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Gently-cooked pet food is a fresh food category made with real, whole ingredients that are lightly cooked to ensure food safety while preserving ingredient integrity.

It sits between raw feeding and kibble. Meals are cooked to safe temperatures that eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens while preserving the natural nutrients found in real ingredients, then flash-frozen to lock in freshness. They’re thawed only for serving and are easy to handle, portion, and store at home — using the same fridge, freezer, and kitchen spaces as your own food.

Tom&Sawyer was one of the pioneers of gently-cooked pet food, launching the category in Canada in 2015. From the beginning, our focus has been simple: real food, prepared with care, using human-grade standards.

Pet parents often choose gently-cooked meals because they:

• are made with recognizable, whole-food ingredients
• are easy to handle, portion, and store alongside their own food
• support digestion, hydration, and mealtime enjoyment

Learn more in our Gently-Cooked Pet Food 101 guide.

Gently-cooked food is made using fresh, whole ingredients that are lightly cooked (similar to how you might prepare food at home), rather than heavily processed food or completely raw.

Because the ingredients remain recognizable and close to their original form, gently-cooked meals tend to be:

• easier for many pets to digest
• naturally moisture-rich, supporting hydration
• more appealing thanks to real textures and aromas
• easy to handle, portion, and store right alongside your own food, using the same refrigerator, freezer, and counter spaces

Light cooking also helps reduce harmful pathogens while preserving the integrity of the ingredients, offering a balance of safety, freshness, and nourishment.

Many pet parents are drawn to gently-cooked food because it simply makes sense: real ingredients you can recognize, and food that looks and feels like something you’d actually want to serve a family member — just prepared to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats.

To learn more about published studies involving human grade, gently-cooked pet food, click here.

Tom&Sawyer meals are gently cooked, not raw.

Each ingredient is cooked individually to its optimal time and temperature — enough to eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens while preserving the natural nutrients in the food. Once cooked, the ingredients are combined into complete and balanced meals and frozen to lock in freshness.

No. Tom&Sawyer meals arrive fully cooked and ready to serve. Simply thaw the food in the refrigerator, portion, and serve.

Some pet parents like to gently warm the food slightly before serving (just enough to take the chill off) to help release the natural aromas, but this is completely optional and not required.

Tom&Sawyer meals are frozen to naturally preserve freshness — no preservatives needed.

Once prepared and sealed, each meal is quickly flash-frozen to lock in nutrients, texture, and quality. Freezing allows our food to stay fresh from the time it’s made until you’re ready to thaw and serve it at home.

We use rapid freezing because it helps maintain ingredient integrity. Freezing food quickly creates smaller ice crystals, which helps ingredients retain their natural moisture and texture once thawed.

In short: freezing keeps our meals fresh, safe, and as close as possible to the way they were made — just ready when you need them.

Tom&Sawyer meals are made fresh, gently cooked, and flash-frozen shortly after being portioned and packaged to lock in quality and safety. This process helps preserve the nutrients, moisture, and integrity of real ingredients until you’re ready to serve your furry family members.

Because our food is frozen — not canned or shelf-stable — freshness is maintained naturally without the use of preservatives. Once thawed, meals can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Each package also includes a best-before date for the frozen meal, which can be up to 24 months from the production date.

Home-cooked meals are often made with great intentions, but it can be difficult to ensure they’re nutritionally complete over time.

Tom&Sawyer meals are developed by our Research & Development team (including an in-house PhD animal nutritionist), to be complete and balanced according to AAFCO guidelines, using high-quality, whole-food ingredients with minimal supplementation.

Unlike most home-cooked diets:

• our recipes are intentionally balanced for long-term feeding
• each ingredient is cooked individually to help preserve its nutritional contribution
• every meal delivers consistent, reliable nutrition in every serving

This gives pet parents the comfort of home-style food, without the guesswork.

Click here to learn more about why homemade dog food might not be enough.

Tom&Sawyer meals are made with human grade, whole-food ingredients you’ll recognize — similar to the kind of cooking we enjoy ourselves or would buy for ourselves at the grocery store.

