Fresh dog food brands often market higher-quality ingredients and potential health benefits for pets. But are fresh options actually better than traditional kibble?
It’s true that fresh dog food brands offer personalized meal plans and convenient delivery, and some pet owners report health benefits like improved digestion and a shinier coat.
That said, the best choice for pet food ultimately depends on your budget, your dog’s preferences and your veterinarian’s recommendation.
With fresh dog food delivery, pet owners can receive frozen or refrigerated meals for their dog on a regular schedule. Most major brands, such as The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie, operate on a subscription-based model and use whole meats, vegetables and grains in their formulas.
Fresh dog food delivery can offer improved convenience and customization options for pet owners. It may also provide additional health benefits compared to kibble.
Fresh dog food typically uses ingredients that pet owners recognize, such as chicken, broccoli or grains. These simple recipes can be appealing for pets with food sensitivities or picky eaters.
However, it’s important to watch out for misleading language. Many companies use buzzwords like “human grade,” “no fillers” or “real ingredients” to promote their products, which Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, says “do not inherently make fresh food a healthier option.”
There is some limited research suggesting that fresh food could be easier for dogs to digest. Dr. Cahn also points out that some owners report smaller, firmer stools after switching their dogs’ diet. These changes could be linked to differences in digestibility, moisture or fiber content, but more long-term studies are needed to understand if these effects translate to meaningful health benefits over time.
Similarly, some pet owners notice a difference in their pet’s skin and coat after starting a fresh food diet. This change could be attributed to the differences in nutrient, fat and water content in fresh food compared to kibble.
Compared to traditional kibble, fresh dog food companies often have more options for customizing your dog’s meals. For instance, you can often adjust portion sizes and recipes to support specific weight loss goals, health priorities and dietary preferences.
Many fresh dog food companies deliver your pet’s personalized formula to your door. Recurring deliveries of pre-portioned meals can be a more convenient alternative to purchasing bags of kibble.
Some companies claim their products support healthy aging or can help extend your pet’s life. However, research into the long-term health benefits of fresh dog food is still limited.
Some smaller studies have suggested that fresh food could improve metabolism and certain health-related biomarkers. While this suggests that dietary changes can affect aging-related processes, it does not necessarily prove that fresh food helps dogs live longer or prevents disease.
Fresh dog food can be a convenient alternative to kibble. It usually has simple ingredients and can be especially beneficial for pets who are picky eaters or have sensitive stomachs.
On the other hand, kibble is widely used, shelf-stable and generally regarded as safe for most pets. Kibble has been researched more extensively than fresh food, and many are formulated to meet nutritional standards.
Ultimately, guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) emphasize choosing dog food that’s labeled as nutritionally “complete,” rather than focusing on trendy diets.
The main drawback of fresh dog food is that it is usually more expensive than standard kibble. Additionally, there is no strong scientific evidence to support that fresh dog food is significantly healthier than kibble or results in superior health outcomes. Therefore, the added cost might not be worth it for all dog owners.
After switching their dog to a fresh food diet, some owners report their pet having improved digestion and healthier skin and fur. However, long-term research into the benefits of fresh dog food is still limited.
According to Dr. Cahn, “Fresh food can be a good option, as long as it is fully cooked, complete and balanced for your pet’s life stage, and made by a reliable company.”
The 80/20 is a guideline for some fresh dog foods, where about 80% of the recipe comes from animal ingredients and 20% comes from plant-based ingredients.
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