Nom Nom vs. The Farmer’s Dog vs. Ollie 🐶🥩
The fresh dog food industry is booming—but with more brands on the market, discerning pet parents are left asking deeper, often overlooked questions: Which brand works best for sensitive dogs? Which offers the best support for owners with hectic lives? Which delivers actual veterinary credibility—not just flashy claims?
🧠 Key Takeaways (Quickfire Answers)
| 🐶 Critical Concern | 🛠️ Best Brand | ✍️ Short Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Most Vet-Backed Nutrition | The Farmer’s Dog | Only brand with completed Cornell feeding study and board-certified DACVNs |
| Best for Allergies or Ingredient Sensitivities | Nom Nom | Individually cooked ingredients & visual transparency reduce immune triggers |
| Most Flexible for Budgets or Diet Types | Ollie | Offers full-fresh, half-fresh, baked, and mixed meals for different price points |
| Best for Multi-Dog Households | The Farmer’s Dog | Pre-labeled, portioned daily packs per dog prevent confusion |
| Best for Tech-Savvy Pet Owners | Ollie | Only brand investing in AI-driven pet health monitoring (Foodback Loop™) |
| Most Convenient to Buy (Online + Retail) | Nom Nom | Available via subscription and major retailers like PetSmart & Chewy |
| Easiest to Store Without Freezer Clutter | Ollie | Baked formulas remove freezer space constraints |
| Best Transition Pick for Kibble-Converts | Ollie | Baked texture mimics kibble while improving nutrition |
| Most Eco-Friendly Shipping System | The Farmer’s Dog | Uses dissolvable insulation and minimal waste packaging |
| Least Portioning Hassle | The Farmer’s Dog | Fully pre-portioned by dog/day; no measuring required |
💡 Got a Sensitive Dog? Ingredient Transparency Makes a Difference
Dogs prone to allergies or digestive upsets often do better with simple, visible ingredients. Nom Nom’s unique approach—cooking each food component separately before mixing—not only improves digestibility, but also makes it easy to avoid allergens.
🔬 Ingredient Integrity & Sensitivity Chart
| Brand | Allergen Clarity | Cooking Style | Appearance in Bowl | Ideal For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom Nom 🥬 | ✅ High | Individually cooked | Distinct meats & veggies | Sensitive stomachs & picky eaters |
| TFD 🥕 | ⚠️ Moderate | Batch-cooked, uniform mix | Soft, pâté-like | Dogs who like soft food |
| Ollie 🍖 | ✅ Moderate | Batch-cooked or baked | Mixed or kibble-style | Kibble switchers |
Expert Tip: If you need to conduct an elimination diet, Nom Nom’s whole, visible foods and fewer ingredients per meal make monitoring reactions far easier.
🧊 Don’t Want a Freezer Full of Dog Food? Ollie Has Your Back
Freezer real estate is premium real estate. Ollie’s baked recipes store like kibble but are nutritionally aligned with fresh food standards, making them ideal for apartments or pet parents with limited cold storage.
📦 Storage & Convenience Table
| Brand | Requires Freezer? | Storage Footprint | Shelf-Stable Option | Best Fit For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 🧺 | ❌ Optional | 🧼 Pantry-safe bags | ✅ Yes (Baked line) | Small kitchens, travelers |
| TFD ❄️ | ✅ Yes | 📦 Bulk freezer boxes | ❌ No | Meal preppers |
| Nom Nom 🧊 | ✅ Yes | 📦 Medium bulk packs | ❌ No | Home feeders |
Storage Hack: Use Ollie’s “Mixed Bowl” plan to blend fresh and baked for dogs who enjoy both soft and crunchy textures.
🧬 Want Scientific Proof Your Dog’s Food Works? Choose The Farmer’s Dog
Anyone can say they’re “vet-formulated,” but The Farmer’s Dog is the only brand to complete a year-long clinical feeding trial in collaboration with Cornell University’s veterinary college—meeting and exceeding AAFCO standards.
📚 Nutritional Validation Breakdown
| Brand | Validation Type | Institution-Partnered? | Real Trial Data? | Trust Score 🌟 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🧠 | Full Cornell Feeding Trial | ✅ Yes | ✅ Published | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 📘 | AAFCO via formulation + lab | ❌ No | ❌ Not disclosed | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🧪 | AAFCO via formulation (trials planned) | 🔄 Trial begins 2024 | ❌ Not yet | ⭐⭐➕ |
Why It Matters: AAFCO formulation means the food should meet standards. Feeding trials prove it actually does—in real dogs.
