Nom Nom vs Pet Plate: Which Fresh Dog Food is Better?

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Similar to human meal delivery services, fresh pet food delivery services are currently all the rage. As a result, new companies are emerging daily.
And much how we would research our top picks for meal delivery services, as pet owners, we want to make sure to do our due diligence for our furry friends as well.

After all, I know I’m not the only one out there that feeds my dog better than I feed myself.

Back in the day, I say as I immediately date myself, there weren’t so many different options for feeding your pup. Matter of fact, as a pet owner your options were kibble, kibble, or more kibble. Then came wet food, revolutionizing pet feed shelves. Today, we have the option of fresh food for our furry friends and, let me tell you, they couldn’t be happier.

But aside from some extra tail wags at dinnertime, are there really any added benefits to switching your dog over to a fresh food diet?
As a matter of fact, there are. There have been a series of studies that all show the exponential benefits of switching our dog food over to fresh meals. All of these studies show clear indications of improvements in their overall health and wellness.

So, if you are considering making the switch over to a fresh dog food diet for your pup or you are looking to find the best options out there, delivery service is a great place to start.

Let’s take a closer look at two of the more popular options for fresh dog food delivery service today: Nom Nom and Pet Plate.
There are several similarities between Nom Nom and Pet Plate, seeing as they both deliver the same type of product, but it is still important to identify the differences between them to help you decide which is the best option for you and your pup.

Nom Nom vs Pet Plate: Features Compare

1. Nom Nom Key Features & Benefits

an overview of Nom Nom

Quality Ingredients

It is well known that the AAFCO has exceptionally high standards that serve to ensure the highest quality of dog food and optimally balanced nutrition in its ratings. Nom Nom either meets or exceeds AAFCO standards in all areas of dog food nutrition.
Nom Nom is also built for all stages of your dog’s life. While it might seem like a minute detail, it can in fact be hugely beneficial later down the line since switching out your dog’s food as they progress from a puppy to a ten-year-old can cost you time, money, and hassle.

Designed by a Veterinarian Nutritionist

Dr. Justin Shmalberg is the in-house board-certified veterinary nutritionist who helps to formulate all of Nom Nom’s.
Although you’d hope that would be a dog food industry standard, you’ll see that not all fresh dog food brands have an on-staff veterinarian. Nom Nom not only has a veterinarian on staff, but it also designs recipes specifically around their recommendations.

Prepared in House in Small Batches

Nom Nom prepares food in small batches and regularly tests for quality in its kitchens in San Francisco, California, and Nashville, Tennessee. They always pack all of their food in-house to ensure all production steps meet their strict guidelines.

Choose Delivery Frequency

Opt to have fresh dog food deliveries arrive every week, two weeks, or monthly, depending on your needs. This flexibility allows you to save some cash or refrigerator space, whichever you prefer.

Two-Week Trial

Nom Nom offers a two-week trial to see if you like their services matched with a special offer. Enjoy a 20% off discount that you can apply to your order after answering a few simple questions about your pet.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Since all Nom Nom meals are fresh and therefore perishable, you cannot return any products. Luckily, they still a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you, or your pet, are not happy with the meals Nom Nom provides in your box, you can receive a full refund within the first 30 days.

Additional Offerings

In addition to fresh dog food, Nom Nom also offers other products you can easily add to your orders, including:

Dog Treats

Treats are often an overlooked item in your dog’s health. Remember that if you are going to prioritize what ingredients go into your dog’s meals you should also take a closer look at what is going into their treats.

Nom Nom alleviates this concern by offering a line of their own dog treats. Choose from:

Beef jerky: 100% USDA certified top sirloin
Chicken jerky: 100% USDA certified chicken breast

Supplements

Even beyond regular feeding and treats, your dog’s overall well-being and health can be aided through the consumption of probiotics. Nom Nom currently offers two different probiotic support options:

Full-spectrum probiotics for dogs for immunity and digestive health

GI targeted probiotics for dogs for digestive rebalancing

Microbiome Kit

Unfortunately for our pets, we often have to be reactive to symptoms because they can’t just tell us when something doesn’t feel good inside them. Understanding your dog’s gut microbiome is one critical way to help act more proactively in terms of their health. To get a closer look at your dog’s gut microbiome, you can opt to test it.

