The Farmer’s Dog has earned its place as one of the most talked-about names in fresh dog food. It’s human-grade, developed by veterinary nutritionists, and designed for owners who want to feed their dogs real food rather than kibble that’s been sitting on a shelf for months. It’s a solid product, and I can see why people love it. But not every dog or budget fits neatly into one brand. Some dogs turn their noses up at cooked fresh food. Some owners want to explore raw diets or find something with more variety.
That was me not too long ago. I’d seen how well my friend’s golden retriever was doing on The Farmer’s Dog, but my own pup wasn’t as enthusiastic. After a week of half-hearted sniffing and skipped meals, I started looking for other options that still met my standards for freshness and quality. What I found is that there’s a small but growing world of alternatives, each with its own strengths.
So if you love the idea of feeding your dog real food but want to see what else is out there, here are the subscriptions that have stood out to me and to a lot of pet owners online.
Farmer’s Dog Alternatives at a Glance
- PetPlate: Closest alternative
- We Feed Raw: Best raw food
- Nom Nom: Most balanced
- Open Farm: Best for ethical sourcing
- Spot & Tango: Best shelf stable food
Key Considerations for Your Dog’s Nutrition
Now, I’m not here to tell you exactly what type of food to buy, but I do want to give you the top pick from each “type” so you can see what’s out there. Some pet owners lean toward fresh or minimally processed meals, while others prefer traditional cooked or dry diets.
Organizations like the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, or WSAVA, offer internationally recognized guidelines for what makes a diet complete and balanced for dogs. Some brands highlight that they follow these guidelines, which can be helpful when you’re trying to understand the quality and nutritional standards behind a food.
That said, WSAVA compliance is a guideline rather than a formal certification, so it’s not a guarantee that every dog will respond the same way to a particular diet. Veterinarians often have different opinions about what works best for an individual dog, taking into account things like age, overall health, and digestive sensitivities. There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why talking with your vet can be an important step in making sure your dog’s meals are both safe and well-suited to their needs.
My advice? Find a vet you trust.
I was lucky enough to move back to my home town only to find that someone I went to school with is a practicing vet at my local clinic. And yes, I trust her implicitly. She was a darling in school, very studious ,and her main drive was doing right by animals. She’s my vet, and she knows my dogs very well. And that’s why I trust her opinion above all else.
My Picks for the Top Farmer’s Dog Alternatives
PetPlate: Perhaps the Closest Fresh Food Alternative
PetPlate is made in USDA-inspected kitchens, and you can see whole ingredients like beef, turkey, sweet potatoes, and peas in every meal. I find it reassuring that PetPlate keeps things transparent; you can tell it’s real food just by looking at it.
It also smells appetizing, which sounds minor but really helps if your dog is picky. My own dog, who tends to sniff around before eating, finished his bowl without hesitation.
Online, a lot of people have mentioned similar experiences: better digestion, firmer stools, shinier coats, and a dog that actually wants to eat dinner. While it is considered slightly more expensive than other fresh foods, the trade-off is peace of mind and convenience. It’s freshly cooked fresh food that is prepackaged and designed to be effortless,
We Feed Raw: Raw Protein, Prepped and Packed
If your dog does best on a high-protein diet or has always shown an interest in raw food, We Feed Raw is one of the first names to look at. The company creates recipes of frozen raw meals that are balanced with vitamins and minerals and portioned by your dog’s age, size, and activity level. The recipes lean toward meat-forward nutrition with minimal fillers, which is a big reason people switch.
A close friend of mine has a German shepherd with a notoriously sensitive stomach. She tried the usual vet recommendations (hills, purina, you name it) and several cooked fresh foods with limited success, but switching to We Feed Raw completely changed things for him. His coat filled in, his digestion stabilized, and he had more consistent energy throughout the day. Not to mention he stopped being such a grumpy old boy. That story mirrors what I’ve seen echoed across forums and groups: for dogs who need a simpler ingredient list or who just do better on raw, this food tends to deliver results quickly.
That said, raw feeding isn’t for everyone. It requires freezer space, safe handling habits, and a comfort level with thawing and portioning. It’s also richer in protein and fat than some cooked options, so it’s likely better suited to active dogs than sedentary seniors. But if you’re ready for the commitment, We Feed Raw is one of the easiest ways to go raw.
Nom Nom: A Firm Favorite
Nom Nom has been a staple in the fresh food scene for years, and it deserves a mention for its balanced approach. The meals are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and meet AAFCO standards for complete nutrition. I appreciate that Nom Nom keeps its recipes simple: meats like chicken or beef, paired with rice, carrots, and spinach.
What I like most is the consistency. Some fresh foods vary a bit from batch to batch, but Nom Nom’s texture and portions are always spot on. It’s easy to scoop, easy to store, and dogs tend to take to it quickly. When hunting through reviews, forums, and anyone I could find, I found positive chatter about steady, long-term improvements in digestion and coat quality rather than instant changes.
