A few years ago, most dog parents wouldn’t think twice about giving their dog canned or dry dog food from the shops. After all it’s ‘just food’ and it’s designed for dogs.

Recently however, animal experts have been looking more closely at the ingredients in kibble and what they found was surprising.

Not only do they often contain a high number of additives and preservatives, to give it a longer shelf life, but the base ingredients can be low quality as well.

Meat by-products and fillers are often used instead of quality meats. The ingredients are then cooked at very high temperatures which can remove a lot of the nutrients from the foods.

All this helps keep the food prices cheaper and a longer storage life, which is more convenient for dog owners. But it doesn’t do much for dogs’ health.

More pet owners are even starting to attribute their dog’s ongoing health problems to the ingredients in their food. And as a result they’re making the switch to fresh dog food.

Here we compare 2 of the best fresh dog food delivery services Ollie and Nom Nom.

Both offer meals made with high-quality ingredients that promise to be preservative and chemical free. They’re freshly prepared for your pup, portioned and delivered to your door each week or every few weeks.

Find out more about each service including their ingredients, meals offered, dog owners’ reviews and more.

Is Fresh Dog Food Good for Picky Dogs?

Fresh dog foods have been lapped up by even the pickiest of dogs. Owners frequently report that they literally licked the bowl. This speaks to the quality of the food in the meals.

These dog meals are prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients which are preservative free and stored in the freezer or fridge until served. They’re formulated especially with dogs’ long term nutritional needs in mind, often by veterinary nutritionists.

Fresh dog food delivery services prepare the meals, then they portion them into plastic packets and deliver them to your door in an insulated box. They work on a subscription basis so that you can receive regular deliveries, usually every week or every two weeks.

These services give dog owners the convenience of not having to prepare fresh meals every day for their pup or worry about their getting the right balance of nutrients for their needs. They don’t even need to go out to buy the foods as they come straight to the door.

Does Fresh Dog Food Give Dogs Health Benefits?

Nom Nom and Ollie are 2 of the best fresh dog food services and each can offer a number of health benefits to your dog such as:

1. Healthier stools and digestion
2. Helping develop a shiny coat
3. Better energy levels
4. Better smelling breath and body odors
5. Maintaining a healthy weight
6. Prevention of diet-related health issues and increasing life-span

A recent study found that feeding dogs fresh dog meals as opposed to dry dog food could increase their life expectancy by as much as 3 years.

Nom Nom vs Ollie: Comparison Table

Ingredient quality	High-quality ingredients Meats sourced from US farms	Hormone-free certified meats Meats sourced from farms in the US and Australia
Free from	Preservatives Hormones Artificial flavors Fillers or ‘protein meals’ Animal by-products	Preservatives Hormones Artificial flavors Fillers Animal by-products
Price (USD) (Price ranges are estimates)	$2.40-$13 a day (quotes are based on your dog’s size and details)	$2-$9 per day (quotes are based on your dog’s size and details)
Shipping cost	Free shipping in the US	Free shipping in the US
Meals personalised based on your dog’s:	Breed Weight Age Gender Body condition Sex Number of specific health conditions	Breed Current and ideal weight Age Gender Body shape Spayed or neutered Level of energy Current food type Allergy to ingredients
Who formulates the dog meals?	Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists	Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists
Fresh meal options	Beef Mash Turkey Fare Chicken Cuisine Pork Potluck	Beef Chicken Lamb Turkey
Treat Options	Do not currently sell treats but stay tuned!	Savory Beef Strips Sweet Potato Slices Tasty Chicken Strips Trusty Turkey Strips
Meet AAFCO and USDA standards	Yes	Yes
Meal storage	8 days in the fridge 6 months in the freezer	Store meals in the freezer and defrost packets as you need them.
Reviews	4.3 stars from 1,468 Trustpilot reviews	4.7 stars from 3,118 Trustpilot reviews
Special offers	50% off your first order: Nom Nom	50% off your first box: Ollie

50% off first meal: Nom Nom

Nom Nom Dog Food Review

Nom Nom was founded in 2015 by a group of dog enthusiasts after one of their puppies, an Australian Shepherd, was diagnosed with a compromised immune system.

As more focus was already shifting onto dog’s health through nutrition, her vet recommended a fresh diet to help with her problems. And apparently it did.

Making fresh meals also took up a lot of time though and there was a lot of effort to check that each meal had the right nutrients for their pup in the long term.

The founders wondered why there wasn’t a healthier solution to dry dog food on the market when they saw fresh dog food had such clear benefits to their health.

So they founded Nom Nom.

Why Is Nom Nom One of the Best Dog Foods?

Nom Nom’s meals are made with fresh, whole ingredients and are designed by veterinary nutritionists to ensure they meet dogs’ long term needs. Their goal is to help dogs with their overall health and wellness.

