Nom Nom Review 2023: Pet Food Backed by Science

Overview

You want to make sure your 4-legged family member gets healthy food that’s tasty and nutritious. Also, it would be great if said food didn’t break the bank, especially if you’re the happy owner of a big boy or girl (puppy or adult).

I get it – with so many offers, it’s difficult to separate the good marketing from the real deal. But I think Nom Nom is the real deal. The company has a team of dog food specialists that includes 2 Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists, and all the food recipes are crafted based on what science says dogs need to be happy and healthy.

For this Nom Nom review, I worked with our own team of specialists to see if the service measures up. I carefully weighed Nom Nom’s recipes against those of similar companies and considered real customers' opinions.

After all these, I think Nom Nom is the real deal. The company crafts delicious, nutritious recipes with fresh, whole ingredients that are balanced with essential nutrients and vitamins. I also like how it believes that quality nutrition is at the core of the health and well-being of pets.

Now, let’s dig into the details and see what all the ruckus is about!

Nom Nom Meals

Plans and Recipes

Nom Nom offers 4 recipes – Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Pork Potluck, and Turkey Fare. Each recipe includes a limited number of ingredients, and you can easily recognize them in the food. For instance, the Chicken Cuisine recipe includes sweet potatoes, spinach, and squash, and you can see pieces of these veggies in the composition.

The team behind these recipes comprises scientists with relevant experience in the dog food niche. Besides the 2 Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists I already mentioned, the team also includes an expert in microbiome manipulation and a scientist with a Ph.D. in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition (among others).

As a result, every recipe follows the nutritional guidelines set by the AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles. Moreover, these recipes are designed with allergies and sensitivities in mind. I mentioned my dog Cicero has a sensitive stomach, and Nom Nom recommended the Pork Potluck meal, which is gentler on the stomach.

Additionally, Nom Nom offers a selection of supplements designed for gut health. These were created by the same team of specialists behind Nom Nom recipes and are focused on the unique needs of dogs' and cats' digestive systems.

Lastly, you can get a gut microbiome testing kit to learn more about your pooch’s specific needs. The kit isn’t invasive, and it won’t bother your furry friend at all. Instead, the results will provide a wealth of information about your pet’s gut health and overall well-being.

Overall, Nom Nom’s offer of fresh food and supplements looks promising. While there are only 4 recipes on the menu, the ingredients are of the highest quality, and the food isn’t over-processed, as happens with many other commercial dog food brands. Also, most dogs are crazy about Nom Nom recipes.

Ingredients

Nom Nom is a vertically integrated company. This means it oversees every step of the recipe creation process. This starts with the source of the ingredients used in each of the recipes and ends with the food being shipped to your doorstep.

Nom Nom only uses whole food ingredients sourced from U.S. growers and suppliers. All the meals are prepared in the company’s kitchens, so no third party is involved in the making of your pooch’s nutritious meals. 

Each ingredient is individually cooked (gently) to lock in the freshness and nutrients. Once everything is cooked, the chefs mix the ingredients based on strict guidelines and create the final recipes. This is why you can still recognize all the ingredients in your pooch’s food and why everything looks so fresh.

Nom Nom features 4 fresh food recipes, but I’ll talk about the Beef Mash since many dogs prefer it. This recipe has 182 cal per cup and contains 7 fresh ingredients, like ground beef, potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas, nutrient mix, and fish oil.

The nutrient mix is Nom Nom’s personal blend of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for a dog’s health. The on-staff Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists developed the mix, which includes things like Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, Iron, Iodine, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Choline, and Taurine.

All the vitamins and nutrients included in the mix are beneficial for your dog’s health. But there are a few elements that are crucial. One of these elements is fish oil – rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it helps with joint health, skin and coat health, and brain development.

You’ll also notice that the Beef Mash recipe includes potatoes, carrots, and peas. Of course, these ingredients are there to support the main star of the show – the delicious and high-quality ground beef. But carrots, peas, and potatoes have an important role as well. They’re rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that benefit dogs.

Overall, every ingredient included in Nom Nom’s recipes fulfills a crucial role in your dog’s health. For instance, Taurine is extremely important for a dog’s healthy heart muscle, eye health, and well-functioning immune system. Therefore, all 4 recipes include Taurine in their composition (among other important elements).

Nutrition

Just because a recipe gets the tail wagging, doesn’t mean it comes with the right nutrients. Luckily, you have the Guaranteed Analysis label to let you know about the nutrient composition of each food.

The Guaranteed Analysis allows you to assess if the food meets your pooch’s dietary needs. By checking the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and other nutrients, you can ensure that the food aligns with your dog's requirements.

