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Best Fresh Dog Food Brands 2024
Written by Adam Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 07/05/2023, edited: 03/08/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Fresh dog food is becoming increasingly popular with pet parents, and for good reason. Made with whole ingredients, fresh food is super tasty and loaded with texture and flavor — pawfect for picky eaters. It's also easy on sensitive teeth, helps keep dogs hydrated, and contains less fillers and preservatives than other dog foods.
When researching the best fresh dog food brands, pay close attention to the ingredients list. Here are a few pointers to help you on your search:
- A high-quality protein source (like chicken or beef) should always be at the top of the list.
- Look out for nutritious fruits and veggies, like carrots, kale, blueberries, and sweet potatoes.
- The closer fresh dog food is to human-grade food, the better.
- Many fresh foods are grain-free, which isn't ideal for every dogs.
Whether you're looking to switch up your pup's diet for health reasons or you simply have a fussy fur-baby and want to give fresh food a try, read on to discover Wag!'s top-rated fresh dog food brands to try!
Overview
Open Farm (Gently Cooked)
Vet recommended
When it comes to sustainability, transparency, and animal welfare, Open Farm is one of the best dog food brands on the market.
Open Farm Gently Cooked is a fresh food range consisting of grass-fed meat and non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Open Farm has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 42% by 2030.
These are just a few reasons why Wag!'s very own pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, recommends Open Farm to her own clients:
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
Open Farm's website lets you check where every ingredient in your doggo's food is sourced. Check out the ingredients list of the Grass-Fed Beef recipe, and you'll find out its beef is reared in Australia, while its carrots and butternut squash are grown right here at home in Michigan.
Most recipes meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) nutrient profile guidelines for maintenance (adult).
Some recipes, including the grain-inclusive recipes and the puppy fresh food, meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages — which means you can feed your pooch the same food all their life.
See our full Open Farm dog food review to learn more about the furrific products this brand has to offer.
Open Farm Gently Cooked flavors & top five ingredients
Grass-fed Beef & Brown Rice (grain-inclusive): Beef, whole-grain barley, brown rice, carrots, beef liver
Harvest Chicken & Brown Rice (grain-inclusive): Chicken, whole-grain barley, carrots, brown rice, kale
Homestead Turkey: Turkey, kale, carrots, apples, butternut squash
Surf & Turf: Beef, carrots, kale, apples, salmon
Grass-Fed Beef (grain-free): Beef, carrots, kale, beef liver, zucchini
Harvest Chicken (grain-free): Chicken, carrots, kale, butternut squash, apples
Puppy recipe: Chicken, salmon, pork, chicken liver, carrots
Open Farm Grass-fed Beef Fresh Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Open Farm
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant with Wag!
- Contains human-grade, grass-fed meat and non-GMO fruit and vegetables
- High transparency and sustainability standards
- Natural sources of vitamins and minerals, like chicory root, spinach, and sunflower oil
- A variety of flavors for fussy eaters
Considerations & concerns
- Above-average fat-to-protein percentages
- Higher quality means higher cost
- Grain-free recipes may concern some pet parents due to links with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
What pet parents say about Open Farm
"He loves his beef gently cooked! Reading the ingredients is wonderful, but when you open the package and see all the fresh vegetables, it looks like a gourmet meal! Our dog licks the bowl even when it’s empty, for the first time in his life, he loves it that much!!"
"My dog LOVES this food! He’s a bossy Pomeranian who demands to eat early because he loves it so much. It’s pricey but worth every penny as it’s healthy and happy!"
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
A Pup Above
Vet recommended
“A Pup Above offers human-grade dry and fresh food options that are cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients," says Dr. Jeremiah. "Their recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and contain no GMO ingredients, antibiotics, or growth hormones found in many vegetable and meat products.”
For these reasons and so many more, we think A Pup Above is a cut above most dog foods out there.
All recipes from A Pup Above have quality named protein sources as the first two ingredients. For example, the Turkey Pawella recipe lists turkey and turkey livers as the first two ingredients. As a result, A Pup Above says its recipes have as much as 39% more protein than other leading dog foods, like Hill's Science Diet.
Plus, A Pup Above's fresh food is loaded with superfoods like kale, parsley, and turmeric to keep your doggo healthy and energetic.
Insulated packaging with dry ice ensures A Pup Above's fresh dog food retains freshness and remains frozen in transit.
For a closer look at this brand's offerings, check out our full A Pup Above review.
