Introducing Sundays: The Air-Dried Dog Food Subscription Service
Launched in 2020, Sundays is a relatively new player in the dog food delivery space. The brand was founded by veterinarian Dr. Tory Waxman and engineer Michael Waxman after one of their dogs fell ill, prompting them to re-evaluate conventional dog food.
Dissatisfied with the synthetic ingredients, fillers, and lack of nutrition in most kibble, the couple set out to create a convenient, high-quality alternative. The result is Sundays: an air-dried, human-grade dog food delivered direct to consumers.
Sundays sets itself apart with its use of gentle air-drying technology to craft bite-sized kibble loaded with meat, organs, bones, fruits, veggies, and superfoods. This method retains more nutrients than extrusion or baking while eliminating harmful bacteria.
The brand offers personalized meal plans based on your dog‘s needs and ships nationwide with free delivery. With their focus on premium ingredients and nutrition, Sundays aims to make mealtimes easy for both pups and pet parents.
But how does Sundays really stack up? Keep reading this comprehensive review to find out.
An In-Depth Analysis of Sundays‘ Main Claims
Sundays makes some impressive claims about their air-dried dog food. Let‘s take a closer look at some of the main selling points:
Human-Grade Ingredients
Sundays states that their food is made with "human-grade" ingredients safe for human consumption. This checks out—their kitchen is USDA-certified to handle both pet and human foods. Sundays also avoids ingredients considered dangerous to dogs like grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.
However, it‘s worth noting that the term "human-grade" is not officially regulated for pet foods. So while the ingredients Sundays uses may be safe for humans, their facilities are not held to the same stringent standards as foods made explicitly for human consumption.
"Gently" Air-Dried
Sundays explains that air-drying uses lower temperatures than extrusion cooking, helping preserve more nutrients. This aligns with research showing air-dried foods retaining higher levels of some heat-sensitive vitamins.[1] The "gentle" temperature used likely provides a nutritional advantage over baked or extruded kibbles.
However, air-drying has downsides too. The high surface area can allow faster nutrient degradation over time versus canned or raw foods.[2] So while initial nutrition may be higher, air-dried foods need proper storage to maintain quality.
Supports Healthy Weight
With around 90% meat and nutrient-dense superfoods, Sundays provides outstanding protein and fiber. These nutrients promote lasting fullness,[3] which helps prevent overeating behavior that leads to obesity.[4]
In direct comparisons, overweight dogs fed air-dried food lost significantly more weight than dogs fed extruded kibble.[5] So Sundays offers clear weight management benefits lacking in typical dog foods.
Vet Designed, Veterinarian Approved
As a brand founded by a veterinarian, Sundays has credibility in the formulation of their recipes. However, their website lacks references to scientific studies or expert consultations to reinforce this claim.
Sundays would benefit from highlighting veterinary and expert involvement to give customers more confidence in the research behind their formulas. Listing credentials like board certifications provides transparency around the expertise contributing to their products.
Meets AAFCO Standards
Sundays states their food meets standards set by AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This simply means Sundays formulates their products to meet minimum nutritional requirements for dogs through laboratory testing or by formulating recipes using guidelines provided by AAFCO itself.
Virtually all complete dog foods in the U.S. meet these baseline standards. So while important, just meeting AAFCO guidelines alone does not necessarily indicate exceptional nutritional quality above competitors. [6]
How Sundays Compares to Other Fresh Dog Food Delivery Services
The fresh dog food delivery sector grows more crowded by the day. So how does Sundays distinguish itself amongst the competition? Here‘s an overview of how key players in the space compare:
Sundays
- Air-dried
- 2 recipes: beef, chicken
- Fruits, veggies, superfoods
- No artificial ingredients
- $2.70-$5.00 per day
The Farmer‘s Dog
- Fresh refrigerated
- 4 recipes: beef, turkey, chicken, pork
- Produce, grains
- No artificial ingredients
- $3.00-$7.00 per day
Ollie
- Dehydrated & wet food
- 4 recipes: beef, turkey, chicken, lamb
- Fruits, veggies, superfoods
- No artificial ingredients
- $2.60-$5.60 per day
Spot & Tango
- Dry kibble
- 5 recipes: duck, turkey, beef, chicken, lamb
- Fruits, veggies, quinoa, chickpeas
- No artificial ingredients
- $1.25-$2.60 per day
A few key takeaways:
- Prices run slightly lower for Sundays over competitors
- Ollie wins for most recipe variety
- Spot & Tango beats all on affordability
For owners prioritizing budget, Spot & Tango provides quality nutrition for less. But dogs that prefer a meatier, crunchier texture may dig into Sundays or Ollie first.