For instance, the Guaranteed Analysis for Beef Mash says the recipe is low in fiber and high in protein. That’s because the Crude Protein is at 8% min, while the Crude Fiber is at 1% max. It’s also a little on the low side regarding fat (Crude Fat  4% min). This means the recipe is a great fit for a dog who needs more protein and less fat and fiber.

I like that the food is gently cooked with care for the ingredients and the nutrients they bring. There are no high-temperature vats involved, nor is there any extrusion. Once cooked, each ingredient is carefully and precisely mixed in small batches and prepared for shipping. Overall, the preparation process keeps the meals well-balanced and nutritious.

What Makes It Different

Nom Nom boasts about its recipes being powered by science. What it means is that a team of pet health experts, including board-certified veterinary nutritionists and a microbiologist, helped formulate each recipe. As a result, regardless of which dish your pup likes, the results will lead to a happier and more energetic 4-legged friend.

Each recipe is made with fresh, whole ingredients carefully selected for your pup’s health. Also, each ingredient is gently cooked individually and then mixed in batches. This way, Nom Nom specialists manage to seal in vital nutrients without damaging the texture.

The company also offers probiotics developed by the same team of specialists. These are designed to support your dog’s gut health, and you can get personalized recommendations based on your pup’s special needs.

Overall, what makes Nom Nom stand out is the care the team shows for our pets’ well-being. For instance, you can get a gut health kit to test your pooch’s microbiome at home. With the results, you can ensure you're feeding your pet food that supports their health needs.

Unboxing

Nom Nom is a service that helps you design a personalized meal plan based on your pup’s needs. This means that your box will contain the requested recipes in the quantity you requested.

There will also be dry ice to cool the fresh food and insulators to keep it cool. The meals should arrive frozen or at least cool to the touch, and you should move any packages you won’t open on the spot to the freezer. Frozen meals will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nom Nom provides easy, personalized feeding instructions with each of its deliveries. Accordingly, you’re supposed to thaw the food before serving (leave the package overnight in the fridge, and it should be just fine by morning). Thawed meals should keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. The meals don’t require any prep. Just pour them straight into your dog's bowl.

Meals are pre-portioned based on your dog’s caloric needs, so add the correct data when filling out the quiz. Also, if anything changes (your dog gets leaner or they grow up), keep your Nom Nom profile updated so the company will know to send more food your way.

All of the boxes, insulators, and meal pack material are recyclable. The contents of a shipped box are kept cool with dry ice (do NOT touch the dry ice), which sublimates over time. The only packaging material you may not be able to recycle is the plastic wrapping used as food containers.

Prices

Nom Nom’s plans start at $2.40. However, the final price depends on your dog’s weight, age, and activity level. You must specify all these in the quiz while placing your first Nom Nom order.

Overall, Nom Nom is a bit pricey, so the company offers options for big breeds (40+ pounds). Depending on your budget and your pooch’s needs, you can choose to feed them Full Meals or Half Portions (where you can combine the Nom Nom food with other types).

For example, my trial order (food for 2 weeks) for Cicero was $254.85 for Full Meals. After the trial, the cost would have been $127.42 weekly, billed and shipped every 2 weeks. Now Cicero is a big dog (a 3-year-old male American Bulldog of 100 pounds), so I also had the option to choose Half Portions.

Half Portions for Cicero cost $141.96 during the trial period and $63.71 weekly after the trial. In this case, the food would have been billed and shipped every 4 weeks once the trial period was complete.

If your dog is a smaller breed, the overall cost will be lower. For instance, the cost for a 6-pound adult male Toy Poodle and 2 weeks of food will only set you back $66.31 during the trial period. After the trial ends, you’ll pay $25.66 per week, billed and shipped every 4 weeks.

Nom Nom also offers supplements to round out and enhance your dog’s diet. There are 2 different kinds of probiotics for dogs – Full Spectrum and GI Targeted. There’s also 1 probiotic for cats. Each 30-day supply costs: $40 ($30 on discount). The company also offers a Microbiome Test Kit for $90 at the time of this writing.

It’s worth noting that if you’re still undecided, Nom Nom will give you a special trial offer for your first box. And, although the taxes Nom Nom charges may differ from state to state, shipping is always free.

Nom Nom also has a special discount: Take 60% Off Your First Order. Don’t forget to take advantage of this to help reduce the overall price of your order. If your dog isn’t happy with the food or he/she doesn’t see the benefits you hoped for, Nom Nom will refund the money from your first order. The only stipulation is that you must contact Nom Nom within 30 days of the order being delivered. The food itself can’t be returned as it’s perishable.

Shipping & Delivery

Every order is freshly prepared just days before arrival. After your 2-week trial period, you’ll get your dog’s food delivered at regular intervals based on the amount of food your dog needs. This way, you’ll always have healthy food on hand. You can reschedule orders or change your dog’s profile at any time.