🧩 Managing Multiple Dogs? One Brand Makes It Effortless
If you’ve got multiple pets with different sizes, ages, or calorie needs, The Farmer’s Dog shines. They pre-portion each day’s meals per dog, each with that dog’s name and feeding instructions—zero scooping or guessing.
👨👩👧👦 Multi-Dog Management Table
| Brand | Dog-Labeled Packs | Pre-Portioned Daily? | User Error Risk | Stress Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🐕🦺 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Low | 🧘 Very low |
| Nom Nom 🐾 | ❌ No | ❌ Requires scooping | ⚠️ Medium | 😬 Higher |
| Ollie 🐶 | ❌ No | ❌ Scoop & serve | ⚠️ Medium | 😅 Moderate |
Bonus: TFD’s calorie tailoring lets one dog lose weight while another maintains, without compromising convenience.
🧠 Obsessed With Data? Ollie is Building a Wellness Engine
Ollie’s acquisition of DIG Labs wasn’t for PR—it’s the foundation of a future-forward, AI-driven health ecosystem. Their proprietary Foodback Loop™ links what your dog eats with health trends via app-tracked metrics (like poop pics).
📱 Tech & Data Innovation Table
| Brand | Health Tech Focus | App-Enabled Insights | Diagnostics-Informed Recipes? | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 📊 | ✅ AI-backed platform | ✅ In development | 🔄 Ongoing | Tech-savvy, detail-driven |
| Nom Nom 🔍 | ⚠️ Microbiome database | ❌ No app | ❌ Manual insights only | Ingredient purists |
| TFD 🧬 | ❌ None disclosed | ❌ No tech tools | ✅ Vet-formulated | Traditional science-first |
Caution: Tech is only useful if actionable. Until fully integrated, use Ollie’s baked options for budget-friendly experimentation while waiting for the full wellness rollout.
💸 On a Budget But Want the Best? Here’s How to Hack It
Fresh food isn’t cheap—but not all fresh food is priced equally. The Farmer’s Dog routinely wins in cost comparisons for full-fresh plans, while Ollie’s flexible plans let you scale down without sacrificing quality.
💰 Fresh Food Value Matrix
| Dog Size | The Farmer’s Dog 💵 | Nom Nom 💸 | Ollie 🪙 (Mixed Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (10–20 lbs) | ~$30–45/week | ~$35–50 | ~$22–35 |
| Medium (30–50 lbs) | ~$45–70/week | ~$50–75 | ~$30–60 |
| Large (60–80 lbs) | ~$70–90/week | ~$75–95 | ~$55–85 |
Smart Move: Start with a half-fresh Ollie plan or TFD’s DIY nutrient mix for home cooking—same nutrition at half the price.
✅ Final Summary – What to Pick Based on Your Priorities
| Your Priority | Go With… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 📊 Scientific Rigor | The Farmer’s Dog | Only brand with Cornell feeding trial, public DACVN team |
| 💼 Budget Flexibility | Ollie | Half-fresh and baked options reduce cost without dropping quality |
| 🍲 Visual Ingredient Integrity | Nom Nom | Chunky meals show every component—ideal for sensitive dogs |
| 🔢 Multi-Dog Feeding Simplicity | The Farmer’s Dog | Pre-portioned daily packs, labeled by dog |
| 🏠 Minimal Storage Needs | Ollie | Pantry-stable baked recipes save freezer space |
| 📱 Integrated Pet Health Monitoring | Ollie | Building the first AI-powered food + health feedback loop |
| 🛒 Subscription-Free Retail Access | Nom Nom | Available at PetSmart & Chewy |
| 🌱 Most Eco-Conscious Packaging | The Farmer’s Dog | Uses dissolvable insulation and BPA-free materials |
FAQs
💬 “Why does The Farmer’s Dog feel more filling than Nom Nom for the same portion size?”
Nutrient density and moisture balance are major factors here. The Farmer’s Dog uses slightly less vegetable moisture and more legumes like chickpeas or lentils, which offer slower-digesting complex carbs and more fiber. That gives a feeling of satiety longer after meals.
