Highly Recommended
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The Farmer’s Dog Food: Our Verdict
The Farmer’s Dog Food earns the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars.
This premium fresh food range includes four recipes which are complete and balanced and formulated for all life stages. The fresh format means this food is palatable and well digested by many dogs.
Laura Ward, the Dog Food Advisor’s pet nutritionist, has no doubt that The Farmer’s Dog Food is exceptional.
She said: “The Farmer’s Dog recipes are created by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. They deliver more than adequate levels of protein without too much fat and none of the ingredients are controversial.
“We find The Farmer’s Dog Food to be an outstanding, grain-free range. Each recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 5 stars.”
Highly Recommended
The Farmer’s Dog Ingredients
The Farmer’s Dog uses human-grade ingredients and processes.
Every recipe is made from clean human-grade proteins, mixed with simple whole foods and balanced with vitamins and minerals.
The brand never uses feed-grade ingredients, and doesn’t process ingredients to be shelf-stable.
How Does The Farmer’s Dog Work?
The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription service that produces custom-made food for your dog and then delivers it… refrigerated… direct to your door.
First time customers visit the company’s website and answer a few questions about their dog’s age, weight, breed, activity level and allergies. This creates a custom feeding profile.
Next, they choose a “flavor”. Set up a delivery schedule. And soon, fresh-made pet food arrives at their home, packed in dry ice.
The packs can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Once defrosted, they need to be refrigerated and used within a few days.
The Farmer’s Dog Cost
There is no denying The Farmer’s Dog is more expensive than dry dog food.
High quality, human grade ingredients have a cost associated which is obviously passed down to the consumer.
“The nature of a fresh food (containing approximately 75% moisture) means that the nutrition is less concentrated and it is more expensive to feed than a dried food,” Laura explains.
“Fresh foods aren’t processed through retorting or having preservatives added, so must be stored chilled or frozen, which also adds costs. However these foods are often more palatable and even fussy dogs enjoy them. They are also more hydrating, which is beneficial for a dog’s overall health.”
As the meal plans are tailored to an individual dog’s age, size, breed and activity level, the costs vary. For example an 11-pound Yorkshire terrier’s fresh food plan costs $2.80 a day, whereas a 75-pound Labrador is $10.39 a day.
Where Can I Buy The Farmer’s Dog?
The Farmer’s Dog is not sold in stores. It’s only available direct from the company.
The Farmer's Dog Recipes
The Farmer’s Dog offers four recipe options. Here’s what makes each one different.
Beef Recipe
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver
- Protein: 39% (dry matter)
- Fat: 29% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 24% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 73%
Beef Recipe contains the second highest protein level in The Farmer’s Dog product line. Includes fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for better joint health. A top pick. Highly recommended.
Turkey Recipe
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach
- Protein: 33% (dry matter)
- Fat: 19% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 40% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 56%
Although Turkey Recipe has the lowest amount of meat protein in the brand’s offering, it also exhibits the most favorable fat-to-protein ratio. Exceptional nutrient balance. Recommended with confidence.
Chicken Recipe
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brussels sprouts, chicken liver, bok‐choy cabbage, broccoli
- Protein: 46% (dry matter)
- Fat: 34% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 12% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 74%
Chicken Recipe boasts the highest protein content of any product in the line… with zero legumes. Contains an organic zinc compound and 2 other chelated minerals. Nutrients typically found in better recipes. Highly recommended.
Pork Recipe
- First 5 ingredients: Pork, sweet potatoes, potato, green beans, cauliflower
- Protein: 36% (dry matter)
- Fat: 28% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 28% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 78%
This recipe gets 100% of its animal protein from fresh pork and pork liver. The formula is rich in omega-3 fish oil for optimal heart health and silky coat. Another exceptional pick. Highly recommended.
Pros
- Human-grade ingredients
- Fresh named meats
- Complete and balanced recipes
Cons
- Must be kept refrigerated or frozen
- Once defrosted must be used in 4 days
The Farmer's Dog Review
The Farmer’s Dog Turkey was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
The Farmer's Dog Turkey Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach, parsnips, tricalcium phosphate, salt, fish oil, choline bitartrate, taurine, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 19% | 40% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 38% | 34% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this recipe is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient includes chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, beans and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables.
However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The third ingredient lists carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is broccoli. Broccoli is a healthy green vegetable and a member of the kale family. It’s notably rich in vitamin C and fiber and numerous other nutrients.
Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is believed to provide anti-cancer benefits.
The fifth ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score2 of 91.
The sixth ingredient includes parsnip, a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley. Parsnips are high in complex carbohydrates and rich in B vitamins, fiber and other essential nutrients.
The seventh ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, this additive is used in canned foods as an emulsifier — an agent designed to disperse a food’s fats more evenly in water.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With 3 notable exceptions…
First, we find fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a welcome addition.
Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients only, The Farmer’s Dog appears to be an above-average wet product.
However, ingredient content alone doesn’t provide an accurate picture of the product’s meat content. We also need to take a closer look at the label’s Guaranteed Analysis data.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 40%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 39% and a mean fat level of 27%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 26% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 70%.
