Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Brands 2023 (What Is It, Benefits & Reviews)
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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, aka 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 on about the best companies that deliver gently cooked dog food right to your door.
We also explain what makes these pre-cooked meals so beneficial for your pup, research-based benefits, and everything in between. Let’s dig in!
- Top Picks
- What Is Gently Cook Dog Food?
- Gently Cooked vs Kibble
- Benefits
- Price
- How to Pick Gently Cooked Dog Food
- Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Brands (Reviews)
- How To Serve & Feed
- Gently Cooked vs Raw
- How to Make It Gently Cooked Dog (Recipes)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts & Alternatives
Top Gently Cooked Dog Food Brands
Here is a glance at just four of our top picks for gently cooked recipes.
You can click this link to go straight to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to learn more about the company and make a more informed decision about these dog supplements.
What Is Gently Cooked Dog Food?
Gently cooked dog food, also known as “fresh dog food,” refers to a diet made with only natural, real ingredients, such as beef, chicken, lamb, peas, spinach, carrots, and blueberries. Think of gently cooked dog food like human food but nutritionally made for dogs.
The typical characteristics of gently cooked dog food include never using fillers, by-products, artificial flavors, preservatives, or colorants.
The trend of feeding dogs gently cooked food keeps growing due to pet owners’ increased awareness of their pet’s health and diets.1 The growing aversion for 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.
Today, there are dozens of brands, and many of them are subscription services that work the same way: you create a dog profile, complete a questionnaire, choose the delivery frequency, and voila! The next thing you know, you’re receiving gentle pet food packed at your door.
Lightly cooked dog food companies work with canine nutritionists to develop cooking methods and personalized formulas that include the vitamins and minerals that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials standards for dog food.
What Does Gently Cooked Mean?
This cooking method involves heating or cooking food to a low temperature that eliminates pathogens such as salmonella and E.coli. This process ensures that the bacteria present in raw ingredients are killed but that all ingredients preserve their nutritional integrity.
But is fresh dog food better for your pup? Below we explore the research-based benefits of adding fresh, real food to your dog’s diet.
Gently Cooked Dog Food vs Kibble
Are you wondering about the differences between gently cooked dog food vs. kibble? Here is a quick overview of the main differences.
| 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 part of a balanced diet can significantly impact your dog’s health, wellness, and lifespan.
Here is a list of the most common health benefits of gently cooked food for dogs.
- Healthier digestions
- Better skin and coat
- Helps with food allergies
- No additives or harmful chemicals
- Weight management
- Better stools
- Cleaner teeth
- No bad breath
- Great for picky eaters
- Energy levels
- Allergies
- And much more!
What are the research-backed reasons you should consider gently cooked dog meals?
Research shows that dogs that eat fresh food diets (gently cooked) are linked to a 20% longer lifespan than those who don’t. A year-long study of 522 dogs by Lippert and Sapy found that dogs fed high-quality, freshly made, real food had an average life expectancy of 13.1 years versus just 10.4 years for dogs fed commercially processed pet food.2 That’s an extra two and a half years added to your dog’s lifespan.
Furthermore, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that dogs consuming three times a week of green, leafy, and yellow-orange vegetables had lower rates of urinary bladder cancer. Greens are a key component of gently cooked recipes. You can actually see the carrots and other vegetables ingredients in fresh dog food.
The Farmer’s Dog, a popular gently cooked dog food brand, conducted a feeding research trial that lasted over six years proved that its food (fresh dog food) is complete, balanced, and bioavailable. While AFFCO only requires a minimum of 4 blood values to be tested in dog food feeding trials to deem a product up to standard, the Farmer’s dog measured 49 blood values for all participating dogs during its trial. Each dog also received a full medical exam by Lisa Lippman, DVM, that showed they were all healthy. The Farmer’s Dog test surpassed existing standards in terms of the number and variety of dogs tested, the blood values tested, and the trial duration.3 While this was a study that looked at The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes, we can extrapolate the results to assert that fresh dog food is superiorly balanced and exceeds the nutrition standards of traditional dog food.