🧪 Satiation & Digestibility Factors
| Brand | Moisture Content % | Fiber Source | Carbohydrate Density | Fullness Effect 😌 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🥕 | ~72% | Lentils, sweet potato | ✅ Higher | ✅ Sustained fullness |
| Nom Nom 🍠 | ~75–77% | White potatoes, squash | ⚠️ Lower | ⚠️ May feel light |
| Ollie 🌾 | ~70% (fresh) | Oats, peas | ✅ Moderate | ✅ Balanced |
Tip: Dogs that appear hungrier post-meal on Nom Nom may benefit from mixing in low-calorie fiber boosters like steamed zucchini or green beans.
💬 “Which brand works best for overweight dogs needing a low-fat, lean formula?”
While none of these brands market a dedicated “weight loss” recipe, Ollie’s Turkey recipe and The Farmer’s Dog’s Chicken blend have naturally lower fat percentages compared to beef or pork options. TFD offers more precise caloric tailoring with board-certified vet nutritionist oversight.
⚖️ Best Lean Recipe Options
| Brand | Recipe Name | Crude Fat % (As Fed) | Ideal For… | Weight Loss Friendly? 🏃♂️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🐓 | Chicken | ~7–8% | Low activity/seniors | ✅ Excellent |
| Nom Nom 🦃 | Turkey Fare | ~9% | Moderately active | ⚠️ Acceptable |
| Ollie 🦃 | Turkey Dish | ~7.5% | Overweight dogs | ✅ Best choice |
Insider Insight: If your dog is gaining weight despite low-fat food, double-check portion control tools. Use calorie scales, not just volume, to track reductions safely.
💬 “How do I know if the food is appropriate for puppies or large breeds?”
This is crucial—not all “all life stage” foods provide optimal nutrient density for growth. Large breed puppies especially need tightly controlled calcium-to-phosphorus ratios to avoid joint issues.
🦴 Puppy & Large Breed Suitability Table
| Brand | Meets Growth Needs? | Large Breed Approved? | Calcium:Phosphorus | Protein Content % | Puppy-Friendly? 🐾 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🍼 | ✅ Yes (verified) | ✅ Yes (Cornell tested) | ~1.2:1 | ~9–11% | ✅ Highly |
| Nom Nom 🍼 | ✅ Yes (formulated) | ⚠️ Not specified | ~1.4:1 | ~7–9% | ⚠️ Ask vet first |
| Ollie 🍼 | ✅ Yes (planned trial) | ⚠️ Pending trial | ~1.3:1 | ~9–10% | ✅ Likely safe |
Veterinary Note: For giant breeds (over 80 lbs expected), The Farmer’s Dog’s proven trial data and careful calcium regulation make it the most reliable until Ollie completes its growth trial.
💬 “What’s the best brand if I need both kibble AND fresh food in one plan?”
Ollie is the only brand offering true hybrid meal planning. Their baked recipes act as a premium kibble substitute and pair seamlessly with fresh portions. Ideal for budget-aware owners or dogs that like crunch with moisture.
🥣 Fresh + Kibble Integration Chart
| Brand | Has Baked Option? | Half-Fresh Plans? | Crunch + Moisture Combo | Transition Flexibility 🔁 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 🍽️ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Ideal combo | ✅ Seamless |
| TFD ❌ | ❌ No | ⚠️ DIY mix only | ❌ Not available | ⚠️ Requires full shift |
| Nom Nom ❌ | ❌ No | ⚠️ Custom portions | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Manual portioning only |
Expert Advice: For dogs struggling with cold turkey transitions, Ollie’s baked + fresh hybrid plans give a softer, more gradual adjustment path with better textural variety.
💬 “Is there a probiotic or gut support add-on built into any of these foods?”
Only Nom Nom offers separate veterinary-grade probiotics for general wellness or targeted GI support. Their proprietary microbiome database backs this approach. While TFD and Ollie have good fiber content, they don’t sell add-ons specifically targeting gut flora.
🧫 Gut Health Support Features
| Brand | In-Food Prebiotics? | Sells Probiotics? | Microbiome Data-Driven? | Digestive Aid Score 🧻 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom Nom 🧬 | ✅ Yes (fiber-rich) | ✅ Yes (2 SKUs) | ✅ Industry-leading | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| TFD 🌾 | ✅ Yes (chickpeas, lentils) | ❌ No | ❌ Not disclosed | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🪴 | ✅ Yes (oats, pumpkin) | ❌ No | 🔄 Ongoing innovation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Tip: If your dog is transitioning from a heavily processed diet, Nom Nom’s GI-Targeted Probiotic can help stabilize digestion faster and ease stool irregularities.
💬 “Can I cook for my dog and still use one of these companies?”
