The Farmer’s Dog Review 2024: Best Dog Food?

The Farmer's Dog is a standout choice for quality-conscious pet owners. This premium dog food subscription service offers a limited selection of high-grade, vet-formulated recipes, ensuring each meal meets the highest standards of nutrition and taste. Developed with veterinary input, the meals are designed to appeal to dogs while providing balanced nutrition.

With its focus on a select few recipes, The Farmer's Dog ensures exceptional quality. Unlike other services that might overwhelm with choice, this approach simplifies decision-making for pet owners and maintains consistent quality across its offerings. The meals, tested and approved by veterinarians, cater specifically to the nutritional needs of dogs.

My colleague's firsthand experience with his dog Baxter highlights the convenience and effectiveness of the service. Its personalized quiz tailors the meal plan to each dog's specific dietary needs, while the straightforward ordering process enhances the overall user experience, making it a top choice for pet owners looking for reliable, high-quality dog food delivery.

Ingredients: High-Quality Proteins & Veggies From Trusted Suppliers

The Farmer’s Dog ingredients are sourced from local farms, reputable food suppliers, or other suppliers who deliver human food following USDA standards. Many veterinarians recommend The Farmer's Dog, particularly for dogs needing weight management. Additionally, the company avoids the use of preservatives or growth hormones in its dog food, which I find particularly reassuring.

Each recipe mixes human-grade meat and veggies plus vitamins and minerals. All The Farmer's Dog recipes follow a similar formula, with proteins and veggies as the main ingredients. For the purpose of my The Farmer’s Dog review, I’ll analyze Baxter’s turkey meal.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of each of these ingredients:

Nutrition: Healthy Recipes Created by Veterinary Nutritionists

The Farmer’s Dog recipes are all designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Each exceeds the nutritional levels required by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. The meals are gently cooked in human food facilities to human-grade standards. They’re quickly frozen to make sure all the ingredients retain their properties and to kill any pathogens. 

The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe looks like good quality wet food based on the ingredients listed on the label. The ratio of fat to protein shows the recipe contains generous amounts of meat. 

Dry matter typical analysis:

• Protein 38%

• Fat 26%

• Fiber 2%

This is supported by the data presented in the label's Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude protein 8% min.

• Crude fat 4.5% min.

• Crude fiber 1.5% max.

• Moisture 76% max.

You’ll also receive a personalized recommendation on how much to feed your dog. Portioning is paramount, and it's different for each dog depending on their weight and activity level. This amount will also depend on whether you plan to feed full meals, mixed with your regular dog food, or as a topper. Find out more about this in Baxter’s testing experience.

What Makes The Farmer’s Dog Different

Higher Than Average Protein Content

Its meals have some of the highest protein content of any other dog food manufacturer. On average, its meals contain roughly 9.75% crude protein, at minimum. Few other dog food companies can say the same. For example, Nom Nom's meals contain on average 8.38% crude protein.

Food Quality Is Human-Grade

The Farmer’s Dog sets itself apart by using human-grade ingredients, including fresh proteins and vegetables, in its meals. The AAFCO-approved recipes are gently cooked at low temperatures in a USDA-certified kitchen and then flash-frozen to preserve freshness, taste, and nutrient density, a process not commonly matched by many competitors.

Sustainability of Packaging

The Farmer's Dog packaging elements are all recyclable. Depending on your delivery, you'll either receive corn starch insulation, which can be dissolved under running water and safely washed down the drain, or an alternative insulation that is curbside recyclable. This approach extends to the food packs and plastic wraps, which are fully recyclable after a simple rinse.

My Colleague’s Unboxing Experience With The Farmer’s Dog

My colleague reported that The Farmer's Dog package arrived in good condition, noting only a slight dent on the box's corner. While the outer box lacked personalization, the Feeding Guide and individual food packages inside were customized with Baxter's name.

You'll discover detailed instructions for safely managing the dry ice, and confirmation that all packaging materials are biodegradable. Notably, The Farmer's Dog ensures even the empty food packs are recyclable with #4 plastics, highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability. In contrast, competitors like The Pets Table have yet to offer recyclable options for their meal packs, making The Farmer's Dog a more eco-conscious choice.

Inside the box, the frozen food bags were neatly packed alongside treats and feeding instructions. Despite some minor tears in the dry ice packaging, likely caused by the food bags during transit, the contents were well-preserved and mess-free. The frozen food remained in perfect condition for hours and was still frozen when he opened the box 6 hours after delivery.

The package included eco-friendly cooling elements. These are either dry ice or reusable cold packs. The frozen food requires immediate freezer storage and can be safely refrozen if it arrives defrosted but still very cold. For feeding, simply defrost the necessary amount. The food stays fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, provided it's kept at the recommended temperature.

