FREE Embark Dog DNA Test! ($139 value)
Mess-Free, Convenient Feeding with Ollie
Finch’s meals arrived in easy-to-open, mess-free packages specifically tailored to his needs, along with a printed copy of his custom feeding guidelines. The meals were pre-portioned based on his specific dietary needs, which was a big help as I often worry about over- or under-feeding him. His plan recommends half a package per day, split into a quarter in the morning and a quarter at night.
One of the standout features of Ollie’s fresh food starter box is the storage container and scoop that come with it. The scoop greatly reduces mess and makes portioning out Finch’s food a snap. Once his meal is ready to serve, the airtight silicone “Puptainer” keeps the rest of the package fresh in the fridge until next time.
The Real Test: Finch Tries Ollie
As I mentioned above, Finch has tried many different diets over the years, from mainstream kibble to a homecooked diet recommended by a local holistic vet. While he liked the homemade food, I had concerns about the cost and prep time, not to mention getting the nutrient balance and portion sizes right.
When it came to trying Ollie, I was afraid Finch wouldn’t be willing to make the change. But once I opened the first thawed package and the aroma hit my nose, I was encouraged. Ollie smells just like the food I had been cooking for Finch. Not only can you see the chunks of fresh meat and veggies, you can smell them. And if my nose could pick up that scent, I knew Finch’s would, too.
We tried the Chicken and Carrots recipe first. As soon as I placed the plate in front of Finch, his nose started twitching. He gave the food a thorough inspection before taking the first tentative bite. The texture was new to him, but once he got into the flow, he didn’t stop eating until the plate was licked clean.
Over the following days, Finch tried the other two recipes: Beef with Sweet Potato and Pork with Apples. To my surprise, the pork turned out to be his favorite. I had never offered him apples as a treat before, and none of his previous diets contained pork as a protein source. Finch would have never experienced these healthy and delicious flavors if it weren’t for Ollie.
The Health Benefits I Want + The Fresh Food Finch Craves
Ollie’s variety of protein-rich recipes not only prevents Finch from getting bored with his food but also ensures he gets enough essential amino acids, making his diet both balanced and enjoyable. In addition to that all-important protein, each Ollie meal is packed with nutrient-dense superfoods like spinach and cranberries that provide essential vitamins and antioxidants, as well as fiber-rich ingredients like butternut squash, carrots, and peas that support healthy digestion. It’s a far cry from the bland, processed food I once struggled to feed him.
After two weeks on Ollie, Finch’s dull and itchy coat is noticeably softer and healthier, his nails are stronger, and his digestion has significantly improved from small, hard, sporadic poops to well-formed daily deposits. Better still, his energy levels have skyrocketed. He wants to go for longer walks and even initiates play sessions, which is so wonderful to see at his age. While he still has his senior dog days, the good days far outweigh the bad. Even Finch’s vet noticed a difference at his latest visit!
The biggest and most important change? Finch absolutely loves his food. Watching him eagerly anticipate mealtime has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. With his past as a malnourished rescue, seeing him enjoy food and maintain a healthy weight makes me so happy. Instead of turning his nose up or picking out little bits at a time, Finch eats with gusto. He hasn’t skipped a single meal since Ollie came into our lives!
More To Love About Ollie:
Food Safety & Convenience
One of my biggest concerns when feeding Finch is ensuring that his food is safe and nutritionally sound. Finding out that Ollie meets or exceeds all regulations from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)—a group that sets standards for pet food ingredients and ensures they are labeled clearly and truthfully—helped put my mind at ease. Their rigorous food safety and testing protocols, from production to delivery, give me confidence that Finch is getting the best possible nutrition from Ollie.
The Ollie App: Health Screenings & Much More
Ollie goes beyond providing high-quality food, treats, and supplements. They also offer health screenings right in their app. With just a quick photo upload, I can get personalized insights into Finch’s weight, digestion, skin & coat, and even dental health. As a senior dog parent, staying ahead of potential health concerns is a must, and Ollie makes it incredibly easy.
With the Ollie app, everything I need is right in the palm of my hand. Whether I want to switch up Finch’s recipes, add treats or supplements to his order, or tweak the delivery schedule, it’s all just a few taps away. No calling customer service, no hassle; just convenience, customization, and quality, all wrapped up in one simple app.
The Verdict: Is Ollie Worth It?
Transitioning Finch to Ollie has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for his health and happiness. The combination of fresh, high-quality ingredients, expert-formulated recipes, and top-tier safety standards has given him a new lease on life. He’s more energetic, his coat is healthier, and he’s finally maintaining a good weight. For any dog parent—especially those with picky eaters or senior dogs—Ollie is worth every penny.
Seeing Finch thrive in his golden years is priceless, and I have Ollie to thank for that.
The post How Ollie Dog Food Transformed My Picky Senior Dog’s Health appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
via Whisker Therapy