Moreover, traditional dog food has unhealthy levels of starches and fillers, leading to weight gain. Unfortunately, kibble is still the most popular food option for dogs, contributing to the growing dog obesity epidemic. In contrast, freshly prepared dog food contains a healthy balance of ingredients like kale, sweet potatoes, turkey, lamb, and organ meats. This helps your dog to maintain a healthy weight. Did you know that 97 percent of obesity cases in dogs could be traced to how owners fed their pets?4
Lastly, kibble’s unbalanced, filler-loaded recipes don’t give pups the nutrients they need. Because of the way dry dog food is cooked and processed, it can deprive dogs of the healthy fats, and oils dogs need for a lustrous, moisturized coat and skin. A fresh, natural, balanced diet is packed with healthy oils and fats that can restore a rough coat and other skin problems.
All those fillers, preservatives, and highly processed ingredients in commercial dog food can affect your dog’s health over time, whereas a fresh, human-grade diet produces increased energy and improved long-term health.
So, yes, feeding your dog gently cooked meals can positively impact their life.
How Much Does Gently Cook Dog Food Cost?
The price for gently cooked dog food recipes varies per company, dog weight (size), formula, and other factors.
According to Statista, a decent mass-market kibble brand, you can expect to pay on average $1.97 per pound of dog kibble. If you choose a High-end kibble, your daily cost is around $3.45 per pound.5 Our team calculated the average price per pound for fresh dog food to be approximately $7 to $10 per pound.
To give you more insight on pricing, Nom Nom, a leading gently cooked dog food company, created a graphic outlining the cost of their food. We can use this data to give us a reasonably good idea of how much you would pay for a gently cooked dog food delivery service.
*Prices will fluctuate depending on the brand you choose, but this is what you can expect to pay more or less.
| Dog Size | Dog Weight (lbs) | Fresh Food Daily Cost | Fresh Food Weekly Cost (7days/week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny | Less than 10 lbs | $3 per day | $21 per week |
| Small | 10 – 20 lbs | $4 per day | $28 per week |
| Small/Medium | 20 – 30 lbs | $5 – $6 per day | $35 – $42 per week |
| Medium | 30 – 40 lbs | $7 per day | $49 per week |
| Medium/Large | 40 – 50 lbs | $8 per day | $56 per week |
| Large | 50 – 70 lbs | $10 per day | $70 per week |
We also calculated the average price of the top 5 most popular gently food delivery service brands.
- The Farmer’s Dog: $9 per day
- Nom Nom: $8 per day
- Ollie: $7 per day
- Pet Plate: $9 per day
- Spot & Tango: $8 per day
On average, you can expect to pay eight dollars per day for gently cooked dog food.
How to Pick Gently Cooked Dog Food
These are the key features you should consider when deciding on a gently cooked dog food delivery service.
- Veterinary nutritionist formulated
- Personalization
- AFFCO approved
- Provide ingredients, feeding schedules, and how to keep the food fresh
- Use of fresh ingredients with no fillers or preservatives
- Human-grade
- USDA certified and inspected facility
- Variety of recipes
- Fits your budget
- Fits your dog’s dietary needs and health conditions
- Preportioned meals
Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Recipes
Mee the best gently cooked dog food brands and recipes.
Our ranking and reviews are based on several factors, including the quality of ingredients, the level of customization for your dog’s specific needs, company reputation, customer service, customer reviews, packaging, pricing, and more.
We’ve also ranked our winner based on different categories in which they excel to help you pick the best food that fits your dog’s unique needs.
- Best Overall
- Best Balanced Recipes
- Best Value
- Best Premium & Sustainable Ingredients
- Best Flavor Variety
- Best Picky Eater (Limited Ingredient)
- Best Highest Protein
- Best Custom Formulated Diets
- Best Specic Health Conditions
- Best Farm Sourced
- Best Non-Subscription
- Best Topper
- Best Canadian
- Best UK & Europe
The Farmer’s Dog (Best Overall)
Our choice for the best gently cooked food recipe is The Farmer’s Dog. Why is this subscription service better than its competitors?
This product offers high-quality ingredients, an extensive dog profile and diet customization to various dog health issues, excellent customer service, and compact packaging for easy storage in your fridge or freezer.
