How Much Does Farmer’s Dog Cost?

Last Updated on September 28, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Farmer’s Dog delivers customized, vet-formulated fresh dog food made from high-quality ingredients tailored to your pup. But how much does this premium service actually cost? In this in-depth pricing guide, we’ll break down The Farmer’s Dog’s subscription plans in detail so you can evaluate if it fits your budget.

We’ll provide price estimates by breed size, meal options, and other cost factors. You’ll also learn how The Farmer’s Dog compares to kibble and competitors, along with money-saving tips, health benefits, and customer experiences to determine if it’s worthwhile for your dog.

Introduction to The Farmer’s Dog and Their Fresh Food Model

The Farmer’s Dog aims to reinvent dog food through personalized meal plans tailored to each dog’s needs. Their food contains:

• Fresh, human-grade ingredients like beef, chicken, turkey, lentils, carrots, spinach, apples.
• No artificial preservatives, additives, or fillers.
• Recipes designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.

Meals are cooked then chilled and shipped based on your dog’s weight, breed, age, activity level, and sensitivities. Many pet owners now prefer fresh food for the visible health benefits over processed kibble.

How Much Does Farmer’s Dog Cost?

The Farmer’s Dog costs $2 to $12 per day depending on your dog’s specifics.

• Monthly estimates:
  • Small dogs (under 15 lbs): $42 – $150
  • Medium dogs (15-50 lbs): $150 – $330
  • Large dogs (over 50 lbs): $330 – $517

Puppies need more calories so cost more initially but decrease as they reach adulthood. Expect to invest $100+ a month for medium to large breeds.

According to iHeartDogs, the average cost for a small dog starts around $2 per day, while larger breeds can see costs escalate to over $10 per day. This pricing reflects a tailored approach to canine nutrition, with costs influenced by the dog’s activity level and any special dietary requirements.

Another source, Dogster, provides a broader range, stating that The Farmer’s Dog can cost between $40 and $500 per month. The specific price depends on the individual dog’s needs, including their weight, breed, and activity level. For example, a Border Collie might incur a cost of approximately $5.70 per day, totaling around $171 per month.

In a review from USA Today, it was noted that meal plans start at about $2 to $12 per day. A specific example mentioned was that two weeks of meals for two dogs would typically cost around $119.30, but with a 50% discount for first-time customers, the total came down to $63.56, averaging about $2.27 per day per dog.

Additionally, the official website of The Farmer’s Dog mentions that the daily costs can vary widely based on the dog’s specific needs. For instance, a 75-pound Labrador retriever’s fresh food plan might be around $10.39 per day, while an 11-pound Yorkshire Terrier could be fed for about $2.80 per day according to customer testimonials shared on their site.

 

Costs by Dog’s Size and Breed

Here’s how The Farmer’s Dog breaks down by common breed sizes:

• Small breeds – $1.50 to $5 per day (Yorkie, Chihuahua): Around $45-$150/month
• Medium breeds – $5 to $11 per day (Goldendoodle, Border Collie): $150-$330/month
• Large breeds – $11 to $17 per day (Labrador, Great Dane): $330-$510/month

The Farmer’s Dog offers free guidance by breed to predict your custom pricing. Prices reflect the higher caloric needs of bigger, active dogs.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Several factors affect your personalized pricing:

• Weight – Heavier dogs eat more food, increasing cost.
• Age – Puppies require up to twice the calories of adults, boosting cost.
• Activity level – Active dogs need 20-40% higher calorie amounts, raising pricing.
• Reproductive status – Non-spayed/neutered dogs have increased caloric needs until fixed.

Your dog’s unique blend of traits determines costs. The quiz helps calculate your exact price point.

“We take a holistic view of your dog’s needs to determine the precise portion sizes and recipes that fit their lifestyle,” explains Farmer’s Dog nutritionist Amanda Howland, DVM.

You might also like our articles on the cost of food in general, tooth extraction, or a bed for your dog.

Meal Plan Types and Options

The Farmer’s Dog offers two primary plans:

Full Meal Plan:

• Provides 100% complete and balanced daily nutrition.
• Portions customized to your dog’s needs.
• Prices range from $42-$517/month as outlined above.

Topper Plan:

• Designed to mix into your dog’s current kibble as a nutritional topper.
• Comes in partial 1/4 or 1/8 meal sizes.
• Starts at just $17/week for a budget boost.

