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Brand Comparison · 2026

Eukanuba vs Nom Nom

Eukanuba (performance-oriented kibble for active and working dogs, from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions) 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. Eukanuba meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Eukanuba is roughly 67% less than Nom Nom.

The verdict

Eukanuba is a kibble meeting 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria, with a "formulated to meet" AAFCO label rather than feeding trials, and performance formulations at $50-80/month; Nom Nom is a fresh-cooked subscription, acquired by Mars Petcare in 2022, meeting 2 of 5 with owned manufacturing and, by its own account, board-certified formulators but formulation-only substantiation, at $150-240.

Pick Eukanuba for a working, sport, or active dog needing energy-dense fuel plus shelf-stable convenience. Pick Nom Nom if you want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company's scale and have the budget for premium pricing. If the stronger WSAVA record matters most, Eukanuba wins; for fresh palatability with a major parent company behind it, Nom Nom fits.

Key differences at a glance

Quick comparison

DimensionEukanubaNom Nom
Parent companyMars IncorporatedMars Petcare
CategoryPremium dry kibbleFresh-cooked subscription
WSAVA criteria met4 of 52 of 5
AAFCO substantiationFormulation onlyFormulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionistYesPartial
Credentialed formulatorYesYes
AAFCO feeding trialsNoNo
Owns manufacturing plantsYesYes
Quality control programYesPartial
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)$50 – $80 / month$150 – $240 / month

Mars Incorporated

Eukanuba

Performance-oriented kibble for active and working dogs, from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions.

Strengths

  • Strong working-dog and sport-performance formulations
  • Meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 manufacturer questions
  • Shares Royal Canin's manufacturing-quality systems (same parent)

Watch-outs

  • Less retail visibility in the US than Pro Plan or Royal Canin
  • Adult label says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
  • Limited prescription-diet line

Best for: Working, sport, and active dogs that need higher caloric density.

Avoid if: You need a prescription therapeutic diet for a medical condition.

Visit Eukanuba ↗

Mars Petcare

Nom Nom

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

Strengths

  • Acquired by Mars Petcare (2022) adds scale
  • Says its recipes are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists (none named)
  • Strong palatability and owned kitchens

Watch-outs

  • Formulation-only substantiation
  • Publishes only a one-line testing claim
  • 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. Eukanuba is the better choice when: Working, sport, and active dogs that need higher caloric density. Nom Nom is the better choice when: Owners who want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company.

On cost, Eukanuba is roughly 67% less than Nom Nom at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Eukanuba meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Nom Nom.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Eukanuba WSAVA-approved or is Nom Nom WSAVA-approved.

Where to buy

Made your pick?

Check current pricing on whichever brand fits your dog. Prices and promotions change frequently, so it is worth comparing both before you commit to a bag or a subscription.

Shop Eukanuba on Chewy →

Disclosure: these are affiliate links and IntelliBowl may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission does not influence the comparison above. See our methodology.

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 October 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.