Where it started:Rocky changedeverything andI 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
Happy Howl (thehappyhowl.com) has 4,371 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5.
Also known as
thehappyhowl.com
Website
thehappyhowl.com
Category
Pet Stores
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 94% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Arrived in good time. My pup loves the food altho it is pricy.
My biggest issue is getting the food completely out of the container. Had to add some hot water and shake vigorously.
GM
Gabriel M.
Moldy food and pour customer service
I've gotten molded food told it would be made up in my next shipment never happened I lost my punch card when checking out and they stopped sending bags to keep the food safe after opening and it takes days to get a response from anyone I am not impressed with the customer service
Response from Happy HowlJul 26, 2026
We are so sorry for these frustrating mix-ups and for keeping you waiting on a reply. The previous replacements missed your shipment due to an old duplicate subscription that was canceled, but we have made sure to fix this: all 3 free replacement cartons are locked in and scheduled to ship with your August 4th order. We’ve also updated your account so extra storage bags are automatically included with all future shipments. Thank you for your patience while we get this sorted out!
JP
Julie Premo M.
My pups love this food!!!
My pups love this food!!!
Response from Happy HowlJul 24, 2026
That is music to our ears! We are so glad your pups are loving every single bite. Thank you for choosing Happy Howl for your furry family!
KM
KM
Seems ok
When we received it the box was very warm. I was unsure of the freshness. I opened a box or the turkey and two out of our three dogs gobbled it up, but the third turned his nose up (which he tends to do when food has gone bad.) I opened a box of the beef to see if he would have the same reaction and it was covered in white specks that looked like bacteria growth. I reached out to support and got a prompt reply explaining that their food is safe at high temps up to 119 degrees and that the white specks are congealed fat, not bacteria, which is common for beef. I opened another turkey box to be sure and there were no specks. My two dogs that like the food ate that right up and have not been sick, so I'm certain their response was correct. However, I did not appreciate the tone of the response, and because not all of our dogs love it I will likely not order again.
Response from Happy HowlJul 26, 2026
Hi Kristin,
Thank you for reaching out to us with your questions! We completely understand your caution when it comes to your pup's food, and we are happy to provide clarity on our packaging, storage instructions, and what you noticed in the cartons.
Delivery & Heat Protection Our food is fresh and shelf-stable, so it does not ship frozen or packed in ice. Our packaging is specifically designed to handle high shipping temperatures up to 119 degrees, and we’ve made continuous improvements over time to ensure the food remains completely safe at ambient temperatures until opened.
Storage Instructions Unopened cartons can be stored at room temperature in your pantry. Because our recipes use real, fresh ingredients without artificial preservatives, once a carton is opened, it must be refrigerated and will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
White Film / Speckles (Congealed Fat) What you are seeing is congealed fat—not mold. In a properly sealed, shelf-stable carton, mold cannot grow because there is no oxygen present after sterilization (mold will only grow if a carton has been pierced, which would look undeniably green/fuzzy and typically cause leaking).
During our cooking process, natural meat fats liquefy under heat and migrate toward the edges and top of the carton. As the box cools, this protein-fat fraction turns white or opaque and settles as a light film or speckles. This is a natural behavior of gently cooked, real-meat recipes (similar to how fat rises to the top of a crockpot and turns white as it cools).
This is not a safety concern at all. In fact, this is the healthiest form of fat with high bioavailability, allowing your dog's digestive system to easily convert it into energy!
Recipe Variations: You will notice this white fat crystallization more frequently in beef and lamb recipes than in leaner proteins like turkey, because beef and lamb naturally contain higher levels of saturated fats. Even within the same batch, slight variations in natural meat cuts can cause some cartons to show more visible fat specks than others while maintaining the exact same nutrient profile.
Refund Policy Because this order was purchased using a 40% off promotional discount code, it is non-refundable per our company policy. However, we want to fully reassure you that the food you received is completely fresh, safe, and wholesome for your pets to enjoy!
Please let us know if you have any additional questions—we are always here to help!
Warm Regards,
Devon
The Happy Howl Team
MR
Ms R.
Trying out a new dog food -I liked that it didn’t have to be…
I liked that it didn’t have to be frozen and it could be kept on the shelf, but unfortunately, my dog did not like it
Response from Happy HowlJul 24, 2026
We're so sorry your pup didn't take to it! We know how great it is to skip the frozen storage, so it's always a bummer when a selective eater turns up their nose. A quick tip that often helps is warming the food up for a few seconds in the microwave to enhance the natural smell, or using it as a meal topper alongside their current food. Thank you for giving Happy Howl a try!
JQ
Julie Q.
Love the packaging
Love the packaging, makes very easy to do the portions for my 2 dogs. Love that it doesn't take up freezer space. Tried 2 other maol order dog food and my dogs did not eat them.
Response from Happy HowlJul 24, 2026
We love hearing this! Finding a meal that picky pups actually gobble up—while keeping your freezer completely clutter-free—is a huge win. We're so glad the easy-portion packaging makes feeding two dogs a breeze, and we are so honored that Happy Howl won over your crew where other fresh foods couldn't! Give them both a big scratch behind the ears from us!
DT
Diane T.
Shipments seem to be faster than they…
Shipments seem to be faster than they were. Dogs love the taste. It's pretty convenient since no refrigeration is required unless opened
Response from Happy HowlJul 26, 2026
Fast shipping, happy dogs, and clutter-free counters—that’s a win-win-win! We're thrilled that your pups are devouring their meals and that the quick transit and shelf-stable convenience are hitting the mark for you. Thanks a ton for taking the time to share your feedback!
RL
Raymond L.
Fast shipping
Fast shipping, easy ordering, decent pricing.
Response from Happy HowlJul 24, 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic feedback! Fast, easy, and fair is what we aim for every time. We appreciate you being part of the pack!
