I Hate Dogs and I Am Not a Horrible Human Being
Is My Dog Food Sustainable?
Is My Dog Food Sustainable?
"Sustainability" has become a buzzword for marketers and activists alike. Here's how to sort through the noise and find food that's good for your dog, the environment, and your wallet.
by Anna Beahm· September 6, 2024
You've been diligent about bringing your reusable bags with you when you go to the grocery store, buying responsibly raised meat products, and adding more plant-based meals into your diet. But what about your dog's food? Photo via Shutterstock
The Best Fresh Dog Food In 2024, Tested And Reviewed
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The best fresh dog food is made of gently cooked, whole-food ingredients, and you can typically schedule convenient delivery right to your front door. But keep in mind, while you may like to feed your dog fresh food, experts say it's not necessarily better than kibble or canned food. However, if you're looking to make the switch, some fresh dog food brands rise above others in this relatively new market.
To make my recommendations for this guide, I consulted two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and a food safety expert to learn what to look for in fresh pet food. I then tried six popular brands with my 50-pound dog, Lyla, feeding her food from each brand for at least a week. My top pick is JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen meals, which include a large variety of easy-to-feed recipes backed by pet nutrition research.
Ultimately, the best fresh food for your dog depends on many factors, including your pet's preferences and your veterinarian's advice. Any food you feed your dog should meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced nutrition. The veterinarians I spoke to also recommend choosing foods from companies that meet the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Nutrition Guidelines. Among fresh pet food companies, only JustFoodForDogs, Nom Nom, and The Farmer's Dog meet all of the WSAVA guidelines.
Fresh dog food lacks preservatives and has a shorter shelf life than our kibble and canned picks for the best dog food. To prevent spoilage, be sure to follow storage and feeding directions.
Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Our top picks for the best fresh dog foodBest overall: JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen Dog Food - See at JustFoodforDogs
Best runner-up: Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food - See at Nom Nom
Best overallWith a range of protein options and competitive pricing, JustFoodForDogs is the best fresh dog food delivery service I tested. The company meets all of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, which include employing a full-time veterinary nutritionist or doctorate-level animal nutritionist. The WSAVA guidelines help ensure food safety and high nutritional value in pet food, says Dr. Emily Luisana, a veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals. The company also conducted feeding trials to prove the nutrition and digestibility of its food, something rare in the fresh pet food space.
JustFoodForDogs has six main Fresh Frozen recipes, half of which are grain-inclusive. The chicken and fish recipes are for all life stages, including puppies, and the turkey, beef, venison, and lamb options are for adult dogs. You can also order recipes for sensitive stomachs and joint support, a rotation of seasonal and limited-time recipes, and prescription diets formulated by in-house veterinary nutritionists. Food is divided into 18-ounce packages and sold in small (7.8 lbs.), medium (23.5 lbs.), or large (31.5 lbs.) boxes. Each package should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight and fed within five days of opening. Although it's a minor inconvenience, you'll need to portion out the recommended servings for your dog.
My pup loved both of the JustFoodForDogs Fresh Frozen recipes. Sophia Carlisle/Business InsiderI tried the Beef & Russet Potato and Lamb & Brown Rice recipes. My dog's preferences skew picky, but she loved them both. On the other hand, I was a bit surprised that the food's consistency closely resembled canned food. Dr. Korinn Saker, an associate professor of clinical nutrition at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, says fresh dog food is made with ingredients in their whole form, gently cooked, and then frozen to retain freshness. So, while it doesn't matter if the food is ground up or left whole, it may not be the best choice if you want to see the individual ingredients in your dog's bowl.
To get started with JustFoodForDogs, use the brand's convenient feeding calculator to get recipe and portion recommendations based on your dog's age, weight, allergies, and more. Then, you can order directly from JustFoodForDogs or at Chewy, Petco, or Amazon, all of which offer similar auto-shipping discounts.
Best runner-up Nom Nom Fresh Dog FoodNom Nom ships easy-to-serve preoportioned fresh meals and offers an excellent two-week trial.
Nom Nom is a fresh dog food delivery service that offers four tasty recipes in preportioned packages. I was impressed by the simple, easy-to-navigate website, and signup was easy. In addition to following the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, the brand conducts research to test the efficacy of its food.
A subscription will cost you about the same as JustFoodForDogs, but Nom Nom didn't snag the top spot because its protein options are limited to chicken, beef, turkey, and pork, and only the turkey recipe is grain-inclusive. You can only select up to two recipes for your dog's meal plan. I do like that the recipes are formulated for all life stages, including puppies.
