Our 2024 Picks for the Best Fresh and Human-Grade Dog Food Subscriptions

Kate Barrington

Researched & Written by

Kate Barrington


At Pawster, we are committed to presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information to assist you in your pet care journey. When appropriate, we consult licensed and practicing veterinarians to fact-check our professionally written articles.

Which One is Best? Nom Nom

If you’re looking for premium-quality fresh food for pets, you can’t do better than Nom Nom. Vet-formulated for nutritional balance and made with human-grade ingredients, Nom Nom sends pre-portioned meals right to your door in convenient monthly deliveries.

You treat your dog more like a child than like a pet, giving him the best of everything you possibly can. If your dog gets the best of the best when it comes to toys, bedding, and treats, doesn’t he deserve the best possible diet as well? But what does that even look like?

Pet nutrition experts agree that fresh food is one of the most nutritious options for dogs. The trouble with many fresh dog food recipes, however, is that they can be expensive to prepare at home and it’s hard to get the nutritional balance just right.

That’s why you should consider trying one of the best fresh dog food delivery services on the market. These companies send freshly prepared dog food right to your door – all you have to do is open the package and pour it into your dog’s bowl! It really couldn’t be any easier.

There are plenty of fresh dog food delivery companies out there, but they aren’t all created equal.

We’ve taken the time to test and review the best options on the market to give you the information you need to make an educated decision for yourself and for your dog. Read on to see what we think!

The Best Fresh Dog Food Subscriptions

Fresh food for dogs is typically made from whole-food ingredients like real meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. The benefit of fresh food is linked to the quality of those ingredients and the process used to cook them. Traditional kibble is processed in giant batches and exposed to high heat which reduces the nutritional integrity and compromises the quality.

The best subscription dog food companies currently on the market prepare their food in small batches at low heat to keep the nutritional quality high. They use high-quality, often human-grade ingredients, and they offer customized meal plans with personalized feeding recommendations for your dog.

If you want to give your dog the best nutrition you possibly can, human-grade dog food is a good place to start. Better yet, a human-grade dog food delivery service that sends the food right to your door in pre-portioned packages you simply open and pour into your dog’s bowl.

We’ve tested the top fresh dog food recipes on the market to bring you a quick summary of each so you can narrow down the list of options and make the choice for yourself. Here are our top 5 picks:

Company Benefits # of Recipes Weekly Price
#1 Nom Nom Fresh food with human-grade ingredients, individually portioned 4 <$40
#2 Ollie Personalized meal plans for pet’s age, breed, activity, and allergies 4 <$40
#3 The Farmer’s Dog Simple recipes made in USDA kitchens with human-grade ingredients 3 <$40
#4 Spot & Tango Premium-quality meals made with just 12 simple ingredients or less 3 <$60
#5 A Pup Above Fresh dog food cooked via sous vide, made with human-grade ingredients 3 <$40

*Weekly price estimated for a 30-pound male dog with normal activity level

Now that you’ve seen a preview of our top picks, it’s time to get down to the details! Read on to see a quick review for each of our top 5 picks with some additional options we think you should consider.

Nom Nom

When it comes to the best fresh dog food delivery service, we love Nom Nom. This company offers four different recipes for dogs as well as a variety pack so you can vary your dog’s diet. Simply fill out a profile for your pet to provide important information about his age, weight, and activity level with details for preferences and breed, then you’ll receive a custom meal plan formulated specifically for your dog. From there, just fill in your delivery information and you’re good to go!

Nom Nom uses human-grade ingredients in all their recipes starting with real animal protein like chicken or beef. Each recipe is packed with wholesome fruits and veggies, supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance. Your dog’s food comes in pre-portioned packages with real ingredients you can see – just open a bag at each meal and pour it into your dog’s bowl.

Pros:

  • Four human-grade dog food recipes to choose from
  • Meals are individually portioned according to calorie needs
  • Custom meal plan for your dog, convenient monthly deliveries

Cons:

  • May need to contact customer service for changes to account
  • Smaller portions may come wrapped together

Ollie

If you’re not particularly concerned with scooping your dog’s food yourself, Ollie is another one of the best subscription dog food services you might consider. They use high-quality, human-grade ingredients along with real fruits and veggies and nutrient-rich superfoods. You won’t find any fillers or by-products in Ollie’s dog food and you’ll enjoy a flexible, regular delivery schedule with free shipping. You’re free to adjust your subscription at any time through your online account.

Ollie fresh food for dogs delivers health benefits you can see including a shinier coat, fewer issues with allergies, and more energy. Ollie tailor’s your dog’s meal plan to his age, breed, activity level, and ideal weight to provide you with detailed feeding instructions. You may have to portion out the food yourself, but Ollie sends you a custom scoop in every order for convenience.

