The Farmer’s Dog Food Review 2023 – Is It Worth It?
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Feeding your dog fresh food doesn’t have to involve spending an extra hour picking out ingredients at the grocery store and doing the prep work yourself. In fact, it doesn’t have to involve any work at all!
With subscription services on the rise, fresh food for dogs can be delivered right to your doorstep. All you have to do is keep it in the freezer and thaw a few bags at a time.
Fresh dog food recipes are only as good as the ingredients they’re made with and the care that goes into their preparation. You need to be just as careful when choosing a fresh dog food company as you do when choosing any other brand. We’ve done our best to test and review all the best fresh dog food companies on the market to bring you an honest recommendation.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at The Farmer’s Dog, one of the best fresh dog food delivery services on the market. You’ll learn everything you need to know to decide if this is the right company for you and for your dog.
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In This Article...
Why You’ll Love The Farmer’s Dog:
The Farmer’s Dog offers smarter, healthier food for pets – the kind of food you’ll be proud to feed your dog. Using wholesome, natural ingredients and real USDA meats, The Farmer’s Dog crafts delicious and nutritious meals for dogs then delivers them right to your door. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your dog’s diet, now’s the time and The Farmer’s Dog is the fresh dog food delivery company to choose.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about The Farmer’s Dog food.
History of The Farmer’s Dog
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh dog food delivery service that is “guided by science, driven by love.” This company was founded on decades of pet nutrition research by founders who worked with top veterinary nutritionists to create a fresh pet food service that offers nutritionally complete and balanced meals for dogs and convenience for dog owners.
The story of The Farmer’s Dog starts with a beautiful puppy named Jada. Plagued by digestive issues for the first two years of her life, Jada’s dad Brett tried every pet food he could find but nothing seemed to work. That’s when one veterinarian suggested home cooking.
Brett cooked up some of the ingredients he saw pictured on a bag of dog food but found the results looked and smelled quite different. Apparently, Jada thought they tasted different too. She gobbled up the food and before long her digestive issues started to clear up. Brett realized that he had a major discovery on his hands and set about doing the work to help other dog owners facilitate the same miraculous transformation in their own dogs.
Teaming up with Jonathan and his dog Buddy, Brett and Jada built a company they wished had already existed. Today, The Farmer’s Dog has grown to include a team of over 100 people delivering millions of meals to pets and their parents on a monthly basis.
What Should You Know About The Farmer’s Dog?
Now that you know a little more about the background of The Farmer’s Dog, it’s time to get into the details. Here’s everything you need to know about The Farmer’s Dog food products and how their subscription service works:
What Products Do They Offer?
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh dog food delivery service that sends pre-portioned packages of freshly prepared dog food right to your door. They only offer dog food products at this time with four different recipes to choose from. Their products are gently cooked at low temperatures to preserve their nutritional integrity then quickly frozen and shipped fresh to your door.
The Farmer’s Dog currently offers the following recipes:
Turkey
Ingredients : USDA Turkey, Chickpeas, Carrot, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsnip, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid]
Turkey Dry Matter Typical Analysis (compared to kibble) Percentage Protein 38% Fat 26% Fiber 2%
Featuring fresh turkey and chickpeas, this grain-free recipe is packed with lean protein and healthy nutrients as well as flavor your dog will love.
Beef
Ingredients : USDA Beef, Sweet Potato, Lentils, Carrot, USDA Beef Liver, Kale, Sunflower Seeds, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil [Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid]
Beef Dry Matter Typical Analysis(compare to kibble) Percentage Protein 41% Fat 31% Fiber 3%
Dogs who have conventional tastes will love this beef recipe featuring sweet potato and lentils with beef liver for a boost of nutrition and flavor.
Pork
Ingredients : USDA Pork, Sweet Potato, Potato, Green Beans, Cauliflower, USDA Pork Liver, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil [Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid]
Pork Dry Matter Typical Analysis (compare to kibble) Percentage Protein 39% Fat 32% Fiber 2%
This grain-free recipe is made with fresh pork paired with sweet potato while pork liver provides a supplemental source of protein and added nutrients.