Their lightly cooked recipes are ready-to-serve and come in biodegradable pouches delivered to your doorstep. According to the company, no feed-grade ingredients are used in its products, and all ingredients are human-grade and sourced responsibly from local farms.
These meals are specially prepared to suit your dog’s individual needs, removing the guesswork from issues like allergies, weight management, or other problems your pup may be facing. All their food is prepared and cooked in USDA-inspected kitchens, so it is of the highest quality and safe for humans to eat (you don’t have to eat it, though).
Our readers have access to save 50% off their first The Farmer’s Dog order. No code is needed, just use this link, and the discount will be applied!
Read Full The Farmer’s Dog Review
Nom Nom (Best Balanced Recipes)
While all the gentle dog companies listed here provide balanced recipes that meet dogs’ nutritional requirements to support life and function, Nom Nom took it a step further by developing a proprietary blend of ingredients referred to as “NomNomNutrient Mix.” ensure meals are completely balanced.
NomNomNutrient Mix helps provide your dog with the best nutrition and what differentiates them from your average home-cooked dog food.
Every recipe that you buy from Nom Nom includes this Nutrient Mix, a high-end custom mixture of vitamins and minerals. On top of this, their recipes are prepared with restaurant-quality ingredients, and all the meals cater to individual dogs’ weight, age, breed, and overall body condition.
The Nom Nom team includes a full-time veterinary nutritionist who oversees all food and portion sizes.
Nom Nom’s single-sized portions set it apart from its competitors. The pouches are pre-measured, can be stored in the refrigerator, and you don’t have to thaw more than what you need.
As a bonus, Nom Nom also includes seven backup meals with your second order-a great way to stock your fridge in case of delayed deliveries.
Our readers have access to save 50% off your first order of Nom Nom. Just use this link to get your dog’s gently cooked recipe.
Ollie (Best Value)
Are you looking for the cheapest gently cooked dog food?
Ollie stands out from its competitors as the most affordable, gently-cooked dog food while providing equally nutritious and high-quality recipes. Their meat is hormone-free, sourced from free-range farms in the United States and Australia. Ollie’s recipes adhere to AAFCO standards.
They use human-grade ingredients in their recipes, tailored to your dog and designed by canine nutritionists.
You can freeze and thaw your pet’s meals as needed. Unopened meals can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. Their recipes closely resembled “human” food (i.e., I could see the peas, carrots, etc.) and smelled pleasant.
We like that Ollie provides detailed food instructions, transitioning, freshness tips, feeding guidelines (including tips for picky eaters), and expected results from switching to Ollie (increased energy, fewer allergies, weight loss, etc. ). Each order comes with a storage container and a scoop for keeping your opened packages fresh.
For those who want to mix fresh dog food with their dog’s current food, Ollie offers topper plans.
Our readers have access to save 50% off their first Ollie order. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Open Farm Gently Cooked Dog Food Reviews (Best Premium & Sustainable Ingredients)
Open Farm gently cooked dog food takes the medal for best premium ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainable. What does this mean, and why are their ingredients premium?
It means Open Farm only uses human-grade (humanly raised) meats raised without antibiotics and growth hormones on a vegetarian diet with no animal by-products in feed. Their recipes also include non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
The company focuses more on the ethical treatment of animals. Everything in every Open Farm bag is carefully sourced from the most humane and ethical farms, fisheries, and producers. Each ingredient can be traced back to its origin.
Open Farm is one of the gently cooked dog food companies using the sous vide method to retain the most flavor, nutrients, and minerals in their recipes.
They flash freeze their Gently Cooked recipes to ensure freshness after cooking. The food for your dog will not be preportioned, so you will need to follow the feeding guide to ensure you don’t overfeed or underfeed him.
On top of the 10% discount, our readers have access to save 20% off their first Open Farm order. Just use the coupon code CANINE20 at check out. Click this link to get your dog’s first homemade meal.
PetPlate (Best Flavor Variety)
Most gently cooked dog food delivery services offer four formulas, but PetPlate offers six delicious lightly cooked dog food recipes. These include the following flavor: beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, venison and pork.
PetPlate appeared on Shark Tank back in 2016, and while they didn’t receive funding, they landed in homes across the country. They’ve become one of the most popular gently cooked dog food brands. The company was started in response to a need for a healthier pet food alternative.
