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Recipes designed by very smart people.

From the team we assembled, to the ingredients we select — nothing at Tom&Sawyer happens by accident.

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Chef checks temperature of gently cooked pet food

How does Tom&Sawyer approach nutrition?

Nutrition isn't just about what goes into a meal — it's about whether your pet actually wants to eat it. That's the thinking behind Tom&Sawyer's multi-disciplinary approach: culinary expertise and nutritional science, working together.

For several years, our recipe development process has been led by Dr. Hannah Godfrey, PhD, Animal Nutritionist, alongside culinary-trained chefs, animal nutrition experts, and veterinary professionals. The founders of Tom&Sawyer, Kristin and Peter, are always sitting at the table to be the voice of the pet parent, arguably the most important start to every good recipe idea. Specialist contributions from Dr. Kelly Swanson, PhD (animal nutrition and nutrigenomics) and Dr. Joe Inglis, BVSc MRCVS have also shaped our approach. And when pet parents have questions about their pet's nutrition, Kelly Gredner, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) is the expert in their corner.

Our team

Your Dedicated Nutrition Team

Kristin Matthews and Sawyer

Kristin Matthews

Co-Founder & President

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Peter Zakarow and Sawyer

Peter Zakarow

Co-Founder & Board Chair

Profile for Peter Zakarow (opens in a new tab)
Dr. Hannah Godfrey

Dr. Hannah Godfrey

PhD, Animal Nutritionist · Lead Nutrition Scientist & Technical Advisor

Profile for Dr. Hannah Godfrey (opens in a new tab)
Kelly Gredner

Kelly Gredner

VTS (Nutrition) — AVNT Certified

RVT, VTS (Nutrition) · Veterinary Nutrition Consultant & Technical Specialist

Profile for Kelly Gredner (opens in a new tab)

With a Little Help From Our (Smart) Friends

Kelly Swanson

Dr. Kelly Swanson

PhD | Animal Nutrition & Nutrigenomics — Recipe Development Consultant & Advisory Board · Expert Contributor

Profile for Dr. Kelly Swanson (opens in a new tab)
Dr Joe Inglis

Dr. Joe Inglis

BVSc MRCVS | Veterinarian & Nutrition Expert — Advisory Board · Expert Contributor • VetChef Product Line

Profile for Dr. Joe Inglis (opens in a new tab)
Mischa Kapp

Mischa Kapp

Red Seal Trained Chef, PhD Candidate | Culinary Science Consultant · Expert Contributor

The result shows up in every bowl.

Thanks to our dedicated team, every Tom&Sawyer recipe meets or exceeds the nutritional guidelines established by AAFCO and the NRC — the most rigorous standards in pet nutrition, while staying true to our promise of culinary-inspired human grade meals made with real, whole food ingredients.

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  • Facebook
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Get started
Why Tom&Sawyer?
  • Our Standards
  • Science & Research
  • Our Story
  • Giving Back
  • Meet the Experts
  • Reviews
Explore
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Find a Retailer
  • Account
Join the pack

Get access to the latest updates in pet health and wellness, exclusive offers, and more!

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Build my pet's plan
  • Giving Back

    Every meal plan feeds more than one. Members help feed a dog in rescue every month, through our partnership with Mattie's Place.

  • Science & Research

    Why we gently cook every ingredient, how our meals are made, and the research behind fresh food for dogs and cats.

  • Our Standards

    Pet food is legally classified as animal feed. Ours isn't: what 100% human grade really means — ingredients, facility, and food-safety rules at every step.

  • Our Story

    How a picky Yorkie-Poo named Sawyer led Kristin and Peter to start cooking fresh, gently-cooked meals for dogs.