Not All Gently Cooked Foods Are Created Equal
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about gently cooked dog food lately – and for good reason. These meals offer fresh, minimally processed nutrition with human grade food that your dog will thrive on. Despite the hype, not all gently cooked options are created equal and it’s important to consider key factors when choosing your pup’s meal!
Why Gently Cooked Food Benefits Your Dog’s Health
With low-and-slow cooking methods, these diets will keep your dog thriving with their digestion, energy, skin & coat, and mobility.
Better Nutrient Retention: Most kibbles are processed at high temperatures, which can destroy heat-sensitive vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids. With gently cooked food, your dog will benefit more from the natural nutrition found in whole food ingredients.
Improved Digestibility: Lightly cooking the proteins and fibers in the food makes them easier for your dog to digest and absorb. A switch to gently cooked can result in firmer stools, less gas, and reduced digestive upset – AKA dogs with sensitive stomachs often thrive on these diets.
Enhanced Hydration: Since this is a fresh food cooked at low-temperatures, gently cooked meals typically contain 60-70% moisture (compared to kibble’s 10%!). Why is this important?? Moisture in their meal ensures they’re getting enough hydration, which supports organ function – especially kidney & urinary health.
Cleaner Ingredients: Since you can really see what is in a gently cooked food, these brands have no where to hide sketchy ingredients. They focus on whole food ingredients you can recognize: real meat, fresh vegetables, and beneficial supplements. What you see is truly what you get – no mystery meat meals, artificial preservatives, or fillers!
Increased Palatability: If you have a picky pup, these foods are the way to get them jumping for mealtime again. The minimal processing preserves the flavors and aromas of the ingredients, making these meals irresistible. Ever noticed your dog will eat your food but not their own? This can solve that issue!
We’ve curated our top four gently cooked brands below, but don’t worry – if you don’t find your pup’s perfect match here, we have plenty more options to explore!
Our Top 4 Brands
My Perfect Pet: Unbeatable Value
Impressive quality at the most budget-friendly price point?! Sign us up!
As with all our gently cooked options, real human-grade meat is the first ingredient. This is crucial, because it means your dog is eating the same quality as you – since they are family! My Perfect Pet offers a variety of protein options, as well as options for dogs with Kidney Disease, Diabetes, and IBD.
The recipes focus on perfecting the essentials rather than adding unnecessary premium ingredients that drive up costs. Don’t worry – they are complete and balanced diets that meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, so you’re not sacrificing nutrition for affordability.
My Perfect Pet is perfect as an everyday meal or a topper to kibble, due to their handy half-pound packages. If you’re looking to try gently cooked food without breaking the bank, My Perfect Pet is an excellent entry point. The quality-to-cost ratio is hard to beat, making premium nutrition accessible.
A Pup Above: Premium Quality
Human-grade ingredients, hormone-free proteins, and non-GMO produce in small batches.
A Pup Above uses a sous-vide cooking method in their USDA-certified kitchens to lock in nutrients while prioritizing exceptional taste and digestibility. What truly distinguishes A Pup Above is their inclusion of organ meat in every recipe. This ensures high, quality protein and whole-food nutrition in every bite.
They work with veterinary nutritionists to ensure optimal ratios of protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients to create a complete & balanced diet. Additionally, the packaging uses vacuum-sealing to preserve freshness without artificial preservatives. A Pup Above delivers outstanding results – shinier coats, increased energy, and improved overall health within weeks of switching.
Raised Right: Whole Foods
Fresh cooked meals with no synthetic vitamins – just real food.
Unlike most commercial pet foods that rely on synthetic vitamin and mineral premixes, Raised Right uses carefully selected whole foods for nutrition. Their recipes include nutrient-dense organ meats with a diverse array of vegetables and fruits that provide nutrients in their most bioavailable forms.
Raised Right’s formulas are developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists who meticulously balance each recipe using only whole ingredients. Their recipes use organs such as liver and heart – nutritional powerhouses – and vegetables including kale, broccoli, and blueberries—each chosen for specific nutritional benefits. In addition to their classic options, they offer Veterinary Support recipes for Kidney & Pancreatitis.
The whole food approach means better nutrient absorption. Studies suggest that vitamins and minerals from whole food sources are more readily utilized by the body compared to synthetic versions. For those who want to avoid synthetic additives, Raised Right offers a genuinely unique option in the gently cooked category.
Open Farm: Transparent Sourcing
Renowned transparency and ethical sourcing create these delicious recipes.
Already beloved for their top tier kibble, Open Farm’s gently cooked line maintains the brand’s high standards. Their ingredients are 100% traceable – down to the nutritional value – and include humanely raised & sustainably caught proteins. Every ingredient can be traced back to its source—you can actually learn exactly where the beef was raised or where the vegetables were grown.
Open Farm is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical farming practices. Their proteins come from farms that meet strict animal welfare standards—chickens are cage-free, beef is grass-fed, and fish is ocean-wise certified. They also prioritize environmental responsibility with recyclable packaging and carbon-neutral shipping options.
Their gently cooked recipes use nutrient-dense superfoods like pumpkin, turmeric, and coconut oil. Their main recipes are grain-free, with a limited ingredient panel, while also offering grain-inclusive options. Open Farm has built a reputation for rigorous quality control and has never had a recall—a testament to their high standards. For pet parents who want to know exactly what they’re feeding and feel good about the ethical choices behind their purchase, Open Farm delivers on every front.
Making the Right Choice for Your Dog
Each of these brands brings something special to the table. Consider your priorities:
Value-conscious? Start with My Perfect Pet
Quality obsessed? Explore A Pup Above
Avoiding synthetics? Try Raised Right
Trust matters most? Choose Open Farm
Stop by our store to learn more about each brand, get samples, and find the perfect gently cooked option for your furry family member. Your dog’s health is worth the upgrade!