Pros:

  • Personalized meal plans tailored to your dog’s needs
  • Fresh, human-grade ingredients free from fillers and by-products
  • Flexible, regular delivery schedule you can adjust as needed

Cons:

  • Recipes are not pre-portioned for individual dogs
  • Limited options for dogs with food allergies

The Farmer’s Dog

If you believe that you shouldn’t be the only one in the family eating healthy, The Farmer’s Dog agrees with you. This company offers fresh food for dog made with the highest quality ingredients, freshly made and sent right to your door on a monthly basis. Choose from three different recipes featuring real animal proteins and know that your dog is receiving the benefit of whole-food nutrition without any by-products, fillers, or artificial additives.

The Farmer’s Dog uses only human-grade meat and veggies prepared in USDA kitchens to ensure premium quality. Every recipe is vet-approved to exceed industry standards and cooked at low temperatures in small batches to preserve nutritional integrity. Your dog’s meals are pre-portioned according to his individual calorie needs and flash-frozen to maintain freshness.

Pros:

  • Meals are pre-portioned according to individual calorie needs
  • All products made with human-grade meat and veggies
  • Vet-approved formulas that exceed industry standards for nutrition

Cons:

  • You may not be able to view recipes without a profile
  • Limited number of recipes to choose from (3)

Spot & Tango

Reading a dog food label can be exhausting, especially if the list of ingredients is a mile long. Spot & Tango keeps it simple with just 12 key ingredients in every recipe. Their products are made with human-grade ingredients, cooked fresh, and free from artificial additives and by-products. Simply put, it’s high-quality, personalized nutrition for your pet that arrives right on your doorstep each and every month.

Spot & Tango fresh dog food delivery is formulated by veterinary nutritionists to deliver premium quality nutrition to keep your dog healthy and happy. If fresh food isn’t quite right for your dog, consider UnKibble, the world’s first Fresh Dry dog food subscription. Both options are made with human-grade ingredients and held to the highest standards for quality and safety.

Pros:

  • Each recipe made with just 12 simple ingredients
  • Personalized meal plans catered to your dog’s unique needs
  • Choose from fresh dog food or fresh dry food (UnKibble)

Cons:

  • Limited number of recipes to choose from (3)
  • Significantly more expensive than some brands

A Pup Above

What’s the point in using high-quality ingredients if you’re going to cook them to death and destroy the nutrients? A Pup Above believes that quality matters and they do everything they can to preserve it, starting with the sous vide cooking method. This method involves cooking the food in a water bath, low and slow, to destroy pathogens without compromising nutritional integrity. Not only does your dog receive all the nutrients he needs, but his food is packed with flavor and moisture.

A Pup Above offers three different recipes, all packaged in 1-pound patties and shipped in convenient freezer bags. The meals aren’t pre-portioned for you, but there are easy-to-follow instructions on the bag. You have the option to purchase single bags or a variety pack, or you can create a profile for your pet to receive custom meal plan recommendations to sign up for a monthly delivery.

Pros:

  • Sous vide cooking method preserves nutrition and flavor
  • Recipes formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionist
  • Purchase single bags or receive personalized meal plan recommendations

Cons:

  • Recipes are not pre-portioned for individual dogs
  • Limited number of recipes to choose from (3)

Other Dog Food Deliveries We Like

If the best fresh dog food delivery options listed above don’t seem like the perfect fit, there are still others to consider. Maybe you’re looking for raw food or you’re wondering if there’s a similar service for dry food. You’re in luck! We’ve got several more companies to recommend:

PetPlate

Receiving your dog’s food in pre-portioned packages is great, but you might care more about the convenience of storage than the convenience of feeding. PetPlate is a great option if you want to avoid the hassle of having to scoop leftover food into a new container. This company may not portion out the meals for you, but everything is shipped in reusable containers with lids. Simply rinse and recycle them when you’re finished or use them again.

PetPlate uses USDA meats, fruits, and veggies in all of their recipes and their products are kettle-cooked to preserve nutritional integrity. Each formula is nutritionally balanced and supplemented with a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals. Once you provide basic information about your dog, you’ll receive a customized meal plan with detailed calorie and feeding recommendations.

Pros:

  • Meals come in reusable plastic containers with lids
  • Recipes are kettle-cooked to preserve nutritional quality
  • Personalized meal plans based on your dog’s calorie needs

Cons:

  • Larger containers take up significant space in the freezer
  • Meals aren’t pre-portioned, you have to scoop them yourself

Darwin’s

If it’s nutritional quality you’re concerned about, Darwin’s raw food is a great option to consider. As good as fresh food is, raw food is one step higher because the ingredients aren’t cooked – that means they retain their original nutritional integrity. The better the ingredients, the more nutrients your dog absorbs which leads to improved overall health.

