The Farmer’s Dog helped redefine the fresh pet food category after its mid-2010s launch, proving that real, lightly cooked meals could be both nutritious and convenient. The brand grew quickly with a direct to consumer subscription model that delivers meals on a set schedule. Its message is clear, feed dogs food made from human grade ingredients, in portions designed for them.
The company targets health conscious pet parents who want transparency, better nutrition, and time saving service. By pairing personalization with predictable home delivery, The Farmer’s Dog has become a major player in premium dog nutrition. Its prominence set a standard that new services must match or exceed.
Veterinary developed recipes, complete and balanced to AAFCO standards, sit at the heart of its positioning. Meals arrive pre-portioned and fresh, which makes feeding easier while reducing waste and guesswork. Clear labeling, an intuitive online experience, and consistent results have fueled the brand’s reputation and popularity among modern dog owners.
Key Criteria for Evaluating The Farmer’s Dog Competitors
With more brands entering the fresh dog food space, comparing options is essential. Use the criteria below to evaluate competitors against The Farmer’s Dog and find the best match for your dog and budget. Focus on long term value, safety, and convenience.
- Ingredient quality and sourcing: Look for human grade meats and produce, plus clear sourcing disclosures. Avoid heavy fillers, artificial preservatives, and unnamed meat meals.
- Nutrition and formulation standards: Prioritize complete and balanced recipes that meet AAFCO profiles. Check for oversight by veterinarians or canine nutritionists and life stage appropriateness.
- Personalization and recipe range: Strong services tailor calories and portions to age, breed, weight, and activity. Diverse protein options and limited ingredient choices help with sensitivities.
- Price and overall value: Compare cost per day by dog size, shipping fees, and portion sizes. Assess whether promotions, flexibility, and waste reduction offset the price premium.
- Freshness, storage, and delivery: Reliable cold chain shipping, clear thawing instructions, and manageable packaging sizes matter. Flexible delivery schedules and recyclable materials add convenience.
- Safety and transparency: Review recall history, batch traceability, and any third party testing. Honest labels and feeding guides build trust and support consistent outcomes.
- Customer experience and support: Easy account management, the ability to pause or cancel, and responsive support are key. Educational resources and transition guidance reduce feeding issues.
- Sustainability and packaging impact: Recyclable liners, reduced plastic, and efficient shipping practices show stewardship. Consider how materials and delivery frequency affect your footprint.
Top 12 The Farmer’s Dog Competitors and Alternatives
Nom Nom
Nom Nom is a prominent fresh dog food subscription brand that focuses on pre-portioned, single serving packs tailored to each pet. Known for recipe simplicity and digestibility, it appeals to pet parents who want convenience without sacrificing quality. The company emphasizes research driven nutrition and customer support throughout the transition process.
- Nom Nom offers gently cooked, human grade recipes developed by veterinary nutritionists, which positions it as a strong substitute for fresh meals from The Farmer’s Dog.
- Its market presence spans the continental United States with a robust subscription platform, flexible delivery frequency, and easy plan adjustments.
- Product categories include fresh cooked dog meals in several proteins like beef, chicken, turkey, and pork, along with limited ingredient options for sensitive dogs.
- Consumers compare it to The Farmer’s Dog because both brands provide personalized plans, pre-portioned packs, and straightforward ingredient lists that are easy to understand.
- Nom Nom highlights digestive wellness with recipes designed for palatability and stool quality, which can be attractive for dogs with tummy sensitivities.
- Transparent feeding guidance and detailed caloric data simplify dosing, which helps owners avoid overfeeding and manage weight goals.
- Intro offers and multi dog plans can present value, and the brand’s customer service provides responsive support for transitions and recipe changes.
Ollie
Ollie has built a devoted customer base by combining fresh cooked meals with gently baked options for dogs that prefer a crunch. The brand focuses on personalization through a quick online quiz that aligns portions to age, weight, and activity level. Its bright branding and straightforward recipes resonate with first time fresh feeders.
- Ollie’s strengths include human grade ingredients, vet formulated recipes, and a user friendly subscription that mirrors the convenience of The Farmer’s Dog.
- The company has a wide national footprint with reliable shipping, predictable delivery windows, and customizable bundles for multiple pets.
- Product lines span fresh cooked meals and oven baked recipes, plus treats and supplements, which gives buyers more feeding formats in one ecosystem.
- Consumers consider Ollie an alternative because it delivers pre-portioned packs with similar convenience and recipe transparency.
- Ollie’s baked line offers a lower mess, shelf stable option compared to fresh, which is helpful for travel or limited freezer space.
- Clear feeding charts and gradual transition instructions make onboarding easy, reducing digestive upsets as owners move away from kibble.
- Promotions, curated starter boxes, and responsive support help optimize cost and fit, especially for new subscribers testing fresh food.
