Louie is a 16-month-old Yorkshire Terrier with a lot of energy packed into a very small body. Because of that, I pay close attention to what he eats and how his meals are structured. Louie no longer eats Stella & Chewy’s puppy freeze-dried dinners as a main diet, but the freeze-dried meal mixers are still a regular part of his meals.
This post focuses on Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried meal mixers—what they are, how different formulas should be used, and how I actually feed and store them for Louie.
1. What Is Stella & Chewy’s Meal Mixer
Stella & Chewy’s meal mixers are freeze-dried foods designed to be added to a dog’s regular meals. They can be sprinkled on top or mixed directly into dry, dehydrated, freeze-dried, or wet food.
Because they are freeze-dried, the aroma is strong and highly appealing to dogs. This makes them especially useful for picky eaters or dogs that lose interest in plain kibble.
There are several formulas designed for different purposes. In Korea, the lineup includes Healthy Heart, Hip & Joint, and protein-based versions such as chicken, turkey, pork, and salmon.
Except for Healthy Heart and the salmon-based functional mixers, most protein-based meal mixers can be used as a complete meal if needed.
2. Healthy Heart vs. Hip & Joint
The labeling on these two products is important. Healthy Heart is marked as “Meal Topper for Dogs,” while Hip & Joint is labeled “Meal or Topper for Dogs.” This difference matters.
Healthy Heart is not suitable as a sole meal because it does not meet a dog’s full daily nutritional requirements. This does not mean it is a low-quality product—it is simply designed as a functional supplement.
Healthy Heart contains approximately 250 mg of taurine per 11 g, which supports heart health and immune function.
Hip & Joint contains glucosamine and chondroitin and is intended to support joint health.
I personally use both only as toppers. Louie receives about two to four pieces per day, well below the recommended maximum, because he eats other foods as well.
3. Appearance of the Mixers
Healthy Heart, Hip & Joint, and the pork-based mixer look almost identical. By appearance alone, it is difficult to tell them apart.
This is why careful labeling and storage are important once the bags are opened.
4. Storage Method
I do not store freeze-dried or dehydrated food in the refrigerator. These products are sensitive to moisture, and refrigeration can introduce condensation that degrades quality.
Instead, I portion the meal mixers into aluminum zip bags. Even without vacuum sealing, removing as much air as possible is usually sufficient. I personally use a sealer to fully close the bags for added protection.
Once sealed, the mixers are stored at room temperature in a dry place.
5. Closer Look at the Texture
From left to right, the pieces shown are Healthy Heart, Hip & Joint, and pork. Visually, there is no clear distinction.
For topping purposes, I usually crush the pieces into a coarse powder before adding them to Louie’s food.
6. Feeding Methods
The crushed meal mixer can be mixed into dry kibble, dehydrated food, freeze-dried food, or wet food.
Another method is to break the pieces into chunks and add warm water. This rehydrates the mixer and turns it into a soft meal with a strong aroma, which Louie finds very appealing.
7. Ingredient Profiles
The ingredient composition of Healthy Heart and Hip & Joint clearly explains why Healthy Heart is not intended as a complete meal. It is formulated for functional support rather than full nutrition.
This distinction is important when deciding how often and in what quantity to feed each formula.
8. Louie’s Response
Louie has healthy joints and a strong heart, and while genetics certainly play a role, feeding high-quality ingredients gives me peace of mind.
Even when he leaves kibble behind, adding a small amount of meal mixer usually encourages him to eat—though he sometimes tries to pick out only the mixer first.
Reflections
Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried meal mixers are a flexible option for improving palatability and adding functional support to a dog’s diet. They work well even when you are feeding a different main food.
If you use freeze-dried products, always make sure your dog has access to enough water. Hydration matters just as much as ingredient quality.
What kind of food does your dog enjoy the most?