Who owns the farmer s dog

Top Dog Interview: Brett Podolsky Founder Of The Farmers Dog

The Farmers Dog is one of the many fresh dog food products to hit the market. Their dedication and passion for feeding dogs healthy meals come from the founder himself. Brett Podolsky found himself searching for a solution to help his sick pup and tried just about everything. It wasnt until he started cooking homemade food for Jada that she began to turn around. Brett knew he was on to something and wanted to share his success story with other dogs, and thus The Farmers Dog was born.

I am a customer and a big fan of their product for my dog Lexie. Not only does she gobble it up, but she has also shown improvements in her coat and weight as a result.

We got the chance to ask Brett some questions and learn more about him and the company. We hope you enjoy learning more in our latest Top Dog interview.

Visit The Farmers Dog Website | Read Our Full Review

How did you name The Farmers Dog (TFD)?

We were inspired by a couple of different things the first being the simple, pure relationship between human, dog, and Earth. Its not a fussy one, and it requires work, but its one of the most special that we have. The other thing that inspired us was the fact that the longest-living dogs throughout history have been farm dogs!

How did you and your co-founder meet and start the business?

Jonathan and I met while we were both traveling in Israel and hit it off immediately. We ended up living together in New York while I was grappling with Jadas health issues and cooking for her in the apartment. Jonathans a dog owner too, so obviously he was pretty interested in what I was learning about the pet food industry. Our friendship blossomed pretty easily into a business partnership from there.

How has your role changed over the years?

The Farmers Dog was founded in 2014. It was truly a bootstrapped effort Jonathan and I each put in a bit of our money and did everything from cooking and packing to delivery and customer service ourselves. We were cooking the food by day and then delivering by night, but we were getting such incredible feedback, which really motivated us.

Doing everything ourselves, we were limited to the New York area. But in 2016, we raised our first round of funding, which allowed us to start thinking about operations that could get fresh food to dogs nationwide. Fast forward to today we just opened our second office, we have customers in all 48 contiguous United States, and weve served over 10 million meals.

Weve been lucky enough to find a team of people who are much better at doing all of the things we were doing ourselves in the early days and, of course, love dogs as much as we do. Were now more focused on setting the team up for success and ensuring the values and culture we founded the company on are maintained, and even strengthened, as we continue to grow.

Do you have any TFD health success stories you can share (in addition to your dog, Jada)?

So many we actually have a team Slack channel where our amazing Customer Experience team can share these stories around the office in real-time. Nothing inspires us more.

A recent one that really moved us was Tikaanis his owners had been in the pet industry for decades, but his health condition had become so dire that they were seriously considering euthanizing him. After his first Farmers Dog meal though, Tikaani began showing signs of recovery until he was eventually his full, vibrant, healthy self. People sometimes think we make up these miracle turn-arounds, but you can hear it straight from Tikaanis mom and dad! Food can truly be the best medicine.

Its important to note, though, that this isnt just meant to be a sick dog thing every dog can benefit from fresh food. As with humans, eating clean, whole foods that arent highly processed is an investment in future health. In fact, some of our favorite customer stories are about dogs who appeared perfectly healthy and would eat anything, but still ended up experiencing benefits, from clearer skin and shinier coats to better breath and more balanced energy levels.

Why do you add the customers name to packaging?

The names on the packs have actually been there from the beginning. They played an important functional role in our early days helping distinguish between multiple dogs in a household and weve stuck with it even while growing. Its a special moment for customers to see their dogs name there, and to know this food was made fresh, especially for them. Even if we at some point move away from names on individual packs, well always find ways of personalizing the experience and making it seamless & functional.

Do you really send flowers when a customers pet passes away?

Yes, we try not to make a big public fuss about it or come off as though were doing it to get attention. They really appreciate it. These people have trusted us to feed their pets and educate them around fresh food, and that means a lot to us and their dogs. We started this company because of our love of dogs, so obviously were heartbroken to hear when one passes. Its a small gesture, but it feels like the least we can do during whats usually a devastating time for the owners.

Whats next for the pet food industry and the direct-to-consumer dog service business?

Were still just scratching the surface. We aim to reset the entire standard of what people think of as dog food. For decades, dog food has just been kibble, and such a sizable behavior change takes time but it is possible. Just look at how the conversation around what constitutes genuinely healthy human food has changed over the last decade or so. Even if people arent universally eating healthy diets of sustainably sourced food, theyre more aware of what their dietary choices mean.

Long term, we want to simplify and improve every aspect of pet care, but were pretty focused on diet and nutrition right now because it feels like the most fundamental building block to everything else.

What else is coming soon for TFD?

We love all pets and definitely want to help simplify pet care across the board, but were currently focusing on creating an unmatched fresh food delivery experience for our canine customers. We do have an eye on other categories though, so stay tuned!

Who is your biggest mentor, and what did you learn from them?

Building The Farmers Dog with Jonathan has been the best mentorship/learning experience Ive ever had. Working with him has changed how I approach things in every way, and Im constantly learning from him. From organization, work ethic, the necessity of patience, accountability the list is endless.

I also learn so much from working with every person on our team, observing how they work, how they interpret things, how they communicate. It feels like Ive gotten the equivalent of a thousand MBA educations over the past five years. You cant pay for this kind of experience. Im so, so lucky.

When not hanging out with your pups, wife, or working, what hobbies do you enjoy?

I love to read or, well, listen. Books on tape really changed my life! Theyre so accessible now that if Im not working, or with my wife or the dogs, Im usually buried in a book. If not, Im listening to music or at a concert. I love reggae and doo-wop. We have a company playlist of songs Jonathan and I would listen to back when we were cooking the food ourselves thats still sometimes played around the office.

In general though, I just try to spend most of my downtime investing in myself and exposing myself to other points of view. Its just the best way to grow.

