Choosing between NomNom and PetPlate can feel like picking a favorite child—both offer high-quality fresh dog food, tailored meal plans, and the convenience of doorstep delivery. However, each brand brings its own philosophy, approach to ingredients, and pricing model. In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down the two brands across the most critical categories to help you determine which is best for your dog’s unique needs.
Company Overview
NomNom was founded by a team of pet lovers and veterinary nutritionists with a mission to improve pet health through fresh, scientifically formulated meals. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, NomNom has earned a loyal following for its focus on vet-backed recipes and personalized feeding plans. Every meal is tailored based on a pet’s specific weight, age, breed, and activity level. The company’s scientific approach extends to gut health research, offering microbiome testing kits to further personalize each pet’s nutrition.
PetPlate, launched by Renaldo Webb in 2016 after his appearance on Shark Tank, also aims to revolutionize pet nutrition with human-grade meals. Based in New York, PetPlate prepares its meals in USDA kitchens and has expanded to include both dog and cat food options. Its core mission is to make nutrition accessible and enjoyable for all pets, with an emphasis on taste, quality, and convenience. PetPlate has seen rapid growth thanks to its engaging branding and a strong following among dog parents seeking gourmet-style meals.
Key Features and Benefits
| Feature | NomNom | PetPlate |
| Vet-Created Recipes | Yes – Board-certified veterinary nutritionists | Yes – Developed by veterinary nutritionists |
| Personalized Meal Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Human-Grade Ingredients | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription Model | Flexible, cancel anytime | Flexible, cancel anytime |
| Nutritional Transparency | Full transparency, nutrient profiles available | Detailed ingredient lists with nutritional info |
| Gut Health Focus | Offers microbiome testing and supplements | Not currently offered |
Both brands provide comprehensive onboarding quizzes to assess your pet’s dietary needs, preferences, and health concerns. Pet owners receive customized feeding plans, storage instructions, and transition guidelines for switching from kibble to fresh food. These personalized experiences make both NomNom and PetPlate ideal for conscientious dog owners looking to elevate their pet’s mealtime.
Quality of Ingredients
When it comes to what goes into the bowl, both brands uphold exceptional standards:
- NomNom uses fresh, restaurant-quality ingredients sourced from trusted U.S. suppliers. All meals are prepared in-house in FDA-approved kitchens. The company ensures that each ingredient is fully traceable and has been handled to meet USDA standards. There are no fillers, artificial preservatives, or low-quality meat meals—just clean, whole foods.
- PetPlate matches this with USDA-certified meats, fresh produce, and zero artificial preservatives. Meals are kettle-cooked in small batches and flash-frozen to maintain flavor and nutrition. PetPlate also emphasizes digestibility, choosing ingredients like pumpkin, quinoa, and apples to aid in gut health and energy maintenance.
It’s clear that both companies prioritize nutritional integrity and food safety, offering pet parents confidence in what they’re serving. For a more in-depth look at NomNom’s food quality, including how it affects digestion and coat health, visit our full review here.
Unique Recipes
NomNom keeps things simple and focused with four core recipes:
- Beef Mash
- Chicken Cuisine
- Pork Potluck
- Turkey Fare
Each formula is crafted by board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dr. Justin Shmalberg and features a balanced blend of protein, vegetables, and essential oils. NomNom’s streamlined recipe lineup is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies, as it reduces ingredient overlap.
PetPlate offers more variety with a rotating seasonal menu:
- Barkin’ Beef
- Chompin’ Chicken
- Tail Waggin’ Turkey
- Lip Lickin’ Lamb
- Power Packed Pork (seasonal)
PetPlate’s menu offers excitement for dogs who tire of repetitive meals. Many of their recipes include superfoods like chia seeds, blueberries, and ginger, enhancing both palatability and nutritional value. This makes PetPlate particularly appealing for picky eaters and breeds known for food boredom.
For a full breakdown of NomNom’s flavor profiles and formulation process, be sure to explore this detailed review.
Pricing
Pricing structures vary depending on your dog’s size and caloric needs. Here’s a side-by-side look:
- NomNom starts at approximately $2.40 per day for a 10-lb dog on a full meal plan.
- PetPlate begins at around $2.85 per day for a dog of similar size.
Both companies offer half-meal plans and trial boxes for pet parents who want to test before committing. NomNom often provides introductory discounts and referral programs, giving it a slight edge in affordability for budget-conscious families. PetPlate tends to be on the premium side, but some users find the added cost worth it for the variety and gourmet quality.
