Fresh dog foods are vet-designed, super-healthy meals, custom-made for your dog’s age, weight, breed, activity level and allergies… and then delivered refrigerated… direct to your door.
Compared to other pet diets, fresh dog foods are gently cooked at lower temperatures. So, they avoid the damage to delicate vitamins and nutrients during processing.1
Unlike dry kibble which contains just 10% water, fresh dog foods have a natural moisture content of about 75%… more like the healthy human food found in your home refrigerator.
On this page, we share the Dog Food Advisor’s list of the best fresh dog food brands… and show you which ones are safe for the age and breed size of your particular dog, as well as foods that suit different preferences and budgets.
We’ll also answer the 6 most frequently asked questions we get about choosing and feeding fresh dog food.
The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice
Best Fresh Dog Food November 2024
Here are the Dog Food Advisor's best fresh dog food brands for November 2024.
Best Overall Fresh Dog Food: The Farmer’s Dog Beef - Best Fresh Dog Food
1. Best Overall Fresh Dog Food: The Farmer’s Dog Beef
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The Farmer’s Dog is our top choice and awarded the coveted best fresh dog food crown.
Many pet parents report that their dogs experience fewer digestive issues and improved energy levels after switching to The Farmer’s Dog. (Read Huntley’s story on our Farmer’s Dog review page for a real-life example of the benefits this food offers.)
The food is also highly palatable too, making it a good option for picky eaters.
The Beef Recipe is a firm favorite, as it contains the second highest protein level in this product line of four foods. It also includes fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids to help support joint health.
The bulk of the protein comes from fresh beef and dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
Our top pick. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here
Things we like
High protein levels
Fish oil for joint health
Highly palatable
Main Ingredients Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver
Type Grain-free, fresh
Protein Percentage 39%
AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Sample buyer review...
"Bruno has never looked or felt so good. He no longer sheds and his breath is fresh and clean. His coat absolutely gleams with health. His eyes are bright and his energy level is through the roof! Thank you for making quality food at a good price point. If anyone is on the fence about trying this or making the switch, don’t be!"
Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com
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Best Premium Fresh Dog Food: Ollie Turkey Dish with Blueberries - Best Fresh Dog Food
2. Best Premium Fresh Dog Food: Ollie Turkey Dish with Blueberries
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Ollie is another fresh dog food brand highly regarded by our advisory team, which is headed up by pet nutritionist Laura Ward.
A high-quality, nutrient-rich food, Ollie is free from preservatives and artificial ingredients. Many pet parents notice tangible improvements in their dogs’ health when switching to Ollie, including shinier coats and skin
The Turkey Dish is one of five recipes in the product line. It offers a lean source of protein alongside fiber-rich blueberries. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 25% fat and 28% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.
An exceptional fresh food. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read more about the Ollie Dog Food brand.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Human-grade meat sources
Customized meal plans
Includes chelated minerals
Main Ingredients Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
Type Grain-free, fresh
Protein Percentage 36%
AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Sample buyer review...
"I got Bella when she was eight weeks old, she never wanted regular dog food. She was such a picky eater and she loved varieties, so I started cooking for her but was always afraid she was not getting the nutrients her little body needed. I came across Ollie and saw it was homemade food with all the nutrients and a variety of different menus. I decided to try it and she loves it. It was a blessing for me also, in that it saved me a lot of time and stress in deciding what I should cook for her."
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com
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Best Fresh Dog Food for Picky Eaters: A Pup Above Turkey Pawella - Best Fresh Dog Food
3. Best Fresh Dog Food for Picky Eaters: A Pup Above Turkey Pawella
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A Pup Above uses human-grade ingredients, ensuring that the food is made to the highest quality standards and free from artificial preservatives and fillers.
Turkey Pawella is one of four fresh recipes contained in our review of the A Pup Above product line. It is an exceptional limited ingredient diet and a solid option for dogs that are picky-eaters or those with suspected food intolerances.
The recipe includes a variety of superfoods such as carrots (rich in beta-carotene for vision and immune support), green peas (source of fiber and plant-based protein), spinach (contains vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin K for bone health) and pumpkin (for digestive health and a source of fiber).
Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 22% fat and 27% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full A Pup Above Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Contains superfoods
Limited ingredient
Human-grade
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey hearts, turkey livers, turkey gizzards, tomatoes
Type Grain-free
AAFCO Standards Maintenance
Best For Adult dogs only
Sample buyer review...
"Stewie and Milli love A Pup Above, they both have sensitive tummies and do so well on this food. Their tails start wagging at meal time and we can tell they are super happy and enjoy the Turkey Pawella so much."
Read more buyer reviews at APupAbove.com
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Best Affordable Fresh Dog Food: FreshPet Vital Grain Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg - Best Fresh Dog Food
4. Best Affordable Fresh Dog Food: FreshPet Vital Grain Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg
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Freshpet is widely available in grocery stores and from online retailers and is more affordable than subscription-based fresh food services, typically costing around $5-$6 a pound. It uses real meats and vegetables, with no artificial preservatives or fillers.
This Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg recipe is one of four in the Freshpet Vital Grain-Free product line. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 49% protein, 29% fat and 15% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
An affordable fresh food option. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Freshpet Vital Grain Free Dog Food (Pouch) range here
Things we like
Widely available
Affordable fresh food option
No artificial preservatives
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, beef, salmon, pea protein
Type Grain-free
Protein Percentage 49%
AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
Best For All dogs and puppies