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The Farmer's Dog suits owners who want pre-portioned, cooked fresh food delivered on a flexible subscription and can pay well above kibble prices. It is a legitimate fresh dog food company founded in 2014 in New York, with an A+ BBB rating, a 3.9 Trustpilot score from 1,721 reviews and no FDA recall we could find. Know two things before you buy: the only published price is a small-dog floor of about $2 a day, and a class action filed in April 2026 claims its recipes are too high in fat, which the company calls baseless. Ask your vet before switching, especially if your dog has had pancreatitis.
- Price
- Plans start at about $2 a day; your price depends on your dog's age, weight, activity and recipe, as listed October 20261
- Formats
- Fresh (gently cooked, shipped frozen) and Instant Fresh (shelf-stable, mixed with water)1
- Recipes
- Beef, chicken, turkey and pork; grain-free and grain-inclusive options; formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to AAFCO standards2
- Feeding trials
- The company says multiple recipes have passed AAFCO feeding trials3
- Shipping
- Free shipping to the 48 contiguous states; deliveries of 1 week to 2 months of food1
- Recalls
- None found in FDA enforcement data as of October 20266
- Lawsuit
- Trott v. The Farmer's Dog, Inc., S.D.N.Y. 1:26-cv-03410, filed April 24, 2026; pending, with a company motion to compel arbitration filed July 23, 20267
- BBB
- A+, accredited since September 30, 2024; 62 complaints in the last 3 years4
Pros
- Gently cooked, human-grade recipes formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
- Company says multiple recipes passed AAFCO feeding trials
- No FDA recall found
- Pre-portioned packs sized to your dog's calorie needs
- Pause, cancel or change deliveries online any time
Cons
- Only a small-dog starting price is published; large dogs cost much more
- Pending class action alleges high fat levels
- Fresh food needs freezer space and fridge thawing
- Ships only to the 48 contiguous states
- 62 BBB complaints in three years
Best for: Owners of small to medium dogs who want cooked fresh food, pre-portioned and delivered, and can afford a premium over kibble.
Skip it if: Your dog has a history of pancreatitis or needs a low-fat diet, unless your vet approves a specific recipe, or you need a budget food for a large dog.
The Farmer's Dog vs. competitors
| Company | Main format | Published starting price | Recall history | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Farmer's Dog | Fresh frozen; Instant Fresh shelf-stable | About $2 a day, small dogs | None found | A+, accredited |
| Ollie | Frozen fresh; baked also sold | $1.57 a meal (Full Fresh) | December 2025, one baked recipe batch | B |
| Nom Nom | Fresh frozen | Not published | 2021 cat food lots only | A+, not accredited |
| Spot & Tango | Shelf-stable UnKibble; frozen fresh | $1 a day UnKibble, $2 a day Fresh | September 2022, four UnKibble batches | A+, accredited |
The Farmer's Dog pricing at a glance
The Farmer's Dog pricing, as published October 20261
| Item | What the company says |
|---|---|
| Starting price | About $2 a day for the smallest plans |
| Your price | Set by a quiz on age, weight, activity, ideal weight and recipe; shown before checkout |
| Delivery size | Mostly 1 week to 2 months of food per box |
| Shipping | Free, 48 contiguous states only |
| Intro offer | The site advertises 50% off a first order; check the terms at checkout |
| If your dog won't eat it | Other recipes to try, or a refund if you donate the food to a shelter |
Only the small-dog floor is published. Medium and large dogs cost several times more per day, so get a quote for your dog before comparing brands.
The Farmer's Dog, step by step
Take the quiz
Enter your dog's breed, age, weight, ideal weight and activity level. You see recommended recipes, portion sizes and your price.
First box
Fresh packs arrive frozen in an insulated box. Keep them frozen and thaw one at a time in the fridge, about 12 hours per pack.
Transition
Start at 25% new food and 75% old food, then shift gradually to 100% over the following days, per the instructions in the box.
Adjust deliveries
You're emailed before each order is billed and shipped. Change portions, recipes, address or timing in your account.
Pause or cancel
Pause, cancel or reactivate any time in your online account.
The Farmer's Dog legitimacy and licensing
Yes. The Farmer’s Dog, Inc. is based in New York and was founded in 2014, per the BBB, which rates it A+ and has listed it as accredited since September 30, 2024. It has 62 BBB complaints in the last three years and a 3.9 out of 5 Trustpilot score from 1,721 reviews. We found no FDA recall of its food.
The company says its food is cooked in human-food facilities to human-grade standards, that every recipe is formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards, and that multiple recipes have passed AAFCO feeding trials. It also funded studies with Cornell University’s veterinary school. Those are the company’s statements; read the AAFCO statement on your recipe for your dog’s life stage.
The Farmer's Dog cost
The company publishes only a starting price: about $2 a day for the smallest plans, as listed October 2026. Your real price comes from a quiz on your dog’s age, weight, activity level, ideal weight and recipe. Shipping is free and boxes usually hold 1 week to 2 months of food. The site also advertises 50% off a first order.
Because food is portioned to calories, cost climbs with your dog’s size. Get a quote for your own dog and compare it per day with other fresh brands and with a complete and balanced kibble before you commit.
