As a longtime canine nutrition researcher and dog-food evaluator, I’ve seen countless brands come and go. Some brands lean heavily on marketing buzzwords, while others actually deliver meaningful nutrition and transparency. Open Farm dog food falls into the latter, a brand that built its reputation on ingredient integrity, ethical sourcing, and full traceability. What impressed me early on was their willingness to disclose sourcing locations and production standards, something most dog food companies avoid.
I’ve also personally tracked owner feedback over years, and the consistency of positive results is hard to ignore. But is it actually worth the price? And is it the right choice for your dog? In this guide, I’ll break down Open Farm’s philosophy, recipes, benefits, best product types, and user-reported results, all in plain English.
What Makes Open Farm Dog Food Different?
The biggest selling point of Open Farm dog food is transparency. Every bag includes a code you can scan to see exactly where each ingredient was sourced, down to the specific farm or fishery.
They emphasize:
- Humanely raised proteins
- Non-GMO produce
- Zero artificial preservatives
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Ethically sourced meats and fish
- 100% ingredient traceability
This level of openness is rare in the pet food industry — especially compared to mainstream commercial brands where ingredient sourcing is vague or heavily anonymized.
Ingredient Quality: Where the Nutrition Comes From
Open Farm sticks to whole-food-based, premium ingredients — not sweepings, scraps, or mass-produced fillers. Their formulas commonly include:
- Grass-fed beef
- Pasture-raised lamb
- Cage-free turkey & chicken
- Wild-caught fish (Ocean Wise certified)
- Pumpkin, carrots, apples, spinach
- Coconut oil & turmeric
- Ancient grains like oats, millet, quinoa
These ingredients support digestion, immune health, skin health, coat quality, and stool firmness — areas many dog owners report improvement in after switching.
Types of Open Farm Dog Food
Open Farm produces multiple categories to accommodate different diets, sensitivities, ages, and owners’ feeding styles.
Dry Dog Food (Kibble)
Available in:
- Ancient Grain formulas
- Grain-free formulas
- High-Protein RawMix kibble
Ancient grains are especially helpful for:
- Improved digestion
- Firmer stool
- Stable energy levels
Wet Dog Food (Rustic Stews)
These are human-grade, slow-simmered recipes like:
- Rustic Stew Grass-Fed Beef
- Homestead Turkey Stew
- Wild-caught Salmon
Perfect for picky eaters or for mixing with dry food.
Freeze-Dried Raw
Morsels and patties designed to mimic a raw ancestral diet. They can be fed:
- As a full meal
- As a meal topper
- As a high-protein supplement
Dogs LOVE the flavor — even selective eaters.
Bone Broths & Toppers
Such as:
- Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth
- Turkey Bone Broth
Ideal for:
- Digestive wellness
- Hydration
- Aging dogs
- Dogs on medication
- Added flavor to kibble
Quick Comparison Table: Which Open Farm Option Is Best for Your Dog?
| Product Type | Best For | Benefits | Cost Level |
| Ancient Grains Kibble | Sensitive stomachs, seniors | Digestible, sustained energy | Moderate |
| Grain-Free Kibble | Allergy-prone dogs | No grains, high-protein | Moderate-High |
| RawMix High-Protein | Active and working dogs | High meat content, raw-included | High |
| Freeze-Dried Raw | Picky eaters & optimal nutrition | Nutrient-dense, raw-based | Higher |
| Rustic Stew (Wet) | Dogs with appetite issues | Soft texture, aromatic | Moderate |
| Bone Broth | Joint & digestive support | Hydrating, collagen rich | Low-Moderate |
Health Benefits Reported by Owners
Thousands of dog owners have posted improvement in:
- Coat shine and softness
- Reduced itching and allergies
- Improved stool consistency
- Reduced gas and bloating
- Higher energy and engagement at meals
- Less paw-licking & yeast-related symptoms
A common theme among reviews is: “My dog is actually looking forward to meals again.”
Is Open Farm Good for Dogs with Allergies?
Yes — and this is one of the brand’s strongest selling points.
They offer single-protein or limited-ingredient options such as:
- Lamb-only formulas
- Pork-only formulas
- Turkey-only formulas
- Salmon-only formulas
This helps identify and eliminate allergen triggers.
Many dogs allergic to chicken, soy, corn, or mass-market kibble fillers show noticeable improvement.
Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability
Open Farm is one of the few brands that treats ethical sourcing as core — not marketing.
- Certified Humane meats
- Wild-caught sustainable fish
- Responsible farm partnerships
- Reduced-impact packaging
- Ingredient traceability
If you care about environmental stewardship, this brand aligns well with sustainability-driven pet owners.
Potential Downsides of Open Farm Dog Food
No product is perfect. Here’s what you should know:
It’s more expensive than supermarket brands.
You’re paying for:
- Certified meats
- Better farms
- Safer sourcing
- Real ingredients
Some dogs take time to transition to higher-quality diets.
Switching too quickly may cause temporary digestive changes.
A gradual 10-day blend is recommended.
Freeze-dried raw is pricey.
It’s premium nutrition — but it comes at a premium cost.
Who Should Choose Open Farm Dog Food?
Ideal for owners who value:
- Ingredient transparency
- Sustainable sourcing
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Scientifically balanced nutrition
Ideal for dogs who:
- Have allergies
- Have sensitive stomachs
- Are picky eaters
- Are working or active
- Have dry skin or coat issues
It’s especially beneficial for older dogs and those with inflammation or digestive weaknesses.
How to Transition Your Dog to Open Farm
Here’s the recommended schedule:
- Days 1–3: 25% Open Farm / 75% current food
- Days 4–6: 50% / 50%
- Days 7–9: 75% / 25%
- Day 10 onward: 100% Open Farm
This reduces chances of stomach upset while gut bacteria adjusts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is open farm dog food suitable for puppies?
Yes. They offer puppy-specific formulas and all-life-stage recipes that meet AAFCO growth requirements.
2. Is grain-free better than ancient grains?
Not always. For many dogs, ancient-grain nutrition supports better digestion than grain-free diets. Grain-free is best for confirmed grain sensitivities.
3. Is Open Farm worth the price?
If your priority is real nutrition, ingredient integrity, and ethical sourcing — yes, it’s worth it.
You’re paying for quality that directly benefits your dog’s health.
4. Does Open Farm cause allergies?
Rarely — in fact, it often reduces allergic reactions because of its clean, controlled ingredients.
5. Where can I buy Open Farm dog food?
Open Farm is available online and in pet stores globally, including Amazon, specialty pet shops, and direct-from-brand ordering.
Final Thoughts: Should You Feed Your Dog Open Farm?
If you want a dog food backed by real ingredient integrity, humane farming, and visible health benefits, Open Farm dog food is an excellent choice. It may cost more than conventional kibble, but the improvements in digestion, coat, skin health, energy, and appetite often speak for themselves.
Dogs thrive when fed real, responsibly sourced nutrition — and Open Farm delivers exactly that.
