Nom Nom Cat Food Review 2024 – Pros, Cons & Verdict
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Please note: Nom Nom has discontinued their fresh cat food service, and is no longer taking orders. They hope to return to providing fresh food to cats in the future!
We have not changed our review below, though we have removed all links to Nom Nom’s website.
We do, however, highly recommend Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription Service in its place.
You can read our extensive review of Smalls here.
We give Nom Nom cat food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Review Summary
There are few things more convenient and exciting than receiving fresh, healthy cat food straight to your front door. Nom Nom is a rising pet food company that uses a team of PhDs, Veterinarians, and Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to create cat food that is nutritionally balanced and tasty. This company set down roots in Nashville, Tennessee, and makes and packages their own food, thanks to the help of their almost 200 employees. Aside from the excellent nutrition in the Nom Nom foods, this company is making a name for itself by providing jobs to workers with diverse backgrounds, including marginalized groups.
Nom Nom is more than just a pet food company, instead considering themselves to be a health food company for pets. Using evidence-based practices, they are creating foods to support your cat through a holistic approach to health instead of simply through nutrition. They are currently compiling the largest pet microbiome database on the planet, enhancing our knowledge of how nutrition and gut health can impact overall wellbeing.
At a Glance: The Best Nom Nom Cat Food Recipes
Nom Nom Cat Food Chicken Cuisine – The Pioneering Recipe
Nom Nom Cat Food Reviewed
Who Makes Nom Nom and Where Is It Produced?
Nom Nom cat food is made right here in the United States. Nom Nom makes all of their own food in their warehouse in Tennessee, which is also where their food ships from. It’s just about as close as “farm to bowl” as you can get for your cat, and it supports a small business in the process!
Which Types of Cats is Nom Nom Best Suited For?
The high protein and calorie content of Nom Nom cat food make it a great food option for older juvenile and adult cats, and it’s also a good food for many healthy senior cats with veterinarian clearance. This food contains around 66% protein and less than 1% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, which makes it a suitable food pick for many diabetic cats as the high protein and low carbohydrate content can help control blood sugar levels.
Which Types of Cats Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
Currently, Nom Nom does not offer a cat food formula for kittens or pregnant or nursing cats. Although it is a highly nutritious food, the nutrient content doesn’t meet the specific needs of these cats. A better pick for kittens and pregnant or nursing cats is Weruva Kitten Chicken Breast Formula in Hydrating Puree or Orijen Kitten Formula, if your cat prefers dry food.
For some senior cats or those with kidney disease, Nom Nom’s cat food formula is far too high in protein to support proper kidney function and health. A better option for seniors and kidney cats would be a prescription kidney diet, like Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care food in the dry or wet formula. For senior and geriatric cats in general, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about what they should be eating since your vet will be familiar with your cat’s medical history and conditions.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and bad)
Chicken and Chicken Liver
These are the first two ingredients in Nom Nom’s cat food formula. No animal by-products here! Just healthy, lean chicken meat and liver. Chicken is a great protein source that carries a lower fat content than many other options, like beef. It is affordable and an overall healthy protein that comprises the primary protein in a large portion of commercial cat foods. Chicken liver, on the other hand, is packed to the brim with nutrients. It’s a fantastic source of iron, folic acid, copper, protein, and vitamins A, B, C, and D. These are potentially the least controversial protein sources you’ll find in cat foods.
Carrots
Cats are obligate carnivores, but small amounts of plant matter are a good way to ensure your cat is receiving a varied diet that contains all necessary nutrients. Although they are not a necessary part of the diet, carrots are a good source of antioxidants, specifically beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, which supports sharp vision, healthy skin, and overall immunity. Carrots are also a good source of potassium, magnesium, zinc, folate, fiber, and vitamin K.
Spinach
Like carrots, spinach isn’t a necessary part of your cat’s daily diet, but it can be a healthful addition. Spinach is high in vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, and K, as well as being a good source of potassium, calcium, and fiber. Spinach does contain oxalates, which can lead to the formation of oxalate bladder stones. For cats with a history of urinary problems and kidney disease, this ingredient should be avoided.