Nom Nom's fresh dog food arrives frozen in preportioned servings. Sophia Carlisle/Business InsiderI fed my dog the pork, chicken, and turkey recipes. She preferred the pork and turkey over the chicken, gobbling them up quickly at almost every meal. I found the food can be dry, especially when not immediately eaten. While dryness isn't a nutrition concern, food left out too long is. Dr. Teresa Morishita, professor of poultry medicine and food safety at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, says fresh dog food is at a greater risk of spoiling if left for hours, so be sure to toss promptly if your dog doesn't finish their meal. You can read more about my experience in my full Nom Nom dog food review.
Nom Nom's two-week trial is a great way to get started, but you can also order a sampler pack instead. Chewy and Petsmart sell individual packages, too, but you won't get the convenience of preportioned servings.
What else we testedThe services below rated lower than my top picks. The Farmer's Dog meets the AAFCO standards and WSAVA guidelines but has more limited recipe offerings than our top two picks.
While I had good experiences feeding PetPlate, Ollie, and Open Farm, all three companies lack a full-time veterinary nutritionist or PhD-level nutrition expert — something all the experts I interviewed recommend.
The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog FoodThe Farmer's Dog is a well-established fresh dog food company offering four grain-free recipes in portions customized for your pet.
Founded in 2014, The Farmer's Dog is one of the first fresh dog food subscription services. What sets it apart is its customized portions. Each package has the exact amount of food your dog needs, so all you have to do is thaw and serve. During signup, you can choose up to three all-life-stages recipes (beef, turkey, chicken, pork), but none contain grains, an option I'd like to see.
The Farmer's Dog meets all of the WSAVA guidelines, but some of the claims on its website imply that fresh food is superior to shelf-stable kibble and wet food, and there's not enough evidence to support those claims.
If you'd like to learn more about The Farmer's Dog recipes before subscribing, you'll need to go through the signup questionnaire and provide your email address. You can also learn more in my full The Farmer's Dog review. This seems like an unnecessary step, especially since the other brands featured in our guide provide easily accessible details for recipes.
PetPlate Fresh Dog FoodPetPlate is the only fresh dog food service that lets you order all six recipes as part of your subscription.
PetPlate is the only fresh dog food subscription service that allows you to include any number of recipes in your dog's meal plan. Saker says variety isn't necessarily important in a dog's diet as long as you provide the same nutritional value at each meal. However, some people may want the option to try a variety of recipes. Even more, rather than signing up for a full meal plan, you can order smaller portions to supplement your dog's regular kibble.
Unlike JustFoodForDogs and Nom Nom, PetPlate falls short of meeting all of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. For one, its food is produced in facilities owned by co-manufacturers. The company also does not employ a full-time animal nutrition expert, but the recipes are formulated by Dr. Renee Streeter, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and consultant to PetPlate.
I like that no matter which recipes you choose, you can access a detailed feeding guide via your PetPlate account. The guide includes instructions for portioning, storing, and heating your dog's food, which is particularly useful since our dog prefers warm food. My dog tried the Lip Lickin' Lamb and the Tail Waggin' Turkey. She enjoyed both, although I had to add broth to keep her interested during the last half of our trial period. PetPlate arrives in 20-ounce containers. It was easy to measure out portions, but it would be nice if the meals came in preportioned packages.
If you're sensitive to strong odors, this might not be the best service for you. The food has an odor that may be off-putting to some people, but my dog didn't mind it one bit.
Ollie Fresh Dog FoodOllie has a nice variety of recipes and the option to combine any four in your plan, but it's also one of the priciest fresh dog foods you can buy.
Ollie sells its fresh dog food exclusively through its subscription service. The company offers excellent recipe variety, an easy-to-follow feeding guide, and provides a convenient storage container and scooper. With your subscription, you can select up to four of the five recipes for all life stages, including three grain-inclusive options.
Regarding customization and variety, Ollie comes close to PetPlate but also comes at a higher price. To save money, you can subscribe to smaller portions to supplement your dog's regular kibble. Like PetPlate, Ollie doesn't employ a full-time nutrition expert but instead consults with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists, falling short of the WSAVA guidelines.
Recently, Ollie began offering some complementary health screening services that may seem like a nice bonus, but veterinarians advise against these virtual screenings. If you have concerns about your dog's weight or stool consistency, your veterinarian should always be the person to evaluate your pet.
