$49.99
If you want a healthier dog, you’ll feed fresh food. bestie + fresh meat protein makes a complete and balanced meal – and boosts health.
Meat is great, but it doesn’t give dogs all they need. bestie’s 19 super-nutritious whole foods add the missing elements to make a complete and balanced fresh meal.
bestie also boosts gut, immune and joint health, because it adds more than the ‘complete and balanced’ minimum.
Mix with fresh protein, for a meal in seconds.
When you switch to fresh feeding, using meat + bestie, you’re likely to see some changes.
People say that making fresh food is now almost as convenient as getting it from a bag, and they’re more confident they’re doing the right thing. They’re less worried – and that’s a good thing!
They also report health improvements in their dogs, after they've been on meat + bestie for a while:
Dogs are more active with a pep in the step.
Dogs lose weight (the bestie app plays a role here).
Poos are smaller and healthier (and yes, a little less stinky!)
Coats are softer, glossier and skin healthier.
Chronic inflammation-related, conditions diminish.
bestie even suits most notoriously fussy eaters - with the right protein and transition!
Apple, carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin and kale: together, these Australian-sourced fruit and veg make a powerful mix. The orange veg are rich in betacarotene, a precursor of vitamin A and a powerful antioxidant. Kale is also rich in betacarotene as well as lutein, and other vitamins and minerals. Apple is a good source of vitamins and dietary fibre. Shiitake mushrooms add a range of minerals and vitamins, especially copper and vitamin B5. These medicinal mushrooms also contain antioxidants, among them the amino acid ergothioneine, the subject of much research as a natural and 'adaptive' antioxidant).
Kakadu plum, Manuka honey, and sea kelp: these uniquely Australian superfoods play a key role. Kakadu plum has more than five times the antioxidant value of blueberries, and is super-rich in vitamins C, E and lutein. Sea kelp, hand-harvested on the Australian coast, is a potent source of iodine.
They combine with kale and wheatgrass, which is packed with chlorophyll, vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, as well as minerals zinc, iron, selenium, and manganese.
Two imported super herbs round out the mix: nettle, rich in chlorophyll, trace minerals and vitamins; and chicory root, high in inulin and a natural prebiotic.
Prebiotics, in the form of chicory root and brewer's yeast, support the growth of probiotics, a group of 'friendly' bacteria that help with gut health and in turn, immune system health. The ALLROUNDER includes live spores of B. coagulans MTCC 5856 strain at a strength of 1.47 billion CFU per 5 grams of ALLROUNDER.
Green lipped mussel from NZ contains glycosaminoglycans, glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as zinc, and magnesium, all beneficial for good joint health. In addition, green lipped mussel along with cod liver oil, provides omega-3 fatty acids.
The cod liver oil we use, is made from wild caught, sustainably sourced Norwegian Arctic cod. This cod liver oil is rich in omega-3s, including EPA and DHA, which support heart, brain, vision, and joint health, as well as vitamins A and D.
MCHA (or Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite) bone meal is extracted from Australian certified BSE-free, pasture-fed cattle. It's a natural bone replacement that provides the proper calcium and phosphorus balance.
Beef bones from Australian cattle are boiled under high pressure for more than six hours to extract all the nutrients; the broth is then dried using innovative low temperature processing. (See below.) They're packed with trace minerals and a great taste!
Nutritional yeast is an inactive form of yeast that's a also a complete protein - containing the 10 amino acids that dogs need. It's also packed with B-vitamins, including B12 (typically only found in meat), has an abundance of trace minerals and the powerful antioxidants glutathione and selenomethionine. It also contains the carbs beta-glucan and alpha-mannan, that boost the immune system.
There’s no doubt that kibble, even the premium kind, is a cost-effective way to feed a dog. Well, cost-effective in the short term that is. Add in the cost of poor health…and maybe that bag of kibble isn’t really so cheap after all. Plus, should we really feed our dogs like it’s still 1950 - out of bag? (What matters more - super convenience or pretty convenient good health.)
That said, if we want to feed fresh, how much does it cost? Does it fit your circumstances? Below is a guide…
This little Pom is 3.7kg! But let’s assume we’re talking dogs more like 5kg, then the daily cost of meat+bestie would be less than a coffee a day. Seriously. And that’s way less. For a 5kg dog, you’ll get about 80 serves of bestie out of a 350gm pack and the bestie will work out to about $1.50 a day on average. The total daily cost will be between $2.20 and $5 a day, depending on the protein you use. (That’s not per meal, but per day.)
For an average dog of say 10kg, then the daily cost of meat+bestie will be somewhere from a coffee to a coffee plus a bit a day. For a 10kg dog, you’ll get about 50 serves of bestie out of a 350gm pack and the bestie will work out to about $2.55 a day on average. The total daily cost will be between $3.70 and $7 a day, depending on the protein you use. (That’s not per meal, but per day.)
