Stella & Chewy's Review: Is Freeze-Dried Raw Worth $28/kg?

4.3 ★★★★☆ Super-Premium
$28.00/kg ~$175/month for 60lb dog

Stella & Chewy's is the gold standard of freeze-dried raw dog food. Their dinner patties are 95% meat, organs, and bone — minimally processed and packed with nutrition. But at $28/kg, it's one of the most expensive dog foods on the market. Here's what you're actually paying for.

What Makes Stella & Chewy's Different

Most dog food is cooked at high temperatures (extrusion for kibble, baking for baked treats). Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried raw is made by freezing raw ingredients and then removing the water through vacuum pressure. This preserves the natural nutrients, enzymes, and amino acids that heat destroys.

The result is a food that's closer to what dogs ate before domestication — raw meat, organs, and bone. Each patty is 95% meat (muscle meat, organs, and bone) plus 5% fruits, vegetables, and added nutrients.

Monthly Cost by Dog Size

Dog WeightPatties/DayMonthly CostAnnual Cost
10 lbs1$50-70$600-840
25 lbs2-3$90-130$1,080-1,560
50 lbs4-6$150-200$1,800-2,400
70 lbs6-8$200-280$2,400-3,360
100 lbs8-12$280-400$3,360-4,800

Pros & Cons

✅ What's Good

  • 95% meat, organs, and bone — unmatched protein content
  • Minimal processing preserves natural nutrients
  • No preservatives, fillers, or artificial ingredients
  • Convenient freeze-dried format (no freezer needed)
  • Excellent for dogs with grain or protein allergies

❌ What's Not

  • Extremely expensive — most expensive in our database
  • Not WSAVA-compliant (no full-time nutritionist on staff)
  • Raw food carries bacterial risk for immunocompromised homes
  • High protein can cause issues for dogs with kidney disease
  • Not all dogs adjust well to raw diets

Who Should Buy Stella & Chewy's

Buy it if: You're committed to raw feeding but want the convenience of freeze-dried. Great for small to medium dogs where the cost is manageable. Also excellent for dogs with severe grain or protein allergies who can't tolerate kibble.

Skip it if: You have a large or giant breed — the cost becomes prohibitive ($200+/month). If your dog is healthy and does well on kibble, you're spending 4-5x more for marginal benefits.

Stella & Chewy's vs Other Raw Options

Compared to DIY raw ($80-120/month for a 60lb dog), Stella & Chewy's is 2-3x more expensive. But you're paying for convenience — no prep, no grinding, no supplement mixing. Compared to other freeze-dried brands, Stella & Chewy's is mid-to-high in price but consistently rated highest for ingredient quality.

Compare Raw vs Kibble Costs

Use our calculator to see how freeze-dried raw compares to every other brand for your specific dog.

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Compare Stella & Chewy's with Other Brands

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Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell MSc Animal Nutrition, Certified Pet Food Advisor (CPFA)

Data sourced from American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standards, ASPCA pet nutrition guidelines, AAFCO nutritional requirements, and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) nutritional guidelines. Our calculator uses the veterinary-standard Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula. Last reviewed May 2026.