You can select between full or topper plans during signup, modifying volume later as needed.

Farmer’s Dog vs Traditional Kibble

Here’s how The Farmer’s Dog stacks up cost-wise against other feeding options:

• Dry kibble – Averages around $1 per day for a 25 lb. dog.
• Canned wet food – Approximately $2 per day for a medium dog.
• Ollie, Pet Plate – Similar fresh dog food models cost about the same.
• Just Food for Dogs (JFFD) – Primarily kitchen locations with comparable pricing.
• Human-grade food – Can cost $4+ per day to feed homemade cooked meals.

Among fresh dog food delivery, The Farmer’s Dog remains competitively priced for the category with its model.

Additional Benefits

The Farmer’s Dog provides proven health improvements from high-quality nutrition:

• Human-grade ingredients – Whole, USDA-approved meats, vegetables, and grains.
• Vet-designed recipes – Formulated by licensed veterinary nutritionists to meet all dietary requirements.
• Convenience – Meals conveniently shipped, ready to serve. Reduces meal prep time.
• Money-back guarantee – Get a full refund if your dog doesn’t love the food.

Discounts and Ways to Save

Take advantage of these offers to reduce costs:

• 50% off first box – For new customers to try the service.
• Free shipping – No delivery fees makes budgets go further.
• Topper plan – Try partial meals to save over full plan costs.
• Pause or cancel anytime – Adjust portions to your budget as needed.

“Consider starting with the Topper plan for a taste test before upgrading to the Full plan,” suggests nutritionist Amanda Howland, DVM. “It makes an affordable transition to fresh food.”

Customer Reviews

The Farmer’s Dog earns rave reviews for providing noticeable health improvements:

• Shinier coats, improved digestion, allergy reduction, better weight maintenance.
• Pets love the taste and demonstrate increased energy.
• Owners feel it delivers excellent value for the money based on benefits.

While pricier than kibble, most users find the results worth paying a premium for quality nutrition and ingredients.

Answers to Common Questions

Do veterinarians actually recommend The Farmer’s Dog?

Yes, most vets support The Farmer’s Dog’s fresh food model. Their meals meet AAFCO standards and are formulated by licensed veterinary nutritionists. The whole food ingredients provide balanced nutrition dogs thrive on.

How does The Farmer’s Dog compare to cooking homemade dog food yourself?

Home cooking from scratch can cost $3-$5 per pound. The Farmer’s Dog provides similar quality but with the convenience of measured ingredients and recipes tailored to your dog’s needs, saving significant time and effort.

How long does The Farmer’s Dog food stay fresh after delivery?

Meals arrive chilled in insulated boxes with ice packs. Food stays fresh refrigerated for 7-10 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Their recipes maximize freshness without preservatives.

Important Things

The Farmer’s Dog provides personalized, vet-designed fresh meals with proven health benefits. While pricier than mass-market kibble, most users happily pay more for the convenience, quality nutrition, and observable improvements to their dog’s wellbeing.

Take advantage of trial discounts, Topper plans, and regular promotions to find an option matching your budget. Weigh costs against benefits like potential vet bill savings when determining if The Farmer’s Dog fits your situation.

Expert Tips

“Consider splitting costs with a friend or family member by ordering larger quantities and sharing portions,” suggests Brandon Clark, dog dad and founder of PupJunkies.com. “You take advantage of bulk pricing while reducing the monthly expense.”

“Swap out pricier proteins like beef and lamb for more budget-friendly chicken or turkey recipes when customizing your plan,” advises pet nutritionist Amanda Howland, DVM. “You maintain fresh quality while optimizing your monthly budget.”

“Try mixing The Farmer’s Dog as a topper into your current brand of kibble,” says Christine Johnson, dog mom and author of Modern Dog Magazine. “You stretch out high-quality nutrition over more meals for less.”

Final Words

The Farmer’s Dog delivers personalized, vet-designed fresh meals that provide proven health benefits based on high-quality whole ingredients. While their pricing exceeds traditional kibble, most customers happily pay a premium for the convenience, quality, and observable improvements to their dog’s wellbeing and energy.

Take advantage of discounts, starter sizes, customization flexibility, and promotions to find a monthly plan matching your budget. Weigh the costs against potential vet savings, convenience, and other perks to determine if The Farmer’s Dog offers worthwhile nutrition for your pup’s needs.