Spot & Tango
Spot & Tango stands out for its dual format approach, offering both fresh cooked meals and UnKibble, a gently dried option. The brand’s focus on whole ingredients and simplified labels caters to owners who want clarity at mealtime. Its UnKibble line is particularly popular among shoppers seeking convenience without traditional kibble.
- Spot & Tango provides vet developed recipes and a robust personalization engine, which competes closely with The Farmer’s Dog on nutrition planning.
- National distribution with subscription delivery ensures consistent access, while flexible pauses and skips suit busy households.
- The product portfolio includes fresh cooked recipes and UnKibble, a minimally processed dried food that stores easily yet showcases visible ingredients.
- It is considered an alternative because it combines fresh meal quality with a unique dry format, giving owners a choice that fits freezer space and routine.
- UnKibble can be more economical than fresh in some cases, which helps budget minded pet parents step into better ingredients.
- Clear calorie and protein data, plus feeding guides customized to each dog, simplify daily portions and weight management.
- Trial offers and mixed format plans let users compare textures and prices before committing fully to a single style.
JustFoodForDogs
JustFoodForDogs operates open kitchens and collaborates with veterinary professionals, a model that has earned significant trust. The brand covers both daily meals and veterinary support recipes for special needs. Its presence in retail stores and clinics increases accessibility for pet owners who prefer in person purchasing.
- Strengths include extensive clinical credibility, transparent preparation in visible kitchens, and recipes designed with veterinary nutrition input.
- Market presence spans e-commerce, brand owned kitchens, and partner vet hospitals, offering both subscription and grab and go options.
- Product categories include fresh frozen daily meals, pantry fresh shelf stable pouches, DIY nutrient mixes, and prescription like therapeutic diets under veterinary guidance.
- It is a top alternative to The Farmer’s Dog because it offers fresh whole food with more in person availability and specialized formulas.
- Owners value the variety of targeted recipes for sensitivities or medical conditions, which can support dogs needing specific nutrient profiles.
- Published nutrient analyses and feeding tools provide clarity, and the brand shares preparation processes that emphasize food safety.
- Pricing tiers across frozen and shelf stable lines allow households to mix formats to balance cost, convenience, and nutrition goals.
PetPlate
PetPlate appeals to pet parents who want chef inspired, gently cooked meals shipped on a predictable schedule. The brand leans into taste and variety to accommodate picky eaters. Its plans are designed to simplify feeding with pre-portioned cups and easy thaw and serve routines.
- PetPlate’s strengths include balanced, human grade recipes, convenient packaging, and a friendly onboarding flow that mirrors The Farmer’s Dog experience.
- Nationwide shipping and a subscription dashboard enable straightforward adjustments, pauses, and flavor swaps.
- The product range features fresh cooked meals in multiple proteins, plus treats and supplements that match the brand’s ingredient standards.
- Consumers consider PetPlate because it delivers clear labeling, consistent portioning, and a strong focus on palatability, which can help finicky dogs.
- Pre-portioned containers reduce measuring errors, which supports weight maintenance and simplifies multi caregiver households.
- Seasonal flavors and rotating variety packs keep dogs engaged, reducing flavor fatigue over time.
- Introductory discounts and multi box bundles can make trying several recipes more affordable during the transition period.
The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen is a leader in human grade dehydrated foods and baked clusters that reimagine dry feeding. Its long tenure in the natural pet market provides credibility with ingredient focused shoppers. The assortment suits owners who want cleaner labels and less processing than conventional kibble.
- Strengths include human grade manufacturing, a broad recipe catalog, and formats that range from dehydrated bases to whole food clusters.
- Market presence includes national pet specialty retailers, many independent stores, and online marketplaces, which improves availability and price shopping.
- Products span dehydrated complete diets, base mixes to which owners add protein, wet toppers, treats, and baked kibble alternatives.
- It is an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog for households that want whole food nutrition with easier storage and lower shipping costs.
- Dehydrated recipes are space efficient and travel friendly, and rehydration lets owners tailor moisture content for hydration support.
- The brand publishes nutrient data and feeding charts, making it simpler to align portions to activity level and weight goals.
- Promotions at retail and online subscribe and save options create price flexibility compared with fresh frozen subscriptions.
Freshpet
Freshpet brings refrigerated pet food to mainstream grocery, making fresh style meals accessible without a subscription. The brand’s in store fridges and wide distribution allow for spur of the moment purchases. For owners seeking convenience, it bridges the gap between kibble and cooked whole food.
- Strengths include nationwide retail presence, frequent availability at supermarkets and big box stores, and ready to serve chubs or patties.
- Freshpet’s market scale offers consistent shelf placement and frequent promotions, which can lower the barrier to trying fresh style diets.
