Nom Nom Dog Food Review

Nom Nom Dog Food Review

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You don’t have to be a nutrition expert to know that fresh food is better than processed food. Not only does fresh food taste better, but the nutrients are more easily absorbed by your body which makes the food healthier as well. The same concept applies to dog food.

Nom Nom is a fresh pet food company that believes pet owners shouldn’t feed their pets anything they wouldn’t eat themselves.

While you may not be ready to chow down on a bowl of dog food anytime soon, the idea of fresh food for dogs is undeniably a good one. But does Nom Nom live up to the hype?

After testing and analysis, I’ve concluded that Nom Nom’s fresh pet food is an excellent source of nutrition for dogs. In addition to offering a selection of wholesome recipes, Nom Nom offers the convenience of home delivery and even portions out your dog’s meals according to his calorie requirements. It’s hard to find something not to like about Nom Nom.

As much as I love the Nom Nom brand, however, there are a few details discerning dog owners should know. Read on to learn what makes Nom Nom a great choice and where it misses the mark.

At A Glance: Nom Nom Dog Food Reviewed

Nom Nom Dog Food

Brand

Overall Score

Pros

• Food is prepared fresh from whole-food ingredients and cooked in small batches.
• Shipments are made up of pre-portioned, vacuum-sealed bags of frozen food.
• Customize your delivery frequency every 1, 2, or 4 weeks.

Cons

• Fresh food is significantly more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food.
• Only four dog food recipes – may not work for dogs with multiple allergies.
• Fresh food doesn’t have as long a shelf life as kibble or unopened canned food.

Pros

• Food is prepared fresh from whole-food ingredients and cooked in small batches.
• Shipments are made up of pre-portioned, vacuum-sealed bags of frozen food.
• Customize your delivery frequency every 1, 2, or 4 weeks.

Cons

• Fresh food is significantly more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food.
• Only four dog food recipes – may not work for dogs with multiple allergies.
• Fresh food doesn’t have as long a shelf life as kibble or unopened canned food.

Weekly Price

Ingredient Quality

Recipe Variety

Options for Customization

Environmentally Friendly

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Overview Of The Nom Nom Brand

Nom Nom is a fresh pet food company that encourages pet owners to “get fresh with [their] pet’s food.” This company believes that what’s good for people is good for pets as well. That’s why they offer real, fresh food made with wholesome, natural ingredients.

Where Nom Nom really shines is through their custom nutrition plans. New customers need only fill out a simple quiz to provide basic information about their dog and Nom Nom will craft a customized meal plan catered to your dog’s specific calorie requirements and dietary preferences.

Though Nom Nom provides recommendations, customers always have the option to choose from Nom Nom’s selection of four fresh food recipes. They also offer single-ingredient jerky treats.

What really sets Nom Nom apart from the average dog food company is that they calculate your dog’s daily calorie requirements and package his food in individual portions. Everything is delivered right to your door frozen and ready to pop in the freezer – you simply thaw a package or two at a time and pour the food directly into your dog’s bowl. No mess, no measuring.

In addition to offering custom meal plans for your dog, Nom Nom gives customers the option to choose from weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries and you can change your preferences as often as needed.

Update: On January 18^th, 2022, Pet Business announced that Mars. Inc had reportedly agreed to acquire Nom Nom in an effort to advance their pet-related assets. No financial terms nor a timeline for the acquisition have been disclosed at this time. Reportedly, Nom Nom will remain an autonomous brand under the Mars Royal Canin division.

While we don’t have many details to share about this new development, we’ll certainly be keeping an eye on things. According to a representative for Mars, the company is confident that “this acquisition will bring synergies to keep supporting [Nom Nom’s] success in the fresh category while complementing [Mars’] existing portfolio.”

What Dog Food Products Do They Offer?

Nom Nom offers four different fresh dog food recipes, all of which feature real animal protein as the main ingredient. These recipes are formulated to exceed AAFCO standards for all life stages and they use only real, whole-food ingredients.

Each recipe comes perfectly portioned according to your dog’s calorie needs and contains the proprietary NomNomNutrient Mix to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Nom Nom currently offers the following four dog food recipes:

In addition to offering these four dog food recipes, Nom Nom also offers a variety pack for customers who want to sample the food before committing to a 2-week trial.

The variety pack includes 150g bags of all four recipes. Variety packs are sold at $15 and no subscription is necessary to order. If you’re curious about fresh food or want to see which recipe your dog prefers, the variety pack is a great way to go.

Where Is The Food Made?

The Nom Nom company was founded in 2015 and currently has its headquarters in Oakland, California.

The brand was founded by four dog lovers who were inspired to start the brand after struggling to find a readily available commercial product that met the unique dietary requirements of their Australian Shepherds. Because they couldn’t find anything on pet store shelves that met their expectations for quality and nutrition, they set out to make their own dog food.

