Do vets recommend the farmers dog

The Farmers Dog has its skeptics: veterinarians

Veterinarians weigh in on The Farmers Dog

Following our publication of an earlier story about The Farmers Dog, we heard from veterinarians who were adamantly against the food and said that they would not feed The Farmers Dog to their own dogs or recommend the food to clients, regardless of cost.

Asked about a sample recipe from The Farmers Dog for turkey, which the companys website generated based on information we entered about five-year-old Labrador Nellie, Korinn Saker, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University who is also an associate professor of clinical nutrition, said:

The fat level is higher than what I would feed to them [her own dogs] and Id prefer a diet that has undergone animal feed tests by AAFCO protocol.

The AAFCO, which stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a voluntary membership organization that helps to regulate pet food. Dr. Saker also said the fact that the food is grain-free concerns her, but not as much as the first two issues those are, the fat content and the lack of AAFCO testing. She tries to avoid such foods.

We cant say that its [cardiac disease in some dogs] specifically associated with them being on a grain-free diet. There is an association. We dont have any idea yet what the mechanism of action could be for that association but from a nutritionists perspective, I try not to recommend diets that are grain-free right now because there are so many other diets on the market that have grains in them.

Dr. Sakers chief concern was the high-fat level, not the fact that the food is grain-free, nor the fact that the food is not AAFCO tested. If the fat level was a little lower, that would be nice. Its not that there arent diets that are fed to adult maintenance dogs that are that high in level of fat. From my perspective as a nutritionist, when I see a lot of more mature and older dogs that are really overweight and obese, part of the reason is because their diet is high in fat.

Steven Rosenthal is one of the worlds leading experts on dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and a board-certified veterinary cardiologist who is part of CVCA, a veterinary practice of cardiologists who were among the first to alert the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the possible connection between grain-free diets and cardiac disease in dogs. Dr. Rosenthal told The Canine Review that the fact that The Farmers Dog is grain-free is not what troubles him. Rather, it is the fact that the food is not tested according to AAFCO standards.

Echoing Dr. Saker, Dr. Rosenthal said he is less troubled about the fact that the food is grain-free.

We do not believe that the exclusive reasoning being the nutritionally mediated heart disease is the fact that the diet is just grain-free any longer, said Rosenthal, who is also working with the FDA on case studies involving grain-free dog food. There are grain-free products that are not associated with heart disease. Being a grain-free product was the initial concern as this was the most obvious factor tying the cases of affected patients together. It is a complex issue that may have a number of factors and at this stage, we are focusing on the high legume content of the diets in affected dogs. I can tell you that I dont personally use that diet for my own dog. I would prefer a diet that has gone through [AAFCO protocol] feed testing, he added.

We also spoke with Martha Cline, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Dr. Cline said that she does not comment on specific brands, but asked generally about the fact that the food was both grain-free and about the AAFCO statement, she said that while her preference is a diet that is formulated to meet the nutritional levels for the intended life stage AND undergoes AAFCO feeding tests [The Farmers Dog does not do the AAFCO feeding tests], there are also foods that she recommends that just state formulation. Dr. Cline echoed Dr. Rosenthal, saying, The association between diet-associated DCM is still being investigated and there is a lot we dont yet know. The cause is likely multifactorial and likely involves both the diet and the individual dogs response to that diet and how it is fed. All of the doctors agreed that AAFCO testing was a good thing or, as Dr. Rosenthal phrased it, an extra layer of comfort.

A New York veterinarian who asked not to be named offered a more blunt assessment:

I do not feel comfortable with this diet at all. Especially in light of the whole cardiomyopathy (cardiac) issue with boutique diets that are grain-free. Do they have a veterinary nutritionist (someone with a DVM that is boarded in nutrition) guiding them through what they are making? Is the diet AAFCO tested? I would not recommend this diet to any of my patients. If a client wanted to do a home-cooked meal, I would refer them to a veterinary nutritionist that could create the appropriate food and vitamins.

The Farmers Dog responds

Responding to the concern that the recipe is grain-free, the 32-year-old co-founder of The Farmers Dog Brett Podolsky said in a follow-up telephone interview:

Theres absolutely no conclusive evidence whatsoever proving that boutique, grain-free, or exotic BEG is what theyre referring to it as has any connection to DCMAll or 99% of the cases were reported to the FDA about dogs getting DCM were [dogs who eat] dry food. Also, about 40% of dogs in the country are eating grain-free foods, so statistically, its going to work out like that every single time.

Asked about the absence of AAFCO testing, Podolsky said:

What a lot of vets dont realize is that the AAFCO feeding trialsis animal testing. They do it in colonies. And we do not support that. We dont support testing on animals. We are looking into doing something like this.The real reason, though, is that the blood tests that are required will have no indication to prove whether or not the food will cause DCM..AAFCO really needs to change what their requirements are in order to make their feeding trials worthwhile for brands to do. It also is extremely, extremely expensive and boxes out any entering competitors from getting into the business.

Podolsky continued: If you speak to someone like the really reputable people in the formulation world, theyll say that the feeding trials really dont test for enough. Theyll also say that they really believe that this is a protein quality issue.