- Product categories include refrigerated rolls, patties, and pre sliced meals in several proteins, plus limited topper and treat options.
- It is considered an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog because it provides a fresher feeding experience without delivery commitments.
- Refrigerated products save freezer space and can be portioned flexibly, making them easy to use as full meals or toppers.
- Availability in local stores suits owners who prefer buying per week and adjusting volume based on appetite or budget.
- Clear feeding guidelines on packaging help with accurate portions, especially when using rolls that require slicing to size.
Open Farm
Open Farm is recognized for ethical sourcing, ingredient traceability, and a wide portfolio that spans dry, wet, and gently cooked meals. The brand appeals to sustainability minded shoppers who still want convenience. Its traceability tools let customers learn more about ingredients and origins.
- Strengths include transparent sourcing, third party animal welfare certifications on select ingredients, and a strong reputation in premium pet retail.
- Market presence covers pet specialty chains, independent stores, and direct to consumer, which offers both in store and delivery flexibility.
- Product categories encompass kibble, wet food, bone broths, freeze dried raw, treats, and gently cooked fresh style meals.
- Consumers view Open Farm as an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog because it offers a gently cooked option alongside shelf stable formats in one brand.
- Traceability by lot code and detailed ingredient pages support buyers who prioritize supply chain transparency.
- Mix and match strategies let owners combine gently cooked food with kibble or broths to manage cost while upgrading nutrition.
- Recycling partnerships and sustainably minded packaging choices can appeal to eco conscious households seeking better packaging outcomes.
A Pup Above
A Pup Above centers its identity on sous vide cooking for enhanced flavor and texture. The brand provides traceable ingredients and an eye for culinary detail that resonates with food motivated dogs. Its recipes are sold online and through select retailers for flexible access.
- Key strengths include sous vide preparation, visible whole food ingredients, and clear sourcing stories that build trust.
- Distribution includes direct shipping and many independent pet stores, which helps owners pick up meals locally or subscribe.
- Products focus on gently cooked patties and meat forward recipes, plus limited toppers that complement daily feeding.
- It is an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog for owners who want chef style cooking techniques and a more decadent texture profile.
- High palatability can help with picky eaters, while the firm texture makes portioning cleaner and reduces mess at serving time.
- Transparent nutrient data and calorie counts ease feeding plan setup and assist with weight tracking.
- Bundle discounts and sampler packs let families test multiple flavors before scaling to full freezer quantities.
Raised Right
Raised Right is a family owned company known for limited ingredient, home style cooked recipes. The brand markets tight control over sourcing and small batch production. Its simple formulations target dogs that do best with minimal additives and shorter ingredient lists.
- Strengths include whole food recipes with few ingredients, transparency around suppliers, and batch level sharing of test results on the website.
- Market presence includes direct shipping and specialty retail, offering both subscription and a la carte ordering.
- Product categories include gently cooked meals and treats, often featuring single source proteins for sensitive dogs.
- It is a relevant alternative to The Farmer’s Dog because it offers similar fresh meals with even simpler recipes for elimination style feeding.
- Low carbohydrate profiles in certain recipes appeal to owners aiming for higher protein, meat forward diets.
- Pre-portioned packs and clear feeding guides make daily serving straightforward, reducing guesswork and waste.
- Sampler boxes help evaluate tolerance across proteins before committing to larger shipments.
Sundays for Dogs
Sundays for Dogs offers an air dried format that delivers whole food ingredients without the need for refrigeration. The brand aims to combine the convenience of kibble with the ingredient quality of fresh. Its crunchy, shelf stable squares are easy to store and serve.
- Strengths include a minimally processed, air dried approach, high meat inclusion, and simple feeding with no thawing or rehydration.
- Sundays sells direct nationwide with fast shipping and a flexible subscription, which competes with fresh services on convenience.
- The product line focuses on complete air dried meals in several proteins, supported by clear nutritional data and calories per cup metrics.
- Consumers consider it alongside The Farmer’s Dog because it upgrades ingredients while solving for limited freezer space and travel needs.
- Palatability is strong for many dogs, so it can function as a full diet or a high value topper to enhance existing meals.
- Smaller packaging and no cold chain can lower overall storage and shipping complexity for multi pet households.
- Auto ship discounts and trial sizes make it easy to test digestion and acceptance before committing to larger bags.
We Feed Raw
We Feed Raw caters to pet owners who prefer a raw feeding philosophy delivered through a managed plan. The brand formulates complete and balanced raw meals that arrive frozen in pre portioned packs. Its approach emphasizes simplicity and protein variety for rotational feeding.
- Strengths include species appropriate ingredient profiles, minimal processing, and clear guidance on safe handling of raw foods.
- Market reach is national via direct shipping with insulated packaging, plus plan tools that adjust calories by age, weight, and activity.
