The Farmers Dog Dog Food Review
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When I first heard about fresh dog food subscription services several years ago, I was wanting something other than just kibble to feed my dogs. I have been leery about just how much nutrition and how safe is commercial kibble dog food. I thought about making their food and actually do make it once in awhile, but frankly Im too lazy to be consistent at making it on a regular basis.
My fur babies are my life and I want them to have the best. I decided to give The Farmers Dogfood a try. It was a hit with them. There are a lot of things I love about The Farmers Dog and a few I dont and I will be entirely honest about our experience with it. Be sure to check out all of our posts on the best dog food for chihuahuas.
Since we first tried it about 3 years ago or so, we have tried several other subscription food services too. I want to write about as many as I can and give you an honest opinion on each of them. I went back and ordered The Farmers Dog food again recently, just so I could see if anything has changed and to give the latest information.
Why Dog Food Delivery Has Become So Popular
If you shop online for dog supplies, you’ve likely noticed a serious spike in the number of internet vendors, including ones that sell pet supplies and dog food. Chewy.com is still the largest of them all. No, seriously, you can buy just about anything for your pooch via this Amazon-esque pet marketplace including dog food subscriptions. But there are also some really wonderful, small startups that offer exceptional, prepared dog chow — fresh and otherwise — along with other various offerings for Fido.
Dog food delivery has become very popular over the past couple of years and especially during the pandemic, for reasons that may be obvious. When you order dog food online, you’ll get more choices than at most brick-and-mortar stores. You also have the convenience of not having to lug that heavy kibble to the car and home. You can also do a bit more price comparing when you use online dog food delivery since there are dozens of online retailers and many of them carry the most popular brands.
From the menu options and ingredients to pricing, available accessories and add-ons, these dog food delivery outfits run the gamut, which is why we’re here to help you find the verybest dog food delivery service in 2021.
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Homemade Dog Food Sources
- Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
- Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Recommended Serving Amounts
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dogâs dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dogâs diet.
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Awesome For Allergies: Evermore
Price: $14 to $300 per week.
Evermore subscriptions come in a variety of sizes so that you can choose to feed it exclusively, or use as a meal supplement. Learn more through the link below.
Our experience: The packaging was compact and had serving sizes on the back of the boxes, and I liked that they used organic ingredients, but it was a bit of a hassle to find a ziplock bag when I didnt need to use a full portion for a single meal and then try to stuff it back into the cardboard so I didnt get the meals confused between dogs. Because they focus on organic ingredients, grass-fed meat, and avoid most problematic starches theyre our top choice for dogs with sensitive systems or food allergies.
What sets them apart:
Available recipes: Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, Beef
Evermore
Made with organic ingredients and grass-fed meat, Evermore is a great option for dogs with allergies since their food avoids most problematic starches.
The Farmer’s Dog Recipes & Ingredients
The Farmers Dog currently offers four different protein options, including pork, beef, chicken, and turkey, all of which you are able to mix and match in order to create some diversity in your dogs meals. All ingredients are listed clearly, and the package also states exactly what day the food was cooked on.
When looking at the ingredient list, you always want to focus on the first few items since everything is listed in order of quantity. The items that make up the majority of the food will be first, and the last bit of the list will include small amounts of nutritional supplements.
As you can see with The Farmers Dog, the first ingredients are exactly what they should be – the protein that you have selected. This is then followed by real vegetables, all of which are selected for optimal health benefits.
Most of the food packages contain anywhere from 66% – 72% moisture, which is important for dogs to ensure that they are getting enough water throughout the day. This is one aspect of dry food that can be very harmful, as even a bowl of water left out may not be properly hydrating them.
All of the food is grain free, and formulated so that it is appropriate for dogs of any age. It also is personalized based on the questionnaire you fill out before ordering, and each package will arrive with your dogs name on it.
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Made With Food Allergies In Mind
Bretts dog Jada suffered for two years with food intolerances that couldnt be explained, which was the entire reason behind the creation of this food. Their simple and honest recipes contain fresh, high-quality ingredients, omitting many potential intolerances or allergy triggers.