Open Farm bills itself as an ethical and sustainable alternative to other commercial pet food. Depending on the recipe, you may see certifications from Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise, and you can view the sources of each food's ingredients on its product page. Open Farm also participates in the TerraCycle program, although you must save and ultimately ship the used packaging for recycling for it to have any benefit.
Open Farm's Gently Cooked fresh food consists of seven recipes, including one for puppies, four for adult dogs, and two grain-inclusive recipes for all life stages. The recipes are sold by the box (8 lbs. Or 16 lbs.) via the Open Farm website and at brick-and-mortar pet stores around the US. While meal plans and subscriptions are not offered, setting up auto-ship will get you a 5% discount.
Like PetPlate and Ollie, Open Farm does not employ a full-time nutrition expert but consults with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
What to look for in fresh dog foodWhen shopping for any dog food, veterinarians say there are some key things to consider.
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: Always look for the AAFCO statement on a pet food label. The label should state that the food is complete and balanced for your dog's life stage, meaning it includes the minimum amounts of recommended nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. A food may be labeled maintenance, meaning it's appropriate for adult dogs over 1 year of age. Foods labeled growth are intended for dogs under 1 year old and pregnant and lactating dogs. A food that says it's for all life stages is appropriate for any age.
In addition, a food's label should include a guaranteed analysis, which lists the minimum percentage of essential nutrients like protein and fat present in the food. The AAFCO minimums 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 might also list percentages of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, but there is no requirement for this information to be on the label.
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines: The WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods are a guidepost for choosing pet food from a manufacturer that meets high quality control standards. The veterinarians I interviewed recommend purchasing food from a company that meets the guidelines, which include best practices for food formulation and manufacturing. WSAVA also warns pet owners that marketing terms like "holistic," "natural," and "free of fillers" are not based on regulated standards and do not signify a brand or food is of higher quality.
Recipe variety: Look for brands with a variety of protein options and grain-inclusive recipes. For this guide, I looked for at least four different protein options, particularly since some dogs are sensitive to more common meats like chicken and beef.
While grain-free dog food has received a heavy marketing push over the last decade, questions remain about whether a grain-free diet puts dogs at increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious and sometimes fatal disease of the heart. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend feeding a grain-inclusive diet until more is known about the relationship between DCM and grain-free foods. Always ask your vet if any food you're considering is the best for your dog.
Healthy extras: Experts say that when it comes down to it, fresh food isn't inherently better than dry and canned food just because it's cooked whole. However, many fresh dog foods contain extra ingredients, such as fish oil and probiotics. These ingredients may offer additional health benefits. For example, fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can support heart and joint health, while the best probiotics for dogs can aid in digestion.
Ease of ordering and feeding instructions: Signing up for fresh dog food delivery should be simple. A brand should, at minimum, ask about your pet's age, weight, activity level, sex, whether they are spayed or neutered, and any food sensitivities. Saker recommends avoiding brands with questionnaires that skip over these questions, which are useful in determining the appropriate nutrition profile for your pet. Regardless of whether meals are preportioned, the company should also provide detailed feeding instructions, ideally on the packaging.
Cost: The best fresh dog food costs significantly more than other pet foods. Most companies offer a big discount on your first order, so read the fine print to determine the price for additional shipments.
Customer service: It should be easy to reach a customer service representative if you have questions or concerns about your order. Services that offer phone, chat, and email support are especially convenient.
Shipping and delivery notifications: Shipping and delivery notifications help you keep track of your pet's food. Because fresh food is at risk of spoiling if allowed to thaw, delivery notifications are especially important.
Packaging: Vacuum-sealed containers are best for fresh dog food. All of the brands I tested package their food in vacuum-sealed containers. You'll also want to consider how the food is kept frozen during shipping. In my testing, foods packed in dry ice tended to be completely frozen upon arrival, while ice packs sometimes allowed food to begin thawing before I unpacked the box. If food arrives thawed or at room temperature, you should not feed it to your dog. Instead, contact customer service to let them know about the issue.
Sustainability: With growing concerns regarding climate change, I looked at each brand's sustainability initiatives. Some recyclable packaging was present in my orders, usually in the insulation. However, most brands package the food in non-recyclable plastic, which isn't ideal. You can also look for brands committed to initiatives like climate neutrality and lowering carbon emissions.
How we tested the best fresh dog foodBefore narrowing down fresh dog food to test, I ensured each company's recipes met the AAFCO standards. I also favored brands that meet most or all of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines recommended by our experts.
