Fresh dog food is no longer just a trend—it’s a movement reshaping how we feed our canine companions. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all kibble; today’s pet owners are demanding more: better nutrition, tailored recipes, and food as fresh as what we’d serve ourselves. But with this growing market comes a dilemma—how do you separate truly exceptional fresh dog food from the rest? This guide will cut through the noise to spotlight the best fresh dog food options available today. These aren’t just meals but carefully crafted high-end formulas designed to fuel your dog’s health, energy, and happiness. Whether you’re seeking tailored plans for a picky eater, options for dogs with allergies, or want to elevate your pet’s diet, you’ll find everything you need to make an informed choice. Fresh food isn’t just a luxury—it’s the new standard for canine care.
Fresh dog food represents a shift in how we think about pet nutrition. Unlike traditional kibble or canned food, which can be highly processed and laden with preservatives, fresh dog food is crafted with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. Think of it as the culinary equivalent of moving from frozen TV dinners to home-cooked meals—only for your dog. At its core, fresh dog food is made with real, recognizable human-grade ingredients like lean proteins, vibrant vegetables, and wholesome grains. These meals are often gently cooked to preserve nutrients, then portioned and delivered to your door or found in refrigerated sections at pet stores. Many brands now take it a step further by offering customized meal plans based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level, ensuring a diet that’s as unique as your furry friend. The appeal is simple: better ingredients lead to better health.
Fresh Dog Food Benefits
The most common health benefits associated with fresh dog food include:
Higher nutritional value
Better gut health
Better flavor and taste
Better skin and coat
Helps with food allergies
Fewer additives or harmful chemicals
Weight management
Better stools
Cleaner teeth
Better breath
Boosts energy levels
Remember to ALWAYS consult with your vet before making any changes that could affect your dog’s health, nutrition, or well-being. If you can’t reach your vet, you can chat live with a registered online veterinary professional via our online vet chat or video chat support(24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or use Chewy’s online vet services(6 a.m. – midnight ET). Additionally, at-home dog gut health tests can analyze your dog’s microbiome, offering insights into which nutrients their diet should include. Similarly, at-home dog allergy testing kits can identify ingredients that may not be suitable for your dog, enabling you to choose the right diet and care plan to support optimal digestion, nutrition, and health.
Best Fresh Dog Food Options
Here are the fresh dog food brands of the year.
Best Overall Fresh Dog Food
4.9
★★★★★
The Farmer’s Dog
Who It’s For: Offers the best balance of nutrients, ingredient quality, price, customer service, and flavor. Their recipes are perfect for most dogs.
Why we recommended it:The Farmer’s Dog wins our best overall fresh dog food brand because the quality of their food is outstanding. They have tested their food on humans, which speaks volumes about the quality and taste of their recipes. Your dog’s meals are freshly cooked from scratch, ensuring all nutritional integrity is retained — this means that your dog gets the healthiest and most nutritious meal with every serving. The Farmer’s Dog recipes are ready-to-serve and come in biodegradable pouches and eco-friendly packaging delivered to your doorstep.
What sets it apart from competitors: The Farmer’s Dog offers an extensive dog profile and diet customization to meet your dog’s dietary needs, calorie intake, age, size, preferences, health issues (i.e., allergies, cancer, and obesity), and more.
Key Features
Vet-designed. Board-certified ACVN veterinary nutritionists make all recipes.
Human-grade. Cooked in human-grade kitchens with human-grade ingredients.
Excellent sourcing. They use reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards.
Pros
The level of customization is unmatched
Packaged as daily portions for easy serving
Non-processed food (zero chemicals)
Food is delivered within days of cooking
Never use feed-grade ingredients or store them on a shelf for months
Compact packaging for easy storage in your fridge or freezer
Cons
It’s on the expensive side
Our Personal Experience
The Farmer’s Dog offers top-notch fresh cooked dog food that looks homemade and exceeds AAFCO nutrition standards. Our dog tested all the recipes flavors available and he devoured them all without any digestive issues whatsoever. He is more energetic and looks healthier since making the switch.
