Nom Nom dog food review: I tested this fresh food with my pup and she loved it

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As a pet owner, I'm always searching for the best dog food for my pup. I usually feed her store-bought kibble and canned food but recently began testing the best fresh dog food delivery services, including Nom Nom. Companies that sell this kind of food say it's better for your pet's health and more appetizing. Many pet parents also love the convenient auto-shipping so they're never left empty-handed. I wanted to see for myself if this was true. 

For this Nom Nom dog food review, the brand provided me with samples to feed my dog for two weeks. I tried three out of their four recipes with my 2-year-old pit mix, Lyla.

How it works

Recipes: Each Nom Nom dog food recipe meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for the ideal balance of nutrients for dogs of all life stages (puppies, adult, and pregnant and nursing dogs). Nom Nom's foods also align with the Global Nutrition Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), which recommend that an in-house veterinary nutritionist formulate recipes. 

But keep in mind that while fresh pet food is minimally processed, there is no evidence to support the claim that it's healthier for your dog. What makes an AAFCO complete and balanced pet food even better is the inclusion of healthy extras like fish oil, a source of omega fatty acids that support brain, skin, and coat health — veterinarians say it is one of the best dog supplements. Fish oil is in every Nom Nom recipe.

Nom Nom makes four different fresh food recipes:

Ordering: During sign-up, you share details about your dog, including their weight, age, and whether they're a picky eater, have food allergies or stomach sensitivities, or have poor coat health. Nom Nom won't bill you until the last day you can make changes to your order — this is typically one week before a scheduled delivery but varies by customer.

Customization: You can request multiple recipes in your box or choose a single recipe. If you check off boxes for picky eaters, food allergies, or poor coat health, Nom Nom will make specific recipe recommendations. However, the company does not offer customized recipes to accommodate additional preferences, food allergies, or intolerances. It's always important to speak with your vet if your dog has any of the mentioned issues.

Delivery: Food ships between 1 and 2 business days after you confirm your selections. You can also pause or change the delivery date through your account before the confirmation deadline.

Packaging: Each order arrives in a large, insulated box with ice packs. Recipes are packaged in vacuum-sealed plastic bags that must be stored in the freezer. No additional container is included to organize the food in the freezer.

Our review of Nom Nom dog food 

After I placed my Nom Nom order, I received email notifications when it was shipped and out for delivery. The box arrived at my door quickly and very cold — it was lined with insulation and packed with reusable gel ice packs, which kept Lyla's meals completely frozen.

My first impressions upon opening the box were positive. Each meal was bagged individually and secured to the others with rubber bands. These were easy to put away in my freezer and let me get a good look at the appearance of the food. If I didn't know it was dog food, I would think they were frozen meals for humans. 

I try to limit my waste as much as possible, so I was bummed by the amount of packaging. I liked that the box was insulated with recyclable and reusable materials, but I was left with four panels of insulation that were a pain to discard. I always like having extra ice packs in my freezer, but if I were to order from Nom Nom each month, they would quickly get out of hand. Overall, the packaging was significantly more than what's included in Lyla's typical canned and bagged foods.

I thawed each pack on my kitchen counter for about 12 hours before serving it to Lyla. The food came with easy-to-follow feeding instructions, and each meal was individually packaged. For the most part, Lyla enjoyed eating Nom Nom. She didn't particularly like the Chicken Cuisine recipe, but she happily ate the Turkey Fare and Pork Potluck meals. I served her two packages per day, which seemed to be more than she could eat. I always had about a half pack of food left, which I stored in the refrigerator and served to her the next day. Lyla often gets bored with her food, so I wasn't surprised when she started to turn her nose up at the meals after eating them consistently for a week. I supplemented the last few meals with bone broth to encourage her to eat everything. 

However, Lyla liked the food while it was still new to her. In the first few days, each bowl was licked clean after every meal, which is something Lyla rarely does. I don't think her interest in the food had anything to do with its appearance, but mine did. Each meal looked like a freshly prepared dinner for humans. I was really impressed by this, considering the food had been shipped frozen and then defrosted before feeding.

Cons to consider

If you're looking to switch to a fresh dog food delivery service like Nom Nom, know that it comes at a cost. A two-week supply of meals for a 50-pound dog costs just under $200. This is a considerable expense, especially when there are equally nutritious options for a lot less. 

With only four recipes, Nom Nom isn't the best option for dogs who like variety. Other fresh dog food companies like our top recommendation, Just Food For Dogs, offer more recipes, including options for special dietary needs. Although if your pup isn't picky, four recipes might work perfectly well. 

The bottom line

Nom Nom is a good option for pet parents looking to feed their dogs fresh food. I felt good about giving Lyla this food that meets the AAFCO standards and even better knowing that a veterinary nutritionist formulated it to ensure it contains all the right nutrients.

It might not be the right option for my picky eater at the moment, but I plan on trying out Nom Nom again if they expand their recipe options.