Ultimately, I landed on six brands to test for at least one week each. While I know this is a short trial period, a couple of years ago, other Insider Reviews reporters tested JustFoodForDogs, PetPlate, Ollie, The Farmer's Dog, and Nom Nom, and were satisfied with each service.
I also interviewed pet food experts who helped me understand how fresh food is manufactured and what to look for when selecting nutritious recipes. My sources are 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 the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Fresh dog food FAQs What is the best fresh dog food for dogs?While plenty of excellent fresh dog food companies exist, there is no one-size-fits-all food for every pet. But that doesn't mean certain baseline criteria don't apply. Experts say any food you feed your dog should meet the standards set by the AAFCO and, ideally, WSAVA. These organizations evaluate the nutritional needs of animals and establish best practices for quality control.
Even then, it's vital to run any potential new diet by your veterinarian, who knows what's most appropriate for your dog. They can also ensure a brand's feeding recommendations meet your dog's caloric and nutritional needs. "[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," Luisana says.
Morishita says that, in addition to ensuring the nutritional content of food, the best fresh dog food must be handled safely. A big element of food safety happens during production, so you'll want to choose brands with high quality assurance standards, which include abiding by FDA regulations for pet food. Morishita says that consumers play an equally important role in safely handling their pets' food, and they should always follow basic food safety procedures when handling fresh dog food. These procedures include keeping the food in the refrigerator or freezer until feeding, cleaning and wiping down all surfaces the fresh food touches, and ensuring that the food isn't left out so long that it can spoil. She says a good rule of thumb is to treat your pet's fresh food like your own. Pets are not immune to spoiled food, even if it's 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," Luisana says, noting that homemade food may also come down to personal preference. But she cautions against going the homemade route if your veterinarian does not recommend it. "The most important thing to understand about homemade diets is that they are difficult to get right and easy to get wrong," she says. If you choose to make your dog's food from scratch, you'll want to do so under the guidance of your veterinarian and a veterinary nutritionist.
The best fresh dog food can be a nice compromise for those who want to feed their dogs something other than kibble or canned food. The companies recommended in this guide make foods formulated by animal nutrition experts to ensure they contain complete and balanced nutrition.
Are dog food subscriptions worth it?It depends on what you're looking for. The best dog food delivery services can take some of the work out of shopping for and preparing your dog's food. And if your dog is a picky eater, fresh food might be the thing to keep them licking their bowl clean at every meal. However, these services are expensive and require some forethought before feeding, such as remembering to thaw packages in the refrigerator overnight. Choosing the best food for your dog ultimately comes down to a recipe's nutrient profile and your dog's needs — not whether it's fresh or shelf-stable.
Should I feed my dog raw food?Some people talk about the purported benefits of raw dog food diets, but feeding your dog raw food can be dangerous. Your dog may be more at risk for bacterial infections from raw food, and this type of diet increases the chances of nutritional deficiency. Morishita says raw food contains much of the bacteria that are typically killed during the cooking process, which poses a threat to your pet if they ingest it and to you via cross-contamination. Opting for fresh or processed foods that are cooked is always safer.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food, According To Veterinarians
With so many dog food options available on the market today, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your furry friend. I consulted with veterinarians to help explain how to choose the best dog food for your pet's particular needs, and make sure they will get all the nutrition they require to thrive.
In a nutshellIn general, there are two different types of dog food available: dry dog food (kibble) and wet dog food (canned). Within these two categories, there are more specific versions — homemade, fresh premade, raw and freeze-dried raw.
Basic nutritional needs of dogsSimilar to humans, dogs need food to sustain their energy and tackle everyday activities.
"The basic nutritional needs for dogs include a balanced diet of proteins for growth, fats and carbohydrates for energy, various vitamins for different bodily functions and water for maintaining hydration," says Dwight Alleyne, DVM, veterinarian and JustAnswer veterinary expert.
For starters, although fats are often seen as a negative in nutrition, not all fats are created equal — in moderation, some fats can be beneficial for dogs. "Fat helps with the intake and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A, D, E and K," says Dr. Aziza Glass, DVM, CVA and veterinarian at Freshpet. "Fats also serve as a source of energy and provide omega fatty acids, like omega-6 and omega-3, which promote healthy cell growth, add shine to coats and replace oils in the skin."
Additionally, finding dog food with good vitamins and minerals is imperative to overall health. "Zinc, B vitamins, biotin and vitamin C are all great for reducing inflammation in the body and maintaining healthy skin," says Glass.
