The Farmer’s Dog (TFD) is a dog food subscription service offering minimally processed recipes that ship right to your door. The Farmer’s Dog uses only human-grade ingredients in its vet-developed formula. Unlike many other dog food brands, The Farmer's Dog manufactures its food in facilities that meet the USDA's standards for human food.

Another thing that makes this company unique is that it curates food specific to its customers' needs. The Farmer's Dog website will have you complete a questionnaire about your dog's body type, health, age, and eating habits to determine the ideal food for your fur-baby's unique nutritional needs.

But is this food worth the price tag? We certainly think so — we ranked The Farmer’s Dog as one of the best fresh dog food brands! To help you discover if this food is right for your pup, we'll explore the ingredients, pros, cons, and more in our full review of The Farmer's Dog.

The Farmer’s Dog’s fresh dog food comes in four flavors: turkey, chicken, beef, and pork.

Since these formulas don’t contain preservatives, you’ll need to refrigerate or freeze the portions that your dog won’t eat right away. Some pet parents choose to microwave their pup’s food before giving it to them, and since it’s fresh, that choice is totally up to you!

All four The Farmer’s Dog’s fresh dog foods are "complete and balanced," meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile guidelines for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).

The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe features antioxidant-rich spinach, complex carbs from vegetable sources like carrots, parsnips, and beans, as well as offering a low-fat protein source.

The Farmer’s Dog Turkey dog food contains above-average protein (33.3% as dry matter) and slightly above-average fat (18.7% as dry matter) compared to other fresh dog foods. 

This recipe boasts the highest protein content of all the Farmer’s Dog’s offerings, constituting a whopping 45.8% of the food on a dry matter basis. It's high in fat (25% as dry matter) and calories (590 per cup), making it a good choice for working breeds. 

This recipe features a variety of heart-healthy veggies and healthy fats, though it’s important to mention that this recipe has the highest calories per serving at 722 per cup. 

The Farmer’s Dog Beef dog food consists of above-average protein (39.2% as dry matter) and above-average fat (28.5% as dry matter) compared to similar fresh dog foods. 

This recipe is chock full of natural nutrients featuring protein-packed organ meat, antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, and salmon oil, which packs a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids.

The Farmer’s Dog Pork dog food has the highest fat-to-protein ratio of its four recipes, with 36% protein as dry matter and 28% fat as dry matter. 

The Farmer’s Dog is a top pick for us for several reasons.

First and foremost, the ingredient quality is unparalleled. With a limited list of human-grade ingredients, you can rest assured knowing your pup is probably eating better than you are!

We also like that the subscriptions are formulated with the dog's unique needs and goals in mind, making it a good choice for most woofers.

The freshness of the food and lack of artificial flavors and preservatives also earn this food an A+ from us! Although, pet parents will need to store it in the fridge since it doesn't have added chemicals to keep it shelf stable.

Unlike some dog foods out there, The Farmer’s Dog isn't ground into an unrecognizable mush. You can see the meat and veggies in the recipes, which is reassuring for pet parents and appealing for pups. (After all, we eat with our eyes first!)

Lastly, we like the soft texture, which is optimal for any life stage from puppies to senior years. Even picky eaters will find it more appetizing than kibble.

The Farmer’s Dog is one of the highest quality foods you can buy for your dog — it's made in USDA-approved kitchens and formulated specifically with the dog's needs in mind. But this attention to detail does come with a few drawbacks.

The first downside to this food is the price tag. The Farmer’s Dog is more expensive than most kibble you will find in your pet store, but again, you get what you pay for.

Speaking of pet stores, don't expect to find TFD in your local retailer — it's only available through The Farmer’s Dog website (at least for now).

Finally, all recipes offered by TFD are grain-free. This isn't necessarily a downside but rather a consideration. There are definite pros and cons to feeding a grain-free diet. Going grain-free can be super beneficial for dogs with a grain allergy, but there is speculation that grain-free foods high in legumes can cause health issues for some dogs.

Definitely talk to your vet before making the switch — TFD’s website even recommends it!

"I have been a customer for about a year, I was a little [leery] initially due to the cost, but it was so worth it. My pups have sensitive stomachs and went through years of changing foods and tons of vet visits and bills. Once we switched to the Farmers Dog, my vet visits were cut in half. My dogs are happier and have fewer stomach issues. The food ingredients list is an amazing way to know all the fresh goodies that are in the food. It is a company that provides high-quality fresh food, and they CARE about their customers. Whenever I have had an issue or a question, even if I was missing where to place an update online. Customer service is always superior, polite, caring, and always supportive in every situation. I am so happy my family switched over to the Farmer's Dog."

"I was skeptical due to the price. I tried it anyway. What a huge difference. My boxer has never had a solid stool in his life and I tried multiple dog foods including expensive bags that are marketed specifically for boxers. This has changed his life. He gulps it down like there is no tomorrow and now has solid stools and more energy, not that he needed that, then ever. Back to being a little pricey. I now purchase half the portion Farmers Dog recommends for his weight. I take that half portion and feed him in the morning and in the evening. I have a 2nd bowl of simple dry dog food left out for him all the time to supplement. It's worked out perfect. As far as their customer service, I found them to be over the top helpful. I get immediate responses both when I email or text. I'm 100% on board!"

Read more reviews on the Better Business Bureau.

The Farmer’s Dog came about from the struggle of a dog dad trying to find a food that wouldn't upset his Rottweiler's stomach. Jada, the aforementioned Rottie, had a notoriously sensitive stomach, and her dad, Brett Podolsky, tried countless brands to no avail.

Finally, her vet suggested that he try making homemade food for her. After seeing a drastic change in Jada’s health, Podolsky partnered with Jonathan Regev to bring real pet food to the masses, and thus, the Farmer’s Dog recipe was born in 2014.

Fast forward to now, and The Farmer's Dog is one of the US's most rapidly growing pet food companies. The headquarters for The Farmer’s Dog is in New York City, but the company also has offices in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Nashville, TN.

The company's motto is, "Simple recipes, guided by science, and driven by love."

The Farmer’s Dog has never been recalled at the time of writing. 

All images of The Farmer’s Dog food sourced from The Farmer’s Dog website. Copyright: The Farmer’s Dog.