Another key aspect of PetPlate was the packaging. The food container can easily be sealed back when you don’t need the whole thing. Plus, it doesn’t take up excessive space in your fridge or freezer.
Veterinary nutritionists develop PetPlate’s fresh and healthy recipes to ensure your dog’s nutritional needs are met. You can choose between a full plan – a balanced diet – or a topper plan, which you add to your dog’s regular food.
Keep it stored in the freezer. When your dog is ready to eat, remove your gently cooked frozen dog food and let it thaw in your fridge or your countertop the day before. Once thawed, the food will last for about five days in the refrigerator.
Our readers get 30% off your first box of PetPlate + a 50% discount on treats! Just use this link to get started!
Spot & Tango (Best Picky Eater)
Do you have a picky eater at home? If your dog is picky about texture, flavor and ingredients in his food, give Spot & Tango a try.
They offer one of the simplest ingredients lists. Unlike other pet foods with strange-sounding ingredients, they use only a handful of ingredients such as turkey, carrots, and quinoa, making it an excellent alternative for picky eater dogs or dogs with food sensitives.
This organic gently cooked dog food provider only uses “human-grade” and includes fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains, and excludes additives and preservatives.
All recipes are suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds. Spot & Tango foods meet or exceed the AAFCO guidelines. They prepare their meals in USDA-certified kitchens and deliver them to your door within a few days of being freshly prepared.
They also offer Unkibble — a truly unique, revolutionary, dry fresh food that’s great for owners on a budget but wants to give their dogs their dogs the benefits of fresh food.
The company offers convenient shipping and a risk-free trial period. You can get a full refund if you are not satisfied with the food for your dog.
Our readers have access to save 20% off their first order. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
A Pup Above (Best Highest Protein)
A Pup Above takes the number one spot for the best gently cooked dog food recipe with the highest protein count out of the pack.
According to their site, they offer 72% 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.
Additionally, it’s slow-cooked via sous vide to lock in as many vitamins and nutrients as possible, making it a top favorite for lots of satisfied customers and us.
Four high-protein, low-carb recipes are available at A Pup Above, which includes natural gravy high in collagen and amino acids.
A Pup Above’s food is made from human-grade ingredients sourced locally. It’s crafted by canine nutritionists that meet AFFCO guidelines. The food comes in BPA-free vacuum-sealed bags that are 100% recyclable packaging, making it good for your dog and the environment.
A Pup Above formulas are strong on flavor and will keep Fido coming back for more.
They have a sample pack you can try out first to see which recipes your dog prefers.
Our readers have access to save 25% off their first A Pup Above order when using the code CANINEBIBLE. Just use this link to get started.
Just Food For Dogs (Best Custom Formulated Diets)
JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) offers a wide selection of gently cooked pet food recipes.
We named them our best option for custom diets because they specialize in the formulation of custom feeding plans to address a wide variety of canine and feline health issues. First, you fill out a custom questionnaire reviewed by a JFFD vet. They formulate your dog’s diet based on your pet’s medical records (bloodwork) and prior consultation with you and your vet.
Once your custom diet has been formulated, you have two options to purchase the diet: Prepared or DIY. Prepared diets are made in JFFD custom kitchens, where each custom diet is made one at a time and custom-packaged into daily amounts specific to each pet. With the DIY option, they sent your custom recipe and nutrient blend for a cheaper feed but you have to cook it on your own, of course.
Just Food For Dogs has a full team of over 14 board-certified veterinarians, dermatologists, and nutritionists. You can even visit one of their kitchens to watch them make it.
They use only fresh, whole-food ingredients that are 100% human-grade and fresh local produce.
Aside from custom meals, they have a fantastic array of gently cooked dog food recipes to choose from. They also have a line of vet-prescribed gently cooked fog food for specific health conditions.
Our readers have access to the best deal we could find. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Chi Dog (Best For Specific Health Conditions)
Chi Dog takes a unique approach to feeding dogs fresh food – their food it’s based on the Eastern Medicine principle “Food Is Medicine.”
