Dog Standards was founded by Jessica Bevilacqua, the dog mom of a Husky named Boston.
At only six months old, Boston became very ill and after spending countless hours at animal hospitals and drawers full of medications that didn’t work, Bevilacqua said she decided she needed to take matters into her own hands.
She’s a self-proclaimed health nut and knew that what she fueled her own body with had a direct correlation on her health.
Thinking the same for her dog, she began researching different diets for dogs. Then she began cooking for Boston at home, and “in under a month he was a completely different dog.”
“No more constant itching, zero gas, silky fur, regular poops, so much energy and finally sleeping through the night,” she said.
Bevilacqua developed a recipe with the help of a veterinary nutritionist and with Boston’s improved health, she launched Dog Standards with a mission to make dogs healthier and happier by providing a convenient fresh dog food subscription service.
“Food is medicine for us and the same is true for our pets. Countless customers share stories of weight management, elimination of skin conditions and allergies, improved behaviour . . . the list goes on,” said Bevilacqua, who has experienced 30 per cent month-over-month sales increases and a nearly 100 per cent rise in revenue since last year.
“I was inspired to create Dog Standards after I saw how fresh food extended and improved my own dogs’ life. My mission is to empower pet parents to provide healthier feeding options, and have it be convenient and properly balanced.
“Dog Standards was founded out of desperation to save my dog who was suffering from daily seizures. Despite consulting multiple vets, nothing worked, so I started researching and discovered that most dog food is highly processed and unfit for human consumption. That’s when I started preparing fresh meals for him in my kitchen.
“The results were astounding—his seizures dropped from daily to just once every four months. Seeing the transformation, I realized how powerful food can be as medicine, and I wanted to help other pet parents achieve the same results by switching to fresh, gently cooked meals enhanced with superfoods.
“This was about 10 years ago when fresh dog food was a niche concept—there weren’t even fridges in pet stores. Now, it’s become a movement, and I’m proud to have been at the forefront of pioneering this new category in dog nutrition. Now business is really taking off and we’re rapidly expanding into new markets with new offerings.”
She said the company primarily operates as a subscription-based, freshly cooked dog food company, and it’s unique in offering vet-led meal planning with every subscription. It’s an important offering that ensures every dog is on a plan unique to their nutritional needs.
“I believe there’s strength in having both a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model and a physical presence. It allows customers to see the product in person, enhances brand visibility, and aligns us with trusted pet retailers. Currently, Dog Standards is available at a handful of boutique pet stores that prioritize high-quality and natural food solutions such as Good Boy Collective in Vancouver, and in Toronto: Treat Bar, Shop Juju, and Juju Grooms. We plan on expanding into other doors. We’re also gearing up to launch online in the U.S., and we have a new product innovation set to debut at select retailers across Canada and online across North America,” said Bevilacqua.
“We’ve seen word-of-mouth as a major driver of our growth, with many customers noticing improvements in their dogs’ health within just 28 days. Additionally, millennials make up a large portion of today’s pet parents, and they tend to treat their pets like family members. Just as they are health-conscious about their own diets, they’re equally mindful of what their pets consume. They’ve seen firsthand how Dog Standards’ high-quality, freshly cooked food can drastically improve their dogs’ quality of life.”
Dog Standards is the only company of its kind in Canada providing vet-led meal planning and a tailored feeding guide with every subscription. This includes a 20-minute phone call with one of Canada’s leading experts in dog nutrition and ensures every delivery has just the right amount of food—down to the gram.
With 59 per cent of dogs now overweight or obese—a condition linked to diseases like cancer—the need for healthier feeding practices has never been more urgent, said the company.
It said managing weight is the number one way pet parents can extend lives as Canadian veterinarians have identified weight control/management as the number-one thing a pet owner can do to increase the length of their pet’s life. Also, a Purdue University Study found that switching dog food with just 25 per cent real food, may decrease the risk of cancer by up to 90 per cent.
“In my expert opinion, research shows about half of all senior pets get cancer and nearly 60 per cent of all dogs are overweight,” said Dr. Suzee Camilleri, DVSc, and veterinary pathologist. “I have seen first-hand with my own dogs how a fresh diet can eliminate skin conditions and improve health to help increase their lifespans. The good news is diet is within pet parents’ control.”
