Nom Nom vs PetPlate: Which Fresh Dog Food Is Better in 2026?
Nom Nom (now operated under Purina’s ownership since 2022) and PetPlate are two of the smaller but well-regarded players in the fresh dog food subscription market — below The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie in market share, but competitive in quality.
Quick verdict: Nom Nom edges out PetPlate for most dogs. The Purina acquisition brought significant quality control and research investment, and the 50% first-order discount makes it the easiest to trial. PetPlate has an advantage in subscription flexibility (tiered plans by frequency) and is meaningfully cheaper for larger dogs on a long-term basis.
| Category | Nom Nom (by Purina) | PetPlate |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015; acquired by Purina 2022 | 2016 (NYC) |
| Price (50 lb dog, monthly) | ~$100–$140 | ~$80–$120 |
| Human-Grade | Yes | Yes |
| Recipes Available | 5 (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Lamb) | 6 (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Pork, Duck) |
| AAFCO Certified | Yes (complete and balanced) | Yes (complete and balanced) |
| Subscription Tiers | Single plan (weekly delivery) | Weekly, biweekly, monthly subscriptions |
| First Order Discount | 50% off | 20–25% off first order |
| Parent Company | Nestlé Purina | Independent |
| Unique Feature | NomNomNutrients microbiome research | Cookbook-inspired recipes with named chefs |
| Recall History | None to date | None to date |
| Affiliate Commission | 20% last-click | $25–$100 tiered by subscription length |
Ingredient Quality
Nom Nom — Chicken Cuisine Recipe
Ingredients: USDA chicken, chicken liver, carrots, spinach, eggs, fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, zinc, iodine, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12
Protein: ~26% (as-fed)
Fat: ~7%
Calories: ~1,000 kcal/lb
Nom Nom keeps ingredient lists deliberately short — typically 10–12 items, all recognizable whole foods or targeted micronutrient supplements. Since the Purina acquisition, quality control has strengthened: all Nom Nom production now occurs in USDA human-grade facilities with Purina’s manufacturing oversight.
Nom Nom’s unique addition is their NomNomNutrients program: policyholders can participate in microbiome research (stool samples analyzed to assess gut health metrics). This isn’t just marketing — it generates real data on how individual dogs’ gut microbiomes respond to fresh food diets over time.
PetPlate — Barkin’ Beef Recipe
Ingredients: USDA beef, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, spinach, blueberries, fish oil, sunflower seed oil, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, thiamine
Protein: ~25% (as-fed)
Fat: ~8%
Calories: ~1,050 kcal/lb
PetPlate’s ingredient profile is slightly more complex than Nom Nom’s — more vegetable variety, and the inclusion of peas (a legume, which carries the DCM consideration noted across fresh food brands). The “cookbook-inspired” branding reflects a genuine effort to make recipes more varied and flavorful.
Notable difference: PetPlate’s Duck recipe is unique — Nom Nom doesn’t offer a duck protein. For dogs that need a novel protein for allergy management, PetPlate has an advantage.
Pricing and Subscription Flexibility
Nom Nom Pricing
Nom Nom calculates portion size based on your dog’s profile, shipping weekly. Their 50% first-order discount is the most aggressive trial offer in the fresh food market. After the trial, monthly costs are typically:
- 10 lb dog: ~$40–$50/month
- 30 lb dog: ~$70–$90/month
- 50 lb dog: ~$100–$140/month
- 80 lb dog: ~$150–$190/month
Nom Nom offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The subscription is week-to-week with no lock-in.
PetPlate Pricing and Tiered Subscriptions
PetPlate’s most distinctive feature is its subscription tier model:
- Weekly subscription: Standard pricing
- Biweekly subscription: ~5% savings
- Monthly subscription: ~10–15% savings
For large dogs, the monthly subscription option provides meaningful cost savings — roughly $15–$25/month less than Nom Nom at comparable serving sizes. PetPlate also offers a “kibble add-on” (mixing fresh food with their branded kibble) that reduces overall monthly costs while maintaining fresh food benefits.
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The Purina Factor
The biggest development in the Nom Nom story is the 2022 Purina acquisition. This matters for several reasons:
Manufacturing quality: Purina operates some of the most rigorous pet food manufacturing facilities in North America. All Nom Nom production moved to Purina human-grade USDA facilities post-acquisition, with Purina’s quality control protocols applied.
Nutritional research: Purina’s internal nutrition team now backs Nom Nom formulations — adding the credibility of 500+ Purina scientists to what was previously a startup nutrition team.
Scale and stability: The acquisition means Nom Nom isn’t subject to the supply chain and funding risks of a standalone startup. For a subscription product where consistency matters, this is a real benefit.