Chi Dog was founded by Dr. Susan Bohrer (integrative veterinarian) and Dr. Rick Berg (veterinarian) to provide pet parents the benefit of all the nutritional therapies offered by Eastern 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.
Currently, they support 16 dog health conditions. Simply browse and select your dog’s health concern, and they will recommend a custom recipe based on your selection.
The recipes outline imbalances, characteristics of a healthy balance, Chinese medicine indications, ingredients, and more. Each Chi Dog Food recipe contains a single protein, and one of the recipes is a vegetarian diet (containing egg and tofu). Chi Dog 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).
Our readers have access to the best deal we could find at Chi Dog. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Raised Right Pets (Best Farm Sourced)
Pet food company, Raised Right has a century-old farming and ranching heritage.
They’ve taken the family’s experience and values from the pasture to your pet’s bowl, the Raised Right brand was born.
Founder/CEO Braeden Ruud says of the brand, “While raising food for humans, we decided it was time to provide the same quality for pets.”
It’s a family-owned company with a product line of 11 gently-cooked dog foods. Dr. Karen Becker, a veterinarian, and Steve Brown, an expert in food formulation, work with Raised Right on the formulation of their products. No preservatives or high-carb fillers such as corn, wheat, rice, or potato are added to any recipes. All their food is lightly cooked in a human-grade facility.
Raised Right delivers “home-cooked style dog food” that is lightly cooked and frozen right to your doorstep.
Here is the best deal we could find at Raised Right. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Evermore Pet Food (Best No Subscription & Bulk Buy)
Even though Evermore is not as popular as The Farmer’s Dog, NomNomNow, Pet Plate, and Ollie, it delivers high-quality lightly cooked dog food.
We love the most about this company 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.
Evermore’s gently cooked, frozen-fresh recipes for dogs 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.
They offer a total of four recipes. two original grain-inclusive, Chicken and Beef Recipes, and their grain-free Lamb and Turkey Recipes. However, you can mix them to create a combo of your preferences.
Two women own Evermore – a trained chef and a dog care expert – and they make great dog food for you and your pets. The company began in Brooklyn, NY, in 2009.
Here is the best deal we could find at Evermore. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Portland Pet Food (Best Food Topper)
Portland Pet Food company offers the first of its kind convenient shelf-stable pouch dog gently cooked meals that work as toppers, mixers, or soft treats.
With five varieties, these 100% natural, USA sourced and made, ready-to-eat homestyle dog meals are great for picky eaters and senior dogs. Also great for travel – anywhere you and your furry sidekick are headed!
Their fresh, human-grade meat comes from Cascade Natural Meats and Carlton Farms, both based in Oregon. All their meals consist only of whole meat, 100% fit for human consumption from USDA-approved facilities.
To sever, tear a 1-inch vent at the top on both sides and warm for 15-30 seconds. Let cool and serve and watch your dog enjoy his meals.
Their fresh, human-grade meat comes from Cascade Natural Meats and Carlton Farms, both based in Oregon. All their meals consist only of whole meat, 100% fit for human consumption from USDA-approved facilities. They contain no meat by-products, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or supplements.
And the best thing about them is they are shelf-stable for up to 2 years.
Know that their meal pouches are not intended to be full-on meal replacements but to compliment, add variety and boost the nutrition of your dog’s usual diet. They can substitute the occasional meal, but it’s not intended for a daily diet.
Here is the best deal we could find at Portland Pet Food. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Gently Cooked Dog Food Canada (Kabo Review)
Are you looking for the best gently cooked dog food company in Canada?
If you live in Vancouver, Ontario (Toronto), British Columbia, Québec, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Halifax, Kabo offers the best gently cooked dog food for Canadians. They are Canada’s largest fresh dog food delivery network.
Kabo makes healthy dog recipes with fresh ingredients sourced from local Canadian sources. Meals are prepared according to your dog’s weight, breed, age, and needs. Kabo is the Canadian version of The Farmer’s Dog and Nom Nom.
Your pet’s meals are pre-portioned specifically for his needs to avoid overfeeding, which is one of the best ways to prevent obesity.
They have a veterinary toxicologist and a canine nutrition scientist at Kabo that assist them in formulating healthy and safe dog food. Their foods meet all AAFCO standards. They never use artificial flavors, colors or by-product meals.