What you get: recipes and formats
Fresh recipes use beef, chicken, turkey or pork with vegetables and added vitamins and minerals. They are gently cooked, frozen and shipped in pre-portioned packs, and the company says they suit puppies, adults and seniors. Instant Fresh is a shelf-stable version you mix with water; it is for adult and senior dogs. Grain-free and grain-inclusive options exist, and pork and turkey can work as less common proteins for some dogs with sensitivities.
Fresh food has no preservatives, so keep it frozen and thaw packs in the fridge. Feed only packs that arrive frozen or below 40°F.
The Farmer's Dog lawsuit
On April 24, 2026, a customer filed a proposed class action, Trott v. The Farmer’s Dog, Inc. (case 1:26-cv-03410), in federal court in Manhattan. It alleges that the company marketed its food as healthy and balanced while some recipes contain high fat levels. The company filed a motion to compel the plaintiff to arbitrate on July 23, 2026, and the court docket showed no ruling on the merits when we checked.
In a June 9, 2026 statement, The Farmer’s Dog called the suit baseless and said its recipes meet AAFCO and NRC nutrient standards and its feeding trials found normal pancreatitis-related markers. An allegation is not a finding. If your dog has had pancreatitis or needs a low-fat diet, ask your vet to review the recipe’s fat content before you switch.
What customers say about The Farmer's Dog
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Dogs, including picky eaters, like the taste
- Owners report better weight control and digestion
- Responsive support for portion and recipe changes
- Easy to pause, delay or change deliveries
- Well-insulated shipping
Common complaints
- Wrong recipes shipped
- Calorie recommendations that led to weight loss or gain
- Confusion over intro discounts and plan cost
- Packs that are hard to open or arrive partly thawed
- Stomach upset some owners blame on the food
Complaints and what customers report
Most Trustpilot reviews are five stars and praise taste, digestion and helpful support. The recurring complaints are wrong recipes shipped, calorie targets that led to weight loss or gain, confusion over intro discounts and plan cost, packs that are hard to open or arrive partly thawed, and stomach upset some owners blame on the food. The company replies to most negative reviews and says its portions are starting points you can adjust.
Weigh your dog every couple of weeks after switching and ask support to change portions if weight moves the wrong way.
Cancellation and refunds
You can pause, cancel or reactivate your subscription any time in your online account, and you are emailed before each order is billed and shipped. Cancel before the next order is billed to avoid that charge. If your dog doesn’t like the food, the company offers other recipes or a refund if you donate the food to a shelter.
Alternatives to The Farmer's Dog
- Complete and balanced kibble from your vet's shortlist Costs far less per calorie and is a safe choice when budget matters more than format.
- JustFoodForDogs Publishes full prices, calories and feeding trial results before you buy, and sells vet support diets. Read review
- Ollie Publishes prices by dog size and offers a half-fresh plan that mixes with kibble to cut cost. Read review
- Home cooking with a vet-formulated recipe The Farmer's Dog sells a DIY Nutrient Mix and free recipes if you'd rather cook, and you control ingredients and fat.
The Farmer's Dog reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Farmer's Dog worth the money?
It can be if you want cooked fresh food, pre-portioned and delivered, and your vet agrees it suits your dog. For large dogs the cost is several times kibble, so get a quote first.
How much does The Farmer's Dog cost per month?
The company only publishes a starting price of about $2 a day for small plans, roughly $60 a month at that floor. Your price depends on your dog's size, activity and recipe, and larger dogs cost more.
Has The Farmer's Dog ever had a recall?
We found no The Farmer's Dog products in FDA recall data as of October 2026. Check FDA's recalls page before you buy, since status can change.
Is The Farmer's Dog being sued?
Yes. A proposed class action filed in April 2026 in New York federal court alleges its recipes are high in fat. The company calls it baseless and has asked the court to send the claim to arbitration; there was no ruling on the merits when we checked.
Is The Farmer's Dog AAFCO approved?
AAFCO doesn't approve foods. The company says every recipe is formulated to be complete and balanced under AAFCO standards and that multiple recipes passed AAFCO feeding trials.
Do vets recommend The Farmer's Dog?
Some do, and the company works with board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Your own vet is the right person to decide, especially for dogs with health conditions.
Where is The Farmer's Dog made?
The company says it cooks its food in government-inspected human-food facilities. It ships to the 48 contiguous states.
Can you buy The Farmer's Dog in stores?
It is mainly sold by subscription on its own site. The company has also announced sales on Walmart.com.
How do I cancel The Farmer's Dog?
Log in to your account and pause or cancel your subscription. Do it before your next order is billed.
Is The Farmer's Dog better than Ollie?
Both sell cooked fresh food. Ollie publishes prices by dog size and offers a half-fresh plan, while The Farmer's Dog has an A+ BBB rating and no recall found. Compare quotes for your dog.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- The Farmer's Dog: FAQ (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Farmer's Dog: Our food (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Farmer's Dog Digest: Why veterinarians love The Farmer's Dog (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: The Farmer's Dog, Inc. business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: The Farmer's Dog reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- openFDA: Food enforcement (recall) reports (accessed October 13, 2026)
- CourtListener: Trott v. The Farmer's Dog, Inc., 1:26-cv-03410 (S.D.N.Y.) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Farmer's Dog: Statement on lawsuit, June 9, 2026 (accessed October 13, 2026)
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