– Anthony, Head of Product Testing
Our Video Review Experience
Get 50% OFF your first The Farmer’s Dog order with Canine Bible’s link.
Why we recommended it:Ollie wins the medal for the cheapest fresh-cooked dog food. Ollie is not cheap, but its prices are slightly lower than those of all the companies in this review. However, the quality of their food is equally good or, in some cases, even better. Each order has a storage container and a scoop to keep your opened packages fresh. For those who want to mix fresh dog food with their dog’s current food, Ollie offers topper plans. They also have dry-fresh cooked food for a cheaper alternative.
What sets it apart from competitors: All the batches are also tested for quality control and passed through a metal detector to scan for foreign materials.
Key Features
Vet formulated. Tailored to your dog and designed by canine nutritionists.
Highly digestible. Ollie dog food is 95% digestible, while most kibble is in the 80-85% digestibility range.
Pros
Includes a reusable dog food container
Helpful customer service
Provides detailed food instructions, transitioning, freshness tips, feeding guidelines (including tips for picky eaters), and expected results from switching to Ollie
Cons
Fresh packs are non-recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash
Our Personal Experience
In my experience, Ollie stands out in the fresh dog food category for its affordability and value in nutrition and convenience. Since transitioning to Ollie, my dog’s energy, coat shine, and overall health have notably improved. The exceptional quality is evident, the visible pieces of vegetables and meats attest to the food’s freshness. Their recipes resembled “fresh cooked” food (i.e., I could see the peas, carrots, etc.) and smelled pleasant.
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Get 50% OFF your first Ollie order with Canine Bible’s link.
Why we recommended it: Pet food company Raised Right has a century-old farming and ranching heritage and uses farm-fresh ingredients in its recipes. Raised Right wins our top pick for best organic fresh dog food because its ingredients are responsibly sourced, free of antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives, from farms that uphold high animal welfare standards and sustainable farming practices throughout the United States.
What sets it apart from competitors: Raised Right doesn’t use unnecessary high-carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, yam, squash, pasta, barley, parsnips, corn, or wheat. Their recipes also have roughly double the amount of protein as other fresh brands.
Key Features
Veterinarian formulated. Their recipes are developed by world-renowned veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker and pet-food formulation expert Steve Brown.
Pros
Recognized by the Innovative Veterinary Care Journal for the impact their recipes are making in the lives of dogs and cats by being awarded the 2019 Innovation Award for Nutrition
Family-owned company
Home-cooked style dog food
Food is lightly cooked in a human-grade facility
Cons
Personalization is not as detailed as other brands
Our Personal Experience
Fresj cooked dog food has been a game-changer for our little one. Not only does he lick his bowl clean every time, but we’ve also noticed how vibrant and playful he’s become. It’s comforting to know that as he grows, he’s fueled by the best nutrition.
– Victoria Windsor, Canine Bible Testing Member
Our Video Review Experience
Get 50% OFF your first Raised Right order with Canine Bible’s link.
Why we recommended it: The Fresh Cooked Open Farm puppy recipe is the best dog food for puppies. This puppy-specific formula provides the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development, including prebiotic fibers like pumpkin and chicory root. It also supports healthy digestion and calcium iodate as a source of energy production and promotes muscular and cognitive development in puppies.
What sets it apart from competitors: This formula is designed specifically for puppies and has a purposeful blend of three proteins to help prevent allergies. It also has added collagen for healthy joint development.
Key Features
Human-grade meats. High-quality meats are raised without antibiotics or added hormones.
Superfoods. Boosted with chia seeds, kale, flaxseed, and other wholesome ingredients.
Why we recommended it:Open Farm Fresh Cooked dog food takes the medal for best sustainable dog food made with fresh, premium, ethically sourced, and sustainable ingredients. Open Farm only uses humanely raised, hormone-free meats raised without antibiotics on a vegetarian diet with no animal by-products in feed. Their recipes also include non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
What sets it apart from competitors: The company focuses more on the ethical treatment of animals. Everything is sourced from third-party verified family farms that employ humane practices (ethical farms, fisheries, and producers). Each ingredient can be traced back to its origin.