Podolsky said that fundamentally,

What we believe is that as long as theyre eating fresh food and its a good quality protein and you get all of your amino acids from that protein, a dog would not be at risk for an issue like cardiac disease as a result of diet. Its heartbreaking what these dogs are going through and its sad that a lot of these few vets are pointing at diets that are not causing this.There has been no conclusive evidence to prove that any one type of diet has been causing this. All that we do have to point at is that the vast majority of the diets that the dogs are eating that are getting DCM are dry kibble. The highly processed foods. Were not seeing this pop up in dogs eating fresh food. Were not seeing this pop up in dogs eating actual meat.

The Farmers Dog Food Review (Fresh)

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The Farmers Dog earns The Dog Food Advisors top rating of 5 stars.

In this review

Well take an in-depth look at The Farmers Dog and well rate each of its recipes. And well answer these important questions:

1. What is The Farmers Dog? How does it work?
2. Who makes it?
3. Has The Farmers Dog been recalled?
4. Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?

But first

What Is The Farmers Dog?

The Farmers Dog is a premium subscription service that produces fresh, custom-made food for your particular dog. And then delivers it refrigerated direct to your door.

How Does the Service Work?

First, youll answer a few questions about your dogs age, weight, breed, activity level and allergies. This creates a custom feeding profile.

Next, youll choose a flavor. Set up a delivery schedule. And soon, fresh-made pet food arrives at your home, packed in dry ice.

Which Recipes Get Our Top Ratings?

The Farmers Dog offers 4 recipe options. Heres what makes each one different.

• 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 Farmers Dog product line. Includes fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for better joint health. A top pick. Highly recommended.

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• 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 brands offering, it also exhibits the most favorable fat-to-protein ratio. Exceptional nutrient balance. Recommended with confidence.

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• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brussels sprouts, chicken liver, bokchoy 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.

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• 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.

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The Farmers Dog fresh-cooked, human-grade dog food earns the Advisors top rating of 5 stars.

We find The Farmers Dog to be an outstanding, grain-free wet food. Each human-grade recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

The Farmers Dog product line includes the 4 fresh-cooked foods listed below.

Recipe and Label Analysis

The Farmers 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

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

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. Its 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 foods 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 Farmers Dog appears to be an above-average wet product.

However, ingredient content alone doesnt provide an accurate picture of the products meat content. We also need to take a closer look at the labels 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 Farmers 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 April 2024.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of The Farmer's Dog Dog Food

We find The Farmers Dog to be an outstanding, grain-free wet food. Each human-grade recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Who Makes The Farmers Dog?

The Farmers Dog is made at USDA-inspected facilities located within the United States.

The company was founded in 2014 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev. The following video describes the pairs inspiring story and contrasts The Farmers Dog with ordinary dry dog food.

Who Designed The Farmers Dog?

The Farmers Dog is designed and formulated by a team of veterinary specialists, board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

What Do Others Say About The Farmer's Dog Dog Food?

Buyer review Our Havanese puppy Chutney is a very picky eater and The Farmers Dog is the only thing he eats without fuss.

Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Farmer's Dog a Healthy Food?

Unlike brands that use computer programs to verify their nutrient content

The Farmers Dog was tested using a method we consider superior to AAFCOs 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 Its 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 Farmers Dog has amazing customer service. If your dog doesnt like the recipe you ordered, theres no need to return it. The company will send you a different flavor, at no cost to you.

How can I switch to The Farmers Dog without making my dog sick?

In thisvideo

Dr. Gary Richter shares asimple feeding tipthat can helploweryour dogsriskof gettingsickwhen you switch to afresh food, like The Farmers Dog.

Its best toswitchyour dog to a fresh food like The Farmers Doggradually.

Start by mixing 20% fresh with 80% old food. Then,slowlyincrease that amount to a full 100% over the next 8 to 9 days.

What allows The Farmers Dog to claim it is human grade?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that products claiming to be fit for human consumption must beofficiallyedible.

The word edible is alegalstandard. Human-grade is not.

In order for The Farmers Dog to be deemed edible, every ingredient in its recipemust be human edibleand manufactured, packed and stored in accordance with USDA regulations.

How can I be sure The Farmers Dog is healthy?

Each of The Farmers Dog recipes was designed by a board-certifiedveterinary nutritionist.

And unlike most commercial dog foods that use only computer simulations to determine their compliance with AAFCO nutrient profiles

The Farmers Dog was tested using a method we considersuperiorto AAFCOs own gold standard system conducted on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages over a 6-year period.

Is The Farmers Dog recommended for puppies?

Some fresh dog foods are not safe for all ages and breeds.

Thats because

Large breed puppieshave a higherriskof developing acripplingandpermanentform ofhip diseaseif theyre fed a fresh diet that contains too much calcium while theyre still growing.^{4 5}

Fortunately,The Farmers Dog isconsidered safefor ALL adults and puppies, including those of larger breeds.

What keeps The Farmers Dog fresh?

Since The Farmers Dog containsno preservatives, it must be kept refrigerated or frozen.

In most cases, fresh dog food can last formonths, 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 andused within 4 days.

Compare The Farmer's Dog Dog Food

How does The Farmer's Dog compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?

A Final Word

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