When it comes to feeding our cats, there comes a time in every pet parent’s life when they say, “What the heck is in this stuff, anyway?!”
To the dismay of many kitty caretakers, some big-name cat foods are loaded with stuff that we wouldn’t eat and certainly don’t want to feed our cat. However, fresh and raw pet food brands like Nom Nom do a fantastic job of providing quality nutrition and taste to our little guys. Unfortunately, Nom Nom has discontinued the fresh cat food line. So, are there other companies providing similar products and services? Yes!
As a loving cat parent, you’ll definitely want to check this out! Because no cat (or person, for that matter) deserves to eat like a second-rate citizen! Let’s look at some of the top Nom Nom cat food alternatives and how they compare.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Food
USDA-Certified Human Grade
Fantastic ingredients
No prep
Click to Save 40% Use code: PetKeen2023
Tiki Cat Variety Pack
Great ingredients
Resealable pack
Variety can be nice
Check Price
JustFoodForCats Fish & Chicken Recipe
Great whole ingredients
The brand displays great ethics for a feel-good purchase
Convenient, healthy option
Check Price
Stella & Chewy’s Chick Chick Chicken Dinner
Great ingredients
Compelling brand story
We like the cage-free chicken idea
Check Price
Tiki Cat Broths
Great way to test if your cat will take to natural food
Tasty treat
Good for hydration, which can be a challenge with some cats
Check Price
The 9 Nom Nom Cat Food Alternatives Compared:
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Bird Recipe
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Main Ingredients: Chicken thigh, chicken breast, chicken liver, green beans, peas
Caloric Content: 1220 kcal/kg
Prep?: No
Smalls human-grade fresh food is a well-known fresh cat food company with a holistic, human-grade approach. According to the founder of the company, Matt Michaelson, it is as close to homemade food as possible, without having to make it at home. We have to say, the product really delivered on that end. This amazing cat food brand food is USDA-inspected at their production facilities in Chicago.
The food’s ingredients are all certified as human-grade, and it appears that cats seem to appreciate the taste and the nutrition alike. The only thing that we could find to gripe about was the fact that they don’t offer much in the way of customization options, but other than that they deliver on all fronts.
Pros
USDA-Certified Human Grade
Fantastic ingredients
No prep
Cons
Not a lot in the way of customization
This is a variety pack of raw, frozen cat food. Made with non-GMO ingredients, this particular variety pack has 3 flavors for your cat to try: turkey, duck, and chicken. Tiki cats originally started out as a company called Petropics under a woman named Christine Hacket and her husband, so it’s another family-owned brand, and we just really like to support those kinds of businesses.
USDA-Certified Human Grade
Fantastic ingredients
No prep
- USDA-Certified Human Grade
- Fantastic ingredients
- No prep
Not a lot in the way of customization
- Not a lot in the way of customization
Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken bone broth, chicken liver, tricalcium phosphate
Caloric Content: 240 kcal ME/9-oz cup
Prep?: Thaw and refrigerate
Check Price on Chewy
On top of a fun Polynesian-inspired motif, the food is made with great natural ingredients. The packaging is resealable, which is nice for those of us who never know what to do with the lid from a used can of cat food! They do recommend quite a long and gradual transition period of about 7–10 days and the only negative reviews we found came from cats refusing to eat it. This had us wondering if the owners followed the instructions or not—it may be a bit of an acquired taste for felines, but most seem to like it just fine!
Pros
Great ingredients
Resealable pack
Variety can be nice
Cons
Variety can also be wasteful depending on cat preferences
Well, we certainly do like the ingredients present in this fish and chicken recipe from JustFoodForCats cat food. This brand is already very well-known for its human-grade dog food. It was launched in 2010 by a man named Shawn Buckley.
Great ingredients
Resealable pack
Variety can be nice
- Great ingredients
- Resealable pack
- Variety can be nice
Variety can also be wasteful depending on cat preferences
- Variety can also be wasteful depending on cat preferences
Main Ingredients: Cod, chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver, cassava root
Caloric Content: 42 kcal ME/oz
Prep?: Thaw and store in the refrigerator
He was upset with all the preservatives and information that he felt was misleading about what was in his dog’s food. JustFoodForDogs did very well and is a good product, but dogs have different needs than cats. So, does JustFoodForCats measure up? Indeed, it does.
This food is made in their kitchens—which are open to the public in California and Delaware. It meets all AAFCO standards. The Fish and Chicken recipe comes in a pouch. It ships frozen and once thawed is ready to serve.
Pros
Great whole ingredients
The brand displays great ethics for a feel-good purchase
Convenient, healthy option
Cons
Did have a voluntary recall reported in 2018
Stella & Chewy’s is a business that like many of these successful healthy option dog food brands got its start—with a pet parent going the extra mile for their pups. Marie Moody adopted a sick dog named Chewy, who found a raw diet beneficial. When he was able to make a recovery, she decided to get this helpful food out there. Much like JustFoodForCats, this is the cat version of a story that began with dogs.
