If you have a dog, you know that proper nutrition sets them up for a healthy and happy life. Serving them fresh dog food is becoming increasingly popular amongst dog parents, with many seeing the benefits in their dog’s overall health. If you’re in the market for fresh dog food, there are many options to choose from, and it can be overwhelming.
I’ve done the work for you and reviewed 5 of the best fresh dog food delivery services on the market.
In this review, you’ll learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each based on their ease of ordering, ingredients, recipe options, and more. Let’s dig in!
Best fresh dog food – quick overview
Here are my top picks in case you want to quickly browse the list.
- The Farmer’s Dog – best option on a budget
- Ollie – best for picky eaters
- Spot and Tango – best for when you can’t decide between fresh or kibble
Top 5 fresh dog food delivery services
1. Farmer’s Dog Food
Key features
· Customizable meal plans based on breed, size, age, lifestyle, and health
· Recipes created by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Meals are slow-cooked in USDA-approved kitchens
· Meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines
· Change recipes and quantity at any time for the next shipment
· Convenient packaging for easy storage in the freezer
Pros & cons
Pros:
· Budget-friendly option
· Eco-friendly packaging + free and flexible deliveries
· Bags are flat and easy to store in the freezer
· Offers samples if your dog does not enjoy your first choice
Cons:
· Only four recipes to choose from
· It doesn’t come with convenient storage containers
Product overview
The Farmer’s Dog offers fresh, human-grade meals made only days before being delivered right to your door. Pricing varies based on your dog’s profile and preferences but ranges from $2-$12 a day. Signing up for The Farmer’s Dog, like all fresh dog food delivery services, begins with a quick survey to learn about your dog’s health needs, breed, weight, age, and lifestyle.
Once you have your customized meal plan, you’ll receive portions in eco-friendly packaging. You can adjust based on your dog’s eating habits to increase or decrease the food you receive on your next shipment.
Benefits and drawbacks
Start with 50% off your first delivery: Start with 50% off your first delivery to ensure you’re choosing the right fresh dog delivery service without paying full price.
Made in USDA Kitchens: Meals are slow-cooked to maintain the nutrients and then flash-frozen to seal them in.
Meals are delivered within days of being prepared: The fresh food is delivered right to your door after the meal is prepared.
Multiple servings per pack: The meals come in bags that have several servings in each pack. The drawback is there’s no handy container to store the excess food in, so it’s at risk of leaking or spilling if not stored properly.
Wrap up
The Farmer’s Dog offers one of the freshest delivery options delivering meals right to your door only days after being prepared. The Farmer’s Dog is your best option if you’re willing to spend top dollar on premium dog foods.
2. Ollie
Key features
· Three subscription options: Full fresh, mixed, or half fresh (half portion of the fresh food option)
· Customized meal plans based on breed, age, activity level, allergies, and health
· Developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
· Meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines
· Offers optional add-ons such as treats and supplements
· Free shipping and automated renewal reminders
Pros & cons
Pros:
· Delicious taste which our picky-eater dog loves, check out our review here!
· Straightforward meal plans to help with transitioning
· Choose from a variety of plan types which includes fresh food, baked food or a mixture of both
· Only uses all-natural, minimally processed ingredients
· Delivered right to your door
Cons:
· Can be a little pricey compared to other fresh dog food brands
· Isn’t great for grazing dogs
· Not very convenient for on-the-go feedings
Product overview
The Ollie dog food cost starts at $1.57 a meal, the half fresh meal plan starts at $1 a meal, and the mixed giving you the best of Fresh and Baked starts at $1.36 a meal. The meal prices are based entirely on the information in the survey, personalized to your dog. The survey is quick and easy to fill out.
There are five fresh recipes to choose from made from fresh meats, veggies, and fruits that are expertly balanced by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. There’s also a baked version with two recipes that offer the texture and budget-friendly option of a kibble made with fresh ingredients.
Ollie offers a variety of plan options, including a full fresh plan, half fresh plan, and mixed to give you the option of transitioning your dog completely over or to adding it as a top up to their usual kibble.. The half-fresh plan is a budget-friendly option that allows you to receive half portions of fresh food to mix in with your dog’s regular kibble so they get the benefits of the fresh food without breaking your budget.
Benefits and drawbacks
Get a significant discount off your first box: You get 50% off on your first box, so you’re not dropping a fortune on food your dog might not enjoy.
Three subscription options to fit your budget: Sometimes, a fresh food meal plan can be expensive. Ollie offers a half portion or mixed with your choice of Fresh and Baked, their fresh kibble option.
