Unkibble review: is Spot & Tango’s dry food worth it?
We are not affiliated with Spot & Tango and earn nothing from this review. Prices, recipes, and availability change often — always check the current details on the brand’s site and talk to your vet before switching your dog’s food.
Unkibble, made by the subscription brand Spot & Tango, sits in an unusual spot: it is a dry food that tries to behave like fresh food. If you have seen the ads and wondered whether it is genuinely better than ordinary kibble — or just more expensive — here is a balanced look at what it is, what owners report, and who it actually suits.
What is Unkibble?
Unkibble is a dry dog food, but it is made differently from conventional kibble. Rather than being extruded (cooked under high heat and pressure into uniform pellets), each ingredient is cooked separately at lower temperatures, then mixed and dried. Spot & Tango describes the ingredients as whole, human-grade, and non-GMO, with recipes formulated by veterinary nutritionists and no meat meal or powdered meat. You answer a questionnaire about your dog, and the plan — including a custom scoop for portioning — is tailored to them.
The pros owners report
- Whole, human-grade ingredients with no artificial fillers, listed on the bag.
- Not extruded, and no meat meal — a gentler process than standard kibble.
- Customised recipes and portioning based on your dog’s details.
- Marketed as roughly 40% cheaper than the brand’s frozen fresh food, while keeping the convenience of dry food.
- Reviewers frequently praise responsive, helpful customer service.
The cons and common complaints
- It is premium-priced — Spot & Tango quotes around $36 a week for a 40-lb dog, but independent reviewers have reported higher, and monthly costs can run from roughly $60 for small dogs to over $200 for large breeds.
- Limited recipe variety (a handful of Unkibble recipes), which is tricky if your dog reacts to a common ingredient.
- The exact formulation is proprietary, so full ingredient transparency is limited compared with some brands.
- A few owners report gas or fussiness on certain recipes — as with any food change, individual results vary.
Has Unkibble been recalled?
Yes, once. In September 2022, Spot & Tango voluntarily recalled a batch of its Chicken + Brown Rice Unkibble (around 9,288 bags) over possible salmonella contamination. As of early 2025, there were no active recalls. A single voluntary recall is not unusual in the pet-food industry, and a proactive recall can be a sign a company takes safety seriously — but it is worth knowing before you commit.
Any food change should be gradual (over about a week) to avoid stomach upset, and dogs with allergies, medical conditions, or specific dietary needs should switch only with veterinary guidance.
How it compares
If your priority is convenience plus higher-quality dry food, Unkibble is a credible option. If you want fresh, refrigerated food, brands like Freshpet (widely available in stores and often cheaper per meal) or The Farmer’s Dog (fully fresh, customised, but pricier) are the usual comparisons. The right choice depends on your budget, your dog, and how much convenience matters to you.
The verdict
Unkibble is a genuinely better-made dry food than typical supermarket kibble, with quality ingredients and a gentler process — and it is most worth it for owners who want that step up without moving to frozen fresh food, and who are comfortable paying a premium. Budget-focused owners, or those whose dogs need lots of recipe variety, may be better served elsewhere. As always, the best food is the one your dog does well on and you can sustain long-term.
Frequently asked questions
Is Unkibble worth it?
It can be, if you want higher-quality dry food and are willing to pay a premium for whole, human-grade ingredients and a gentler cooking process. Budget-conscious owners or those needing lots of recipe variety may prefer cheaper or more varied options.
Has Unkibble ever been recalled?
Yes — Spot & Tango voluntarily recalled a batch of Chicken + Brown Rice Unkibble in September 2022 over possible salmonella. As of early 2025 there were no active recalls. Always check the latest recall status before buying.
Is Unkibble better than regular kibble?
It is made differently — cooked at lower temperatures, not extruded, with human-grade whole ingredients and no meat meal — which many owners consider a quality step up. Whether it is “better” for your dog depends on their needs, your budget, and how they do on it.
