In partnership with The Farmer’s Dog. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
I've been an animal lover from the jump. At one point, when I was a kid, we had three dogs, three cats, and a lizard named Fred. As an adult, I've fostered more than 50 dogs – big, little, gangly, grizzled, toothless. I've loved each of them, and they’ve taught me that no two dogs approach food the same way.
Take, for example, Mr. Peewee. Peewee was an enormous boxer-mix who treated every meal like it might be his last; he'd inhale his bowl in under thirty seconds, then go looking for more (I’m talking trash, socks, the cat's litter box, etc.). Then there was Little Man, the chihuahua who came to me undersized and picky, barely interested in food at all. They each had their own needs – and kibble, I found, wasn’t the answer for either of them.
Watching so many different dogs cycle through my home taught me that feeding dogs isn't nearly as one-size-fits-all as the pet food aisle makes it seem. When I finally adopted my own dog, I decided to give The Farmer's Dog a go. I wish I'd tried it years ago.
We like
- Personalized meal plans that account for your dog's age, weight, activity level, and health goals
- Real, human-grade ingredients I can actually recognize
- Pre-portioned servings that take the guesswork out of feeding
- Recipes formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
- My dog gets genuinely excited for every meal
We don't like
- Needs fridge and freezer space
- A bit more planning involved than just absentmindedly scooping kibble from a bag
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Why "One Size Fits All" Never Really Fits
I’ve purchased (or been given) thousands of bags of dog food in my dog- fostering and dog- parenting life. Most of it has been ultra-processed brown pellets that don’t look particularly appetizing.
Instead of ultra-processed kibble, each Farmer’s Dog recipe is made with gently cooked meat and vegetables that you can actually identify just by looking at them. Every subscription starts with a questionnaire about your dog, then builds a feeding plan around factors like their age, breed, weight, activity level, and whether they're spayed or neutered.
That personalization ended up being one of my favorite parts of the experience. After fostering so many dogs with wildly different needs, it simply makes more sense than assuming one formula should work equally well for a hyperactive Lab puppy and a slower-moving senior Chihuahua.
The Benefits in Each Bowl
Dogs will tell you pretty quickly whether they're on board with a food. My dog is very on board with The Farmer’s Dog – and she has been from the jump. She sprints to the kitchen for mealtime, and I have to encourage her to breathe and take her time.
Luckily, I’m loving this food as much as she is. While she gets so excited about the taste, I’m thrilled that each pack is pre-portioned so I don’t have to think about weight management nearly as much (did you know a lean dog can live up to 2.5 years longer?). In fact, The Farmer’s Dog is the only fresh dog food clinically shown to support healthy aging. I've also noticed consistent energy levels, healthier poops (if you know you know), and a shinier coat over the past few months.
Beyond my own experience, I also appreciate that The Farmer's Dog is formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and uses gently cooked recipes designed to preserve more nutrients than high-heat extrusion. The brand also notes that its fresh food is highly digestible and can support healthy immune function.
What It’s Like to Switch
I will admit that I had a brief adjustment to The Farmer’s Dog. The food arrives frozen, so you'll want to make a little room in your freezer and remember to move the next pack into the refrigerator before you need it. It's more involved than tearing open a bag of kibble, but after the first couple of weeks it became second nature.
The transition itself was surprisingly easy. The Farmer's Dog provides a gradual feeding schedule to help your dog adjust, and mine took to it without any hesitation. Before long, grabbing a fresh pack from the fridge became just another part of the morning routine.
The Peace of Mind Is Priceless
The Farmer's Dog was founded after co-founder Brett Podolsky began cooking fresh meals for his own dog, Jada, when she developed severe digestive issues. Alongside co-founder Jonathan Regev, he turned that personal experience into one of the most recognizable fresh dog food brands on the market – I now understand why.
After fostering more than 50 dogs, I've become much more intentional about what goes into a food bowl. I know firsthand that every dog is different, and I appreciate that The Farmer's Dog treats them that way. Knowing my dog's meals are personalized, pre-portioned, and formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists gives me confidence that I'm feeding her something designed around her needs – not just the "average" dog (she’s exceptional, after all).
