This list was updated January 1st 2022
This list of lightly cooked dog foods includes over 20 different brands. Each company has it’s own unique offerings – some specialize in high protein recipes, other in individualized nutrition with a variety of compositions to fit dogs with different nutritional needs. Most of these companies offer Topper Meal Plans to make is simple to add on small amounts of fresh food to the bowl while keeping within your budget.
Each fresh dog food review includes:
- Answers to the WASVA questions
- Recipe Composition on Dry Matter and Caloric Basis
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Cost Comparison
- Allergy Information
- Low Fat Recipe Information for Sensitive Stomachs
- Cooked Dog Food Storage and Feeding Instructions
- Comparison to other popular foods such as Kibble and Raw
The idea is to give you the information you need in order to choose the best fresh food diet for your dog.
Brands are listed in no particular order (aka the first is not the "best" and the last is not the "worst"). The composition of diets was calculated based on guaranteed analysis (with an Ash value of 1% if not listed) unless calculated/analysis values were provided by the company
A Pup Above Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Turkey, Pork, and Chicken.
- Protein Content: 36-45% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 35-42% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, all are grain-free and high protein.
- AAFCO: Recipes are only balanced for adult dogs.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
AllProvide Gently Cooked Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Pork, Beef, Turkey
- Protein Content: 29-39% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 54-69% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, all are grain-free and high protein & fat.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for puppies and adults.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Bramble Vegan Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Pea & Lentil.
- Protein Content: 25-28% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 40-44% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Vegan recipes, one with potatoes and the other with rice
- AAFCO: Recipes are only balanced for adult dogs.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Cesar Fresh Chef Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef & Chicken, and Chicken.
- Protein Content: 25-26% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 38-60% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Refrigerated fresh (not frozen), Moderate protein, high fat recipes. Both are grain-free.
- AAFCO: Recipes are only balanced for adult dogs.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Chi Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Chicken, Turkey, Vegetarian (Egg & Tofu), Beef and Pork
- Protein Content: 33-50% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 40-56% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, combination of grain and grain free recipes.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breeds).
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
EverMore Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Turkey
- Protein Content: 30-42% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 44-61% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, all are grain-free and high protein.
- AAFCO: Recipes are only balanced for adult dogs.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
The Farmer’s Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Pork, Turkey, Chicken.
- Protein Content: 28-34% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 39-54% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, all are grain-free and higher in protein and fat.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breeds).
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Freshpet Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Usually multi-protein recipes.
- Protein Content: 25-33% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: greater than 50% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Refrigerated fresh (not frozen). large variety in recipes, but tend to be high in fat.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO feeding trials. Some recipes have digestibility trials.
Just Food For Dogs – Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Fish, Turkey, Venison, Lamb
- Protein Content: 26-43% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 25-53% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, combination of grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Also have a veterinary prescription line.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and Fish and Chicken recipes are balanced for puppies (including large breeds).
- Research: Both AAFCO and Digestibility trials.
Kabo Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey.
- Protein Content: 32-41% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 27-63% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, some recipes are grain-inclusive, others are grain-free. All recipes are high protein.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
My Perfect Pet Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Most recipe are multi-protein – Lamb & Beef, Chicken & Beef, Turkey & Salmon, Beef and Chicken.
- Protein Content: 32-38% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 19-32% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Recipes use combination of carbohydrates (grains and potatoes), and multiple protein sources. All recipes are higher in protein, and low to moderate in fat
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and some are balanced for pupies, gestation and lactation.
- Research: No AAFCO feeding trials, however digestibility trials have been performed.
Nature’s Logic Lightly Cooked Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Lamb.
- Protein Content: 27-31% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 61-65% on a caloric basis
- Comments: All recipes are multi-protein, grain-free, and extremely high fat.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Nom Nom Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turkey.
- Protein Content: 27-31% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 35-49% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, some recipes are grain-inclusive, others are grain-free. All recipes are higher in protein and fat.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO feeding trials, but Digestibility trials have been performed.
Open Farm Dog Food Review
Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Beef & Salmon.
Protein Content: 27-38% on a caloric basis
Fat Content: 55-61% on a caloric basis
Comments: Single protein recipes, higher in protein and very high in fat. All recipes are grain-free.
AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs only.
Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Ollie Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey.
- Protein Content: 24-35% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 26-53% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, composition varies based on recipe, all recipes are grain-free.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breed puppies).
- Research: No AAFCO feeding trials. But have done digestibility trials.
PetPlate Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Venison, Pork.
- Protein Content: 23-34% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 24-46% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, variety of compositions, some grain-free and grain-inclusive.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breed puppies).
- Research: No AAFCO feeding trials, but do have digestibility information on all of their diets.
PURE Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Chicken, Salmon, Turkey, Beef.
- Protein Content: 29-48% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 16-46% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, combination of grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breed puppies).
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Raised Right Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turkey.
- Protein Content: 46-49% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 44-47% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, higher in protein and very high in fat. All recipes are grain-free.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breed puppies).
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Small Batch Lightly Cooked Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Turkey, Beef, Chicken.
- Protein Content: 34-47% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 37-58% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, higher in protein and very high in fat. All recipes are grain-free.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Spot & Tango Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Turkey, Lamb.
- Protein Content: 32-37% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 38-45% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, higher in protein and very high in fat. All recipes are use grains such as millet, quinoa and brown rice.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies.
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
Tylee’s Dog Food Review
- Diets Offered: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Turkey.
- Protein Content: 28-35% on a caloric basis
- Fat Content: 50-56% on a caloric basis
- Comments: Single protein recipes, higher in protein and very high in fat. All recipes are grain-free.
- AAFCO: Recipes are balanced for adult dogs and puppies (including large breed puppies).
- Research: No AAFCO or Digestibility trials.
About the Author: Nikki is a Registered Veterinary Technician (Veterinary Nurse) of over a decade with a passion for Canine and Feline Nutrition (BS Biology, Dip. Companion Animal Nutrition, MSc Candidate Animal Nutrition).
Nikki shares information on a range of pet nutrition topics: from how to create a homemade complete and balanced dog and cat food recipes, to how to choose a pet food. Nikki strives to give dog and cat parents the information they need in order to make the best nutrition decisions for their pet!
CONTACT ME:
nikki@nikkipetnutriton.com
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