Pet food isn’t regulated nearly as much as human food, so it can be hard to cut through the marketing jargon to figure out what makes a service the safest and highest quality it can be for your dog’s health. The answer is to look for a service labeled as human-grade.
Each service on my shortlist offers human-grade dog food. Services that use this term should comply with the human-grade standards set by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). This outlines that not only should companies source human-grade ingredients, they should also process and transport these meals in a way that’s in line with certain FDA rules on human-food production.
The Farmer’s Dog is my top recommendation for human-grade dog food. It meets all the exacting regulatory standards for its human-grade ingredients, and it makes all its food in facilities that are licensed for human food. Plus, for the quality of food you receive, The Farmer’s Dog is actually pretty good value.
See 4 more best human-grade dog food delivery services
Gently cooked, single-protein recipes
Wallet-friendly for a human-grade service
DIY Nutrient mix available for home-cooked dog food
Current deal: Get 60% Off Your First Box!
The Farmer’s Dog offers the highest-quality food at a great price point. A team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists designed the recipes that are cooked in a USDA-certified, human-grade kitchen.
The Farmer's Dog offers fresh recipes with 4 different proteins that cater to the nutritional needs of different dogs. Choices include beef, chicken, turkey, and pork. Meals are gently cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutritional integrity and are made fresh before delivery.
Recipe ingredients are simple and wholesome, like the beef, beef liver, kale, sunflower seeds, and salmon oil you'll find as part of the Beef Recipe pictured above. All of the ingredients are sourced from reputable suppliers and local farms that meet human-grade standards.
After you take the initial quiz, food arrives in personalized portions that you’ll defrost and serve. Recommended meal plans are based on several factors, including your pup's weight, breed, pickiness, activity level, dietary restrictions, and more.
The Farmer’s Dog’s single-protein meals are formulated by its on-staff, board-certified veterinary nutritionists. As well as being human-grade, they are 100% complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards.
When we tried out The Farmer’s Dog with our four-legged reviewer, we were really impressed with the high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Check out our full tested review to find out how much our canine tester enjoyed the meals. We also rated its eco-friendly approach that includes biodegradable packing materials and recyclable boxes.
I’m pleased to discover that the sustainability of The Farmer's Dog packaging is commendable. Its eco-friendly approach includes biodegradable packing materials and recyclable boxes.
Prices start at $2/day, which includes customized meals for your pup. Prices change based on your pup's size, age, and health concerns. Your first order will be for 2 weeks’ worth of food so your dog can try out the recipes.
If you're interested in DIY dog meal prep, it also offers a DIY Nutrient Mix. This is designed to be added to home-cooked meals. You’ll receive a newsletter with the recipes and tips needed to help you make your own dog food.
Mix both wet and dry meals in 1 order
Flexible plans and half-plans
5 fresh recipes and 2 baked recipes
Current deal: 60% Off Your First Box + a FREE Welcome Kit!
Ollie's ingredient quality and preparation process follow very high standards. You’ll get high-quality, human-grade, fresh ingredients cooked at low temperatures in a USDA Process Verified facility.
Board-certified vets design Ollie's recipes, and you can customize them for your pup's health needs. The bulk of each recipe is meat-based, plus minimally processed, fresh ingredients like the carrots, blueberries, corn, and kale you'll find in Ollie's Turkey dish pictured above. Ollie's food is also suitable for all life stages.
I love that you can pick both fresh and dry recipes for your pup. The 5 fresh recipes feature chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and lamb, while the 2 baked recipes have chicken and beef as the main ingredients. You can find out more about the full ingredients list in our expert-tested Ollie review.
You can also add clean treats and supplements to your cart. The treats include a variety of options, like jerky strips, training treats, and dental chews. The supplements include Probiotic Chews to support gut health, Hip & Joint chews to help reduce inflammation, and Calming Chews to help reduce your pup’s anxiety.
Ollie uses human-grade ingredients in both its fresh and baked recipes. You won’t find any by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives, or fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. As well as being top quality, recipes are very safe. They’re tested and screened for germs and foreign materials before being vacuum-sealed and sent to you in temperature-controlled packaging.
