Choosing the right dog food is one of the most important decisions you can make for your furry friend’s health and wellbeing. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to find a high-quality food that aligns with your values. That’s where Open Farm comes in.
Open Farm produces premium dog food made with ethically sourced ingredients to provide tailored nutrition for your dog. Their recipes feature human-grade proteins and superfoods packed with antioxidants and omegas for optimal health.
In this comprehensive review, we will dive into everything you need to know about Open Farm dog food. You’ll learn about their sourcing and manufacturing standards, recipe options, ingredients, and how pets respond to the food. We’ll also cover pros and cons, pricing, and even tips for transitioning to Open Farm. Let’s get started!
Outline of the Open Farm Dog Food Review
Introduction
- Overview of Open Farm
- Open Farm’s Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
- Types of Dog Food Offered
Sourcing and Manufacturing Process
- Where Ingredients Come From
- How Recipes Are Made
- Safety Standards
Ingredient Highlights
- Types of Proteins
- Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains
- Supplements
Recipe Options
- Open Farm’s Product Lines
- Key Differences Between Recipes
- Ingredients in Each Formula
Nutritional Analysis
- Guaranteed Analysis Per Recipe
- Calorie Content
- Macronutrient Breakdown
Dog Food Reviews and Ratings
- Customer Reviews on Sites Like Chewy
- Professional Expert Ratings
- Recalls and Controversies
Pros and Cons of Open Farm
- Benefits of the Brand
- Potential Downsides to Consider
Feeding Trials and Transition Process
- How Well Dogs Tolerate Open Farm
- Transitioning from Old Food to Open Farm
Pricing Breakdown
- Price Per Pound and Package Sizes
- How It Compares to Competitors
- Is It Worth the Cost?
FAQs About Open Farm Dog Food
- Common Questions Answered
The Final Verdict
- Summary of Key Findings
- Recommendations on Trying Open Farm
Now let’s explore each section of this Open Farm dog food review in detail:
Introduction to Open Farm Dog Food
Open Farm believes that dogs and cats deserve the very best nutrition from transparently sourced ingredients. They create premium pet foods made exclusively with ethically raised meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and supplements.
All of their ingredients come from family farms that meet Open Farm’s strict quality standards. They never use any corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Their recipes are specially formulated by veterinary nutritionists to give your dog the nutrients they need for total body health.
Open Farm offers both dry kibble and wet canned foods for dogs in a variety of product lines:
- Original Series – grain-inclusive recipes
- Ancient Grains Series – grain-free recipes
- Fresh Catch Series – high protein, fish-based recipes
- Active Dog Series – formulas for active, working dogs
No matter which recipe you choose, you can feel good about feeding Open Farm’s ethically sourced ingredients to your furry companion. Next, let’s look at how Open Farm sources all their ingredients and manufactures their recipes.
How Open Farm Dog Food is Sourced and Manufactured
Ethical Sourcing of Ingredients
All of the meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and supplements used in Open Farm recipes are sourced from family farms the company has partnered with across the United States and Canada.
Open Farm looks for farmers who prioritize animal welfare and sustainable practices. Here are some of their standards for sourcing:
- Meats – Cage-free poultry, free-range pork, grass-fed beef
- Fish – Wild-caught or sustainably raised
- Eggs – Cage-free and free-range
- Fruits/Veggies – Grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers
- Grains – Non-GMO whenever possible
The farms work closely with Open Farm to provide the highest quality ingredients while upholding ethical practices. This gives pet parents peace of mind that the food aligns with their values.
State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility
All Open Farm pet foods are manufactured in their own SQF-certified facility in Canada. SQF certification involves meeting rigorous standards for food safety and quality at every step of production.
Their kitchen includes innovative technology like high-pressure pasteurization and vacuum sealing that preserves nutrients without synthetic preservatives. All equipment and surfaces are thoroughly sanitized between production runs to avoid any risk of cross-contamination.
Open Farm adheres to the strictest quality control measures, conducting extensive testing on raw ingredients and finished products. This ensures each batch of food meets their nutritional standards and is safe for your dog to enjoy.
Key Ingredients in Open Farm Dog Food Formulas
Now let’s take a deep dive into some of the high-quality ingredients that go into Open Farm’s dog food recipes.
