How to Use Dr. Marty Essential Wellness 16oz: Serving and Storage Basics

Quick answer

Serve Dr. Marty Essential Wellness by starting with the feeding amount on the package for your dog's weight, then adjust based on body condition and energy. Rehydrate with warm water if your dog prefers a softer texture, and store the 16oz bag sealed in a cool, dry place. Always transition gradually over 5-7 days and check with your vet if your dog has special health needs.

Dr. Marty Essential Wellness is a freeze-dried raw complete meal, and the 16oz bag is a practical size for small dogs or for trialing the recipe before committing to a larger bag. Because it is freeze-dried, it is lightweight and shelf-stable until you open it, but how you serve and store it affects how well your dog accepts it and how long it stays fresh.

This guide walks through the practical steps: reading the bag, measuring a starting portion, rehydrating if needed, transitioning from your current food, and storing the remainder so the last serving is as good as the first. It also covers when to check with your vet and how the 48oz size fits if you decide to size up.

Start with the bag, not a guess

The most reliable starting point for any complete meal is the feeding chart on the package. For Dr. Marty Essential Wellness, use your dog's current weight to find the suggested daily amount, then split it into meals. If your dog is between two weight ranges, start at the lower end and adjust after a week. A kitchen scale is more accurate than a measuring cup for freeze-dried food because piece size varies.

The 16oz bag is a good fit for small breeds, seniors, or multi-dog homes where you want to test acceptance before buying the 48oz size. If you are switching from a different food, do not replace all meals at once. A gradual transition gives your dog's digestive system time to adjust and makes it easier to spot if the new food is working well.

• Checkpoint: confirm the bag is sealed and within date before opening.
• Mistake to avoid: guessing the portion based on the old food's scoop.

Measure a daily portion and split it

Once you have the daily amount from the bag, divide it by the number of meals you feed. Most adult dogs do well with two meals a day, but puppies, seniors, and dogs with medical conditions may need a different schedule. Keep the total daily amount consistent even if you change how many meals you serve. If you also give treats or toppers, account for those calories so you do not overfeed.

A common mistake is increasing the portion too quickly because your dog seems hungry. Freeze-dried raw is nutrient-dense, so a little goes further than many kibbles. If your dog loses weight or seems low on energy, increase gradually by about 10 percent and monitor for a week. If your dog gains weight, reduce by the same amount.

• Checkpoint: use the same measuring method each day for consistency.
• Mistake to avoid: free-feeding the whole day's portion at once.

Rehydrate for texture and hydration

Dr. Marty Essential Wellness can be served dry or rehydrated. To rehydrate, add warm (not hot) water to the portion, stir, and let it sit for a few minutes until the pieces soften. A rough starting ratio is one part food to one part water, but you can add more water for a soupier texture or less for a firmer bite. Warm water releases aroma, which can help picky dogs.

If you serve dry, always provide fresh water alongside the meal. Some dogs prefer the crunch, while others need the softer texture, especially seniors or dogs with dental issues. Do not leave rehydrated food sitting out for more than about 30 minutes, and discard anything your dog does not finish.

• Checkpoint: the food should be evenly moistened, not floating in water.
• Mistake to avoid: using boiling water, which can change the texture and aroma.

Transition gradually from your current food

A slow transition reduces the chance of digestive upset. Over 5 to 7 days, mix a small amount of Dr. Marty Essential Wellness into your dog's current food and gradually increase the proportion. For example, start with 25 percent new food for two days, then 50 percent, then 75 percent, and finally all new food. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, stretch the transition to 10 days.

Watch for changes in stool, appetite, and energy during the switch. If you see loose stool or vomiting that lasts more than a day, slow down and go back to the previous ratio for a few days. If the issue continues, stop and consult your vet. The 16oz bag is convenient for this because you can finish a transition without opening a large bag.

• Checkpoint: keep the total daily amount steady during the transition.
• Mistake to avoid: switching abruptly because your dog likes the taste.

Store the 16oz bag to protect freshness

Freeze-dried food is shelf-stable until opened, but once air and moisture get in, quality declines. Keep the bag sealed between meals, press out excess air, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. A pantry is usually better than above the stove or next to a dishwasher. If your dog eats slowly, consider transferring a week's worth to an airtight container and keeping the rest sealed.

