Best Dog Food Fresh: Top Brands for a Healthy Pup

Feeding your dog fresh food made with whole ingredients is an appealing idea for many pet owners, especially with the convenience of home delivery services. However, it’s important to note that veterinary experts suggest fresh dog food isn’t inherently superior to traditional kibble or canned options. That being said, if you’re considering fresh food, certain brands stand out for their quality and nutritional value.

In creating this guide to the Best Dog Food Fresh options, I consulted with two certified veterinary nutritionists and a food safety specialist to gain expert insights into the world of fresh pet food. Following these expert recommendations, I personally tested six popular brands with my active 50-pound dog, Lyla. Lyla sampled each brand for a week or more, diligently taste-testing a variety of recipes. After weeks of taste tests and careful evaluation, my top recommendation for best dog food fresh is JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen Food. JustFoodForDogs earns the top spot due to its extensive range of recipes, ease of feeding, and commitment to pet nutrition research.

Ultimately, deciding on the best dog food fresh for your furry friend depends on a variety of factors. These include your dog’s individual preferences, any specific dietary needs, and, most importantly, advice from your veterinarian. Regardless of the type of food you choose, it is crucial to ensure it meets the nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for complete and balanced nutrition. The veterinary nutritionists I interviewed also emphasized selecting brands that adhere to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Nutrition Guidelines. Among fresh dog food companies, JustFoodForDogs, Nom Nom, and The Farmer’s Dog are noteworthy for meeting all WSAVA guidelines.

One key difference between best dog food fresh and conventional kibble or canned food is the absence of artificial preservatives and a consequently shorter shelf life. To maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, it’s essential to strictly adhere to the storage and feeding instructions provided by each brand.

Learn more about Business Insider Reviews’ methodology for testing and evaluating pet products.

Our Top Picks for the Best Dog Food Fresh

Best Dog Food Fresh Overall: JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen Dog Food – See at JustFoodforDogs

Best Dog Food Fresh Runner-Up: Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food – See at Nom Nom

Best Dog Food Fresh Overall: JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen Dog Food

JustFoodForDogs stands out as the best dog food fresh option overall, offering a wide selection of six gently cooked recipes, variety packs, and even seasonal and limited-edition recipes. All of their formulations are backed by rigorous, industry-leading research in pet nutrition.

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What We Love About JustFoodForDogs:

• Extensive recipe variety to cater to different tastes and needs.
• Three grain-inclusive options for dogs who benefit from or require grains in their diet.
• Recipes are research-backed and rigorously tested through feeding trials to ensure nutritional efficacy.
• Adheres to both WSAVA and AAFCO guidelines, ensuring high quality and safety standards.
• Conveniently available at major retailers like Chewy, Amazon, and Petco, in addition to their own website.
• Offers custom diet formulations for dogs with specific health concerns or dietary restrictions.

Points to Consider:

• Only two recipes are formulated for all life stages, which may limit choices for puppies.
• You cannot mix and match multiple recipes within a single box, requiring separate orders for variety.
• Portioning is required at each feeding, as meals are not pre-portioned, which might be less convenient for some users.
• The consistency of some recipes is similar to canned food, which might not appeal to dogs or owners expecting a different texture.

JustFoodForDogs distinguishes itself in the best dog food fresh category with its diverse protein options and competitive pricing, making it the top fresh dog food delivery service I evaluated. The company’s commitment to meeting all WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines is a significant advantage, as these guidelines emphasize employing a full-time veterinary nutritionist or a doctorate-level animal nutritionist. Dr. Emily Luisana, a veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals, emphasizes that adhering to WSAVA guidelines is crucial for ensuring both food safety and high nutritional value in pet food. Furthermore, JustFoodForDogs sets itself apart by conducting comprehensive feeding trials to validate the nutrition and digestibility of its food, a practice that is surprisingly uncommon in the fresh pet food industry.

JustFoodForDogs provides six primary Fresh Frozen recipes, with half of them being grain-inclusive. The chicken and fish recipes are formulated for all life stages, making them suitable for puppies as well as adult dogs. The turkey, beef, venison, and lamb recipes are designed for adult dogs. Beyond these core recipes, they also offer specialized options for dogs with sensitive stomachs or joint support needs, a rotating selection of seasonal and limited-time recipes, and even prescription diets developed by their in-house veterinary nutritionists. Food is packaged in 18-ounce portions and sold in boxes of varying sizes: small (7.8 lbs.), medium (23.5 lbs.), or large (31.5 lbs.). For optimal freshness, each package needs to be thawed in the refrigerator overnight and should be used within five days after opening. While it requires a bit of planning, you will need to measure out the appropriate serving size for your dog at each meal.

