A picture of Just Food For Dogs food next to The Farmer's Dog food

Just Food for Dogs vs Farmer’s Dog: Which Service Is Better?

We tested and compared Just Food for Dogs vs Farmer's Dog to find out which is better. The Farmer’s Dog is better if you have multiple dogs, want to mix multiple recipes in one order, or need a meal topper plan. Just Food for Dogs is better if you are seeking a variety of meal choices, need a specialized diet or novel protein, or want supplements.

The Dog Tale is reader-supported. We may earn a commission if you buy something through our site; this doesn’t change our recommendations.

There’s no doubt that real, fresh food is significantly healthier for your dog than traditional kibble. But when it comes to fresh food, you have several options, and deciding which service is right for you and your dog’s needs can be time-consuming and difficult.

We personally tested and compared Just Food for Dogs vs The Farmer’s Dog to show you their similarities, differences, and where each company stands out, so you can quickly decide which one is better.

In this comparison:

Just Food for Dogs vs Farmer’s Dog: At a glance

JustFoodForDogs logo
The Farmer's Dog Logo
Protein OptionsChicken, Beef, Turkey, Fish, Lamb, & VenisonBeef, Chicken, Turkey & Pork
SourcingWild-caught cod, Restaurant-quality meats & locally sourced produceHuman-grade ingredients sourced from reputable food suppliers, local farms & other USDA human food purveyors
Promo DiscountSubscribers save 35% on their first order and 5% on each subsequent orderThe Dog Tale readers get 60% off their first order
Recipes by vet nutritionists?Yes, as well as board-certified specialists in nutrition, dermatology, and toxicologyYes
AccreditationSome meals meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, while others meet AAFCO standards for adult maintenance or intermittent feeding only. Meals for long-term feeding are balanced to the National Research Council standards. USDA-certified meats.AAFCO certified for all life stages. USDA certified meats and kitchen.
Offer other products?Yes: Fresh Frozen food, PantryFresh, Prescription diets, custom meals, DIY homemade kits, treats supplements, Just Cats foodYes: fresh food and Nutrient Blends for DIY diets
Offer partial plans?NoYes. The Topper Plan consists of smaller meals to mix into and supplement kibble diets
PriceStarts at $1.60 a dayStarts at $2 a day
Cancel anytime?YesYes
Ordering preferencesDelivery with subscriptions and one-time purchases. Or order online and pick up at a local store.Delivery only
ShippingThere’s no shipping fee with a subscription. But one-time purchases have a $10 flat shipping fee.Free

The Farmer’s Dog vs Just Food for Dogs: Which choice is better?

Below we’ve compared The Farmer’s Dog vs Just Food For Dogs in key areas. We assigned a point value to each category based on its relevance to most dog owners, and we’ll tally the points at the end to see which brand scores higher. Click an item from the list to jump to that section. Or, to dive deeper into either service, check out our full The Farmer’s Dog Food review or our Just Food For Dogs review.

Ingredient quality

These two brands share a lot in common in this category. There’s no doubt that both companies are using superior ingredients to what you’ll find in the average dog kibble.

Both brands create their meals with human-grade foods like whole meat, organ meat, fresh produce, oils, and a mix of vitamins and minerals. The Farmer’s Dog does not include any fruits while Just Food For Dogs does, but this is okay; fruits can be a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, but they’re also not necessary for a dog’s diet.

The protein levels between each brand are also similar: Just Food for Dogs recipes range from 7% to 10% and The Farmer’s Dog recipes range from a slightly higher 9% to 11%. All the recipes contain single protein sources.

Neither company explicitly states where each ingredient is sourced. However, they both confirm that the meat is USDA-certified and the produce comes from North America. 

The ingredients are then gently cooked at low temperatures to keep as much nutrition intact as possible. This is in contrast to the process used to make kibble.

Winner: Tie (+1 point each)

Both Just Food For Dogs and The Farmer’s Dog do an impeccable job of sourcing their USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients from reputable, North American suppliers. You won’t find any shady ingredients or cheap meat meals with either option.