It is also often a suitable alternative for dogs that struggle with their immune system, as The Farmers Dogs use of vitamins, minerals, vegetables, and protein can help to boost your dogs immune system, better than the standard kibble dog foods.
How Much Does It Cost To Feed Your Dog
The average person spends up to $550 a year on food for their dog, according to Petfinder.
Food expenses vary, though. Your dogs size and activity levels dictate the amount of food consumed. Of course, the quality of the food also affects the price.
Heres the deal: You get what you pay for. When you go with a highly processed commercial dog food, you could end up paying more down the road in veterinary bills.
Not only can you see the signs of improved health with a more natural dog food, writes Jeffrey Levy, DVM, PCH, but you will also save money in the long run due to fewer and lower veterinary bills.
The healthier your pet is, the less likely s/he will be to have fleas, skin problems, allergies and many other common disease problems.
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The Farmer’s Dog Brand Information
The Farmers Dog started out of a need for one man to solve his dogs health issues. Brett Podolsky noticed that his dog Jada suffered for a multitude of digestive issues, and he was on the hunt for a food that would help alleviate her discomfort. From Vet recommended brands to generic store options, everything he selected only seemed to make matters worse.
Out of ideas, Brett took his dog to a holistic vet who suggested that he try cooking food himself and feeding that to Jada. Armed with that advice, he went home and began making her meals, and virtually overnight her stomach issues ceased. He then put her back on regular food, and immediately the same problems resumed, forcing him to switch her back to homemade food permanently.
What Brett noticed, however, was that there were not a lot of options out there for this specialized diet, and if he wanted to feed Jada a better meal then he was stuck making it himself. This led him to think about other pet owners who were likely in a similar situation, and from here The Farmers Dog was born.
After teaming up with his friend, and fellow co-founder, Jonathan Regev, the two raised a significant amount of venture capital – more than any other similar brand has been able to do. From here they were able to build an incredibly successful business that continues to dominate in the world of pet meal delivery services.
How To Sign Up For The Farmers Dog
For the benefit of my fellow pet parents, the Farmers Dog review gives you step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for The Farmers Dog.
Customers can also change the frequency of shipping based on their dogs preference, or cancel the service at any point. You can also ask for a change of recipe.
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The Farmers Dog Testimonials
After looking through the feedback from 2 websites, I found that The Farmers Dog scored well too. It had an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 2,549 reviews.
Most dogs absolutely loved the food and looked forward to mealtime, even the picky eaters. A small handful had a bad reaction to the food but this can happen with any diet change.
The Farmers Dog fans had a lot of praise for their customer service which they said went above and beyond in some cases.
One customers dog passed away and The Farmers Dog sent them flowers to say they were sorry for their loss.
Here are some reviews from happy customers of The Farmers Dog.
Shelby W says:
Doroteya S says:
Ollie Vs The Farmers Dog Price Comparison
The following examples are based on a full plan option. Prices vary, depending on age, breed, weight, activity level, body type, recipes and shipping frequency. These are estimated ranges only and the actual cost may be higher or lower than these ranges depending on your dogs individual needs.
The Farmers Dog does clarify that their smallest mixing plan starts around $2/day.
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Different Types Of Dog Food Delivery
Before we doggy paddle into the deep end of pet food delivery services, you should know that your subscription options in 2021 go far beyond dry kibble or canned chow. There are custom blends, organic pet food, fresh dog food, raw dog food and even cook-at-home dog food — like meal kits but for making kibble. Basically, there’s a dog food delivery company out there that can meet any canine’s dietary demands. That said, it’s good to know what you’re looking for and what’s best for your dog given its breed, age and other factors. If you’re not sure, have a chat with your vet and let them know some of the dog food subscriptions you’ve been considering and what you’re leaning towards.
