I’ve been a pet editor and writer for over two decades, and before that I was a veterinary clinic assistant, so I understand how important it is to feed my dog a healthy, balanced diet. While I’ve always bought high-quality pet food, fresh food elevates pet nutrition to a whole new level.
I tried a few fresh dog food delivery services with my 11-year-old miniature poodle, Jäger, over the last year. One of these was The Farmer’s Dog, a pioneer in the fresh pet food market that debuted in 2014.
After feeding Jäger The Farmer’s Dog for a month, I can see why it has a devoted following. Read on for my Farmer’s Dog review, which covers everything from the signup process to my dog’s appetite for the recipes we tried.
How The Farmer’s Dog operates
The subscription-based service only uses human-grade ingredients in its recipes, which are prepared in USDA-inspected kitchens. With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, it delivers throughout the United States. Everything is automatically shipped, ranging from weekly to every two months depending on your dog’s portions.
The registration procedure
Meal plans are simple to make. I answered questions about my dog’s breed, weight, age, activity level, and health issues in order to create a plan for him. Jäger is of normal weight and exercises regularly, so the algorithm assigned him 400 calories per day.
I could select one of four recipes (turkey, beef, pork, and chicken) and receive up to three different ones per shipment. I chose turkey, beef, and chicken to feed my 20-pound dog, which cost about $45 per week.
Shipping and packaging
The Farmer’s Dog sent me an email with an estimated delivery window, a tracking link, and notification when the package arrived at my door. Though I had no problems, customer service is available by email ([email protected]) or phone (646-780-7957).
Two weeks’ worth of fresh-frozen food arrived in a recyclable cardboard box filled with dry ice and biodegradable insulation. The food stays cold in the unopened box until 11 p.m. on delivery day.
A recyclable food storage container inside the box holds the plastic packages of frozen meals. I immediately put some of them in the fridge to thaw. Because the packs are so flat, it was simple to store the rest in the freezer.
On a table is a box of Farmer’s Dog dog food.
The majority of the packaging is recyclable, and there is a storage container included. The Farmer’s Canine
The Farmer’s Dog recipes are preportioned for your dog and include instructions on how much to feed each day. Every day, my dog ate half a pack. The company suggested a good method for portioning out the servings: I squeezed the food to create a clean line in the middle of the package, then cut it in half. There is the possibility of some spillage, but this has never been an issue for me.
Recipes from The Farmer’s Dog
To ensure your dog gets the proper nutrition, any pet food should be labeled complete and balanced. Board-certified veterinary nutritionists create the Farmer’s Dog recipes to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. As recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, the company also employs a full-time animal nutritionist.
The Farmer’s Dog food is very minimally processed when compared to shelf-stable dog food. Because it is gently cooked at low temperatures and contains no by-products or preservatives, it must be frozen or refrigerated.
Farmers dog food in the pet food dish
The Farmer’s Dog meals resemble human food, complete with whole chopped ingredients. Insider Evaluations
It should come as no surprise that the food appears to be something I would prepare for my human family. The meals include whole food ingredients such as meats and vegetables, as well as fish oil and vitamins and minerals. I could see all of the various chopped ingredients. There were Brussels sprouts, bok choy, broccoli, sweet potatoes, lentils, carrots, parsnips, and spinach, depending on the recipe.
My dog was enthralled by The Farmer’s Dog. Every time, he devoured it and licked the bowl clean. Even though he’s not a picky eater, I doubt any dog would turn down this food. Looking at his poops, which were small and well-formed, he seemed to be doing well on the food.
