Fresh Dog Food: Comparing The Farmer's Dog, Ollie, and Nom Nom

The pet food industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with fresh refrigerated dog food emerging as a premium alternative to traditional kibble. As pet parents become more conscious about their dogs' nutrition, companies offering human-grade, minimally processed meals delivered right to your door have surged in popularity.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll examine the three market leaders in the fresh dog food space: The Farmer's Dog, Ollie, and Nom Nom. Each offers unique benefits and features, so let's dive into what sets them apart and help you decide which might be the best choice for you and your canine companion.

Before we compare these companies, it's worth understanding why fresh dog food has gained such traction. Unlike traditional kibble which typically contains around 10% moisture and numerous preservatives, fresh dog foods have a natural moisture content of about 75% - similar to what you'd find in your own refrigerator. They're gently cooked at lower temperatures to preserve nutritional integrity and are made with human-grade ingredients you can actually recognize.

The fresh pet food market is projected to grow at an impressive 23.71% compound annual growth rate through 2027, reflecting pet owners' increasing preference for higher quality nutrition for their four-legged family members.

All three companies exceed AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards and use human-grade ingredients without fillers or artificial preservatives. However, they approach nutrition with slightly different philosophies:

The Farmer's Dog sources ingredients from local farms and reputable suppliers. Their meals are developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists using a proprietary algorithm to create custom meal plans. Their recipes tend to focus on simplicity with clearly identifiable ingredients.

Ollie uses human-grade meats from family farms in the U.S. and Australia, complemented by vegetables and superfoods. Their food is also vet-formulated using an algorithm that accounts for factors like age, breed, and weight. Ollie's recipes often feature longer, more varied ingredient lists with beneficial additions like chia seeds and fish oil.

Nom Nom features four distinct recipes (Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Pork Potluck, and Turkey Fare) developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. What sets Nom Nom apart is their cooking method - they cook each ingredient separately before mixing them together, which they claim helps retain more nutrients and improves digestibility.

When it comes to choosing a fresh dog food, the visual appearance and texture can make a significant difference – not just for your dog's preference, but also for your own peace of mind. After all, being able to identify the ingredients in your dog's food is reassuring.

Nom Nom stands out significantly in this category. The company's unique cooking method (processing ingredients separately before combining them) results in food where each component is clearly recognizable. The carrots look like carrots, the peas look like peas, and the meat maintains its distinct appearance. This visual clarity gives many pet parents confidence that they're feeding their dogs real, identifiable ingredients rather than a homogeneous mixture.

Ollie offers good visual variety with discernible chunks of vegetables and meat. Their recipes feature "more variety – chunks of squash, the gentle squish of peas, the pop of cranberries" in the texture. While not as distinctly separated as Nom Nom's ingredients, Ollie's food still has an appealing, varied texture that many dogs find enticing.

The Farmer's Dog has a somewhat more uniform consistency compared to Nom Nom and Ollie. Some reviewers describe it as "thinner and more uniform – kind of how I imagine a meaty oatmeal would feel." The ingredients are still of high quality and human-grade, but the overall appearance is more blended together.

For pet parents who find it important to see exactly what's in their dog's food, the visual differences between these brands could be a deciding factor. Dogs themselves may also have texture preferences – some preferring the more varied texture of Nom Nom or Ollie, while others might prefer the more uniform consistency of The Farmer's Dog.

Each company offers different levels of customization to meet your dog's specific needs:

Ollie is known for highly personalized meal plans that cater to individual preferences. Their online platform features a questionnaire that helps create a tailored meal plan based on your dog's age, breed, weight, activity level, and any specific dietary restrictions or allergies.

The Farmer's Dog provides detailed calorie information and takes into account various health issues when creating a meal plan. Their algorithm determines a custom plan for your dog's specific needs, but with somewhat fewer recipe options than some competitors.

Nom Nom allows customization based on your dog's profile, including weight, age, and activity level. They offer a unique sampler pack that allows your dog to try all four recipes before committing to a full subscription. While they consider allergies, they don't offer the same level of medical customization as some other brands.

Fresh dog food is undeniably more expensive than conventional kibble, but prices between these three brands vary:

The Farmer's Dog and Ollie have similar pricing for smaller dogs (around $30 per week for a 15lb dog). However, The Farmer's Dog is generally less expensive following recent Ollie price increases.

Ollie can be more cost-effective for larger dogs compared to some other brands. They also donate 1% of revenue to shelters and rescues, adding a philanthropic dimension to your purchase.