Chicken
Ingredients : USDA Chicken, USDA Chicken Liver, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Chia Seeds, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid]
Chicken Dry Matter Typical Analysis (compare to kibble) Percentage Protein 51% Fat 30% Fiber 3%
For those who like to keep it simple, this chicken recipe is a tried-and-true favorite featuring fresh chicken and chicken liver with fresh veggies like brussels sprouts.
When creating your dog’s custom meal plan, you have the option to select between one and three of these recipes for your dog. You can change your recipe selection at any time in your online account.
Of The Farmer’s Dog food products, co-founder Brett says,
“You don’t need to guess what’s in our food. You can literally see it, smell it, and even taste it. Trust Me. I have. A lot. Unlike kibble or canned food, our fresh recipes are made with ingredients that are safe for humans to eat and in kitchens where only human food is produced.”
Co-founders Brett and Jonathan hold themselves to the highest standards when it comes to the ingredients they use because they understand the importance of what goes into a dog’s diet. Jonathan says feeding your dog shouldn’t be about spoiling him or being fancy, it’s about recognizing that “no natural digestive system -human, dog, or otherwise – is suited to highly processed food.” That’s why The Farmer’s Dog is all natural, plain and simple.
Where is it Made?
The Farmer’s Dog prepares all of their products in USDA kitchens in keeping with the highest standards for safety and quality. Not only are their ingredients deemed fit for human consumption, but their facilities are USDA-inspected as well. This makes their products human-grade according to the FDA.
Though they don’t provide specific information on the website about where their facilities are located, The Farmer’s Dog is headquartered in Greenwich Village, NYC. Every recipe is formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to be 100% complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards, so you never have to worry about whether your dog is getting the nutrition he needs.
How Much Does The Farmer’s Dog Cost?
We ran the numbers through The Farmer’s Dog ordering system with a few different sized dogs. Here’s what you can expect to pay depending on your dog’s size – assuming they’re healthy, active, and don’t require a prescription.
| Size of Dog (lbs) | Price Per Day | Price Per Week |
|---|---|---|
| Miniature (5 lbs) | $2.55 | $17.91 |
| Small (15 lbs) | $4.16 | $29.17 |
| Medium (30 lbs) | $7.65 | $53.60 |
| Large (60 lbs) | $8.51 | $59.59 |
| Giant (100 lbs) | $13.55 | $94.88 |
If you’ve shopped for dog food before, you know it can be expensive. For many dog owners, the price of fresh food for dogs is the biggest issue. While fresh food is certainly more expensive, you have to think about what you’re really paying for.
Kibble and low-quality canned foods are processed at high heat which destroys some of the nutrient content of the raw ingredients. Even if those ingredients are high in quality, your dog may not receive all of the nutritional benefit.
Fresh food for dogs like The Farmer’s Dog may be pricey, but it’s prepared in a way that preserves that nutrition. You’re not wasting your money on food your dog won’t get the maximum benefit from.
The Farmer’s Dog varies in cost according to your dog’s size and calorie needs. The cost is about $4 to $5 per day for a 25-pound dog, or around $8 to $9 per day for a 55-pound dog. Our test dog is 30 pounds and we were offered a 14-day trial at 50% off which came to $2.52 per day. After the two-week trial, the full cost per week would increase to $35.26.
Does The Farmer’s Dog Have Any Recalls?
When doing your research about a new dog food brand or recipe, it’s important to be thorough. In addition to reading the information on the package about the ingredients and the guaranteed analysis, you should also look into the brand’s history – this includes their recall history.
The FDA regulates certain aspects of the pet food industry to keep consumers and pets safe. In addition to regulating the labeling of pet foods, the FDA plays a role in setting certain standards for quality. The FDA has the authority to issue product recalls if a certain product doesn’t meet these requirements. Recalls can be issued by the FDA in response to consumer complaints or product testing, or the manufacturer can issue the recall voluntarily.