When we tried out Ollie’s range with our dog tester, Baxter, we were impressed with the high-quality ingredients in our delivery, as well as the cute scoop and puptainer you get free with your first order. Check out our full, tested review to find out how much Baxter enjoyed the meals.
Prices start at $4-$8 per day and vary depending on the size of your dog and the portions they need. Your first order will contain enough dog food for 2 weeks.
Plan options include Fresh, Half Fresh, and Mixed. Half Fresh is a budget-friendly way to round out your pup’s current diet. The Mixed plan includes a combo of both fresh and gently baked food.
Part of the HelloFresh company
3 fresh recipes and 4 dried recipes
Choice of plans available
The Pets Table offers a wide range of human-grade dog food. It uses high-quality ingredients that cater to the health and well-being of dogs, emphasizing complete and balanced nutrition across all its meal options.
The Pets Table provides a selection of meal plans that include fresh recipes like Chicken Casserole with Green Beans or Beef Stew with Carrots, air-dried recipes, a mix of fresh and dry, and toppers. This variety allows pet owners to customize their dog's diet according to preferences and nutritional needs, ensuring meals are both enjoyable and healthy.
The Pets Table focuses on delivering a balanced diet through human-grade ingredients, making sure pets get top-quality nutrition. Each recipe is created under the guidance of a Board Certified Veterinarian Nutritionist, which is something I always look for in addition to human-grade ingredients.
The meals incorporate high fiber, superfoods, and essential vitamins to support overall health. Our full tested review has all the details on signing up, delivery, unboxing, meal prep, and – the most important factor – how real-life dogs respond to the food.
The Pets Table offers a lot more variety than other competitors. Not only can you choose between fresh and dry meals (or a mix of both), but there’s also a wide range of proteins and flavors, so it’s easy to find a recipe that suits your pup’s tastes and work around any sensitivities.
One unique offering is the Air-Dried plan, a convenient alternative to traditional kibble that’s a lot more nutritious. These shelf-stable meals are also more convenient to store and serve. They come in 4 flavors: Chicken & Sweet Potato, Beef & Berries, Salmon & Whitefish With Pumpkin, and Lamb & Beef With Brown Rice.
The Half of Fresh plan is an economical way to include human-grade food. This gives you 50% of your pup’s daily calories to use as a topper, so you can add top nutrition even on a budget. I like that The Pets Table’s subscription model is adaptable, allowing for changes in delivery frequency to suit individual schedules and needs.
Prices start at $1.59 per meal with delivery costs generally around $10.99, depending on your location. You can adjust your delivery to be repeated at 1 to 8-week intervals. There’s also a 100% satisfaction guarantee for your first order.
Locally sourced natural ingredients
3 fresh recipes and 4 dry food recipes to choose from
Topper plan available
Spot & Tango uses high quality ingredients in all its products. All of Spot & Tango's produce is certified non-GMO and US-sourced. Meats are USDA-approved human-grade and are humanely raised and free from hormones and antibiotic treatments.
Spot & Tango offers Fresh wet food and UnKibble dry food, and you can purchase a mix of both. You can choose from grain-free or grain-inclusive options. All Fresh food is gently cooked at a low temp in USDA kitchens, and dried foods are prepped using a unique Fresh Dry™ process developed by a team of scientists and board-certified vets.
The fresh recipes include Turkey with Red Quinoa, Beef with Millet, and Lamb with Brown Rice. None have the usual grains (like wheat) that can cause digestive problems or allergies in dogs. Spot & Tango takes care to offer gentle and inclusive recipes for all pups.
All fresh recipes have a very high protein content, especially the Turkey recipe at almost 14%. This is great if you want your dog to build healthy muscles or if you have a growing puppy that needs an extra kick.
Check out our Spot & Tango review to find out about the extras on offer. Your first order comes with a customized UnKibble serving scoop for your dry dog food. This makes portioning the dry food really easy. The fresh meals are pre-portioned to make portioning your pup’s meals convenient.
There are also non-GMO, preservative-free snack options available, with prices starting at $12 per bag. These are single ingredient snacks, so they are good for dogs with sensitive tums. Plus, there are 3 types of supplements you can add to your order to support anxiety, joints, or the immune system.
Spot & Tango’s pricing starts at <$1 per meal and varies depending on which recipe you choose and how much food your dog needs. Dry meals are cheaper and start at $1/day, while Fresh wet meals start at $2/day.