Do you want to serve your furry pal raw or fresh dog food, for instance? Try the Farmer’s Dog. Perhaps grain-free, wet dog food or dry kibble makes the most sense. There are plenty of options for those too. Do you need food for a puppy or a special recipe for an adult dog? Maybe you want to feed them homemade dog food, or is canned food is better for your schedule. It goes even deeper than that: If your dog prefers chicken, beef, fish flavors or fresh dog food made with brown rice and sweet potato, you can find it. Some dogs have allergies, so there are dog meal delivery services that will account for that too. All these factors can be addressed by dog food subscription services for a nutrition-focused pet parent looking to get the absolute best quality dog food delivered at home.
Why Go With Fresh Dog Food
First, some grim facts and figures on why its important to know what your poochs food contains. According to a study by VCA Animal Hospital, 80% of pets older than three years of age have active dental disease. Nearly 60% of the dogs in the United States are either obese or overweight.
The Farmers Dog review will now look at what we can do to save our doggos. According to The Farmers Dog, it starts with feeding them right.
Numerous studies have found that pet foods often contain ingredients that are not listed on their labels, or missing those they claim to use. Pet food production in the US is carried out at alarmingly low safety and quality standards, which are hidden behind loose labeling and marketing regulations:
- Meals: Powders like Chicken Meal can contain meat from diseased livestock
- Label Tricks:Foods can hide behind misleading bags. Made with beef can mean just 3% beef.
- Brown Pellets: Kibble is extremely processed regardless of the ingredient claims
In comes The Farmers Dog with its line-up of fresh food. The brand does not make a lot of tall claims like most brands. The website explicitly states there isnt anything fancy or magical about what they are trying to do
All The Farmers Dog claims is that they make real, fresh food. Its still dog food, just how it should be, states the brand. If anything, the brand has my respect for its modesty.
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What Kinds Of Dog Food Does The Farmers Dog Offer
The Farmers Dog provides balanced and nutritious meals made with wholesome protein, whole fruits, veggies, vitamins and minerals. The pre-portioned meals are made in USDA kitchens and gently cooked at low temperatures in accordance with USDA facility standards. There are three cooked recipes beef, turkey and pork.
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How Does The Farmer’s Dog Compare
| The Farmer’s Dog | |
|---|---|
| Standard | Standard |
Many of the pet meal delivery services offer similar products, making it difficult to decide which one you should go with. For many their first step into this type of food will likely be determined by the overall cost, making The Farmers Dog the perfect choice. Out of all of the top companies, The Farmers Dog remains the cheapest option, while still ensuring that they meet rigorous quality standards.
Another area that people may want to take into consideration is the convenience of it all, and The Farmers Dog both excels and falls a bit short in this area. On one hand, they have the most flexible delivery schedule and options, making it a much better choice for someone who isnt always home or able to pick up a delivery. While other companies only ship every two weeks, The Farmers Dog can be adjusted to ship however many weeks you want – something no one else is offering.
Where they fall short, though, is in the fact that their packaging isnt the easiest of all the brands. The packages are not resealable, the contents can stick to the sides, and the container they do provide is neither airtight nor sturdy. This is something that can easily be fixed, so long as you open the package and transfer it into a tupperware container right away. From there you will be able to scoop and serve, sealing it back up when you are finished.
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Is The Farmers Dog Raw Food
All of The Farmers Dog recipes involve gently cooking the food at low temperatures according to USDA-facility standards to preserve more of the nutritional value. Theyre then quickly frozen for safe shipping and storage convenience.
Since the food is fresh and includes no preservatives, you must store it at a safe temperature in a refrigerator or freezer. The food lasts for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you dont plan to use it for feeding within this timeframe, pack them into freezer-safe bags and store them in the freezer.
Your box will include an easy guide on how to store and feed the food properly.
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How Do Ollie Meals Arrive
Ollie meals are packed into a cardboard box and shipped to you once a week. They are covered with dry ice and insulation to keep them cold while in transit.
The meals themselves are in soft plastic packets. These packets are airtight which preserves the food for longer naturally, without the need for additional preservatives.
It will keep in the fridge for 4 days whether opened or unopened.
You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Along with your meals you get a plastic scoop that you use to portion out your dogs meals. You also get a hard plastic container for storing leftover food in the fridge.
Meals are shipped for free in the US.
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