We Feed Raw vs. Nom Nom: Which Fresh Food Is Actually Better for Your Dog?

The best fresh food for dogs is a PhD animal nutritionist-formulated raw diet that maximizes nutrient bioavailability without the inflammatory effects of heat-processed starches.

While Nom Nom offers a high-quality cooked alternative, We Feed Raw provides a species-appropriate, zero-carb answer that supports optimal digestion and healthy weight.

For those just starting out, our beginner's guide to raw dog food provides everything you need to make a safe and confident transition.

Let’s dig deeper into the difference between We Feed Raw vs Nom Nom to help you determine which fresh food is better for your dog.

We Feed Raw vs. Nom Nom: Which Fresh Food Is Actually Better for Your Dog?

Before deciding which specific brand is better for your dog, you need to know about the two different types of fresh food offered by these brands:

• •We Feed Raw is a species-appropriate protein-rich raw diet, with both frozen and freeze-dried recipes

• •Nom Nom is a gently cooked food that bulks its recipes with species-inappropriate starches

What Is the Main Difference Between We Feed Raw and Nom Nom?

The primary difference between We Feed Raw and Nom Nom is the method of processing and the inclusion of carbohydrates.

We Feed Raw provides a raw, ancestral diet that is cold-pressure treated to maintain nutrients, while Nom Nom provides a gently cooked meal that includes plant-based starches like rice or potatoes:

• •We Feed Raw focuses on a high-protein, zero-carb philosophy that mirrors what a dog's wild ancestors would eat. This means the food consists almost entirely of muscle meat, organ meat, and either finely ground bone (in our frozen recipes for dogs of all life stages) or non-GMO fruits and vegetables (in our freeze-dried recipes for adult dogs only).

• •In contrast, Nom Nom uses a "fresh-cooked" approach. While this is significantly better than dry kibble, it still involves heat, which can denature certain enzymes, and it relies on fiber-heavy fillers that dogs do not biologically require.

Is Raw Dog Food Considered a Type of "Fresh" Dog Food?

Yes, raw dog food is considered the most "fresh" form of pet food available because it has undergone the least processing.

While "fresh" is often used as a marketing term for cooked meals, raw food is the only option that keeps the natural moisture, enzymes, and vitamins in their original, bioavailable state.

We Feed Raw is fresh in its most literal, uncooked form.

Is Nom Nom's Fresh Food Cooked?

Yes, Nom Nom's fresh food is gently cooked at low temperatures to kill bacteria and prepare the ingredients.

While this cooking process is much shorter and less intense than the high-heat extrusion used for kibble, it still alters the protein's molecular structure and requires adding synthetic vitamins to replace those lost during heating.

Which Brand Has Better Ingredients: We Feed Raw or Nom Nom?

We Feed Raw has a superior ingredient profile for dogs because it prioritizes high-quality animal proteins and eliminates the unnecessary starches that contribute to canine obesity.

While Nom Nom uses human-grade ingredients, their recipes often include peas, carrots, and potatoes, which can be difficult for some dogs to digest.

Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning that while they can survive on plants, they thrive on animal matter. We Feed Raw sources USDA-certified, human-grade meats from animals raised in the United States and New Zealand. 

Does We Feed Raw Provide a Complete and Balanced Ancestral Diet?

Yes, We Feed Raw provides a complete and balanced diet formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages. Each frozen patty follows the "80/10/10" rule: 80% muscle meat, 10% secreting organs, and 10% finely ground bone, plus added essential vitamins and minerals.

This ratio is critical for long-term health. According to PhD Animal Nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton, dogs have no biological requirement for carbohydrates.

By providing a balance of meat, organ, and bone, We Feed Raw’s frozen recipes supply the precise levels of calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids required for everything from puppy growth to senior maintenance without the need for plant-based fillers.

Does Nom Nom Use Plant-Based Fillers or Starches?

Yes, Nom Nom uses plant-based ingredients like brown rice, russet potatoes, peas, and carrots in most of their recipes. While these are "whole food" ingredients, they act as starches and fibers that can lead to larger stools and potential blood sugar spikes.

For example, the Nom Nom Beef Mash contains russet potatoes and peas. While these ingredients make the food look more like "human" food to the owner, they add unnecessary carbohydrates to the dog's bowl.

These starches are a common culprit for weight gain and yeast issues in dogs with sensitive skin.

Is We Feed Raw Safer Than Gently Cooked Fresh Food?

We Feed Raw is just as safe as gently cooked food, if not safer, due to the use of high-pressure processing (HPP).

Many pet parents believe that cooking is the only way to eliminate bacteria, but modern technology allows We Feed Raw to neutralize pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli without using heat.

In fact, We Feed Raw was named to the "Clean 16" list for the safest dog foods. This level of safety is achieved through a cold-water process that protects the food's integrity while ensuring it is safe for the family to handle.

How Does Cold Pressure Pasteurization Protect Your Dog From Pathogens?

High-pressure processing (HPP), also known as cold-pressure pasteurization, uses intense water pressure to crush the cell walls of harmful bacteria, effectively killing them while leaving the meat raw and the nutrients intact. It is a scientifically validated "kill-step" that provides the safety of cooking without the nutritional loss.