Nom Nom tends to be slightly more expensive than both The Farmer's Dog and Ollie for comparable plans. For a medium-sized dog, you might expect to pay a few dollars more per week compared to The Farmer's Dog. However, many pet owners find the higher price justified by the quality and cooking method.

It's worth noting that all three companies offer introductory discounts for first-time customers, frequently ranging from 50-60% off your first order, making it more affordable to try before committing to full price.

Proper storage and ease of use are important considerations when choosing a fresh dog food - particularly how the meals are portioned:

Nom Nom offers the most convenient portioning system, with each package containing exactly one meal for your dog based on their specific caloric needs. The meals are perfectly portioned according to your dog's profile, so one package equals one day's worth of food that you can divide into breakfast and dinner if you choose. This eliminates all guesswork and measuring, making it especially convenient for pet sitters or family members who may feed your dog. The packages stack efficiently in the freezer and can be stored there for up to six months.

Ollie ships their food in larger packages that require some measuring for each meal. Unlike some competitors with individual meal packs, Ollie's approach requires measuring for each serving. However, they compensate for this by including a serving scoop and a reusable "puptainer" (food storage container) with your first order, making storage of leftovers convenient. The container is specifically designed to keep partially used food fresh in the refrigerator. Their packaging is made from recyclable or recycled materials.

The Farmer's Dog sends uniform-sized packages regardless of dog size, requiring pet parents to portion out each meal themselves. This often means cutting packages and measuring portions, which can be messier than pre-portioned alternatives. The absence of portion markings on the bags makes the process less precise, and reviewers note this could be improved with distinct packaging marks. Their packaging is eco-friendly, and you can schedule deliveries for up to 8 weeks of food at once if you have adequate freezer space.

Each company has distinctive features that might sway your decision:

Ollie provides partial plans that can meet 25% or 50% of a dog's caloric needs, making it easier to transition or supplement rather than replace current food entirely. They've also recently introduced a baked dry food option for those who want to mix fresh and shelf-stable foods.

The Farmer's Dog includes a DIY section on their website with recipes you can make at home using their nutritional supplement pack (though availability may be limited). They also offer rush orders if you find yourself unexpectedly short on food.

Nom Nom offers probiotic supplements developed by their team of veterinary nutritionists, designed to support your dog's gut health. They also have a unique meal packaging approach where each meal comes pre-portioned specifically for your dog's caloric needs, eliminating the need for measuring.

All three companies receive generally positive reviews, but with different highlights:

The Farmer's Dog customers frequently report improvements in their dogs' digestion, energy levels, and coat quality. Many note fewer vet visits after switching to the service.

Ollie receives praise for their customer service and the ease of their portioning system. Their mobile app makes managing deliveries and accessing feeding guidelines particularly convenient.

Nom Nom earns high marks for their meal portioning (each package is a complete meal for your dog) and the clear visibility of ingredients. Many reviewers note that their dogs show more excitement at mealtime with Nom Nom than with other fresh foods, possibly due to the distinct textures and appearance. Their customer service is also frequently praised, especially during the transition period.

The best choice among these three excellent options depends on your specific priorities:

Choose Nom Nom if:

• You want food with clearly visible, recognizable ingredients
• You prefer meals that are pre-portioned specifically for your dog
• You value their unique cooking method that processes ingredients separately
• You'd like to try a variety pack before committing to specific recipes
• Your dog is particularly picky about texture and appearance

Choose Ollie if:

• You value convenience and easy portioning
• You want the option for partial fresh food plans (25% or 50%)
• You'd like a mix of fresh and baked dog food options
• You appreciate charitable giving as part of your purchase

Choose The Farmer's Dog if:

• You're looking for the most cost-effective option
• You prefer eco-friendly packaging
• You want simple recipes with clearly identifiable ingredients
• You have adequate freezer space for bulk deliveries

All three of these fresh dog food companies offer excellent nutrition that far surpasses typical commercial kibble. They each use human-grade ingredients, avoid fillers and artificial preservatives, and deliver convenient meal solutions right to your door.

The decision ultimately comes down to your dog's specific needs, your budget constraints, and your personal preferences regarding convenience features. Many pet parents report significant improvements in their dogs' overall health, energy, coat quality, and digestive health after switching to any of these fresh food options.

Remember that transitioning to a new diet should be done gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset. It's also always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog's diet, especially if they have existing health conditions.

Have you tried any of these fresh dog food brands? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

This comparison is based on research conducted in March 2025. Pricing, offerings, and features may change over time. Always check the companies' websites for the most current information before making a decision.