My dog thoroughly enjoyed both JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen recipes that were tested.

During testing, I tried both the Beef & Russet Potato and Lamb & Brown Rice recipes with my dog. Despite being a somewhat picky eater, she enthusiastically consumed both, demonstrating the palatability of JustFoodForDogs. However, I did observe that the food’s texture was quite similar to canned food, which was unexpected. Dr. Korinn Saker, an associate professor of clinical nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, explains that best dog food fresh is typically made with whole food ingredients, gently cooked, and then frozen to maintain freshness. While the form of the ingredients, whether ground or whole, doesn’t affect nutritional value, it might not meet expectations if you are specifically looking for visibly distinct ingredients in your dog’s bowl.

To get started with JustFoodForDogs and determine if it’s the best dog food fresh for your pet, they offer a helpful feeding calculator on their website. This tool provides personalized recipe and portion recommendations based on your dog’s age, weight, allergies, and other factors. You can conveniently place your order directly through the JustFoodForDogs website or from retailers like Chewy, Petco, and Amazon, all of which offer similar auto-shipping discount options for recurring deliveries.

Best Dog Food Fresh Runner-Up: Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food

Nom Nom earns the position of best dog food fresh runner-up, providing convenient, pre-portioned fresh meals delivered directly to your door. They also offer an excellent two-week trial period, allowing you to test if it’s a good fit for your dog.

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What We Love About Nom Nom:

• Recipes are expertly formulated to be suitable for all life stages, from puppies to senior dogs.
• Meals come pre-portioned, simplifying feeding and ensuring accurate calorie intake.
• Nom Nom meets both WSAVA and AAFCO guidelines, guaranteeing nutritional completeness and safety.
• The website is straightforward and user-friendly, making the signup process simple and efficient.
• Besides their website, Nom Nom products are also available at Chewy and Petsmart for added convenience.

Points to Consider:

• The recipe selection is limited to only four options, which may restrict choices for picky eaters or dogs with sensitivities.
• Only one grain-inclusive recipe is available, which may not suit dogs needing or benefiting from more grain options.
• You can only select a maximum of two recipes for your dog’s meal plan, limiting variety within subscriptions.
• The food can sometimes be dry, especially if not consumed immediately after serving, which may be less appealing to some dogs.
• The individual packaging of pre-portioned meals results in a significant amount of packaging waste.

Nom Nom is a top-tier fresh dog food delivery service that offers four delicious recipes in convenient, pre-portioned packages. I was particularly impressed with their website; it’s easy to navigate and the signup process was very user-friendly. Similar to JustFoodForDogs, Nom Nom adheres to the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, and they further demonstrate their commitment to quality by conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of their food.

While a Nom Nom subscription is similarly priced to JustFoodForDogs, it didn’t quite reach the top position due to a slightly more limited range of protein options. Nom Nom’s recipes include chicken, beef, turkey, and pork, with only the turkey recipe being grain-inclusive. Additionally, you are limited to choosing just two recipes for your dog’s meal plan. A significant advantage of Nom Nom is that all recipes are formulated for all life stages, making them appropriate for puppies through senior dogs.

Nom Nom’s best dog food fresh arrives frozen and conveniently pre-portioned for easy serving.

During the testing phase, I fed my dog the pork, chicken, and turkey recipes from Nom Nom. She showed a clear preference for the pork and turkey, eagerly eating them at almost every meal, with chicken being slightly less favored. I noticed that the food can become somewhat dry, especially if it’s not eaten right away. While dryness itself isn’t a nutritional concern, it does bring up food safety considerations. Dr. Teresa Morishita, a professor of poultry medicine and food safety at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, points out that best dog food fresh has a higher risk of spoilage if left out for extended periods. Therefore, it’s important to promptly discard any uneaten food if your dog doesn’t finish their meal. You can find more details about my personal experiences with this brand in my comprehensive Nom Nom dog food review.

Nom Nom’s two-week trial is an excellent way to try out one of the best dog food fresh services and see if it works for your dog. Alternatively, you can also order a sampler pack to sample all recipes. Individual packages are also available for purchase at Chewy and Petsmart, but these lack the convenience of pre-portioned servings offered through the subscription service.

