Freshpet Vs Farmer’s Dog: Which Fresh Food Wins?

Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog comes down to budget, convenience, and ingredient control.

You want the best for your dog, and you want clear answers. I’ve helped many pet parents compare Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog for real homes, real budgets, and real dogs. In this guide, I break down how each brand works, what’s in the food, safety details, cost per day, and who each option fits best. If you want a simple, trusted take on Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog, you’re in the right place.

Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog: What Actually Sets Them Apart

Freshpet is a refrigerated dog food sold in stores. It is steam-cooked, then chilled. The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription fresh food. It is gently cooked, frozen, and shipped to your door.

Think of Freshpet as ready-to-eat deli food. Think of The Farmer’s Dog as pre-portioned meals with your dog’s name on them. Both aim for fresher, less processed food than kibble. Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog is not about good vs bad. It is about fit, price, and control.

Ingredients and Sourcing: How “Fresh” Is Fresh

Both brands use real meat, vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals. But there are key differences.

Freshpet uses meats like chicken, beef, and turkey with veggies such as peas and carrots. Recipes vary by line. Many use chicken broth or liver for flavor. You choose what is on the shelf that week.
The Farmer’s Dog uses human-grade ingredients cooked in USDA kitchens. You pick from set recipes, like beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. Each recipe lists clear, short ingredient lists.

If you want tighter control and a fixed recipe each month, The Farmer’s Dog wins. If you want to grab fresh food while you shop and switch proteins on the fly, Freshpet is easy.

Food Safety, Processing, and Recalls

Safety matters. Both brands cook to safe temperatures and keep a strict cold chain.

Freshpet foods are cooked and kept in the fridge at the store. In 2022, Freshpet issued a limited recall for possible Salmonella. The issue was contained.
The Farmer’s Dog meals are cooked, then frozen. As of late 2025, there have been no public recalls.

No fresh food is risk free. Cold-chain breaks can happen in transit or at home. Keep your fridge at or below 40°F and follow storage directions. This is a key piece in the Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog choice if you have a sensitive household.

Nutrition and Life Stage Fit

Both brands are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles. Check the label. Some Freshpet lines meet adult maintenance. Others meet all life stages. The Farmer’s Dog recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, when fed as directed.

What I see in practice:

The Farmer’s Dog often runs higher in protein and moisture with clear macros. This helps active dogs and picky eaters.
Freshpet can be a bit lighter in calories per cup. That helps weight control when portions creep.

The best pick in Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog depends on your dog’s age, size, and body condition. When in doubt, ask your vet to review the exact recipe.

Cost Per Day: Real Numbers for Real Budgets

Prices vary by store, recipe, and your dog’s size. Here are typical ranges I see in client plans.

Freshpet: About 1 to 3 dollars per day for small dogs. About 3 to 6 dollars per day for medium dogs. About 6 to 12 dollars per day for large dogs.
The Farmer’s Dog: About 2 to 4 dollars per day for small dogs. About 4 to 8 dollars per day for medium dogs. About 8 to 16 dollars per day for large dogs.

You can cut cost by mixing 50/50 with a high-quality kibble. Many families do this with great results. Cost is a major factor in Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog. Run your numbers before you decide.

Convenience: Buying, Storage, and Travel

Freshpet is grab-and-go at most grocery stores and pet shops. You store it in the fridge and use it within the label’s window.

The Farmer’s Dog arrives at your door on a schedule. You store packs in the freezer and thaw a couple days’ worth in the fridge. It is great for planning. It is not ideal if your freezer is packed.

For travel, Freshpet is easy for short trips. The Farmer’s Dog packs well with ice, but you must plan ahead.

Palatability, Digestion, and Stool Quality

Fresh foods tend to smell and taste better to dogs than dry kibble. In my clients and my own dogs:

The Farmer’s Dog often wins for picky eaters. The texture and meat aroma are strong.
Freshpet is very palatable too. Rolls sliced into small cubes can fix bowl fatigue.

Stools: Many dogs have smaller, less smelly stools on both. If your dog has a sensitive gut, introduce new food over 7 to 10 days.

Which Dogs Do Best With Each Option

Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog is about matching to your dog’s needs.

