Is farmers dog grain free
The Farmers Dog Food Review 2024: Pros & Cons (Vet Approved)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreOur Final Verdict
We give The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.If youre thinking of switching your dog to a fresh selection diet, chances are you have heard of The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food. When it comes to fresh diets, where does The Farmers Dog rank on the list of options? These grain-free, highly nutritious recipes are top-quality, according to our findings.
We looked at a combination of ingredients, consistency, appetite stimulation, and overall quality. We think youll be as pleased with The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food as we are. Lets get into all the details.
At a Glance: The Best The Farmers Dog Food Recipes:
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Favorite |  | The Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe | Click to Save 50% | |
 | The Farmers Dog Beef Recipe | Click to Save 50% | ||
 | The Farmers Dog Turkey Recipe | Click to Save 50% |
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food recipe portions are specifically tailored depending on your dogs age, weight, and dietary needs. When you input all your pets details, The Farmers Dog website will populate exactly what they recommend for your dog. This is the best way to get a good idea of what to expect in your dogs food. You can also check out our example recipes down below for specifics on ingredients.
They almost always send a combination pack of beef, chicken, and turkey recipes so your dog can sample all three. Afterward, you can specialize the recipe depending on your pups favorite chow.
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Reviewed
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food has a stellar reputation in the pet food industry. They have taken on the task of creating specialized recipes tailored just for your pooch. Lets dive into the details to see if its worth it for you.
Who Makes The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food and Where Is It Produced?
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food started with a beloved canine companion, like many pet food stories. Jada suffered digestive issues that left her owner Brett searching for solutions. After realizing all of the negatives of commercial dog food, Brett decided to make a change.
He teamed up with partner Jonathan to produce quality, fresh foods that nourish a dogs body. Today, all Farmers Dog recipes are made in the USA.
Which Types of Dogs Are The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Best Suited For?
The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food is a terrific fresh daily dietary choice for virtually any canine. Being based on ultra-natural, limited ingredients, it helps to promote healthy, vibrant pets. After introducing your dog to The Farmers Dog, you should expect a shinier coat, leaner muscle, and overall vitality restored. These recipes aim to restore all of your pups natural vitality.
However, this food might not be suitable for dogs on specialized prescription diets. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian if your dog needs a special diet and you are considering The Farmers Dog.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
If you are on a budget and dont think you can make this dog food work in your monthly expenses, your dog might need another diet brand instead. While not as fresh, a natural commercial brand with a modest price tag would be Instinct Raw Meals.
Also, if your dog has extremely strict dietary needs, youd want to check with your vet before making the switchjust to err on the side of caution.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
When you look through the ingredients of The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food, it might make you happy that the list is so short. Each recipe is grain-free and crafted with human-grade ingredients, serving only the most desirable recipes for your pooch.
All ingredient sources are USDA-approved and fit for human consumption.
Protein sources in The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food:
Fruits and vegetables in The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food:
- Brussels sproutshigh in fiber and antioxidants
- Bok choysource of vitamin A, iron, and magnesium
- Broccolicontains fiber and vitamin K
- Kalethis superfood has vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate
- Lentilsfiber-rich
- Sweet potatoexcellent source of beta carotene
- Chickpeassource of fiber, choline, and potassium
- Carrotloaded with vitamin A, Lutein + zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene
- Parsnipsource of fiber
- Spinachsource of vitamin A, iron, and potassium
Other useful ingredients in The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food:
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Sea salt
- Vitamin B12 supplement
- Choline bitartrate
- Taurine
- Amino acids
- Vitamin E
- Riboflavin
- Potassium iodide
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Vitamin D3
- Folic acid
Specially Tailored Orders
The Farmers Dog has quite a different setup process instead of having recipes to choose from on a whole lineup of products. If interested, you plug in all the information about your dog, including cute personal details, so they get all the details about your pup.
The process:
- How many dogs you have and their names
- Your zip code
- Your information
- Your dogs age, spay/neuter status, breed, weight, activity level, and eating style
- Any health issues your dog has
- Current food
After, they give you a trial suggestion with recipes tailored specifically to meet your dogs needs. You can review each product listed, including ingredient menus, serving information, and caloric suggestions for your specific dog.
How Your Dogs Personalized Recipes Are Determined
After you put in all your dogs information and receive your suggested trial box recipes, you have a chance to review all the contents. The offer on the website allows you to have 50% off of your trial order to see if The Farmers Dog is right for you before you commit.
Each serving is packaged according to your dogs weight and health so you can accurately measure and serve. In addition, every recipe is made in the USA with USDA-certified human-grade ingredients, so no matter the recommendations, your dog is getting excellent, high-quality nutrition.
Delivery & Presentation
We love that The Farmers Dog puts pride into their quality and really treats your pup like a human. After all, they seem to understand that your dog is considered one of the family.