Comes with a feeding guide: Switching your dog’s food should be done with care, and Ollie sends you a feeding guide to help walk you through the right steps to make sure you start transitioning your dog to fresh food the right way.
Packages are not individual portions: The meals don’t come in individual servings, making it a little annoying to thaw and serve, but the packs come with a measuring scoop and a container to store any excess food.
Wrap up
Ollie’s fresh ingredients are great for dogs of all ages and breeds. With Ollie, you can choose fresh kibble-like dog food or up to five recipes for fresh foods for more variety. With an offer of 50% off your first box, it’s worth seeing if it’s right for your dog.
3. Spot and Tango
Key features
· Personalized meal plans
· Free shipping and automated renewal reminders
· Developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines
· Human-grade, high-quality ingredients
· Eco-friendly packaging
Pros & cons
Pros
· Developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Recipes use 100% real, whole human-grade ingredients from local farms
· Meal plans are customized to your dog’s needs
· Can choose between fresh food meal plans or UnKibble, the fresh dry dog food option
· Delivered right to your door
Cons
· Fresh recipes can be pricey
· Deliveries can take up a lot of space in your freezer
· Hard to know the price without taking the quiz
Product overview
Spot and Tango offer meal plans sourced from local farms and suppliers. They offer four fresh recipes and three Unkibble recipes, their fresh dry dog food option. The pricing starts at $.85 a meal and depends on your dog’s size, activity level, breed, and health.
The personalization survey is incredibly in-depth, considering your dog’s breed, weight, age, gender, allergies, health conditions, and more. While it’s thorough, it’s quick and easy to get through, providing you with a customized plan for your dog.
Spot and Tango’s meals are made from human-grade ingredients without preservatives, additives, or fillers. The recipes are perfect for dogs of all breeds and ages, and you can update your subscription anytime. You can even take advantage of the meal plan, where you can choose Spot and Tango’s meal topper option. With this more budget-friendly option, your dog can get the health benefits of fresh dog food when you can’t fit the full fresh food meal plan in your budget.
Benefits and drawbacks
Two-Week Trial Period: On top of a 20% discount off your first box, Spot and Tango offers a two-week trial. You can try out the food for two weeks, plenty of time to transition and to see if your dog enjoys the recipes, and if they don’t, you can get your money back.
Two different types of dog food: fresh-frozen or fresh dry: Dogs can be picky little eaters, and if your dog is used to dry dog food, it’s an easier transition than switching to fresh foods and vice versa.
Simple ingredient lists: Spot and Tango’s recipes include only a few ingredients that deliver a balanced meal.
The packs that are delivered are a little bulky: The packaging is a little on the bulkier side, and because the packs need to be frozen, storage is a little tight. The Unkibble option is a little more convenient when it comes to space.
Wrap up
Spot and Tango offer two options for you to choose from, fresh food or fresh dry food. It’s one of the only fresh food delivery companies to offer a fresh dry dog food option. With ingredients sourced from local farms and eco-friendly packaging, Spot and Tango are great for you when you love supporting small businesses.
4. PetPlate
Key features
· Developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Ingredients are human grade
· Customized meal plans personalized based on your dog’s needs
· Meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines
· Choose between a 100% feeding plan or a topper plan
· Eco-friendly packaging delivered in 100% recyclable containers
Pros & cons
Pros:
· Reusable containers make it easier to store meals
· Texture ensures dogs are unable to avoid key ingredients
· Topper plan provides an affordable option
· Offers add on supplements and fresh treats
· Easy to track and update your dog’s meal plan
Cons:
· The large reusable containers take up a lot of fridge space
· There are no free samples or a trial phase.
Product overview
Pet Plate is another great option for you if you want fresh, high-quality foods cooked in a USDA-approved facility. The meals are prepared in small batches to ensure optimal freshness and to preserve the nutrients. There are three meal plans to choose from. Topper Plans start at $1.52 a day, Full Plan starts at $1.48 a day, and the FreshCombo Plan starts at $1.09 a day.
There are a lot of recipes to choose from that are perfect for those picky eaters with human-grade meat, including beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, and venison.
The packaging is one of the better packaging among fresh dog food services. The meals come in a resealable container, making them easy to store without worrying about spilling and spoilage.
Benefits and drawbacks
You can choose between six recipes: The variety gives you many options when choosing the right flavor for your dog. If your dog doesn’t like one, you can always switch up your subscription to another recipe.
Feeding guidelines printed right on the label: Instead of being printed on a separate sheet, the feeding guidelines are printed right on the label on each container.