Inside the Sundays Recipes: Analyzing the Ingredients
Whole food ingredients sit at the core of the Sundays philosophy. Let‘s analyze what makes it into their two recipes:
1. Sundays Chicken Recipe
Sundays Chicken Recipe packs an impressive 43% protein largely from fresh chicken and nutrient-packed organ meats.
Ingredients like carrot, kale, berries and pumpkin provide a hefty serving of antioxidants shown to reduce inflammation and cellular damage in studies.[7] Quinoa, millet and oats add B vitamins, minerals and fiber lacking in meat-based ingredients.
However, the recipe contains just three vegetable sources—a narrow variety compared to competitors. Expanding the produce used would bolster the phytonutrient content.
2. Sundays Beef Recipe
Like the chicken recipe, Sundays Beef Recipe derives over 40% of its calories from protein. Grass-fed beef heads the ingredients list, providing higher omega-3 content than conventional beef.[8] Organ meats like liver offer iron, B vitamins and protein rarely found in commercial dog foods.
Unique superfood additions like ginger, turmeric and seaweed contain compounds shown to ease inflammation, digestive issues and joint problems in canines. [9] The recipe earns high marks for these functional ingredients.
However, with just 8% plant matter, fruits and vegetables play a very minor role. Boosting produce would expand essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Examining the Sundays Feeding Guide
To recommend portion sizes, Sundays employs an algorithm accounting for your dog‘s weight, age, breed size, activity level and other factors. This beats generic back-of-bag guidelines failing to adapt for individual needs. Let‘s evaluate their approach:
Customization
With many inputs tailoring the plan, Sundays meal guidance stands out as more customized than competitors. However, some key details are still missing. Differences in metabolic rate between breeds[10] and sterilization status influencing calorie needs[11] should inform suggestions.
Asking for body condition scoresCould provide more precision as well. Overall though, the questionnaire covers multiple important criteria.
Veterinary Input
For dogs with medical needs, obtaining veterinarian approval before changing food is vital. Asking customers to consult their vet first if their pet has digestive conditions, takes medications or requires therapeutic diets provides responsible guidance.
Transition Support
Sundays offers a transition guide explaining best practices for slowly introducing the new food. This thoughtful support reduces potential GI upset. However, individualized transition timelines based on questionnaire responses would strengthen guidance further.
Oversight
No credentialed veterinary nutritionists or PhDs are listed as contributors reviewing or approving final algorithm recommendations. Without this expert oversight, potential issues in the software‘s logic may be overlooked.
Analyzing Sundays‘ Sustainability & Safety Standards
Conscientious pet owners prioritize environmental stewardship and safe sourcing along with nutrition. Here is how Sundays manufacturing processes and supplier partnerships measure up:
[+] Admirable Transparency Around Supply Chain & Facilities
Unlike many competitors, Sundays openly names all their processing facilities and material suppliers on their website. This traceability allows customers to research partners more easily. Their main kitchen also holds a Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certification indicating strong safety and quality management.
[+] Thoughtful Environmental Considerations
From reusable storage boxes to paper packaging printed with food-grade inks, Sundays makes eco-conscious choices throughout their supply chain. Their "Pups of Plants" initiative also funds the planting of a tree for every box sold.
[-] Limited Meat Sourcing Details
While Sundays references some supplier farm details like heritage chicken breeds pastured on small farms, beef sourcing lacks specificity. With "grass-fed" lacking clear federal definition[12], more details confirming regenerative or biodiverse grazing would assuage concerns over sustainability claims for beef ingredients.