Fresh meal options

Both The Farmer’s Dog and Just Food For Dogs offer a variety of balanced meal options to suit most dogs. The biggest difference has to be that Just Food for Dogs can meet the varying needs of dogs with more specific health issues. This doesn’t mean that The Farmer’s Dog is worse for average dogs—it simply means they offer fewer options.

For example, Just Food for Dogs also offers a handful of recipes containing novel proteins, limited ingredients, and varying levels of protein, fat, and calories (both high and low) to suit specific medical issues. This may be helpful for the pet owner who has multiple dogs requiring different diets, such as a growing puppy and a senior dog with food sensitivities.

All of The Farmer’s Dog meals are grain-free, while Just Food for Dogs has three grain-free and four grain-inclusive fresh food meals, which may be important to pet owners concerned about the FDA’s warning about the potential link between grain-free diets and heart disease.

However, if you have a puppy, all four of The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes are suitable for feeding puppies; only two of Just Food for Dogs’ meals are: Fish & Sweet Potato and Chicken & White Rice.

If you have a large breed, consider Just Food For Dogs’ Large Breed Support meal, which is made with specific ingredients to help maintain stable joints and proper digestion.

Both companies meet or exceed AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, but Just Food for Dogs also meets the National Research Council standards, which, according to their website, is the most up-to-date authority on nutritional guidelines.

Just Food for Dogs is the only fresh food company to conduct their own extensive feeding trials on all of the daily canine recipes. The results show that the meals are healthy for long-term feeding and they aid in producing a healthy functioning canine immune system.

Just Food for Dogs Fresh Frozen meals

Chicken & White Rice: This recipe is high in calcium and phosphorus, making it perfect for growing puppies, and it is nutritionally balanced for the long-term feeding of both puppies and adult dogs. It’s their most popular recipe.

  • Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Long-Grain Enriched White Rice, Enriched, Spinach, Carrots, Apples, Chicken Gizzards, Chicken Liver, Icelandic Premium Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 8%, Crude fat: min 3%, Crude fiber: max 1%, Moisture: max 72%; 43 kcal/oz.

Beef & Russet Potato: Another popular choice, this high-calorie diet is perfect for active adult dogs and/or underweight dogs.

  • Ingredients: Ground Beef, Beef Liver, Russet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Green Peas, Apples, Safflower Oil, Icelandic Premium Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 8.5%, Crude fat: min 7%, Crude fiber: max 1.5%, Moisture: max 72%; 44 kcal/oz.

Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni: This fully balanced, nutritious turkey meal is ideal for large-breed dogs, active dogs, or underweight dogs, as it’s high in calories. It’s also their cheapest meal.

  • Ingredients: Ground Turkey, Whole Wheat Macaroni, Broccoli, Zucchini, Carrots, Turkey Liver, Cranberries, Icelandic Premium Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 10%, Crude fat: min 4%; Crude fiber: max 1%; Moisture: max 69%; 49 kcal/oz.

Fish & Sweet Potato: Good for puppies and adult dogs, and ideal for overweight dogs who like to eat a lot. Its high-protein and low-calorie count have been clinically proven for weight loss, meaning your dog will feel satiated without taking on the additional calories. This fully balanced diet is also a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or dogs in need of a novel protein. 

  • Ingredients: Alaskan Pacific Wild-Caught Cod, Sweet Potatoes, Russet Potatoes, Green Beans, Broccoli, Safflower Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 7%, Crude fat: min 2%, Crude fiber: max 3%, Moisture: max 20%; 26 kcal/oz.

Lamb & Brown Rice: High in calories and controlled in protein, this is the ideal maintenance diet for older dogs or dogs with smaller appetites.

  • Ingredients: Ground Lamb, Long-Grain Brown Rice, Spinach, Cauliflower, Carrots, Lamb Liver, Blueberries, Safflower Oil, Icelandic Premium Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 7.5%, Crude fat: min 5%, Crude fiber: max 1.5%, Moisture: max 72%; 42 kcal/oz.

