Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Brands 2023 (What Is It, Benefits & Reviews)

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This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Sandra Tashkovska, DVM.

Are you looking for the best gently cooked dog food for your pup? You’re not alone! There has been a growing demand for gently cooked dog food brands, also known as fresh dog food. More dog parents are turning away from highly processed kibble. And for a good reason. Lightly cooked dog food retains more of the nutrients and enzymes found in ingredients, providing numerous benefits for your dog’s health.

But is this just a marketing fad, or is there science behind it that supports the health benefits of fresh dog food on our dogs? If you’re considering switching your dog to a gently cooked formula, read about the best companies that deliver gently cooked dog food right to your door. We also explain what makes these pre-cooked meals beneficial for your pup, research-based benefits, and everything in between. Let’s dig in!

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Best Gently Cooked Dog Food — At A Glance

The Research
Jump to: Full Reviews | Additional Info

Why You Should Trust Us

318+

hours of research

companies tested

experts & studies consulted

gently cooked
brands recommended

Canine Bible has tested and rated thousands of dog products, including dog food, to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission. This specific review article was written by the research team at Canine Bible, passionate and experienced dog experts and enthusiasts. All content has been fact-checked and vet-approved by Dr. Sandra Tashkovska, DVM, and our veterinary review board. For more insight on gently cooked dog nutrition, our writers and editorial team have used and cited peer-reviewed studies and other thought leaders in the industry.

To generate a list of our top 10 gently cooked dog foods, 5 of our testers and their dogs evaluated 28 different dog food brands in The Canine Bible Lab and at home to see how they performed in key areas, including ingredient quality, nutritional value, taste, digestibility, packaging, and overall value (read our product research review methodology for more information on how we test items). We also consulted with specialists for their insights on features to look for.

Here’s how we tested within five performance categories.

Ingredient Quality: The first attribute we tested for was ingredient quality. Testers examined the ingredient list of each dog food brand, noting the presence of high-quality, wholesome, and minimally processed ingredients. We paid particular attention to the sources of protein, grains, and other components, giving dog food a high rating for this attribute if they contained premium, all-natural ingredients without fillers or artificial additives.

Nutritional Value: Nutritional value is essential when choosing the right dog food. To determine the nutritional value of each dog food brand, we analyzed the balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as the inclusion of essential vitamins and minerals. Testers also noted whether the dog food met the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Taste: Our canine participants were given a serving of each dog food brand for the taste test. Testers observed their dogs’ reactions and preferences, noting which foods were eagerly eaten and which were left untouched. Dog foods that were highly palatable to a majority of our dog testers received a high score for this attribute.

Digestibility: Next up was our digestibility test. Our testers fed their dogs each brand of dog food and monitored them for any signs of digestive upset, including changes in stool consistency, gas, or vomiting. Dog foods that were easily digested by a majority of our dog testers without causing any adverse reactions received a high score for this attribute.

Packaging: For packaging, testers evaluated the packaging of each dog food brand for ease of opening, resealing, and storing. We noted eco-friendly packaging options and clear labeling, including feeding instructions and nutritional information. Dog foods with user-friendly, sustainable packaging received a high score for this attribute.

Overall Value: After rating the above attributes, testers were instructed to view the price of each dog food brand and were asked, in terms of cost, if they thought the product was of good value. If testers believed the product worked very nicely for their dogs and would, without reservation, pay the product’s price (or even consider paying more), it received a high score for value.

How We Rated The Best Gently Cooked Dog Foods

4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best gently cooked dog foods we tested. We recommend them without reservation. They excel in ingredient quality, nutritional adequacy, brand transparency, price value, customer feedback, and our personal experience.

4.5 to 4.7 stars: These gently cooked dog foods are excellent—they might have minor flaws, such as slightly higher prices or less availability, but we still highly recommend them for your pet’s nutritional needs.

4.0 to 4.4 stars: We think these are great gently cooked dog foods, but others are better. They meet most of the criteria for high-quality dog food, but they might lack brand transparency or customer feedback in certain areas.

