The Farmer’s Dog vs Ollie: Which Fresh Dog Food Wins in 2026?
Fresh dog food has moved from niche to mainstream — The Farmer’s Dog now generates an estimated $500M+ in annual revenue, and Ollie has raised over $80M in venture funding. Both deliver human-grade, refrigerated dog food to your door on a subscription basis. Both claim to transform your dog’s health. Both are significantly more expensive than kibble.
So which one is actually better?
Quick verdict: The Farmer’s Dog is our pick for most dogs — it has a slightly cleaner ingredient profile, more flavor variety, and a track record of USDA-certified human-grade production. Ollie is the better choice for dogs who need a fish-based diet or for owners who want more customization in portion size and texture. For budget-conscious buyers, neither is cheap — but both are meaningfully better than premium kibble for most dogs.
| Category | The Farmer’s Dog | Ollie |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 (NYC) | 2016 (NYC) |
| Price (monthly, 50 lb dog) | $90–$130 | $80–$120 |
| Human-Grade Certified | Yes — USDA human-grade facility | Yes — human-grade ingredients |
| Recipes Available | 4 (Beef, Turkey, Chicken, Pork) | 5 (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Fish) |
| Customization | Profile-based portion packs | Profile-based + half-portion option |
| Delivery Frequency | Every 1–8 weeks (customizable) | Every 1–4 weeks |
| Packaging | Pre-portioned pouches | Pre-portioned pouches |
| Shelf Life (frozen) | 4 months frozen, 4 days refrigerated | 4 months frozen, 4 days refrigerated |
| AAFCO Statement | Complete and balanced | Complete and balanced |
| Formulated By | Board-certified veterinary nutritionists | Board-certified veterinary nutritionists |
| Recall History | None to date | None to date |
| Affiliate Commission | ~$50 flat CPA | ~$60 flat CPA |
Ingredient Analysis: Side by Side
The Farmer’s Dog — Turkey Recipe
Ingredients: Turkey, turkey liver, broccoli, celery, butternut squash, carrots, dicalcium phosphate, zinc, iodine, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E
Protein: ~27% (as-fed), ~52% on dry matter basis
Fat: ~8% (as-fed)
Calories: ~1,100 kcal/lb
Farmer’s Dog keeps ingredient lists short and recognizable. The Turkey recipe has 12 ingredients — all whole foods or essential micronutrient supplements. No synthetic preservatives, no rendered meals, no thickeners or stabilizers.
Ollie — Turkey Recipe
Ingredients: Turkey, turkey liver, sweet potatoes, peas, spinach, blueberries, sunflower oil, fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, thiamine, zinc
Protein: ~28% (as-fed), ~54% on dry matter basis
Fat: ~7% (as-fed)
Calories: ~1,050 kcal/lb
Ollie’s ingredient profile is similarly clean. The key differences: Ollie uses peas (a legume), which places it marginally closer to the ingredient types flagged in the FDA DCM investigation. Ollie also adds fish oil directly rather than relying on lean meat protein sources, which improves omega-3 content.
Unique Recipes
The Farmer’s Dog does not offer a fish-based recipe. Ollie’s Fish recipe (salmon and herring) is the only option for dogs that need a novel seafood protein or benefit specifically from marine omega-3s. For dogs with beef, chicken, turkey, and pork sensitivities, Ollie has a distinct advantage.
Pricing Analysis
Both brands calculate pricing based on your dog’s weight, age, activity level, and whether you’re feeding full-plan or as a topper. The actual cost varies significantly.
For a 20 lb dog (approximate):
- The Farmer’s Dog: ~$40–$60/month
- Ollie: ~$35–$55/month
For a 50 lb dog (approximate):
- The Farmer’s Dog: ~$90–$130/month
- Ollie: ~$80–$120/month
For a 90 lb dog (approximate):
- The Farmer’s Dog: ~$160–$220/month
- Ollie: ~$140–$200/month
Ollie typically runs 10–15% cheaper than The Farmer’s Dog for comparable servings. Both offer significant discounts on the first order (50% off is standard) and have referral programs.
Check Price“>Get started with The Farmer’s Dog →
Check Price“>Get started with Ollie →
Customer Experience Comparison
Onboarding
Both brands use a profile questionnaire (weight, age, breed, activity level, health conditions, allergies) to generate a custom plan. The experience is similar. Ollie offers a slightly more granular activity level assessment; The Farmer’s Dog has a more polished mobile interface.
