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Do you love the idea of fresh dog food made with human-grade ingredients but need a vegan option? Meet Bramble, a unique dog food designed to look and taste like real meat. I took a detailed look at this rather unique company to learn more. Can plant-based recipes satisfy a dog like real meat? Does Bramble provide complete and balanced nutrition? I will answer these questions and more. Let’s get into it.
Bramble Dog Food Review
Summary
Bramble is a groundbreaker in vegan dog food. The company makes whole-food recipes containing human-grade ingredients just for dogs. These recipes offer flavor and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. The company is also dedicated to reducing the impact of animal consumption in the food industry. We think their options are top-of-the-line and offer a unique, extremely healthy meal option for almost any pup.
Our team determines our overall rating of dog food based on several factors, including nutritional value, quality of ingredients, variety, pricing, customer service and reputation, customer reviews, and more.
Overall Score
Pros
- Freshly made food
- Top quality ingredients
- No artificial elements or preservatives
- Delivered to your door
- 100% plant-based recipes
- Good for dogs with food allergies
- Developed by animal nutritionists
- Ingredients sourced in the USA
- Meets AAFCO guidelines
- Sample pack available to try
Cons
- High price
- Only available through the brand website
- Not for puppies
- Takes up freezer room
Key Features
- 100% vegan
- Human-grade ingredients
- High protein recipes
- Small business
- Woman-owned business
- Made in the USA
Brand History
Bramble is relatively new to the pet food industry, launching in May 2021. The company was started by Amanda Rolat, a pet owner who sadly lost a dog to cancer. In the process, she learned that fresh, home-cooked meals that use whole foods are more beneficial for dogs when they have cancer. After her pup’s passing, the loss inspired her to look closer at the concept of whole-food meals for dogs.
Along with wanting to provide her pets with better, more nutritious food, she also wanted to help reduce the mass consumption of animal products used in both human and pet food. Bramble aims to find a better way to feed pets that also helps the planet.
Working closely with animal nutritionists, Bramble provides fresh, 100% plant-based, whole-food meals for your pup delivered right to your door. These non-processed meals offer dogs all the protein, fat, fiber, and nutrients they need to stay healthy and satisfied. All recipes are formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO’s dog nutrient profiles for adult maintenance. Every formula contains a nutrient blend to ensure that they are fully balanced.
Bramble Dog Food Ingredients
Bramble uses 100% whole food and plant-based ingredients with no animal protein or by-products. Ingredients include organic pea protein, sweet potatoes, lentils, carrots, peas, apples, potatoes, chickpeas, butternut squash, garbanzo beans, rice, and other ingredients like organic sunflower oil, nutritional yeast, and vitamin and mineral additives. Recipes do not include any preservatives. All ingredients are human-grade and sourced in the United States.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Both of Bramble’s formulas are very high in protein and fat, which can be a health concern for some dogs, so be sure to talk with your vet before switching to these recipes. A high-fat, high-protein diet isn’t recommended for dogs with pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, and those who are overweight or obese.
Has Bramble Dog Food Been Recalled?
As of this writing, the brand has not had any recalls. This is fantastic news, as it means that the company is on the right track and providing a safe product for pets.
Bramble Dog Food Reviews
Currently, Bramble offers two recipes. One is grain-free, and the other is grain inclusive. The company sometimes offers special recipes for holidays and other notable occasions.
Bramble The Cowbell Recipe Review
The Cowbell is a savory, decadent, high-protein recipe that includes superfoods. It is grain-free, so it is perfect for pups with grain sensitivities or owners who want their pets to be on a grain-free diet.
The Cowbell recipe packs a punch of protein and flavor. This recipe uses organic pea protein, sweet potato, lentils, carrots, organic sunflower oil, peas, and apples. Along with fresh vegetables and fruits it also includes malt extract, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, organic flax oil, a nutrient blend, vitamins, and minerals.
The Cowbell recipe has 11% crude protein (min), 7% crude fat (min), 1% crude fiber (min), and 65% moisture (max). Bramble’s Cowbell recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
Bramble The Roost Recipe Review
The Roost is a hearty recipe that includes potatoes, chickpeas, and nutrient-dense vegetables to create a high-protein, vegan feast. This recipe starts with organic pea protein, long grain brown rice, garbanzo beans, potato, carrots, organic sunflower oil, peas, malt extract, nutritional yeast, squash, tapioca starch, organic flax oil, blueberries, and a nutrient and mineral mix as well as other vitamin additives.
Your pup will get plenty of protein as the Roost recipe packs 12.5% crude protein (min), 8% crude fat (min), 1% crude fiber (min), and 65% moisture (max).
