Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw product range is made up of seven recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef | 4.5 | A |
| Open Farm Puppy | 4.5 | A |
| Open Farm Surf and Turf | 4.5 | A |
| Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb | 4 | A |
| Open Farm Harvest Chicken | 4.5 | A |
| Open Farm Homestead Turkey | 5 | A |
| Open Farm Farmer's Table Pork | 4.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Beef, beef heart, beef liver, beef kidney, organic butternut squash, ground beef bone, organic carrots, organic cranberries, organic blueberries, montmorillonite clay, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, coconut oil, salt, dried chicory root, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, pantothenic acid, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), potassium chloride, organic spinach, organic apple cider vinegar, organic kale, salmon oil, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, selenium yeast, calcium iodate), dried kelp, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), choline chloride, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 41% | 38% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 43% | 40% | 9% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 65% | 6% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is beef heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing to us humans, heart tissue is pure muscle – all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The third ingredient is beef liver. This item is sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is beef kidney, an organ meat low in fat and rich in protein and essential minerals.
The fifth ingredient is squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is ground beef bone, an excellent source of natural calcium.
The seventh ingredient includes organic carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredients is organic cranberries, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The ninth ingredient lists organic blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
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 Open Farm product.
With six notable exceptions…
First, we find coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.2
Because of its proven safety3 as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
Since this recipe contains a number of organic ingredients, we feel compelled to grant this line a more favorable status as we consider its final rating. That’s because organic ingredients must comply with notably more stringent government standards — standards which significantly restrict the use of any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, hormones or antibiotics.
Next, montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In addition, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Next, 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.
And lastly, this recipe uses selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef looks like a superior raw dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 43.2%, a fat level of 40% and estimated carbohydrates of about 8.8%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 36.9%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 12.1% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 86%.
Which means this Open Farm product line contains…
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical raw dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a raw dog food containing a notable amount of meat.
However, with 58% of the total calories in our example coming from fat versus just 31% from protein, some recipes may not be suitable for animals on a low fat diet. In addition, this same finding also prevents us from awarding the brand a higher rating.
Open Farm Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Open Farm through December 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Grain Free Dog Food
Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw is a grain-free dog food using a notable amount of named meats and organs as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Compare Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
How does Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
Sources
A Final Word
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