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
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The company replied to 94% of reviews.
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Most recent review: October 2026.
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Sorry, but my dog did not like any of the flavors of the food...
I did like the concept of shelf stable dog food.
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
Thank you so much for giving all three of our recipes a shot! We are so sorry to hear they weren't a hit with your dog, but we know that some pups can just be extra particular about their bowls. If you have any remaining unopened boxes, passing them along to a local shelter or a furry friend is a wonderful way to ensure they still go to a great cause. Best wishes to you and your pup!
MI
Mitzz
Product has peas and legumes which are…
Product has peas and legumes which are harmful for dogs. Can affect there heart
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
We hear your concern and deeply respect how closely you watch out for your pup's heart health. Our recipes are carefully formulated to include peas only in controlled, healthy amounts as a natural source of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants to support digestion and muscle health. They are never used to replace high-quality meat, which remains our primary ingredient. Thank you so much for your honest feedback and for looking out for the dogs in our community!
DP
Donna P.
I can’t get my Maggie to eat Happy Howl…
I can’t get my Maggie to eat Happy Howl meals. Maggie is a 1 year old Shih Tzu. Each box I open, I end up throwing in the garbage. There must be something in the formula that offends her senses.
I am so sorry she won’t eat it as it is so convenient and easy to serve.
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
It is always a bummer when a pup doesn't immediately love their new food, especially when you love how easy it is to serve! To help Maggie get past whatever is offending her sharp little senses, we suggest starting small and mixing a tiny bit of Happy Howl into her current food, gradually increasing it over a few days. Slightly warming the food for 10 seconds in a microwave-safe bowl can also completely transform the aroma and make it much more appetizing for a young Shih Tzu. Thank you for your patience while trying us out, and we hope these tips help turn things around!
VI
VIRGINIA
My dog won’t eat it
My dog won’t eat it. I’m sure it’s fine. But not for us.
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
We completely understand—every pup has their own unique tastes, and sometimes a recipe just isn't the perfect match! We truly appreciate your understanding and your kind words about the food. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us a try and for sharing your honest feedback. We wish you and your pup the absolute best!
SC
Sharron C.
Brody will not eat
Brody will not eat. Donating the food to a shelter. Does not look or smell appetizing.
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
We are so sorry to hear that our food didn't appeal to Brody and that you found the appearance and scent disappointing. We always want our meals to be a hit, so we truly appreciate your honest feedback. Thank you so much for your kindness in deciding to pass the remaining food along to a local rescue—it means the world to us that those meals will still go toward helping dogs in need!
KA
Karolina A.
Bad smell… dog don’t like this food
Bad smell… dog don’t like this food
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
We are very sorry to hear that the aroma didn't meet your expectations and that your dog wouldn't eat the food. We hold our quality and freshness to high standards, so we truly appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback with us.
MW
Mitsy W.
Punkin refuses to eat it
Punkin refuses to eat it, even in small amounts mixed with regular diet. Request to return for refund. Only one box opened. Did not want to take the chance on others. Please advise order return and refund process. Thank you.
Response from Happy HowlJun 1, 2026
Hi Mitsy,
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m so sorry to hear your pup isn’t enjoying the food. I completely understand how frustrating that can be.
After reviewing your order, we found that it was placed using a 40% off discount code. Per our 30-Day Refund Policy, refunds are only applicable to products purchased at full price. Orders that include a discount or promotion are not eligible for refunds.
The good news is this is actually pretty common, and there are a few things we can try to help encourage your pup again.
Feeding Tips to Try
-Start small & mix in: Try mixing a small amount of the food with something your pup already enjoys (like their previous food) and gradually increase the amount over a few days
-Warm it up: Slightly warming the food can enhance the aroma and make it more enticing in a microwave-safe bowl for 10 seconds (NOT in the packaging)
-Add a topper: A splash of warm water, low-sodium bone broth, or even a little plain boiled chicken can help spark interest
-Stick to a schedule: Offer the food for about 15–20 minutes, then pick it up if your pup doesn’t eat. This can help reinforce mealtime routines
-Hand feeding (short-term): Sometimes offering a few bites by hand can help reintroduce the food in a positive way
While you give these tips a go, we can pause your subscription so there's no pressure on timing. Of course, if you’d still like to go ahead and cancel, we completely understand and will take care of that for you too — just say the word either way and we’ve got you!
We know how much you care about your pup and it means the world that you're putting in the effort to find what works best for them — that's what being a great pet parent is all about!
Warm wags,
Steph | The Happy Howl Team 🐶💛
LH
LeAnn H.
My dog didn't like it
My dog didn't like it. No matter what I did, she would not eat it. I purchased alot thinking she would love (by the way it was marketed). Tried all 3 flavors. 21 boxes. Wanted to return what was left, but company wanted a restocking fee, just to return what was not used. Terrible customer service.
Response from Happy HowlJun 5, 2026
We are so sorry to hear that our food wasn't a hit with your dog, even after trying all three flavors. We understand your frustration regarding the return process; however, a restocking fee is required on returns to help cover our shipping and handling costs. We apologize for any disappointment this policy has caused. We kindly suggest donating any remaining unopened boxes to a local shelter where they can go to a great cause.