Baxter’s Testing Experience (Spoiler: He Loved All of the Food)

The Farmer's Dog provides detailed instructions on portion sizes, tailored for each dog. This personalized approach facilitated the transition from Baxter's old food to the new meals by gradually increasing the percentage of The Farmer’s Dog food from 25% to 100% over a week.

In terms of preparation, The Farmer’s Dog proved slightly easier than Baxter's usual food. Unlike his previous routine of mixing dry kibble with warmed canned food, my colleague only had to cut open the bag and serve, skipping the heating step.

However, portioning the food was less straightforward. This was because Baxter was eating the food as a topper rather than a full meal. This situation could be improved by marking the bags with lines indicating 25%, 50%, and 75% portions. Without these, he had to estimate the amounts, which was a bit inconvenient.

The food's quality and appearance were noticeably superior to Baxter's regular dry food. The fresh, colorful ingredients in the meals really stood out. It definitely looks like a more appealing option, as the fresh ingredients could be easily identified.

Baxter, not a fussy eater, eagerly devoured the fresh food without hesitation. My colleague also noticed a reduction in Baxter's daily bowel movements. This is often the case when dogs are fed a high-quality diet. However, it could also be attributed to the dietary transition period.

Overall, they found The Farmer’s Dog to be of a very high quality but noted its cost as significantly higher than Baxter's regular food. This makes it a less viable option for them in terms of consistent feeding.

Prices: The Farmer’s Dog Has Premium Pricing, but It’s So Worth It

The Farmer's Dog prices range from $1 to $12 per day, depending on each dog’s size, age, and breed. Larger dogs require more food, and this makes it more costly as their food is shipped more frequently to manage order weight. Conversely, smaller dogs receive fewer frequent shipments due to their smaller portion requirements.

My colleague paid $44.93 for Baxter’s food, with an additional $11.99 for treats. By reducing the food quantity by 25% to supplement their dog’s diet rather than providing full meals, the daily cost was $3.21 for their 62 lb Goldendoodle. This approach makes The Farmer’s Dog cost more manageable.

The Farmer’s Dog  lets you choose multiple recipes and portions, topper options, or even a DIY recipe kit. This kit includes The Farmer’s Dog nutrient blend to add to home-cooked meals with store-bought ingredients. The costs for this option vary, and you must take into account the lack of convenience compared to cooked recipes being delivered to your door.

Yes, The Farmer’s Dog has premium pricing. However, it's important to emphasize the value derived from the top-quality ingredients and the positive impact on a dog's health and wellbeing compared to standard kibble. For those hesitant about the cost, The Farmer's Dog provides options to lower expenses, such as using the food as a topper or mixing it with other foods. 

Shipping & Delivery: A Smooth & Straightforward Process 

The Farmer’s Dog offers free shipping to all 48 contiguous states. As my colleague experienced, the process starts automatically with the first order. This initial order is termed a Trial Box, giving 2 weeks for pet owners to observe how their dogs adapt to the new diet.

After placing an order, my colleague noted that The Farmer’s Dog was ready to dispatch without specifying dates or times. Living in a suburban area of a major U.S. city, they received an engaging email with a tracking link, featuring a cartoon of a journeying truck and a happily wagging dog. Clicking the link redirected them to a FedEx site to access updates at each stage of the shipment. 

The package arrived just 2 days post-order without issues, accompanied by email updates from The Farmer’s Dog about the delivery and instructions for safe outdoor placement until midnight. This proved to be excellent communication throughout, unlike their experience with We Feed Raw, which didn’t even provide a delivery date for their first order.

How The Farmer's Dog Works (Step by Step Guide)

The Farmer’s Dog has a very easy ordering system. Everything starts and ends with your dog’s specific needs in mind.

How to Sign Up (Just 5 Simple Steps)

1. Head to The Farmer’s Dog’s website. To start the personalization questionnaire, click the Start Today button on the homepage.  

2. Click on Continue to start the personalization questionnaire. Complete all the sections to create a customized plan for your dog.

3. Answer the in-depth signup questionnaire: You will need to answer questions about your dog’s weight, body type, allergies, health conditions, and more. If you aren’t sure which option to choose, hover your cursor over them to read additional information so you can pick the right answer for your dog. 

4. Review your recommended recipes. It’s important to keep in mind that you can accept it and move forward with the order, or you can change it manually by clicking on Change Recipes.

5. Enter your shipping and payment information. Your payment and order will be processed, and you will see a delivery window for when to expect your meals. Note that you can only pay by credit card.