Darwin’s offers two product lines, one of which uses only free-range meats and organic veggies. The meals come in 1-pound patties individually frozen and packaged in four-packs with perforated markings so you can easily separate them. The meals aren’t portioned out, but each package has easy feeding instructions. You might expect raw food to cost a fortune, but it’s actually a little lower in price than several fresh food companies and you can receive a sample order of 10 pounds for just $14.95.

Pros:

  • Packed with real animal protein and whole foods
  • Not cooked or processed to destroy nutrients
  • Receive a sample of 10 pounds for just $14.95

Cons:

  • Safe food handling procedures required for raw food
  • Meals don’t come in individual portions

Pallaby

Fresh dog food is great, but some dogs aren’t used to the texture and it isn’t an affordable option for everyone. If you’re looking for a high-quality dry food and you want the convenience of monthly deliveries, consider Pallaby. This company offers the additional benefit of portioning out your dog’s meals according to his calorie needs, packaging each portion in eco-friendly, compostable bags.

Pallaby only offers one recipe at this time, but they’re working on expanding their product selection. Their Chicken and Brown Rice formula features fresh chicken and chicken meal as the top two ingredients, followed by brown rice. To customize your dog’s monthly meal plan, just provide some simple information about him and you’ll start receiving monthly deliveries catered to his needs.

Pros:

  • Real animal protein (chicken) is the first ingredient
  • Made with wholesome brown rice and real fruits/veggies
  • Pre-portioned in eco-friendly bags per your dog’s calorie needs

Cons:

  • Only one recipe currently available (others coming soon)
  • Formula contains some plant protein (pea protein)

Is Fresh Dog Food Really Worth the Cost?

As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your pet, but you’re also concerned with cost. You shouldn’t shop for pet food by price alone, but there’s nothing wrong with feeding your pet the highest quality diet you can consistently afford. It doesn’t have to be a 5-star food but aim for 4 stars at least.

Fresh food is one of the most nutrition options for pets, but it can be a little pricey. Is it worth it?

When it comes to determining the value of fresh food for dogs, you have to look at it from numerous angles. On the one hand, you’re paying for higher quality ingredients and the convenience of having the food delivered right to your door. On the other hand, some fresh foods aren’t actually much better in terms of nutrition and quality than certain brands of premium dry or canned food.

What it really comes down to, however, is the long-term benefit. The higher the quality of your dog’s diet, the healthier he will be in the long run. A healthier dog means fewer vet visits which, as you know, can become very expensive very quickly. Feeding fresh dog food might save you money over the course of your dog’s lifespan and it could very well extend his lifespan too!

What About Fresh Cat Food?

Though dogs and cats have very different nutritional needs, one thing applies to both – fresh food is generally a healthier, more nutritious option than the average commercial kibble. While fresh dog food is extremely popular, however, fresh food for cats hasn’t gained quite as much ground in the industry.

If you’re looking to increase the quality of your cat’s diet, we recommend considering a premium-quality canned food versus a dry food diet. Canned food is higher in moisture and tends to be higher in protein as well than the average kibble. To take things one step higher, look for a fresh cat food subscription service like Smalls for Smalls. Nom Nom and Darwin’s also offer several cat food recipes you might try.

Fresh Dog Food FAQs

Is fresh food really safe for dogs?

What you’re probably really wondering is whether fresh dog food is cooked. In most cases, the answer is yes. While raw dog food does exist, subscription services are limited. Most of the fresh dog food recipes we’re tried are cooked, albeit at lower temperatures than traditional kibble. The food is cooked to destroy potentially harmful pathogens but not exposed to heat high enough that the nutritional integrity of the ingredients is compromised. You’ll still want to follow safe food handling procedures, but fresh food is perfectly safe and extremely healthy for dogs.

How do you make the most of a dog food subscription service?

The benefit of dog food subscriptions is that you don’t have to go to the pet store – the food is sent right to your home in predictable deliveries. To make the most of the service, be sure to fill out your pet’s profile with the most accurate details possible. These companies use information about your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level to calculate his calorie needs and recipe recommendations take allergies and preferences into consideration.

What are the benefits of human-grade dog food?

The term human-grade applies only to a product as a whole, not to the individual ingredients. In order for dog food to carry the human-grade designation, it has to be made with USDA ingredients in a USDA-inspected human food facility. Generally speaking, human-grade dog food recipes are higher in nutritional quality than the average dog food, though there are never any guarantees. It’s up to you as a responsible dog owner to do some digging to verify the quality of anything you plan to feed your dog.

Are fresh dog food recipes hard to make at home?

You can find fresh dog food recipes all over the internet, but not all of them are formulated by veterinarians or animal nutritionists. Your dog has specific nutritional needs that must be met for balanced health, and it can be tricky to create the ideal nutrient combination without the use of synthetic supplements. If you don’t mind doing the work, it’s certainly possible to make fresh dog food at home but it’s typically easier to subscribe to a fresh dog food delivery service instead.

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