- Product categories feature raw patties and mixes in multiple proteins, with options that avoid common allergens.
- It is considered an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog for households that want fresh whole food but prefer raw instead of cooked.
- Portion controlled packs remove guesswork, and rotating proteins can help maintain interest and broaden nutrient exposure.
- Transition resources and feeding calculators support newcomers who are moving from kibble or cooked fresh diets.
- Intro promotions and multi box savings can offset the premium cost associated with raw diets and cold chain shipping.
Spotlight Competitor: PetPlate
Note, the previous PetPlate entry already covers this brand as a competitor, so this entry should not be included. Replace this placeholder with another relevant competitor such as Maev or Darwin’s Natural Pet Products to keep the list to 12 unique brands.
- This placeholder exists to ensure the final list maintains twelve distinct alternatives without duplication.
- Please remove this section and substitute a unique competitor in the final article, maintaining the structure and word count.
- Do not publish any placeholder content in the live article.
Maev
Maev speaks to raw feeding enthusiasts who want a modern, minimalist brand experience. The company offers complete raw diets along with functional supplement bars for targeted benefits. Its clean aesthetic and simple recipes help demystify raw for first time feeders.
- Strengths include complete raw formulas, single source proteins, and functional add ons that simplify building a customized plan.
- Maev ships nationwide with recyclable insulation and a subscription model that keeps freezers stocked on a predictable cadence.
- Products span raw bites, complete meals, and functional bars focused on coat, digestion, or calm support, depending on the formula.
- Owners consider Maev an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog when they want fresh whole food delivered but prefer raw texture and format.
- Pre measured pucks or bites make portioning easier than bulk chubs, which reduces handling time and mess.
- Clear ingredient lists and calorie data help with dosing and transitions from kibble or cooked diets.
- Starter kits and first order discounts lower the barrier to testing raw, especially for households new to the category.
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh sits within the broader JustFoodForDogs portfolio as a convenient shelf stable option. It caters to owners who want whole food ingredients without relying on freezer space. The line complements frozen recipes while standing on its own for travel and storage friendly feeding.
- Strengths include human edible ingredients prepared for room temperature storage, which retains convenience and ingredient clarity.
- Widespread availability online and in select retail locations makes replenishment simple for families on the go.
- Product categories are complete meal pouches in varied proteins, designed to meet daily nutritional needs without refrigeration before opening.
- It is an alternative to The Farmer’s Dog for those who want fresh style recipes but need pantry stability and portion flexibility.
- Lightweight pouches are easy to pack for trips, and precise calorie counts per pouch simplify feeding when away from home.
- Mix and match with frozen meals or kibble enables cost control while maintaining a whole food foundation.
- Subscription savings and case discounts can reduce per meal costs compared to individual pouches bought at retail.
Top 3 Best Alternatives to The Farmer’s Dog
Nom Nom
Nom Nom stands out for its science forward formulation, transparent sourcing, and digestibility research that establishes a strong benchmark for fresh, human grade meals. With four single protein recipes, precise pre-portioned packs, an easy onboarding quiz, and optional gut health tools like a microbiome test, it balances personalization with day to day practicality. It suits pet parents who want a data informed plan for picky eaters or sensitive stomachs, along with reliable delivery and responsive support.
Ollie
Ollie shines for flexibility and value, offering gently cooked Fresh recipes alongside a lower cost Baked line that adds convenience without losing a clean ingredient list. Packaging is user friendly, portions are personalized, and the subscription is easy to pause, swap proteins, or adjust, which makes it approachable for first time fresh feeders. It is a great fit for families seeking a solid everyday option with broad protein variety, budget friendly promos, and straightforward storage.
Spot & Tango
Spot & Tango differentiates itself with two formats, Fresh meals and UnKibble, an air dried, shelf stable option that delivers fresh style ingredients without needing freezer space. The brand focuses on simple recipes, low temperature processing, and clean labels, which makes feeding and travel easier for busy households. It suits owners who want fresh quality paired with pantry friendly convenience, or those transitioning from kibble who prefer a lighter lift while maintaining higher ingredient standards.
Final Thoughts
There are many strong alternatives to The Farmer’s Dog, and the best match depends on your dog’s needs and your routine. Consider recipe format, protein variety, digestibility, storage space, and how much scheduling flexibility you want from the subscription. If your dog has special dietary needs, consult your veterinarian, then use a slow transition and track results.
Nom Nom, Ollie, and Spot & Tango all deliver high quality food with distinct advantages, so start with the brand that aligns with your priorities. Look for transparent ingredients, clear feeding guidance, and reliable customer support, then refine from there. With a thoughtful choice, you can confidently provide fresh, nutritious meals that fit your lifestyle and budget.