Venison & Squash: High in protein and low in calories, this recipe is perfect for overweight dogs, dogs transitioning from a high protein raw diet, as well as dogs who need a novel protein due to sensitivites. In fact, it’s our pick for the best venison dog food for allergies.

  • Ingredients: Ground Venison, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries, Safflower oil, Icelandic Premium Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: min 9%, Crude fat: min 2%, Crude fiber: max 1.5%, Moisture: max 82%; 25 kcal/oz.

Large Breed Support: Formulated for healthy dogs over 50 lbs. with more insoluble fiber to help promote healthy digestion and stools. It’s also calorically dense and fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin, which support healthy joint health.

  • Ingredients: Ground Beef, Long-Grain Brown Rice, Beef Heart, Carrots, Green Beans, Beef Liver, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, JustFoodForDogs Nutrient Blend, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin.
  • Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 9.5% min, Crude Fat: 10% min, Crude Fiber: 1.5% max, Moisture: 65% max; 56 Kcals per ounce.

See additional, vet-prescribed meal options here.

The Farmer’s Dog meals

Beef: This beef-heavy meal offers the highest protein count of all of The Farmer’s Dog’s meals, making it a great choice for active breeds and growing puppies. We also love the inclusion of beef liver for the nutrients organ meat offers.

  • Ingredients: USDA-grade beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver, kale, sunflower seeds, fish oil, TFD Nutrient Blend*. 
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: 11% min., Crude fat: 8% min., Crude fiber: 1.5% max., Moisture: 73% max.; 43 kcal/oz.

Pork: This pork recipe features a balanced amount of protein, fat, and calories, making it a good all-around dish for dogs that love pork.

  • Ingredients: USDA-grade pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower, USDA pork liver, fish oil, TFD Nutrient Blend*.
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: 9% min., Crude fat: 7% min., Crude fiber: 1.5% max., Moisture: 75% max.; 39 kcal/oz.

Chicken: This chicken-based dish also features a high protein count for growing and active dogs.

  • Ingredients: USDA-grade chicken, brussels sprouts, USDA chicken liver, bok choy, broccoli, fish oil, TFD Nutrient Blend*. 
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: 10% min., Crude fat, 6% min., Crude fiber: 1.0% max., Moisture: 77% max.; 36 kcal/oz.

Turkey: This low-fat recipe may be a good choice for overweight dogs or those with an agitated digestive system. It’s also great for dogs allergic to cattle.

  • Ingredients: USDA-grade turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, parsnip, spinach, fish oil, TFD Nutrient Blend*. 
  • Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein: 9% min., Crude fat: 4.5% min., Crude fiber: 1.5% max., Moisture: 76% max.; 33 kcal/oz.

*TFD Nutrient blend ingredients: tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, vitamin B12 supplement, choline bitartrate, taurine, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid

Winner: Just Food for Dogs (+2 points)

The Farmer’s Dog is a great choice for average dogs, but Just Food for Dogs has a few extra options that will accommodate dogs with more specialized needs, such as dogs needing a novel protein or large-breed dogs.

Shelf stable fresh food

Just Food for Dogs’ PantryFresh line combines the same whole, human-edible ingredients used in the Fresh Frozen line with the convenience of a shelf-stable product. The food is sealed in packaging that resembles a mini chicken broth box and only needs to be refrigerated once opened.

This line of food is great for health-conscious pet owners who don’t have a lot of freezer space, or who need an easy open-and-serve food due to traveling or boarding their pet.  

Currently, there are four regular PantryFresh meals: 

  • Pantry Fresh Chicken & White Rice
  • Pantry Fresh Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni
  • Pantry Fresh Beef & Russet Potato
  • Pantry Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice

There are also four PantryFresh meals designed for specific health issues:

  • Pantry Fresh Balanced Remedy (for digestive issues)
  • Pantry Fresh Skin & Joint Support
  • Pantry Fresh Renal Support Low Protein
  • Pantry Fresh Critical Care Support

Winner: Just Food for Dogs (+1 point)

Just Food For Dogs is one of the only brands that offers shelf-stable human-grade dog food subscriptions. We should say that we’d recommend a fresh frozen meal plan from either brand before choosing the shelf-stable option, but it’s nice to have the option to temporarily switch your dog to shelf-stable food if you’ll be traveling with them.