Ethically Sourced Proteins
The first ingredients in all of Open Farm’s recipes are protein-packed meats, fish, and eggs from family farms. Here are some of the protein sources they use:
- Beef – Grass-fed and humanely raised
- Chicken – Free-range and cage-free
- Turkey – Free-range and non-GMO
- Salmon – Wild-caught Pacific salmon
- Rainbow Trout – Sustainably farmed
- Pork – Free-range heritage breed pork
- Eggs – Cage-free and free-range
These ethically sourced proteins provide essential amino acids dogs need for lean muscle maintenance. They are incredibly palatable, making the food irresistible to even picky pups.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains
In addition to premium proteins, Open Farm recipes contain a colorful blend of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, including:
- Sweet Potatoes – Rich in vitamin A and beta carotene
- Apples – High in vitamin C and fiber
- Blueberries – Packed with disease-fighting antioxidants
- Pumpkin – Supports digestive and immune health
- Carrots – Great source of vitamin A
- Broccoli – Contains vitamin C, K, and folate
Some grain-inclusive formulas feature whole grains like oats, barley, rice, and quinoa that provide energy from carbohydrates. There are also ancient grain options like millet, amaranth, and sorghum for dogs that tolerate grains well.
Supplements
To complete the nutritional profiles, Open Farm adds omega fatty acids, chelated minerals, probiotics, and dried fermentation products:
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 – Supports skin, coat, joint, and brain health
- Zinc and Iron – Important minerals for metabolism and immunity
- Probiotics – Aids digestion and gut health
- Kefir – Provides probiotics and digestive enzymes
These supplements complement the whole food ingredients to provide balanced nutrition.
Next, let’s overview the different product lines and key details about each recipe.
Overview of Open Farm Dog Food Recipes
Open Farm creates tailored recipes for dogs in all life stages and with different dietary needs. Here is an overview of their product offerings:
Original Series Dry Dog Food
This grain-inclusive line features oats, barley, and rice. It comes in three recipes:
- Surf & Turf – Beef, salmon, trout, eggs
- Catch of the Day – Salmon, trout, eggs
- Chicken & Turkey – Cage-free chicken and turkey
The Original Series provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
This grain-free line uses ancient grains like millet, sorghum, and buckwheat. It is also available in three recipes:
- Hearty Beef & Barley – Grass-fed beef and beef liver
- Wholesome Turkey & Millet – Free-range turkey and turkey liver
- Nourish Salmon & Sorghum – Wild-caught salmon and smoked salmon
The Ancient Grains formulas are great for dogs with sensitivities to common grains like corn, wheat, and soy.
Fresh Catch Wet Dog Food
These high protein formulas feature wild-caught fish like Alaskan salmon, rainbow trout, rockfish, and Pacific flounder as the first ingredients. Each can combines two or three sustainably caught fish varieties.
The Fresh Catch line comes in four recipes:
- Salmon & Trout
- Salmon & Flounder
- Trout & Rockfish
- Rockfish & Flounder
The wet food provides an ultra-moist texture dogs love with Omega-3s from fish.
Active Dog Series
Formulated for highly active and working dog breeds, this line delivers high protein and fat to fuel energy demands. It comes in two grain-free recipes:
- Performance Chicken & Egg – Free-range chicken, eggs, ancient grains
- Endurance Salmon & Red Lentils – Wild salmon, lentils, veggies
The Active Dog food provides calorie-dense nutrition without excess carbs.
As you can see, Open Farm offers diverse recipes made with high-quality ingredients to suit every dog. Next, let’s break down the guaranteed analysis and macronutrients in these formulas.
Nutritional Analysis of Open Farm Dog Food
All Open Farm recipes are formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutritional standards for complete and balanced nutrition. Here is an overview of the typical nutritional analysis per recipe:
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein – 25-27% minimum for dry food, 10% minimum for wet food
- Crude Fat – 15-17% minimum for dry food, 7% minimum for wet food
- Crude Fiber – 4-5% maximum for dry food, 1% maximum for wet food
- Moisture – 10% maximum for dry food, 78% minimum for wet food
Protein and fat levels reflect the high meat content with balanced fiber and moisture.
Calorie Content
- Dry Food – 350-400 calories per 8 oz cup
- Wet Food – 150-250 calories per 5.5 oz can
The calorie counts cater to different lifestyle needs. The Active Dog line is the most calorie-dense, while the wet foods are lower in calories.
