Brand Comparison · 2026

Iams vs Nom Nom

Iams (mass-market-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, for budget-conscious owners) 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. Iams meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Iams is roughly 82% less than Nom Nom.

The verdict

Iams is a kibble meeting 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria, with a "formulated to meet" AAFCO label rather than feeding trials, at a mass-market $25-45/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 Iams for a healthy adult dog on a tight budget when a maker meeting 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions is enough, 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 economy and the stronger WSAVA record matter most, Iams wins; for fresh palatability with a major parent company behind it, Nom Nom fits.

Key differences at a glance

Same parent group: Iams is listed under Mars Incorporated; Nom Nom is listed under Mars Petcare.
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: Iams meets 4 of 5 criteria vs 2 of 5 for Nom Nom.
Different formats: Iams is mass-market dry kibble; Nom Nom is fresh-cooked subscription.
Monthly cost: Iams runs roughly 82% less than Nom Nom for a typical 50 lb dog.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Iams	Nom Nom
Parent company	Mars Incorporated	Mars Petcare
Category	Mass-market dry kibble	Fresh-cooked subscription
WSAVA criteria met	4 of 5	2 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	Partial
Credentialed formulator	Yes	Yes
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Partial
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$25 – $45 / month	$150 – $240 / month

Mars Incorporated

Iams

Mass-market-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, for budget-conscious owners.

Strengths

Low price from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 manufacturer questions
Same manufacturing-control standards as Eukanuba and Royal Canin
Wide retail availability (grocery and pet stores)

Watch-outs

Limited prescription-diet line; pair with another brand if therapeutic diet is needed
Flagship label says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
Ingredient list is more mass-market-tier than Pro Plan

Best for: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners still want a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions.

Avoid if: You have a dog with allergies or want a premium-tier ingredient profile.

Visit Iams ↗

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. Iams is the better choice when: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners still want a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions. Nom Nom is the better choice when: Owners who want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company.

On cost, Iams is roughly 82% less than Nom Nom at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Iams meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Nom Nom.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Iams 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 Iams 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.