Pick Freshpet if you want lower cost fresh food you can buy today. Good for families without much freezer space.
Pick The Farmer’s Dog if you want fixed recipes, clear calories, and pre-portioned packs. Great for picky eaters and tight weight control.

Special cases:

Food sensitivities: Try single-protein recipes from either brand. The Farmer’s Dog often makes this simpler.
Weight loss: Pre-portioned The Farmer’s Dog can help. Freshpet can also work with careful measuring.
Puppies: Confirm AAFCO all-life-stages on the label. The Farmer’s Dog includes options that cover puppies when fed as directed.

How to Transition Safely

A slow switch helps the gut adjust to fresh food.

Days 1-3: 25% new, 75% old food.
Days 4-6: 50% new, 50% old food.
Days 7-10: 75% new, 25% old food.
Day 11+: 100% new food.

Use measured portions. Keep treats simple in the transition. This plan applies to both Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog.

Real-World Notes From My Clients

I have seen Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog play out many times.

Senior beagle with a touchy stomach: Freshpet roll mixed 50/50 with a gentle kibble stopped loose stools. Budget stayed on track.
High-energy heeler who skipped meals on kibble: The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe fixed appetite in 48 hours. Weight stabilized with pre-portions.
Allergy-prone doodle: We used The Farmer’s Dog beef as a single protein. It helped with itching while we waited on tests. Later, Freshpet chicken worked as a lower-cost rotation.

The lesson: both can work. The best plan meets your dog’s needs and your life.

Shelf Life, Handling, and Waste

Fresh food needs care.

Freshpet: Keep sealed. Use within the time on the label. Rolls usually last up to 7 days after opening.
The Farmer’s Dog: Keep frozen. Thawed packs stay fresh in the fridge for about 4 days.
Tip: Store daily portions in small, airtight containers to reduce waste. Wipe bowls after each meal.

In Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog, handling is the trade-off for freshness.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

Freshpet fills fridge cases nationwide. That is convenient, but it takes energy to chill. The Farmer’s Dog ships cold with insulation and dry ice. Many materials are curbside recyclable or returnable.

Both use animal proteins. Look for recipes with clear sourcing and responsible supply chains. If sustainability is your top goal, ask support teams about sourcing and packaging recovery options.

A Simple Decision Guide

Use this quick map for Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog.

Choose Freshpet if you want store-bought convenience, a lower price, and simple rotation.
Choose The Farmer’s Dog if you want pre-portions, tighter calorie control, stable recipes, and direct support.
Use a mix if you want the best of both. Many dogs thrive on a half-and-half plan.

If you are still unsure, test each for two weeks and compare energy, stool, coat, and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions of Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog

Is Freshpet or The Farmer’s Dog better for picky eaters?

Both work, but The Farmer’s Dog often wins due to stronger aroma and texture. Freshpet rolls can also tempt picky dogs when cut into cubes.

Do both meet AAFCO standards?

Yes, but check the label. The Farmer’s Dog recipes are formulated for all life stages, while Freshpet varies by product line.

Which is cheaper: Freshpet or The Farmer’s Dog?

Freshpet is usually cheaper per day. The Farmer’s Dog costs more but includes pre-portions, delivery, and consistent recipes.

How long does each last after opening?

Freshpet rolls and bags are usually good up to 7 days in the fridge. The Farmer’s Dog stays fresh about 4 days after thawing.

Can I mix fresh food with kibble?

Yes. Many vets support a 25% to 50% fresh mix. It helps taste, hydration, and stool quality without a full price jump.

Is there a recall history I should know about?

Freshpet had a limited recall in 2022 for possible Salmonella. As of late 2025, The Farmer’s Dog has had no public recalls.

Which is better for weight loss?

The Farmer’s Dog pre-portioned packs make calorie control easier. Freshpet can also work if you measure carefully and track body condition.

Conclusion

Freshpet vs Farmer’s Dog is about fit, not hype. If you need a store option with a friendly price, Freshpet is a smart step up from kibble. If you want stable recipes, pre-portions, and strong support, The Farmer’s Dog is worth the cost.

Pick one, transition slowly, and track results for two weeks. Watch energy, stool, coat, and weight. Your dog will tell you what works. If you found this helpful, share it with a friend, subscribe for more pet nutrition guides, or drop your questions in the comments.