A Pup Above flavors & top five ingredients
Texas Beef Stew: Beef, beef liver, tomatoes, bone broth, carrots
Porky’s Luau: Pork, pork liver, sweet potatoes, bone broth, green beans
Turkey Pawella: Turkey, turkey livers, tomatoes, carrots, bone broth
Chicka Chicka Bow Wow: Chicken, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, bone broth, spinach
A Pup Above Fresh Dog Food Sampler Pack
Why Wag! loves A Pup Above
- Recommended by Wag!'s resident pet nutrition expert and practicing veterinarian, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah
- Human-grade ingredients
- Sous-vide cooking to retain nutritional value
- Traceable ingredients for transparency
- Fully recyclable packaging
Considerations & concerns
- Lack of customization options
- Only suitable for adult dogs
What pet parents say about A Pup Above
"Amazing food for your pup!! When I received the package I was amazed by this company. The way they invest in the packaging is amazing and the quality is great!! My dog loves eating carrots so this was perfect for her!"
"The quality of the food is above all others! My dogs devour the frozen patties in minutes. As a dog mom, I appreciate the cooking techniques, locally sourced ingredients, veterinary formulated recipes, and the ability to track all ingredients! What more could I ask for for my family members?"
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from A Pup Above's website. Copyright A Pup Above.
Spot & Tango
Vet recommended
Spot & Tango is another fresh food brand that gets the seal of approval from Dr. Jeremiah:
“Spot & Tango offers customized human-grade meal plans for pups with the added benefit of being shelf-stable," she explains. "Nutrient profiles are preserved through low-temperature dehydration, products have guaranteed nutrient analysis, and all recipes are developed by certified veterinary nutritionists. If your pup turns their nose up, Spot & Tango also offers a ‘Happy Pup Guarantee’ and will give you 100% of your money back after your 2-week trial.”
Spot & Tango produces some of the best grain-inclusive fresh and wet foods on the market. Its fresh dog food contains 100% fresh ingredients with no GMOs, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavors.
Spot & Tango's fresh dog food meets AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for all life stages, which means you won't have to transition your dog to new food when they reach adulthood or old age.
It also contains whole-food fruits and vegetables like spinach, apples, cranberries, and carrots to give your pup all the essential nutrients they need, regardless of their age or activity level.
Just provide some basic info about your dog to get a custom meal plan, including calorie-specific serving sizes and feeding guidelines.
Our in-depth Spot & Tango dog food review covers everything else you need to know about this pawsome brand.
Spot & Tango flavors & top five ingredients
Turkey & Red Quinoa: Turkey, red quinoa, eggs, spinach, carrots
Beef & Millet: Beef, millet, eggs, spinach, carrots
Lamb & Brown Rice: Lamb, brown rice, eggs, spinach, carrots
Spot & Tango fresh dog food
Why Wag! loves Spot & Tango
- Recommended by our pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah
- Human-grade ingredients
- No preservatives or artificial flavors
- Suitable for all life stages
- Customizable calorie-specific serving sizes
Considerations & concerns
- High quality means high prices
- Only monthly delivery options for most locations
What pet parents say about Spot & Tango
"We recently switched to Spot & Tango fresh food for our dog Ziggy. He loves the taste and we love the high quality of the food! The convenience of delivery and pre-portioned packs is another plus. Thank you for making dog food that we're all happy with!"
"Spot & Tango delivered on everything they said they would. They have a great customer support system, and certainly would be willing to use them again. If you truly care about your pet, then don't hesitate to order from Spot & Tango!"
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Spot & Tango website. Copyright Spot & Tango.
Nom Nom
Best limited-ingredient diet
Nom Nom puts great care into ensuring its fresh dog foods are nutrient-rich, highly digestible, and super tasty.
Like others on our list, this brand operates a subscription delivery service. Provide some info about your pup's unique needs, and Nom Nom will create a custom meal plan that your mutt is sure to love.
Each ingredient is gently cooked separately before mixing to retain as much nutritional value as possible. Nom Nom uses human-grade ingredients without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Limited ingredients mean Nom Nom's recipes are perfect for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
With the help of two board-certified veterinary nutritionists, Nom Nom has incorporated nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes, cremini mushrooms, and russet potatoes in its dog foods.
Nom Nom is transparent about its ingredient processing practices — all its dog foods are cooked at Nom Nom's Nashville and San Francisco Bay Area kitchen facilities.
For more info, check out our comprehensive Nom Nom dog food review.
