Brand Comparison · 2026

Nom Nom vs Orijen

Nom Nom (fresh-cooked subscription acquired by mars in 2022; partial wsava.) and Orijen (high-protein, high-meat-inclusion boutique kibble; named in fda dcm investigation.) 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. Orijen is roughly 46% less than Nom Nom.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Nom Nom	Orijen
Parent company	Mars Petcare	Champion Petfoods
Category	Fresh-cooked subscription	Boutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met	4 of 5	1 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	No
Credentialed formulator	Yes	Partial
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Partial
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$150 – $240 / month	$80 – $130 / month

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 ↗

Champion Petfoods

Orijen

High-protein, high-meat-inclusion boutique kibble; named in FDA DCM investigation.

Strengths

Some of the highest meat-inclusion percentages on the market
Strong brand-quality narrative and consumer trust
Owns manufacturing in Canada and Kentucky

Watch-outs

Specifically named brand in the FDA's 2018-2022 diet-associated DCM investigation
Formulation-only AAFCO substantiation
Premium price

Best for: Owners who prioritize ingredient panel aesthetics and accept the DCM-risk and WSAVA-compliance trade-offs.

Avoid if: Your dog has any cardiac risk factor or breed predisposition to DCM.

Visit Orijen ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. Nom Nom is the better choice when: Owners who want fresh-cooked food backed by a major parent company. Orijen is the better choice when: Owners who prioritize ingredient panel aesthetics and accept the DCM-risk and WSAVA-compliance trade-offs.

On cost, Orijen is roughly 46% 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 1 of 5 for Orijen.

Personalized recommendation

Skip the brand decision — get a food matched to your specific dog.

IntelliBowl's free 60-second quiz ranks 13+ brands (including Nom Nom and Orijen) against your dog's age, breed, weight, activity, allergies, and budget. Free, no signup.

Take the free quiz →

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.