Nom Nom is also one of the more data-driven companies in this space, often publishing details about how their food supports gut health. If you want a brand that’s been around long enough to prove itself, this one is worth trying.
Open Farm: For Ethical Sourcing and Transparency
Not every dog owner wants a subscription that fills their freezer every two weeks. Open Farm offers something different.
The brand is best known for its commitment to ethical sourcing and ingredient traceability. And you can pretty much look up every ingredient on the package and see where it came from, which is a level of transparency that’s rare in pet food.
Their range is broad. While they do offer kibble, Open Farm also offers cooked meals, freeze dried or raw, or even air dried options. While I’m not particularly fond of most kibble, I like the flexibility this offers, and makes it easy to transition gradually or mix with other foods.
I first tried Open Farm’s gently cooked line, and what stood out was how balanced it felt. It wasn’t greasy or overly processed, and the ingredient list read like something I’d actually cook at home. Naturally, I’ve scoured Reddit and other dog-owner groups, and I see a fair bit of praise for Open Farm from people who care about sourcing and from those whose dogs have food sensitivities. It’s not as flashy as the subscription-only fresh brands, but it has earned a loyal following for a reason.
Spot & Tango: Bridging the Gap with “Unkibble”
Spot & Tango is one of the more interesting brands because it bridges two worlds. They make both fresh cooked meals and something called “UnKibble,” a gently dried version of their recipes that stays shelf-stable. The UnKibble line uses human-grade ingredients and keeps the same nutritional philosophy as their fresh meals, just in a format that’s easier to store and serve.
I first tried the fresh option back when I was transitioning away from kibble a few years back and was impressed by how clean and hearty it looked. Then I tried UnKibble for travel days and honestly liked it more than I expected. My dog was okay with it, it wasn’t his favorite, but I expected that because he did not rush to eat any dry food. But if you’re road tripping or travelling with your dog, the UnKibble could work.
A lot of owners online say Spot & Tango helped them stay consistent with fresh feeding because it doesn’t require as much planning. You can store UnKibble like regular dry food, but it still feels like a significant upgrade from standard kibble. It’s also great for mixed households where one dog eats fresh and another needs something easier to manage.
Notes on Costs
When looking at dog food, it’s important to remember that marketing can sometimes make a plan sound more affordable or convenient than it actually is. Always check what the price is based on. Many companies quote costs for a “small dog full plan,” but if your dog is larger or more active, your actual cost could be higher. Here are some extra notes on cost that could help you get a clearer picture of your budget:
- Fresh and raw meals tend to cost more than traditional kibble. Many owners find that improved digestion, a shinier coat, more energy, and potentially fewer vet visits can help make the higher cost feel worthwhile.
- There are also some hidden costs to consider. Fresh or raw plans often require freezer space or careful storage, so you may need an extra freezer or need to manage thawing and portioning.
- Trial packs or “topper” plans can help reduce cost by allowing you to feed premium food part of the time while using standard food for the rest of your dog’s meals.
- Subscription services often offer first-time discounts. It is a good idea to check what the ongoing cost will be once the introductory pricing ends to avoid surprises.
Choosing What Fits your Dog
After comparing these options, I’ve realized there isn’t one “best” fresh food for every dog. What matters most is how your dog feels, eats, and digests after the switch. Here’s what I’d keep in mind:
- Activity level: Active dogs usually do well on higher-protein meals like We Feed Raw. Older or less active dogs may prefer cooked fresh food like PetPlate or Nom Nom.
- Storage: If freezer space is tight, Spot & Tango’s UnKibble or Open Farm’s air-dried options will make life easier.
- Budget: Fresh food is a premium choice. Some owners stretch their budget by mixing fresh meals with high-quality dry options like Open Farm.
- Sensitivity: Dogs with allergies or chronic stomach issues often respond best to simpler ingredient lists or single-protein recipes.
I also like to remind people to transition slowly. Mix the new food into your dog’s old food over a week to prevent digestive upset. It’s tempting to dive in overnight, but your dog’s gut will thank you for the gradual change.
My Final Thoughts
I still think The Farmer’s Dog is an excellent option, but exploring alternatives really opened my eyes to just how diverse the fresh food world has become. If you’re interested in raw options, I find We Feed Raw hard to beat. PetPlate makes cooked fresh meals simple and convenient. Open Farm stands out for transparency and sustainability. Spot & Tango offers a nice bridge between fresh and shelf-stable options, and Nom Nom delivers balance with consistent, proven results.
At the end of the day, the “best” choice is the one your dog actually eats, enjoys, and thrives on. Every brand on this list has earned genuine loyalty for a reason.
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