Macronutrient Breakdown
In general, Open Farm recipes contain:
- Protein – 25-35% of total calories
- Fat – 25-40% of total calories
- Carbohydrates – 25-45% of total calories
This macronutrient profile balances high protein with moderate fat and carbs. The grain-free recipes skew higher in fat and protein compared to the grain-inclusive options.
Now that we’ve looked under the hood, let’s see what real pet parents and experts think about Open Farm dog food.
Reviews of Open Farm Dog Food
Open Farm is consistently rated highly by real customers and respected experts. Here is an overview of what people are saying about their recipes:
Customer Reviews
On popular pet e-commerce sites like Chewy, Open Farm formulas receive 4+ stars on average. Happy customers say:
- “My dog’s skin allergies cleared up after switching to this food!”
- “The ingredients are so high quality – definitely worth the price.”
- “My picky eater actually loves the taste and eats it right up.”
- “I feel good knowing this company sources ethically.”
Some people do note that Open Farm is more expensive than some competitor brands. But most agree the ingredients and quality are superior.
Expert Reviews
Experts at publications like Dog Food Advisor and Canine Journal give Open Farm 4 or 5 star ratings. They praise the transparent sourcing, high protein content, digestibility, and compliance with proper feeding trials.
Pet food review sites appreciate that Open Farm’s facilities adhere to the strictest standards for safety and quality control. There are no controversies around harmful ingredients or recalls impacting Open Farm’s reputation.
Recalls
As of this writing, Open Farm has not been affected by any product recalls or controversies around the safety or nutrition of their recipes.
They adhere to extremely rigorous quality and purity standards at all stages, from sourcing to production to testing. This gives pet parents peace of mind when choosing Open Farm dog food.
Overall, third-party reviews confirm that Open Farm provides top notch nutrition and transparency. Next, let’s look at some of the key pros and cons of the brand.
Pros and Cons of Open Farm Dog Food
Pros
- Ethically sourced ingredients: Open Farm only partners with family farms adhering to high standards for animal welfare and environmental sustainability. This gives pet parents confidence in the sourcing.
- Human-grade ingredients: All of the meats, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and supplements meet standards for human consumption. Dogs get people-quality nutrition.
- Variety of recipes: With four distinct product lines, Open Farm offers diverse recipes tailored for different dog needs and tastes.
- Veterinary formulated: Recipes are developed by licensed veterinary nutrition experts to provide complete, balanced daily nutrition.
- No artificial additives: No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors are used in their kitchen. Only natural supplements are added.
- Manufactured in Canada: Their Canadian facility adheres to the strictest standards for food processing safety and quality.
- Positive reviews: Customers and experts give Open Farm’s recipes rave reviews for their ingredient quality, digestibility, and pet health benefits.
Potential Cons
- Higher price point: Due to the human-grade ingredients and production standards, Open Farm costs more than many mainstream brands on a per pound basis.
- Limited product range: With just four product lines, Open Farm has fewer specialized diet options compared to some competitors. However, the recipes themselves are very diverse.
- Not widely available: Since it’s a smaller brand, Open Farm may not be carried at all local pet supply shops. However, it is stocked at major online retailers.
- Transition may cause digestion upset: Some dogs may experience mild GI upset when transitioning to the high protein, limited ingredient recipes. But this can be avoided with a gradual transition.
While it does come at a premium price, most pet parents report Open Farm is worth the higher cost for the transparency, ethics, and nutrition provided.
Feeding Trials Conducted by Open Farm
To ensure their recipes provide complete daily nutrition, Open Farm conducts rigorous feeding trials. These trials are led by veterinary nutrition experts and last for over a year.
The feeding trials involve having dogs eat Open Farm recipes – and only Open Farm recipes – as their sole diet for at least 10 months. Throughout the trial, the dogs are monitored for:
- Body weight and condition
- Bloodwork values
- Stool health and consistency
- Skin and coat condition
- Energy levels
- Joint health
- Opthalmoscopic examinations
- And other health parameters
At the end of the trial, the dogs are assessed for any nutritional deficiencies or abnormalities. Passing the trials confirms that dogs can thrive when fed Open Farm food – and only Open Farm food – for the long term. All current Open Farm recipes have passed these extensive feeding trials.
This gives pet parents confidence that the food provides complete nutrition without needing supplementation. Next, let’s look at transitioning your dog onto Open Farm.
Transitioning Your Dog to Open Farm
When bringing home a new bag of Open Farm, follow these tips for a smooth transition:
- Gradual changeover: Mix a little Open Farm kibble into your dog’s old food at first, slowly increasing the ratio over 2-4 weeks. This gives their digestion time to adjust.
