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Our Verdict
Open Farm Tailored Needs dry dog food is made up of three recipes which each receive the Advisor’s rating, 5 stars.
These formulas are tailored to meet a dog’s specific needs, starting with a high-quality source of protein and always free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Pros
- Ethically & sustainably sourced
- Vet formulated
- Quality protein
Cons
- Expensive
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.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Skin & Coat Health, Wild-Caught Salmon & Oatmeal Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Open Farm Skin & Coat Health, Wild-Caught Salmon & Oatmeal Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, menhaden fish meal, milo, barley, herring meal, oatmeal, coconut oil, salmon oil, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, flaxseed, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, pantothenic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), biotin, apples, carrots, cranberries, taurine, salt, calcium carbonate, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, potassium chloride, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate), potassium chloride, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), choline chloride, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 31% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 34% | 16% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 33% | 37% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon, an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.
This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1.
The third ingredient is milo. Milo is another name for sorghum, a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, milo can be considered a quality non-meat ingredient.
The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth ingredient is herring meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, herring meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.2.
The sixth ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The seventh ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.
Because of its proven safety 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.
The eighth ingredient is salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The ninth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
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 the product.
However, this recipe has three notable exceptions.
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.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
This food includes 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 alone, Open Farm Skin & Coat Health, Wild-Caught Salmon & Oatmeal Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33.8%, a fat level of 15.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 42.6%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 33.4% and a mean fat level of 13.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
This means this Open Farm Tailored Needs range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Open Farm Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Open Farm through January 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Open Farm Tailored Needs Dog Food
This Open Farm product range is certainly worthy of the 5 stars the brand has earned with this high-quality kibble tailored to meet specific health concerns. Open Farm is committed to sustainability, transparency and quality of its ingredients.
About
In 2014, Jacqueline Prehogan founded Open Farm Pet Foods. Its manufacturing facility, Barrett Ag Service, is located in Minnesota, USA.
The company is focused on using locally sourced ingredients, and the location of the plant allows easy access to farms that meet its strict animal welfare and quality standards.
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