Treats & other products

This is another area where Just Food for Dogs shines. They provide an array of helpful products. But, first, let’s look at what The Farmer’s Dog has to offer.

The Farmer’s Dog

Homemade meal mixes: The Farmer’s Dog recently launched their own Nutrient Mix that can be added to homemade dog food to ensure the meal is balanced and complete for a dog’s nutritional needs. It contains the right amount of vitamins and minerals a dog would receive in the wild, so there are no imbalances or deficiencies. Along with this mix, The Farmer’s Dog provides the shopping list, directions, and precise amounts, so there’s no guesswork with how to feed your dog. This mix can be purchased through their subscription program.

Just Food For Dogs

More homemade meal mixes: Just Food For Dogs also offers nutrient blends that complement home-cooked meals. They’ve created six blends that are precisely formulated to complement a provided recipe, so your dog gets just the right supplemental nutrients for the protein and produce used in each meal.

Meal supplements: In addition to the nutrient blends, which are necessary to complete a homemade diet, Just Food For Dogs’ chief medical officer and toxicologist has also created five meal supplements to help dogs become and stay healthy. These range from a skin and allergy supplement to a probiotic, and they’re all 100% natural and human-edible.

Therapeutic meals (Rx may be required): Additionally, Just Food For Dogs carries 12 therapeutic meals that are formulated by their team of veterinarians to address specific health problems, like dog IBD or joint or kidney issues. For dogs who require a specific diet, the team of veterinarians at Just Food for Dogs can create a customized diet for your dog based on their medical information. A vet’s prescription is required for many of these formulas. You can upload your prescription when ordering the food, or you can put the company in touch with your veterinarian.

Treats: Unlike The Farmer’s Dog, Just Food For Dogs has seven treat options. Just like their fresh food, the treats are made with human-edible ingredients, and they don’t include all of the chemical preservatives or allergy-inducing ingredients you may want to avoid. Three of the treats are single-ingredient products, and they vary in ingredient types to meet the needs of most dogs.

Cat food: If you have a feline in the family, it’s good to know that Just Food For Dogs also offers Just Cats food (and a cat treat), which makes it easy to have all your pet food come from one location. There’s one less thing to keep track of! Learn more in our Just Food For Cats review.

>> Read more: Does The Farmer’s Dog Make Cat Food?

Winner: Just Food for Dogs (+1 point)

The Farmer’s Dog does one thing, and it does it well. But if you’re interested in treats, multiple food types, and products for cats, Just Food For Dogs offers more.

Customizability

Subscriptions: During the onboarding process, both companies use the information you provide about your dog (e.g. activity level, breed, allergies, neutered status, etc.) to suggest certain meals and to calculate the correct daily calorie amount. You can order the suggested meal or try a different one entirely. Both brands also allow you to edit, pause, or cancel your subscription at any time.

Dietary needs: If your pet requires a limited-ingredient diet or prescription diet, Just Food for Dogs will probably be a better bet. They have a number of meals that help dogs with mild to serious health issues. Some of these meals require a prescription from your pet’s veterinarian, while others can be purchased by anybody. If none of these meals are quite right for your pet, you can have the team of vet experts create a customized meal based on your pet’s medical records for a one-time fee.

Just Food for Dogs’ regular meals vary significantly in nutritional content, such as caloric density, protein and fat content, and grain-inclusion/exclusion. These options can be helpful to pet owners who are looking for a specific type of diet for their active dog, senior dog, dog transitioning from raw food, etc. The Farmer’s Dog’s meals and protein options vary slightly, but not to the same extent.

The Farmer’s Dog recommends recipes based on the specific health conditions you include, such as constipation or allergies, but they do not have any prescription diets at this time.