Delivery and Convenience
NomNom offers:
- Biweekly or monthly deliveries
- Pre-portioned meals in vacuum-sealed packs
- Recyclable packaging
- Free shipping across the contiguous U.S.
The meals arrive fresh (not frozen), making them easy to store in the fridge or freezer. NomNom also includes helpful feeding instructions and transition guides in each box.
PetPlate provides:
- Weekly or biweekly delivery options
- Individually portioned containers
- Meals are shipped frozen in insulated boxes
- Free shipping
While PetPlate’s meals require thawing, the brand includes a detailed thawing and serving guide to help dog owners manage meal prep. Still, for busy households, NomNom’s ready-to-serve format may prove more convenient.
For additional insights into NomNom’s delivery process and packaging, this NomNom review covers everything from order placement to doorstep delivery.
Reviews
NomNom has received consistently positive feedback for its simple meal plans and noticeable health benefits. Many customers report:
- Healthier skin and shinier coats
- Improved digestion
- Fewer allergic reactions
- Enthusiastic mealtime behavior
PetPlate is similarly well-reviewed, particularly among dog owners with picky eaters or pets that previously struggled with kibble. Positive testimonials often mention:
- High palatability
- Noticeable boost in energy
- Weight management support
- Visible improvements in stool quality
Both brands hold solid reputations, but NomNom’s emphasis on science and gut health has earned it a trusted name among veterinarians and nutrition-focused pet parents.
Pros and Cons
NomNom
Pros:
- Recipes are formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, ensuring each meal is backed by science and designed for optimal canine health.
- Offers complete ingredient transparency, listing every component along with its nutritional role, which builds consumer trust and allows for informed decisions.
- Meals are delivered fresh, not frozen, allowing for easier storage, quicker serving, and no thawing time—ideal for busy pet parents.
- Prioritizes gut health through unique offerings like microbiome testing kits and targeted probiotic supplements, helping support digestion and immune function.
- NomNom is competitively priced and frequently offers promotions, discounts, and referral incentives, making it more accessible for long-term use.
- Packaging is compact and eco-friendly, reducing both waste and storage footprint in your refrigerator.
Cons:
- Recipe options are somewhat limited compared to other brands, which might not cater to dogs seeking more flavor variety.
- Although they’ve announced plans to launch cat meals, these offerings are still in development and unavailable to the public at this time.
- Meal plan customizations beyond standard protein options are more limited, which may affect dogs with highly specific dietary restrictions.
PetPlate
Pros:
- Boasts a wide variety of recipes, including seasonal and limited-edition options, helping keep mealtime exciting for dogs who easily get bored.
- Meals include superfoods such as pumpkin, ginger, and blueberries, which may aid in digestion, joint health, and antioxidant intake.
- Caters well to picky eaters with diverse flavor profiles and ingredients that enhance palatability.
- Offers cat food options, giving pet owners with multiple types of pets a one-stop shop for their animals’ nutrition.
- Detailed nutritional info and calorie content are printed clearly on all packaging, allowing easy portion adjustments if needed.
Cons:
- Slightly higher cost per meal compared to competitors, which may add up for multi-pet households or larger breeds.
- Meals are shipped frozen and require thawing time, which can be less convenient than fresh-packed alternatives.
- Larger packaging and individual containers can take up significant space in freezers, potentially making storage difficult for those with limited kitchen space.
- Does not yet offer advanced health tracking tools such as microbiome kits or supplemental personalization beyond meal planning.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for science-driven, vet-formulated fresh meals with minimal hassle and great value, NomNom stands out as a smart choice. With their attention to gut health, real-time personalization, and simple but effective recipes, NomNom gives pet owners the tools they need to keep dogs healthy for the long run.
PetPlate offers more variety and a gourmet twist, making it perfect for dogs that crave something different each day. If flavor, novelty, and seasonal options are a priority, PetPlate delivers on all fronts.
In summary, there is no wrong choice between these two fresh food giants—only the one that best aligns with your dog’s dietary needs and your lifestyle preferences. For more detailed insights into how NomNom stacks up, including first-hand customer experiences and nutritional data, check out independent reviews and customer testimonials.
Meet Sofi Dzneladze, a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience dedicated to the well-being and care of our furry companions. Sofi’s expertise spans dog grooming, training, and behavior management, making her a trusted authority in the field of canine care. Sofi began her journey with a passion for understanding dogs on a deeper level: their appearance, behavior, needs, and unique personalities.
