Our story & process
For the ones who never leave your side.
Happy Howl started with one sick dog, one frustrated owner, and a simple question, why isn't there real food for dogs?
Where it started
Rocky changed
everything.
I never set out to start a dog food company.
My husky Rocky had the worst stomach on the planet. Years of vet visits, prescription diets, and hundreds spent on premium food brands. We tried everything. Nothing worked.
So I decided to build it myself. 36 recipe iterations. Countless hours with vets and nutritionists. All chasing one question: what’s the best food we could possibly make for a dog? When we finally got it right, Rocky was the proof.
He hasn't been sick in over 18 months. He runs three miles with me every morning. That's the standard every Happy Howl bowl is held to. Nothing less.
Colin Buckley
– Founder
made with love
Canine evolutionary
nutritionist.
My name is Dr. Mark Roberts, and I work as a canine evolutionary nutritionist.
I’m in a unique position, whereby I have a strong academic background, combined with many years developing and formulating pet food for several companies around the world.
My approach is grounded in objective, science-backed research, with a focus on cutting through the noise in pet nutrition. At Happy Howl, I use that experience to help ensure every formula is built on evidence, so dog owners can feel confident in what they’re feeding their dogs.
Ultimately, I want to disentangle the numerous myths and misconceptions around pet food. The end result, being pet owners will be in a better position to make a decision on what it is they want to feed their best friend!
Dr. Mark Roberts, PhD
– head of nutrition
The hard truth
Most dog food, isn't food.
The pet food industry has been getting away with it for decades. We think you deserve to know.
Our goal was simple. Create food made with real, recognizable ingredients that support long-term health.
How we do it
Real Food. Made Right.
By carefully controlling cooking temperatures, moisture levels, and packaging, we keep meals fresh and safe without artificial preservatives.
Step 01 - Ingredients
Start with real ingredients
Every recipe begins with human-grade proteins and vegetables sourced from US farms. If we wouldn't eat it, it doesn't go in. Full stop.
- 100% human-grade proteins
- Sourced from us farms
- Zero filler ingredients
- Made in USDA-grade kitchens
Step 02 - Cooking
Steam & pressure cook
Our gentle steam and pressure cooking locks in nutrients and natural flavours without harsh heat. More goodness makes it into every bowl.
- No flash-heat processing
- Vitamins and minerals stay intact
- Natural flavours preserved
- Nutrients locked in, not cooked out
Step 03 - Packaging
Sealed & packaged fresh
Each meal is sealed in BPA-free, recyclable TetraPak cartons straight from our kitchen. No preservatives needed. Shelf stable for up to 2 years.
- BPA-free, recyclable cartons
- Eliminates harmful bacteria
- Shelf stable up to 2 years
- Fresh for 6 days after opening
100% Human-Grade Ingredients
Single-Source Animal Protein
Zero Added Preservatives
Made by Canine Nutrionists
The difference it makes
You'll see it in the bowl.
Gentle cooking preserves what matters. Real ingredients deliver what your dog actually needs.
Giving back
Every bowl helps another dog find theirs
A portion of every Happy Howl order goes directly to dog rescue organisations across the country. Because every dog deserves a full bowl.
When you feed your dog better, you help another dog find a home. That's a meal worth eating.
- Donated to rescue organizations to date
- $50,520
- Rescue partners across the us
- 10
- Of every order contributes
- 4%
Frequently Asked
Happy Howl is the most dog-obsessed dog food brand. We have created our company with two things in mind: the best animals on earth and the people who love them most! We also pride ourselves on helping rescues and communities. Our dog-obsessed partnership program helps bring revenue to the people we love most: the dog obsessed. We are also focused on researching and developing the highest quality food, treats and desserts to bring to market in a shelf stable capacity to ensure the food is healthy, convenient, and environmentally friendly.
Transparency is an important part of who we are. Not only do we believe dogs deserve better, but so do you. We’re completely up front about what goes into our food. You can find out more about all our ingredients in each recipe on our recipes page.
Happy Howl is designed to be enjoyed by dogs of all ages, including seniors and puppies, and those with dental challenges. Our meals have a stew-like texture that can easily be served as-is or gently mashed for easier eating, making it accessible for dogs with no teeth or limited chewing ability.
We recommend starting with small servings and monitoring your dog’s comfort as they transition to our food. Many pet parents have seen seniors and puppies thrive on Happy Howl thanks to its high-quality, wholesome ingredients.
Here’s how it works:
- 100% Human-Grade Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced from local US farms
- The raw ingredients for each individual meal are measured and filled into our BPA free cartons and then vacuum sealed.
- The sealed cartons are then steam-pressure cooked, this eliminates harmful bacteria and retains all nutritional value of the cooked ingredients within the walls of the carton. No need for preservatives
- Once cooked, the food retains it’s quality, freshness and shelf stability for up to 24-months as long as it’s unopened.
This is how we achieve a 2 year shelf life with zero preservatives!
All Happy Howl food exceeds AAFCO standards for complete and balanced full meal plans for all life stages; including puppies, adult, elderly dogs, and dogs over 140 lbs. In addition, all of our food is made with 100% human grade ingredients.
Our food is cooked in small batches in a USDA-grade kitchen and goes through a strict testing process from a certified third-party for quality assurance before it ever leaves our facility. We go the extra mile so you can feel confident that you are feeding your dog the highest quality dog food on the market.
Every dog is different. Variables like weight, age, activity level and current healthcare are important factors when calculating how many calories your dog should eat in a day. We make this easy.
When you first join Happy Howl we’ll ask you questions about your dog to determine how much they should be fed and we’ll provide a handy feeding schedule so you know exactly how much to give them at each meal, no matter how many times a day you are feeding them.
Yes! You have two options to choose from:
- One-time purchase, one purchase with zero commitment to a subscription.
- Subscribe and save, save 20% on every recurring order+ rewards and more.
You can manage your subscription by logging in with your email you used during checkout. Please visit our "LOG IN" page at the top of the screen.
We promote rescues and support their mission to help dogs find a furever home or the care they need. As part of our Happy Dogs promise, we are aiming to ease the financial burden on rescues that are doing good in the world through more than just monetary and food assistance. Not only do we promote rescues in our email, social and on our site but we provide affiliate codes for your supporters. You receive commission for every dog that signs up, for every order -- not just the first one.
If you are interested in partnering with Happy Howl, fill out our rescue partnership form here and we will be in touch! Apply Here
Have more questions? See our FAQ page or Chat with us!
Education
Better food starts here
Nutrition tips, ingredient breakdowns, and real guidance to help your pup thrive.
Complete the bowl
More ways to nourish
Supplements, treats, and everyday essentials made to support healthier, happier dogs.
Free, Fast Shipping
On all U.S. orders
Flexible Subscriptions
Budget friendly meal plan options
Bowls Beyond Your Own
Helping rescue dogs across America
Join our happy howlers