Other Best Dog Food Fresh Brands We Tested

The following brands, while still good options, were rated lower than our top two picks for best dog food fresh. The Farmer’s Dog, for example, meets both AAFCO standards and WSAVA guidelines, but its recipe selection is more limited compared to JustFoodForDogs and Nom Nom.

While I had positive experiences testing PetPlate, Ollie, and Open Farm, a common factor that placed them lower in the rankings is that they do not employ a full-time veterinary nutritionist or PhD-level nutrition expert. This is a key recommendation from all the experts I consulted when it comes to choosing the best dog foods.

The Farmer’s Dog is a well-known and established best dog food fresh company, offering four grain-free recipes with portions tailored specifically to your dog’s needs.

Check price at The Farmer’s Dog

What We Love About The Farmer’s Dog:

• Recipes are formulated to be nutritionally complete and balanced for all life stages.
• Meets both WSAVA and AAFCO guidelines, ensuring high standards of quality and nutrition.
• Meals are incredibly easy to serve due to pre-portioned packaging.
• Allows selection of up to 3 different recipes in a subscription for variety.

Points to Consider:

• Offers only 4 recipes in total, limiting choice compared to brands with more extensive menus.
• All recipes are grain-free, which may not be suitable or preferred for all dogs.

Established in 2014, The Farmer’s Dog is a pioneer in the best dog food fresh subscription service industry. A key differentiator is their focus on customized portions. Each package contains the precise amount of food calculated for your dog’s individual needs, making meal times as simple as thawing and serving. During the signup process, you can choose up to three recipes from their selection of all-life-stages options (beef, turkey, chicken, and pork). However, it’s worth noting that none of their current recipes are grain-inclusive, which is a feature I would like to see added to their offerings.

The Farmer’s Dog does comply with all WSAVA guidelines, but some of the claims presented on their website suggest that fresh food is inherently superior to shelf-stable kibble and wet food. It’s important to be aware that there isn’t sufficient scientific evidence to fully support these claims of superiority.

The Farmer’s Dog best dog food fresh comes pre-portioned in individual packages for utmost convenience.

If you wish to explore the recipes from The Farmer’s Dog in more detail before committing to a subscription, you will need to complete their signup questionnaire and provide your email address. Further information is also available in my comprehensive The Farmer’s Dog review. This extra step to access detailed recipe information seems somewhat unnecessary, especially when compared to other brands in our guide that readily provide recipe details upfront.

PetPlate is unique among best dog food fresh services because it allows you to include all six of its recipes as part of your subscription plan.

Check price at PetPlate

What We Love About PetPlate:

• Offers a large variety of recipes, providing ample choice for different preferences.
• Allows you to select any combination of recipes for your subscription, offering complete customization.
• Includes 4 grain-inclusive recipes, catering to dogs who need or thrive on grains.
• Meals are easy to serve from convenient containers.
• Food is formulated to be suitable for all life stages of a dog.

Points to Consider:

• Requires portioning at each meal, as food is not pre-portioned into individual servings.
• The food has a noticeable strong smell, which might be unappealing to some owners.
• Generally more expensive than other best dog food fresh brands.
• Does not fully meet all WSAVA guidelines, which is a key recommendation from veterinary nutritionists.

PetPlate is distinctive in the best dog food fresh market as the only subscription service that gives you the option to incorporate any number of their six recipes into your dog’s meal plan. Dr. Saker notes that while variety isn’t nutritionally essential if a dog consistently receives balanced nutrition, some owners appreciate having the option to offer different flavors. Furthermore, PetPlate provides flexibility beyond a full meal plan; you can also order smaller portions to use as a supplement to your dog’s regular kibble.

Unlike JustFoodForDogs and Nom Nom, PetPlate does not fully comply with all WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. One reason is that their food production occurs in facilities owned by co-manufacturers, rather than facilities solely owned by PetPlate. Additionally, PetPlate does not employ a full-time animal nutrition expert on staff. However, their recipes are formulated by Dr. Renee Streeter, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who serves as a consultant for PetPlate.

