The Farmer’s Dog is one of the most commonly known brands making fresh dog food, but they aren’t the only option for pet parents seeking healthy, balanced meals for their pups. There are dozens of alternative fresh pet food companies worth considering when you’re ready to move away from dry food and kibble.
Comparing alternatives matters when it comes to things like formulas, sourcing, pricing, and delivery. Deciding what’s best for your dog involves understanding these differences and matching them to your dog’s needs, your budget, and your lifestyle.
This guide offers an informational look at some of the top dog food companies and Farmer’s Dog alternatives, highlighting each brand within the fresh food space and what pet parents should consider when exploring new options.
5 Top Alternatives to The Farmer’s Dog
Made with real ingredients like meat, vegetables, and grains, fresh dog food has become a popular alternative to traditional dry dog food. Prioritizing ingredient quality, transparency, and nutritional balance will help your dog stay healthy, happy, and by your side for years to come. Here are five well-known brands for pet parents to consider when searching for fresh dog food similar to The Farmer’s Dog.
- JustFoodForDogs
- Nom Nom
- Ollie
- Spot & Tango
- Freshpet
Here’s a deeper dive into the ingredients, formulas, offerings, and pricing of the top fresh dog food brands:
JustFoodForDogs
JustFoodForDogs is a veteran in the fresh dog food category known for its transparency, vet-developed recipes, and customization options, including personalized feeding plans and special diets for dogs with specific health or nutritional needs. Their broad range of feeding formats includes fresh-frozen meals, shelf-stable pantry options, and nutrient blends for DIY homemade preparation.
Nutrients and Formulation:
Recipes are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist and designed to meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition. The company provides detailed nutrient breakdowns and feeding guidance. They offer dog food delivery of vet-approved, fresh-frozen meals, fresh shelf-stable options, nutrient packs for DIY homemade meals, and custom therapeutic diets or personalized feeding plans.
Ingredients:
JustFoodForDog’s fresh dog food delivery focuses on whole-food ingredients like USDA-certified meats, vegetables, and whole grains are commonly featured. Ingredient sourcing and preparation methods are detailed publicly to support informed choice.
Pros & Cons:
JustFoodForDogs stands out for its high level of ingredient sourcing transparency, scientifically formulated recipes, and multiple feeding formats that provide flexibility for different lifestyles. They also offer customization options for dogs with specific health or nutritional needs. However, pricing is typically higher than standard kibble, and fresh-frozen meals require adequate freezer space for storage.
Pricing:
Pricing varies depending on your dog’s size, calorie requirements, and meal plan. For example, it would cost about $7.65 per day to feed a moderately active 25lb dog on the Chicken & Rice recipe. A moderately active 45lb dog that eats the same recipe may cost around $10 day. Use this feeding calculator to determine your cost. Fresh-frozen meals are typically in the premium category, reflecting whole-ingredient sourcing and formulation standards.
Nom Nom
Nom Nom offers fresh dog food delivery of vet-formulated meals that arrive pre-portioned via subscription. According to comparisons of fresh dog food services, Nom Nom is frequently listed alongside The Farmer’s Dog as a top alternative dog food subscription.
Nutrients and Formulation:
Nom Nom meals are formulated with input from veterinary nutritionists and are designed to meet AAFCO nutrient standards. Recipes include carefully measured levels of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support daily health and maintenance, rather than relying on whole ingredients alone for nutritional needs. They provide calorie information and feeding recommendations based on a dog’s weight and activity level, helping pet parents portion meals appropriately.
Ingredients:
Nom Nom’s balanced recipes feature meats like chicken or beef, paired with rice, vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals. They’re paired with carbohydrates like rice or potatoes, and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, peas, or squash. Each recipe is supplemented with vitamins and minerals to support bone health, immune function, skin and coat condition, and overall balance. Recipes are gently cooked and portioned to help maintain ingredient integrity and consistency from batch to batch.
Pros & Cons:
Nom Nom offers the convenience of pre-portioned packaging along with fresh dog food delivery of recipes designed to deliver consistent texture and quality in every batch. However, meals are typically available through a subscription model rather than one-time retail purchases. In-store availability may be more limited compared to widely distributed fresh food brands.