Nom Nom now has an at-home testing kit that helps you get a clearer picture of your pet’s microbiome, which allows you to have better insight into their unique dietary needs. You might want to consider microbiome testing if you have any of the following concerns about your pet:

Health issues such as chronic symptoms, weight, or mood changes
A recent change in diet
Development of a young puppy
Impact of a new medicine
Curious about understanding your pet’s health
Vet recommendation

Cat Options

If you happen to have a feline friend, finding dog food brands that accommodate both pets is always helpful. Nom Nom also has the following cat options available:

Chicken cuisine fresh cat food
Full-spectrum probiotics for Cats

See Nom Nom Best Price

Pet Plate Key Features & Benefits

an overview of Pet Plate

Fresh Ingredients

Each meal that Pet Plate has to offer lists meat as the very first ingredient with a wide variety of vegetables following. Pet Plate also uses human-grade food that is explicitly made in a USDA facility while following AAFCO Dog Food Nutrition Profiles.

On Staff Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist

Dr. Renee Streeter is Pet Plate’s on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionist who has been with the company since its beginning. Dr. Streeter perfectly balances each meal ensuring palatability and nutritional value in each portion.

Hot Filled and Flash-Frozen

Pet Plate prioritizes locking in all of the nutritional value of the freshest ingredients by utilizing a method that is hot-fill and then immediately flash-frozen. Never worry about temperature concerns in the delivery process, or compromising the nutritional content of your dog’s meals.

Unique Packaging

Typically, in fresh dog food delivery services, you will see meals pre-portioned into baggies. With Pet Plate, each meal comes in a BPA-free, microwave-safe container. You can opt to feed your dog their meals either cold or warmed up, depending on their liking. And, best of all, once they’re finished, toss the container into the recycling.

Topper Plan Available

Whether you’re looking to try out Pet Plate before fully committing, just interested in a topper, or looking to save some cash, Pet Plate offers a Topper Plan. With the Topper Plan, it is 25% of the quantity and cost of the full meal plans. Mix the fresh food with your current dog food to help add in extra nutritional value with each meal.

Organic Treats

Add some organic treats to any meal plan deliveries with Pet Plate. The Chicken Apple Sausage Bites are 100% organic and feature human-grade ingredients, including chicken, apples, pumpkin, and rosemary.

100% Money-Back Guarantee

If for whatever reason, you or your dog are not completely satisfied with meals delivered by Pet Plate, they offer a 100% money-back guarantee on your first order.

Referral Program

As a fun incentive to help you promote the product, Pet Plate offers a referral program to anyone interested in participating. For anyone that signs up for Pet Plate using your referral link, they will receive 60% off their first box and you will receive a $60 credit towards your account.

See Pet Plate Best Price

Food Comparison: What Does Each One Bring to the Table?

Now that you have an idea of some of the key features each company provides, let’s take a look at some of their differences.

Nom Nom Recipes

a dog gets ready to eat Nom Nom food

1. Heartland Beef Mash

Ground beef
Russet potatoes
Eggs
Carrots
Peas
Fish oil
Sunflower oil

2. Chicken Chow Wow

Diced chicken
Sweet potatoes
Yellow squash
Spinach
Fish oil
Sunflower oil

3. Porkalicious Potluck

Pork
Russet potatoes
Green beans
Yellow squash
Mushrooms
Kale
Fish oil

4. Tasty Turkey Fare

Turkey
Eggs
Brown rice
Carrots
Spinach
Fish oil

See all Nom Nom food options at their website

Pet Plate Recipes

a woman gets ready to feed her dog fresh Pet Plate food

1. Chompin’ Chicken

Ground chicken
Sweet potatoes
Chicken liver
Green beans
Lentils
Apples
Safflower oil
Ground flaxseed
Salmon oil

2. Barkin’ Beef

Ground beef
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
Beef liver
Carrots
Apples
Peas
Pumpkin
Safflower oil
Salmon oil

3. Tail Waggin’ Turkey

Ground turkey
Brown rice
Turkey liver
Carrots
Apples
Pumpkin
Salmon oil

4. Lip Lickin’ Lamb

Ground lamb
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Lamb liver
Quinoa
Broccoli
Salmon oil
Parsley

See more Pet Plate food options at their website

Packaging Compare

Nom Nom Packaging

All of Nom Nom’s deliveries arrive in environmentally friendly boxes. All materials used, including the insulated liners, boxes, and meal packs can be recycled or are made from previously recycled materials.