Nom Nom flavors & top five ingredients
Chicken Cuisine: Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach
Turkey Fare: Turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
Pork Potluck: Ground pork, russet potatoes, green beans, squash, kale
Beef Mash: Beef, potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas
Nom Nom fresh dog food
Why Wag! loves Nom Nom
- Recipes developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
- Features human-grade meats and fresh fruits and vegetables
- Ingredients are gently cooked separately from each other to preserve nutrients
- Free shipping
- Packaging made from recyclable materials
Considerations & concerns
- Pricier than alternative dog foods
- Only monthly shipping is available
What pet parents say about Nom Nom
"My dogs are more excited to eat dinner now and I do think I can tell they have more energy and their eyes look more close as well. They are both 7 years old. We've not had any problems with shipping [or] delivery either."
"My dogs absolutely love this food. The quality of the food is exceptional. Both of my dogs have more energy and better coats. Their poops are amazing, easier to clean up and very little smell. Friends have commented on how much better Molly and Charlie look, and I recommend this food to them."
Read more reviews on Consumer Affairs.
Product image sourced from the Nom Nom website. Copyright NomNomNow, Inc.
Ollie
Best for all life stages
Ollie is a top-tier fresh dog food company serving up human-grade meals designed to aid digestion, improve energy levels, and keep your pup's coat sleek and shiny.
To get started with Ollie, provide some basic info about your barking buddy. Ollie will then match Fido with their ideal dinner and deliver it directly to your door.
Ollie's Fresh dog food range contains no fillers or artificial flavors and is prepared in the US. Its popular Fresh Turkey recipe lists turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils as the first five ingredients, all of which are human-grade.
Each recipe is steam-cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. Plus, Ollie offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive food to cater to your canine's specific dietary needs.
For a deeper dive, check out our Ollie dog food review.
Ollie flavors & top five ingredients
Turkey: Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
Beef: Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas
Chicken: Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas
Lamb: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb livers, chickpeas, kale
Pork: Pork, pork livers, butternut squash, rice, sweet potatoes
Ollie fresh dog food
Why Wag! loves Ollie
- Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- No fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors
- Suitable for all life stages
- Contains nutrient-rich fresh ingredients like kale, cranberries, pumpkins, and spinach
Considerations & concerns
- Unavailable without subscription
- Perishes in four days if refrigerated instead of frozen
What pet parents say about Ollie
"Extremely pleased with the quality of the food. My dog loves her meals and the portions are spot on. Customer service was excellent when I needed to request a change on my shipping time frame."
"Perfect timing super easy at my doorstep just as I am beginning to run low. Charlotte my min pin had stomach issues with other quality foods so I went to Ollie's slightly cooked all fresh meals and like magic no more stomach issues.
She was doing super just after one week and now (6) months later her coat is much brighter and she's doing superb for an old gal in her 13th year."
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Ollie website. Copyright Ollie Pets, Inc.
The Farmer's Dog
Best human-grade food
The Farmer's Dog is one of the best companies producing human-grade fresh dog food. All The Farmer's Dog recipes are formulated in partnership with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and cooked in USDA-certified kitchens.
The best part? These dog foods are even tested on humans to ensure they meet The Farmer's Dog's high standards!
Suitable for all life stages, The Farmer's Dog recipes consist of superior meats and superfoods like kale, sunflower seeds, and cauliflower. The Farmer's Dog food is also flash-frozen to preserve nutrients.
Getting started with The Farmer's Dog is super simple. Fill out your dog's health information to get recommended recipes, then set up auto-shipping for convenient deliveries.
For a deeper dive into this fresh food brand, read our full review of the The Farmer's Dog.
The Farmer's Dog flavors & top five ingredients
Turkey recipe: Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, spinach
Chicken recipe: Chicken, chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
Beef recipe: Beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrots, beef liver
Pork recipe: Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower
The Farmer's Dog fresh dog food
Why Wag! loves The Farmer's Dog
- Human-grade ingredients
- Preservative-free and cooked at low temperatures to conserve nutrients
- Goes above and beyond standards for AAFCO feeding trials
- Flexible delivery options
Considerations & concerns
- Higher quality means higher prices
- No preservatives mean food perishes within four days in the refrigerator
What pet parents say about The Farmer's Dog
"Sulley loves Farmers Dog! He is so excited about his meals now. I feel so much better giving him food I know is fresh and healthy. There customer service is very responsive as well. It is a bit more expensive, but a huge improvement over dry kibble and canned food."
"My shipments come on time. Customer service is VERY helpful when I have a question. And Bailey loves her new diet. Seriously. It's obvious how much she likes this over the wet dog food I was trying to feed her."
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from The Farmer's Dog website. Copyright The Farmer's Dog.
FAQ
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