Pricing:
Subscription prices for fresh dog food from Nom Nom trend higher than some other fresh brands, reflecting personalized plans tied to size and caloric needs. Subscriptions run around $3–$10 per day, depending on your dog’s size and meal plan.
Ollie
Ollie is a dog food subscription-based fresh food service that delivers pre-portioned meals directly to pet parents’ doors. In addition to its refrigerated fresh recipes, the brand also offers gently baked options designed to provide a shelf-stable alternative. Meal plans are customized based on a dog’s age, weight, activity level, and feeding goals, with automatic dog food delivery options for convenience.
Nutrients and Formulation:
Ollie recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles, and the company works with veterinary professionals in recipe development. They provide clear calorie information and feeding recommendations tailored to each dog’s profile. Recipes are gently cooked to help retain nutrients while supporting digestibility and consistent nutrition.
Ingredients:
Each recipe from Ollie centers around protein like chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb as the primary ingredient, combined with carefully selected carbohydrates like rice or grain-free alternatives, along with fruits and vegetables. Added vitamins and minerals add nutritional completeness and support overall health, including immune function, skin and coat health, and metabolic balance.
Pros & Cons:
Ollie’s various meal formats, along with personalized feeding plans and clear portion guidance based on a dog’s specific profile, can simplify daily feeding for busy pet parents. However, fresh meals require refrigeration, and participation typically involves an ongoing subscription commitment rather than one-time purchases.
Pricing:
Ollie typically prices its meals in the premium tier of the fresh food category. Some analyses indicate prices higher than The Farmer’s Dog on average at around $2-$10 per day.
Spot & Tango
Spot & Tango is a fresh dog food delivery company that provides meals tailored to your dog’s needs. They factor age, breed, weight, and activity level to create their fresh recipes. They also offer a unique shelf-stable option called FreshDry, previously marketed as Un Kibble. It is designed to retain fresh-like nutrition with the convenience of a dry dog food format. Both fresh and fresh-dry plans are offered through a subscription model with automatic fresh food delivery. Feeding plans are customized to provide daily calorie targets and portion guidance.
Nutrients and Formulation:
Spot & Tango’s meals are developed with an emphasis on minimally processed, whole-food ingredients and are designed to meet AAFCO standards. The brand highlights the use of human-grade ingredients and avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Each recipe is formulated with a full nutrient profile in mind. Their personalized approach considers individual caloric needs based on your dog’s characteristics.
Ingredients:
Recipes from Spot & Tango feature whole meats such as chicken, beef, or turkey as the primary source of protein, along with high-fiber dog food ingredients like vegetables and fruits, antioxidants, and naturally occurring micronutrients. Fresh food meals may include grain-inclusive options like barley or oats, or grain-free alternatives for dogs with sensitivities. They emphasize clean ingredient panels without artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors in their fresh food options.
Pros & Cons:
Spot & Tango provides both fresh meals and shelf-stable options, offering flexibility for different feeding preferences. Custom meal plans based on a dog’s profile can support more tailored nutrition. However, meals are primarily available through a subscription model, and pricing may be higher than some other fresh food or retail-based alternatives.
Pricing:
Spot & Tango’s fresh meal plans may have a higher cost than some competitors’, but offer added flexibility with the dried FreshDry option. The cost of their fresh meals ranges from about $2–$6 per day.
Freshpet
Freshpet produces refrigerated fresh dog food that’s widely available in grocery stores, pet specialty retailers, and club stores across the U.S., Canada, and online. Their products can be purchased off the shelf and served straight from the package to your dog’s bowl, making them accessible to pet parents who want fresh nutrition without a subscription commitment.
Nutrients and Formulation:
Freshpet diets are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards, and the company works with veterinarians and pet nutrition experts in recipe development. Recipes from Freshpet include calorie and nutrient profiles designed to support everyday health, and the fresh, gently cooked preparation Freshpet provides helps retain natural nutrients and moisture.