Key Features
Fully recyclable. All Open Farm packaging is curbside recyclable, compostable, or recyclable through a recycling program with TerraCycle.
Audited and accredited suppliers. Open Farm’s partner farms are regularly audited to verify that humane standards are maintained.
Pros
Packaged as daily portions for easy serving
100% humanely raised and antibiotic-free meats
Wild-caught and sustainably sourced fish
Wide variety of all-natural, humane-grade food products for dogs and cats
Transparent about all ingredients on its website
Cons
Only provides a few single-protein recipes
Higher price tag than the average
Our Personal Experience
Open Farm has truly redefined dog food quality. Every time I serve it, I’m reassured by their commitment to premium nutrition, ethical sourcing, humane treatment, sustainability, and transparency. Personally vetting many brands, I found Open Farm’s ingredient sourcing, by far the best out of all brands we’ve reviewed here. Their dedication to only using top-tier proteins like grass-fed beef and pasture-raised lamb sets them apart. As a pet parent, I value their sustainable and ethical approach, and my dog Lilo clearly enjoys every bite. This is the kind of pet food I’m proud to choose.
Who It’s For: Perfect if your dog is picky about texture, flavor, and ingredients in his food. Also, it is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
Why we recommended it:Spot & Tango is our top pick for the best limited-ingredient, fresh dog food. It offers a simple ingredient list. All recipes have 12 or fewer ingredients, making them great for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or picky eaters.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike other pet foods with strange-sounding ingredients, its recipes use limited ingredients such as turkey, carrots, and quinoa, making it an excellent alternative for picky-eater dogs or dogs with food sensitivities.
Key Features
Non-GMO. Uses USDA organic ingredients produced without pesticides or fertilizers.
Third-party safety test.The company tests each batch for foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and E. Coli.
Health-specific options. Caters to 20 specific health concerns, ensuring a tailored diet for dogs with various health issues and dietary needs.
Pros
It also offers a revolutionary formula known as Unkibble, or fresh dog food with the convenience of dry dog food.
Meals customized for your dog’s weight, breed, and activity level
GMO and hormone-free
Custom plans and scoops
Cons
No customer telephone number is available – only email
Higher price tag than the average
Our Personal Experience
Choosing Spot & Tango was a game-changer for our dog’s diet. The organic, limited ingredient recipes ensure he’s getting only the best, without any unnecessary fillers. Every meal feels like a gourmet treat, and we have peace of mind knowing we’re giving him the finest fresh cooked nutrition.
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Get 50% OFF your first Spot & Tango order with Canine Bible’s link.
Why we recommended it:JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) offers a wide selection of fresh dog food recipes. However, their senior food recipes are the best in this category. PantryFresh combines freshly cooked ingredients, convenience, and a mouth-watering taste.
What sets it apart from competitors: Recipes are designed to support healthy aging and staying healthy and active in their golden years.
Key Features
Formulated by experts. JFFD relies on over 14 board-certified veterinarians, dermatologists, and nutritionists to oversee their recipes.
Fresh ingredients.Use the highest-quality meats and produce, the same ingredients you can find in grocery stores and restaurants.
Who It’s For: Highly active dogs that require high protein levels to support their activities. Also ideal for those who want a lean diet to maintain muscle and optimal weight.
Why we recommended it:A Pup Above takes the number one spot for the best fresh dog food recipe with the highest protein count. According to their site, they offer 50% more protein than competitors. This makes their recipes perfect for dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight and want to build healthier, leaner muscle, skin, and joints.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike competitors in this category, A Pup Above uses a unique cooking method known as Sous Vide. Sous Vide cooking is a culinary technique that involves cooking food in a controlled water bath at precise and consistent temperatures, which helps retain the ingredients’ maximum nutrition, texture, and natural flavor.