Yes—but only The Farmer’s Dog supports home-cooking with their DIY Nutrient Mix. This powder ensures you’re not missing vital micronutrients when preparing meals yourself. None of the other brands offer this hybrid option.
👨🍳 Home Cooking Support Overview
| Brand | DIY Nutrient Mix? | Recipes Provided? | Best For Home-Cookers? | Customization Level 🧂 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🥣 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Vet-developed | ✅ Full support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom ❌ | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Not supported | ⭐ |
| Ollie ❌ | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Not offered | ⭐ |
Pro Insight: TFD’s DIY path is ideal for experienced home cooks who want full control but need assurance of nutritional completeness—something many homemade diets dangerously lack.
💬 “Which brand is best for dogs with chronic pancreatitis or fat sensitivity?”
Dogs with chronic pancreatitis require rigid fat control, ideally below 8% (as-fed) or under 20% on a dry matter basis. Among these brands, The Farmer’s Dog’s Chicken recipe consistently tests the lowest in fat, and crucially, the company offers precise caloric and macronutrient transparency per recipe, not just general ranges.
🩺 Pancreatitis-Sensitive Recipe Chart
| Brand | Lowest-Fat Recipe | Crude Fat (As Fed) | Fat Notes 🧪 | Suitable for Chronic Cases? ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Farmer’s Dog 🐓 | Chicken | ~7–8% | Lean protein, low saturated | ✅ Yes – dietitian approved |
| Nom Nom 🍗 | Chicken Cuisine | ~8.5–9.5% | Contains eggs & fat from meat | ⚠️ Moderate caution |
| Ollie 🦴 | Turkey Dish with Blueberries | ~7.5% | Lower fat, but higher fiber | ✅ Case-dependent |
Expert Tip: Always consult a board-certified vet nutritionist before feeding a fresh diet to a dog with pancreatitis. TFD’s vet-formulated precision and lower fat profile offers the safest base to begin those conversations.
💬 “How do these brands handle specific protein allergies like chicken or beef?”
All three companies offer novel or alternative proteins, but their ingredient rotation policies differ. Ollie offers lamb and pork baked/fresh, while Nom Nom’s lamb pilaf is the most limited-ingredient option with less cross-contamination risk due to its individual cooking method. TFD has the fewest recipes but with customizable exclusion options during onboarding.
🔍 Allergy Accommodation Chart
| Brand | Limited Ingredient Options 🥩 | Cross-Contamination Risk 🔄 | Cooking Style 🥘 | Allergy-Friendly Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom Nom 🍽️ | ✅ Lamb, Turkey/Chicken combo | 🔒 Low (individually cooked) | Isolated ingredient prep | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| TFD 🍲 | ⚠️ No lamb, only 4 core meats | ⚠️ Medium | Batch-cooked together | ⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🧆 | ✅ Lamb, pork, turkey | ⚠️ Medium (some baked/fresh mix) | Shared prep space | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Clinical Insight: If your dog is undergoing a food trial, Nom Nom’s cooking method allows for visual inspection and reduced cross-protein contamination, increasing diagnostic clarity.
💬 “Which service is best for travel or on-the-go feeding?”
Pet parents on the move need storage flexibility, smaller pack sizes, and non-messy feeding methods. Ollie’s baked line is ideal here—it stores in your pantry, doesn’t require freezing, and mimics dry food behavior while retaining nutritional upgrades. TFD’s fully frozen system, though high in quality, is logistically demanding for travel.
✈️ Travel Convenience & Portability Comparison
| Brand | Shelf-Stable Option 🧊 | Meal Prep Required? 🔪 | Ease of Transport 🧳 | On-the-Go Friendliness 🏕️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 🚙 | ✅ Yes (Baked Line) | ❌ No | ✅ Lightweight packs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 🧊 | ❌ No | ✅ Requires scooping | ⚠️ Medium | ⭐⭐ |
| TFD ❄️ | ❌ No | ❌ Pre-portioned | ⚠️ Heavier, frozen | ⭐ |
Field Note: For road trips, combine Ollie’s baked food with travel bowls and zip pouches for a lightweight, mess-free feeding system that doesn’t rely on refrigeration.
💬 “I want to mix fresh food with kibble to save money. Which brand is best for ‘topper feeding’?”
Ollie intentionally built a system for this. Their “Half-Fresh Plan” allows owners to use fresh food as a topper, supplementing dry kibble to boost moisture and digestibility without overextending budgets. TFD and Nom Nom require full plan customization or DIY modifications.
