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Brand Comparison · 2026

Nom Nom vs Royal Canin

Nom Nom (fresh-cooked subscription acquired by Mars in 2022; partial WSAVA) and Royal Canin (the deepest breed-specific and condition-specific formulation portfolio in the industry) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Royal Canin meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Royal Canin is roughly 56% less than Nom Nom.

The verdict

Interestingly, both brands trace to the Mars empire, Royal Canin under Mars Incorporated and Nom Nom under Mars Petcare since its 2022 acquisition. Royal Canin meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria, with "formulated to meet" AAFCO labels rather than feeding trials, and 50+ breed-specific kibbles at $60-110/month; Nom Nom, a fresh-cooked subscription, meets 2 of 5 with owned manufacturing and, by its own account, board-certified formulators but formulation-only substantiation at $150-240.

Pick Royal Canin for a purebred with documented breed risks (Cavaliers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, large-breed puppies) or any dog needing prescription support. Pick Nom Nom if you want fresh-cooked food with a major parent company behind it and have the budget. If the stronger WSAVA record matters most, Royal Canin wins; for fresh palatability backed by scale, Nom Nom fits.

Key differences at a glance

Quick comparison

DimensionNom NomRoyal Canin
Parent companyMars PetcareMars Incorporated
CategoryFresh-cooked subscriptionPremium dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met2 of 54 of 5
AAFCO substantiationFormulation onlyFormulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionistPartialYes
Credentialed formulatorYesYes
AAFCO feeding trialsNoNo
Owns manufacturing plantsYesYes
Quality control programPartialYes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)$150 – $240 / month$60 – $110 / month

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 ↗

Mars Incorporated

Royal Canin

The deepest breed-specific and condition-specific formulation portfolio in the industry.

Strengths

  • 50+ breed-specific kibbles with documented breed-trait targeting
  • Strongest urinary disease and dermatology prescription lines globally
  • Owned manufacturing across US, EU, and additional regions
  • Specific support for Cavaliers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds

Watch-outs

  • Highest price among the kibble brands here that meet at least 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions
  • Flagship adult labels say "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
  • Breed-specific evidence varies. Some formulas are marketing-thin
  • Limited value for mixed-breed dogs without specific breed risks

Best for: Purebred dogs with documented breed-specific health risks (Cavaliers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, large-breed puppies).

Avoid if: You have a mixed-breed dog without specific risks and are budget-conscious.

Visit Royal Canin ↗

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. Royal Canin is the better choice when: Purebred dogs with documented breed-specific health risks (Cavaliers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, large-breed puppies).

On cost, Royal Canin is roughly 56% less than Nom Nom at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Royal Canin meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Nom Nom.

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