Key Features
Eco-friendly packaging. The food comes in BPA-free vacuum-sealed bags that are 100% recyclable.
Animal welfare. They source their meat from farmers who have strict animal welfare standards.
Pros
Offer innovative dry human-grade dog food known as “Cubies”
Grain-inclusive and grain-free
Eco-friendly packaging
Sample pack available
Fortified with natural gravy, high in collagen and amino acids
Cons
Doesn’t provide customization options
There are no treat options available from A Pup Above. Most brands in this category also offer human-grade treats
Our Personal Experience
recently tried A Pup Above for my dog, drawn by their commitment to ingredient safety, transparency, and sustainable practices. Their protein-rich, low-carb meals made from fresh ingredients and cooked sous-vide with bone broth immediately became my dog’s favorite. The visible health benefits and my dog’s eager anticipation at meal times assured me that A Pup Above is a top-notch choice for pet owners who value both health and taste.
– Anthony, Head of Product Testing
Our Video Review Experience
Use code CANINEBIBLE50 for $50 OFF on $100+ orders (or CANINEBIBLE for 25% OFF on subscriptions). Use this link to get started.
Why we recommended it:Get Real by Chewy keeps its fresh-food recipes intentionally simple, using 10 primary ingredients or fewer before vitamins and minerals are added. Real meat leads each formula, accompanied by whole vegetables, fruit, and organ meat that provide animal protein, fiber, and naturally occurring micronutrients. Fish oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA to support skin and coat health. The human-grade recipes are gently cooked and developed by certified pet nutritionists in collaboration with doctors specializing in animal nutrition and food science.
What sets it apart from competitors: All three recipes share a consistent nutritional framework, allowing proteins to be rotated without a separate transition. Plans can also use the food as full meals or smaller mixer portions, providing more flexibility in how much fresh food is fed.
Key Features
Pre-portioned packs. Makes serving and measuring less messy.
Multiple pack sizes. Recipes are available in 5-, 12-, and 24-oz portions.
Pros
No added gums or carrageenan.
No added artificial preservatives.
No added artificial flavors or colors.
Cons
Requires refrigerator and freezer storage because the food arrives cold and is kept refrigerated or frozen.
Best Canned Fresh Dog Food
4.6
★★★★★
Pet Plate
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want easy serving and convenience. The container can be easily sealed and stored in your fridge or freezer for later, saving you time and trouble.
Why we recommended it:PetPlate is our favorite fresh canned dog food due to its versatile plastic container. PetPlate meals come in pre-portioned, easy-to-serve microwavable plastic containers, which you can use as a bowl if needed. PetPlate appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank in 2016; since then, they’ve become one of the most popular fresh dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: PetPlate is designed to be highly convenient to store and use. The food container can be easily sealed and stored with the remaining food in your fridge or freezer for later use.
Key Features
Personalization. Each meal plan is customized to suit your dog’s size and age.
Long storage.It can be stored in your freezer for up to one year
Pros
Crafted in a human-grade kitchen
Novel protein recipes
Flexible subscriptions
Super tasty
Cons
Slightly lower protein content than other, comparable foods
Best Premium Fresh Dog Food (With Superfoods & Grass-Fed Protein)
4.7
★★★★★
Open Farm
Who It’s For: Dog owners seeking an elevated fresh diet with high-quality proteins, nutrient-rich superfoods, and carefully sourced whole-food ingredients.
Why we recommended it:Open Farm Freshly Crafted Dog Food combines human-grade animal proteins with non-GMO vegetables and nutrient-dense ingredients such as pumpkin, kale, and squash. Organ meats contribute naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, while vegetables provide dietary fiber and phytonutrients. The recipes are gently cooked to retain a soft, high-moisture fresh-food texture. They can be served as complete meals or incorporated into an existing diet.
What sets it apart from competitors: Its animal proteins carry third-party certifications, adding independent verification to its sourcing standards
Key Features
Multiple serving formats: Available in scoop-and-serve pouches, rolls, and meatballs.