Pet Plate Packaging

Pet Plate, much like Nom Nom, has environmentally friendly packaging. Your deliveries arrive in boxes that contain 100% recyclable materials, including the box, liner, container holders, and dry ice holder. The packaging of each meal is also 100% recyclable as well.

Price Compare: Which Service is Cheaper?

Nom Nom Pricing per Day

Small dog (10-20lbs) = $3
Medium dog (30-40lbs) = $7.15
Large dog (50-70lbs) = $10

Nom Nom Pricing per Week

Small dog (10-20lbs) = $21
Medium dog (30-40lbs) = $50
Large dog (50-70lbs) = $70+
Shipping = Free
*Prices current at the time of publication – see most up-to-date prices at their website

Pet Plate Pricing per Day

Small dog (10-20lbs) = $2.88
Medium dog (30-40lbs) = $7.15
Large dog (50-70lbs) = $12.15

Pet Plate Pricing per Week

Small dog (10-20lbs) = $20
Medium dog (30-40lbs) = $50
Large dog (50-70lbs) = $85+
Shipping = Free
See most up-to-date pricing at Pet Plate’s website

Customer Ratings Head-to-Head

Nom Nom Customer Ratings

Unique to Nom Nom, while there are customer reviews listed on the website, there is no star ranking system. Rather than a star rating and quick blurb, Nom Nom provides pictures and stories of real live dogs to back their reviews.

In addition to real live pet reviews, Nom Nom also has some pretty big names backing the company with reviews as well:

From iHeartDogs, Buzzfeed, NBC News, Reviews.com, and Business Insider, it’s clear that Nom Nom is widely popular.

What’s also nice about seeing the real live pet reviews from Nom Nom is that they usually include a story about a health ailment that has since been alleviated thanks to switching to a Nom Nom diet.

Issues with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), parasites, skin issues, and more can be found on the page, regarding exactly how Nom Nom helped out these pets.

Pet Plate Customer Ratings

Pet Plate has reviews clearly displayed on the website and broken down into Company Reviews or Product Reviews. There are currently 169 Company Reviews, with an overall rating of five stars.

There are currently 535 Product Reviews, also with an overall rating of five stars.

If I’m being honest, I sifted through both sections of reviews and found it extremely difficult to find any ratings below five stars. The few and far between that I found were four stars and still highly complementary of Pet Plate.

Here is one example of a four-star review buried deep within pages and pages of five-star reviews:

Part of me genuinely believes it might even have been a user error, based on the information provided. Regardless, it is clear that Pet Plate has quite the following!

Why Choose Fresh Dog Food Delivery?

1. Traditional Dog Food Might Be Harming Your Dog

Multiple studies have shown that traditional dog kibble can often be comparable to a human eating fast food for every meal. If that’s not frightening enough for you, take a look at some of the facts.

Here are a few reasons why ordinary kibble can be so harmful to your dog’s health:

Inexpensive ingredients that are typically low-quality
Added fillers and preservatives
Increased shelf life requires high processing

Dry dog food is designed to sit on store shelves for what can be an extensive amount of time. To achieve a stable shelf life, manufacturers increase additives and preservatives. As you can imagine, those added fillers can often be unnecessary or harmful to our pet’s diets. Studies show that dry dog food can be directly linked to animal obesity and even cancer-causing effects.

Similar to dry dog food, canned dog food has also undergone some serious testing. Canned food is a slight improvement from the dry kibble option because it usually has a higher protein level and a lower carbohydrate level. But it requires a good amount of processing to maintain viable shelf life. Canned food may also contain preservatives and other low-quality protein sources.

2. Fresh Dog Food is a Healthier Alternative

As pet owners, we always want to prioritize our dog’s overall well-being and one simple way of doing that is by making sure their food is being made from whole-food ingredients.

Switching to a fresh food diet ensures these quality ingredients as well as promotes other added health benefits, including:

Life-span increase
Easier to maintain a healthier weight
Shinier and healthier coat
Better functioning digestive system
Energy level increase
Diet-related health concerns decrease

Who doesn’t want their furry friend to live a longer, healthier life? In this study by researchers Bruno Sapy and Dr. Gerard Lippert in Belgium, they found that a dog’s lifespan can increase by up to three years when on a fresh food diet.