Our recipes include:

• high-quality proteins like real chicken breast and lean muscle meats
• whole fruits, vegetables, and grains
• carefully selected vitamins and minerals to ensure each meal is complete and balanced

Some recipes may also include organ meats for flavour and nutritional value, but these are always clearly listed in the ingredients and do not make up the majority of the protein in any recipe.

We prioritize thoughtfully sourced ingredients from trusted human food suppliers, and all of our meals are non-GMO and free from added hormones and antibiotics.

Because our ingredients naturally deliver much of the nutrition pets need, vitamins and minerals make up less than % of each dog recipe (less than 4% for cats) — with the rest coming from real, whole food.

Learn more about how we're keeping it fresh here.

For dogs:

Tom&Sawyer dog meals are formulated to be complete and balanced for adult maintenance, including senior dogs.

Puppies can still enjoy Tom&Sawyer meals with added support. Our Puppy Booster† can be added to select regular-fat recipes to help make them suitable for growth.

*We do not recommend feeding Tom&Sawyer meals as 100% of the diet for growing giant-breed puppies, or feeding low fat recipes to growing puppies, unless directed by an attending veterinarian.

†Puppy Booster is currently available in Canada only.

Learn more about dietary needs at every life stage for dogs.

For cats:

Tom&Sawyer offers both All Life Stages recipes and Adult Maintenance recipes for cats. Each product page clearly lists which life stage the recipe is formulated for.

Cat meals are currently available in Canada only.

Click here to read about nutrition for cats at all life stages.

The short answer is no. All our meals are carefully formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for a wide variety of pet health needs, and we've tried to create an extensive menu of recipes to help the widest collection of pets.

The way our kitchen works, we are unable to accommodate one-off recipe requests for individual pets.

Take the Meal Plan Quiz!

The Meal Plan Quiz is the first step to finding the best meals for your pet. Developed with guidance from our animal nutrition team, it uses details like your pet’s age, weight, body condition, and dietary needs to recommend recipes and portions tailored to your pet.

The Meal Plan Quiz is a great start ing point for:

• pet parents new to fresh food
• pets with health/dietary considerations or sensitivities
• anyone wanting nutrition-led guidance without guesswork

Our Feeding Calculator creates a personalized feeding recommendation based on your pet’s weight, life stage, body condition, and activity level. Once completed, it:

• generates a daily calorie target for your pet
• converts that into recipe-specific portion sizes (which vary by meal)

By default, results assume your pet is eating Tom&Sawyer as a complete diet and show an average portion across all recipes. If your pet eats only certain meals (such as low fat recipes) or you’re using Tom&Sawyer as a topper, you can adjust the drop-down options to customize the results.

You can also request a free personalized Feeding Guide PDF at the end of the calculator to save or reference later.

Because your pet’s needs can change over time, we recommend revisiting the Feeding Calculator anytime their weight, activity level, or life stage changes.

Click here for the Feeding Calculator.

Click here to learn more about how energy requirements are calculated.

The Meal Plan Quiz was developed with guidance from our animal nutrition team to help create a personalized feeding plan for your pet. Based on the information you enter (like age, weight, body condition, and dietary needs), the quiz builds a pet profile and recommends an ideal meal plan. Using the quiz helps take the guesswork out of choosing recipes and portions by applying nutrition-led recommendations tailored to your pet’s individual needs. It’s especially helpful if you’re new to fresh food, unsure where to start, or want confidence that you’re choosing the right meals.

You’re always welcome to pick your own recipes — the quiz is simply an expert-informed tool designed to help guide your decisions.

Start the Meal Plan Quiz.

Yes. Tom&Sawyer offers several low fat meals that contain less than 25g of fat per 1,000 kcal, (a level commonly recommended by veterinarians for dogs who require lower-fat diets, including those managing pancreatitis). These recipes can be a great option for pet parents supporting weight management, dogs with IBD, and senior dogs who benefit from gentler, easier-to-digest meals.

Click here to shop Low Fat meals.

Click here to learn more about weight loss for dogs.