Wide protein selection: Options include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, and other proteins.
Pros
Comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Autoship orders can be swapped, rescheduled, or canceled anytime.
Eligible packaging can be recycled through TerraCycle.
Cons
Not every recipe is single-protein, which can make strict protein avoidance more difficult.
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want convenient, ready-to-serve fresh meals they can easily buy in stores without relying on subscriptions or home delivery.
Why we recommended it:Freshpet centers its refrigerated foods around fresh animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, and, in selected recipes, whole grains rather than dry kibble. The recipes are gently steam-cooked and developed with veterinary nutritionists to provide fully cooked fresh meals. Their high-moisture format adds substantial dietary water compared with dry food. The range also includes grain-inclusive and grain-free options across different life stages and nutritional needs.
What sets it apart from competitors: Freshpet maintains a refrigerated cold chain from production to dedicated in-store refrigerators. Its broad presence across grocery, mass, club, and pet-specialty retailers makes fresh food unusually accessible without relying primarily on direct delivery.
Key Features
Multiple food formats: Available in sliceable rolls and ready-to-pour bagged meals.
Portion guidance: Recipes include feeding guidelines based on the dog’s weight.
Pros
Made without preservatives.
Uses farm-raised poultry, beef, or fish across its recipes.
Freshpet’s portfolio has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award following independent contaminant testing.
Cons
Some recipes combine several animal proteins, which can make strict protein avoidance more difficult.
Best Fresh Food for Gut & Digestive Health
4.8
★★★★★
Open Farm
Who It’s For: Dogs with sensitive digestion or owners seeking fresh, easy-to-digest meals that support healthy stools, gut balance, and everyday digestive comfort.
Why we recommended it:Open Farm Tummy Rescue Freshly Crafted Dog Food uses a limited-ingredient, gently cooked formula designed specifically around digestive tolerance. Its combination of animal protein, pumpkin, oats, and chicory root provides a useful mix of digestible nutrients and fermentable fibers. Chicory root supplies inulin, a prebiotic fiber that nourishes beneficial intestinal bacteria and helps support the gut microbiome. Pumpkin and oats contribute additional fiber that can help promote more consistent stool quality while supporting normal gastrointestinal function.
What sets it apart from competitors: Open Farm’s ingredient-level traceability system lets individual ingredients be traced to their geographic origin, with safety-testing information available through its traceability tool. The food is also made in a human-grade facility using a low-temperature steam sous-vide process, a production approach that remains relatively uncommon among digestive-support dog foods.
Key Features
G.A.P.-certified turkey. Uses humanely raised turkey certified to Global Animal Partnership Step 1 standards and raised without antibiotics.
Measured carbon footprint. Open Farm reports a carbon footprint of 1.44 kg CO₂e per pound for this recipe.
Pros
The food can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to five days once thawed.
Eligible Open Farm packaging can be recycled through its TerraCycle partnership.
Eligible purchases can be refunded or exchanged if the food does not work out.
Cons
The food ships frozen and needs to be thawed before serving.
Who It’s For: Dog owners who prefer minimally processed, raw-style fresh meals and want to feed their dogs a diet centered on whole animal-based ingredients.
Why we recommended it:We Feed Raw follows a meat-centered raw formulation built around roughly 80% muscle meat, 10% nutrient-rich organs, and 10% finely ground bone, with added vitamins and minerals completing the nutritional profile. That structure supplies concentrated animal protein alongside naturally occurring calcium and phosphorus from ground bone. Organ tissue contributes micronutrients that would otherwise require careful balancing in a homemade raw diet. Meals remain uncooked, so the food retains the moisture and physical characteristics of a true raw feeding format rather than a gently cooked fresh diet.
What sets it apart from competitors: We Feed Raw creates individualized feeding plans and ships portions around that calculation, combining frozen raw food with a personalized direct-delivery model.
Key Features
16-oz frozen pouches. The recipes come packaged in convenient 16-ounce portions.
Added kelp. Recipes include kelp as an additional source of naturally occurring minerals and antioxidants.
