Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re standing in your kitchen, staring at a bowl of expensive, “premium” kibble that your dog won’t even sniff, I know your frustration. You love your dog, and you’re trying to do the right thing, but you’re just throwing money away.

My main intent here is to talk to you about the one product that finally ended this battle for me: Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend. It is shockingly expensive, and it is not a realistic meal for most people. But if you have a picky, aging dog, and you want to see a real change in their energy and health, this is the product you should buy.

My Experience With Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend

My story is about Buster. He’s my 11-year-old terrier mix, and he’s the pickiest eater on the planet. For years, I’ve been on a frustrating, expensive quest to find a “healthy” kibble he would actually eat. I’ve tried the grain-free, the salmon-based, the “ancestral” diet… you name it. He’d eat it for three days, and then, on day four, he’d just look at me, look at his bowl, and walk away. This “hunger strike” routine would last until I finally caved and mixed in some chicken or cheese, which I knew wasn’t a balanced diet.

It wasn’t just the pickiness; it was his health. He was slowing down.

His coat was dull and wiry. And the scratching.

He was constantly chewing his paws and scratching his ears. My vet suspected food allergies, likely to the grains or fillers in his kibble.

I kept seeing the ads for Dr. Marty’s food. The man himself, Dr. Martin Goldstein, is a famous holistic vet who has treated dogs for people like Oprah and Martha Stewart.

The ads featured happy, energetic, “puppy-like” senior dogs.

The philosophy made sense: it’s “freeze-dried raw.” This means it’s not cooked at high heat like kibble, a process that destroys nutrients. It’s 80%+ real meat (turkey, beef, salmon, duck) and 20% real fruits and vegetables. No grains, no fillers, no artificial junk.

I was deeply skeptical. The price was astronomical. It made my other “premium” foods look like a bargain. And it’s sold with that “90-day money-back guarantee” marketing that always makes me feel like I’m being sold a gimmick.

But I was desperate. Buster’s pickiness was getting worse. I finally bit the bullet, rationalizing that the 90-day guarantee meant I had a safety net.

The bag arrived, and it was… light. A 16oz bag felt like it was full of air. I opened it. It wasn’t kibble. It was a bag of light, dry, brownish-gray nuggets. The smell was meaty and rich, not at all like normal, burnt-smelling dog food.

I took out one nugget and offered it to Buster as a treat. He’s a sniffer. He usually sniffs a new “treat” for 30 seconds and then walks away. This time, he sniffed, his eyes went wide, and he snatched it from my hand. He crunched it down and then begged for more. I was stunned.

That night, I did the real test. I took a 1/4 cup of the nuggets and followed the instructions, adding a little warm water. The nuggets instantly softened into a rich, “stew-like” mush. It looked like a real, raw meal. I put the bowl down.

Buster didn’t just eat it. He inhaled it. He licked the bowl clean, then licked it again, and again, for five straight minutes. I have never seen him do this.

That’s when I did the math. A 16oz bag, if I fed it to him as his only food source, would last my 20-pound dog… maybe a week. It was completely, 100% unaffordable. I couldn’t do it.

So, I had my “Aha!” moment. I can’t afford it as a meal, but what if I use it as a topper?

This is what changed everything. I took my old, “boring” kibble that he hated. I took about 10-15 Dr. Marty’s nuggets, put them in a plastic bag, crushed them into a “flavor dust” with my hand, and sprinkled it over the kibble.

Buster dove into his bowl. He ate every last piece of his old kibble, just to get to the Dr. Marty’s dust. The pickiness? Gone. Over.

I’ve been doing this for six months. The real results came about a month in. His non-stop, allergic scratching? It’s down by 80%. His coat? It’s not just “not-dull”; it’s visibly shiny and soft. And his energy. He’s 11, but he has that “pep” back on his walks. He wants to play fetch again.

This food is “liquid gold.” And I am now happily “trapped” into buying this incredibly expensive product, because the results are real.