Common ingredients found in dog foodThe most common ingredients in dog food include proteins such as beef, chicken and turkey, which can help support muscle growth, according to Alleyne. Glass adds that for dogs, animal proteins are ideal since they're easier for them to digest versus those that come from plants, which is why they're more commonly found in dog food.
For dogs that don't need to eat grain-free dog food, grains such as brown rice, barley and oats are common in both wet and dry dog food and can be a great source of carbohydrates and fiber.
Ingredients to avoidThe ingredients to avoid in dog food really depend on your dog's specific needs. For example, if your pet has heart disease or is a breed that is prone to heart disease, you should avoid grain-free diets. "Although the direct connection is still a mystery, scientists and veterinarians know there is a correlation between dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart) and certain components found in grain-free diets," says Glass.
Aside from grains in some cases, pet parents should also avoid foods that have artificial preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) or BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which can increase risk for health conditions, warns Alleyne. Studies have shown a link between BHA and certain cancers and reproductive disorders.
How to choose the right dog food for your petAccording to Alleyne, pet owners need to choose food based on their dog's life stage or age, their size and breed, activity level, whether there is an underlying health condition and if the food's nutritional standards meet the Association of America Feeds Control Officials' (AAFCOS's) recommendations (more on that below). This information can be found on the back of the food container, or you can consult with your veterinarian for more specific advice catered to your dog's needs. If you're looking for dog food for weight loss, you'll want to find options that are high in protein and fiber to promote satiety.
How to read a dog food labelThere are a few pieces of information you'll want to keep in mind when reading a dog food label. Heidi Parrish, DVM, veterinarian at Mars Petcare, says to start by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement. "This is also known as the AAFCO statement and can be found on the back of the label, confirming that the food has the right balance of nutrients for your dog's life stage," she says.
Once that's confirmed, you'll want to review the ingredients. "Choose a company that sources high-quality ingredients for their food offerings and consider education about avoiding ingredients that your dog may not tolerate well," she says.
Next, Parrish urges pet parents to make sure they have the right food for the life stage of their dog whether that's a puppy, adult or senior. Lastly, you'll need to check the expiration date. "Look for the 'best by' date and be sure to use the food before then," says Parrish.
Make sure the dog food meets AAFCO guidelinesAAFCO is a nonprofit organization that focuses on animal nutrition and serves as a guide on how pet food should be prepared, so pet owners can feed their dogs a well-balanced diet. In order for a brand to meet AAFCO guidelines, the dog food has to meet certain criteria depending on the life stage of the dog — how to feed a puppy is different from how to feed an older dog, for example. This involves meeting specific levels of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus and other vitamins and minerals for dogs in the growth and maintenance phases. This information can be found on the back of the label of your dog food, according to Parrish.
Tips for transitioning to a new dog food Go slow and steadyWhen transitioning to a new food, it should always be gradual. "You should mix the new food with the old food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food over five to seven days," says Alleyne.
Pay attentionIf you transition to a new dog food too fast, Parrish says your pup might experience some unwanted side effects. "Pay close attention to your dog's behavior, including their energy levels, bowel movements and appetite," she says. Consult your veterinarian and, if necessary, opt for dog food for sensitive stomachs or dog food for allergies to help mitigate unwanted side effects.
The AP Buyline roundupWhen you're considering how to choose the best dog food, you'll want to look for options with high-quality ingredients, protein sources and those that meet AAFCO guidelines. Transition your dog to its new diet gradually and keep an eye on them to check for unwanted side effects.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) What should I look for in a quality dog food?According to Parrish, quality dog food will have fresh ingredients and contain the following food groups: protein, carbohydrates, fats/oils, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, quality dog food will meet the criteria set forth by AAFCO.
What brand of dog food do most vets recommend?Veterinarians recommend different brands based on a dog's individual needs. For Alleyne, specific brands he would include as good options include Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo and Hill's Science Diet.
Can I mix different types of dog food?Yes, you can mix different types of dog food. In many cases, wet and dry dog food are designed to be mixed. Watch how your dog responds and go from there if you've never done it before.
How do I know if my dog is getting enough nutrients?Similar to how you can tell if you're getting enough nutrients, you'll be able to tell if your dog is receiving enough protein, vitamins and other essentials by examining their behavior and appearance.
"When we see a dog who has a good appetite, a shiny coat, firm stools and good energy levels, we are confident that they are on a good diet that benefits their needs," says Parrish. "If any of these are lacking, then it's always OK to reconsider what they're being fed to ensure you're best meeting their needs."
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