- Watch stool health: Monitor your dog’s poop during the transition. Loose stool or diarrhea may indicate too abrupt of a change. Slow the transition if needed.
- Monitor appetite: Your dog should maintain a good appetite and interest in mealtimes. Refusal to eat may signal the transition is too fast.
- Divide meals: Feed half the usual amount but double the number of meals per day. This keeps their digestive tract consistently stimulated.
- Exercise caution: Make even more gradual transitions for puppies, smaller dogs, or dogs with GI sensitivity. It can take 4-6 weeks.
Stick to portion guidelines based on your dog’s weight and activity level. Once transitioned, observe your dog’s health and energy to ensure the new food agrees with them.
Cost Breakdown of Open Farm Dog Food
Due to the human-grade ingredients and manufacturing standards, Open Farm is priced higher than many mainstream kibbles.
Dry Food
- 4 lb bag: $15-$25
- 10 lb bag: $35-$45
- 25 lb bag: $60-$80
This equates to approximately $2.00-$3.00 per pound.
Wet Food
- 5.5 oz can: $3-$4
- Case of 12 cans: $35-$45
The canned food comes out to around $0.60 per ounce.
These prices are in line with premium brands like Fromm, Merrick, Wellness Core, and Orijen. Although it costs more upfront, the ingredient quality and nutritional value make Open Farm worth it for many pet parents.
You can find Open Farm at independent pet retailers or order online at major sites like Chewy, Petco, PetSmart, and Amazon. Buying in bulk bags or cases saves the most money long term.
FA
FAQs About Open Farm Dog Food
What types of dogs is Open Farm good for?
Open Farm recipes are tailored for dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and activity levels. Both grain-inclusive and grain-free options are available. They offer high protein options for active dogs as well as lower calorie choices for less active pups.
Is Open Farm a good choice for puppies?
Yes, the Original line and Ancient Grains line both provide balanced nutrition for growing puppies. Follow serving guidelines carefully for puppy’s age and anticipated adult weight.
Is Open Farm easy to digest?
The limited ingredient recipes with easily digestible whole foods make Open Farm a good choice for dogs with sensitive digestion. Many owners note improved digestive health after switching.
Are the ingredients in Open Farm high quality?
Absolutely. Open Farm only uses ethically raised meats, non-GMO fruits/veggies, and human-grade supplements. There are no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial additives, or fillers.
Is Open Farm worth the higher cost?
While it costs more than grocery store brands, most owners say the transparency around sourcing, top quality ingredients, and stellar nutrition make it worthwhile. Feeding trials also instill confidence in the nutritional value.
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Where can I buy Open Farm dog food?
Open Farm is sold at independent pet retailers in select areas and online at Chewy, Amazon, Petco, PetSmart, and other major pet websites. Use store locators online to find a local seller.
Does Open Farm come in wet/canned food?
Yes, Open Farm offers an excellent line of super-premium canned dog food called Fresh Catch with wild-caught fish recipes. These complement the dry kibble well.
Is Open Farm veterinarian recommended?
While each vet has their own preferences, Open Farm meets WSAVA and FEDIAF nutritional standards. Veterinary nutritionists help formulate the recipes. Most vets support the ingredient transparency and quality.
What is the shelf life of Open Farm dog food?
Unopened bags have a shelf life of 14 months. Once opened, dry food lasts for 6 weeks in the bag or in an airtight container. Canned foods last for 1 year unopened or 7-10 days refrigerated after opening.
Those cover the most common questions on Open Farm dog foods! Ready to see our final verdict?
The Final Verdict on Open Farm Dog Food
In the end, we give Open Farm a shining 5-star rating. They go above and beyond in all areas that matter most:
🌟 Strict standards for ethical sourcing
🌟 Humanely raised proteins as first ingredients
🌟 Superfood fruits, veggies, and supplements
🌟 No questionable additives or fillers
🌟 Recipes tailored for diverse needs
🌟 Transparent about ingredients and practices
The only potential downsides are the higher price point and limited availability of this niche brand. However, most dog owners say the value is well worth the premium price.
For full transparency around where ingredients come from and how they are made, Open Farm stands out from the pack. They deliver gourmet, restaurant-quality nutrition you can feel good about. We wholeheartedly recommend giving Open Farm a try for your beloved dog!
