Nom Nom vs. The Farmer’s Dog 2024: Who Wins?

The Farmer's Dog (TFD) is the top choice for quality and nutrition. It offers a select range of vet-approved recipes that are both nutritious and appealing to dogs. Our dog-tester, Baxter, tried and enjoyed these meals, and we noted their quality and the service’s ease of use.

Nom Nom is also a good option, focusing on scientifically formulated meals created by veterinary nutritionists. Nom Nom offers balanced and wholesome meals, yet it doesn't quite reach the premium quality of The Farmer’s Dog, which prioritizes human-grade ingredients. 

In this comparison, The Farmer's Dog stands out for its high-quality, limited menu, ensuring consistent nutrition. However, Nom Nom maintains a strong position focusing on science-based recipes. Check out this comparison to see which of these companies could be the best match for you and your pooch.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Ingredient Quality: The Farmer’s Dog Uses Human-Grade Ingredients

The Farmer's Dog ingredients are fresh, human-grade, and sourced from trusted, local suppliers. All its produce comes from supply chains destined for human consumption. The primary ingredient in all recipes is meat, and both the meat and the kitchens where the meals are prepared are USDA-certified.

Both Nom Nom and The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes are gently cooked in small batches. Lower cooking temperatures preserve the nutrients in the food while eliminating dangerous microorganisms and making sure it is safe to eat.

The recipes from both companies have been designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and meet the AAFCO standards for dog food. This is a huge deal, knowing less than 100 such nutritionists exist in the US.

Nom Nom uses USA-sourced ingredients. The company works hard in the sustainability department, too – it’s constantly striving to achieve minimal waste across its facilities, which I can only applaud.

All the recipes from both Nom Nom and The Farmer’s Dog are free from fillers, by-products, hormones, and artificial preservatives – you’ll never see any protein “meals” on the ingredient lists, like in some supermarket dog foods, or any sketchy ingredients.

All of the meals are grain-free, except for Nom Nom’s Turkey recipe, which contains brown rice. The exception is there to give dog owners a choice.

I like that both companies add plenty of antioxidant-packed superfoods into their meals, such as spinach, broccoli, and fish oil. These foods will help to maintain your pup’s health, reducing the signs of aging and the risk of disease.

Nom Nom also uses eggs as a second source of protein, while The Farmer’s Dog uses USDA-approved pork and beef liver.

When it comes to the ingredient lists, I definitely lean towards The Farmer’s Dog. Not only does its meals have a higher protein content (8-11.5% minimum crude protein), but the list of ingredients is shorter, cleaner, and easier to understand. 

For example, its Turkey meal only has 7 ingredients (USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, parsnip, spinach, and fish oil), plus a nutrient blend of vitamins and minerals.

In comparison, Nom Nom’s minimum protein content is slightly lower at 7-10%, and its Turkey recipe has, in addition to added vitamins and minerals, ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach, fish oil, but also citric acid, natural flavor, and vinegar. I’m not quite sure what the "natural flavor" is, so The Farmer’s Dog has the edge here for me.

Meals and Customization: Both Offer Similar Meal Options

Both Nom Nom and The Farmer’s Dog offer 4 recipes each, each with 1 main protein source:

• Turkey 

• Beef 

• Chicken 

• Pork 

Nom Nom gives them the more exotic names of Beef Mash, Chichen Cuisine, Pork Potluck, and Turkey Fare. Overall, the ingredients in both recipes are fairly similar, as they were created by veterinary nutritionists who know what a dog both tolerates and needs to be healthy. 

In order to customize your dog’s plan, you’ll need to fill out a short quiz about your pet. This doesn’t change or personalize the recipes themselves, but rather the quantity measured in calories to fit their exact needs. Certain recipes are better for some dogs than others, and you’ll get recommendations based on the quiz.

Nom Nom asks about your pup’s sex, age, breed, weight, body condition, and potential health problems. The health problems list isn’t exactly exhaustive, but if your dog suffers from allergies, you can add them here.

The Farmer’s Dog takes things a little further. It also includes questions about your dog’s current food, activity level, spay/neuter status, eating style (pickiness), treats, and there’s an extensive list of health issues to choose from. For a quick guide to signing up, check out our The Farmer’s Dog review for all the details.

Neither of the companies offer prescription diets, but The Farmer’s Dog asks if your dog needs one. If the answer is yes, it encourages you to check in with your vet to see if its recipes can support your dog’s special needs. The recipes from both companies often do, as they’re specially formulated for even the most sensitive pups.

Both companies give you the option of adding treats to your subscription order. Nom Nom offers 2 options – beef or chicken jerky –  plus 2 types of probiotic supplements. The Farmer’s Dog offers Snap Sticks, which are made of chicken, apple, and sea salt to provide protein, fiber, and electrolytes.

Ordering & Delivery: Both Make It Easy to Sign Up

Both The Farmer’s Dog and Nom Nom make it easy to order on their websites. You can also make changes to future orders, including rescheduling them, which is straightforward through your customer account. 

