Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the company called Nine & Line?

We create nutritious, vet-approved diets for ca[nine]s & fe[line]s. Did we make it too easy for you?

What is the difference between a maintenance and a therapeutic diet?

The maintenance diet is for generally healthy dogs and cats who do not have any specific medical conditions or concerns.

The therapeutic diet is for pets with specific medical conditions that may benefit from a specialized nutritional plan that complements their other treatment. For this reason, a prescription from your pet’s veterinarian will be required prior to ordering a therapeutic diet.

Why is fresh food better for my pet than processed, canned or frozen food?

When foods are processed as kibbles or canned, much of their vital nutrients are removed. Fresh foods are packed with nutrients and goodness from the farms that grew them! This makes fresh food better for our health, and for the health of our pets.

Is a human-grade diet better for my pets?

Short answer: yes!

We all know that if we eat more fresh vegetables, we feel better and have better health. Well, the same is true for our furry family. A human grade diet packs more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into every bite of your pet’s meal. And a human grade diet is prepared, cooked, and packaged to human standards—so the meals are better for your pet from the ingredients to the packaging. When it comes to ingredients, we are always on the lookout for the freshest and healthiest options. That’s why we source all our ingredients from local farms and food suppliers that meet USDA standards. We never use feed-grade ingredients, meat meals, or anything artificial, because we know that healthy, high quality food means a healthy, high energy pet.

What does “balanced” food mean?

A balanced meal is one that hits all the key nutritional profiles for optimal health, with the right mix of macro and micro nutrients that your cat or dog needs. Traditional, processed store-bought pet foods often lack these nutrients, so while your pet may feel full at the end of the meal, they aren’t getting the vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs, or fats that they need to thrive. Our balanced meals hit all these important nutritional markers to promote the health and longevity of your fur baby.

Is Nine & Line meal for “All Life Stages”?

No! We make different meals for pets at different ages. And we think it is better that way.

Right now, we make two kinds of Nine & Line meals: maintenance diets and therapeutic diets. We have recently introduced growth diets for the little ones and expecting moms.

So, why do we divide our meals into different life stages?

The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recognizes three categories of pet food: adult maintenance, growth/reproduction, and all life stages. Adult maintenance food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of adult dogs and cats. Growth and Reproduction food is formulated specially for growing young dogs generally less than a year old and also for pregnant and nursing dogs. ”All Life Stages” food meets the nutritional requirements for adult, young, and pregnant/nursing dogs and cats.

Most fresh food diets on the market are labelled “All Life Stages” simply because it is less costly to make a one-size-fits-all diet. But these diets are not the most nutritiously beneficial for your cat or dog. These meals are packed with calories because they are trying to meet the needs of every life stage all at once. As a result, “All Life Stages” diets often result in obesity, developmental diseases due to excessive calcium intake, development of chronic kidney disease in older pets due to excessive protein intake, and other health concerns from excessive vitamin & minerals intakes in some pets (i.e. copper storage disease in breeds at risk).

At Nine & Line, we want the best for your pets. That’s why we make different meals for different life stages. We know puppies need food designed for puppies, and adults need food designed for adults, so that every pet can live their life to the fullest.

Does Nine & Line use any preservatives?

No, our food does not and will never contain any preservatives.

Where and how are Nine & Line meals prepared?

Our recipes are expertly prepared in our own USDA / FDA inspected kitchen in New Jersey using fresh, wholesome ingredients—we never outsource your pet's nutrition to third parties. Every meal is prepared just days prior to shipping and we inspect every ingredient and thoroughly control the cooking process to provide your pet with the highest quality meals. Each ingredient is cooked separately, and each meal is mixed in small batches to maximize nutrient bio availability and finally, flash-frozen to lock in freshness just days before arriving at your door.

Why isn’t there a Vegetarian option for my cat, like there is for my dog?

Much like their larger cousins (tigers and lions), house cats are primarily carnivores and need much more meat as a percentage of their diet than dogs. Cat’s will often reject food that has too many carbohydrates or too much fiber because a cat’s digestive system is not designed to process high-fiber meals! In fact, the increased carbohydrate content found in commercial cat food is one of the greatest risk factors in the development of feline obesity and diabetes. That’s why Nine & Line’s special cat formulation is high in protein and low in carbohydrates—to promote the health, wellbeing, and longevity of your cat.

Will my pets have a hard time making the transition from their current food to a Nine & Line diet?

Most pets will adjust fairly easily to Nine & Line’s healthy meals. Your pet may exhibit some resistance to the new diet at first—dogs are creatures of habit and cats are finicky eaters, after all. But as the meals begin to positively impact their bodies, they will start to crave the delicious and nutritious meals from Nine & Line. To make the transition as easy as possible, and reduce the risk of belching, vomiting, or diarrhea common to a dietary change, we recommend a gradual 7-day transition period.

For guidance on transition onto the Nine & Line diet, please refer to the recommended food transition schedule for dogs and cats below:

Short Schedule: Recommended for most healthy dogs and cats.
Long Schedule: Recommended for dogs and cats with a history of food intolerance or picky eating.

If your pet has trouble with the transition beyond seven days, please contact us. We are here to help!

Help! My pet started their N&L diet and is experiencing constipation / diarrhea / gas / vomiting!

If your pet won’t eat their Nine & Line meals or develops vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas, or constipation, it is possible that the transition is happening too fast. Please contact us or your veterinary team to ensure there are no underlying health concerns. Then, if appropriate, we encourage you to try making the transition to the new diet more gradually. Some pets just take longer than others!

How should I store my pet’s meals?

Since our food is truly fresh and we donʼt use any preservatives, itʼs essential that you treat it like real food (because it is!). Keep the food at a safe temperature in a refrigerator or freezer. Your box will also include a guide on how to store and feed the food properly.

What if my pet doesn’t like what I ordered? Can I get a refund?

Unfortunately, because our meals are perishable, we are not able to accept returns. But you and your pet’s happiness are important to us! If you are dissatisfied with a product for any reason, please contact us at service@nineandline.com within 10 days of receiving the product(s). Depending on the circumstances, we will either replace the product with the same or a different menu item; provide you with a full or partial credit; or refund of the purchase price.

Do you deliver outside of NYC?

Currently, Nine & Line only delivers to Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia. But we plan to expand soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when Nine & Line is available in your area.

Can I skip orders or cancel my meal plans?

You can cancel your meal plans at any time. This can be done directly through your account page.

If you have other questions or need further assistance, please contact us at service@nineandline.com.