Nutritionist-formulated and reviewed raw recipes for dogs
8 recipes, including novel protein like venison
Helpful quiz provides recipe recommendations
We Feed Raw is the best human-grade delivery service for raw food. The protein comes from USDA-certified human-grade muscle meat, organ meat, and finely ground bone.
There are 8 recipes you can choose from, with chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, duck, and venison as the main proteins. Beef and chicken are also available in freeze-dried form. I appreciate the inclusion of more unusual proteins like duck and venison, as some dogs can be allergic to common proteins like chicken and turkey.
We Feed Raw’s raw meats are all treated with a cold-pressure process that neutralizes harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria. So you can rest assured that it’s safe for your pup to eat and enjoy.
The lamb and venison, raised on pastures and grass-fed in New Zealand, along with all other meats procured from the United States, adhere to human-grade standards.
We Feed Raw comes with helpful instructions to easily transition your pet to a raw diet. This is useful if your dog has never eaten raw food and was previously eating conventional dog food, as you’ll want to take the right steps to introduce it.
We were impressed with the inclusion of extra vitamins and minerals, including flaxseed and vitamin E. A Ph.D. animal food nutritionist – with over 30 years of experience in raw feeding and animal nutrition – formulated and reviewed each of We Feed Raw’s recipes. Read more in our tested review.
Prices start at $6.59/lb, but can cost up to $16+ per day for larger dogs. Based on the introductory quiz you take, you’ll get recommendations for recipes and order amounts. Deliveries are at weekly intervals of 4 to 8 weeks.
Dehydrated dog food for quicker meal times
Lots of different recipes, including wet stews and dry clusters
Discounts on recurring orders
The Honest Kitchen offers human-grade dog food made with only the best ingredients. Specifically, this means whole foods that are minimally processed. You won't find any artificial preservatives or fillers here!
The Honest Kitchen's dog food comes in a variety of flavors and formulas to suit your dog's needs. Whether you have a picky eater or a dog with specific dietary needs, there's a formula for everyone. For example, the grain-free line is perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs, while the limited ingredient line is great for dogs with allergies.
The dry clusters come in chicken, beef, and turkey varieties, with formulas with whole grains as well as grain-free. What’s more, there are special clusters for small breeds and puppies.
The wet food, like the Chicken recipe pictured above, comes in the form of slow-cooked stews. There are also Butcher Block Pâtés if you want to treat your pup with something more gourmet. The pâtés feature cage-free turkey and duck as the main proteins, plus root veggies.
Not only is The Honest Kitchen's dog food healthy, but it's also convenient to prepare. We liked the ease of using the dehydrated food. All you have to do is add water, and it will rehydrate into a delicious and nutritious meal for your pup. The menu also has more conventional dry and wet meals. Read more in our review.
You won’t find a personalization quiz like the one you get with Ollie. Instead, you can filter your recipes by life stage, food type, protein, or nutritional need. If you aren’t sure which recipe to choose, there’s a helpful quiz that will suggest your pup’s top recipe options.
The cost per meal depends on the size and activity level of your dog and starts at $5.99 for dry food for dry food. While Honest Kitchen's human-grade dog food is reasonably priced, feeding a big dog on the wet or dehydrated plans can be expensive.
Sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients
Lots of recipes, plus extras like broths and snacks
Special products for puppies and senior dogs
Open Farm is one of the few Certified Humane pet food services on the market. Open Farm sources humanely-raised, hormone-free meat and antibiotic-free produce from US family-owned farms. Fish is sustainably sourced and wild-caught.
It's important to note that Open Farm’s entree foods are the only human-grade option. The service’s dry, freeze-dried, raw, and treat recipes aren’t human-grade. This isn’t due to ingredient quality but because they are produced in a pet food facility rather than a human food one.
The human-grade fresh food recipes include Grass-Fed Beef, Homestead Turkey, and Harvest Chicken. There’s also Surf & Turf (a combination of humanely-raised beef and sustainable wild-caught salmon) and Puppy (humanely raised chicken, pork, and wild-caught salmon). Each recipe is gently cooked to ensure optimal retention of essential nutrients.
