Advertising: An experience report from Stefan Richter (hundenachrichten.de editorial team)
Transparency: The food for this test was provided to us free of charge by the manufacturer Sanadog GmbH/Fidelis.
Editorial dog 'Fenja' tested Fidelis' “Fresh Menus” for two weeks and checked what was in them.
Boppard. When a new dog food arrives in the editorial team at hundenachrichten.de, there is a clear responsibility: 'Fenja'. Our curious mixed-breed dog has been testing everything that ends up in the bowl for years – with a sensitive nose, an honest reaction and a look that says unmistakably: “Is this any good or not?”
This time the program featured the 'Fresh Menus' from Fidelis, a manufacturer that promotes gentle processing and food-grade ingredients – 100 percent natural and 0 percent artificial additives. Different types of 'fresh menus' were tested, frozen in bags and in jars. But can food from a frozen bag or jar really compete with a home-cooked meal? We took a close look at the production, the ingredients and of course Fenja's very personal opinion.
Production: Gently cooked instead of boiled to death
The first thing you notice about Fidelis: It is not classic canned wet food. The 'Fresh Menus' are cooked using a gentle, low-temperature process and are available frozen in bags, blocks or jars.
Traditional canned food is often sterilized at extremely high temperatures to make it last for years. This means that vitamins have to be artificially added again later. The Fidelis process protects vitamins, minerals and natural flavors. The result is a food that looks and smells more reminiscent of a home-cooked dog meal than the usual canned gray mass.
The inner values: What is really inside?
When I opened the packaging, I immediately noticed that the food smelled fresh. 'Fenja' acknowledged this with rapt attention and a wagging tail. A look at the list of ingredients makes the hearts of nutrition nerds beat faster. When selecting, we paid particular attention to the quality of the ingredients:
- High meat content: Fidelis consistently relies on high-quality meat and selected offal (like heart or liver).
- No hidden fillers: You look in vain for grain, soy or low-quality animal by-products.
- Natural nutrient bombs: Instead of a synthetic mix from the laboratory, you can find superfoods such as seaweed flour, rosehip peel or high-quality oils that provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.
The 'fresh menus' not only have a high meat content, the food is supplemented by vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach or zucchini, high-quality oils and natural mineral sources such as algae lime. Another plus for us: Fidelis only uses nutrients from natural, high-quality and untreated raw materials, instead of synthetic supplements. This is not only a high quality feature, but can also improve bioavailability. This clear formula without unnecessary additives can be an advantage, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
Feed check: When I opened the “Chicken with Sweet Potato” bag, pieces of meat and pieces of vegetables were clearly visible. A definite plus point for transparency!
Tolerability: The “output” test
What goes in at the top has to come out at the bottom – and every dog owner knows that the consistency of the poop says a lot about the quality of the food.
'Fenja' is fundamentally uncomplicated, but sensitive enough to show differences. There were no abnormalities during the test phase: no flatulence, no diarrhea, no scratching. Result:
- High acceptance: The bowl was emptied in record time.
- Good digestion: The amount of feces decreased, a sign of high bioavailability of the ingredients.
- Shiny fur: After two weeks of testing, her fur appeared vital and soft as usual.
Price comparison: luxury or worthwhile?
Quality has its price, that cannot be argued away. Compared to standard wet food from the supermarket, Fidelis' 'Fresh Menus' are in the upper premium segment.
Our conclusion about the price: Yes, you pay more per meal. Since the food is very rich in nutrients, the dog often needs a smaller amount than with “stretched” food. Here you are clearly investing in the long-term health of your dog and thus preventing nutritional problems.
The overall result: 'Fenja' says “Woof!”
After a good two weeks of testing, 'Fenja' showed a shinier coat, stable digestion and overall good energy. The amount of feces was moderate – an indication that the food is well utilized and contains little “ballast”.
Whether the 'Fresh Menu' is frozen in a bag, in a block or in a glass, there is no difference in price. We found the glass version to be the most practical in the editorial team: it doesn't take up any extra space in the freezer, you don't have to be at home when the frozen dog meal arrives, and if you're on the go you can quickly pack a few glasses.
A gimmick: 'Fenja' was visiting friends for a weekend. To be on the safe side, we took three glasses of 'Fresh Menu' with us. When she got her glass, her four-legged friend's nose went straight up, with a look at Fenja's food bowl – okay, all right – he also got a glass and clearly enjoyed it. Another gourmet.
The 'Fresh Menus' from Fidelis are a recommendation for all dog owners who value fresh and natural ingredients but don't have the time (or desire) have to stand at the stove or cook food every day. The combination of handcrafted production and well-thought-out recipe convinced us in the editorial team and of course especially 'Fenja'.
'Fenja's verdict: It smells great and the menus are really tasty – we promise! The Fidelis 'Fresh Menus' are available at www.fidelis.dog.
Was this amount interesting or helpful?
Your rating shows us what you and your furry friend like – it's like a treat for us.