We compared 7 fresh dog food delivery services, and these are the standouts

Whether you have a picky eater or a pup with food allergies like mine, fresh dog food can be a healthy alternative to kibble. Fresh dog food often appeals to picky eaters, and many providers claim it improves overall wellness, coat shine, energy levels and stool consistency, among other benefits, when compared with traditional, ultra-processed kibble. 

Many pet parents also love that fresh food feels more like "real" food, since it's usually human-grade and smells pleasant, which attracts most pups.

Keep reading for our in-depth review of seven dog food delivery services, their starting prices, pros and cons, and who they're best suited for. 

Best dog food delivery services at a glance 

• Best overall: The Farmer's Dog

• Best for picky eaters: Ollie

• Best for flexible meal plans: The Pets Table

• Best recipe selection: JustFoodForDogs

• Best for easy portioning: Nom Nom

• Best for ingredient transparency: Open Farm

• Best for convenience: Chewy Get Real 

Best overall: The Farmer's Dog 

Starting cost:$2 and up per day, 50% off first box

The Farmer's Dog prepares nutrient-dense meals by gently cooking them at lower temperatures that kill potential bacteria while preserving nutrients. While its fresh food must be refrigerated, its convenient Instant Fresh line meets human-grade standards and is minimally processed but shelf-stable — just add water, and it's ready to serve. 

While we love the huge variety of healthy dog food delivery options from this provider, our team didn't love the long questionnaire required to view The Farmer's Dog's recipes. Although the quiz was supposed to take 2 minutes, we found it asked far more questions than any other quiz we tested. However, we liked the detailed information after the quiz, which walked us through the entire process, including the first trial box. 

Overall, this provider is our top choice for its solid customer reviews, well-established reputation and wide selection of recipes that'll meet most dogs' and pet parents' needs. 

Pros  

• Offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options

• Recipes aren't viewable until you make an account

• Personalized recipes for puppies, seniors and picky eaters

Cons

• Difficult to update what recipes are included in your box

• Pre-portioned options available 

• Food pouches aren't resealable

Best for picky eaters: Ollie 

Starting cost: $1.57 and up,70% off your first box

Ollie offers five protein types, more than many of its competitors, and focuses on helping parents with picky eaters or dogs with food allergies. Most recipes include grain, but if you need grain-free, they offer options for that too. 

I found Ollie particularly convenient for pets with food allergies. My dog has poultry allergies, and unlike many competitors' questionnaires, Ollie's asked me directly about food allergies and let me quickly select what my pup can't eat. This saved me time choosing between Ollie's recipes later on and guaranteed I didn't end up with something that would upset my dog's stomach. 

Pros 

• Comes in convenient, resealable pouches

• No prescription or specific-life stage options

• Includes a health tracking app where you can do virtual health screenings for your pup

Cons

• Doesn't meet all of WSAVA guidelines

• 5 high-protein recipes suitable for pups with common protein allergies

• No shelf-stable food options

Best for flexible meal plans: The Pets Table 

Starting cost:$1.59 and up for air-dried food, $2.29 and up for fresh food (based on a 25-pound dog)

The Pets Table offers a more convenient option for those with limited fridge or storage space. In addition to fresh dog food, you can choose minimally processed air-dried food, made with low heat to preserve nutrients. It's shelf-stable, making it a more convenient option for those with limited fridge or freezer space. You can also opt for a mixed plan, which is a 50/50 calorie split meal made with air-dried and fresh food.

This affordable dog food delivery service is newer to the space, but part of the HelloFresh meal kit brand . You can take its quick 3-minute quiz to get started, which will help set up your pet dashboard. If you have multiple pets, you'll set up individual profiles for each, and delivery dates may vary by dog because delivery frequency is based on each pup's size, breed and plan type. This means a pet owner with multiple pets will need to manage multiple incoming orders.   

Note from the editor:I tried out this food plan with my Australian cattle dogs and they are OBSESSED. They are typically so picky and prefer their handmade scrambled eggs, but they gobbled this food up. It comes with a storage box, mixing spatula, bandanas and measuring cups.

Pros

• 3 all-life-stage food types, including shelf-stable options 

• Fewer recipe options, so picky pups may struggle

• More affordable than many fresh dog food brands

Cons

• Rigid delivery window (you must change your auto delivery date at least 5 business days before)

• Available at Walmart and PetSmart

• Doesn't offer specialty life stage formulas for growing large breed dogs, seniors or puppies

Best recipe selection: JustFoodForDogs 

Starting cost:$2 per day, 50% off your first autoship and 5% off future orders

JustFoodForDogs provides a wide range of recipes, including food for puppies, shelf-stable and fresh options for adult dogs, and vet-prescribed dog food. JustFoodForDogs crafts its vet-prescribed dog food in small batches and curates it with its veterinary team to target specific needs, such as renal or digestive support. This WSAVA-approved provider even has 12 open kitchens across the United States that you can visit to see firsthand how they make it, demonstrating how transparent this provider is with its recipes and preparation.

JustFoodForDogs ships its fresh food frozen and recommends thawing the food by placing it in a bowl in the refrigerator or immersing it in cold water. We like that its JustFresh pouches are resealable, making them more convenient on the go, since they don't need refrigeration like its other fresh foods or many competitors.