3.5 to 3.9 stars: These gently cooked dog foods are just average. They fulfill the basic requirements but may have issues like containing some non gently cooked ingredients, less desirable nutritional content, or limited brand transparency.

3.4 and below: We don’t recommend gently cooked dog foods with this rating; you won’t find any on our list. They have multiple areas of concern, such as poor ingredient quality, insufficient nutritional adequacy, lack of brand transparency, or negative customer feedback and experiences.

We created this article on the best gently cooked dog food to provide dog owners with comprehensive, well-researched, and trustworthy information. Our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions about gently cooked dog nutrition and help you discover the best gently cooked dog food brands. Gently cooked dog food has been gaining traction among pet owners due to its perceived health benefits compared to traditional kibble or raw diets. We also aim to provide insights into the benefits and downsides.

What Is Gently Cooked Dog Food?

The term “gently cooked” refers to the method of preparing dog food that involves cooking the ingredients at a temperature just high enough required by the USDA to kill pathogens like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella but low enough to preserve as many of the natural nutrients and flavors as possible.^[1] This is in contrast to some commercial pet foods processed at high temperatures, which can degrade certain nutrients.

The typical characteristics of gently cooked dog food include human-grade & fresh ingredients, softer texture, higher nutritional value and no preservatives compared to kibble.

Lightly Cooked Dog Food vs Gently Cooked

“Lightly cooked” is often used interchangeably with “gently cooked.” Both “gently cooked” and “lightly cooked” typically refer to the method and degree of cooking, aiming to minimize nutrient loss while ensuring safety. However, in some contexts, “lightly cooked” might imply a slightly shorter cooking duration or a marginally higher temperature than “gently cooked.” Nonetheless, they are essentially the same.

For consistency, we’ll refer to lightly cooked dog food as “gently cooked dog food” throughout this article.

Gently Cooked Dog Food vs Kibble

The primary difference between gently cooked dog food and kibble is their cooking methods.

Kibble is made by an extrusion process where ingredients are blended and then cooked under high heat and pressure.^[2] The process varies slightly by the food manufacturer, but the kibble is typically extruded at between 130 to 160ºC (roughly 260 to 320 Fahrenheit).^[3] Similarly, canned food is typically cooked at temperatures as high as 279 F.^[4]

Unfortunately, cooking at the extreme temperatures used to make kibble and canned food can significantly affect the nutrient content of pet foods. One study showed many nutrients, such as lysine and amino acids, decreased during the extrusion process in pet foods.^[5]

On the other hand, gently cooked dog food employs a method that prioritizes the preservation of nutrients by cooking ingredients at a lower temperature. This approach aims to strike a balance between ensuring food safety by eliminating harmful pathogens and retaining the maximum nutritional value.

While kibble offers the convenience of a longer shelf life and easy storage, gently cooked food provides a meal that’s higher in nutrient profile and closer to a dog’s natural diet.

The trend of feeding dogs healthier food keeps growing due to pet owners’ increased awareness of their pet’s health and diets.^[6] The growing aversion to the same bulky mystery bags of kibble and its highly processed ingredients (which often lead to health issues like allergies) is another reason dog owner consumer behavior is shifting to healthier alternatives such as gently cooked dog food.

Characteristics	Gently Cooked	Kibble
Processed	No	Yes
Human-grade	Yes	No
Preservative-free	Yes	No
Nutritionally balanced	Yes	Yes
High bio-availability	Yes	No
Fresh ingredients	Yes	No
Additives	No	Yes
Health benefits	Yes	No
Unknown ingredients	No	Yes

Gently Cooked Dog Food Benefits

Is gently cooked dog food good? Yes, gently cooked food formulated as a balanced diet can significantly impact your dog’s health and wellness.

The most common health benefits associated with gently cooked 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

Gently Cooked Dog Food Research

Research-based reasons also support the benefits of dog formulas made with human-grade ingredients.