Love it! Thanks, Brett, for taking the time to share your story with our readers! Learn more about dog food delivery companies and read our in-depth review of The Farmers Dog.

What company owns farmers dog?

The best-known is Mars Petcare, which moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Cool Springs 15 years ago and has become one of Williamson Countys signature and largest private employers (and its facing new competition from direct-to-consumer brands such as The Farmers Dog and Ollie.)

How much is the farmers dog company worth?

The Farmers Dog has a post-money valuation in the range of $1B to $10B as of Mar 26, 2021 , according to PrivCo.

Do veterinarians recommend the farmers dog?

Overall, The Farmers Dog Food brand has been recommended by veterinary nutritionists.

Is the farmers dog profitable?

The Farmers Dog was already profitable before it accepted a $2 million seed funding round in 2016 from Collaborative Fund, Forerunner Ventures and SV Angels. It later raised $8.1 million in 2017. The Farmers Dog currently has millions of customers across the country.

Where is the farmers dog dog food manufactured?

The Farmers Dog Inc. is in New York, NY. The food is designed and formulated by a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists and is made in USDA kitchens within the United States using only USDA quality ingredients that are fit for human consumption.

How long has farmers dog been around?

Founded in 2015 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev, the company claims to have delivered over one million meals already and is the latest subscription-based startup backed by Shasta Ventures, whose success stories include Dollar Shave Club and Warby Parker.

Was the farmers dog on Shark Tank?

In 2016 Renaldo Webb and his dog, Winston, appeared on ABCs Shark Tank, seeking a $100,000 investment at 10% equity for PetPlate, the Brooklyn residents year-old business delivering home-cooked dog food from the internet. The investors on the show said nobut that hasnt slowed down the startup.

Do you warm up farmers dog food?

Do I need to cook the food? No need, our food is pre-portioned and ready-to-serve! You can serve it directly from the fridge or add a touch of hot water if your dog prefers warm food.

Does the farmers dog food cause diarrhea?

While many people see no negative effects on digestion while theyre transitioning their dogs food, you may see changes in consistency of your dogs poop during this phase. This usually means looser stools or diarrhea. This should last a few days, depending on your dog, and how rapidly youre transitioning.

Is Farmers dog Made in USA?

The Farmers Dog food is made in the USA, free of preservatives or processed ingredients, as the aim is not to be shelf-stable. They want to ensure your dog gets the most natural nutrients available. So, what improvements can you expect to see in your canine friend once you make the switch?

Is farmers dog food high in fat?

As all of The Farmers Dog recipes are high fat, high protein, and lower in carbohydrates they would be ideal for a highly active dog or a dog who is picky. All recipes are single-protein recipes, thus ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

Who owns Nom Noms food?

Mars Inc. buys Nashville-based pet food company NomNomNow Inc. for reported $1 billion, per Bloomberg.

How long does farmers dog food last in freezer?

No preservatives are ever used in The Farmers Dog recipes, so the food has a much shorter shelf life of 4 days once it is thawed in the refrigerator. If kept frozen, the packaged meals will stay fresh for 4 months.

Is farmers dog better than kibble?

Less Processing. The Farmers Dog foods are fresh, cooked at low temperatures, and minimally processed, especially compared to kibble. Over-processed foods historically havent been too great for humans, so it stands to reason that they arent ideal for your pooch either. Pre-Portioned.

Who is the CEO of the farmers dog?

Jonathan Yoni Regev Co-Founder, CEO The Farmers Dog | LinkedIn.

Is farmers dog Aafco approved?

Creating a better test. The Farmers Dog fresh food was formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to be 100% complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards.

Who got the most money on Shark Tank?

Probably the most well-known Shark in the Tank is Mark Cuban, and his net worth well its not a small amount. Its over $4 billion, so he definitely knows his way around business and what products or services make sense for consumers.

What is the net worth of PetPlate?

What Is The Net Worth Of PetPlate? PetPlate has raised $4 million in a seed round, confirming its success. In August 2018, the company raised an unknown sum for a net worth of approximately $4 million.

Does Mark Cuban have pets?

Mark Cuban has mentioned that he has owned a dog in the past on previous interviews. Cuban also owns pet food brands including on vegan pet food brand, Wild Earth, raise $23 million to take animal meat out of companion animal food.

How do you unfreeze a farmers dog?

If (like us) you are not always on top of things, dont fret These packs can be defrosted in warm water in just a matter of minutes! Once your packs are adequately soft, all you need to do is squeeze out the appropriate amount and you are good to go.

Is it OK to microwave farmers dog food?

You can also try adding a little warm bone broth to their bowl (see below). However, we do NOT recommend heating the food in the microwave, as this will destroy the foods natural nutrients the best part about our fresh recipes!

How often do you feed farmers dog?

Many veterinary nutrition experts recommend it (even high-performance working dogs thrive on a once-a-day feeding schedule). Try to feed your dogs meal at approximately the same time each day. If you prefer to feed twice a day, consider feeding both meals within an eight-hour period.

How long does farmers dog food last in the refrigerator?

Once the food has cooled down and is portioned based on your instructions, you can set aside a few portions for each dog and put them in the fridgeyou can store food in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the rest in the freezer.

Why is my dogs poop always mushy?

The number one reason why a dogs poo is too soft is that they are being overfed. Soft poo is a very common sign of a dog who is getting too much food. Check their weight and ensure the amount your dog is actually having is suitable for their size and that it is weighed out accurately.

Is canned pumpkin good for dogs?

Plain canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. Both fresh and canned pumpkin are good sources of nutrients and fiber, but canned pumpkin contains a higher concentration of fiber and nutrients compared to fresh pumpkin. This is because fresh pumpkin has higher water content than canned pumpkin.