A helpful feature of PetPlate is that regardless of the recipes you choose, you can access a detailed feeding guide through your PetPlate account. This guide includes instructions on portioning, storing, and even heating the food, which is particularly useful if your dog prefers warmed meals, as mine does. My dog tested the Lip Lickin’ Lamb and Tail Waggin’ Turkey recipes and enjoyed both, although towards the end of our trial, I found I needed to add broth to maintain her interest.

PetPlate best dog food fresh is conveniently packaged in resealable containers with lids.

PetPlate’s food is delivered in 20-ounce containers. While it was straightforward to measure out portions, pre-portioned packaging would enhance convenience. One notable aspect of PetPlate is its strong odor, which might be off-putting to owners sensitive to smells, though my dog was completely unfazed by it.

Ollie offers a good variety of recipes and the flexibility to combine up to four in your subscription plan, but it is also one of the more expensive best dog food fresh options available.

Check price at Ollie

What We Love About Ollie:

• Provides a large variety of recipes to choose from.
• Allows selection of up to 4 different recipes within your subscription.
• Includes 3 grain-inclusive recipes, offering options for dogs needing or preferring grains.
• Comes with a handy storage container and serving scoop, adding to user convenience.
• Food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of all life stages.

Points to Consider:

• Does not fully adhere to all WSAVA guidelines, which is a key factor recommended by veterinary experts.
• Ranks as the most expensive service among those we tested.
• Does not offer refunds, which might be a concern for new customers.

Ollie exclusively sells its best dog food fresh through their subscription service. The company stands out for its excellent recipe variety, provides an easy-to-understand feeding guide, and includes a convenient storage container and scoop with the first delivery. With an Ollie subscription, you can choose up to four recipes from their five all-life-stages options, which include three grain-inclusive choices.

My initial Ollie best dog food fresh delivery included a useful storage container.

In terms of customization and variety, Ollie is comparable to PetPlate but generally comes at a higher cost. To manage expenses, you have the option to subscribe to smaller portion sizes to use as a supplement to your dog’s regular kibble. Similar to PetPlate, Ollie does not employ a full-time nutrition expert but instead consults with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists, which means they do not fully meet the WSAVA guidelines.

Recently, Ollie has started offering complementary health screening services, which might seem like an added benefit. However, veterinarians advise caution regarding these virtual screenings. If you have health concerns about your dog, such as weight changes or stool inconsistencies, your veterinarian should always be your primary point of contact for evaluation and advice.

Open Farm is a best dog food fresh brand that prioritizes transparent and ethical sourcing of ingredients.

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What We Love About Open Farm:

• Ingredients are ethically sourced, appealing to environmentally and ethically conscious consumers.
• Subscription is not required, offering flexibility in purchasing.

Points to Consider:

• Only 2 grain-inclusive recipes are available, limiting options for dogs needing grains.
• Does not fully meet all WSAVA guidelines, a key recommendation from veterinary nutritionists.
• You cannot mix multiple recipes within a single box, reducing variety in each order.
• Requires portioning at each feeding, as meals are not pre-portioned.
• Considered an expensive option compared to other best dog food fresh brands.

Open Farm is a Certified B corporation that positions itself as a more ethical and sustainable choice in the commercial pet food market. Depending on the specific recipe, you may see certifications from organizations like Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise. Transparency is a core value for Open Farm; they provide detailed sourcing information for each ingredient on their product pages, allowing you to track where the components of your dog’s food come from. Open Farm also participates in the TerraCycle program, although to benefit from this, you need to save and ship used packaging for recycling.

I tested both the Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef and Homestead Turkey recipes with my dog.

Open Farm’s Gently Cooked best dog food fresh line includes seven recipes. These consist of one puppy-specific recipe, four recipes for adult dogs, and two grain-inclusive recipes suitable for all life stages. The food is sold by the box (in 8 lbs. or 16 lbs. sizes) through the Open Farm website and in physical pet stores across the US. While they don’t offer traditional meal plans or subscriptions, setting up auto-ship on their website will give you a 5% discount on recurring orders.

Like PetPlate and Ollie, Open Farm does not employ a full-time nutrition expert but consults with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for recipe formulation and guidance.

What to Look for in Best Dog Food Fresh

Veterinary experts recommend considering several key factors when selecting the best food for your dog and navigating the best dog food fresh options.

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement: Always check for the AAFCO statement on any pet food label. This statement confirms that the food is “complete and balanced” for your dog’s particular life stage, ensuring it contains the minimum recommended levels of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Foods labeled “maintenance” are formulated for adult dogs over one year old. “Growth” formulas are intended for puppies under a year old, as well as pregnant or lactating dogs. A label stating “all life stages” means the food is suitable for dogs of any age.