For a dog of say 30kg, then the daily cost of meat+bestie will be somewhere between $7.50 and $13.50 a day – based on using human grade meat at an average cost of about 12.60/kg. (You may do better than this.) For a 30kg dog, you’ll get about 61 serves of bestie out of a 1kg pack and the bestie will work out to about $3.60 a day on average.
For a dog of say 50kg, then the daily cost of meat+bestie will be somewhere between $11 and $18 day – based on using human grade meat at an average cost of about 12.60/kg. (You may do better than this.) For a 50kg dog, you’ll get about 42 serves of bestie out of a 1kg pack and the bestie will work out to about $5.30 a day on average.
Why does the cost fluctuate? Well, not only do different proteins cost different amounts per kg, but they should really be fed in different quantities. Why? Well, the energy given to the dog by roo, for example, on a gram for gram basis, is less than that given by lamb. That means you’d need to feed MORE roo to give the dog the same amount of energy as that given by say 100grams of lamb.
While some other products provide a one-protein-fits-all feed quantity, that will mean the dog is being given less energy than they need, on some days. Don’t worry though, the bestie app works out the right quantity, based on the proteins you’re feeding.
Add a dash of water to bestie.
Add your fresh protein.
Mix together and serve.
Apple powder, bone broth powder, carrot powder, sweet potato powder, MCHA bone meal powder, cod liver oil, organic wheat grass powder, organic pumpkin powder, organic shiitake mushroom powder, kale powder, green lipped mussel, nutritional yeast, probiotic (bacillus coagulans), kelp powder, organic nettle powder, organic chicory root powder, kakadu plum powder, manuka honey powder, iodised salt.
All our fruit, veg, Manuka and bone broth powders are gently processed in Australia, using an innovative low temperature processing method, refractance window drying. RWD helps retain more nutrients through the drying process than other typical dehydration methods like drum drying. For example, research shows that about 56% of carotenes are lost during drum drying vs 8.7% during RFW.
(Most of the dehydrated fruit and veg powders available in Australia don't use RFW and they're also imported from China or other sources. They're often spray dried. Spray dried products often suffer from high volatile losses due to atomisation and high air temperature of 150-300°C, as well as significant nutrient losses.)
RW drying can retain heat sensitive vitamins, colour, phytochemicals content and antioxidant activity at similar levels to freeze-dried products, but with about half the energy consumption.
We're using 100% carbon-neutral shipping with Sendle, and mailing satchels made from biodegradable and home-compostable materials. In fact, even though it looks and feels a hellavalot like plastic, it's actually made from 70-80% PBAT (a co-polymer that is completely biodegradable) and 20-30% PLA (which is a fancy way of saying cornstarch).
In a commercial compostable environment, it will break-down within 90 days. At home, it may take up to 120 days.
(We're still working on the product packs themselves.)
Transitioning from one food to another depends on the dog, and the food they're used to getting, so go easy, initially. Start by replacing a small portion of their usual diet with your homemade fresh food and see how that goes. Then keep adding a little more fresh food to each meal as you slowly decrease the amount of their previous food.
Watch for any signs of vomiting and/or loose poo; this probably means you're transitioning a bit too quickly. If you are, slow down a little.
(Read more about transitioning in our FAQs.)
We have only been using the supplement a short time, however Nala is loving the mix. Her coat is shiny, she is losing a little bit of weight and she is just as mad as ever.
That is excellent news!Glad to hear Nala loves it. (And assume the little bit of weight loss is a good thing for her.)
Great service - prompt! Great follow up! Great product! She just loves dinner time now
Thrilled to hear Rosie loves it.
Their noses begin twitching the moment the heat of my sandwich toaster starts to cook the Crikkies mixture. Between a folded sheet of baking paper I lay the thin chocolate bar shaped mixture, marked with small squares, and slowly cook them on a low heat setting. It can take up to 20 minutes but my geriatric companions don’t care how long it takes. They lay in waiting until they’re cooled enough to eat, then, they know when I’m breaking pieces off for them. That’s when they start jumping. I never feel guilty giving them two as they’re the healthiest treats i have come across in their nearly 15 years. Crikey those Crikkies are good!!
Hilarious! You are a creative food-genius! Thanks so much and glad they love them.
I rolled the first lot to thin it was a bit dry my girls still ate it.The next lot ok.l found the smell wasnt as nice as the balanced bestie .My girls didnt worry about that.
Thank you Maureen! Smell is a funny thing isn't it? I've had a couple of people say the same as you and others, myself included, love the smell and think it's nutty-sort of and spicy. Glad it tasted good to your girls though!
Our dogs are important members of our family and I like fussing over them. At the same time I don't forget that they are a different species and therefore have completely different dietary requirements. Since our dogs go for long walks and are generally kept very active it is important for me that they don’t eat empty calories but instead everything they eat is good for them and provides them with the energy they need. I was very excited when I was asked to test Crikkies since I love trying new healthy ways to feed our dogs. I bought some cheap cookie cutters from the supermarket and even though I have very limited cooking and baking skills the biscuits turned out great. While they were in the oven our dog Sylvester waited in front of the oven to make sure he wouldn’t miss his treats once they were finished. All three dogs loved them. I would definitely recommend them since they are such a fun way to reward your dog.