Click here to learn more about Pancreatitis in dogs.

Yes. Tom&Sawyer offers meal options made with novel proteins — proteins that are not commonly found in most dog foods (typically chicken or beef).

Because these proteins are less common, many pets may not have been exposed to them before. As a result, novel protein meals are often chosen by pet parents looking to reduce the likelihood of food-related sensitivities or allergic reactions..

Our novel protein recipes are thoughtfully crafted with simple ingredient lists while remaining complete and balanced.

Click here to shop novel protein meals.

Click here to learn more about allergies and novel proteins.

Yes. Tom&Sawyer offers Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) meals made with a shorter list of carefully chosen ingredients. These recipes are designed for dogs who do best with limited ingredient recipes, while still providing complete and balanced nutrition..

LID meals are often chosen by pet parents during elimination diets, or by those who simply prefer to stick with short, straightforward ingredient lists.

Click here to shop our LID meals.

Click here to learn more about LID food.

Yes! Tom&Sawyer meals can be served as a topper or mix-in to add variety, freshness, and excitement to your pet’s bowl. Many pet parents use gently-cooked food this way, especially for picky eaters or giant breeds.

That said, all Tom&Sawyer meals are complete and balanced, so they can also be fed as your pet’s full-time diet.

Important note for pet parents feeding raw:

We don’t recommend mixing raw and gently-cooked food in the same bowl, as they digest at different rates. Some pet parents choose to feed raw for one meal and gently-cooked for another, spacing meals several hours apart.

To learn more about using gently-cooked food as a topper (and why it works so well), click here.

Because pets (especially dogs) vary so much in size, age, and activity level, the cost to feed Tom&Sawyer is different for everyone. Factors that influence the cost include your pet’s weight, age, activity level, and whether meals are fed as a full diet or a partial diet for example. The easiest way to get an accurate estimate is to use our Meal Plan Quiz . After entering your pet’s information, you’ll see a personalized meal plan with an estimated daily cost displayed right on the “Add to cart” button. Start the Meal Plan Quiz.

Most pets eat the same type of food for long periods of time, which allows their digestive system to adapt to that diet. When switching to a new food, a gradual transition helps give your pet’s gut time to adjust.

Transitioning slowly can:

• reduce the risk of temporary stomach upset
• support healthy digestion
• make the change easier and more comfortable for your pet

Important note for pet parents currently feeding raw:

When transitioning from raw to gently-cooked food, we don’t recommend serving raw and gently-cooked meals together in the same bowl. These foods digest at different rates, and feeding them together may cause stomach upset. Some pet parents choose to feed raw for one meal and gently-cooked for the other, allowing several hours to pass between meals.

Because every pet is different, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Learn how to safely transition your pet to a new diet.

Yes! We’ve created a simple, step-by-step transition plan to help your pet switch to Tom&Sawyer comfortably. The guide walks you through how to gradually introduce the food, what’s normal to expect along the way, and how to slow things down if your pet needs a gentler pace.

View our transition plan and learn more.

Yes! Feeding more than one recipe is often called rotational feeding, where you offer different recipes over time to add variety. As long as each recipe is complete and balanced (which ours are of course), rotating meals can work well for many dogs.

Learn more about rotational feeding.

Every pet is different, and the right portion depends on factors like your pet’s weight, age, activity level, and individual goals.

The easiest way to get a personalized feeding recommendation is to use our Feeding Calculator, which creates a tailored feeding guide just for your pet.

For quick reference, approximate portion guidelines are also listed on the back of our meal packages for 10, 20, and 30 lb dogs.

Click here to learn more about how much to feed your pet.

Click here to learn more about defining energy requirements.

You’re not alone! Picky eating is common, and there are a few simple strategies that can help; from adjusting meal routines to choosing recipes that better match your pet’s preferences.

We’ve put together dedicated blog posts with practical tips for both dogs and cats:

• 👉 For dogs: Help! My Dog Is Not Eating
• 👉 For cats: My Cat Won’t Eat: Feeding Picky Eaters the Right Way

These articles cover common reasons pets refuse food and offer easy, at-home ways to encourage better eating habits.