Read More: My Thoughts On Bixbi Liberty Dog Food

Pros Of Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend

• The Ingredient Panel is Unbeatable: This is the #1 pro, and it’s not even close. You are paying for what is in the bag. The formula is 81% real, premium, raw meat and organs. We’re talking turkey, beef, salmon, duck, beef liver, turkey liver, and turkey heart. This is a nutrient-dense “superfood” cocktail for a canine. The other 19% is real, organic fruits and vegetables: spinach, apple, blueberry, kale, sweet potato. There is zero grain, zero corn, zero wheat, zero soy, and zero artificial preservatives or fillers. It’s just… food.
• It is the “Picky Eater” Solution: This is the most immediate pro you will experience. The freeze-drying process preserves the true, rich, meaty flavor and aroma of the food, which high-heat “kibble” extrusion destroys. For a dog, this must smell like a steakhouse. I have never, in 11 years, seen my dog beg for his “dog food.” This product ends the “battle of the bowl.” If you have a finicky dog that you’re constantly “bribing” to eat, this will be a revelation.
• Visible Improvements in Coat and Skin Health: This is the benefit that proved it was working. My dog’s constant, allergic scratching and paw-chewing were our biggest problem. After a month of just using this as a topper, his scratching has almost completely stopped. The high-quality Omega-3s from the salmon and flaxseed, combined with the lack of inflammatory fillers (like corn), had a visible effect. His coat, which was dull and wiry, is now soft and genuinely shiny.
• The “Benefits of Raw” Without the Mess: This is the core philosophy. A raw diet is what many experts believe dogs are biologically designed to eat. But for 99% of us, a “true raw” diet is a nightmare. It’s expensive, it’s messy, you’re handling raw meat, you’re worried about salmonella, and it takes up your whole freezer. Dr. Marty’s freeze-drying process removes the moisture (which kills the bacteria), but it doesn’t use heat. This means all the vital nutrients, enzymes, and “live” goodness of the raw food are preserved. It’s a shelf-stable, safe way to feed raw.
• Improved Digestion and “Output”: I have to say it: my dog’s poops are perfect. Because this food is so nutrient-dense and has zero “filler,” the dog’s body uses almost all of it. This means the “output” is significantly smaller, firmer, and less offensive. This is a clear, physical sign that his body is absorbing and benefiting from the high-quality ingredients, not just “passing” a bunch of corn filler.
• No Recall History (A Sign of Quality): In a world where pet food recalls are terrifyingly common, this is a huge “pro.” As of my writing this, Dr. Marty’s brand has never had a recall. This speaks to a very high level of quality control, ingredient sourcing, and safety protocols. You are paying for peace of mind.

Cons Of Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend

• The Astronomical, Gut-Wrenching Price: This is the elephant in the room. This is not a dog food. It is a “luxury item.” It is one of the most expensive dog foods on the market. The cost is a major con and makes it completely unsustainable as a “full meal” for 99% of dog owners, especially if you have a dog over 20 pounds.
• The “Topper” Dilemma: Because it’s so expensive, most people (like me) use it as a “topper.” This creates a “con”: you’re still feeding your dog the “lesser” kibble underneath. It feels like a compromise. You’re not getting the full benefit of the 100% Dr. Marty’s diet, but you’re still paying a premium.
• The “Bag Bottom” is Just Dust: This is my biggest practical complaint. The freeze-dried nuggets are delicate. They are light and airy. As the bag is handled and shipped, they get crushed. I’ve found that the bottom 1/4 of every single bag is just a fine, unusable powder. I paid for nuggets, not “kibble-dust.” This is incredibly frustrating when you are paying so much per-ounce. It feels like a waste.
• The “Raw” Risk (A Vet’s Caution): While freeze-drying is a safe preservation method, it is still a “raw” product. Many traditional veterinarians are not fans of raw-food diets, as there is a potential (though small) risk for pathogens. This is a “con” you must discuss with your own vet. It is not recommended for dogs with severely compromised immune systems, or for households with immunocompromised humans (as you’re handling the raw, dry product).
• The Smell is… Earthy: I said it smells “meaty,” and it does. But it’s also a very strong, earthy, “organ-meat” smell. It does not smell like human food. I don’t mind it, but my spouse hates it. If you are very sensitive to “pet food” smells, this one is potent.
• Only One Flavor Formula: The “Nature’s Blend” is a multi-protein (turkey, beef, salmon, duck) formula. This is great for a “varied” diet. However, if your dog has a specific protein allergy (like “allergic to beef”), this food is not for you. You can’t buy a “Just Turkey” or “Just Salmon” version. This “one-size-fits-all” blend can be a con for dogs with known, specific food sensitivities.

