Open Farm Dog Food Review 2026

Open Farm Dog Food Review 2026: The Transparency Leader

GetPetPros Score: 8.4/10

Category Score
Ingredient Quality 9.0/10
Supply Chain Transparency 10/10
Value for Money 7.5/10
Sustainability Credentials 9.5/10
Palatability 8.5/10
Formula Variety 8.0/10

Quick verdict: Open Farm is the gold standard for supply chain transparency — every ingredient is traceable to its specific farm of origin, verified through third-party audits. Certified Humane and Ocean Wise credentials are independently verified. Their RawMix format combines kibble with freeze-dried raw for a compelling middle ground. The price premium is real but the transparency credentials are genuinely earned.

Best for: Owners who prioritize animal welfare, supply chain transparency, and ethical sourcing above all; sustainable pet ownership advocates; owners wanting RawMix without full raw diet commitment.
Not ideal for: Budget-conscious buyers, owners who don’t value sustainability premium, dogs needing therapeutic nutrition.

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Company Overview

Open Farm was founded in 2014 in Toronto, Canada by Derek Beigleman and Isaac Langleben. The founding philosophy was radical transparency: every ingredient on the label should be traceable to its source farm. The company partners with Certified Humane farms, Ocean Wise-certified fisheries, and regenerative agriculture operations. Ingredients are sourced primarily from the US and Canada. Manufacturing is handled by trusted North American partners.

Key differentiators:

  • TraceAbility™ system: batch code on every bag links to ingredient source farms
  • Certified Humane partnership for animal proteins
  • Ocean Wise-certified wild-caught fish
  • All packaging is recyclable, compostable, or made from recycled materials
  • B Corporation certification

Product Lineup

Ancient Grains (Grain-Inclusive)

Humanely raised chicken, turkey, or salmon with ancient grains (oats, quinoa, sorghum).

Grain-Free

Chicken, salmon, beef, turkey, lamb — grain-free with non-legume carb options where possible.

RawMix

Kibble + freeze-dried raw pieces. Chicken, Surf & Turf (chicken + salmon), Wild-Caught Salmon.

Homestead Turkey & Chicken (Freeze-Dried Raw)

Complete freeze-dried raw food format.

Gently Cooked (Refrigerated)

Fresh, minimally processed meals similar to The Farmer’s Dog format.

Pricing:
| Formula | Size | ~Price |
|———|——|——–|
| Ancient Grains Chicken | 22 lb | $72–$85 |
| RawMix Chicken | 20 lb | $80–$95 |
| Grain-Free Salmon | 22 lb | $75–$88 |
| Gently Cooked (subscription) | varies | $75–$140/month |


Ingredient Analysis

Ancient Grains Pasture-Raised Chicken:

Key ingredients: Humanely raised chicken, chicken meal, oats, sorghum, chickpeas, chicken fat, quinoa, organic pumpkin, butternut squash, coconut oil, mixed tocopherols, salmon oil

Positives:

  • Certified Humane raised chicken — independently audited welfare standards
  • Oats, sorghum, quinoa as ancient whole grain carbohydrates (better than corn/wheat aesthetically, lower legume concern)
  • Organic pumpkin for fiber
  • Coconut oil for medium-chain triglycerides
  • Salmon oil for omega-3

DCM Note:

  • Chickpeas appear but are a smaller portion compared to some competitors; ancient grains line reduces legume reliance

Pricing Breakdown

| Dog Size | Daily Cost |
|———-|———–|
| Small (15 lbs) | $1.30–$1.65 |
| Medium (40 lbs) | $2.60–$3.20 |
| Large (70 lbs) | $4.10–$5.20 |


Pros

  • Industry-leading supply chain transparency (TraceAbility system)
  • Independently audited certifications (Certified Humane, Ocean Wise, B Corp)
  • RawMix format is an excellent fresh/raw compromise
  • Eco-friendly packaging
  • Good palatability across all formats

Cons

  • Premium pricing for transparency credentials that most dogs don’t directly benefit from
  • Third-party manufacturing (not in-house like Fromm or Orijen)
  • Chickpeas still appear in some formulas
  • Gently Cooked line is expensive (comparable to The Farmer’s Dog)

Who Is Open Farm Best For?

Open Farm is best for owners who want to align their pet food purchase with their values — animal welfare, environmental sustainability, supply chain ethics. If ingredient provenance and certification matter to you, no brand does it better. For dogs, the food is high quality and palatable regardless of the transparency premium.


Alternatives


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the TraceAbility system?

A: Every bag of Open Farm food has a lot code that you can enter on Open Farm’s website to see exactly which farms supplied the ingredients in that specific batch — the farmer’s name, location, and certification. It’s the most transparent tracking system in consumer pet food.

Q: Is Open Farm Certified Humane?

A: Yes — all meat ingredients from land animals are sourced from Certified Humane-approved farms. Certified Humane is an independent program audited by third-party veterinarians and animal welfare experts (not self-certified).

Q: Is RawMix worth it versus regular kibble?

A: RawMix adds freeze-dried raw pieces to the kibble, providing raw food variety without the safety concerns and storage requirements of a full raw diet. For dogs that do well on standard kibble, the benefit is modest. For dogs who are picky or benefit from texture variety, the palatability improvement can be meaningful.

Q: Does Open Farm have any recalls?

A: No recalls as of March 2026. Open Farm’s relatively short history (founded 2014) and transparent sourcing practices contribute to a clean record so far.


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