Bella, my sweet and spirited rescue, has been with me for over two years. From the moment I brought her home, she’s been a happy, active dog with a big appetite. But over the last year, she’s become noticeably more selective about her kibble. At first, I chalked it up to changing tastes, but when Bella began losing weight and turning away from her bowl, I knew it was time to try something different.

After hearing so much about the benefits of fresh dog food for picky eaters, I decided to explore the top brands on the market to find the best fresh dog food for dogs like Bella.

That led us to try three of the most popular options: Nom Nom, The Farmer’s Dog, and Ollie. I evaluated each brand based on taste, customization, convenience, and quality to see which one would help Bella thrive.

What’s in This Guide?

Taste and Variety: Which Fresh Dog Food Wins Bella’s Approval?

Breaking Down Each Brand’s Recipe Options

Bella’s finicky eating habits called for a taste test. I tried different flavors from each brand to see what would spark her appetite. Here’s what we found:

The Farmer’s Dog: We tried beef, turkey, and chicken recipes. While the meals looked nutritious, Bella seemed uninterested. The food had a mushy consistency, and Bella left most of it untouched.
Ollie: Bella sampled beef, chicken, and lamb recipes. Though Ollie’s meals are pre-portioned, the sticky, mushy consistency didn’t win her over. She nibbled but didn’t finish a full meal.
Nom Nom: Nom Nom’s recipes include Beef Mash, Pork Potluck, Chicken Cuisine, and Turkey Fare. Bella’s reaction to the Beef Mash was instant enthusiasm. For the first time in months, she was excited at mealtime. Chicken Cuisine was also a hit, and she devoured every bowl.

Takeaway: Out of the three, Nom Nom was the clear winner for taste and texture, making it the best choice for picky eaters like Bella.

Ingredient Quality and Nutritional Breakdown

For each brand, I checked the ingredients and nutritional content to ensure they met AAFCO standards:

Nom Nom: High in protein and relatively low in fat, which was ideal for Bella’s energy needs.
The Farmer’s Dog: Though nutritionally balanced, it had fewer visible ingredients, making it less appealing for picky dogs.
Ollie: Also balanced but heavy in fruits, which Bella isn’t fond of.

Result: Bella consistently showed the most interest in Nom Nom, and it met her nutritional needs best.

Customization: Finding the Perfect Fit for Bella’s Needs

Personalized Feeding Plans by Brand

Each brand offers customized meal plans based on your dog’s profile, including weight, age, breed, and dietary needs. Here’s how they compared:

Nom Nom: Provided recommendations specific to Bella’s weight, breed, and picky eating habits. Their plan included detailed portions and nutritional guidelines.
The Farmer’s Dog: Suggested popular recipes for dogs similar to Bella but lacked a specific recommendation for her picky appetite.
Ollie: While Ollie had some customization options, it didn’t suggest specific recipes or portion recommendations based on Bella’s pickiness.

Conclusion: Nom Nom had the most personalized plan, which aligned well with Bella’s needs as a small, active, and selective eater.

Mixing and Matching Options

Each brand allowed some recipe flexibility, but only Nom Nom explicitly encouraged trying multiple recipes to keep picky eaters engaged. Bella appreciated the variety of choices, with Beef Mash and Chicken Cuisine remaining her favorites.

Result: For customization, Nom Nom once again stood out with a tailored approach that addressed Bella’s preferences.

Convenience: Making Fresh Feeding Easy for Busy Dog Owners

Delivery and Packaging

As a busy pet parent, convenience was crucial. Each brand offered direct-to-door delivery, which was a major perk. Here’s how the experience compared:

Nom Nom: Pre-portioned packages that were easy to open and pour directly into Bella’s bowl. There was minimal mess, and the ingredients looked visibly fresh.
The Farmer’s Dog: All food arrived in large packs, requiring me to manually cut and portion out each meal. Not ideal, especially with Bella’s picky eating.
Ollie: Pre-portioned packs, but the sticky texture meant extra scooping and cleanup.

Winner: Nom Nom scored highest for convenience with its easy-to-serve, pre-portioned meals that minimized mess.

Storage and Freshness Guidelines

Fresh dog food requires careful storage to maintain quality, especially with larger orders. Here’s how each brand handled it:

Nom Nom: Provided clear instructions to refrigerate what you’ll use within five days and freeze the rest. The packs are compact and stack well in the freezer.
Ollie: Stackable packs but lacked specific storage guidance, making it challenging to know exactly when meals should be served.
The Farmer’s Dog: Bulk packs were difficult to store and portion effectively.

Result: Nom Nom and Ollie performed best for storage, but Nom Nom had clearer guidance for optimal freshness.

Quality Standards: Do They Meet the Mark?

Nutritional Standards and AAFCO Compliance

Maintaining high nutritional standards was a top priority. I checked each brand’s commitment to AAFCO standards:

Nom Nom: Recipes are created by a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist, which gave me peace of mind knowing Bella’s food was developed by experts.
The Farmer’s Dog: Formulated by vets but lacked the specific expertise Nom Nom provided.
Ollie: Recipes created by pet nutritionists and also AAFCO-compliant.

Result: All brands met the required quality standards, but Nom Nom provided the highest assurance with its in-house veterinary nutritionist.

Ingredient Sourcing and Transparency

When it comes to feeding Bella, knowing where her food comes from is essential. Here’s what I learned about each brand’s sourcing practices:

Nom Nom: Sources ingredients from trusted suppliers, with full transparency about what goes into each recipe.
The Farmer’s Dog: Uses high-quality ingredients, though transparency on sourcing wasn’t as detailed.
Ollie: Also uses quality ingredients, with a focus on nutrient-rich meats and vegetables.

Conclusion: Nom Nom led with a transparent approach, ensuring I knew exactly what Bella was eating.

Overall Winner: Why We Chose Nom Nom for Bella

After three weeks of testing, it was clear that Nom Nom was the top choice for Bella in every category. Not only did she love the taste, but I appreciated the convenience and transparency of their quality standards.

Bella is more energetic, her coat looks shinier, and she’s back to a healthy weight. Watching her excitement every time I open a pack of Nom Nom is the best reward, and I couldn’t be happier with our choice.

Get Started with Nom Nom Today: If your dog is a picky eater or you’re considering fresh food for a healthier diet, I highly recommend trying Nom Nom. Bella’s experience speaks for itself—she’s happier, healthier, and meal times are a breeze.