Topper plans: One the other hand, The Farmer’s Dog offers a supplemental plan for health-conscious pet owners on a budget. This can be used as a topper to your dog’s current kibble to upgrade their diet for less. 

Just Food for Dogs does not offer any type of supplemental plan. In fact, Just Food for Dogs does not portion any meals to your dog’s specific daily calorie needs. They offer one standard-sized food pack and then suggest how much food to purchase and how often to purchase based on the number calories your dog requires.

Mix-and-match: If you want to mix and match multiple recipes in one order, The Farmer’s Dog would be a better choice. If you want a variety of meals with Just Food for Dogs, you’ll have to order one box of each meal, or change the recipe you order each month.

Samples: Although neither company offers free samples, Just Food for Dogs offers single-purchases to try the product. However, you’ll miss out on the introductory 35% discount and the recurring 5% discount for the Autoship program. The Farmer’s Dog, on the other hand, has allowed us to offer The Dog Tale readers an exclusive 60% discount on their first box, to make trying it out easier. If you sign up for either subscription, you can cancel at any time with no hassle.

Just Food For Dogs does offer a Sampler meal, which allows your dog to try out 7 of their Fresh meals for less. To save the most on your trial, subscribe to their Autoship program, and cancel if you aren’t fully satisfied with the food (which we can’t imagine you won’t be).

Winner: It depends (+.5 points each)

Just Food For Dogs offers meals for a variety of health needs, and they carry shelf-stable meals, supplements, and treats. But, if you want to mix and match flavors or need a partial plan, The Farmer’s Dog will work well for you.

Price

Prices for fresh food start around $1.60 per meal for small 6-lb dogs, but larger dogs are going to cost more.

The price you are quoted depends on how much food your dog needs and the recipes you choose. Both companies calculate the number of calories needed based on the information you include in your dog’s profile, such as breed, weight, and activity level. 

To give you a price comparison, we created profiles at both companies for a healthy, 3-year-old, 30-lb male Corgi. Take notice that the prices vary depending on what protein you choose. This is especially true for Just Food for Dogs. We recommend that you run your own quote for your dog as prices fluctuate for various size dogs.

Fresh food protein optionsJust Food for Dogs (based on 471 calories per day)The Farmer’s Dog (based on 462 calories per day)
Value meal$4.81 / day
(Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni)
$5.04 / day 
(Beef)
Mid-range meals$5.37–7.09 / day 
(Chicken & White Rice, Beef & Russet Potato, etc.)
$5.62 / day 
(Chicken, Turkey & Pork)
Premium meal$12.64 / day 
(Venison & Squash)
N/A
PantryFresh meal$6.07 / day
(Chicken & White Rice)
N/A

The figures above are approximate and reflect prices for full meals, no tax or discount included. The same information was entered for both services, such as breed, weight, health, and delivery location. Get a free quote to see your prices.

The Large Breed Support meal is intended for dogs 50 lbs. and up, so we calculated costs off of a 60-lb dog.

Large Breed Support mealJust Food For DogsThe Farmer’s Dog
60-lb. Catahoula Leopard Dog$6.99 / dayNo Large Breed Support meal; Using the lowest price meal (beef): $8.22 / day
The figures above are estimates. Your price may vary.

If you choose to subscribe to Just Food for Dogs Autoship service, you’ll receive 40% off your first box and 5% off all future orders. If you choose The Farmer’s Dog, you’ll get 60% off your first box only if you use our link.

Topper Plan price

This is an area where The Farmer’s Dog steals the show. They offer a Topper Plan that allows you to supplement your dog’s regular diet with this highly nutritious fresh food. The Topper Plan works well for pet owners on a budget.

Note that The Farmer’s Dog only offers the Topper Plan to medium and large dogs. For medium dogs, you can choose between a ½ and ¼ portion and for large dogs you can also choose a ⅛ portion. Here’s an estimate for a 28-lb French Bulldog.

  • ½ plan will cost about $4.08/day. 
  • ¼ plan will cost approximately $2.56/day

Prices vary by recipe.