Nom Nom’s products are formulated by Dr. Justin Shmalberg, a leader in veterinary nutrition. As an expert in veterinary preventive medicine, Dr. Shmalberg understands the importance of quality nutrition for dogs to live a long and healthy life.

This is why all of Nom Nom’s recipes are made with restaurant-quality ingredients and prepared in small batches in company-owned and -operated kitchens located in Nashville, TN, and San Francisco, CA.

Nom Nom adheres to the highest quality and food safety standards – both their ingredients and their preparation facilities are FDA-inspected and certified. Each recipe is prepared in small batches weekly to ensure quality and, after preparation, the food is portioned according to each dog’s nutrient and calorie needs then vacuum-sealed in bags properly sized for one meal.

If your dog has food allergies or other unique dietary needs, Nom Nom may be able to work with you on a customized recipe.

How To Get Started With Nom Nom?

Nom Nom is all about fresh food, but to maximize the benefits of a fresh food diet, you need to make sure your dog is getting the right number of calories. Your dog’s calorie needs vary depending on his age, breed, weight, and activity level.

To get started with Nom Nom, you simply fill out a brief quiz to provide this essential information so Nom Nom can create a custom nutritional plan for your pup.

I found the quiz quick and easy to complete and I was satisfied with the information requested. Not only does Nom Nom ask for your dog’s age and weight, but they ask you to verify your dog’s body condition as well. Depending on whether your dog is underweight, ideal, or overweight the brand may adjust your dog’s daily calorie intake.

I always have trouble deciding how to classify Archie’s body condition because while he’s a very large specimen for his breed (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), he’s by no means obese. He may be carrying a few extra pounds, but he still meets Nom Nom’s criteria for ideal weight – waist, and outline of ribs visible, belly tucks up.

After indicating your dog’s body condition, Nom Nom provides an opportunity to indicate specific concerns such as the following:

• Picky eater
• Food allergies or sensitive stomach
• Dull or flaky coat
• Arthritis or joint pain

It’s unclear how it might change Nom Nom’s recommendations if you check one of these boxes. The only comment Nom Nom makes is that, for picky eaters, it’s best to try multiple recipes rather than choosing a single recipe for your dog’s meal plan.

The final step in creating your dog’s custom meal plan is to select from Nom Nom’s four recipes. The meal plan generator will automatically select one or more recipes based on your dog’s info, but you can change them if you like – you’ll also have the option to add treats to your order.

After filling out your contact and shipping info, you’ll be presented with the details of your two-week trial and your monthly order. Nom Nom provides a breakdown of the full price for your trial as well as the 20% discount for new customers. You’ll also see the weekly price for your ongoing subscription.

Testing Nom Nom Dog Food

To write this review, I did some thorough research on the Nom Nom brand to determine the quality of their ingredients and the details of their manufacturing processes. The real test, however, was feeding it to my test dog, Archie. Archie is a medium-sized dog (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) about 3 ½ years old.

Because Archie is very large for his breed, I’m never quite sure whether a small-breed dog food is the right fit. What I loved about Nom Nom is that they calculated Archie’s ideal portion based on his body weight and condition, not some arbitrary breed size.

Generally speaking, Archie isn’t a big eater. Unlike most dogs, he isn’t always eager to chow down at mealtime (unless, of course, a cat tries to steal a nibble).

Nom Nom was different from the moment I opened the first bag. Archie was immediately interested when I opened the bag and could hardly wait for his bowl to hit the ground. As soon as I put the bowl in front of him, he gobbled it up and looked at me as if asking for seconds.

It is safe to say that not only is Nom Nom an objectively high-quality brand of fresh dog food, but it was also a hit with my test dog.

Recipe Spotlight

1.

Nom Nom Dog Food Chicken Cuisine

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Product Info

• Crude Protein: 8.5% Min
• Crude Fat: 6% Min
• Crude Fiber: 1% Max
• Moisture: 77% Max

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 8.5%

Crude Fat: 6%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 77%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 36.96%

Fat: 26.09%

Fiber: 4.35%

Carbs: 32.61%

Pros

• Real animal-based protein (chicken) as the primary ingredient
• Rich in moisture, great for hydration and digestion
• Limited number of main ingredients
• Relatively low in added carbohydrates (estimated <5%)

Cons

• Added fats are primarily plant-based

Ingredients:

Diced Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Spinach, Water (Sufficient for Processing), Sunflower Oil, Canola Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vinegar, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil, Choline Bitartrate, Taurine, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Gluconate, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Manganese Gluconate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

Overall, this Chicken Cuisine recipe from Nom Nom is a moisture-rich fresh food packed with real, whole-food ingredients including a single source of high-quality animal protein.

I love that this recipe starts with fresh chicken as the first ingredient, though I wouldn’t mind seeing an additional source of animal protein. Many of the fresh foods I’ve reviewed contain chicken liver or some other organ meat to supplement the primary protein and provide a rich source of nutrition – the addition of chicken liver would boost the quality of this recipe, in my opinion.