Maintenance Tips For Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend

• The “Topper” Strategy (The Only Sane Way): This is my #1 tip. Do not plan to use this as a full meal unless you have a 5-pound dog and a six-figure income. The best way to use this is as a “topper.” My method: I take 1/4 scoop of the nuggets, put them in a plastic bag, crush them with my hand, and sprinkle this “flavor dust” all over my dog’s regular kibble. This tricks him into eating his whole meal and gives him the nutrient boost, and a bag lasts me 2-3 months.
• Rehydrate, Rehydrate, Rehydrate: This is the correct way to serve it. It’s a freeze-dried food, meaning all the moisture is gone. Dogs on a “dry” diet are often chronically dehydrated. The best way is to add a 1/4 cup of warm (not hot!) water or bone broth to the nuggets. Let it sit for 3 minutes. It will turn into a rich, “wet food” stew that your dog will love, and it’s critical for their hydration and digestion.
• The 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee is Your Safety Net: Do not buy this from a third-party seller on Amazon or Walmart. Buy it directly from the Dr. Marty website. Why? Because they offer a 90-day, “empty bag” money-back guarantee. This is how I justified my first purchase. It takes all the risk away. If your picky dog hates it (he won’t), you’re not out the money.
• Transition Slowly (Especially from Kibble): This food is rich. It’s 37% protein and 27% fat. A lifetime of 20% protein kibble is a shock to the system. You must transition slowly. On Day 1, give them one nugget as a treat. On Day 2, crumble a few nuggets. On Day 3, replace 10% of their old food. Take a full 10-14 days to transition. If you go too fast, you will be cleaning up diarrhea.
• Storage is Key (But Easy): This is a “pro” masquerading as a tip. It’s shelf-stable. Unlike “fresh” food (like Farmer’s Dog), it doesn’t take up your entire fridge/freezer. Just seal the bag tightly. The enemy is moisture and air. Keep it sealed in a cool, dry pantry, and it lasts for months.
• Use the “Dust” for Lick Mats: This is my trick for the “con” I mentioned earlier. Don’t throw away that “kibble-dust” at the bottom of the bag! That’s “liquid gold” powder. I save it all in a separate jar. I mix a teaspoon of it with a little plain yogurt or peanut butter, spread it on a lick-mat, and freeze it. It’s a high-value, nutrient-dense “treat” that keeps Buster busy for 30 minutes.

Comparison With Other Brands

Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend vs. The Farmer’s Dog

This is the big one. The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh, cooked, human-grade food that is delivered frozen and must be refrigerated. Dr. Marty’s is freeze-dried raw and is shelf-stable. The Farmer’s Dog is customized to your dog’s specific needs, breed, and activity level. Dr. Marty’s is a “one-size-fits-all” formula. The biggest difference is the philosophy: The Farmer’s Dog is cooked. Dr. Marty’s is raw. If you believe in the “raw” diet, Dr. Marty’s is your choice. If you prefer a “gently-cooked,” fresh meal, The Farmer’s Dog is the one. Both are expensive, but The Farmer’s Dog takes up all your freezer space, which is a real-world “con” for me.

Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend vs. Standard “Premium” Kibble (like Orijen)

Orijen is a fantastic, high-protein kibble. It’s one of the best. But it is still kibble. It has been processed at extremely high heat, which destroys enzymes and “denatures” some of the proteins. Dr. Marty’s is never cooked. It is a “raw” philosophy vs. a “high-quality-kibble” philosophy. Orijen is much more affordable as a full meal, but Dr. Marty’s is arguably more nutrient-dense and “bioavailable.” For my dog’s allergies, the lack of high-heat processing in Dr. Marty’s seemed to be the key.

Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend vs. True Raw (like Primal or Stella & Chewy’s)

These are the direct competitors. Primal and Stella & Chewy’s also make high-quality, freeze-dried raw nuggets. The formulas are very similar (meat, organs, fruits/veg). The main difference often comes down to price and specific ingredients. Dr. Marty’s heavily emphasizes its “multi-meat” (turkey, beef, salmon, duck) blend. Primal might have a “single-protein” (like “Just Rabbit”) formula, which is better for dogs with specific protein allergies. When I compared them, the cost-per-ounce (on subscription) and the 90-day guarantee made me stick with Dr. Marty’s.

Also Read: My Thoughts On Bil-Jac Wet Dog Food

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, here’s my final word. Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend is not a realistic “dog food” for the average person; it’s a high-potency supplement. It is, without a doubt, the most expensive food I have ever bought for my dog. It is also the only one that solved his pickiness, cleared up his skin, and gave me my 11-year-old “puppy” back. If you are on a budget, this isn’t for you. But if you have a finicky, itchy, or “slowing-down” dog, I am telling you: you should buy this. Use it as a topper, and use the 90-day guarantee.