💸 Best Brand for Fresh Topper Feeding
| Brand | Half-Fresh Plan Offered? | Portion Guidance Included? 📏 | Works with Any Kibble? | Budget Efficiency 💰 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 🍛 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (via onboarding) | ✅ Compatible | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 🍽️ | ⚠️ Custom ½ portions only | ❌ Manual portioning | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐ |
| TFD 🥘 | ❌ Full portions only | ✅ Pre-portioned | ⚠️ Requires DIY | ⭐⭐ |
Tip: For multi-dog households, topper feeding with Ollie is a cost-effective entry into fresh diets while maintaining budgetary control.
💬 “Do these foods support dogs with early kidney disease or senior dogs with protein restrictions?”
Dogs with early-stage CKD or aging-related renal decline often benefit from controlled phosphorus and lower sodium—but commercial diets often ignore this unless prescription. While none of the brands are Rx, The Farmer’s Dog has published phosphorus and sodium ranges per recipe, and works with pet owners to fine-tune calorie loads.
🧬 Renal & Senior Support Comparison
| Brand | Discloses Phosphorus/Sodium? | Senior-Specific Adjustments | Vet Oversight Level 🩺 | Kidney Support Compatibility 🧠 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 💊 | ✅ Yes, public data available | ✅ Caloric & fat tailoring | ✅ DACVNs onboard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 🧪 | ⚠️ Limited public data | ❌ No specific adjustments | ✅ Nutritionist-backed | ⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🧠 | ⚠️ General formulation data | ⚠️ No protein reduction logic | ✅ Planning feeding trials | ⭐⭐ |
Professional Suggestion: If your dog has stage 1 kidney disease or is a geriatric case, TFD’s team of DACVNs can guide you on reducing protein and phosphorus without needing prescription kibble.
💬 “My dog gets bored with food easily. Which brand offers the most variety in flavor and format?”
Picky eaters often reject repetitive textures and flavors. In this case, Ollie stands apart for its cross-format variety, including baked and fresh recipes, plus customizable mixed meal plans. Unlike The Farmer’s Dog (which focuses on pâté-like fresh-only meals), Ollie provides dry-like crunch with fresh moisture—perfect for sensory engagement.
🎨 Palate-Stimulation Flexibility Breakdown
| Brand | Fresh Recipes | Baked/Kibble Alternative | Meal Texture Variety 🍗 | Rotation Tools 🔁 | Picky-Eater Approved? ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie 🍖 | ✅ 5+ recipes | ✅ Yes (2 baked options) | ✅ Crunch + soft combos | ✅ Mixed Bowl Plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 🥩 | ✅ 6 recipes | ❌ No | ✅ Visible ingredients | ❌ No tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| TFD 🍲 | ⚠️ 4 recipes | ❌ No | ❌ Uniform texture | ❌ Manual only | ⭐⭐ |
Special Insight: Picky eaters often respond better to ingredient visibility and varied mouthfeel, both of which are enhanced in Nom Nom’s chunked blends or Ollie’s dual-format servings.
💬 “I’m overwhelmed with the subscription model. Which brand offers the most flexible management tools?”
Subscription fatigue is real. Consumers value on-demand control over meal quantities, pause options, and recipe changes. The Farmer’s Dog excels here with its fluid online dashboard, allowing dog-specific updates (weight gain/loss, health issues) and multi-dog management. Their interface even lets you adjust macronutrient ratios per pet post-onboarding.
📅 Subscription Management Comparison
| Brand | Auto-Delivery Controls | Recipe Swap Frequency 🔄 | Dog-Specific Settings 🐶 | Pause/Skip Easily ⏸️ | Multi-Dog Convenience 🧺 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🧭 | ✅ Full control | ✅ Anytime | ✅ Fully customizable | ✅ Seamless | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🧠 | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Requires CS contact | ⚠️ Shared profile | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 🖥️ | ✅ Limited online | ⚠️ Must complete quiz | ⚠️ Basic data only | ⚠️ Sometimes delayed | ⭐⭐ |
Expert Tip: TFD’s interface is ideal for owners with more than one dog, where caloric and health needs diverge. They even pre-label meals by pet name—no guesswork at feeding time.
💬 “Which brand uses the cleanest ingredient sourcing and cooking environment?”