Pros
Stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days after thawing.
Sealed packages can be stored frozen for up to six months.
Can be incorporated alongside kibble rather than requiring an exclusively raw diet.
Cons
Not every recipe is single-protein. The lamb formula also contains beef, while the duck formula contains turkey.
Get 25% OFF your order with the code CB25. Use Canine Bible’s link to get started.
Best Novel Protein Fresh Dog Food
4.8
★★★★★
Nom Nom
Who It’s For: Dog parents seeking the highest nutrition and premium quality ingredients.
Why we recommended it:Nom Nom uses human-grade, restaurant-quality ingredients and is designed by a veterinarian nutritionist. While all the fresh dog food brands mentioned in this review offer balanced recipes that meet dogs’ nutritional requirements for life and function, Nom Nom has taken it a step further by developing a proprietary blend of ingredients called “NomNomNutrient Mix” to ensure meals are entirely balanced. This mix provides your dog with optimal nutrition and sets Nom Nom apart from other fresh dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: Unlike other brands, Nom Nom is the only fresh dog food brand available at PetSmart and Chewy.
Key Features
Ready to serve. Single-sized portions are pre-measured to your dog’s daily calorie needs.
Personalized meals.Plus, all the meals cater to individual dogs’ weight, age, breed, and overall body condition.
Sample pack. Offers a variety pack for new customers.
Pros
1% of sales go toward pet nutrition research
Grain-free and gluten-free options
Full-time veterinary nutritionists oversee all food formulation
Cons
The frozen packages aren’t uniform, making storing them in the freezer hard. Lacks portability and ease of storage.
Our Personal Experience
Our journey with Nom Nom dog food has been incredible. From the first bite, our dog was hooked. He’s more active, alert, and his coat has never looked better. It’s clear that this isn’t just any dog food—it’s a recipe for a healthier, happier pup
Why we recommended it:Chi Dog takes a unique approach to feeding dogs fresh food – their food is based on the Eastern Medicine principle “Food Is Medicine.” They have developed five different recipes (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) that are designed to address specific imbalances in a dog’s health, whether it is suffering from diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis or experiencing common problems like obesity, digestive issues, allergies, and anxiety.
What sets it apart from competitors: Currently, they support 16 dog health conditions.
Key Features
Vet-formulated. Chi Dog was founded by Dr. Susan Bohrer (integrative veterinarian) and Dr. Rick Berg (veterinarian) to provide pet parents with the benefit of all the nutritional therapies offered by Eastern Medicine.
High-protein and low-carb. Recipes have low carbs, high protein, and moderate to high-fat levels (fewer than 20% carbs, more than 33% protein, more than 40% fat on a caloric basis).
Pros
Therapeutic
Holistic healing properties
Owned and operated by holistic veterinarians
Cons
Not as personalized as others
Best Grain-Free Fresh Dog Food
4.8
★★★★★
The Pets Table
Who It’s For: Dogs that do better without grains or owners who prefer fresh, grain-free meals built around meat, vegetables, and other whole-food ingredients.
Why we recommended it:The Pets Table offers grain-free fresh recipes made with human-grade animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins and minerals. The recipes are developed with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® to balance essential amino acids and micronutrients rather than treating grain-free feeding as a benefit on its own. Fresh meals are gently cooked in batches, providing a soft whole-food texture with substantial dietary moisture. They are formulated as complete diets for all life stages, including large-breed growth.
What sets it apart from competitors: Routine digestibility testing evaluates how readily nutrients can be used rather than relying on formulation alone. Personalized calorie-based plans also adjust portions to each dog instead of using one standard feeding chart.
Key Features
Salmon oil with EPA and DHA for omega-3 fatty acids.
Added yeast culture provides a postbiotic for gut support.
Pros
Real animal protein is the first ingredient in every recipe.
Fresh recipes include chicken, beef, and turkey protein options.
Made without artificial preservatives or fillers.
Cons
Uses a subscription-based ordering model, which may be less convenient for one-time purchases.