Which suggests The Farmer’s Dog contains above-average protein, above-average fat, and below-average carbs when compared to a typical wet recipe.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the chickpeas, this still looks like the profile of a fresh dog food containing a generous amount of meat.
The Farmer's Dog Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to The Farmer's Dog through September 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
About The Farmer’s Dog
The company was founded in 2015 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev and has grown exponentially, now delivering millions of fresh dog food meals around the U.S every year.
The following video describes the pair’s inspiring story and contrasts The Farmer’s Dog with ordinary dry dog food.
What Do Others Say About The Farmer's Dog Dog Food?
Huntley’s Story
When Huntley, a 12-and-a-half-year-old Golden Retriever, refused to eat the kibble he’d always enjoyed, his worried ‘parent’ Alex Stone went on the hunt for an alternative.
Alex said: “Huntley became super picky as he got older and almost overnight completely went off the good quality kibble we’d always given him. He was losing weight rapidly, so we started looking into fresh food.
“We wanted a food that was complete and balanced, easily digestible and included omega 3 fatty acids to help with his arthritis. We did our research and talked to our vet about The Farmer’s Dog.
“I know every dog is different, but certainly in Huntley’s case, we saw huge benefits. The most important is that Huntley enjoyed eating again, he put on four or five pounds and could walk long distances again.
“He could walk a mile and a half. He could go up and down the stairs. He was happy to get up and down. His arthritis was so bad for so many years but we’re actually backed off of his arthritis medication because he stopped limping. I think a big part of this was thanks to The Farmer’s Dog.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we rate The Farmer's Dog so highly?
The Farmer’s Dog range of recipes delivers more than adequate protein, without too much fat. The ingredients included are not controversial and the meat level is good too.
Is The Farmer's Dog a healthy food?
Unlike brands that use computer programs to verify their nutrient content…
The Farmer’s Dog was tested using a method we consider superior to AAFCO’s own gold standard system… live feeding trials conducted on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages… over a 6-year period.
So, all 4 recipes are considered nutritious for all ages and breed sizes, including large breed puppies.
Is The Farmer's Dog raw?
No… It’s gently cooked at lower temperatures. So, each recipe avoids damage to delicate vitamins and nutrients during high-heat processing.3
What if my dog doesn't like the food?
The Farmer’s Dog has amazing customer service. If your dog doesn’t like the recipe you ordered, there’s no need to return it. The company will send you a different flavor, at no cost to you.
How can I switch to The Farmer’s Dog without making my dog sick?
In this video…
Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help lower your dog’s risk of getting sick when you switch to a fresh food, like The Farmer’s Dog.
It’s best to switch your dog to a fresh food like The Farmer’s Dog gradually.
Start by mixing 20% “fresh” with 80% “old” food. Then, slowly increase that amount to a full 100% over the next 8 to 9 days.
| Schedule | Old Food | Fresh Food |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | 80% | 20% |
| Days 3 and 4 | 60% | 40% |
| Days 5 and 6 | 40% | 60% |
| Days 7 and 8 | 20% | 80% |
| Day 9 | 0% | 100% |
What allows The Farmer’s Dog to claim it is “human-grade”?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that products claiming to be “fit for human consumption” must be officially “edible”.
The word “edible” is a legal standard. “Human-grade” is not.
In order for The Farmer’s Dog to be deemed edible, every ingredient in its recipe must be human edible and manufactured, packed and stored in accordance with USDA regulations.
How can I be sure The Farmer’s Dog is healthy?
Each of The Farmer’s Dog recipes was designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
And unlike most commercial dog foods that use only computer simulations to determine their compliance with AAFCO nutrient profiles…
The Farmer’s Dog was tested using a method we consider superior to AAFCO’s own gold standard system conducted on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages… over a 6-year period.
Is The Farmer’s Dog recommended for puppies?
Some fresh dog foods are not safe for all ages and breeds.
That’s because…
Large breed puppies have a higher risk of developing a crippling and permanent form of hip disease if they’re fed a fresh diet that contains too much calcium… while they’re still growing.4 5
Fortunately, The Farmer’s Dog is considered safe for ALL adults and puppies, including those of larger breeds.
What keeps The Farmer’s Dog fresh?
Since The Farmer’s Dog contains no preservatives, it must be kept refrigerated or frozen.
In most cases, fresh dog food can last for months, as long as it remains frozen and sealed in its original package.
Once a container is open and defrosted, it should be kept in the fridge and used within 4 days.
Do vets recommend The Farmer's Dog?
Dr Kevin McEvilly, a vet at Palms & Paws Veterinary Center in Santa Monica, California, is a firm believer in fresh dog food.
He said: “As a veterinarian I’m constantly getting asked, ‘what should I feed my pet?’ And the answer is, ‘it depends’.
“I do believe that food can be a form of medicine. Nutrition can heal. And so it really depends on the specific needs of each animal.
“However, more and more frequently, I find myself recommending human-grade or fresh food diets, for several reasons. Among them, they’re more bioavailable. Oftentimes they’re extremely well balanced, and they’re highly palatable.”
Compare The Farmer's Dog Dog Food
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Sources
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
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