During the process, you will be able to adjust the amount of food you order for your pup. For example, you might want to order a reduced amount of food to feed as a 50% plan or feed as a topper instead. You’ll also have the option to add treats to your order if you want to.

Managing Your Subscription

Your account stores your dog’s profile, order history, and shipping details. You can easily make changes to your subscription, such as pausing or canceling your plan, adapting your shipping frequency, protein type, or your dog’s details.

Customer Service: The Farmer’s Dog’s Customer Support Could Be Better

Customer service at The Farmer’s Dog is accessible via email, phone, or social media, with phone lines available 24/7. Despite the comprehensive support, it's notable that there's no live chat feature or a dedicated app for easier subscription management. 

My colleague’s experience with its customer support was exceptional; a phone call resolved his order issue swiftly, with the agent promptly assisting through troubleshooting steps and staying on the line until his order was confirmed. His email inquiries also received timely responses within a few hours.

The FAQ section has answers to common questions but isn’t as extensive as I’d expected. For a pricey human-grade dog food service, I imagined the FAQ would be more easily searchable and extensive, especially regarding specific ingredients, recipes, and vitamin and mineral information.

If your dog doesn’t enjoy The Farmer’s Dog meals, there’s an accommodating solution in place. The company is willing to send out different recipes for your dog to try, ensuring you find the right fit. Alternatively, if you choose a refund, the only requirement is that the food is donated to a shelter. This policy not only helps your pet but also supports dogs in need.

You have the option to pause your subscription for up to 6 months, which is quite convenient. However, if you decide to cancel, be prepared for a series of questions aimed at offering cost-saving alternatives or adjusting your plan. My colleague mentioned that this process felt a bit tedious but appreciated the convenience of handling everything online. You can read more about it in this quick guide on how to cancel your The Farmer's Dog subscription.

The Farmer’s Dog Recalls: There Have Been No Recalls as of Yet 

The Farmer’s Dog has a clean record when it comes to recalls. This goes to show just how serious the company is about a strict cooking process and rigorous safety standards.

How The Farmer’s Dog Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• The Farmer’s Dog vs. Ollie: Ollie offers the choice between fresh or baked food options. The Farmer’s Dog focuses exclusively on fresh, human-grade ingredients, customized for each dog's dietary needs. While Ollie's variety caters to different preferences, The Farmer’s Dog delivers personalized meal plans with sustainable packaging.

• The Farmer’s Dog vs. Spot & Tango: While Spot & Tango offers both fresh and dry food options, The Farmer's Dog focuses solely on fresh, refrigerated meals. This specialization allows The Farmer's Dog to concentrate on meticulously crafted, customized meal plans. 

• The Farmer’s Dog vs. We Feed Raw: While We Feed Raw focuses on a raw meat diet, appealing to owners interested in a natural, ancestral approach, The Farmer's Dog offers gently cooked, fresh meals. These are crafted from high-quality, human-grade ingredients, catering to dogs with specific dietary needs and those with sensitive stomachs.

The Bottom Line: Is The Farmer’s Dog Worth It?

I definitely think The Farmer's Dog is worth it in the realm of dog food delivery services. Especially if you prioritize high-quality nutrition for your pets. It provides meals crafted from fresh, human-grade ingredients, tailored to meet the specific dietary requirements of each dog, so your pet receives the utmost in nutritional care. 

The personalization of meal plans and the convenience of home delivery add significant value, making it a great choice if you’re looking for the best for your furry companions. The Farmer's Dog, while offering exceptional meals, may not fit within every pet owner's budget. Don’t forget that you can choose to use its recipes as a topper to add an extra nutritional boost to your pup’s meals.

If you are concerned about the cost – particularly if you have a large dog – you could explore our comprehensive article on the best human-grade dog food for a range of healthy alternatives. Don’t forget that you can also take advantage of our coupon code and test out the benefits for your dog: Get 60% Off Your First Box!.

FAQ

Do vets recommend The Farmer's Dog?

The Farmer’s Dog works with board-certified veterinary nutritionists to formulate its meals, and it has a full-time animal nutritionist on staff. Also, vets all over the country recommend its recipes for weight loss and general health improvement.

How much is The Farmer’s Dog per week?

The cost per week depends on the size of the dog and its level of activity. Generally speaking, its breed and age are good indicators in this case. The food for a 10 lb dog can cost around $28/week, while a 55 lb dog can set you back around $63/week.

Is The Farmer's Dog food grain-free?

All 4 recipes featured by The Farmer’s Dog brand are grain-free. These recipes contain human-grade ingredients and have generous amounts of fresh meat as the main source of quality protein.