The trial period is enough to see if your 4-legged friend transitions well to Nom Nom. After those first 2 weeks, your delivery schedule resets to a customized time period depending upon the characteristics of your pet (4, 6, or more weeks).

From then on, shipments are delivered automatically, so you never run out of food. You can customize your delivery options and schedules as you see fit. You can also add a probiotic supplement to any order you like.

Currently, Nom Nom delivers to the 48 contiguous states. The meals are shipped Monday through Thursday, and you have access to tracking information the moment the order starts heading to your destination. Due to distance and such, the actual date the food arrives will vary depending on your location.

Rescheduling your order is easy, as you can use your online account. You can also reschedule or cancel your account by contacting the customer service team via email or phone.

How Nom Nom Works

I found the ordering process at Nom Nom easy to understand and straightforward. There are a couple of different steps involved, depending on what you’re trying to do, but they’re all fairly basic.

How to Sign Up

1. Click on the Start Trial button – Find this on the Nom Nom homepage.

2. Fill out the questionnaire – Nom Nom will ask questions about your dog’s health, weight, activity level, and more.

3. Choose recipes and supplements – Nom Nom offers recipe recommendations, but you can also choose your own. Plus, at this step, you can choose whether to add a supplement.

4. Provide your contact info – Add your address and payment details.

5. Place the order and wait for confirmation – Review your dog’s plan and place your order. You should receive a confirmation email with the tracking details.

Managing Your Subscription

You can reschedule orders, manage deliveries, or even cancel your account easily. Most tasks are easily accomplished through your online account. Failing that, you can contact Customer Support by email or telephone.

Customer Service

It’s generally very easy to contact Customer Service at Nom Nom. There are email forms, a chatbot with the option to go live with a human representative, and a phone number you can call or text. My personal favorite is the chatbot. I can look stuff up myself, and if the AI can’t handle it, it’s easy to go straight to Support.

I also like the live chat (or phone) because it’s probably the quickest. I tested the live chat and found the human support agent quick, professional, and friendly. No problem whatsoever.

Customer service is quick and friendly if you contact them during work hours. Chat is available from 7 AM to 6 PM PT on weekdays and 9 AM to 3 PM on weekends. Phone support is similar but ends at 5 PM during the week.

Nom Nom Recalls

At the time of writing this review, Nom Nom has only 1 recall. Plus, it wasn’t something the company did. The recall happened because Tyson Foods, a supplier of Nom Nom, announced a massive recall of some of its chicken products that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

As a result, Nom Nom issued a voluntary recall for its Chicken Cuisine on July 8, 2021. Since then, no other recalls or issues have been signaled by Nom Nom or its customers.

How Nom Nom Compares to Other Pet Food Services

Nom Nom vs. The Farmer’s Dog: Nom Nom and The Famer’s Dog deliver gently cooked fresh dog food designed for all life stages. Overall, both companies deliver similar recipes, but based on my colleague’s in-depth review of The Farmer’s Dog, their food is prepared in USDA-certified kitchens, which puts this company on top.

Nom Nom vs. Ollie: Both companies offer similar recipes and services, but Ollie is a bit more affordable (not by much, though). Check out our Ollie review for more about this company and the recipes it offers.

Nom Nom vs. Spot & Tango: Spot & Tango offers more variety in its recipes with its Unkibble offer. Also, according to my colleague’s findings while working on the Spot & Tango review, Unkibble recipes make high-quality dog food more affordable, even for pet parents on a lower budget.

The Bottom Line: Is Nom Nom Worth It?

Nom Nom is definitely worth it. To start with, Nom Nom’s science-backed recipes show the level of care and dedication the company has for our 4-legged friends.

I also like the extras, like probiotics and gut health testing kits. Plus, as the pet parent of a large breed, I appreciate the fact that you can order half portions. This option is a great way to ensure your pooch gets its nutrients and vitamins without digging deep into your savings.

So, anyone looking for a healthy, science-based diet for their pet should consider Nom Nom. But if you’re still not convinced, I recommend checking out our best dog food delivery services.

FAQ

Is Nom Nom good dog food?

Yes, Nom Nom is good dog food. The recipes Nom Nom uses have the backing of 2 board-certified veterinary nutritionists. They’re also involved in developing the recipes at every step of the process.

Is Nom Nom dog food raw?

For all Nom Nom recipes, the ingredients are cooked, not raw. The food is gently cooked in small batches instead of in vats and is never extruded. Meals are shipped frozen to seal in nutrients.

Is Nom Nom dog food grain free?

Of the 4 dog recipes available, 3 don’t list grains as an ingredient. The Turkey Fare recipe lists brown rice. This means that you can have your pick and test things out until you find the best recipe combination for your 4-legged friend.