Get Joy Fresh vs Nom Nom: An Honest Comparison for Dog Parents (2026)

Updated: July 2026 · Reviewed against verified competitor data and Get Joy product facts · See our vet & nutrition experts

Both Nom Nom and Get Joy Fresh Meals are a genuine step up from kibble and both are science-forward, credible fresh foods, so the honest question is not which is better in the abstract. It is how each one handles gut support. Nom Nom is one of the most science-forward fresh foods, formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, and it takes gut health seriously enough to sell probiotic supplements; the difference is that Get Joy builds that support into the food instead.

Here is what the whole comparison comes down to. Nom Nom treats gut support as a separate product you add to the food, while Get Joy treats it as part of the meal. We start with the gut, because gut health is whole-body health, and we build functional gut support directly into every Fresh Meal. Fresh is the format. Gut function is the outcome. The question is whether that support should be a second purchase or part of dinner.

What is the main difference between Get Joy Fresh and Nom Nom?

The main difference is where gut support lives: in the food with Get Joy, or in a separate product with Nom Nom. Nom Nom's scientific credibility is real. Their recipes are formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, portions are individually packed for your dog, and they have invested in actual microbiome research, which is more than most of the category can say. Their probiotic supplement line exists because the science points where we think it points: gut health drives whole-body health.

So here is the honest question this comparison comes down to: if gut support matters enough to sell, why is it not in the food? With Nom Nom, feeding for the gut is a two-decision system. Buy the fresh food. Then buy the probiotic supplement. Then remember to add it, every meal, indefinitely. Two products, two prices, one more thing to run out of. Get Joy collapses that into one decision, because gut support that is structural to the food does not get forgotten on a busy Tuesday. It is just dinner.

How do Get Joy Fresh and Nom Nom compare at a glance?

Here is the head-to-head on the factors dog parents ask about most.

Which does more for your dog's gut health?

Get Joy Fresh does more for the gut because the support is structural to the food, not an add-on you have to remember. Gut health drives digestion, nutrient absorption, immune activity, stool quality, and skin, and building the support into the meal means it is there at every meal. Every Get Joy Fresh Meal is gently kettle-cooked from human-grade whole foods, with each protein cooked separately and then combined, and reaches 95%+ starch gelatinization so it is easier to digest. Recipes use real meat and organ meat, garden vegetables, brown rice (or quinoa in the lamb recipe), salmon oil for omega-3 (EPA and DHA), flaxseed, turmeric, and gut support built right in: inulin, a prebiotic fiber, and a yeast-culture postbiotic. There are four proteins (chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb), no fillers, byproducts, seed oils, or artificial anything, and every recipe is developed with a PhD animal nutritionist and a veterinarian, cooked in a USDA-certified kitchen, and AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed puppies.

What dog parents typically notice within two to four weeks of a gut-first food: firmer, more consistent stool, less gas, and a steadier appetite, and over time a shinier coat and less scratching. Individual dogs vary, and no food treats, cures, or prevents any medical condition. But if you are already feeding fresh and still not seeing those basics, the missing piece usually is not fresher ingredients. It is gut function. And the meal is only the start of the routine. When a dog needs deeper gut support, Get Joy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meals, treats, and supplements carry Belly Biotics, our proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, all built around the same gut-first belief. Meals come first, and everything else deepens the routine, from one brand. The difference is not whether add-ons exist. It is whether the food works without them, and whether the system was designed together. If you want the science first, start with Gut Health 101 and our guide to pre, pro, and postbiotics.

Which has better ingredients?

Both brands take formulation seriously, but Get Joy pairs premium protein with a functional gut layer built into the recipe. Get Joy Fresh recipes use real meat and organ meat, garden vegetables, a whole-food carbohydrate (brown rice, or quinoa in the lamb recipe), salmon oil for omega-3 with EPA and DHA, flaxseed, turmeric, and built-in gut support, with no fillers, byproducts, seed oils, or artificial anything, developed with a PhD animal nutritionist and a veterinarian.

Nom Nom uses restaurant-quality ingredients in nutritionist-formulated, complete and balanced recipes, pre-portioned for your dog. It is a quality build. The difference is that the gut layer is inside a Get Joy meal rather than in a separate bottle, and the food is gently kettle-cooked to 95%+ starch gelatinization for high bioavailability and a smaller, firmer stool. For more on the ingredients that support the gut, see turmeric for dogs in gently cooked food.

What does each really cost per day?

Nom Nom, like most fresh subscriptions, gates pricing behind a quiz. You will not see your real number until you have completed their signup flow, and if you want their gut support, the probiotic supplement is an additional line on the bill.

When you compare true daily cost, compare fresh food plus supplement against fresh food with support built in. For most dogs, Get Joy's all-in number is at or below the fresh-plus-supplement stack, with free shipping over $70.

Who should choose Get Joy Fresh, and who should choose Nom Nom?

Choose based on whether you want gut support inside the meal or managed separately. If you are happy running the food and a supplement as two purchases and your dog is thriving, Nom Nom works. If you want one subscription with gut support included, Get Joy is the simpler fit.

Is switching to Get Joy Fresh simple?

Yes. If you decide to try Get Joy, transition gradually over 7 to 10 days: start with about 25% Get Joy mixed into your dog's current food and increase every 2 to 3 days. Slow transitions are kinder to sensitive stomachs. Every order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee, and subscriptions can be paused, skipped, swapped, or canceled anytime from your account.

The final verdict: Get Joy Fresh or Nom Nom?

Both are credible, science-forward fresh foods. The deciding question is whether gut support belongs in the meal or in a second purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nom Nom good for dogs?

Yes, it is a credible, nutritionist-formulated fresh food. The main structural difference versus Get Joy is that Nom Nom's gut support is a separate supplement purchase rather than built into the food.

Does Nom Nom have probiotics in the food?

Nom Nom sells probiotic supplements separately from their meals. Get Joy Fresh builds gut support into the recipe itself: inulin, a yeast-culture postbiotic, and salmon-oil omega-3, with the full Belly Biotics blend available across our freeze-dried meals and supplements.

What is a good alternative to Nom Nom?

Get Joy Fresh Meals: human-grade, gently kettle-cooked fresh food with gut support built in, so you do not need a separate supplement subscription.

How much does Nom Nom cost per day?

Pricing depends on your dog and is only shown after their quiz, and you should factor in the supplement cost if you plan to add their probiotics. Get Joy shows pack pricing on the site, and most dogs land between $3 and $9 per day.

How long until I see results after switching?

Most dog parents report changes in stool quality and digestion within 2 to 4 weeks, with coat and skin improvements typically following. Every dog is different, and no food treats or cures medical conditions.

Published by Get Joy. We make one of these foods, and we will play it straight. Competitor details (formats, ingredients, pricing, and policies) are drawn from each brand's own website and public retailer listings as of July 2026; prices and specs can change, so confirm current details on each brand's site. Get Joy figures are from getjoyfood.com and internal product documentation. Pricing varies by dog size, recipe, and plan. This article is for education and is not veterinary advice; consult your vet for your dog's individual needs.