Having a product recall or two isn’t necessarily an indication of a poor-quality brand, but it’s something to think about. Big brands that outsource manufacturing and mass-produce their recipes are the most likely to have recalls, simply because higher volume increases the potential for mistakes.
The Farmer’s Dog takes great care with their ingredients and their manufacturing, so they do not have any product recalls in their history. In fact, they say the following:
“All of our ingredients are human-grade and sourced from reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards. We never use feed-grade ingredients, and we don’t process our ingredients to be shelf-stable, ensuring your dog is getting the highest quality, most natural nutrients available. The Farmer’s Dog creates recipes that are simple in nature.”
How Do You Order The Farmer’s Dog?
The downside to The Farmer’s Dog is that you have to create a subscription to order it. You won’t find this fresh food in stores and you may not even be able to view detailed recipe information without creating an account. That being said, creating a subscription is easy.
Here’s an overview of the process to order The Farmer’s Dog:
- Click the “Start Here” button at the top of the homepage
- Indicate how many dogs you have and their names
- Provide your zip code, first name, and email address
- Fill in your dog’s sex, age, weight, and breed information
- Indicate your dog’s body type, ideal weight, and activity level
- Provide information about your dog’s eating habits and sensitivities
- Select between 1 and 3 recipes and complete your subscription
- Adjust your account and deliveries online as needed
Ordering The Farmer’s Dog is incredibly easy. Better yet, once you start your subscription, you’ll receive convenient monthly deliveries, so you never have to shop for pet food again. You can always change your subscription online or adjust your delivery schedule as needed.
The Farmer’s Dog Pros and Cons
As a responsible dog owner, you want to make the best choice possible for your dog’s health and wellness – that means choosing a high-quality diet. By now you’re familiar with the benefits of fresh dog food, but you may not be quite sure whether The Farmer’s Dog is the perfect fit. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of a dog food brand before making your final choice.
Here are some of the pros for The Farmer’s Dog:
- Four nutritious and highly digestible recipes to choose from
- All recipes made with human-grade ingredients in USDA kitchens
- Recipes gently cooked and quickly frozen to preserve nutrition
- Meals are pre-portioned according to your dog’s calorie needs
Here are some of the cons for The Farmer’s Dog:
- Could be more expensive than dry food (cost depends on dog’s size)
- Must create an online account to view recipe options and details
- Food must be kept frozen and thawed before feeding
Whether you end up choosing The Farmer’s Dog or not, we hope you consider it for your dog. Fresh dog food truly is one of the most nutritious options out there and we really love this brand. Hopefully you have the information you need to make up your mind!
Farmer’s Dog Food FAQs
Is The Farmer’s Dog grain-free?
Yes, all four of the recipes offered by The Farmer’s Dog are completely grain-free. This company uses fresh veggies like sweet potato as well as legumes like chickpeas and lentils as grain-free alternatives.
Is The Farmer’s Dog a good option for dogs with food allergies?
Yes, The Farmer’s Dog can be a good option for dogs with food allergies. Not only are their recipes free from grains, fillers, and artificial additives but each recipe is made with a single source of protein. If you know what your dog is allergic to, you can simply choose a recipe that doesn’t contain that ingredient.
How do I get samples of The Farmer’s Dog dog food?
Unfortunately, The Farmer’s Dog doesn’t currently offer samples of their products. If you choose to give it a try, however, you’ll receive 20% off your first two-week order as a trial. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can cancel your subscription and request a refund.
Can I control my subscription online?
Yes, you can control your subscription easily by logging into your online account. You can change your recipe selection, rush or reschedule a delivery, and even cancel your account. Customer care is always available if you need additional assistance.
Is the packaging environmentally friendly?
Yes, The Farmer’s Dog makes every effort to protect the environment. In the FAQ section of their website, they say, “This planet gave us dogs, so taking care of it is a priority.” Their products are packed in recyclable cardboard boxes with biodegradable insulation. Every delivery comes with a food storage container that’s biodegradable as well, and all packing materials are BPA-free and non-toxic.