Great whole ingredients
The brand displays great ethics for a feel-good purchase
Convenient, healthy option
- Great whole ingredients
- The brand displays great ethics for a feel-good purchase
- Convenient, healthy option
Did have a voluntary recall reported in 2018
- Did have a voluntary recall reported in 2018
Main Ingredients: Ground chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, pumpkin seed
Caloric Content: 182 kcal/cup
Prep?: Rehydrate using ½ a cup of water for every cup of food
This is a quality product, made from 98% animal-derived and sustainably sourced ingredients. Even the chicken that goes into the cat food is cage-free. With a great balance of calories and protein, the Chick Chick Chicken Dinner is good for kittens and developing youngsters (1–2 years old).
There were some reports that it was a little bit smaller than expected, so it might be a good idea to go a size or two up when ordering. There have been a couple of online reports of this product helping sick cats’ recovery. There were also a couple of people who said that their cats wouldn’t touch it, but hey—you know how cats are. Overall, this is a great product with a great story.
Pros
Great ingredients
Compelling brand story
We like the cage-free chicken idea
Cons
Packaging is a little bit on the small side
If you aren’t into the variety pack, we also loved this topper from Tiki cats. This one is available in a single flavor and is a great way to get some moisture into your cat’s diet if they are primarily on a dry food diet. Choosing to switch a cat’s food can be a big decision, especially when going from a processed diet to something more natural like human-grade, fresh or raw food.
Great ingredients
Compelling brand story
We like the cage-free chicken idea
- Great ingredients
- Compelling brand story
- We like the cage-free chicken idea
Packaging is a little bit on the small side
- Packaging is a little bit on the small side
Main Ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, fish extract, guar gum, xanthan gum (that’s it)
Caloric Content: 13 kcal/pouch
Prep?: No
We wanted to include an option that was a little bit less of a time and cost commitment, that will allow readers to get an idea if their cat will take to alteration. This broth topper can be served as a snack as well as placed on your cat’s food and is intentionally low in calories, with meaty bits to entice your little one.
Pros
Great way to test if your cat will take to natural food
Tasty treat
Good for hydration, which can be a challenge with some cats
Cons
Not a complete diet
- Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Fresh Cat Food
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Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, natural, flavors, eggs, carrots, minerals, pea fiber,
Caloric Content: 219 kcal / cup
Prep?: No
Here’s a cat food company that has developed a high-quality product based on a fairly simple philosophy. Lightly cook fresh food instead of using preservatives. This product is high-end, non-GMO verified, and may even help with digestion and weight maintenance.
Great way to test if your cat will take to natural food
Tasty treat
Good for hydration, which can be a challenge with some cats
- Great way to test if your cat will take to natural food
- Tasty treat
- Good for hydration, which can be a challenge with some cats
Not a complete diet
- Not a complete diet
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Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, natural, flavors, eggs, carrots, minerals, pea fiber,
Caloric Content: 219 kcal / cup
Prep?: No
The only negative things we really can find about these products are a few reports of cats turning their noses up at it—not all cats like cooked food, unfortunately. The only other downside of fresh food is that it spoils quicker than most processed cat foods. Other than those rather minor points this is a great fresh option that many cats love and enjoy benefits from.
Pros
Excellent ingredients
Great nutritious content
Minimally processed
Cons
Not all cats like cooked food
Short shelf life of 7 days
- Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers (Topper)
Check Instinct Price
Main Ingredients: Chicken (including ground chicken bone) chicken liver, pumpkin seeds, chicken heart, cod, ground flaxseed
Caloric Content: 19 kcal/tablespoon
Prep?: No
Instinct calls themselves the raw brand and they do seem to live up to the moniker. They use all-natural ingredients, including cage-free chicken, which is fantastic. The reason we like to support good products that use these ingredients so much is not only because of the animals themselves—it’s a business ecosystem you really want to support. Humane farming is being supported by, in this case, a company that wants to drive the industry to do better.
Excellent ingredients
Great nutritious content
Minimally processed
- Excellent ingredients
- Great nutritious content
- Minimally processed
Not all cats like cooked food
Short shelf life of 7 days
- Not all cats like cooked food
- Short shelf life of 7 days
Check Instinct Price
Main Ingredients: Chicken (including ground chicken bone) chicken liver, pumpkin seeds, chicken heart, cod, ground flaxseed
Caloric Content: 19 kcal/tablespoon
Prep?: No
Instinct raw pet food is out of St. Louis and are researching more deeply into the effects of a raw diet, as well as sponsoring scientists who work in the field. As far as the product itself, this is a freeze-dried raw topper to add to your kitty’s kibble. This won’t add moisture but is another great option to add protein-based nutrition and try raw food out if you aren’t sure about your cat’s preferences.
