Chewy is the default choice for a reason. The catalog is the widest in the US (dry, wet, fresh, treats, medication, and prescription diets), auto-ship saves 5% and unlocks free shipping over $49, and the customer service reputation is genuinely excellent — including handwritten condolence cards when a pet passes, which is not a marketing myth. If you have no reason to change vendors, Chewy is the safe pick.

For fresh feeding, The Farmer's Dog and Ollie remain the two most established brands. Both build a custom plan based on your dog's weight, age, activity, and any sensitivities; both ship pre-portioned frozen meals; both integrate with vets. The main practical difference is packaging — The Farmer's Dog ships in a single roll-form pouch per meal, Ollie in flatter trays that stack better in a small freezer.

For cats, the fresh options are narrower but growing. Smalls and Nom Nom both make cat-specific fresh food, and Chewy's autoship still carries virtually every major canned brand at meaningful discounts. Cats are notoriously picky, so almost every fresh service offers a starter box at a steep discount — use it before committing to a full subscription.

Finally, before switching foods, transition slowly over 7–10 days by mixing increasing proportions of the new food with the old. Sudden switches are one of the most common causes of pet GI upset, and it's especially important when moving from kibble to fresh — the moisture and protein density are meaningfully different. When in doubt, ask your vet, not the internet.