Vinegar
The data on the health benefits of vinegar for cats is lacking. Anecdotally and in small amounts of research, apple cider vinegar has shown promise in supporting the immune system. However, there is no data on other types of vinegar and their potential benefits for cats. It is worth noting, though, that the high acidity of vinegar can lead to a decreased urinary pH. Acidified urine is extremely difficult for cats with kidney disease to process, making this an ingredient to avoid for cats with kidney disease or dysfunction.
Taurine
This ingredient has been popping up in the news for the last few years due to the rise of grain free pet diets. These commercial diets are often lacking in taurine, which is a necessary nutrient for proper cardiac function. Data indicates that diets low in taurine can lead to heart disease and dysfunction, digestive difficulties, decreased visual acuity, and immune system depression. Taurine has shown minimal negative effects when supplemented into a cat’s diet, so there is little risk of overdosing taurine to the point of seeing a negative impact.
Natural Flavor
This is a nondescript ingredient that can be a number of things. Natural flavor is often comprised of things like essential oils, essences, extracts, distillates, or roasting products that are derived from spices, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, and plant materials. It is a combination of flavors that are combined to add palatability to food. It’s unclear if this ingredient is wholly necessary in Nom Nom’s cat food, but it is a palatability enhancer that increases the likelihood of picky cats liking the food.
Nom Nom Cat Food Recipes
Currently, 
Memberships
Nom Nom’s cat food is sold under a membership basis. It is currently not available via commercial means aside from the Nom Nom website. Setting up a trial and membership is easy, as is cancellation, but there is still a level of inconvenience in having to manage another membership on top of the six other membership apps and programs you have on your phone at any given time.
Wet Food Only
At this time, Nom Nom only makes wet food and gastrointestinal supplements. Cats are known to not drink enough water on a consistent basis, so wet food has proven to be an easy way to enhance a cat’s hydration levels. By combining high nutrient density with high moisture content, you can sleep easy knowing your cat is receiving plenty of water and an exceptionally healthy food.
A Quick Look at Nom Nom Cat Food
- Nutritionally sound food that is formulated by a team of veterinary and nutrition professionals
- Nom Nom is an American-based company that makes all food in-house
- A 2-week trial of the food is a no strings attached way to see if your cat likes it
- Nom Nom offers a discount to new customers during the trial period
- Food samples can be purchased outside of a membership
- Wet food supports hydration for cats
- Nom Nom cat food starts at approximately $3 – 5 per cat per day
- Only one cat food recipe at this time
Recall History
In July 2021, Nom Nom announced a recall of the Nom Nom Cat Food Chicken Cuisine. This was a voluntary recall that came about after Nom Nom’s meat supplier, Tyson Foods, released a recall on certain chicken products. The recall for Nom Nom was an attempt to protect cats and it served as a good opportunity for the small business to build up public trust. The recall was by no fault of Nom Nom’s own, though, and so far their manufacturing and packing processes have shown to be above board.
Reviews of the Nom Nom Cat Food Recipe
Nom Nom Cat Food Chicken Cuisine
The Nom Nom Cat Food Chicken Cuisine is part of the new breed of pet foods that are made with premium ingredients. This food is made to be palatable and may be a wonderful option for picky cats. It provides an opportunity to switch your cat to a healthy diet that is made like homemade food, without all the extra effort of attempting to balance food on your own at home. With 66% protein, 11% fat, and less than 1% fiber, this recipe is ideal for most adult cats.
What Other Users Are Saying
Nom Nom has fantastic reviews from users, so you don’t just have to take our word for the quality of their product.
- ConsumerVoice.org – “If you are looking to make the switch to fresh food, the lower price and higher quality make Nom Nom a perfect choice.”
- Consumer Affairs – “Nom Nom offers a unique product for pet owners seeking a quality, fresh food diet…”
- Business Insider employee reviews – You can read these by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
Nom Nom’s cat food recipe is a fantastically convenient way to get fresh, healthy food for your cat that meets the AAFCO guidelines for cat food. Evidence-based practice ensures your cat’s food is safe and will meet all nutritional needs to maintain health and longevity. Nom Nom is not as cheap as buying food from a pet store might be, but it does rank as one of the more affordable pet food delivery brands. Always talk to your veterinarian before switching your cat’s food if they have a history of medical problems or any current medical conditions that may be impacted by dietary changes, like diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, megacolon, and thyroid disease.
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