Because HPP is a cold process, it does not trigger the Maillard reaction (the browning of meat), which can create carcinogens. This allows you to feed your dog a safe, pathogen-free meal that still contains all the raw enzymes and natural probiotics that a cooked meal like Nom Nom lacks.

Does Cooking Fresh Food Destroy Vital Enzymes and Nutrients?

Yes, any level of cooking destroys delicate enzymes and reduces the levels of heat-sensitive vitamins like B1, C, and E. While Nom Nom’s "gentle" cooking is better than the extreme heat used for kibble, it still requires the manufacturer to add a vitamin premix back into the food to compensate for what was lost.

Raw food contains live enzymes that assist in the digestive process. When these enzymes are destroyed by heat, the dog’s pancreas must work harder to produce its own enzymes to break down the food. Over time, this can lead to digestive fatigue and less efficient nutrient absorption.

Which Is Better for Allergies and Weight Management, We Feed Raw or Nom Nom?

We Feed Raw is the better choice for allergies and weight management because it is naturally grain-free, legume-free, and zero-carb. Obesity and skin allergies are two of the most common reasons for vet visits, and both are frequently linked to the high carbohydrate and fiber content found in cooked diets.

When a dog eats a diet like Nom Nom that contains rice or potatoes, their body converts those starches into sugar. This can fuel yeast infections (the "itchy paw" syndrome) and contribute to fat storage.

A raw diet provides lean, bioavailable protein that keeps dogs satiated and lean.

Why Is a Zero-Carb Raw Diet Superior for Weight Loss?

A zero-carb raw diet is superior for weight loss because it forces the dog's body to use fat and protein for energy instead of storing excess sugar as fat. High-protein diets help dogs maintain lean muscle mass while losing body fat, which is especially important for senior dogs or breeds prone to obesity, such as Golden Retrievers.

In a survey, 90% of We Feed Raw customers reported that their dogs maintained a healthy weight on the food. Because the food is so nutrient-dense, you can feed smaller portions that provide more energy, ensuring your dog feels full and energized while the pounds melt away.

Is the Fiber in Nom Nom Necessary for Healthy Digestion?

No, the high levels of plant-based fiber in Nom Nom are not necessary for healthy canine digestion. While humans benefit from fiber to keep things moving, dogs have a short, acidic digestive tract designed to process meat and bone very quickly.

The result of the high fiber in cooked diets is large, soft, and often smelly stools. When you switch to a raw diet, you will notice "the gold standard" of poop: it is small, firm, and has almost no odor because the dog's body has absorbed nearly every part of the meal.

How Much Do We Feed Raw and Nom Nom Cost Per Month?

The cost of both services varies based on the size and activity level of your dog, but We Feed Raw often provides more "nutritional bang for your buck" due to its higher caloric density. Because raw food has no fillers, you often feed less per day than you would with a cooked meal that contains bulky vegetables and grains.

Generally, for a medium-sized dog, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 per month depending on the protein choice and delivery frequency. We Feed Raw offers free shipping nationwide, which adds significant value to the monthly budget.

The Final Verdict: Is We Feed Raw or Nom Nom Better for Your Dog?

The final verdict is that We Feed Raw is the better choice for pet owners who want the highest level of biological alignment and nutritional density.

While Nom Nom is a vast improvement over dry kibble, it cannot match the enzyme preservation, zero-carb profile, and stool-quality benefits of a raw ancestral diet.

Choose We Feed Raw if you want:

• •A low-carb diet to help with weight loss or yeast-based allergies

• •The smallest, firmest stools possible

• •A food that supports dental health by lacking the sugars that feed mouth bacteria

• •The peace of mind that comes with cold-pressure (HPP) safety

Choose Nom Nom if:

• •You or your veterinarian have a strict requirement for a high-fiber, cooked diet

• •You are personally uncomfortable with the idea of raw meat, despite the HPP safety steps

Ultimately, dogs are designed to thrive on raw meat, organ, and bone. By choosing We Feed Raw, you are providing the foundation for a long, healthy life that follows nature's design.

Take our quiz today to start your dog’s personalized meal plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is raw dog food better for allergies than Nom Nom?

Yes, raw dog food is typically better for allergies because it contains fewer ingredients and zero starches.

Many dogs with "food allergies" are actually reacting to the grains, potatoes, or legumes used as fillers in cooked food. By eliminating these, We Feed Raw helps reduce inflammation and skin irritation.

Does Nom Nom contain any grains or starchy fillers?

Most Nom Nom recipes contain starches like russet potatoes or brown rice. While they are whole-food versions of these ingredients, they still provide a high carbohydrate load that dogs do not biologically need.

How does the price of We Feed Raw compare to Nom Nom?

The price is often comparable, but We Feed Raw provides more calories per ounce because it lacks the water-heavy vegetables and bulky fibers found in Nom Nom. This often means you can feed less and see better results for a similar monthly cost.

Is We Feed Raw safer than fresh-cooked dog food?

Yes, We Feed Raw is incredibly safe. It uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to neutralize pathogens while the food is still in its packaging. This ensures the food is safe from Salmonella and other bacteria without the need for high-heat cooking.

Can I use We Feed Raw as a topper for Nom Nom meals?

Yes, you can absolutely use We Feed Raw as a topper for any diet, including Nom Nom. Adding even a small amount of raw food provides your dog with live enzymes and bioavailable proteins that can enhance their overall health.