Brand Comparison · 2026

Blue Buffalo vs Nom Nom

Blue Buffalo (mid-premium kibble marketed on ingredient quality; partial wsava compliance.) and Nom Nom (fresh-cooked subscription acquired by mars in 2022; partial wsava.) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Nom Nom meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Blue Buffalo is roughly 64% less than Nom Nom.

The verdict

A boutique kibble against a fresh-cooked subscription. Blue Buffalo meets none of the 5 WSAVA criteria on a strict reading, uses formulation-only substantiation, and has historically used co-manufacturers, at $50-90/month, though it offers ingredient transparency and General Mills' scale. Nom Nom, acquired by Mars Petcare in 2022, meets 4 of 5 with a veterinary nutritionist and owned manufacturing — still formulation-only — at $150-240.

Pick Nom Nom for materially stronger WSAVA standing, fresh-cooked palatability, and a major parent company's manufacturing rigor, if budget allows. Pick Blue Buffalo for ingredient-list transparency at a much lower price and shelf-stable convenience. On manufacturer-quality signals, Nom Nom is well ahead; on price and pantry practicality, Blue Buffalo wins.

Key differences at a glance

Different makers: Blue Buffalo is General Mills; Nom Nom is Mars Petcare.
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: Nom Nom meets 4 of 5 criteria vs 0 of 5 for Blue Buffalo.
Different formats: Blue Buffalo is boutique dry kibble; Nom Nom is fresh-cooked subscription.
Monthly cost: Blue Buffalo runs roughly 64% less than Nom Nom for a typical 50 lb dog.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Blue Buffalo	Nom Nom
Parent company	General Mills	Mars Petcare
Category	Boutique dry kibble	Fresh-cooked subscription
WSAVA criteria met	0 of 5	4 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Partial	Yes
Credentialed formulator	Partial	Yes
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	No	Yes
Quality control program	Partial	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$50 – $90 / month	$150 – $240 / month

General Mills

Blue Buffalo

Mid-premium kibble marketed on ingredient quality; partial WSAVA compliance.

Strengths

Strong consumer-facing ingredient transparency
Wide retail availability and brand recognition
Acquired by General Mills (2018) added scale and QC discipline

Watch-outs

Formulation-only substantiation (no feeding trials)
Does not own all manufacturing — historically uses co-manufacturers
Caught up in past lawsuits over advertising claims

Best for: Owners who prioritize ingredient-list transparency over WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria.

Avoid if: You specifically want a brand that meets all 5 WSAVA criteria.

Visit Blue Buffalo ↗

Mars Petcare

Nom Nom

Fresh-cooked subscription acquired by Mars in 2022; partial WSAVA.

Strengths

Acquired by Mars Petcare (2022) adds scale and manufacturing rigor
Veterinary nutritionist on staff
Strong palatability and quality control

Watch-outs

Formulation-only substantiation
Premium subscription pricing
Limited recipe variety vs Ollie

Best for: Owners who want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company.

Avoid if: You prefer to avoid Mars-owned brands or want feeding-trial substantiation.

Visit Nom Nom ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. Blue Buffalo is the better choice when: Owners who prioritize ingredient-list transparency over WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria. Nom Nom is the better choice when: Owners who want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company.

On cost, Blue Buffalo is roughly 64% less than Nom Nom at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Nom Nom meets 4 of 5 vs 0 of 5 for Blue Buffalo.

Personalized recommendation

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Compare these brands against others

Methodology: WSAVA criteria reflect each brand's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of May 2026, scored against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. AAFCO substantiation reflects the dominant method used across the brand's main retail product line. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. Recommendations are editorial and not influenced by affiliate relationships. See our recommendation methodology for IntelliBowl's quiz-engine ranking logic.