Higher digestibility. A research study found that gently cooked dog food has higher digestibility than kibble. This can lead to many benefits, such as improved fecal quality and fecal microbial composition. A diverse gut microbiota is often associated with better gut health and overall well-being.^[7]
Better blood parameters. After introducing a gently cooked diet, several blood parameters showed significant improvements, including circulating globulins, increased white blood cell increase and creatine levels.^[8]
Skin and coat health. A recently conducted diet study found that dogs eating this diet had less water loss from their skin, which may indicate better health or improved hydration.^[9]
Human-grade benefits. Many brands that offer gently cooked dog food prioritize using human-grade ingredients, ensuring a healthier meal for pets. Human-grade dog food is associated with a longer lifespan, higher protein absorption and more.

How to Pick Gently Cooked Dog Food

Human-grade Opt for foods that use high-quality, human-grade ingredients. All our recommendations are human-grade.

Cost and availability Gently cooked dog food can be more expensive than traditional kibble. Consider your budget and the availability of the brand in your area or through online retailers.

Transparency Companies should provide information on how they source their ingredients and how the food is cooked, ensuring it’s genuinely “gently” cooked.

Avoid fillers Steer clear of foods with unnecessary fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Taste and palatability It’s essential that your dog enjoys the food. Consider starting with a sample or smaller pack to see if your dog likes it.

AFFCO approved Ensure the food meets or exceeds the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Consider special needs If your dog has allergies, dietary restrictions, or specific health issues, ensure the gently cooked food caters to those needs.

Packaging and storage Since gently cooked food often lacks preservatives, it must be refrigerated or frozen. Always check the expiration date to ensure freshness.

Consult a Veterinarian Before switching to a new diet, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet to ensure it meets your dog’s needs.

Low-heat dog food Look for dog food cooked at low temperatures. Gently cooked brands will clearly label or mention on their website that their food is “lightly cooked” or “gently cooked.”

The Reviews
Jump to: The Research | Additional Info

Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Reviews

Mee the best gently cooked dog food brands and recipes.

We’ve also ranked our winners based on different categories in which they excel to help you pick the best food that fits your dog’s unique needs.

Best Overall: The Farmer’s Dog
Best Value: Ollie
Best Balanced Nutrition: Nom Nom
Best Organic: Raised Right
Best Sustainable: Open Farm
Best Limited Ingredient: Spot & Tango
Best Senior: Just Food For Dogs
Best Highest Protein (Low Carb): A Pup Above
Best Canned: Pet Plate
Best Bulk: Evermore Pet
Best Health-Specific: Chi Dog
Other Mentions

1. Best Overall Gently Cooked Dog Food

4.9

★★★★★

The Farmer’s Dog

Who It’s For: Offers the best overall balance of nutrients, highest ingredient quality, price, customer service, and other key characteristics. Their recipes are perfect for most dogs.

VISIT WEBSITE

Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & chicken

Nutrition: AAFCO

Life stage: For all ages

Manufactured: USA

Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced

Why we picked and recommended it: The Farmer’s Dog wins our best overall gently cooked 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 gently 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 ingredient sourcing. They use reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards.

What We Like (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

What We Don’t Like (Cons)

It’s on the expensive side

Our Personal Experience

Bottom line – Our testing team takeaway: “The Farmer’s Dog offers top-notch fresh gently 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

Our readers get 50% off their first The Farmer’s Dog order with Canine Bible’s link.

Learn more: Read our full The Farmer’s Dog food review

2. Best Gently Cooked Balanced Formula

4.8

★★★★★

Nom Nom

Who It’s For: For those seeking the highest nutrition and ingredient quality level.

VISIT NOM NOM

Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork & Chicken

Nutrition: AAFCO

Life stage: For all ages

Manufactured: USA

Ingredients: Human-grade

Why we picked and recommended it: While all the gently cooked 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 completely balanced. This mix provides your dog with optimal nutrition and sets Nom Nom apart from other gently cooked dog food brands.

What sets it apart from competitors: Nom Nom uses human-grade, restaurant-quality ingredients and is designed by a veterinarian nutritionist.