The Farmers Dog Myth
The Farmers Dog
We get an occasional question about “The Farmers Dog” product and they do spend a lot of money marketing on television so they are noticed. In fact, there appears to be much about marketing associated with this product and maybe not so much about feeding your pet any differently than if you bought a lesser kibble.
Here is the typical ingredient list for “The Farmers Dog” Turkey:
Ingredients
USDA Turkey, Chickpeas, Carrot, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsnip, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid]
Note that Chickpeas are the second ingredient so they provide a considerable amount of vegetable protein to the diet. Most supplemental minerals and vitamins are provided by synthetic sources.
Compare to our Northwest Naturals Turkey: (frozen)
Ingredients:
Turkey, Ground Turkey Bone, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Apples, Carrots, Romaine Lettuce, Watermelon, Egg, Ground Flaxseed, Fish Oil*, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blueberry, Cranberry, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Ginger, Parsley, Garlic, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (as preservative), Vitamin D Supplement.
*Fish Oil – Is a blend of Fish Oils from Salmon, Herring and Pollock.
Meat provides the protein source! No chickpeas in this one. Most of the mineral and vitamin supplementation are from natural sources. 80% Meat – 18.75% Produce – 1.25% Supplements
Clearly the frozen Northwest Naturals is a superior product.
How about cost? The Farmers Dog would cost $4.67 per day to feed my 20# dog according to their own website calculations. Northwest Naturals $2.88 per day!