Just Food for Dogs doesn’t offer any partial plan. However, if you want to supplement your dog’s kibble with Just Food for Dogs, you could extend your delivery preferences to receive fewer shipments and then feed your dog half the recommended amount (in addition to half of their normal kibble portion).

Winner: It depends (+1 point each)

The winner of the cost category largely depends on which recipes you choose. Just Food for Dogs’ Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni is one of the least expensive meals in all of fresh dog food, and JFFD has made feeding large dogs more affordable with the Large Breed Support meal. The other JFFD meals are comparable in price or more expensive than The Farmer’s Dog. You’ll also have to factor in the 5% savings that Just Food for Dogs offers to subscribers of the Autoship program.

If you have a medium-sized dog or if you are after a cheaper, straightforward, partial plan, The Farmer’s Dog will be the best choice for you. You can also learn more in our guide to The Farmer’s Dog Prices and Just Food For Dogs Prices.

>> Read more: Is There a The Farmer’s Dog Free Trial?

Portioning

Both brands will calculate the number of calories for each unique dog needs per day. This number may vary between the companies as it did with our Corgi; Just Food for Dogs calculated slightly more calories per day. If your dog needs to lose or gain weight, this factor may help you decide.

The number of meals you get in each The Farmer’s Dog food pack depends on the size of the dog. A tiny 6lb dog may get 8 meals/4 days per pack, while a big dog may only get one meal per package. They neatly label the correct portion size on each package, so you never need to look for the amount online.

For most meals, Just Food for Dogs offers one standard package size: 18 oz. for Fresh Frozen food and 12.5 oz. for PantryFresh. The Large Breed Support meal comes in an 80 oz package. When you complete their feeding calculator, you are told how much to feed your dog each day. Note that this amount can be significantly different from one recipe to another as the calorie count varies greatly between recipes.

Since the Just Food for Dogs package sizes are one-size-fits-all, you might get partial meals (e.g. 2.5 meals per package), which means you’ll have to have an unopened food pack thawed and ready to serve. This fact may make food time less convenient than The Farmer’s Dog.

Overall, the package sizes are roughly the same size, and neither is individually portioned as easily as Nom Nom Dog Food or Ollie dog food, so your portioning will be about the same experience with both companies.

>> Read more: Nom Nom vs Farmer’s Dog

Winner: The Farmer’s Dog (+1 point each)

We chose The Farmer’s Dog because they label each package with the name of the dog and their respective portion size, so there’s no hunting down the correct portion or getting confused between dogs. Additionally, we liked that they give complete meals per package, even though there may be more than one meal, rather than partial meals, as may happen with Just Food for Dogs.

Packaging, sustainability & storage

Both companies use the same shipping method. Your dog’s food arrives in an insulated cardboard box with enough dry ice to keep the food frozen until you arrive home. The food should be stored in a freezer and placed in the refrigerator a day in advance so it has time to thaw.

In your first order, you’ll receive feeding and transition instructions along with the food. But with The Farmer’s Dog, you’ll also receive a storage container and a reusable, insulated tote bag.

Packaging & storage

Both companies package their food similarly. After cooking, the food is placed in clear, soft, BPA-free plastic packaging that is flat for easy storage. The food is vacuum-sealed to keep it fresh, then frozen.

These packs are similarly shaped, but Just Food for Dogs’ packs are wider (roughly the size of an Apple iPad), while The Farmer’s Dog’s are narrower and longer.

The Just Food for Dogs’ package has an easy-peel tab. The top cover easily comes off and the bottom resembles a shallow tray which makes scooping the food out easy. 

You’ll need scissors to open The Farmer’s Dog package. To get the food out, you’ll need to squeeze the food from the bottom up or cut down the side of the package to remove the food. The food can then be stored in the provided biodegradable storage container. 

The upside to The Farmer’s Dog’s packaging is their labeling. Each pack is labeled with the pack date, your dog’s name, and portioning instructions. This will be helpful if you have multiple dogs.