Additionally, the label should include a guaranteed analysis, which lists the minimum percentages of key nutrients like protein and fat present in the food. The AAFCO minimum requirements for protein are 22.5% for puppies and 18% for adult dogs, and for fat, the minimums are 8.5% for puppies and 5.5% for adults. Brands may also list percentages of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, though this is not a mandatory label requirement.

WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines: The WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods serve as a valuable guide when choosing pet food from manufacturers that adhere to high quality control standards. The veterinary experts I interviewed strongly recommend choosing food from companies that meet these guidelines, which encompass best practices for both food formulation and manufacturing processes. WSAVA also cautions pet owners that marketing terms such as “holistic,” “natural,” and “filler-free” are not based on regulated standards and do not necessarily indicate superior quality or nutritional value.

Recipe Variety: Look for brands that offer a diverse range of protein options and include grain-inclusive recipes in their lineup. For this guide, I prioritized brands offering at least four different protein sources, particularly because some dogs have sensitivities to common meats like chicken and beef.

While grain-free dog food has been heavily marketed in recent years, concerns remain about whether a grain-free diet increases the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition in dogs. Due to these concerns, many veterinarians currently recommend feeding grain-inclusive diets unless there is a specific medical reason to avoid grains, until more is definitively understood about the relationship between DCM and grain-free foods. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best dietary choices for your dog.

Healthy Extras: Experts emphasize that fresh food isn’t inherently superior to dry or canned food simply due to its fresh preparation. However, many best dog food fresh options do include beneficial added ingredients like fish oil and probiotics. These additions can offer extra health advantages. For example, the best fish oil for dogs is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can support heart and joint health, while the best probiotics for dogs can aid in digestive health and balance.

Ease of Ordering and Feeding Instructions: Signing up for a best dog food fresh delivery service should be straightforward and user-friendly. At a minimum, a reputable brand should ask for details about your pet’s age, weight, activity level, sex, spay/neuter status, and any known food sensitivities. Dr. Saker advises against brands whose questionnaires skip over these important details, as they are crucial for determining the appropriate nutritional profile for your pet. Regardless of whether meals are pre-portioned, the company should provide clear and detailed feeding instructions, ideally printed directly on the packaging.

Cost: Best dog food fresh typically costs significantly more than conventional pet foods. Most companies offer a substantial discount on your first order, so carefully review the terms to understand the ongoing pricing for subsequent shipments.

Customer Service: It should be easy to contact customer service representatives if you have any questions or need assistance with your order. Services that offer multiple contact methods, such as phone, chat, and email support, are particularly convenient.

Shipping and Delivery Notifications: Reliable shipping and delivery notifications are essential for best dog food fresh services to help you track your pet’s food. Since fresh food is perishable and can spoil if thawed for too long, delivery notifications are especially important to ensure timely and safe handling upon arrival.

Packaging: Vacuum-sealed containers are ideal for best dog food fresh packaging. All brands tested for this guide utilize vacuum-sealed packaging. Also consider how the food is kept frozen during transit. In my experience, foods shipped with dry ice tended to arrive completely frozen, while ice packs sometimes allowed partial thawing before I unpacked the box. If your food arrives thawed or at room temperature, it is not safe to feed to your dog. In such cases, contact customer service immediately to report the issue.

Sustainability: With increasing environmental concerns, I evaluated the sustainability efforts of each brand. Some recyclable packaging components were present in most orders, often in the insulation materials. However, most brands still package the food itself in non-recyclable plastic, which is less than ideal. Consider looking for brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability initiatives such as climate neutrality and reducing carbon emissions.

How We Tested the Best Dog Food Fresh

My dog, Lyla, trying out The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe.

Before narrowing down the list of best dog food fresh brands for testing, I verified that each company’s recipes met AAFCO standards for nutritional adequacy. I also prioritized brands that either fully met or largely adhered to the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, as recommended by veterinary experts.

Ultimately, I selected six brands for hands-on testing, using each for at least one week. While this testing period is relatively short, it’s worth noting that other Insider Reviews reporters previously tested JustFoodForDogs, PetPlate, Ollie, The Farmer’s Dog, and Nom Nom a couple of years ago and reported positive experiences with each service.

