Best fresh dog food brands of 2026

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreWe tried eight fresh dog food brands before naming JustFoodForDogs the best overall and The Farmer's Dog as the best value.Jill Waldbieser; Jaclyn Turner/Business InsiderSeveral companies offer fresh dog food made with gently cooked, whole foods. These diets are often very appealing to dogs, but finding the right one for your pet can be overwhelming.For this guide, we tested eight fresh dog food delivery services. I tested seven of them with my dog, Lyla, and recruited several other reporters and their pups to ensure consistent quality and service among our top picks. I also consulted two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and a food safety expert to better understand canine nutrition and the safety of fresh pet food. The best fresh dog food at a glanceBest overall: JustFoodForDogs is our favorite fresh dog food, thanks to its wide variety of frozen and shelf-stable recipes supported by pet nutrition research and feeding trials.Best on a budget: The Farmer's Dog offers excellent value and seven feed-trial-tested, fresh-frozen recipes.Best for food puzzles and training: Freshpet Delivery features five different recipes that only require refrigeration and are easy to scoop and serve. Ultimately, the best fresh dog food brands lead the pack with expertly formulated healthy recipes, rigorous quality control, convenient home delivery, and generous discounts for new subscribers. No matter which food you choose, make sure it meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced nutrition. Veterinarians also recommend choosing foods from brands that adhere to the Global Nutrition Guidelines published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).If you're switching to fresh pet food, keep in mind that it's not necessarily healthier than our top picks for canned and dry dog food. Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Urolith Center recently identified a new type of canine bladder stone — calcium tartrate tetrahydrate (CTT) — linked to choline bitartrate, an ingredient used in some fresh dog foods and supplements, including recipes from JustFoodForDogs, The Farmer's Dog, and Nom Nom. If your dog has CTT stones, consult your vet about switching to a choline bitartrate-free food, such as formulas from Hill's, Royal Canin, or Purina.Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.Best overallWhy this is our top pick: JustFoodForDogs is the best fresh dog food delivery service, thanks to its wide range of protein options, special diets, and adherence to the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. These guidelines help ensure food is safe and highly nutritious for your pet, says Dr. Emily Luisana, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and cofounder of Peak Veterinary Specialists. The brand has also completed AAFCO feeding trials to validate the nutrition and digestibility of its recipes.JustFoodForDogs offers more variety than its competitors. You can choose from six main Fresh Frozen recipes and four JustFresh shelf-stable recipes, which only require refrigeration after opening. The frozen chicken and fish recipes are suitable for all life stages, while the turkey, beef, venison, and lamb foods are formulated for adult dogs. The JustFresh line includes chicken, beef, turkey, and pork for adult dogs. The brand also offers frozen recipes tailored to specific needs, including skin or stomach sensitivities, joint support, and custom prescription diets.What our pups liked: Our dogs loved the Fresh Frozen and JustFresh shelf-stable lines. I tested the Beef and Russet Potato and Lamb and Brown Rice frozen recipes, both hits with my picky pup. Freelance reporter Jill Waldbieser's 60-pound dog eagerly ate all six frozen recipes.The JustFresh food resembles the frozen line. It looks and smells like human food, and I'd even say it smells pleasant. The recipes are packaged in slim, vacuum-sealed pouches that are easy to store in the cupboard until they're ready to serve. Lyla enjoyed the turkey and pork recipes most, followed by beef, and then chicken, which she still polished off at nearly every meal.Other things to consider: While JustFoodForDogs is among the most expensive services we tested, particularly for medium and large dogs, you can save 5% when you sign up for auto-shipments. Fresh Frozen meals come in 18-ounce pouches, and JustFresh in 12-ounce pouches — both sold in several multi-pack sizes. You'll need to portion servings yourself, which is a minor drawback.On the left, a bowl of the Fresh Frozen Turkey and Whole Wheat Macaroni recipe is ready to serve. On the right, Lyla eats one of her favorite recipes: JustFresh Turkey.Jill Waldbeiser; Sophia Carlisle/Business InsiderOrdering is straightforward using the brand's feeding calculator, which recommends recipes and portions based on your dog's age, we

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