Thanks so much for being a tester, and for your great review! We are so thrilled Sylvester and co like them…
I thoroughly enjoyed CRIKKIES as training treats. My dogs really loved it. I think it is a unique alternative to the usual beef / chicken treats, which my dogs really enjoyed. I also loved the idea, that I can bake my own cookies., and next time I'll use my new purchased Snoopy cookie cutters.
Thank you Bente! So glad they (and you) enjoyed them!
I love my bake yo cricket treats .♡
Oh, that is priceless...
I'm happy to announce that we were chosen to be testers for this product. I have a fussy little one and I am excited to say that he loves his bake yo cricket treats. And they are quite tasty if I should say so myself. I have a habit of tasting a tiny bit of what I give my little boy except for Raw meat of course.. what an amazing guilt-free product. And you have the privilege of making it yourself.. I recommend this amazing products to every pet parent, you will love yourself for it. Knowing that you are feeding an amazing complete and balanced healthy treat to your fur babies is an amazing feeling.
Thanks so much Ann for being an early tester and for your great feedback. We're super-thrilled you and your little one love them! (And thanks for that special line...you know which one!)
Love Love Love!! My 3 fur babies thought Christmas had come early when I began making these Crikkies over the weekend. Not to mention how pleased they were when they all got to take turns in licking the bowl This product is such a great idea, especially for us Raw Feeders that are extremely conscious about what we feed our pups. The ingredient list is so interesting and so well thought out. I never knew Crickets were so nutritious!! They are also SUPER EASY to make, even for a novice cook like myself Thanks again Bestie for making yet another fantastic, highly palatable and healthy product for our beloved fur babies.
Thanks so much Lauren - it was a bit of an experiment to begin with but I'm thrilled that you and your pack love them. (And thanks for being an early tester!)
We were one of the lucky ones to test out the Bake-Yo-Crikkies. I am a raw feeder so I am all about making my own treats and knowing EXACTLY what my babies are getting! Full of only the best ingredients you know you are feeding high quality treats, you can also have some fun with them if you are feeling like getting yo bake on I wasn’t aware of Cricket Powder being a ‘thing’ and how beneficial it actually is - we will be including it more in our diets that’s for sure! Thanks again Bestie another great product!
Thanks heaps for this - and for taking the time to test and give us your insights. Much appreciated!
Easy process to order. I wasn't sure if my dog (kelpie x staffy) was going to like this stuff but she seems to; she even likes licking the bowl I've mixed it in so that's good. To soon to see any health benefits but it all sounds good to me. I must admit it does make it easier giving her raw / home cooked food and knowing that if I add bestie to it then she's getting all the vitamins and minerals she needs.
That's excellent news! Thanks so much for your feedback, and do let us know how Milly progresses. (Glad it's making your life easier too.)
Seems like a great product. Dog’s love it. Very responsive service.
Thanks! We're thrilled that Jax & Meea love it.
My 3 little dogs just love Bestie will definitely keep ordering Thank You
Thank you Mary! We're so glad they like it!
We REALLY love your product! I have 3 dogs, all of which I raw feed. My issue is that I am not always on top of making bone broth, the veggie mix and all the extra little additions that help boost their diet for every meal. So far though.. 1 of my frenchies has an autoimmune disorder and has been suffering from hotspots pretty badly on and off for the past year. Since being on Bestie (2 months) .. he hasn’t had anymore hotspots!! So we are absolutely amazed!! Our 2nd Frenchie was an ex breeding rescue and came to us 2yrs ago on a kibble diet and a really bad stomach (projectile yellowish diarrhoea for weeks) We switched her to raw and it got better, but didn’t fix it. Again, since being on Bestie, we have noticed she never has runny **** left on her butt, which she did quite frequently prior to Bestie!! And our 3rd dog is a 13yr old Staffy x Ridgeback and thankfully she never really gets sick. But we’ve noticed she seems to have more energy and mobility than before?! So all in all, we are super thrilled with your product. Dogs seem to LOVE the flavour too. The only thing I would like to see changed is a larger bag size. As having 3 dogs I’d like to be able to buy in bulk and save a bit of money. Thanks so much!!
They are adorable, and I'm super-thrilled that you are too! Excellent news. And standby for the 1kg pack...out soon, promise.
I love the smell and power is easy to mix.My two girls love it to and look for more.l feel comfortable useing the product because of all the good ingredients .
Thank you! That is so good to hear. Thrilled that Jessie and Molly love it.
We have given our 2 dogs Bestie's kitchen with turkey mince, chicken mince and beef mince, they love it and they lick the bowls clean.
So glad that Tara and Benny love bestie! Thank you for your feedback.