They send these fresh recipes right to your door packed with dry ice to keep items frozen. You receive all items along with a pamphlet of information and instruction. Deliveries arrive in a timely fashion, designed to ensure your dog never misses a meal between shipments.
Difficulty in Accessing Recipe Ingredients
The only thing we found about The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food has nothing to do with the quality. While the website is straightforward and well-designed, it lacks a feature we think is pretty important for browsing customers.
You cannot see recipes and the contents therein until you go through the process of putting in all your dogs details and your contact information. While this might be a good marketing tactic, it can be a pain if you want to look at the ingredients before considering this brand further.
A Quick Look at The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food
Pros
- USDA-approved, human-grade ingredients
- Fresh, minimally processed protein and vegetable sources
- Specially tailored recipes
- Excellent dog personalization
Recall History
After diligent research, we could find no information regarding recalls on The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food. You can rest easy knowing that its a recall-free brand you can trust.
Reviews of the 3 Best The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food Recipes
1. The Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe
The Farmers Dog Chicken recipe will work for most healthy, issue-free dogs, creating a bountiful feast they can enjoy. Producers keep this formula loaded with nutrition while adding as few ingredients as possible.
In each pound of food, there are 590 calories. However, the number of calories your dog needs will be a personalized amount, allowing you to measure it out accordingly. The guaranteed analysis of this product is 11.5% crude protein, 8.5% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 75% moisture.
USDA human-grade chicken is the first ingredient, but it also contains chicken liver and fish oil for an extra punch of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. They use veggies like Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and broccoli which help provide fiber, antioxidants, and natural vitamin sources.
Pros
- Contains whole protein and organs
- Ideal for healthy companions
- Excellent for skin and coat
2. The Farmers Dog Beef Recipe
The Farmers Dog Beef is a robust recipe that your pup is sure to enjoy. If they like a more savory flavor, the beef will appeal to their taste buds without issue. In this recipe, you can see the ground chunks of meat and veggies for an appetizing display.
Your package should come with detailed feeding instructions per your dogs weight. In one pound of this dog food, there are 721 calories. The guaranteed analysis of the product includes 11% crude protein, 8% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 72% moisture.
USDA human-grade beef is the first ingredient, with beef liver added for extra nutrition. It also contains sweet potatoes for easy digestion. It also contains kale, one of the healthiest greens around, power-packed with vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- Savory meal
- Contains organs and whole protein
- Easily digestible carbs
Cons
- Highest calorie content of all recipes
3. The Farmers Dog Turkey Recipe
The Farmers Dog Turkey has a unique blend of ingredients that nourish your dogs body. This recipe is smooth and healthful using USDA-certified turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, and parsnips. The formula is the least calorie-dense out of all the recipes. In one pound, there are 562 calories. The guaranteed analysis of the product contains 8% crude protein, 4.5% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 76% moisture.
The only downside to this recipe is that the parsnip might be an acquired taste for some pups. Dogs with big appetites might scarf this blend down without thinking twice, but others might dislike the strong vegetable flavor.
Pros
- TFD nutrient blend
- Terrific for digestion
- Lowest calories of all recipes
Cons
- Strong broccoli flavor might not work for picky dogs
What Other Users Are Saying
When you are paying for the best nutrition you can offer your dog, you want to make sure the company can live up to your expectationsand no one understands that better than us. To see what other users are saying, we checked out reviews of The Farmers Dog products. Heres what we found out.
- Users love the convenience of having wholesome meals delivered right to their door.
- Owners noticed a major improvement in their dogs energy levels, coat, and skin.
- Food from The Farmers Dog seems to fix a lot of problems related to picky eaters.
- It improved the overall livelihood of their older dogs lifestyle.
Of course, results from dog to dog will vary. But the general consensus gets a paws up from pooches everywhere.
Conclusion
All things considered, we think that The Farmers Dog is an excellent brand that will continue to impress customers for years to come. They have innovative delivery options, personalized diet packages, and impressive natural ingredients.
While it is a little higher priced than most dog food diets, the positives seem to greatly outweigh the negatives, making it worth your purchase. Remember, The Farmers Dog offers 50% off on your first order.
You may also like:
Featured Image Credit: The Farmers Dog Food
The Farmers Dog Food Review (Fresh)
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
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:
- What is The Farmers Dog? How does it work?
- Who makes it?
- Has The Farmers Dog been recalled?
- 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.
Check Special Price
- 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.
Check Special Price
- 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.
Check Special Price
- 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.
Check Special Price
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
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 19% | 40% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 38% | 34% |
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.
| Schedule | Old Food | Fresh Food |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | 80% | 20% |
| Days 3 and 4 | 60% | 40% |
| Days 5 and 6 | 40% | 60% |
| Days 7 and 8 | 20% | 80% |
| Day 9 | 0% | 100% |
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
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