Best Dehydrated Fresh Dog Food
4.6
★★★★★
The Honest Kitchen
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want a shelf-stable, lightweight fresh-food alternative that is easy to store, travel with, and prepare by simply adding water.
Why we recommended it:The Honest Kitchen combines gently dehydrated animal proteins with fruits, vegetables, and, in grain-inclusive recipes, whole grains. Added vitamins and minerals help round out the whole-food ingredients, while adding water creates a soft, moisture-rich meal. The consistency can also be adjusted slightly during rehydration to suit different texture preferences. The range includes whole-grain, grain-free, limited-ingredient, puppy, adult, and senior recipes.
What sets it apart from competitors: The Honest Kitchen pioneered the human-grade pet food category and produces its foods with human-grade ingredients under human-food production standards.
Key Features
10-lb box makes about 40 lb of prepared food.
Rehydrates in about three minutes with warm water.
Pros
Made in the USA.
Backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Available through more than 9,000 retail locations, including PetSmart, Petco, and specialty stores.
Cons
Life-stage suitability varies by recipe, with several Wholemade formulas intended for adults rather than puppies.
Get 50% OFF with code 50CANINE (or 40CANINE for orders under $30)—Use thislink to get started.
Best Kettle Cooked Fresh Dog Food
4.7
★★★★★
Get Joy
Who It’s For: Dog owners who prefer gently cooked meals and want fresh food prepared at lower temperatures to preserve flavor, texture, and nutrients.
Why we recommended it:Get Joy Fresh Meals combines human-grade meat, organ meat, vegetables, and functional ingredients in a complete fresh-food diet. Inulin provides prebiotic fiber, while yeast culture adds postbiotic support for the gut environment. Salmon oil supplies EPA and DHA omega-3s, with flaxseed and turmeric adding complementary nutrients. The meals were developed with animal nutrition scientist Dr. George Fahey, PhD, and reviewed by a veterinarian.
What sets it apart from competitors: Get Joy kettle-cooks ingredients separately rather than using sous-vide, achieving more than 95% starch gelatinization. It also publishes unusually detailed nutrient profiles covering amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber fractions, and measured gelatinization.
Key Features
Four protein recipes: Chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb.
Meal or topper portions: Can be fed as the full diet or in smaller topper portions.
Pros
Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on Fresh Meals.
Subscriptions can be paused, edited, skipped, or canceled through the account.
A one-time Stock-Up Box is available for customers who do not want a subscription.
Cons
The 30-day guarantee requires Get Joy food to be the dog’s primary source of nutrition during the qualifying period.
Best Raw Fresh Frozen Dog Food
4.8
★★★★★
Maev
Who It’s For: Dog owners committed to raw feeding who want convenient frozen meals that preserve the texture and minimally processed nature of raw ingredients.
Why we recommended it:Maev Whole Ingredient Dog Food combines human-grade, USDA-certified animal proteins with fruits, vegetables, and functional ingredients in a complete raw diet. Whole produce contributes fiber and naturally occurring micronutrients, while animal tissue supplies essential amino acids for maintaining body tissues. Digestion-focused recipes add probiotics and chicory root to provide both beneficial microorganisms and fermentable prebiotic fiber. Maev also uses a proprietary safety process designed to mitigate potential pathogens in its raw ingredients.
What sets it apart from competitors: Maev keeps ingredients in visibly distinct, bite-sized pieces instead of grinding them into patties or uniform blends. Its platform also offers targeted formulas for digestion, mobility, skin and coat, calming, and puppy development within the same frozen whole-food system.
Key Features
Personalized portion calculator based on weight, age, activity, and health goals.
Beef and chicken variety pack available for protein variety.
Pros
Offers a 5-lb trial bag before committing to larger quantities.
Subscriptions can be paused, canceled, or modified as needed.
All shipments are insured.
Cons
It is a bit expensive compared with many other dog foods.
Get 20% OFF your order with the code CANINE20 —Use this link to get started.
