The Best Fresh Dog Food Brands for 2023. In 2023, finding the best fresh dog food brands is more critical than ever. With the increasing awareness of pet health and nutrition, pet owners are looking for superior options for their furry companions. The Dog Food Advisor has carefully assessed the market to bring you the most recommended fresh dog food brands for the year.
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| The Best Fresh Dog Food Brands for 2023. In 2023, finding the best fresh dog food brands is more critical than ever. |
What Are Fresh Dog Food Delivery Programs?
Fresh dog foods are the pinnacle of pet nutrition, offering your dog meals that are specifically designed to cater to their age, weight, breed, activity level, and allergies. What sets these fresh dog foods apart is that they are delivered to your doorstep in a refrigerated state, ensuring optimal freshness and nutrition.
To get started with these programs, you'll begin by providing some details about your dog to create a custom feeding profile. This profile tailors the food to your pet's unique needs, ensuring they receive the perfect blend of nutrients.
Why Choose Fresh Dog Food?
Compared to conventional pet diets, fresh dog foods are cooked at lower temperatures, preserving delicate vitamins and nutrients that may be lost during traditional processing methods. Unlike dry kibble, which typically contains only 10% water, fresh dog foods have a natural moisture content of about 75%, similar to the healthy human food in your refrigerator. Moreover, most of these fresh dog foods are meticulously designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
The Top Fresh Dog Food Brands for October 2023
Here are the best fresh dog food brands for October 2023, carefully selected by The Dog Food Advisor:
1. The Farmer’s Dog
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Beef Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
The Farmer’s Dog Beef Recipe is a top choice for its high-quality ingredients and balanced nutrition. With 39% protein, 29% fat, and 24% estimated carbs, it offers a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%. It is naturally moist and free from feed-grade ingredients, making it a highly recommended option.
2. Ollie Fresh
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Turkey Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, kale, lentils, carrots, turkey liver
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Ollie Turkey Recipe is another exceptional choice. With 39% protein, 25% fat, and 28% estimated carbs, it provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%. This vet-designed meal is optimized for your dog's age, weight, breed, activity level, and allergies, making it highly recommended.
3. A Pup Above Fresh Dog Food
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Turkey Pawella
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, turkey hearts, turkey livers, turkey gizzards, tomatoes
- Type: Grain or grain-free (depends on recipe)
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for: Adult dogs only
A Pup Above Turkey Pawella offers a balanced diet with 43% protein, 22% fat, and 27% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%. It includes zinc amino acid complex and other costly supplements found in high-quality pet foods. This limited-ingredient diet is a great option for dogs with food intolerances.
4. Raised Right Fresh Dog Food
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Adult Beef
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance or Growth (depends on recipe)
- Best for: Adult dogs and puppies (including large breeds)
The Adult Beef formula from Raised Right offers an impressive 61% protein content with a low fat-to-protein ratio, making it a top choice for nutrition and taste. It's available in various recipes, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your pet.
5. Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Turkey Fare
- First 5 Ingredients: Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach
- Type: With grain (brown rice)
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
Nom Nom's Turkey Fare provides 36% protein, 18% fat, and 38% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%. It also includes zinc gluconate and other costly nutrients typically found in premium pet foods. Nom Nom offers an affordable fresh option for pet owners looking for quality and variety.
6. Open Farm Gently Cooked
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Harvest Chicken
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, carrots, kale, butternut squash, apples
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for: Adult dogs only
Open Farm Gently Cooked's Harvest Chicken offers a balanced diet with 43% protein, 22% fat, and 27% estimated carbs, creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%. This brand is known for excluding wheat, corn, potatoes, peas, and legumes from its recipes, making it a highly recommended option.
7. PetPlate Dog Food
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Barkin’ Beef Entre
- First 5 Ingredients: Ground beef, sweet potatoes, potatoes, beef liver, carrots
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: Adults and puppies (including large breeds)
PetPlate's Barkin’ Beef Entre offers 31% protein, 22% fat, and 39% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 70%. It's a superior, all-life-stage fresh dog food that's 100% free of corn, wheat, or soy, making it highly recommended.
8. Just Food for Dogs
- Rating:
- Top Recipe: Turkey and Whole Wheat Macaroni
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, whole wheat macaroni, broccoli, zucchini, carrots
- Type: Grain-inclusive (whole wheat macaroni)
- Profile: Maintenance
- Best for: Adult dogs only
Just Food for Dogs offers a recipe with 32% protein, 13% fat, and 47% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%. It contains no fillers, growth hormones, preservatives, or artificial coloring agents, making it a top fresh pick. It's formulated by a team of veterinarians, including a board-certified nutritionist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some common questions about choosing and feeding fresh dog food:
1. How can I switch to fresh food without getting my dog sick?
Transitioning your dog to a fresh diet should be done gradually. Mix 20% fresh food with 80% of their old food. Throughout 8 to 9 days, increase the fresh food percentage until it reaches 100%.
2. How do fresh dog food subscription programs work?
Fresh dog food subscription programs typically begin with a questionnaire about your dog's specific needs. This information is used to create a custom feeding profile. You'll then set up a delivery schedule, and fresh-made pet food will be delivered to your door, preserved in dry ice.
3. How long does fresh dog food stay fresh?
Fresh dog food, devoid of preservatives, must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Depending on the brand, it can last for up to 6 months when kept frozen and unopened. Once defrosted, it should be consumed within 4 days.
4. Is fresh dog food good for senior dogs?
Fresh dog food is an excellent option for senior dogs as it is easier to chew, and the higher protein content helps maintain muscle mass. The caloric needs of seniors vary, so be sure to choose a fresh dog food appropriate for your dog's specific requirements.
5. Is fresh-cooked dog food safe for ALL puppies?
While fresh-cooked dog food is safe for most puppies, some larger breeds are at a higher risk of developing hip issues if fed a fresh diet with excessive calcium while they are still growing. It's crucial to choose a fresh dog food rated safe for large breeds if you expect your puppy to reach a significant size.
6. Do all fresh dog foods meet AAFCO nutrition standards?
Unfortunately, not all fresh dog foods meet AAFCO nutrition standards. Some smaller brands may not comply with FDA regulations or AAFCO nutrient guidelines. It's essential to choose fresh dog food from reputable brands to ensure your pet receives the proper nutrition.
In conclusion,
choosing the right fresh dog food for your furry friend involves assessing their unique needs and considering the quality and safety of the brand. With these top recommendations, you can make an informed decision to keep your dog happy, healthy, and thriving in 2023.
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