How Much Does The Farmer’s Dog Cost And Is It Worth It?

If you have a dog, you’ve hopefully already factored the cost of pet care into your budget.

When it comes to feeding your dog, however, you’re not always better off buying the packaged kibble that’s on the grocery store shelf. It may not contain the best nutrients, especially if your dog has allergies, digestive issues or special needs.

But can you afford to pay for something like The Farmer’s Dog, a freshly made dog food with human-grade ingredients? I think you might be surprised.

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 dog’s size and activity levels dictate the amount of food consumed. Of course, the quality of the food also affects the price.

Here’s 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.”

Other Brands vs. The Farmer’s Dog Cost

For commercial kibble from a decent mass-market brand, you will spend about $1 per day for a 25-pound dog, and around $2 per day for a 55-pound dog.

On the other hand, an adequate amount of fresh dog food made from real cooked meat and vegetables for the same dog is more expensive.

The Farmer’s Dog cost is:

• Around $4 to $5 per day for a 25-pound dog
• Around $8 to $9 per day for a 55-pound dog

But, again, this isn’t exactly comparing apples to apples. First, a well-rounded meal that’s made from whole ingredients is not comparable to many kibbles.

“All of our ingredients are human-grade and sourced from restaurant suppliers, local farms or other human food purveyors,” according to The Farmer’s Dog website. “We never use feed-grade ingredients, and we don’t process our ingredients to be shelf-stable, getting the most natural nutrients available.”

In this video, I show you exactly what arrives in the box, and what my canine reviewer thought about The Farmer’s Dog:

Farmer’s Dog Review

Farmer’s Dog has carved a niche in the pet food industry by offering fresh, human-grade meals that cater to the health and well-being of our canine companions. The brand emphasizes transparency, quality, and personalization, a refreshing contrast to many off-the-shelf pet foods.

Pros:

• Fresh Ingredients: Farmer’s Dog uses fresh, human-grade ingredients which are a noticeable step up from many traditional dog foods that contain fillers, by-products, and artificial preservatives. This is why your pets meals have to be stored in the fridge.
• Customized Meals: The food is tailored for individual dogs based on factors like age, breed, activity level, and health needs. This personal touch can be especially beneficial for dogs with special dietary needs.
• Convenience: Meals are pre-portioned, eliminating the guesswork of how much to feed your dog. They’re packed with insulation and delivered directly to your door, making the process hassle-free.
• Transparency: Farmer’s Dog lists all ingredients clearly and provides insights into their sourcing. The brand’s transparency extends beyond just the ingredients; they’re also forthright about their preparation processes.
• Positive Reviews: Many dog owners have reported positive changes in their dog’s health, energy levels, and coat condition after switching to Farmer’s Dog.

Cons:

• Cost: High-quality ingredients and tailored meals come at a price. Farmer’s Dog is notably more expensive than many mainstream dog food brands. However, for many pet owners, the benefits justify the higher cost.
• Storage: Because the food is fresh and doesn’t contain preservatives, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. This might be inconvenient for those with limited space.
• Limited Variety: While the brand offers a few different recipes, some dogs or owners might desire a wider variety of flavors or ingredients.

Conclusion:
Farmer’s Dog provides a fresh and wholesome alternative to traditional dog food options. The focus on high-quality, human-grade ingredients and personalization stands out in an industry that often prioritizes mass production. While it may be a pricier option, the potential health benefits and convenience might make it worth the investment for many pet owners. However, as with any pet food, it’s essential to consult with a vet to ensure it meets your dog’s specific needs.

If you’d like a more in depth review, check out my article here.

What Type of Food Is Best for Your Dog?

Veterinarians’ knowledge of canine nutrition has come a long way in the past few decades. Thirty years ago, experts believed that dogs were carnivores. They now understand that dogs are omnivores.

Still, many dog food manufacturers use sneaky tricks to lead consumers to believe they’re buying balanced and nutritious products for their pets. Some proteins are not easily digestible. For example, corn, a primary ingredient in many conventional dog foods, is one of the least digestible proteins, according to PetMD. Corn is much less digestible than muscle meats, organ meats and egg whites.

Many raw materials that are unfit for human consumption can be legally added to dog food. To add carbohydrates, some manufacturers use cheap grains, which deliver energy but not many other vitamins and minerals.

Plus, most dog foods that you find on grocery store shelves are formulated to meet the average dog’s minimum nutritional requirements. Your dog’s health and metabolism might be very different from those of the typical canine.

All of this might make you wonder if you’re better off cooking fresh dog food from scratch. There’s a convenience factor involved in feeding your pet, though. Many people would balk at the idea of spending time cooking separate meals for their dogs. Fortunately, there is a happy medium.

Is The Farmer’s Dog Worth It?

Yes. The Farmer’s Dog subscription is worth the cost, in our opinion. You get personalized meal plans formulated by veterinary nutritionists to give your dog the fresh food ingredients they really need. The recipes are made from fresh, human grade food in their kitchens before the food is frozen, and delivered in an insulated cardboard box to your door.

Instead of providing a one-size-fits-all solution, The Farmer’s Dog gives your pet customized nutrition. Their custom meal plans are grain-free and typically include ingredients such as: chicken, beef, turkey, pork, carrots, green beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, lentils, spinach, etc.

To create your customized meal plan, they have a short questionnaire where you follow the instructions, fill out the form (dog’s name, age, weight, breed, allergies, etc.) and at the end, receive a few board-certified meal plans for your pet.

The Farmer’s Dog cost varies. You might spend $3 a day for a small dog or about $8 for an energetic Lab mix. Every animal is unique, and this high-quality dog food’s ingredients and pricing reflect your pet’s distinctive needs.

I love seeing comments like these from Facebook:

Try out The Farmer’s Dog. Your dog will feel the difference — and you’ll see it.

The Farmer’s Dog – 50% Off Trial

For a limited time, you can get an amazing 50% off your first order right now. No promo code required. Give The Farmer’s Dog a try today and get your pup thriving on a healthy, wholesome diet that’s just about the closest thing to homemade out there! Learn more here.

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Written by Dave Baker

Dave Baker, founder and publisher of Petful, is a journalist and editor who has worked at The New York Times and The Nation magazine. He was also part of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize–winning team at The Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Petful is now based. A longtime advocate for pet food safety, Dave has been passionately tracking pet food recalls for nearly 15 years, and nearly 40,000 pet parents are subscribed to his recall alerts — which often arrive faster than even the recall alerts put out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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