When you subscribe, Kabo also provides you with free access to its in-house pet health experts who can answer any questions you have regarding your pup’s nutrition and wellness.
Kabo’s lightly cooked food comes in four recipes: Savoury Beef Recipe, Lucious Lamb, Tender Chicken Recipe, and Hearty Turkey Recipe.
It’s also worth noting that Open Farm also ships to Canada. They are a Canadian company as well.
Our readers have access to save 40% off their first Kabo order. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
Gently Cooked Dog Food United Kingdom (Butternut Box)
Butternut Box is a UK-based company that provides home-delivered, gently cooked dog food in the UK and Ireland. The company has grown and expanded significantly over the last several years.
Butternut Box stands out from traditional dog food brands because it offers custom meal plans to meet your dog’s specific dietary requirements.
Personalization includes proportioning meals and meeting your dog’s specific nutritional needs based on factors like age, gender, health conditions, and more.
Butternut Box offers eight unique fresh dog food recipes, which is quite a lot compared to other competitors in this niche. The ingredients, recipes, and processes are signed by a Ph.D. nutritionist, which is a huger plus. The company claims that even fussy eaters are eating it and that dogs with regularly upset stomachs are doing well.
The portioned meals are frozen to maintain their freshness and are delivered in insulated boxes when it is most convenient for you. Additionally, Butternut Box uses eco-friendly packaging, so I feel good about feeding it to my dogs. The boxes, ice packs, and insulation can be recycled.
Butternut Box is similar to some of the leading fresh dog food providers in the United States, like The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, and Nom Nom.
Here is the best deal we could find at Butternut Box. No code is needed, just use this link and the discount will be applied!
How to Serve Gently Cooked Dog Food
Gently cooked recipes are straightforward to serve and feed your dog, which is a bonus to switching to gently cooked dog food meals.
Here is a step-by-step guide that applies to most foods.
- Keep frozen. Keep in your freezer until ready to serve.
- Thawing. Take it out of the freezer, thaw it overnight and direct into your dog’s bowl (some brands don’t recommend heating the food in the microwave)
- Serving. Make sure your dog gets the right portions per meal.
- Clean up. Dispose uneaten food after one hour and clean bowl.
You should read your food manufacturer’s feeding and serving guidelines.
Gently Cooked Dog Food vs Raw
The most significant difference between gently cooked dog food and raw dog food is the higher risk of contamination in raw foods.
By nature, there’s no cooking process with raw do food to eliminate potential pathogens like Listeria or Salmonella that can harm your pet. For this reason, raw meat poses a higher risk of cross-contamination.
However, commercially available raw dog food companies have addressed all these safety concerns so you can safely feed Fido a raw diet. Raw food diet can lead to a shinier coat, increased energy level, cleaner teeth, healthier skin, and smaller stool.
Both diets are nutritionally equal. If you choose between raw or gently cooked meals for dogs, pick what works best for your dog and talk to your vet.
| Characteristics | Gently Cooked | Raw |
|---|---|---|
| Processed | No | No |
| Human-grade | Yes | Yes |
| Preservative-free | Yes | Yes |
| Nutritionally balanced | Yes | Yes |
| High bio-availability | Yes | Yes |
| Fresh ingredients | Yes | Yes |
| Additives | No | No |
| Health benefits | Yes | Yes |
| Unknown ingredients | No | No |
How to Make Gently Cooked Dog Food
Watch this quick video to learn how to make your own gently cooked dog food at home.
Should I Buy Gently Cooked Dog Food? Alternatives
So, is gently cooked dog food the best option for your pup?
It depends on their individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a more natural diet that provides optimal nutrition, gentle cooking may be the right choice. Remember to talk to your vet before you make the switch.
There are also commercially available vegan food diets, or you can make your own. Home-cooked meals can be a good option if you make sure your dog’s meals are balanced.
Whichever route you choose, it’s essential to do your research and talk with a veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet.
Resources & References: [1] Clarkston Consulting, [2] Lippert & Sapy, [3] The Farmer’s Dog [4] PubMed [5] Statista [6] Nom Nom
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