Best Fresh Dog Food In Bulk
4.9
★★★★★
Evermore Pet Food
Who It’s For: Perfect for buying freshly cooked dog food in bulk or for multi-pet families.
Why we recommended it: We love Evermore Pet Food because you can buy their food in bulk and save some money. You can opt for the 16 or 32-case option. Each case comes with 1lb of food. They also offer a subscription option.
What sets it apart from competitors: Evermore’s fresh-cooked, frozen-fresh dog recipes mimic the best home cooking—without the work! The food is prepared in a USDA-inspected “people food” kitchen in California from nothing but the highest-quality ingredients.
Key Features
Women-owned company. Two women own Evermore – a trained chef and a dog care expert – and they make great dog food for you and your pets.
High quality. Uses free-range organic meats from humanely raised animals.
Pros
Recipes are cooked in USDA/FDA-inspected kitchens in strict compliance with HACCP food safety protocols
Sous-vide cooking method
90% of our ingredients come from CA and the Pacific Northwest alone
Cons
Their website is not as user-friendly as the competitors’, but they are working on a redesign
Other Fresh Dog Food Options
Best fresh dog food toppers. Portland Pet Food Company offers the first-of-its-kind, convenient, shelf-stable pouch of freshly cooked dog meals that work as toppers, mixers, or soft treats.
Best Fresh Dog Food for Skin and Coat Health:Stella & Chewy’s stands out for combining human-grade whole foods with animal proteins and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. The FreshMade range includes recipes rich in omega fatty acids, which help maintain the skin barrier and promote a healthy, glossy coat. Selected formulas also provide DHA-rich salmon oil, adding another useful source of essential fatty acids.
Best Senior-Specific Formula Fresh Dog Food:Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Senior Dog Food is built specifically around the nutritional needs of dogs over seven rather than simply offering an all-life-stages fresh recipe. Its gently cooked formula provides targeted support for bone and muscle maintenance, immune health, and digestion as dogs age. That senior-specific nutritional focus earns it the top spot for older dogs that need fresh food designed around age-related needs rather than general adult maintenance.
Best Fresh Dog Food With Drizzles for Functional Benefit:Golden Child takes an unusual two-part approach by pairing complete fresh-frozen “Mains” with optional liquid “Drizzles.” The Drizzles can add flavor while supplying functional ingredients such as collagen, biotin, eggshell membrane, oils, vitamins, and antioxidants, depending on the variety. This lets the nutritionally complete base meal stay consistent while the topper can be changed for additional variety or targeted wellness support.
Best Fresh Dog Food Cooked In Bone Broth:Health Extension Gently Cooked Dog Food is slow-cooked in bone broth with fresh meats, vegetables, and functional superfoods. Bone broth adds moisture and savory flavor while helping create a tender texture that can be particularly appealing to picky eaters and senior dogs. The formulas also incorporate prebiotic or probiotic support, depending on the recipe, alongside added vitamins and minerals for complete nutrition across life stages.
The Bottom Line & Alternatives
Feeding your dog isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about care, connection, and ensuring they live their best, healthiest life. Fresh dog food represents a revolution in pet care, moving beyond the limits of traditional kibble to deliver meals that are as wholesome as they are convenient. With options tailored to every budget, lifestyle, and dietary need, the fresh dog food market is setting a new gold standard for what we expect in canine nutrition.
As you weigh the options, remember that the best choice isn’t just about the brand but about finding what works for you and your dog. Remember to consult with your veterinarian always. This guide is your starting point to explore the fresh food movement and take the first step toward your furry friend’s healthier, happier future.
And if you are looking for something even more natural, a raw dog food diet offers a natural, ancestral approach to canine nutrition, focusing on unprocessed, nutrient-rich ingredients like raw meats, bones, and vegetables. Many pet owners have reported benefits. While it requires careful handling and preparation, raw food can be a powerful way to support your dog’s overall health. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to the best raw dog food reviews and raw for beginners guide, and learn why more pet parents are exploring this back-to-basics approach.
Like It? Subscribe & Share!
Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.