Potential downside: Some early Nom Nom customers have expressed concern that the Purina ownership may eventually mean formula changes or reduced ingredient quality to hit corporate margins. To date, there is no evidence of formula degradation post-acquisition.
Who Should Choose Nom Nom
- Dogs with digestive issues who benefit from Purina’s research-backed nutritional oversight
- Owners interested in the NomNomNutrients microbiome research program
- First-time fresh food buyers — the 50% first-order discount is the best trial price in the category
- Dogs that do well on beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or lamb proteins
Who Should Choose PetPlate
- Larger dogs (50+ lbs) where PetPlate’s monthly subscription pricing provides real savings
- Dogs needing a duck protein (novel protein for allergy management)
- Owners who prefer biweekly or monthly delivery over weekly
- Owners who want the option to mix with kibble as an add-on
Related Pages
- Farmers Dog Vs Ollie — Farmer’s Dog vs Ollie comparison
- Farmers Dog — Full Farmer’s Dog review
- Senior Dogs — Best food for senior dogs
- Sensitive Stomach — Best food for sensitive stomachs
- Golden Retriever — Best food for Golden Retrievers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Nom Nom the same as it was before the Purina acquisition?
A: Nom Nom’s recipes and brand identity have remained largely consistent post-acquisition. The primary changes are manufacturing (moved to Purina USDA-certified facilities) and quality control (Purina’s protocols now applied). The ingredient lists are comparable to pre-acquisition formulas. Long-term formula stability remains to be seen, but as of 2026, no degradation has been observed.
Q: Which has better ingredients, Nom Nom or PetPlate?
A: Both are high quality. Nom Nom has the edge on ingredient list cleanliness — slightly fewer items, all recognizable. PetPlate has more vegetable variety and the unique Duck recipe. For most dogs, the difference in outcomes is minimal. If your dog has specific protein restrictions (duck allergy, or need for duck as novel protein), that determines the choice.
Q: Can large dogs afford Nom Nom or PetPlate?
A: Fresh dog food is significantly more expensive for large dogs because portion size scales with body weight. A 90 lb dog eating full-plan Nom Nom costs approximately $150–$200/month. Most large-breed owners using fresh food use it as a 20–30% topper on premium kibble rather than a full diet replacement, reducing monthly costs to $40–$60/month while capturing most of the palatability and digestibility benefits.
Q: How does PetPlate compare to The Farmer’s Dog?
A: The Farmer’s Dog is the market leader with stronger brand recognition and a USDA human-grade certification. PetPlate is competitive on ingredient quality but slightly less well-known. PetPlate’s monthly subscription flexibility and duck recipe are differentiators. For most dogs, both are excellent options — with The Farmer’s Dog carrying more brand trust and PetPlate offering slightly more pricing flexibility.
Q: What is the best fresh dog food for dogs with allergies?
A: For dogs with multiple protein sensitivities, the fresh food category offers an advantage over standard kibble: you can choose single-protein recipes with short, identifiable ingredient lists. Nom Nom’s Chicken Cuisine (single protein, minimal additives) and PetPlate’s Duck recipe (novel protein for most dogs) are both strong options for food-sensitive dogs. The key is selecting a recipe with a protein your dog hasn’t been exposed to previously and avoiding additional legume sources if legume sensitivity is suspected.
Q: Is transitioning from kibble to fresh food difficult?
A: The transition requires patience but is typically straightforward. The standard protocol: mix 25% fresh food with 75% current food for days 1–3; increase to 50/50 for days 4–6; 75% fresh/25% old for days 7–9; then 100% fresh from day 10 onward. Loose stools are common in the first 1–2 weeks as the gut microbiome adjusts. If digestive symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks, slow the transition pace or consult your veterinarian.
Transitioning to Fresh Food: Practical Checklist
For owners switching to Nom Nom or PetPlate, a few practical notes:
Storage: Both brands arrive frozen and require moving to the refrigerator 24–48 hours before serving. Keep 3–5 days’ worth in the refrigerator at a time; maintain frozen backup supply.
Portioning: Both brands provide pre-portioned serving sizes for your dog. Follow the portion guide strictly — especially for dogs prone to obesity. Fresh food is calorie-dense; overfeeding is the most common mistake.
Stool changes: Expect smaller, firmer, darker stools within 1–2 weeks of switching to fresh food. This reflects improved digestibility — less undigested material passing through. Loose stools in the first week are normal transition effects.
Palatability: Virtually all dogs find fresh food more palatable than kibble. If your dog refuses fresh food (rare but occasionally seen in highly habituated kibble eaters), warm the food slightly (10 seconds in microwave) to enhance aroma.
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