The human-grade wet recipes are made in the style of a rustic stew and include a Herring & Mackerel recipe, along with some more traditional protein sources. You can also find human-grade bone broth, which can be used as a kibble topper or to rehydrate freeze-dried recipes.
Local sourcing is of utmost importance to Open Farm. Up to 40% of veggies are grown within the same town as the manufacturing facility, and 90% of fruits and veggies are grown in-state or in a neighboring state.
This service offers an excellent product variety, including wet food, dry food, broth, snacks, toppers, freeze-dried, gently-cooked, and more. You can shop by food and protein type, and you can bundle meals and snacks to save on your purchase!
Open Farm is also gluten-free. The brand’s recipes don’t contain gluten – a common food sensitivity in pets. However, please note that its facilities aren’t certified gluten-free. Read more in our review.
Prices start at $7/day without auto-shipment. As with most services, Open Farm’s dry food is cheaper than its wet food. Treats start at $9.99 per pack, and bone broth costs from $7.99.
High-quality, human-grade ingredients
Includes a vegan fresh recipe for dogs
Just Food For Dogs (JFFD) is backed by a panel of 13 board-certified vets and only uses tried and tested recipes, restaurant quality ingredients, and transparent preparation processes. It offers an excellent variety of fresh and dry recipes as well as nutrient add-ins, treats, and supplements.
JFFD offers the widest recipe variety of human-grade Fresh Frozen food options and sample packs. You can choose from recipes such as Chicken & White Rice, Fish & Sweet Potato, or Venison & Squash. There are also specialized recipes for Joint & Skin Support or Large Breed Support.
The Pantry Fresh meals don’t need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. This makes them really convenient for storage as well as traveling. I like that you can order a sample pack to try out each of the recipes and find out which ones your dog prefers.
There are plenty of treats and supplements to choose from. These are free from preservatives and additives. They are made from single ingredients like chicken, beef, or salmon. You can also buy these in bundles. Supplements include Omega Plus which is packed with beneficial fish oil, Joint Care, and Skin and Allergy Care.
You can sign up for a consultation with one of JFFD’s menu specialists before you order. The specialist will work with you and your vet to design a custom recipe that will optimize your pet's health. You can also view exactly how JFFD preps all its food by visiting the company's kitchens, which are open to the public in several locations.
When we reviewed JFFD, we liked that it offers a 100% vegan fresh recipe with Tofu & Quinoa. This can be a good choice for dogs with particular dietary needs or owners that follow a plant-based lifestyle. Read our full review to find out more.
If you want to make dog food at home, it offers DIY Nutrient Blends. These contain all the vitamins and minerals needed to create healthy, balanced meals. You’ll get a list of all the ingredients you need and instructions on how to cook meals at home.
Prices start at $6.45 per pack, and shipping is $19.99 or free if you order either dry or frozen products worth over $99. While customized food is more pricey than most, Just Food For Dogs' fresh and dry food is rather affordable. There’s also a money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk to try out this service.
You can make one-time purchases or auto-delivery as much or as little of each food as you need for delivery to your home or pick up in a nearby pet store.
Gently-cooked entrees
Add supplements or organic treats to your order
PetPlate is a dog food delivery service that prides itself on providing gently-cooked, human-grade meals for dogs of all ages. Like the rest of the top dog food delivery services, PetPlate cooks their meals in USDA-approved kitchens, ensuring that your furry friend is getting the best possible nutrition.
PetPlate offers 6 different fresh recipes to choose from, which is a better variety than many of its competitors.
The service’s FreshCooked Entrees include beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb, which are all protein-rich and sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. You can choose recipes that include grains or are grain-free. Each recipe is designed to support different needs, such as skin and coat health, or dietary needs such as low fat.
It also offers FreshBaked Entrees. These recipes are packed with pre- and probiotics. They are slowly baked to preserve the nutrients of the high-quality ingredients. They are good for dogs who prefer a crunchy texture with their meals.
PetPlate also offers 4 different supplement options and an organic snack that can be bundled together to create a complete meal and treat plan for your pup. The treat contains limited ingredients (mainly chicken and apple), while the supplements are soft and easily chewable and help with digestive problems, joint health, skin and coat, or relaxation.