1) Store frozen

Keep unopened meals in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.

2) Thaw safely

Move a package to the fridge to thaw overnight.

If needed, you can also thaw the sealed package under cool running water.

3) Portion and store properly

Once thawed, open the package and transfer the food to an airtight container (we don’t recommend storing opened food in the original packaging).

Refrigerate and use within 4 days.

4) Serve

Meals are fully cooked and ready to eat — simply portion and serve.

Pro tip: To get every last bit of food out of the package, place it on a cutting board and use a spatula or dough scraper to push the food out before transferring it to your container.

Click here to watch a quick video on how to serve Tom&Sawyer meals.

• Unopened meals: Store in the freezer until ready to use.
• Once thawed: Transfer food to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• Use within: 4 days of thawing for freshness and food safety.

We don’t recommend storing opened food in the original packaging once thawed. Transferring meals to an airtight container helps protect freshness, limit exposure to air, and keep food at its best while refrigerated.

If your pet takes longer than 4 days to finish a Tom&Sawyer meal, a partial thaw is a great option to extend the freshness of a single meal package.

You can partially thaw a meal in one of two easy ways:

• Place the sealed package in a bowl of cool water for 20–30 minutes, or
• Leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours until it softens enough to portion

Once softened, portion out what you need. Store servings you’ll use within 4 days in airtight containers in the fridge, and return the remaining portions to the freezer.

This makes it easy to feed smaller pets while keeping meals fresh and safe.

Yes — this can be completely normal. We cook with fresh, whole-food ingredients, and just like the foods you buy at the grocery store, natural variation can occur from batch to batch.

For example, vegetables harvested at different times of year may contain more or less natural moisture, which can slightly affect a meal’s texture or appearance. Proteins can also vary subtly in colour, texture, or aroma, even when the recipe and nutrition remain exactly the same.

These small differences are a natural part of cooking with real ingredients and do not affect the quality, safety, or nutritional balance of the meal.

Learn more about fresh, gently-cook pet food and seasonal variability.

A small amount of liquid or a softer texture can be completely normal and usually comes down to two factors: the natural moisture content of the ingredients and how the meal was thawed.

Fresh, whole ingredients naturally contain varying levels of water. For example, ingredients like sweet potato and certain vegetables tend to release more moisture than grains like rice. These natural differences can also be influenced by seasonality and sourcing, even when the recipe itself hasn’t changed. During freezing and thawing, some of this moisture may separate and appear as liquid in the package.

Some pet foods use stabilizers or thickening agents to prevent this kind of separation. At Tom&Sawyer, we don’t add stabilizers to our meals, which means what you’re seeing is simply the natural moisture from real ingredients.

The thawing method can also affect texture. Faster thawing (such as under running water) may result in more visible liquid, while slower thawing in the refrigerator typically helps maintain a thicker consistency. A quick stir before serving usually brings the meal back to a more uniform texture.

This variation does not affect the quality, nutritional balance, or safety of the food.

Learn more about fresh pet food and seasonal variability.

When kept frozen, our meals stay fresh for up to 24 months.

For the most accurate information, always check the expiry sticker on the back of your meal package, which reflects the specific batch and production date.

No. Tom&Sawyer meals are complete and balanced , so additional vitamins or supplements aren’t required for most pets. That said, some pet parents choose to add supplements based on their pet’s individual needs or wellness goals. In a way, it’s similar to how some people take probiotics or supplements to support their own health — not because their diet is lacking, but to help optimize certain aspects of their wellbeing. If you’re considering adding something new to your pet’s diet, it’s always a good idea to make sure it’s appropriate for your pet and used as directed.

Pet parents can start with one of our Trial Boxes , which are designed specifically for first-time customers. Trial Boxes: Include a pre-selected assortment of meals so your pet can sample different recipes Are not customizable and are limited to one per household (per species) Contain fewer frozen packages than a regular order If you’d like full control over recipe selection, you can build your own box instead by choosing any combination of meals (minimum order quantities apply). If your pet loves it, you can switch to a Membership to unlock ongoing savings and perks with recurring orders. Shop Trial Boxes Build Your Own Box

There are two easy ways to figure out how much food your pet needs:

1. Use the Feeding Calculator

You’ll find our Feeding Calculator in the top menu of our website (look for the teal calculator icon). By entering a few basics about your pet, it estimates their daily calorie needs and helps you determine how many meal packages to include in your order.

