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Brand Comparison · 2026

Nom Nom vs Taste of the Wild

Nom Nom (fresh-cooked subscription acquired by Mars in 2022; partial WSAVA) and Taste of the Wild (grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Both brands meet 2 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Taste of the Wild is roughly 73% less than Nom Nom.

The verdict

Boutique kibble against a fresh-cooked subscription, with matching WSAVA scores. Taste of the Wild meets 2 of 5 WSAVA criteria, owns its plants through Diamond, and offers novel-protein recipes at $40-65/month, but has no board-certified veterinary nutritionist and a 2012 Salmonella recall history. Nom Nom, acquired by Mars Petcare in 2022, meets 2 of 5 with owned manufacturing and, by its own account, board-certified formulators, still formulation-only, at $150-240.

Pick Nom Nom for fresh-cooked palatability and a major parent company behind it, if budget allows. Pick Taste of the Wild for novel proteins at a far lower price and shelf-stable convenience. Both meet 2 of 5 WSAVA criteria, so the choice comes down to format and cost: on cost, Taste of the Wild wins.

Key differences at a glance

Quick comparison

DimensionNom NomTaste of the Wild
Parent companyMars PetcareDiamond Pet Foods
CategoryFresh-cooked subscriptionBoutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met2 of 52 of 5
AAFCO substantiationFormulation onlyFormulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionistPartialPartial
Credentialed formulatorYesPartial
AAFCO feeding trialsNoNo
Owns manufacturing plantsYesYes
Quality control programPartialYes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)$150 – $240 / month$40 – $65 / 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 ↗

Diamond Pet Foods

Taste of the Wild

Grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance.

Strengths

  • Lower price than most premium kibbles
  • Owned manufacturing through Diamond
  • Recipes built around novel proteins (bison, salmon, venison)

Watch-outs

  • Historical contamination recalls (notably 2012 Salmonella)
  • No board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff
  • Named in 53 reports in the FDA's 2019 DCM update. The FDA did not establish that any food caused the disease

Best for: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

Avoid if: You want full WSAVA compliance or have a dog with cardiac risk factors.

Visit Taste of the Wild ↗

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. Taste of the Wild is the better choice when: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

On cost, Taste of the Wild is roughly 73% less than Nom Nom at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, both brands tie at 2 of 5.

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