I also wouldn’t mind seeing chicken fat as a replacement for one of the two plant-based fats that appear within the first 10 ingredients. You’ll find fish oil on the list, but unspecified fats like that aren’t my favorite – I’d rather see salmon oil or menhaden oil.

One thing I will say about this Chicken Cuisine formula is that it is very low in added carbohydrates. Though three of the first five ingredients are plant-based, they are all nutrition. This is especially true in comparison to starchy options like rice or fillers like corn and wheat. The estimated carbohydrate content for this recipe is under 10% (as fed).

All in all, I’m satisfied with the quality of this formula and have no major issues with it. That being said, there are a few simple additions/swaps that could significantly improve my opinion of this recipe.

How Much Does It Cost?

It should come as no surprise to savvy dog owners like you that Nom Nom is going to be more expensive than the average kibble. Price typically equates with quality in the pet food industry, though that doesn’t necessarily mean expensive dog foods are always good.

In the case of Nom Nom, however, I’m confident that the price is justified. Not only does Nom Nom use ingredients fit for human consumption, but their food is prepared in small batches and pre-portioned.

Unlike the typical dog food brand that prices their products by the pound or by the bag, Nom Nom gives you a weekly price for your dog’s food. This price is based on how much food your dog needs which, as you remember, is based on his caloric requirements.

My 35-pound dog Archie’s personalized trial came to a full price of $86.85 for two weeks of food. With the 20% off discount for new subscribers, my final price was $69.48, or about $35 per week.

After the two-week trial, my weekly price was calculated at $44.67. Shipping is free in the contiguous 48 states and you can choose from deliveries every week, every 2 weeks, or every 4 weeks.

Check below to see how the Nom Nom Dog Food stacks up against other dog food brands for cost:

Pros And Cons

Your dog is unique, so it’s difficult to say whether Nom Nom would be the perfect fit or not but I’m confident in saying fresh food is always a nutritious choice. If Nom Nom’s fresh dog food is within your budget, I highly recommend it.

That being said, every dog food brand has its pros and cons. Here are some of the things you need to know about Nom Nom:

Pros For Nom Nom:

• Food is prepared fresh from whole-food ingredients and cooked in small batches.
• Shipments are made up of pre-portioned, vacuum-sealed bags of frozen food.
• Customize your delivery frequency every 1, 2, or 4 weeks.
• Every recipe is complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards.
• Fresh food may benefit your dog’s digestion, energy, skin, and immune system.

Cons For Nom Nom:

• Fresh food is significantly more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food.
• Only four dog food recipes – may not work for dogs with multiple allergies.
• Fresh food doesn’t have as long a shelf life as kibble or unopened canned food.

The Final Word

Overall, I’m a big fan of Nom Nom. I’m always in favor of fresh food for dogs, but Nom Nom seems to be doing it right. I have confidence in the quality of their ingredients, the nutritional balance of their formulas, and it’s a bonus that they pre-portion your dog’s meals.

For those concerned about environmentally-friendly packaging, I’ll note that pre-portioning your dog’s meals does increase the amount of packaging used, but Nom Nom makes an effort to use recycled or recyclable materials as much as possible.

In terms of pricing, Nom Nom is definitely more expensive than the average kibble, but you get what you pay for in this case – high-quality fresh food catered to your dog’s calorie requirements.

At the end of the day, I have no qualms about recommending Nom Nom to any dog owner. Whether you’re looking to increase the quality of your dog’s diet, get away from the hassle of shopping at the pet store, or you just want to try something new, Nom Nom is a great pick.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Nom Nom ever been recalled?

Yes. Nom Nom had it’s first product recall in 2021. It was a voluntary recalled from the company that supplies their chicken, Tyson Foods Inc. Testing revealed that certain chicken products were potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. However, this recall only affected their chicken cat food recipe.

Is their packaging environmentally friendly?

Yes. Nom Nom’s fresh food is prepared just days before delivery and packaged in a way to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint. All boxes, meal packs, and insulating liners are either recyclable or made from recycled materials.

Is Nom Nom food grain-free?

Yes and no. Nom Nom currently offers four different recipes of fresh dog food and all but one are grain-free. The Turkey Fare recipe is the only grain-inclusive formula and it contains brown rice.

How many calories per cup in Nom Nom food?

The calorie content of Nom Nom’s fresh food varies by recipe and is measured by the kilogram rather than the cup. The highest calorie content is the turkey recipe (1,479 kcal/kg) and the remaining three range from 1,239 to 1,255 kcal/kg.

Where can I buy Nom Nom dog food?

The best place to buy Nom Nom fresh dog food is online through the brand’s website. In order to ensure your dog gets the right amount of food, you’ll need to complete a simple quiz to start a subscription. You can also start with a variety pack to sample the food, if you prefer.

Can I cancel my Nom Nom subscription?

Yes. You can change, reschedule, or cancel your deliveries at any time simply by logging into your customer account on the Nom Nom website.