UnKibble is Spot & Tango's gently dried dog food. It offers fresh-style ingredients with kibble-style convenience, and costs less than fresh-frozen options.
- Made from 100% whole, human-grade ingredients, gently dried at low temperature.
- Three recipes: beef & barley, turkey & sweet potato, cod & salmon.
- For a 60 lb golden retriever: about $2.58, $2.90 and $3.89 per meal respectively.
- Unopened bags last up to 12 months and about 8 weeks once opened.
Some of these are partner links; they cost you nothing extra. How we earn
On this page9 sections
Finding a dog food without cheap fillers that also doesn't need a dedicated freezer is frustrating. UnKibble claims to bridge the gap between traditional dry kibble and premium fresh food, with real meat and vegetables and none of the thawing or mess. We used it for a few weeks with a dachshund mix named Teddy to see whether it delivers.
Quick verdict
UnKibble is a strong middle ground. It is cleaner than most kibble, much easier than fresh-frozen food, and cheaper than the fresh options we've tried. The main limits are only three recipes and some dogs needing a week to adjust. If you want better nutrition without a freezer routine, it's well worth a try.
What UnKibble is
UnKibble is Spot & Tango's take on dry dog food. Spot & Tango focuses on healthier, more transparent meals for dogs, and UnKibble combines the convenience of dry food with the quality of fresh. It uses 100% whole, human-grade ingredients and dehydrates them gently at low temperature, which keeps nutrients and flavor intact. The company also backs it with a taste guarantee: if your dog doesn't love it, you can get your money back.
Ordering and delivery
You take a quick quiz on the Spot & Tango site covering breed, age, weight, activity level and any health issues, and it builds a plan for your dog. Each bag comes with a custom scoop sized to your dog's portion, so there's less guessing about overfeeding or underfeeding. The box also includes a personalized feeding guide and a bag clip, and the resealable bags keep the food fresh for up to 12 months unopened and about 8 weeks once opened.
What it costs
Pricing follows your dog's size and activity. For a 1-year-old, 60 lb, active, healthy golden retriever, the quiz recommended three recipes:
| Recipe | Cost per meal |
|---|---|
| Beef & barley | about $2.58 |
| Turkey & sweet potato | about $2.90 |
| Cod & salmon (premium) | about $3.89 |
Smaller dogs cost much less: roughly 85 cents a meal for a 5 lb dachshund, and about $1.59 for a 40 lb beagle. Compared with most fresh-frozen brands UnKibble is generally more affordable, especially once you account for freezer space and delivery frequency.
Ingredients, digestion and taste
The ingredient list is real meats and vegetables, no by-products, nothing artificial, and it's clearly labeled instead of hiding behind vague terms like "meat meal" or "animal digest". Within a couple of days of switching, Teddy's stools were more regular, less watery and less smelly, and he seemed less bloated and more energetic.
Some dogs may take time to adjust, especially coming from traditional dry kibble. A slight change in stool or appetite at first is normal and should settle in about a week. Teddy was keen on the beef & barley and turkey & sweet potato recipes and finished his bowl. Other reviews we read suggested some dogs weren't into the cod & salmon, so a picky dog may need to try a couple of recipes.
Convenience
Because it's gently dried, UnKibble doesn't need refrigeration. You store the bag in the pantry and scoop at mealtime: no mess, no defrosting, no freezer space. For a busy household that's a big part of the appeal. The one thing we'd improve is variety: there are only three recipes, which can feel limiting if your dog has allergies or strong preferences.
UnKibble vs The Farmer's Dog
Both use high-quality ingredients with USDA-certified meats and no preservatives. The Farmer's Dog is fresh, cooked and delivered frozen, so it feels more like home cooking but takes freezer space and thawing plans. UnKibble sits in the pantry and is ready to scoop. UnKibble also pulls ahead on price, particularly for larger dogs. If you have the freezer space and don't mind paying more, The Farmer's Dog can be great. If you want something healthier than regular kibble without the mess or cost of fresh-frozen meals, UnKibble hits a nice middle ground.
Pros and cons
What works
- Human-grade, clearly labeled ingredients with no by-products.
- No refrigeration, thawing or prep. It stores like kibble.
- Custom scoop and quiz-based plan take the guesswork out of portions.
- Taste guarantee lowers the risk of trying it.
- Cheaper than most fresh-frozen alternatives.
What doesn't
- Only three recipes, which may limit dogs with allergies or preferences.
- Some dogs need about a week to adjust from regular kibble.
- The cod & salmon recipe may not suit every picky dog.
Frequently asked questions
Is UnKibble fresh or dry food?
Both, in a sense. It looks like kibble, but it's made from whole, human-grade ingredients gently dehydrated at low temperature to keep nutrients and flavor, so it needs no refrigeration.
How much does UnKibble cost?
It depends on your dog. For a 60 lb golden retriever we saw about $2.58 to $3.89 per meal depending on the recipe, and under a dollar a meal for a tiny 5 lb dog.
How long does an opened bag last?
Unopened bags last up to 12 months, and about 8 weeks once opened, in a resealable bag.
What if my dog doesn't like it?
Spot & Tango offers a taste guarantee. If your dog doesn't love it, you can get your money back.
Filed under
More in Pets
ComparisonWe Feed Raw vs The Farmer's Dog: Raw or Gently Cooked?Raw against gently cooked: we compared We Feed Raw and The Farmer's Dog on ingredients, recipes, price for a 43 lb dog, and customer service. The Farmer's Dog edged it overall.
Best ofBest Premium Dog Food Brands: 5 Tested With a Picky EaterWe fed five premium dog foods to a picky eater named Theodore. Spot & Tango worked best overall, The Farmer's Dog was the one he loved most.
ReviewSmalls Cat Food Review: Is Fresh Food Worth It for a Picky Cat?We put a picky cat named Rocky on Smalls for a few weeks: the recipes and textures, how the plan works, what each meal costs, and the catches.