Pros

• 14 adult dog varieties (fresh food and shelf-stable)

• Has only two all-life stage options, limiting choices for puppies

• Sold at PetSmart, Petco, Amazon and more

Cons

• No free trial offer (full refund available on first purchase)

• Offers prescription and custom diets

• Some customers report jumping through hoops to cancel autoship

Best for easy portioning: Nom Nom

Starting cost:$1.60 and up. 50% off your first order

If portioning your dog's food stresses you out, Nom Nom is an excellent, AAFCO-compliant choice. Its calculator determines your dog's portion based on age, activity level, weight and body goals. Based on those stats, the company pre-portions the food for your pup, making quick and easy. 

Nom Nom's frozen dog food is prepared individually, meaning the meat and veggies are gently cooked separately to keep them vibrant, not mushy — which is a complaint that some providers, like Chewy Get Real, face from customer reviews. This provider offers two food options: Fresh Frozen and Scoopable Meal Clusters. 

For busy pet parents, Scoopable Meal Clusters are a handy option, as you can scoop the food straight from the freezer. The food thaws in minutes, so you don't have to worry about timing long fridge thaws ahead of your dog's meals. 

Pros

• Meets both WSAVA and AAFCO guidelines for all life stages

• Doesn't offer prescription diets currently

• Offers a multi-dog discount

Cons

• All Nom Nom food needs to be stored in the freezer

• Customized portion sizes available through Nom Nom's subscription (retail packs are available, but not customizable)

• Shipping package includes dry ice or gel packs and liners, which are bulky to dispose of

Best for ingredient transparency: Open Farm

Starting cost:$2.50 a day and up, 25% off your first autoship

Open Farm offers complete ingredient transparency and a wide selection of fresh dog food formulas tailored to your dog's needs, whether that's a puppy formula or one for digestive health. 

Our team likes that they offer unique meal toppers and fresh foods, such as dog-safe meatballs with wholesome grains and Goodbowl rolls — fresh-rolled food you slice and serve. Its website is user-friendly, with listed pricing, delivery estimates and feeding guidelines, making it one of the most informative fresh dog food company websites we've come across.

Pros

• Doesn't require a subscription

• Has fewer grain-inclusive fresh food recipes

• Offers multiple recipes specific to puppies and different veterinary needs

Cons

• Can't add more than one recipe per box, unless you choose the set variety packs

• Dry food and fresh food options available

• Not pre-portioned

Best for convenience: Chewy Get Real

Starting cost:$4.26 and up per day (based on a 23-pound dog), 50% off your first order

Chewy recently launched Get Real, a line of human-grade fresh dog food available through its online platform. The line currently includes three recipes, available as complete meals or meal toppers. Each Get Real recipe has fewer than 10 ingredients, plus added vitamins, oils and minerals determined by a team of pet nutrition experts and animal nutrition doctors. Every pre-portioned meal arrives vacuum-sealed and needs to be thawed before serving. 

Our team found the Get Real sign-up process quick and easy. We answered a couple of questions about our dog's size, breed and activity level, then chose between a full meal, mixed or topper meal plan. They even offer a sampler box, which is a great option for picky eaters. I also appreciated that the first order includes an extra week before your second order ships, giving you time to transition your pet to ‌the new food with less risk of digestive upset. 

When our dogs tested the food, they ate every last bite, which is saying something considering they are very picky eaters.

Pros

• Food is formulated for all life stages and meets AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for them

• Only offers 3 flavors, so picky dogs may struggle

• 24/7 customer service (phone and chat) and handy mobile app

Cons

• Not available in store

• Flexible delivery options, including skipping if you need a break

How much does fresh dog food delivery cost? 

Based on our team's research, most fresh dog food delivery costs between $1.50 and $4.50 per day, depending on the dog's size and nutritional needs. 

Dr. Katie Woodley, an integrative veterinarian and founder at The Natural Pet Doctor , shares, "For dogs, full delivery typically ranges from $100 to $300 per month, with larger breeds costing more…I always advise owners to look at the long-term monthly cost rather than introductory discounts."

Is fresh dog food delivery worth it? 

Fresh dog food delivery can be worth it for pet parents who don't want to worry about preparing home-cooked meals for their pets. 

Experts agree that fresh dog food can absolutely be worth it for dogs. "Yes, for owners who want the benefits of fresh nutrition without the logistical stress of formulating a balanced diet at home," Dr. Woodley explains. "Fresh food improves digestibility, supports a healthy gut microbiome and provides essential moisture."

Fresh dog food can be expensive, so trying a mixed approach first is a great way to test the waters. "Feeding fresh food as a 'nutritional topper' is a practical, effective way to start," Dr. Woodley says. "You don't need to switch the entire diet overnight to see results. If the fresh food is complete and balanced, it can be used for any portion of the diet."

How to choose a dog food delivery service 

When selecting a dog food delivery service, consider the average cost per day or month, customization options, how much storage space you have in your freezer or fridge and if it aligns with your pet's health needs. For example, your pet may have food allergies or need specialty food to support better gut health. 

Many dog food subscription services offer sample boxes, so take advantage of this, especially if you have a picky eater. We also recommend consulting your pet's veterinarian to ensure they're getting a balanced diet that suits their specific needs.

This article originally appeared on Money Group Affiliate: We compared 7 fresh dog food delivery services, and these are the standouts

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