5 Hounds by Dr Will

5 Hounds by Dr Will: vet-formulated fresh dog food

5 Hounds is an Australian dog food company founded by veterinarian and dog nutrition expert Dr Will. Its approach centres on fresh meals, cooked at low temperatures and made with human-grade ingredients, distributed through personalised subscription plans and delivered to your door. The company presents itself as an alternative to extruded kibble and canned food, which it considers ultra-processed and depleted of nutrients.

Personalised meal plans

The core service is a meal plan designed from a questionnaire about the dog's age, size, activity level and dietary needs. Using that information, the company recommends a feeding plan tailored to the animal's life stage and sends pre-portioned meals. Customers can choose their delivery frequency and change the plan whenever they need to: switch menus, skip a delivery or cancel the subscription.

The meal range includes beef, fish, goat, kangaroo and venison varieties. Beef is described as the most popular and palatable option; kangaroo as a lean meat for dogs that need a lower fat intake; goat and venison as novel proteins for animals with sensitive skin or digestion; and fish as a source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Cooking method and nutritional composition

The meals are cooked at 75 °C, a temperature the company describes as sufficient to meet food safety standards without degrading nutrients. The method is described as "low and slow" and is presented as science-backed. The recipes combine muscle meat, organs, whole functional foods and balanced minerals to meet long-term nutritional needs. The company states that its formulas are complete and balanced for all life stages, including puppies and senior dogs, and that they contain no fillers, preservatives or artificial ingredients.

After cooking, the portions are snap-frozen to preserve freshness without preservatives. They are delivered frozen and must be kept in the freezer; once thawed in the fridge, they keep for up to four days and must not be refrozen.

Functional treats and synbiotic supplement

In addition to its meal plans, 5 Hounds sells a line of treats it describes as functional superfoods, made with single-source, wild-harvested proteins. The available varieties are venison and blueberry, goat and hemp seed, wild emu and turmeric, kangaroo and reishi, and sardine and manuka honey.

The company also offers a synbiotic powder supplement that combines probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes, aimed at supporting digestion, nutrient absorption and immune health. It can be bought as a one-time purchase or by subscription with a 20% discount on every order.

Delivery and coverage in Australia

Meal plans are shipped to all Australian states via refrigerated courier. The company has a postcode and suburb checker to confirm coverage for each address. Treats and the synbiotic powder are delivered anywhere in Australia through Australia Post. Orders arrive in insulated boxes with ice packs that keep the meals frozen until the customer gets home, and tracking notifications are sent.

Transitioning and introducing the new diet

The company recommends introducing its meals gradually over a period of five to seven days, increasing the portion as the dog adapts, and mixing them with the usual food if necessary. It warns that the transition should be stopped if signs of digestive upset appear, such as loose stools, and that with severe symptoms — blood in the stool, lethargy or vomiting — a vet should be consulted immediately.

Fussy Dog Guarantee

The company offers a guarantee called the "Fussy Dog Guarantee": if a dog does not accept the meals after a proper introduction, Dr Will's team works with the customer to get them there and, if that is not possible, refunds the full amount. The full terms are set out in the site footer.

Company background and philosophy

Dr Will created 5 Hounds after asking himself what he could feed his own dogs to help them live longer, healthier lives. As a veterinarian, he was critical of the quality of processed foods available in Australia and decided to develop a nutritionally complete, ethically sourced, human-grade alternative. The company declares a strong stance on animal welfare, both regarding dogs and the care of the animals from its farming partners.