They have a number of big advantages over some traditional dog foods:

• Fresh, high-quality ingredients are used in their meals.
• Meats are hormone-free and sourced from US farms.
• Low temperature cooking of meals in order to retain more nutrients in the meals.
• No preservatives or fillers are added or used.
• Meals are formulated by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure that they meet your dog’s nutritional needs.

How Do I Order Nom Nom Dog Meals?

To get started you answer 7 main questions about your dog which include breed, weight and health conditions.

Nom Nom use this information to calculate the calorie intake and nutritional needs of your dog.

They will provide you with a quote for the amount of dog food your pup will need each day.

Along with some suggestions of which of their meals they will enjoy. You can choose your own meals if you prefer and you have the option to rotate the recipes for your dog. Their 4 meal options are:

1. Beef Mash
2. Chicken Cuisine
3. Pork Potluck
4. Turkey Fare

If your dog has health issues you can add these to your account and you’re also encouraged to contact customer services to discuss their needs.

Once you have selected the meals that you prefer you can get started.

50% off first meal: Nom Nom

Nom Nom’s Transition Plan

Adjusting to a new food can be a big change for dogs, particularly on their stomachs. For that reason, Nom Nom automatically starts you off with a 7-day transition plan.

During this time you’re given 50% of your dog’s meals which you can mix with their current food to help their bodies get used to it. Afterwards you can continue with full meal portions.

Delivery Frequency

Following the transition plan, you can set your delivery frequency to every week, 2 weeks or 4 weeks, as you prefer.

How Do Nom Nom Meals Arrive?

Nom Nom’s meals arrive in an insulated cardboard box with ice packs to keep the food cool.

Once you get them you can transfer most of them to the freezer where they will keep for 6 months. The meals also last for 7 days in the fridge.

Are Nom Nom’s Meals Pre-Portioned

Yes. A big advantage with Nom Nom is that they pre-portion your dog’s meals so that 1 packet is 1 meal.

This is very convenient for dog parents as it means you don’t have to worry about measuring out the right portion of food from a packet and then storing leftovers.

The meals themselves come in soft, airtight, plastic packets which are compact, so that they take up as little space as possible in the fridge or freezer.

50% off first meal: Nom Nom

What Does Nom Nom Cost?

The quote you will receive will depend on the breed and size of dog that you have, along with other details.

As such it’s not possible to give an exact price, however we put together the below price ranges as a guide.

They are an estimate of the quote levels you may get:

• Small dog (10-20lbs): $3-5 a day
• Medium dog (30-40lbs): $5-7 a day
• Large dog (50-70lbs): $7-14 a day

It takes a minute to do the quiz if you want to get a personalised quote: Nom Nom Quiz.

Money Back Guarantee

Nom Nom offer you a 30 day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your first box you can always request a refund.

Nom Nom Customer Reviews

Nom Nom got an average of 4.4 stars out of 5 from 1,232 reviews across 2 independent websites (Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs).

Dog owners loved the meals which looked good enough for people to eat as well.

Even those with dogs who were picky eaters commented that they took to the meals immediately.

Many also reported seeing a number of health benefits in their dog, like more energy, less dandruff, in some cases an improvement in on-going health conditions.

A few reviewers commented that their dogs reacted badly to the foods at first. This can happen when you make a big change to their diet and they may need some more time to adjust.

Here’s what some Nom Nom dog parents had to say:

50% off first box: Ollie

Ollie Meals Review

Ollie was started in 2016 but a group of dog owners and lovers in New York who are passionate about making healthy food more easily available to dogs.

They want dogs’ food to help them live longer lives, have more energy and give them the nutrition they need to be healthy.

Does Ollie Offer Good Quality Dog Food?

Ollie’s meals contain good levels of protein along with fresh vegetables and some carbs. They have both grain and grain-free options with their meals.

As they are designed by veterinary nutritionists to be carefully balanced, they provide high nutritional value to dogs. They also personalise each dog’s requirements according to their details.

Their meals include:

• High-quality ingredients.
• Hormone-free meats from US and Australian farms in their meals, free from fillers.
• Preservative and artificial flavor free meals.
• Veterinary nutritionists formulate meals and check they have all the vitamins and minerals needed.
• Gentle cooking ensures that their foods retain as many ingredients as they can.

50% off first box: Ollie

How Do I Order Ollie Meals?

To get started you can go to Ollie’s website and take their quiz which has 9 questions about your pup.

They ask for things like your dog’s breed, weight and age so that they can calculate how much they should be eating each day.

After you’ve provided this they will send you a quote along with some meal suggestions. You can either go with their suggestions or choose your own preference from their 4 meals:

1. Beef
2. Chicken
3. Turkey
4. Lamb

Delivery Frequency

Your meals come every 2 weeks by default, but you can change the frequency through your online account. Shipping is free in the US.

How Do Ollie Meals Arrive?

The food packets arrive in an insulated cardboard box, padded with dry ice. This keeps the meals frozen while in transit.