We loved the variety of healthy, human-grade food options and vet-developed recipes. They were also impressed with PetPlate’s customer service. Read our full PetPlate review to find out all the details on ordering, plans, and more.
Plans start at $2.85/day and vary based on the recipes you choose and the amount of food your dog needs. There are multiple subscription options. The Full Plan includes FreshCooked, FreshBaked, or the FreshCombo (a 50/50 mix of fresh and baked food. The chicken, beef, and turkey-based recipes are the most affordable options.
The Topper Plan is another option if you’re on a budget. You’ll be sent fewer food containers, and you can add a few spoonfuls to your dog’s regular kibble. PetPlate also gives you the option to add organic treats and supplements to any of these plans.
Starting Price | Minimum Order | Meal Type | Shipping | Active Deals | |
🥇The Farmer’s Dog | $2/day | 2-Week Starter Pack | Fresh, DIY Nutrient Mix | Free | Get 60% Off Your First Box! from The Farmer’s Dog |
$4-$8 per day | 2-Week Starter Pack | Fresh | Free | 60% Off Your First Box + a FREE Welcome Kit! from Ollie | |
$1.59 per meal | 2-Week Trial Box | Fresh, Dry | From $10.99 | Get 50% off your 1st box + Free Treats for Life! from The Pets Table | |
Spot & Tango | <$1 per meal | 2-Week Starter Pack | Fresh, Dry, Snacks | Free | Get 50% Off + free shipping! from Spot & Tango |
$6.59/lb | 30lb minimum | Raw (frozen) and freeze-dried | Free | Get 40% Off + Free Shipping from We Feed Raw | |
$5.99 for dry food | $5.99 | Clusters Dry, Dehydrated, Wet, Supplements, Broths, Toppers, Treats | $9 or free for orders over $49 | Get 40% off your first purchase! Code 40DELIVERYRANK from The Honest Kitchen | |
$7/day | No minimum | Dry, Wet, Wet and Dry Toppers, Snacks, Supplements | $5.99 or free on orders over $50 | Save up to 20% on first time orders with code DR20 from Open Farm | |
$6.45 per pack | No minimum | Fresh, Dry, DIY Nutrient Mix, Supplements, Treats, Snacks | $19.99 or free on dry or frozen orders over $99 | Get 50% off your first autoship order + 5% off all future orders from Just Food For Dogs | |
$2.85/day | 3-week minimum | Fresh, Dry, Treats, Supplements | Free | Get 60% off the 1st box, 20% off the 2nd box, and 10% off the 3rd box from PetPlate |
Selecting the best human-grade dog food requires some research. I've collected tips to help you choose the ideal dog food delivery service for you and your canine companion(s).
Human-grade dog food refers to pet food produced under the same strict safety and quality standards as food intended for human consumption. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), this designation means that every ingredient and the final product must be stored, handled, processed, and transported in compliance with certain FDA regulations for human food.
Remember that human-grade doesn’t mean all human foods are safe, as many of these, like macadamia nuts, chocolate, and grapes, are safe for humans but can be toxic to dogs. All the services on my list have designed human-grade recipes for canine dietary needs.
Yes, a human-grade label guarantees the food is made using ingredients and processes that are in line with human food production, so it’s often the healthiest and safest option. However, whether a certain type of human-grade dog food (fresh, dry, raw, etc) is good for your individual pet will depend on multiple factors, including any preferences, health issues, and dietary restrictions they may have. Ollie provides comprehensive guidelines for transitioning pets to a new diet. You may also wish to consult with your vet.
While human-grade dog food, such as that from The Farmer's Dog, is made from ingredients safe for human consumption, it's specifically tailored for dogs' dietary needs, not humans. These meals are prepared in facilities that meet human food standards yet are formulated to support the unique nutritional requirements of dogs, so consumption is not advised.
Jessica White is a writer at DeliveryRank. After teaching herself to cook at age 12 - to escape her Mom’s ‘interesting’ recipes - she has spent many happy hours in the kitchen. Whether it’s sampling a different cuisine or creating a new recipe from scratch, she enjoys imagining new food combinations and making them a reality. As a certified and experienced copywriter, she has contributed to a range of online publications on topics ranging from well-being to recruitment. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s walking her dogs and dreaming up new ways to make tofu interesting.