The pet food experts I consulted provided valuable insights into the manufacturing of best dog food fresh and guided me on what to look for when evaluating nutritious recipes. My expert sources include Dr. Emily Luisana, a veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals; Dr. Teresa Morishita, a professor of poultry medicine and food safety at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinarian and associate professor of clinical nutrition at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Best Dog Food Fresh FAQs

What is the best quality best dog food fresh?

While numerous excellent best dog food fresh companies exist, there is no single “best” food that suits every pet universally. However, certain fundamental criteria are essential. Experts agree that any food you feed your dog should meet the nutritional standards set by AAFCO and, ideally, WSAVA. These organizations rigorously assess animal nutritional needs and establish best practices for quality control in pet food manufacturing.

Even when these standards are met, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian about any new diet you’re considering for your dog. Your vet is best positioned to advise on what’s most appropriate based on your dog’s specific health needs and can ensure that a brand’s feeding recommendations align with your dog’s individual caloric and nutritional requirements. Dr. Luisana emphasizes, “[I]t is important to keep in mind that there are many nutritional considerations when picking a diet outside of the obvious labels such as ‘fresh’ or ‘kibble’ such as nutrient content and food safety.”

Dr. Morishita highlights that, in addition to nutritional content, the safety handling of best dog food fresh is paramount. A significant aspect of food safety occurs during production, so it’s important to choose brands with robust quality assurance practices, including compliance with FDA regulations for pet food. Dr. Morishita also points out that consumers play an equally vital role in safely handling their pets’ food. Always follow basic food safety guidelines when handling best dog food fresh, including keeping food refrigerated or frozen until serving, thoroughly cleaning all surfaces that come into contact with the food, and ensuring that food is not left out at room temperature for extended periods, which can lead to spoilage. A good rule of thumb is to treat your pet’s fresh food with the same care and precautions you would take with your own food. Pets are not immune to the risks of consuming spoiled food, even if it’s labeled as fresh.

Do vets recommend homemade dog food?

“Homemade foods may be recommended for pets that have unique medical needs where there are few, or sometimes no, ideal commercial options,” explains Dr. Luisana. She also acknowledges that the choice to feed homemade food can sometimes come down to personal preference. However, she strongly advises against pursuing homemade diets unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. “The most important thing to understand about homemade diets is that they are difficult to get right and easy to get wrong,” she cautions. If you decide to prepare your dog’s food from scratch, it is essential to do so under the direct guidance of your veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure nutritional balance and safety.

Best dog food fresh can be a good compromise for pet owners who want to feed their dogs something other than kibble or canned food but are hesitant to undertake homemade diets. The brands recommended in this guide formulate their foods with the expertise of animal nutritionists to ensure they provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.

Are dog food subscriptions worth it?

Whether best dog food fresh subscriptions are worth it depends on your individual needs and priorities. The best dog food delivery services can certainly simplify the process of shopping for and preparing your dog’s meals. And if you have a picky eater, the enhanced palatability of fresh food might be just what you need to encourage them to eat consistently and finish their meals. However, these services are generally more expensive than traditional pet food options and require some advance planning, such as remembering to thaw food packages in the refrigerator overnight. Ultimately, choosing the best food for your dog should primarily be based on the food’s nutrient profile and your dog’s specific nutritional needs – not simply on whether it is fresh versus shelf-stable.

Should I feed my dog raw food?

While some advocate for the purported benefits of raw dog food diets, feeding your dog raw food can pose significant risks. Dogs on raw food diets may be more susceptible to bacterial infections from the food itself, and these diets also increase the risk of nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. Dr. Morishita explains that raw food naturally contains bacteria that are typically eliminated through the cooking process. These bacteria pose a health risk to your pet if ingested and can also be a source of cross-contamination risk to humans handling the food. Opting for cooked fresh or processed foods is generally a safer choice for your dog’s health and your own.

Sophia Carlisle posing outdoors

Sophia Carlisle
Fellow

Sophia Carlisle is a former Editorial Fellow with the Insider Reviews team, where she specialized in covering products for dogs and cats. Before joining Business Insider, she worked as an intern at States Newsroom in Alaska, writing about environmental issues, health, and social services. She also has experience in book publishing and served as the opinions editor for the student newspaper at the University of Arizona, where she earned a degree in History. In her personal time, Sophia enjoys reading and spending time with her dog.