You can then transfer the meals to the freezer. Place any meals you will need into the fridge 24 hours before serving. They keep in the fridge for 14 days unopened and 5 days if the seal is broken.

They don’t need reheating, the meals will be ready to serve when they’re defrosted.

The food packets themselves are soft plastic pouches. The food is slightly mashed so that the meals are compact and so that they take up very little space in the fridge or freezer which is convenient for dog owners storing many days’ worth of meals.

They give you a plastic scoop for portioning out your dog’s meals. Leftover food from the packet can be stored in a hard plastic container that they provide.

50% off first box: Ollie

How Much Does Ollie Cost?

The exact price varies depending on your dog’s details, which you enter during the questionnaire but as a guide it can range between $2-$9 per day.

We have put together the below price ranges for different dog sizes, though these are just estimates:

• Small dog (10-20lbs): $2-5 a day
  Medium dog (30-40lbs): $5-8 a day
  Large dog(50-70lbs): $7-9 a day

It takes a minute to do the quiz if you want to get a personalised quote: Ollie quiz.

Money-back guarantee

Ollie also offer you a 100% money back guarantee on your first box, which makes it a risk-free way of trying it out.

Ollie Dog Food Reviews

Ollie got an average of 4.3 stars out of 5 from 634 reviews on 2 independent websites (Influenster and Trustpilot).

Dog parents found that even fussy eaters enjoyed the meals and looked forward to mealtimes. Many saw health benefits to their pups as well as increased energy.

Observations like their dogs developing shinier coats, regular stools and fewer smells were made too.

They found it incredibly convenient that the meals were delivered to their door. The soft plastic packaging and compact packets meant that they could fit them all in their freezer for storage.

Here’s what some Ollie dog parents had to say:

Which is Better Ollie or Nom Nom?

Which has better taste and quality?

Ollie and Nom Nom are both established fresh dog food delivery services. Each offer quality fresh dog meals with high-quality ingredients which have been formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. So I’d say that they’re both on par in terms of quality.

Generally, I also saw many reviewers of both brands who said that their dogs were really excited about their meals. So it seems that both are equally tasty.  

Where Ollie and Nom Nom differ are more in the areas of variety, convenience, and pricing: 

Which is better for variety?

Both brands offer 4 meal options that you can choose from, the main difference being that Nom Nom have a pork option whereas Ollie has a lamb option. So if you have a preference between these two meats, this could mean that one service is a better fit for you over the other.

In terms of additional products, Ollie offers more snack options with 4 snacks to choose from versus Nom Nom’s 2 options. While Nom Nom has a range of other products to help with your dog’s wellness such as supplements, probiotics, a microbiome analysis kit for dogs and even fresh cat food options too.

Which is better for convenience?

Nom Nom has a slight advantage that they deliver meals in individual portions so that 1 packet is 1 portion. So you won’t have to worry about portioning out the food and saving some for later.

But both are equally convenient in the sense that you can order all your dog’s fresh meals online and get them delivered directly to your door.

Which has better pricing?

Ollie offers a slightly lower price starting point for the smallest dogs at $2 instead of $3 a day (although quotes may vary according to your dog’s details). They also ask a few more questions when customizing meals, including about any allergies.

Whichever fresh dog food service you decide to try first, I hope that your dog enjoys wholesome, nutritious meals and that they feel all the better for it.

FAQs: Nom Nom fresh dog food

Do you heat up Nom Nom dog food? 

To retain as many nutrients in Nom Nom dog food, it’s best not to heat up the food. However, if your dog prefers warm food, you can always warm the food packets up gradually by placing them in a bowl of warm water.  

Does Nom Nom dog food have to be refrigerated?

If your dog isn’t consuming their Nom Nom food soon, you will need to store them in the freezer for them to stay fresh for several months. You can defrost the food in the refrigerator 24 hours before serving. And any leftover portions will need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Is Nom Nom food good?

There are many reviewers that say that Nom Nom dog food is great for their fur babies! It’s helped picky eaters get excited about mealtime and has even helped some have better digestion and fur. 

Is Nom Nom expensive?

While Nom Nom is slightly more expensive than traditional kibble, many fur parents feel that the health benefits actually help to lower overall costs. This is because their dogs fall sick less often and this minimizes trips to the vet which can be costly. Plus, others have seen that their dogs are less picky when served with Nom Nom food.  

FAQs: Ollie fresh dog food

Is Ollie a good dog food? 

Yes, many fur parents find that Ollie is a good dog food that’s made from top-quality ingredients that are beneficial to their dog’s health. And most importantly, many have reported that their dogs get really excited about the food!

Has Ollie dog food been recalled? 

So far, Ollie dog food has not been recalled by the FDA or American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Is Ollie dog food vet approved?

Yes. Ollie works with veterinary nutritionists to formulate their dog food recipes to ensure that your pet is getting complete and balanced meals in each food packet.