Ingredient integrity goes beyond “human-grade” labels. Nom Nom stands out for its unique practice of cooking each ingredient separately, enhancing transparency, minimizing nutrient loss, and lowering the chance of cross-ingredient contamination. Their kitchen standards mirror those of human hospitals—sterile, USDA-inspected, and batch-tested for pathogens.
🧼 Clean Cooking & Ingredient Integrity Breakdown
| Brand | Human-Grade Certified 🍽️ | Cooking Method 🔥 | Visual Ingredient Identity 👁️ | Third-Party Testing 🔍 | Contamination Risk 🧫 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom Nom 🧪 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Individually cooked | ✅ High (visible chunks) | ✅ Documented | 🔒 Lowest |
| TFD 🍖 | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Batch-cooked | ⚠️ Uniform appearance | ✅ Verified lab testing | ⚠️ Medium |
| Ollie 🧆 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Baked + Fresh, batch | ✅ Good in baked; moderate in fresh | ⚠️ In development | ⚠️ Medium |
Food Safety Insight: Dogs with severe food allergies or IBD may benefit from Nom Nom’s ingredient isolation, offering clarity in case of flare-ups.
💬 “Is there a brand that aligns closely with veterinary best practices and data-backed feeding?”
For those who value clinical research, peer-reviewed trials, and veterinary credibility, The Farmer’s Dog is unmatched. Their Cornell-validated feeding trial exceeds AAFCO standards, and they actively fund veterinary residencies and trials—a rarity in the consumer pet food space.
📚 Veterinary-Backed Credibility Matrix
| Brand | On-Staff Veterinary Nutritionists 👨⚕️ | AAFCO Validation Method 📋 | Published Feeding Trial 📊 | University Partnerships 🏫 | Vet-Recommended Tier ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🧪 | ✅ DACVNs & PhDs | ✅ Long-Term Feeding Trial | ✅ Yes (Cornell) | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nom Nom 📖 | ✅ Vet consultants | ✅ Formulated Only | ❌ None | ⚠️ Microbiome only | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🔬 | ⚠️ Contracted experts only | ✅ Formulated + planning | ⚠️ None (announced only) | ⚠️ Planned | ⭐⭐ |
Veterinary Takeaway: TFD is the clear leader for dog parents who want their feeding decisions backed by real-world clinical data, not just marketing claims.
💬 “Which brand gives the most ‘real-food’ visual reassurance in the bowl?”
Aesthetics matter to many pet parents. Being able to see actual carrots, spinach, and proteins builds trust. Nom Nom wins this category again, with their method of separately cooking and assembling ingredients to retain structure, unlike Ollie and TFD’s pâté-like blends.
🥕 Visual Ingredient Realism Comparison
| Brand | Real Food Visibility 👁️ | Ingredient Separation 🔍 | Texture Type 🧆 | Fresh Appeal Rating 🥗 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom Nom 🍛 | ✅ Clearly visible | ✅ Yes (chunks intact) | Mixed, home-cooked | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ollie 🍽️ | ⚠️ Semi-visible (baked) | ⚠️ Mixed | Crumbly or soft | ⭐⭐ |
| TFD 🍲 | ❌ Fully blended | ❌ No | Pâté style | ⭐ |
Consumer Psychology Note: For those uneasy about “processed” appearance, Nom Nom delivers the most home-kitchen-like transparency, especially for skeptical new adopters.
💬 “I’m trying to choose based on carbon footprint and sustainability. Which brand does the most for the planet?”
Though all three use recyclable packaging, TFD leads in eco-innovation with biodegradable insulation, BPA-free packs, and CO₂-efficient supply chains. Ollie, however, has taken the corporate responsibility angle, removing plastic waste through their rePurpose Global partnership.
🌎 Sustainability Footprint Overview
| Brand | Packaging Eco-Friendliness ♻️ | Insulation Type 🌿 | Waste Offset Program ♻️ | Reusability/Extras 🎁 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFD 🌱 | ✅ BPA-free, minimal ink | ✅ Corn-based, dissolvable | ❌ None | ❌ |
| Ollie 🌍 | ⚠️ Plastic-based | ⚠️ Synthetic foam liner | ✅ rePurpose Global | ✅ Puptainer included |
| Nom Nom 🛍️ | ⚠️ HDPE #2 only (recyclable) | ❌ No insulation upgrades | ❌ None | ❌ |
Eco Tip: If composting and packaging sustainability are top priorities, The Farmer’s Dog has made the most meaningful moves toward a lower-waste, guilt-free feeding experience.