Bramble’s pricing depends on the size of the box you choose. Options are available for a topper plan and small, medium, and large dogs. Boxes are delivered weekly and shipped out every Tuesday. Recipes are shipped frozen on dry ice and must be thawed before serving. Do not heat up to thaw out; the recipes contain heat-sensitive nutrients.
Our Personal Experience With Bramble Vegan Dog Food
Our dog is on a veggie diet and a picky eater. After trying various kibbles, we found one that didn’t upset his tummy, but he wasn’t a fan of the taste or texture. We sprinkle Bramble as a topper, and he loves it now! He gets so excited for meal time, and before, he wouldn’t eat. We even mix his medication in, and he doesn’t notice it in the wet food. Each shipment comes with 8 frozen 1-pound packs of food to store in the freezer until you need it and thaw it out. (The box itself was very eco-friendly with no waste). It also comes with a clip to seal the bag once you open it. There is no strong odor, and the consistency is soft and easy to scoop (compared to canned foods we’ve tried in the past).
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Parent, Marketing for Canine Journal
Price
You can order single recipes or a mix of recipes in each box. And you can save over 4% if you sign up for auto-shipping.
- Sample pack (4 8-oz packets): $45
- Fresh food starts at (box of 22 8-oz packets): $132
- Treats start at (2-pack of 8-oz bags) $28
Frequently Asked Questions
Switching to fresh, whole-food nutrition can greatly benefit your pup’s health, but I know there are plenty of questions about feeding dogs vegan diets. I’ve answered a few of the most often-asked questions below, but if I still need to get to yours, just let me know in the comments section.
Can Dogs Survive On A Vegan Diet?
Bramble is a complete and balanced plant-based diet backed by some research. Bramble’s feeding trial determined that Bramble’s protein is just as digestible as animal protein, and Bramble’s fat is even more digestible. Dogs fed Bramble had lower cholesterol and triglycerides and healthier microbiomes than dogs fed chicken-based kibble.
However, keep in mind that there are few scientific studies about the health outcomes of dogs on a vegan diet, particularly those eating plant-based food for years. For this reason, some veterinarians may not recommend a vegan diet. Plant-based dog food is also off-limits for puppies.
Still, for some pups with dietary allergies or those who have issues digesting animal proteins like chicken, a vegan diet can be beneficial to their health as it eliminates many digestive difficulties.
Is Bramble Safe For Dogs With Medical Conditions?
Bramble does not currently offer any prescription diets, but the team is more than happy to discuss your pup’s specific dietary and medical needs with its board-certified veterinary nutritionists to determine if its recipes are the right fit. If you are considering a change for your pup with a medical condition, you should discuss this switch with your veterinarian.
Most vets agree that vegan diets aren’t healthy for dogs with a propensity to develop dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a hereditary heart condition that’s also been linked to some grain-free dog foods and food containing high levels of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, etc.). The current thinking is that these dogs require animal-based proteins. Breeds at a higher risk for DCM include German Shepherds, Boxers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and more.
Is Bramble A Good Dog Food?
Bramble is exceptionally high quality. It provides your pup with a complete and balanced diet and meets the standard nutritional guidelines set by the AAFCO for adult maintenance. The brand uses nutrient-dense, human-grade, superfood ingredients to provide dogs with a satisfying taste and a nutritious diet.
What’s Our Final Verdict?
One of the best decisions we pet parents can make for our dogs is fresh, less processed nutrition. While feeding our dogs a vegan diet is not as common as animal-based protein, for many dogs, it may be beneficial to their health. Their approach is more than a bunch of vegetables blended together. These meticulously crafted recipes are full of powerful nutrients and great flavor and are friendly to the planet. While the price is high, it is not unreasonable or exorbitant considering the care put into the production of the food and the extremely high-quality ingredients.
What About Vegan Dog Treats?
Along with top-quality food, our pups always need those extra little nibbles in the form of tasty treats. Vegan dog treats are quite tasty and can be an excellent choice if you have your pup on a vegan diet or simply want a healthier choice. You can learn more about some of the top options and our personal experience in our reviews of the best vegan dog treats. We also cover low-calorie treats and share some recipes for frozen dog treats. And, if you want to try another rather unique dog food, check out our review of Chippin, cricket-based dog food.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a lifelong dog lover and animal advocate. She has a special place in her heart for rescue animals and has given many rescue animals a loving home. Danielle works tirelessly as a professional researcher and writer to bring pet owners the most recent, valid, and valuable information. She has a particular interest in pet behavior and dog nutrition. With the help of her two rescue pups, Daisy and Falkor, she has reviewed and tested over 50 pet food brands.
