Nom Nom and The Farmer's Dog are two of the largest fresh dog food subscription services. Both deliver gently-cooked, custom-portioned meals.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Nom Nom | Farmer's Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (50lb dog) | ~$7-10/day | ~$7-9/day |
| Recipe count | 4 recipes | 4-5 recipes |
| Vet nutritionist | Dr. Justin Shmalberg (named) | Team (unnamed) |
| Brand age | 2015 | 2014 |
What Both Do Well
- Quality ingredients — real meat, recognizable vegetables, no preservatives
- AAFCO complete-and-balanced
- Veterinary nutritionist input
- Custom portion sizing
- High palatability
- Pause/cancel anytime
Nom Nom Strengths
- Featured nutrition scientist (Dr. Shmalberg) publicly named
- Strong commitment to research publication
- Nom Nom Bites — matching treats
- Stronger health-focused positioning
Farmer's Dog Strengths
- Most prominent fresh food brand
- Slightly simpler interface
- Strong customer service reputation
- Many vet endorsements
Cost Reality
For a 50-lb adult dog at moderate activity: Nom Nom $210-300/month, Farmer's Dog $210-275/month. Both pricier than premium kibble ($75-120/month).
Which to Pick
Pick Nom Nom if: You value publicly-known nutritionist and research transparency, interested in their broader health positioning.
Pick Farmer's Dog if: You want most-established brand, appreciate strong vet endorsement network, brand reputation matters to you.
Honest Assessment
For most owners, these brands are very similar in quality and outcome. Both deliver fresh, high-quality food. Differences are about brand preferences and customer experience rather than meaningful nutritional differences.
The Bottom Line
Both quality choices. Farmer's Dog has stronger brand and vet network. Nom Nom has more nutrition science transparency. Try first-delivery discount of whichever interests you more.