Flexible delivery plans: You can easily update your dog’s plan beyond just changing the recipe. If you need to change the location or frequency or just have a need for extra meals, you can update your subscription to fit your needs.
FreshBaked meals are only available in the 50/50 plan: If you were hoping to order the freshly baked food option that has a similar consistency to dry dog food, you can only choose this option as a combo with the FreshCooked meals.
Wrap up
PetPlate is a great fresh meal plan for when you’re looking for more variety when it comes to recipes. The ingredients in each meal are high-quality human grade to ensure you’re feeding your dog only the best.
5. Nom Nom
Key features
· Recipes created by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines
· Customized meal plans personalized based on your dog’s needs
· Optional supplements
· Four flavors to choose from
· Restaurant quality ingredients
Pros & cons
Pros:
· Recipes are developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
· Free delivery on a set schedule
· Offers a free sample pack with no commitment to a subscription
· Boxes are made entirely of recyclable or recycled materials
· Access to pet nutritionists through live chats, emails, or by phone
Cons:
· Customization profile doesn’t take into consideration a lot of health issues
· Takes up a lot of freezer space
Product overview
Nom Nom is another popular fresh dog food delivery service that offers high-quality ingredients and convenient meal plans. Pricing states on their website that it’s as low as $2.40 per day, but you’ll have to fill out the quick survey to get a customized quote.
One thing that sets Nom Nom apart is the single-serving packaging. It takes the guesswork out of how much to feed your dog, and you don’t have to worry about messy storage.
The meals are made with restaurant-quality foods, and each ingredient is prepared individually and then mixed in batches.
The price point is a little more affordable, and there’s always a deal or discount you can take advantage of. Nom Nom also offers add-on supplements if your dog needs extra nutrition for health reasons.
Benefits and drawbacks
Not all recipes are human-grade: While Nom Nom’s meal plans don’t include 100% human-grade ingredients, the meals are nutritious and approved by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
Meal plans are adapted and grow with your dog: Your dog is always growing, and their health is likely to change. Nom Nom keeps your dog’s profile and meal plan current to ensure they get the most from their food.
Easily change your meal plan: There are a lot of recipes to choose from, and Nom Nom makes it easy for you to add in different recipes, change them out, and change the frequency of your deliveries.
Try it before you commit: Nom Nom always has a great introductory offer, usually around 50% off your first delivery. The biggest benefit is the variety pack which includes four recipes for your dog to sample before you commit to a subscription.
Wrap up
Nom Nom is a great option to provide your dog with a healthy meal when the other fresh foods don’t quite fit in the budget. This option also gives you 8 incredible recipes to choose from and is great for those picky eaters.
Fresh dog food buying guide
To help you make an informed decision on the right fresh dog food delivery service for you and your dog, I’ve put together this quick buying guide. Overall, you want to consider the foods your dog already enjoys. If you’re not carefully considering the options, you might end up spending way more on dog food that your dog might not even enjoy. Use these tips to help you make the best decision.
Feeding preferences – Think about how your dog eats. If your dog is a grazer, your best option might be fresh dry food that can stay fresh in the bowl all day. If you have a set schedule, portioning out your fresh dog foods is easy as most options provide a feeding guide.
Allergies and health issues – If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you know you have to consider not only the ingredients but the quality of the ingredients. Fresh dog food can help alleviate health problems such as sensitive stomachs; just be sure to choose the one that doesn’t contain the food that upsets your dog’s stomach. A lot of dogs are sensitive to chicken for example.
Meets AAFCO guidelines: The best quality food is going to meet the AAFCO guidelines. When it meets the guidelines, it has the right ratio of minerals, vitamins, protein, fats, and carbohydrates for a balanced meal. If it has the AAFCO seal of approval, you know your dog is getting complete, balanced nutrition.
Understand your dog’s nutritional needs: Always talk to your vet before you make any big changes to your dog’s diet. They can make recommendations on what to avoid and what should be included, specific to your dog’s nutritional needs.
Final thoughts
Each of these fresh dog food delivery options has its own unique features and subscription options, so you’re bound to find the perfect meal option for your dog at any stage of their life.
Spot and Tango will be your best option when you’re looking for the best quality ingredients sourced from local farms and trusted suppliers in the US. The meals are human-grade and personalized by knowing thorough details about your dog’s health.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, PetPlate is a great choice. There are plenty of meal options to choose from, and you can switch to a topper plan or a baked meal option which can save you money.
Any of these fresh food services is a great option just for the health benefits alone. You can rest easy knowing you’re providing the best nutrition for your best friend at any stage in their life.
