Nom Nom vs Just Food For Dogs
When it comes to nourishing our beloved canine companions, we all want the best. The rise of fresh pet food delivery services like Nom Nom and Just Food For Dogs offers a new option for discerning pet parents. But how do these two leading brands stack up against each other? Let’s dive deep into a comprehensive comparison.
What is Nom Nom?
Nom Nom is a subscription-based, fresh dog food delivery service that offers nutritionally complete, pre-portioned meals for your dog. The recipes are crafted by veterinary nutritionists and are prepared with high-quality, human-grade ingredients, and no fillers.
What is Just Food For Dogs?
Like Nom Nom, Just Food for Dogs offers fresh, human-grade meals delivered to your door. It boasts a wider variety of meal options, with an emphasis on custom meal planning based on the specific health requirements of your dog. They also have physical kitchen locations where you can purchase meals in-store.
The Battle of Ingredients and Recipes
Recipe Variety and Ingredients of Nom Nom
Nom Nom offers four distinct recipes for dogs: chicken, turkey, beef, and pork. Each recipe is grain-free and includes a mix of meats, vegetables, and vitamins. Nom Nom prides itself on sourcing high-quality, restaurant-grade ingredients that are fit for human consumption.
Recipe Variety and Ingredients of Just Food for Dogs
Just Food for Dogs offers a wider selection of six different recipes, each with its unique combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Additionally, they offer a line of veterinary support recipes to aid in the management of certain health conditions. Their ingredients are also human-grade, and they provide detailed sourcing information on their website.
Customization and Vet Support
Custom Meal Plans and Vet Support of Nom Nom
Nom Nom’s meals are formulated to meet the specific needs of individual dogs based on their age, breed, weight, activity level, and health status. They also offer a dedicated team of nutrition experts to answer any queries and support the nutritional health of your dog.
Custom Meal Plans and Vet Support of Just Food for Dogs
Just Food for Dogs takes it a step further by offering custom meal plans designed by veterinary nutritionists. This service can be beneficial for dogs with specific health issues that can be managed through diet. They also provide consultations with certified nutritionists for further customization.
WSAVA Compliance and FDA Approval
While both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs use human-grade ingredients, it’s essential to note that neither is fully compliant with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines as of 2022. However, Just Food for Dogs is known to conduct feeding trials, aligning closer to these guidelines. Neither brand explicitly states FDA approval, but both comply with the FDA’s guidelines for manufacturing and handling.
Pricing and Delivery
In terms of pricing, both brands offer a comparable range, with the cost varying based on the size and dietary needs of your dog. Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs provide convenient, regular deliveries, with the flexibility to pause, cancel, or adjust your subscription at any time.
User Experience and Reviews
Most pet parents report positive experiences with both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs. Users praise Nom Nom for their excellent customer service and consistent quality, while Just Food for Dogs gets kudos for their variety of meal options and the ability to offer custom meal plans.
Nutritional Integrity and Freshness
When it comes to freshness and nutritional integrity, both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs score high. These brands prioritize delivering fresh meals, which can dramatically improve the nutritional uptake for your dog compared to traditional kibble or canned food.
Nom Nom’s Approach to Freshness
Nom Nom carefully portions and vacuum seals each meal to ensure it stays fresh until you’re ready to serve it. Each portion is designed to provide exactly the right number of calories for your pet’s unique needs, which helps eliminate guesswork when it comes to feeding time.
Freshness Standards at Just Food for Dogs
Just Food for Dogs also emphasizes freshness, but they offer a unique edge: the ability to pick up meals from their local kitchens. If you live near one of their locations, you can enjoy the extra peace of mind that comes with seeing exactly where your pet’s food is prepared.
Transparency and Sourcing
Transparency in sourcing and production is critical when selecting the best food for your pet. You want to be sure that the ingredients are high-quality and responsibly sourced.
How Nom Nom Ensures Transparency
Nom Nom is fully transparent about its ingredient sourcing and food production process. They provide details on their website about where they source each ingredient and how they formulate their meals. Moreover, Nom Nom’s entire line of dog food is prepared in their own FDA-compliant kitchens, providing additional assurance of quality control.
Sourcing Transparency at Just Food for Dogs
Just Food for Dogs also offers full transparency about their ingredients and sourcing. They provide extensive information about where they source their meats, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, they conduct lab testing on their meals and make the results publicly available, going above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.
Special Dietary Needs
Dogs, like humans, can have various dietary needs based on their breed, age, size, and health status. Both brands cater to these needs but approach it differently.
Nom Nom and Special Dietary Requirements
Nom Nom’s diet plans are customizable to meet the needs of dogs with special dietary requirements, including food allergies and weight management issues. Their team of veterinary nutritionists is available for consultations and can provide guidance on the best meal plan for your dog’s specific needs.
Just Food for Dogs and Custom Diets
Just Food for Dogs stands out in its commitment to catering to dogs with specific dietary requirements. They offer prescription diets for dogs with various health issues such as kidney disease, pancreatitis, and more. These diets are formulated by certified nutritionists and can be custom-tailored to the specific needs of your dog.
Convenience and Packaging
In the realm of convenience and packaging, both brands make mealtime easy with pre-portioned meals that are simple to serve.