Click here for the Feeding Calculator.

2. Take the Meal Plan Quiz

If you’d like more personalized guidance, our Meal Plan Quiz asks a few additional questions about your pet and generates tailored meal plan recommendations — including suggested recipes and quantities. This option is especially helpful for pets with specific health or dietary considerations.

Click here for the Meal Plan Quiz.

Both tools are designed to help you order the right amount with confidence.

Click here to learn more about how energy requirements are calculated.

Yes — depending on where you live, Tom&Sawyer is available at many independent stores and pet retailers across Canada. Supporting local pet stores is important to us, and that’s how many pet parents first discover our food. Click here to find a local retailer That said, ordering directly from our website ensures your meals are freshly made, frozen, and shipped to you right away. In-store products may have been stored frozen for longer periods, though all meals remain safe and high quality within their best-before date.

It depends on where you live and whether it’s your first order or if you're a Member (i.e. have recurring, auto-ship orders).

For first-time orders: In some areas, same-day delivery may be available for a small premium. Available options will be shown at checkout based on your location.

For Members: You can choose or adjust your delivery date directly from your My Account page using the delivery calendar.

Available dates depend on your location and local courier schedules — some days may be unavailable to ensure your meals arrive safely while still frozen.

We intentionally limit certain delivery days in areas that require 2–3 day shipping, especially where weekend delivery isn’t available. This helps prevent boxes from sitting at courier depots and protects your food from thawing or spoilage if delays occur.

Our goal is simple: to deliver your meals safely, frozen, and at their best.

Hooray! Once your order is placed, we take it from here.

After checkout, you’ll see an estimated delivery date using one of our trusted national courier partners. You’ll also receive a confirmation email so you know everything went through successfully.

On the day your box is packed, we’ll send another email with your tracking information. Depending on where you live, delivery can happen the same day or within 1–3 days.

When your order arrives:

• Unbox your meals right away
• Place all frozen packages into the freezer
• Set aside any meals you plan to serve first

Your meals are shipped frozen and packed carefully to stay that way during transit.

Noticed dry ice in your box? That’s normal — see the FAQ below for details on why it’s included and how to handle it safely.

No problem! You’ll receive tracking updates by email or text (if available and you’ve opted in), including a notification once your order has been delivered.

If you’re not home at the time of delivery, your meals will remain frozen for several hours in our insulated thermal box. Just be sure to bring the box inside and place the meals in the freezer as soon as you’re able.

Many of our courier partners also provide live tracking with an estimated delivery window, so you can plan accordingly. Available tracking features may vary depending on your location and the courier used.

For best results, we recommend keeping an eye on your delivery and retrieving your box promptly once it arrives.

Yes — the dry ice included in your box is food-safe and used to keep your meals frozen during delivery.

Because Tom&Sawyer meals are made fresh and shipped frozen (without preservatives), dry ice helps maintain a consistently cold temperature from our kitchen to your doorstep.

A few important things to know:

• Dry ice is extremely cold — do not touch it with bare hands
• The dry ice is wrapped in a plastic bag
• If dry ice remains when your box arrives, handle the bag by the corners or use tongs
• Place the bag in a well-ventilated area and allow the dry ice to fully evaporate

Once the dry ice has sublimated (turned from solid to gas), the empty plastic bag can be disposed of.

Dry ice naturally evaporates and leaves no residue — the bag is the only item to discard.

This is a normal and intentional part of how we keep your pet’s meals safe, frozen, and fresh during shipping.

This is completely normal.

The frost or “snow” you may see is frozen condensation. During shipping, meals are kept extremely cold with dry ice. When that cold air meets warmer air (like when you open the box), moisture in the air can condense and freeze on the outside of the packages.

