Best Fresh Dog Food 2025: Vet-Recommended Brands Tested by My Dogs
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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 that’s 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? In this guide, we’ll cut through the noise to spotlight the best fresh dog food options available today. These aren’t just meals; they’re carefully crafted solutions 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 just 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.
Best Frehs Dog Food — At A Glance
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brands recommended
We have tested and rated thousands of dog products, including fresh dog food brands. Our writers, editors, research team and in-house veterinary review board spent hours analyzing these products to help you find what’s best for your dog. Read the product review methodology and editorial mission to find out how we test, analyze, and rate.
What Is Fresh Dog Food?
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:
Best Fresh Dog Food
Best Overall Fresh Dog Food
The Farmer’s Dog
Who It’s For: Offers the best overall balance of nutrients, ingredient quality, price, customer service, and flavor. Their recipes are perfect for most dogs.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced
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
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
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Best Premium Fresh Dog Food
Nom Nom
Who It’s For: For those seeking the highest nutrition and ingredient quality level.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & Chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
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: Unlile other brands, Nom Nom is the only fresh dog food brand avaialbe at Petsmart and Chewy.
Key Features
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
– Kassie Reid, Caninr Bible Testing Member
Our Video Review Experience
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Most Affordable Fresh Dog Food
Ollie
Who It’s For: For dog parents who are on a budget but want to feed premium quality fresh dog food.
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
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.
Best Organic Fresh Dog Food
Raised Right
Who It’s For: A clean, organic, fresh option for those seeking an organic option with farm-fresh ingredients.
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 than other fresh brands.
Key Features
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.
Best Fresh Dog Food For Puppies
Open Farm
Who It’s For: Owners who want to provide the most optimal nutrition for proper puppy development and growth.
Recipes: Chicken, pork & salmon
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: Puppy
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Key Features
Our Video Review Experience
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Best Sustainable Fresh Dog Food
Open Farm
Who It’s For: This brand is excellent for dog parents seeking fresh food made with premium, sustainable, ethically sourced ingredients.
Why we recommended it: Open Farm Fresh Cooked dog food takes the medal for best sustainable dog food made with fresh premium ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainable. Open Farm only uses humanly 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 in every Open Farm bag is only sourced from third-party verified family farms that employ humane farming practices (ethical farms, fisheries, and producers). Each ingredient can be traced back to its origin.
Key Features
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.
– Anna Jones, Canine Bible Testing Associate
Our Video Review Experience
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Best Limited-Ingredient Fresh Dog Food
Spot & Tango
Who It’s For: If your dog is picky about texture, flavor, and ingredients in his food, this is the perfect choice for you. Also, it is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
Recipes: Beef & millet, turkey & quinoa, lamb & brown rice
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: Spot & Tango is our top pick for the best limited-ingredient, fresg 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
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 20% OFF your first Spot & Tango order with Canine Bible’s link.
Best Fresh Dog Food For Seniors
Just Food For Dogs
Who It’s For: Great for senior dog parents who want to provide optimal nutrition and dietary support for their senior canines.
Recipes: Over 20+ recipes
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
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 stay healthy and active in their golden years.
Key Features
Highest Protein Frehs Dog Food
A Pup Above
Who It’s For: Perfect for highly active dogs that require high protein levels to support their activities. It is also ideal for those who want a lean diet to maintain muscle and optimal weight.
Recipes: Beef stew, chicken, porky’s luau, turkey pawella
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
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 lean 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
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
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Best Canned Fresh Dog Food
Pet Plate
Who It’s For: For those who want the convenience of easy storage, serving, and avoiding doing extra dishes. Pet Plate plastic container can easily be sealed back and stored within your fridge or freezer for later, saving you time and trouble.
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork, lamb, venison & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: All ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we recommended it: PetPlate is our favorite fresh canned dog food due to its versatile plastic container. Pet Plate 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 easily be sealed back and stored with the remaining food in your fridge or freezer for later use.
Key Features
Get 61% off your PetPlate order. Just use this link to get started!
Best Fresh Dog Food In Bulk
Evermore Pet Food
Who It’s For: Perfect for buying fresh cooked dog food in bulk or multi-pet families.
Key Features
Best Holistic Fresh Dog Food For Health Issues
Chi Dog
Who It’s For: Ideal for health-specific dietary needs.
Key Features
Other Fresh Dog Food Options
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. And, remember to always consult with your veterinarian. This guide is your starting point to explore the fresh food movement and take the first step toward a healthier, happier future for your furry friend.
Looking for more ways to improve your dog’s diet? Check out our guides on best vegan dog dood, homemade dog food recipes, and read up on the difference betweent feed-grade and human-grade dog food, an important topic you should explore to support your furry friend’s health and happiness.
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.
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