Neither pack is resealable, so you’ll need to either roll the bags and secure them with a clip or remove the food and store the remainder in a storage container. 

Sustainability

All the shipping and plastic food packaging is recyclable, except for the dry ice bags. Both companies’ insulation liners are made of biodegradable materials that dissolve in water or your compost pile.

For a tiny 6-lb dog, The Farmer’s Dog will ship about eight weeks worth of food by default, while Just Food for Dogs will ship approximately five weeks of food. Bulk shipments help cut down on waste, but you also need to have the freezer space to be able to store the extra food.

You can also adjust these shipment amounts to suit your preferences.

Winner: It depends (+.5 points each)

We found that the shapes of both of the food packs were easy enough to store in the freezer. We love The Farmer’s Dog personalized labels that have the name and portion size right on the pack. This could make a big difference for someone feeding multiple dogs. But, we also like that the tops of the Just food for Dogs packs are removable allowing the food to be removed from the package with less mess. 

Shipping

When you join either subscription service, shipping is free to the 48 states. If you choose a one-time purchase from Just Food for Dogs, you’ll need to pay a $10 flat shipping fee.

With your first subscription order from either service, you will be shipped two weeks’ worth of food. Subsequently, the meals are set to a specific delivery schedule to ensure your dog never runs out of food. With both services, you have the ability to adjust your shipping frequency, pause, cancel, or make any changes before your next order is processed.

The Farmer’s Dog offers rush shipping in case you need food right away. This could come in handy if you’ll be away from home when your next shipment is scheduled. 

With Just Food for Dogs, you have options beyond shipping to your home. You can also pick up the food locally at their retail kitchens (if there’s one near you), inside participating veterinary clinics and hospitals, at Pet Food Express locations in California, and at Petco locations nationwide. However, with local pickup, you are not able to set up recurring orders or receive the 5% subscription discount.

Winner: Tie (+.5 points each)

We like that The Farmer’s Dog offers rush shipping and bulk orders to cut down on packaging waste. But it’s also nice that Just Food For Dogs allows you to order online and pick-up in person—if you happen to live near a participating location. However, if you sign up for either subscription service, you shouldn’t ever run out of food, making this a moot point.

Overall winner

12 total points
The Farmer’s Dog4.5
Just Food For Dogs7.5

Just Food For Dogs is the overall winner after scoring 7.5 out of 12 available points. This was thanks to its wide variety of products and recipes, especially for dogs with acute health issues.

However, we feel confident recommending either service, and average dogs should do well with either brand. Our dog, Max, gobbled down both brands when we fed them to him, and he’s been a picky eater in the past. And with either choice, your pup will be eating high-quality, nutritious dog food. The better choice for you lies in the fine details.

Just Food for Dogs offers the cheapest recipe (Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni), shelf-stable meals, treats, supplements, a novel protein, grain-inclusive meals, cat food, and more variation in meal nutrient profiles.

But if you’d like beef, chicken, or a similar common protein, The Farmer’s Dog may be cheaper. The Farmer’s Dog also offers a pork option, partial meal plans, and it labels and portions food specifically for your dog, so owners of multiple dogs won’t need to remember which dog gets how much food.

Hands down, if you have a dog that needs a specific diet, Just Food for Dogs will be the better choice. They have a variety of meals that cater to specific health needs. And if these meals aren’t specific enough, you can have a custom meal plan created.

Another area where Just Food for Dogs appears to have an edge is in their team and research. The company’s veterinary team consists of 13 teachers and researchers in the area of canine nutrition. They are not only veterinarians, but some are specialists in their field: Nutritionists, Certified Whole Food Formulators, Toxicologists, Dermatologists, and a vet residency-trained in dentistry and oral surgery.

However, if you have an average, healthy dog, either brand will be a fine choice. It may come down to the protein options offered or the cost of the recipe you want. If you’re still not sure, you can get a no-obligation price quote from both companies. Or if you want to learn more, check out our full The Farmer’s Dog review and Just Food for Dogs review.

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