PetPlate Review 2026: Chef-Crafted Fresh Food With USDA Credentials
GetPetPros Score: 8.5/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ingredient Quality | 9.0/10 |
| Nutritional Completeness | 9.0/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.0/10 |
| Delivery Experience | 8.5/10 |
| Recipe Variety | 8.5/10 |
| Palatability | 9.0/10 |
Quick verdict: PetPlate is a strong competitor in the fresh dog food space — USDA-certified human-grade kitchen, formulas developed with veterinary nutritionists, and a “chef-crafted” positioning that delivers genuinely appealing, whole-food meals. Slightly more affordable than The Farmer’s Dog for medium and large dogs, with more recipe variety. A top-three fresh food choice.
Best for: Dogs who’ve struggled with other fresh foods, owners wanting more recipe variety than Farmer’s Dog or Nom Nom, cost-conscious fresh food buyers.
Not ideal for: Very large dogs on tight budgets, owners wanting a topper-only option (PetPlate is primarily a full-meal subscription).
Check Price“>Try PetPlate →
Company Overview
PetPlate was founded in 2016 by Renaldo Webb, a Columbia Business School MBA graduate who became convinced the fresh dog food market needed a more accessible, chef-driven approach. The company operates a USDA-certified kitchen in Pennsauken, New Jersey, where all meals are prepared. Webb’s background in business rather than veterinary science led PetPlate to heavily invest in veterinary nutritionist partnerships for formula development.
Key differentiators:
- USDA-certified human-grade kitchen
- Veterinary nutritionist-formulated recipes
- Chef-inspired recipe names and approach (Chompin’ Chicken, Barkin’ Beef)
- Subscription + a la carte model
- Treats and supplements available as add-ons
Recipes and Ingredients
Chompin’ Chicken
Chicken, chicken liver, brown rice, peas, carrots, cranberries, PetPlate vitamin mix
Protein: 26% | Fat: 8% | Calories: ~900 kcal/lb
Barkin’ Beef
Beef, beef liver, brown rice, green beans, butternut squash, PetPlate vitamin mix
Protein: 25% | Fat: 10% | Calories: ~950 kcal/lb
Tail-Wagging Turkey
Turkey, turkey liver, brown rice, spinach, sweet potato, blueberries, PetPlate vitamin mix
Protein: 27% | Fat: 8% | Calories: ~920 kcal/lb
Lip-Lickin’ Lamb
Lamb, lamb liver, brown rice, carrots, peas, PetPlate vitamin mix
Protein: 24% | Fat: 9% | Calories: ~940 kcal/lb
Notable: Brown rice as primary carbohydrate across all recipes — avoids legume/DCM concerns. Organ meats (liver) in every recipe for natural micronutrients.
Pricing
| Dog Size | Full Plan Monthly |
|———-|—————–|
| Small (10–15 lbs) | $40–$65 |
| Medium (30–40 lbs) | $65–$90 |
| Large (55–70 lbs) | $95–$130 |
| Very Large (80–100 lbs) | $140–$200 |
PetPlate is generally 10–20% less expensive than The Farmer’s Dog for comparable dog profiles.
Pros
- Competitive fresh food pricing — often less than TFD
- Brown rice carbohydrates (no legume DCM concern)
- 4 protein options with liver in each
- USDA-certified human-grade kitchen
- Add-on treats and supplements in same subscription
Cons
- Not as widely known as Farmer’s Dog, so fewer user reviews
- Peas appear in some recipes (though not as primary carb)
- No fish recipe option for seafood-protein dogs
- Limited topper plan availability
Who Is PetPlate Best For?
PetPlate is a strong choice for owners who want the fresh food experience with slightly more recipe variety at a modest price advantage over The Farmer’s Dog. The rice-based carbohydrate approach is a meaningful differentiator from legume-heavy fresh foods for DCM-conscious buyers.
Alternatives
- Petplate Vs Farmers Dog
- Petplate Vs Nom Nom
- Check Price“>Spot & Tango — Similar price range, UnKibble format option
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is PetPlate USDA approved?
A: PetPlate’s kitchen is USDA-inspected and certified for human-grade food production. This means the facility meets the same standards as commercial kitchens that prepare human food — a higher bar than most commercial pet food facilities.
Q: Does PetPlate offer a topper plan?
A: PetPlate’s primary model is a full meal subscription. They do offer partial plans, but it’s less prominently promoted than at Farmer’s Dog or Nom Nom. Contact customer service to configure a partial plan.
Q: How does PetPlate compare to The Farmer’s Dog?
A: Both are USDA human-grade fresh food with vet nutritionist formulations. PetPlate offers more recipe variety (4 proteins vs. TFD’s 4) and is often marginally less expensive. The Farmer’s Dog has a stronger brand reputation and more user reviews. Quality is comparable.
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