This does not mean the food has thawed or refrozen, and it does not affect the safety, quality, or nutrition of the meals. The food inside the sealed package remains fully protected.

Yes — this can be completely normal and is expected during transit.

We ship our meals frozen using food-safe dry ice and specially designed insulated boxes. As the dry ice naturally sublimates (turns from solid to gas), the temperature inside the box increases very gradually. Because of this, meals may arrive fully frozen or partially thawed.

Our packaging is designed to keep meals food safe for up to 3 days in transit. In addition, many courier partners use freezer storage during the transit journey, which can help keep meals frozen for even longer.

If a meal arrives thawed but still cool to the touch (at or below refrigerator temperature, 4ºC or 39ºF), it is food safe. Simply place it in the freezer right away and re-freeze until you’re ready to use it.

We offer a satisfaction guarantee on all of our pet meals! If your dog or cat doesn’t eat our food, new subscribers will receive a credit towards new recipes to try in your next order. Please contact us at info@tomandsawyer.com or 1(888)587-8761 and we will help you select the best meals for your fur-baby. If you’ve received incorrect items in your order, or if you have any questions about our fresh prepared pet meals, please contact us at info@tomandsawyer.com or 1(888)587-8761. Due to the frozen nature of the product, all sales of pet meals and treats are final, and we cannot accept returned food. If you have leftover food that your pet hasn’t eaten, we suggest donating the food to a shelter or giving it to a friend with a cat or dog.

To access your account, scroll to the bottom of any page on our website and look for the “Account” link in the footer, or click here.

You can also access your account directly from most of the emails we send, which include a link to log in and manage your orders.

You can manage your upcoming orders anytime from the My Account section of our website.

Once logged in, you’re able to:

• Pause or skip a delivery
• Change your delivery date
• Update the meals in your box (recipes and quantities)
• Review or update your pet’s information

All changes can be made directly from your account, as long as they’re completed before your order’s cutoff date.

Log in to your account here.

You can manage all delivery changes directly from your Member Center on our website.

Skip: Skipping is ideal if you want to miss one or more upcoming deliveries while keeping your subscription active. You can skip orders up to 8 weeks in advance, which is helpful if you have extra food on hand or will be away for a short period and want deliveries to resume automatically when you return.

Pause: Pausing temporarily stops all future deliveries until you choose to restart. This option is best for longer breaks, such as extended travel, seasonal living, or a temporary change in your pet’s feeding routine.

Cancel: If you no longer need Tom&Sawyer meals, you can cancel your Membership directly from your account. Once cancelled, no future orders will be processed.

All changes must be completed before your order processing date (you’ll receive reminder emails ahead of time).

Log in to your account here

Yes — in many cases*, this is possible.

If you spend time in both countries, you can continue feeding your pet Tom&Sawyer no matter where you are. Because product availability differs by country, a separate Membership is required in each country to set up recurring orders.

*Currently available in select regions of the eastern United States.

Click here to learn more about U.S. availability: https://tomandsawyer.com/blogs/articles/tom-sawyer-gently-cooked-meals-for-dogs-now-available-in-select-us-states

Yes! You can update the delivery address for an upcoming order directly in your Member Center by navigating to the Account section (which you can find by clicking on your profile button) or by clicking on the "Manage Delivery" button on your dashboard if your order has not yet been processed.

Good to know:

If you're going away and need an upcoming autoship order shipped somewhere else, you can add a temporary or secondary delivery address and choose which specific delivery date(s) should go there. Once those dates have shipped, your orders will automatically switch back to your main address.

Log in to your account here:

The Meal Plan Quiz will ask you about the number of pets you have and find the most optimal meal plan for each of your fur babies!

If you would like to add a new pet to your existing Membership, you can do so by logging into your account, navigating to the "Pets" tab, and clicking "Add a Pet".

Pet profiles are created through the Meal Plan Quiz and are editable through your account once they’ve been completed.

If your pet’s needs change (for example, weight, health, or dietary requirements), please log in to your account on our website and make any updates under the "Pets" tab.