Nom Nom’s User-friendly Packaging
Nom Nom’s meals are conveniently portioned for your dog’s caloric needs and delivered in vacuum-sealed bags, making them easy to store and serve. Additionally, their packaging is recyclable, which is a plus for eco-conscious pet owners.
Packaging and Convenience at Just Food for Dogs
Just Food for Dogs also provides pre-portioned meals. Their packaging varies depending on whether you choose delivery or in-store pickup, but the meals are easy to serve straight from the package. Furthermore, they offer a pantry-fresh line that comes in shelf-stable packaging, a convenient option for traveling or emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs Better for Picky Eaters?
Both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs are excellent choices for picky eaters due to their fresh, high-quality ingredients and enticing meal varieties. However, Nom Nom offers a taste trial package allowing dogs to try small samples of all their recipes. This might be helpful to gauge your dog’s preference before committing to a full plan.
How Do the Costs of Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Compare?
Both services are more expensive than traditional kibble due to their use of high-quality, fresh ingredients and customized meal plans. Prices vary depending on the size, breed, age, and activity level of your dog. Nom Nom’s meals start around $3/day for a small dog and can go up to $8/day or more for larger dogs. Just Food for Dogs can range from $4 to over $10 per day. Always check each site for the most current pricing.
Are Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Suitable for Dogs with Allergies?
Yes, both brands offer options suitable for dogs with specific allergies. Nom Nom’s nutrition team can help customize a meal plan to exclude certain allergens, and Just Food for Dogs offers prescription diets that can be tailored for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. However, always consult with your vet before switching to a new diet if your dog has known allergies.
Can I Switch Between Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs?
Yes, you can switch between these services or even combine them if you wish. Both companies recommend transitioning slowly when changing your dog’s diet to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Always remember to consult with a veterinarian before making major changes to your pet’s diet.
How Fast Can I Get My Delivery from Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs?
Both companies offer flexible delivery schedules. Nom Nom delivers every week, two weeks, or four weeks, depending on your preference. Just Food for Dogs also provides weekly deliveries but offers same-day pickup from their kitchens if you live nearby. Delivery times may vary based on your location and the delivery option you choose.
What If My Dog Doesn’t Like the Food from Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
Both companies understand that not all dogs will like their food. Nom Nom offers a care-grade guarantee, meaning if your dog doesn’t like the food, they will buy it back. Just Food for Dogs has a similar policy and will provide a full refund if your dog doesn’t love their food.
How Do Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Ensure Food Safety?
Both companies are committed to food safety. Nom Nom prepares all its meals in FDA-compliant kitchens and follows strict quality control measures. Just Food for Dogs also adheres to stringent safety protocols and conducts regular lab testing on their meals, the results of which are made publicly available on their website.
Are Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Meals Vet-Approved?
Yes, both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs meals are formulated by veterinary nutritionists. Just Food for Dogs goes a step further with some recipes having undergone feeding trials according to AAFCO standards. It’s always recommended to consult your vet before transitioning your dog to a new diet.
Can I Modify My Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs Subscription?
Absolutely, both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs offer flexible subscription plans that allow you to modify your delivery frequency, meal selection, or pause your plan anytime. However, changes need to be made within the companies’ specified cut-off times before your next shipment.
Can I Feed My Puppy Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
Both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs offer recipes suitable for puppies. Nom Nom has a specific puppy recipe made with chicken, and their nutrition team can help customize a plan for your puppy’s needs. Just Food for Dogs has a line of “Puppy” recipes formulated for the nutritional needs of growing dogs.
Can I Use Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs for Weight Management?
Yes, both companies provide options for weight management. Nom Nom offers a diet consultation with their nutrition team to establish a customized feeding plan for your dog’s specific needs. Just Food for Dogs also caters to dogs needing weight management with their specialized meal plans and option for consultation with a nutrition expert.
How Does the Transition Process Work When Switching to Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
Transitioning to a new diet should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. Both companies provide guidelines for this process. Generally, it involves gradually increasing the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount of the old food over a period of about a week.
Are the Packaging Materials of Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Recyclable?
Nom Nom uses recyclable materials for their packaging, including the box, meal packs, and insulation. The coolant packs can be drained and the plastic recycled. Just Food for Dogs uses recyclable containers for their meals. Both companies are committed to eco-friendly practices where possible.
Are There Any Additives or Artificial Ingredients in Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
No, both Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs emphasize natural, wholesome ingredients without any additives or artificial preservatives. The foods are designed to be as close to a natural diet as possible, with high-quality meats, vegetables, and grains making up the bulk of their recipes.
Can Senior Dogs Eat Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
Yes, senior dogs can enjoy meals from both brands. Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs can cater to the specific needs of older dogs, including those with health conditions. If your senior dog has specific dietary requirements or health issues, it’s recommended to consult with a vet or the company’s nutrition team to create a suitable meal plan.
Is There a Trial Option for Nom Nom or Just Food for Dogs?
Nom Nom offers a trial option where your dog can sample smaller portions of their recipes. Just Food for Dogs doesn’t offer a specific trial pack but they have a favorable return policy if your dog doesn’t enjoy their meals.
How Do Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs Handle Food Recalls?
While food recalls can be a concern with pet food, neither Nom Nom nor Just Food for Dogs have had any major recalls. They maintain high food safety standards and conduct regular testing to ensure the quality and safety of their products.