Delivery and Packaging
Both ship in insulated boxes with dry ice, designed to arrive frozen. Both use pre-portioned pouches sized for your specific dog. The Farmer’s Dog pouches are vacuum-sealed; Ollie uses resealable pouches — a slight practical advantage for the Ollie packaging when mid-pack refrigeration is needed.
Transitioning and Digestive Response
Switching any dog to fresh food typically causes 1–2 weeks of digestive adjustment (softer stools, possibly loose stools in the first few days). This is normal and expected with both brands. The key is transitioning gradually — mixing 25% fresh food with 75% current food for days 1–3, increasing proportionally over 7–10 days.
Most owners report improved stool quality, improved coat condition, and increased energy within 4–6 weeks of full fresh-food feeding with either brand.
Health Outcomes: What the Evidence Says
Neither The Farmer’s Dog nor Ollie has published peer-reviewed clinical trials on health outcomes compared to kibble — the fresh pet food industry is not there yet. However:
- Digestibility: Human-grade fresh food has estimated digestibility of 87–92% vs. 72–80% for premium kibble. Higher digestibility means more nutrients absorbed per calorie.
- Moisture content: Fresh food contains 70–75% moisture vs. kibble’s 8–12%. This directly supports kidney health and urinary tract function.
- Inflammatory markers: Anecdotal reports from veterinarians and owners consistently describe improvements in chronic inflammation indicators (hot spots, ear infections, joint swelling) after transitioning to fresh food — likely due to reduced ultra-processed food ingredients and higher omega-3 content.
Who Should Choose The Farmer’s Dog
- Owners who want the cleanest, shortest ingredient list possible
- Dogs with multiple protein sensitivities (beef, chicken, turkey, pork options)
- Dogs with confirmed digestive issues (the USDA human-grade certification reduces contamination risk)
- Owners who want the most established brand in the fresh food category
Who Should Choose Ollie
- Dogs that need a fish/seafood-based diet (salmon/herring recipe unique to Ollie)
- Owners who want the half-portion option (useful when using as a topper rather than full replacement)
- Budget-conscious buyers — Ollie runs slightly cheaper for comparable dogs
- Dogs with lamb sensitivity who still need a novel protein (Ollie offers lamb recipe)
Related Pages
- Farmers Dog — Full The Farmer’s Dog review
- Ollie — Full Ollie review
- Nom Nom Vs Petplate — More fresh food comparisons
- Golden Retriever — Best food for Golden Retrievers
- Senior Dogs — Best food for senior dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie worth the price vs. kibble?
A: For most dogs in good health, premium kibble (Purina Pro Plan, Hill’s Science Diet) is nutritionally adequate and significantly cheaper. The case for fresh food is strongest when: your dog has chronic digestive issues that haven’t responded to kibble changes; your dog has a dull coat despite omega-3 supplementation; your dog is a senior with declining appetite; or you have budget flexibility and want to maximize nutrition quality. For a healthy 2-year-old dog on Purina Pro Plan, the evidence base doesn’t clearly support spending 3x more on fresh food.
Q: Can I feed The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie as a topper rather than full plan?
A: Yes — both brands offer discounted topper plans (typically 20–30% of caloric needs from fresh food, remainder from kibble). This is the most cost-effective way to get fresh food benefits if budget is a concern. Add roughly 20% of daily calories from fresh food as a kibble topper for meaningful digestibility and palatability improvements.
Q: How do I store The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie?
A: Both arrive frozen and should be moved to the refrigerator 1–2 days before each pouch is opened. Refrigerated pouches last 4 days; frozen pouches last 4 months. Most owners keep 1 week’s supply in the refrigerator and maintain a frozen backup supply. Rotate stock regularly.
Q: Do vets recommend The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie?
A: Some veterinarians recommend fresh food, particularly for dogs with digestive issues, obesity, or declining appetite. Neither brand has the same level of clinical veterinary endorsement as Purina Pro Plan or Hill’s Science Diet. More vets are becoming familiar with fresh food brands as the category matures, but the gap between vet recommendation rates for fresh vs. research-backed kibble remains significant.
Q: What’s the cancellation policy for both brands?
A: Both brands allow cancellation at any time with no cancellation fees. You can pause subscriptions for up to 8 weeks (The Farmer’s Dog) or similar periods (Ollie). Cancel through your account portal or customer service. Neither brand requires a contract, though both use auto-renewal subscription models.
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