Pros
A good, freeze-dried option for testing out raw food
Adds protein-based nutrition to the diet
Decent ingredients if you are ok with ground chicken bone
Cons
For intermittent and supplemental feeding only
Doesn’t add moisture to the diet
This US company is from Midland, Michigan. Founded in 1979 by a doctor named Randy—you guessed it—Wysong. Dr. Wysong took the scientific approach, and their food is TNT (True Non-Thermally) processed. These burgers are for cats and dogs and are made from high-quality meats.
A good, freeze-dried option for testing out raw food
Adds protein-based nutrition to the diet
Decent ingredients if you are ok with ground chicken bone
- A good, freeze-dried option for testing out raw food
- Adds protein-based nutrition to the diet
- Decent ingredients if you are ok with ground chicken bone
For intermittent and supplemental feeding only
Doesn’t add moisture to the diet
- For intermittent and supplemental feeding only
- Doesn’t add moisture to the diet
Main Ingredients: Beef, beef organs, beef bone, beef fat, beef blood, natural flavor
Caloric Content: 267–298 kcal/patty
Prep?: No
Something that we’re not as excited about is the really long list of ingredients. The product is known as being very high quality and one thing we do like about their burgers is that the packaging they come in is recyclable.
Pros
High-protein
Contains fatty acids and omega-3s
High-quality meats in the raw diet
Cons
Not a complete diet
Quite concentrated needs to be introduced very gradually
- Now Fresh Grain-Free Turkey Stew Wet Cat Food
Check Now Fresh Price
Main Ingredients: De-boned turkey, turkey bone broth, potatoes, carrots, peas, tapioca
Caloric Content: 183 kcal / carton
Prep?: No
Now Fresh is a company that we really do like. They put some thought into things like the environment—their packaging is a sustainable carton, rather than a tin or plastic bag. This is another freshly cooked recipe that comes in the form of a stew.
High-protein
Contains fatty acids and omega-3s
High-quality meats in the raw diet
- High-protein
- Contains fatty acids and omega-3s
- High-quality meats in the raw diet
Not a complete diet
Quite concentrated needs to be introduced very gradually
- Not a complete diet
- Quite concentrated needs to be introduced very gradually
Check Now Fresh Price
Main Ingredients: De-boned turkey, turkey bone broth, potatoes, carrots, peas, tapioca
Caloric Content: 183 kcal / carton
Prep?: No
While lots of cats are content to eat a stew—which is all supposed to taste quite similar after soaking in broth, there are some who spot the vegetables and decline. This is a great company that makes premium-quality pet foods; however, we do think they could have taken the veggies down a notch for the cats in this stew.
Pros
Well-sourced ingredients
Sustainable packaging
Cons
Some reports that box is hard to open
High vegetable content many cats don’t eat
Buyer’s Guide: Comparing Cat Food
Selecting a cat’s food is a big decision. It’s not like choosing a meal is for us—it’s going to be the bulk of what they eat if not, the only thing. It’s critical to make sure that your little buddy is getting the nutrition that they need, to live a long, happy, and hopefully luxurious life with you! To that end, here are a few tips to help you along your way when choosing a healthy, natural new diet for your beloved little friend.
Well-sourced ingredients
Sustainable packaging
- Well-sourced ingredients
- Sustainable packaging
Some reports that box is hard to open
High vegetable content many cats don’t eat
- Some reports that box is hard to open
- High vegetable content many cats don’t eat
Every Cat Is Different
This isn’t just a mission statement about the personalities of these little animals (although it is also that), it’s true about their health and dietary needs as well. Cats need a diet that is high in animal proteins, fats, and lower in carbohydrates than our dogs should eat. You know your cat, so always pay attention to their behaviors. If you aren’t sure and would like to check, it can be helpful to seek testing with a vet or cat nutritionist, just to ensure that nothing is being missed.
This is going to ensure that you know what you are looking for in your cat’s particular food and that they are getting all the nutrition they, as an individual, need.
Look Into the Company and Check for Recalls
Now, don’t get us wrong here. Recalls happen to good companies too and just because a recall happened doesn’t mean that you should write them off automatically. Having a look at the company, and how it handled itself in that situation can be a good gauge, however. It is always a good idea to do your research; checking reviews and helpful articles such as this one are great ways to get an idea of who you’re buying from.
Don’t Leave Just Because an Ingredient Sounds Like a Chemical
Technically, everything and everyone is a chemical compound. Water could be called dihydrogen monoxide, which sounds scary, but isn’t. Lots of companies use natural ingredients that are extracted and have scientific names, so be sure to pop any of those kinds of words into Google, and make sure!
Conclusion
There sure is a good number of healthy options available for your cat to eat these days. Although Nom Nom’s fresh cat food is no longer available, there are still several great brands to choose from. With a little research, and maybe some trial and error, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are feeding your little guy or girl something that is good for them. We hope you’ve found our choices helpful, and that you manage to find the best cat food possible for your kitty.
Featured Image Credit: Apicha Bas, Shutterstock