Ingredients:
Freshpet emphasizes high-quality proteins like chicken, beef, turkey, and salmon paired with fruits and vegetables such as spinach, carrots, cranberries, or sweet potatoes to provide natural sources of essential nutrients. Freshpet’s fresh food formulas contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors often found in kibble, and many recipes are gently steam-cooked then refrigerated to help preserve freshness.
Pros & Cons:
Freshpet provides both fresh meal delivery and shelf-stable options, offering flexibility for different feeding preferences. Their limited-ingredient and custom meal plans based on a dog’s profile can support more tailored nutrition. However, meals from Freshpet are not human-grade, and pricing may be higher than some other fresh or retail-based alternatives.
Pricing:
Freshpet is frequently cited as a cheaper alternative to The Farmer’s Dog cost on a per-meal basis, especially when it comes to food for small dog breeds or mixed feeding approaches. Because Freshpet is sold at retail, its cost looks different than subscription services. On average, a 3-lb refrigerated roll typically retails for $15–$18.
What Matters Most in Fresh Dog Food
Not all fresh dog food similar to The Farmer’s Dog is created equally. When comparing fresh dog food brands, consider these key factors:
Nutritional Completeness and Balance
Complete and balanced fresh food that meets nutritional profiles for your dog’s stage of life. Look for AAFCO-compliant pet food formulations and transparency in nutrient breakdowns.
Ingredient Quality and Sourcing Transparency
Higher-quality ingredients (like human-grade meats and whole produce) and clear sourcing practices can help you understand what goes into your dog’s diet.
Veterinary or Nutritionist Involvement in Formulation
Brands that involve board-certified veterinary nutritionists or conduct feeding trials often provide added confidence in nutrient adequacy.
Level of Processing
Fresh dog food typically involves gentle cooking or dehydration rather than high-heat extrusion. Understanding processing methods helps you evaluate nutrient retention.
Customization vs. Standard Recipes
Some companies provide individualized meal plans based on your dog’s profile, while others rely on standardized recipes suitable for many dogs’ diets. Customization can help address specific needs like sensitivities or weight management.
Long-Term Suitability and Feeding Practicality
Consider whether the food is meant for everyday feeding or occasional use and how it fits into your storage and preparation routines.
How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog
Selecting fresh dog food brands that suit your pup’s needs depends on your dog, your lifestyle, and your household. When choosing the right diet, consider these pet food factors:
- Your dog’s age, size, and activity level at different life stages
- Specific health needs or sensitivities, like dogs with allergies or digestive issues
- Preference for fresh, shelf-stable, or homemade options, since some formats require more preparation or storage space than others
- Budget and subscription flexibility, as some brands offer more affordable entry points, while others are premium
- Customization vs. fixed recipes, choosing brands provide multiple formats and custom plans.
Finding the Right Fresh Food for Your Dog
Choosing fresh dog food is a personal decision. Prioritize complete nutrition, clear ingredient sourcing, and preparation transparency. Whether you value subscription convenience, in-store access, or homemade approaches, the growing field of The Farmer’s Dog competitors offers a range of options to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there cheaper alternatives to The Farmer’s Dog?
Yes. Some brands, particularly those available in stores, often come in at a lower per-meal cost than subscription fresh food delivery services. Other cheaper alternatives to Farmer’s Dog include dried or freeze-dried formats from brands like Open Farm, which can offer fresh-like nutrition with less cost per day.
How do I switch my dog from The Farmer’s Dog to another brand?
A gradual transition helps most dogs adjust. Mix a small amount of the new food with your dog’s current meals over several days, gradually increasing the new food. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may benefit from a slower transition.
Is fresh dog food better than kibble?
“Better” depends on your dog’s needs. Dog food similar to Farmer’s Dog fresh food generally contains higher moisture content and fewer fillers than standard kibble, but both can be complete and balanced if formulated properly.
What’s the difference between custom and pre-portioned fresh dog food?
Custom fresh meals are tailored to your dog’s unique profile, factoring in age, weight, activity level, and sensitivities. Pre-portioned offerings use standardized recipes designed for a broad audience. Custom plans can offer more personalization, but may come at a higher cost.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