In addition to its 4 meals, The Farmer’s Dog offers a customized, subscription-based DIY Nutrient Mix, should you want to cook the food yourself at home. I was impressed with this option because it makes this feel like a company that really cares about your pet’s wellbeing.

Both companies deliver to all 48 contiguous US states. Your actual delivery day may vary depending on your location, but both companies keep you updated. You can also tweak the frequency you want to receive the meals – from once a week to every number of weeks – to suit you and your dog.

Unboxing: Both Provide Well-Insulated Frozen Meals 

The meals from both companies arrive frozen, in a well-insulated box, with each meal separately packed and clearly labeled. You’ll also receive storage instructions, but the rule of thumb is to freeze everything, then thaw before you feed.

Both companies also make a point of using only environmentally-friendly packaging. Every material in your Nom Nom’s box is either recycled or recyclable. The Farmer’s Dog’s cardboard box, insulation, and food storage container are biodegradable (you can compost them if you want), and all the packs are made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials.

Meal Prep: Both Send Pre-Portioned Servings

Since all the meals are free from artificial preservatives, they don’t have a long shelf life, like conventional kibble. The meals are perfectly portioned to suit your dog. You don’t have to prepare anything, just thaw and serve. You can put a bit of warm water in the bowl, too, if your dog prefers their food warm.

You can feed The Farmer’s Dog and Nom Nom as a topper instead of a full meal. This can benefit your dog by adding extra nutrition to their regular kibble. It also makes it more budget-friendly, which is great if you have a large dog or more than 1 pup.

The meals can stay frozen for up to 6 months, and last around 4 days in the fridge. You’ll find more detailed info about storage on the packaging, but it seems easier to just thaw whatever you want for the next day, so you don’t risk spoiling anything.

Pricing: The Farmer’s Dog Is More Affordable

The Farmer's Dog costs can vary significantly based on your dog's specific needs. I created meal plans for 3 different dogs and found that The Farmer's Dog generally offers better pricing regardless of your pet's size. 

Firstly, for a 6 lb Maltese, you’d pay around $3.10 per day with Nom Nom, but only around $2.78 with The Farmer’s Dog. For a medium-sized 30 lb Border Collie, Nom Nom’s plans cost around $5.85 per day, while TFD’s are around $4.66. Lastly, for a large dog such as a 70 lb English Mastiff, you could pay around $21.30 per day with Nom Nom, and $19.15 with TFD.

Of course, these prices may vary based on your dog’s activity levels, neuter status, and more. Nom Nom also has multi-pet discounts, so this may drive the price down if you have multiple dogs. While these are not huge differences, you may prefer The Farmer’s Dog if you’re on a tighter budget.

Should you want to cook your pet’s meals at home, the DIY Nutritional Mix from The Farmer’s Dog costs around $6 per week for an average 30 lb dog. 

When it comes to Nom Nom’s extras, the treats cost $13 for 1 pack and the probiotic supplements cost $40. There are also sampler packs of food costing $20, in case you want to test the food with your dog before subscribing.

If your dog doesn’t enjoy the food, Nom Nom has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get your money back on your trial box. The Farmer’s Dog also lets you opt for a refund, on the condition you donate the remaining food to a shelter so it doesn’t go to waste. That’s so sweet!

Features Comparison: Nom Nom vs. The Farmer’s Dog

And the Winner Is: The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer's Dog is the winner for its focus on human-grade ingredients and vet-approved recipes, guaranteeing high-quality and nutritious meals for your pet. Additionally, it offers a DIY Nutritional Mix if you have a super-sensitive dog and you prefer to cook its food yourself.

Nom Nom still stands out as a solid choice with its scientifically formulated meals and focus on balanced nutrition with probiotic supplements. It offers a credible alternative for pet owners seeking quality food.

If you’re still undecided, check out our list of the best fresh dog food delivery services for more comparisons. This can help you find the best option tailored to your pet’s needs. 

FAQ

Is The Farmer’s Dog better than Nom Nom?

Yes, The Farmer’s Dog is considered to be better than Nom Nom. It offers a more personalized meal plan tailored to specific health concerns, which is less detailed with Nom Nom. Its ingredients are human-grade and the costs are slightly less than Nom Nom.

Which is cheaper, Nom Nom or The Farmer’s Dog?

How does Nom Nom and The Farmer’s Dog work?

Each service operates through a subscription model that delivers prepared meals to your door. You can sign up by filling out a profile detailing your dog’s dietary needs and preferences, and they send tailored, pre-portioned meals based on this information.

Can you mix The Farmer’s Dog with kibble?

Yes, you can mix The Farmer’s Dog food with kibble. It provides a Topper Plan specifically for this purpose, offering smaller portions to blend with your dog’s existing dry food diet, which can enhance nutrition and ease dietary transitions.