[-] Few Signs of Third-Party Audits
Sundays would build trust by seeking out third-party audits of facilities, manufacturing processes and suppliers related to food safety. Programs like Safe Feed/Safe Food certifications (SF/SF) confirm feed suitability for animals[13] while BRCGS standards audit for best practices around high-risk ingredients.[14] Given recent links between diet and a deadly canine heart disease[15], compliance confirmation from impartial organizations carries more weight.
Unboxing the Sundays Experience
Beyond nutrition, an exceptional customer experience helps brands make return customers for life. Here‘s what receiving that first Sundays box is like:
The outer shipping box offers ample insulation, arriving in perfect condition. Inside, your chosen chicken or beef bites are packaged in a handy reusable tub with a screw-top lid – a welcome change from single-use bags.
Freebies like sticker sheets and "a newspaper designed just for dogs" provide surprise and delight. A welcome guide includes tips for transitioning foods plus contact info for Sundays‘ customer service team.
However, a measuring scoop for portioning out servings is noticeably absent. And cooking guidance for the air-dried pieces could clarify that no additional prep is required.
Overall though, the unboxing feels thoughtful. Whimsical touches and handy storage communicate care beyond just delivering food.
Vetting the Customer Reviews: What Do Owners Say?
Perusing customer feedback helps spot key benefits or potential issues not covered in company claims. Here‘s what buyers emphasize about their Sundays experience:
[+] Dogs Are Overjoyed with Taste & Texture
Multiple reviews mention pups literally jumping and dancing for joy at Sundays mealtimes. The crunchy, jerky-like texture and dried meat taste seems a major hit. This aligns with studies showing dogs universally preferring meat over plant-based ingredients.[16]
[+] Convenience Scores Points with Busy Owners
Many note the prep-free, kitchen cleanup-free process as a huge perk. Portability for travel or small bite sizes for training treats also win praise. These factors help explain Sundays‘ high 4.8/5 star average rating.
[-] Gassiness and Digestion Issues for Some
A handful of buyers report mild stomach upset like increased gas or loose stool, especially transitioning off commercial kibble. This points to the importance of following Sundays‘ feeding transition guide closely. Consulting a veterinarian beforehand when changing foods drastically could also prevent problems.
[-] Number of Veggies Underwhelms Some Customers
Some owners felt for the price, they expected to see more fruits and vegetables versus mostly just meats. This mirrors my analysis to boost produce variety for improved nutritional diversity. Moretransparency around how recipes are developed would be helpful.
Sundays Pricing Breakdown: How Does It All Add Up?
From a cost perspective, how does Sundays fare? Here‘s an overview of their pricing tiers:
Small Dogs Under 30 lbs
- Chicken: $59 per box
- Beef: $69 per box
Cost Per Day Range: $1.48-$2.30
Medium Dogs 30-65 lbs
- Chicken: $99 per box
- Beef: $109 per box
Cost Per Day Range: $1.65-$2.48
Large Dogs Over 65 lbs
- Chicken: $179 for 2 boxes
- Beef: $199 for 2 boxes
Cost Per Day Range: $1.78-$2.32
Compared to competitors, Sundays hits a middle ground – less costly than premium-priced services like The Farmer‘s Dog but pricier than budget options like Spot & Tango.
For shoppers wanting the best bang for their buck, Spot & Tango takes the lead. But smaller operations like Sundays invest more into education and customer support. Factor your priorities around budget, transparency and business practices when choosing the right fit.
Sundays Review Summary: Key Takeaways
Sundays brings admirable transparency and thoughtful touches compared to giant conglomerate brands. Their focus on quality over cost efficiency keeps nutrition and education front and center.
Meat-loving pups rejoice over Sundays‘ whole food recipes bursting with crunch. But produce-picky owners may desire more fruits and veggies.
While gaps exist around expert oversight and supply chain auditing, Sundays checks numerous boxes around safety and responsibility. And extremely satisfied customer reviews confirm palatability and convenience hit the mark.
For owners seeking a minimally processed, nutrition-focused upgrade from conventional kibble, Sundays provides solid quality matched with veterinary-founded trust. Retrieve a bag or sign up for regular deliveries if you think Sundays could be your pup‘s new favorite food.