What is a Fresh Dog Food Delivery Service?

Fresh dog food delivery services are easy to come by these days. There are a few important details to note about what sets fresh food delivery apart from other dog food, including:

Conveniently Delivered to Your Door

First and foremost, let’s talk about the convenience factor. Rather than dealing with lugging around 30+ pound bags of dry kibble every month; you can have your meals delivered right to your door in temperature-controlled boxes.

Ingredients Are Human-Grade

When looking at the actual contents of the dog food, fresh dog food is unique because all of the ingredients used in it are fresh. That means all meals are human grade as well as being free from any artificial fillers, preservatives, animal by-products, dyes, or flavorings. Fresh dog food companies will either offer grain-free options or only formulate grain-free recipes.

Meals Are Pre-Portioned

Pre-portioned packaging of fresh meals makes mealtime easier than ever. The individually sized packets are made to open and serve. And, what’s great about that is each meal remains fresh until opened.

Customize Your Meal Plans

The primary goal of fresh dog food services is to help you to find a perfectly balanced meal for your dog’s nutritional needs. This means that you will have varying options regarding the customization of your dog’s meals.

Food Is Cooked at Low Temperatures

Since fresh dog food uses high-quality ingredients, it can be cooked at low temperatures. This is an integral part of the process, ensuring maximum nutritional retention of the ingredients involved in each formula.
Tips for Picking the Best Dog Food Delivery Service

Quality Head-to-Head

Quality should always be a top consideration when it comes to picking your fresh dog food service. Especially when it comes to comparing companies’ side-by-side.

Look out for certain features like the use of human-grade ingredients such as organic produce and USDA-grade proteins. You also want to make sure the company is meeting regulatory standards, including those set out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Vet Recommended

Ideally, fresh food will come vet recommended. This helps you to be sure you are purchasing a high-quality product. You should always speak with your dog’s primary veterinarian before switching to fresh-made meals. Any reputable company will encourage you to do so, ensuring your dog gets the optimally valued meal plan possible to meet their nutritional needs.

Food Variety

Having high-quality ingredients is crucial, but also keep in mind the variety offered which is good for picky eaters or food allergies.
Having variety for your dog, especially in the beginning when starting fresh meals is an excellent feature because you know you’ll find something to appease your pup.

Customer Service

Last but not least, you also want to pay attention to the level of customer service a company has to offer. How readily available are they and willing to help should you have any issues with their products? One trick of the trade is to look to see if they offer a satisfaction guarantee on their products.

Comparison Summary: Final Tips for Picking the Best Option for You and Your Pet(s)

When you choose to switch to fresh-made meals for your pup, you will quickly see the plethora of health and wellness benefits. Fresh food contains healthier ingredients overall while also eliminating artificial ingredients, preservatives, and fillers.

Since fresh food for dogs is offered as a subscription service, it eliminates the need to sustain long shelf lives and with it the use of potentially harmful ingredients.

Fresh diets also tend to allow for more personalization with each meal, helping you identify the best fit for your dog’s every need. Opt for higher protein diets or lower fat contents, depending on your veterinary recommendations. While fresh diets might be slightly more expensive initially, your savings throughout your dog’s lifetime in veterinary bills associated with poor diet and health will be astronomical.

That being said, when it comes time to picking out the best fresh dog food delivery service for you and your dog, it ultimately depends on your dog’s health needs.

Thankfully, both Nom Nom and Pet Plate are similar in that they both provide high-quality fresh dog meals delivered right to your door.
Nom Nom might be a better option for those looking for one steadfast recipe, with dogs who do not require a lot of variety at mealtime.

On the other hand, Pet Plate is a better option if you are looking to switch things up from time to time since there are no additional costs for alternating meal options.

Overall, both are quality providers that we are glad to see have an on-staff veterinary nutritionist determining how each recipe is formulated.

You Should Pick Nom Nom If…

You have a dog that is a picky eater
You want to provide near-perfect macronutrients for your pooch
You are interested in extras, including microbiome testing for your pets
You don’t want to have to worry about adequately portioning each meal
You are looking to avoid certain foods in your dog’s diet
You also have a cat on a fresh food diet