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!
Best Gently Cooked Dog Food — At A Glance
The Research
Jump to: Full Reviews | Additional Info
Why You Should Trust Us
brands recommended
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:
Gently Cooked Dog Food Research
Research-based reasons also support the benefits of dog formulas made with human-grade ingredients.
How to Pick Gently Cooked Dog Food
The Reviews
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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.
1. Best Overall Gently Cooked Dog Food
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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
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
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2. Best Gently Cooked Balanced Formula
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 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.
Key Features
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom Line – Our testing team takeaway: “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
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3. Most Affordable Gently Cooked Dog Food
Why we picked and recommended it: Ollie wins the medal for the cheapest gently cooked dog food. Ollie is not cheap by any means, but their prices are slightly lower than 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-gently 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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom line – Our testing team takeaway: “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 “gently cooked” food (i.e., I could see the peas, carrots, etc.) and smelled pleasant.”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Our readers get 50% off their first Ollie order with Canine Bible’s link.
4. Best Organic Gently Cooked Dog Food
Recipes: Turkey, beef, chicken and more
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: Adult and puppies
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we picked and recommended it: Pet food company Raised Right has a century-old farming and ranching heritage and brings farm-fresh ingredients to its recipes. Raised Right wins our top pick for best organic gently cooked dog food as 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 gently cooked brands.
Key Features
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom Line – Our testing team takeaway — “Gently 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
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5. Best Sustainable Gently Cooked Dog Food
Recipes: Turkey, beef, chicken and more
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, ethically sourced
Why we picked and recommended it: Open Farm Gently Cooked dog food takes the medal for best sustainable dog food made with gently cooked premium ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainable. Open Farm only uses gently cooked (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.
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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom Line – Our testing team takeaway: “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
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6. Best Limited-Ingredient Gently Cooked Dog Food
Recipes: Beef & millet, turkey & quinoa, lamb & brown rice
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced
Why we picked and recommended it: Spot & Tango is our top pick for the best limited ingredient gently cooked dog food. It offers a simple ingredient list. All recipes are made with 12 or fewer ingredients, making it 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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom line – Our testing team takeaway: “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 gently cooked nutrition.”
– Canine Bible, Testing Team
Our readers get 20% off their first Spot & Tango order with Canine Bible’s link.
7. Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Senior Dogs
Recipes: Over 20+ recipes
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade
Why we picked and recommended it: JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) offers a wide selection of gently cooked dog food recipes. However, their senior food recipes are the best in this category. PantryFresh combines fresh, gently 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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
8. Highest Protein Gently Cooked Dog Food
Recipes: Beef stew, chicken, porky’s luau, turkey pawella
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life Stage: For all ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, non-GMO
Why we picked and recommended it: A Pup Above takes the number one spot for the best gently cooked 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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our Personal Experience
Bottom Line – Our testing team takeaway: “I 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 gently cooked 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
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9. Gently Cooked Canned Dog Food
Recipes: Turkey, beef, pork, lamb, venison & chicken
Nutrition: AAFCO
Life stage: All ages
Manufactured: USA
Ingredients: Human-grade, USDA sourced
Why we picked and recommended it: PetPlate is our favorite gently cooked 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 gently cooked 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
What We Like (Pros)
What We Don’t Like (Cons)
Our readers get 30% off your first box of PetPlate + a 50% discount on treats! Just use this link to get started!
Key Features
Key Features
Other Mentions
Additional Information
Jump to: The Research | Full Reviews
How to Serve Gently Cooked Dog Food
Gently cooked recipes are easy to serve. This makes them great for those switching to this type of dog food.
Here’s how to serve most foods:
Always check the food manufacturer’s guidelines.
How to Make Gently Cooked Dog Food
Watch this quick video to learn how to make gently cooked dog food at home.
Gently Cooked Dog Food vs Raw
Gently cooked dog food is sometimes seen as a middle ground between commercial kibble and raw diets. While raw diets have their proponents, they also come with risks related to bacterial contamination. Gently cooked diets aim to provide the benefits of raw food (like higher nutrient content) without the associated risks.
However, commercially available raw dog food companies have addressed all these safety concerns, so you can safely feed Fido a raw diet. A raw diet can lead to a shinier coat, increased energy levels, cleaner teeth, healthier skin, and smaller stools.
Both diets are nutritionally equal. When choosing between raw or gently cooked dog meals, pick what works best for your dog and consult 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 |
Best Gently Cooked Dog Food Brands — Conclusion & Alternatives
Is gently cooked dog food the best option for your pup? It depends on their individual needs and preferences. Gentle cooking may be the right choice if you’re looking for a more natural diet that provides optimal nutrition. Dog food cooked at low temperatures typically retains the most nutrients, so it may be a wise choice for your dog. But remember to talk to your vet before you make the switch. Every dog is unique and requires a unique diet.
There are also commercially available vegan food diets, or you can make your own. Home-cooked dog food recipes can be a good option if you ensure your dog’s meals are balanced.
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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.
- Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2020). Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. United States Department of Agriculture.
- Alvarenga, I. C., Keller, L. C., Waldy, C., & Aldrich, C. G. (2021). Extrusion Processing Modifications of a Dog Kibble at Large Scale Alter Levels of Starch Available to Animal Enzymatic Digestion. PubMed Central (PMC).
- Vietnamese Overseas Scholarship Program. (2008). Effects on Dry Canine Diets.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014, August 26). Guide to Inspections of Low Acid Canned Food 37.
- Acquistucci, R. (2011). Effects of drying temperature and time of a canine diet extruded with a 4 or 8 mm die on physical and nutritional quality indicators. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 165(3–4).
- Clarkston Consulting. (2021). 2021 pet food trends. Clarkston Consulting.
- De Godoy, M. R. C., Kerr, K. R., & Fahey, G. C. (2018). Apparent total-tract macronutrient digestibility, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and fecal characteristics, metabolites and microbiota of adult dogs fed extruded, mildly cooked, and raw diets. J Anim Sci, 96(9), 3670–3683.
- Chavez, O., Pettey, L. A., Sandelin, B. A., & Tegzes, J. T. (2014). Effects of fresh prepared, whole food canine maintenance diets on clinically measurable blood parameters in healthy dogs. J Anim Physiol a Anim Nutr.
- Geary, E. L., Oba, P. M., Applegate, C. C., Clark, L. V., Fields, C. J., & Swanson, K. S. (2022). Effects of a mildly cooked human-grade dog diet on gene expression, skin and coat health measures, and fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs. J Anim Sci, 100(10), skac265.
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