Do Vets Recommend Farmer's Dog? Honest Insights on Fresh Pet Food

Dog owners are always bombarded by ads promising "the best dog food ever." The Farmer's Dog stands out in the pack with its fresh, made-to-order meals that claim to be healthier than standard kibble. So does this buzz translate to actual vet recommendations, or is it just clever marketing?

The answer isn't as clear-cut as you'd think. Some vets back Farmer's Dog for its real, whole-food ingredients and lack of weird preservatives. Others aren’t fully on board, pointing out that even fresh food isn’t always the magic solution for every dog. Your own vet can make or break this choice—some love the transparency in labeling, while others want to see more long-term research.

If you’ve ever glanced at the fine print on typical dog food, you know it’s a jungle of ingredients with names you can’t pronounce. Farmer's Dog is turning heads with its simple ingredient lists: chicken, beef, vegetables, and real fats. That’s appealing, but there’s always more to the story when it comes to something as important as what your dog eats every day.

• What Exactly Is Farmer's Dog Food?
• Do Real Vets Recommend It?
• What Makes Fresh Food Different?
• Tips for Switching Your Dog’s Diet

What Exactly Is Farmer's Dog Food?

Farmer's Dog food is a subscription-based dog food service that delivers freshly cooked meals right to your door. Unlike most store brands that sit on shelves for months, this food is made with simple, real ingredients—think beef, chicken, pork, sweet potatoes, green beans, and a few added vitamins and minerals.

Here's what sets Farmer's Dog apart:

• The meals are customized for your dog’s age, weight, breed, and activity level. You fill out a quick online profile, and they calculate exactly how much food your pup needs.
• Recipes are cooked at low temperatures in USDA kitchens and shipped frozen or refrigerated, not shelf-stable. That’s meant to keep the nutrients and flavor intact.
• There’s zero use of fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives. If you can’t pronounce it, it’s not there.
• Farmer's Dog works with board-certified veterinary nutritionists to create formulas that meet (and usually beat) AAFCO standards for dog nutrition.

Check out this breakdown that compares the basics of Farmer's Dog food to regular kibble:

One thing to mention—Farmer's Dog meals are a bit of a splurge. On average, fresh meal plans cost about $2 to $12 per day depending on your dog's size. But for owners concerned about what’s really in their dog's bowl, it's a trade-off they’re willing to make.

If you’ve read through farmer's dog reviews online, you’ll see people raving about picky eaters suddenly getting excited at dinnertime or dogs with allergies finally seeing relief. There’s no magic, just straightforward, freshly-cooked food, portioned right, and delivered in simple packaging with your dog’s name on it.

Do Real Vets Recommend It?

This is the question most people want a straight answer to—and it turns out there’s no single "yes" or "no" here. Veterinarians are split right down the middle when it comes to Farmer's Dog and other fresh dog foods. Some vets enthusiastically support farmer's dog meals because they're made from real, recognizable ingredients. Others, though, stay a bit skeptical, especially if a dog doesn’t have a specific health condition that needs a custom diet.

For one thing, Farmer’s Dog recipes meet the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. Most vets look for that label first. If a food doesn’t meet those guidelines, it’s a no-go for a lot of clinics. Farmer’s Dog is pretty upfront about their formulas, and their food is developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists—not just a random chef in a kitchen.

Keep in mind that vets always want to know your dog’s full health picture before giving any green light. If your dog has allergies, pancreatitis, kidney issues, or needs to lose a few pounds, your vet may tweak your order or even ask for a special recipe. And a few old-school vets are still team kibble, usually for budget reasons or just because it’s what they’ve always done.

One practical tip: if you’re thinking about switching, print out the ingredient and nutrition info from Farmer’s Dog and share it with your vet. I did exactly this for my own dog, and my vet appreciated seeing those details and could weigh in properly. Don’t be shy about asking your vet what they really think—sometimes they’ll surprise you with how open-minded they are about fresh food.

What Makes Fresh Food Different?

Most people picture dry brown kibble or mushy canned food when they think of dog meals. Fresh pet food like Farmer’s Dog flips the script by using whole meats, real veggies, and fats you can actually recognize. The food isn’t crammed with artificial preservatives, so it needs to stay refrigerated, just like human leftovers.

Here’s a quick look at how fresh dog food stacks up against the usual stuff you find on grocery shelves:

Many dog owners say they see changes like shinier coats, smaller poop, and more steady energy after swapping to fresh food. Think about it — you’d probably notice if you stopped eating only processed food yourself. Fresh meals are also portioned out based on your dog’s weight and needs, so you’re not just guessing at how much to scoop out, which is a common mistake with kibble.

The most important thing? Farmer's Dog gives you a clear ingredient list. You know exactly what your pup is eating. There’s no "animal by-product meal" hiding in tiny print.

One thing to keep in mind: fresh food comes at a higher price and demands fridge space. But fans say their dogs are more excited at mealtime, and some even use these meals for fussy eaters or pups with allergies.

• If your dog has a sensitive stomach, fresh food can make a difference. Gently-cooked meals are easier to digest and have fewer starches or fillers.
• Vets do point out that not all fresh food brands are created equal. Stick to trusted providers who meet AAFCO nutrition standards for a complete diet.
• Always introduce new foods slowly, mixing them in with the old food for about a week to help your dog’s tummy adjust.

Tips for Switching Your Dog’s Diet

If you’re thinking about changing up your dog’s food to something like Farmer’s Dog, don’t just dump it in their bowl and hope for the best. A sudden food switch can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea, or a totally uninterested pup. Most dogs do best with a gradual transition—it gives their digestive system time to adjust.

Here’s how vets usually recommend you make the switch:

1. Start by mixing about 75% of the old food with 25% of the new food for the first two days.
2. If your dog’s doing fine, swap to 50% old food and 50% Farmer’s Dog on days three and four.
3. On days five and six, use 75% new food and 25% old food.
4. By day seven, you can feed only the new food—if your dog’s digestion looks good.

Stomach upsets? Slow down the transition and maybe even go back a step. If you see vomiting, blood in stool, or your dog refusing to eat, it’s smart to call your vet. Some sensitive dogs need two weeks or longer for a full switch.

Another practical tip: Track changes. Notice your dog’s poop, appetite, energy, and even coat condition during the transition. Here’s a table with key things to check daily:

One more thing—even top-notch, fresh dog food brands don’t work for every single pup. If your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach, or special medical needs, talk to your vet before switching. Some dogs need extra supplements or call for different proteins. Never skip the expert advice, no matter what TikTok or ads tell you.

And don’t forget to store fresh food in the fridge or freezer to keep it safe. Farmer’s Dog meals aren’t loaded with preservatives like most kibble, so they spoil quicker if left out too long. Always serve fresh, chilled food and toss leftovers after a couple of hours.