Do not refrigerate or freeze the bag unless the package directs you to. Moisture from the fridge can make the pieces soft and clumpy. If you rehydrate a portion, treat it like fresh food and use it within 30 minutes. Always check for off smells, mold, or a changed texture before serving, and discard the bag if anything seems wrong.

• Checkpoint: squeeze the bag to remove air before resealing.
• Mistake to avoid: storing the bag open on the counter for hours.

Know when to ask your vet

Dr. Marty Essential Wellness is a complete meal, but every dog is different. Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, and dogs with kidney, liver, or heart conditions may need a different feeding plan. If your dog has allergies, check the recipe with your vet before feeding, especially if you are trying the Sensitivity Select formula with turkey, duck, goose, and quail. Your vet can help you match the portion to your dog's ideal weight and activity level.

If you are using the 16oz bag as a trial, keep notes on how your dog responds: stool quality, coat condition, energy, and appetite. Those notes make it easier to decide whether to stay on the recipe or switch. If you move to the 48oz bag, the same serving and storage steps apply, just with a larger container to reseal.

• Checkpoint: schedule a check-in if you change your dog's main diet.
• Mistake to avoid: assuming a complete meal fits every health condition.

Step-by-step: serving and storing Dr. Marty Essential Wellness 16oz

1. Read the bag and confirm the daily amount: Use your dog's current weight to find the suggested daily feeding amount on the package. If your dog is between ranges, start at the lower end. Weigh the food with a kitchen scale for accuracy rather than using a cup. Checkpoint: write the daily amount on the bag or a note so everyone in the house feeds the same portion.
2. Split the daily amount into meals: Divide the daily total by the number of meals you feed, usually two for adult dogs. Keep the total consistent even if you change the number of meals. Account for treats and toppers so you do not exceed the daily amount. Mistake to avoid: increasing the portion too fast because your dog seems hungry.
3. Rehydrate if your dog prefers soft food: Add warm water to the portion, stir, and let it sit for a few minutes. Start with about equal parts water and food, then adjust for texture. Serve within 30 minutes and discard leftovers. Checkpoint: the food should be evenly moistened, not soupy or dry.
4. Transition gradually over 5 to 7 days: Mix increasing amounts of Dr. Marty Essential Wellness into your dog's current food: about 25 percent new food for two days, then 50 percent, then 75 percent, then all new food. Slow down if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Mistake to avoid: switching abruptly, which can cause digestive upset.
5. Seal and store the bag properly: Press out excess air, reseal the bag, and keep it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze unless the package says to. If you transfer to a container, use an airtight one and keep the original bag for the feeding chart. Checkpoint: check for off smells, mold, or clumping before each serving.
6. Monitor and adjust with your vet: Track stool quality, energy, and body condition for the first few weeks. Adjust the portion by about 10 percent up or down based on weight changes. Ask your vet before feeding if your dog has a health condition or is pregnant or nursing. Next step: if the 16oz bag works well, consider the 48oz size for better value and apply the same storage steps.

Product facts that affect how you serve and store

• Dr. Marty Essential Wellness Premium Origin 48oz: Natural freeze dried raw complete meal available in a 48oz size, made with New Zealand lamb and venison, grass fed beef, and wild caught mackerel. If your dog does well on the 16oz bag, the 48oz size is a cost-effective step up, but you will need airtight storage for a larger amount.
• Dr. Marty Sensitivity Select 16oz: Natural freeze dried raw complete meal featuring turkey, duck, goose and quail, offered in a 16oz size. If your dog needs a different protein profile, this 16oz option lets you trial a novel recipe without committing to a large bag.
• Stainless steel feeding bowls: Made of stainless steel and available in five sizes: 1 pt., 1 qt., 2 qt., 3 qt., and 5 qt., with size selected through the Color option. A dedicated bowl makes portioning and rehydrating easier, and stainless steel is simple to clean between meals.

Serving Dr. Marty Essential Wellness 16oz comes down to three habits: measure the daily amount from the bag, rehydrate only what your dog will finish, and keep the rest sealed and cool. Start gradually, watch how your dog responds, and check with your vet if anything seems off. If the 16oz bag fits your routine, the 48oz size is a straightforward next step.