Best 10 Farmer's Dog Alternatives in 2026: Fresher, Cheaper Picks

Introduction

Ollie is the strongest overall pick among farmers dog alternatives, thanks to its mix of fresh and baked recipes. This list covers 10 options across subscription, store-bought, baked, freeze-dried and raw formats. Each one trades off price, format and how you buy in a different way.

Why people look for alternatives

Farmer's Dog works for many dogs, so this is about fit, not flaws. Here are the usual reasons owners switch:

• Monthly cost: feeding a larger dog on fresh food adds up fast.
• Format: some owners want baked, freeze-dried or raw instead of fresh-cooked.
• Buying style: some would rather pick food up at a store than manage a subscription.
• Variety: more recipes, or veterinary diet options.
• Sourcing: clearer ingredient details, or a smaller brand.

Quick comparison table

1. Ollie

Best for: owners who want fresh and baked options in one subscription.

Ollie makes human-grade recipes in both gently cooked and baked styles. That gives you more variety than Farmer's Dog, which sticks to fresh.

What stands out is the pairing itself. You can mix formats, or switch if your dog gets bored.

2. Nom Nom

Best for: owners who want portioned, vet-formulated fresh meals.

Nom Nom delivers meals cooked and portioned for your dog, which is close to the Farmer's Dog approach. Mars owns it, which some buyers count as a plus and others as a drawback.

Its vet-formulated recipes are the draw, and a good fit if nutritional backing matters most to you.

3. Spot & Tango

Best for: owners who want a profile-based plan with a dehydrated option.

Spot & Tango offers fresh UnKibble recipes and a dehydrated alternative, with plans customized to each dog's profile. Farmer's Dog doesn't offer a dehydrated choice.

The UnKibble and dehydrated combo is handy if you want a shelf-stable backup.

4. Just Food For Dogs

Best for: dogs needing veterinary diets or owners who want to buy in stores.

Just Food For Dogs sells fresh-cooked food by subscription, in retail stores and in some pet-store freezers. Farmer's Dog is subscription-only, so this is the more flexible option.

The recipe range is wide, and the veterinary diet recipes are the standout.

5. Freshpet

Best for: budget-minded owners who want no commitment.

Freshpet is refrigerated fresh food sold mainly in grocery and pet stores. It is a cheaper alternative, and there is no subscription to manage or cancel.

The appeal is simple: buy it off the shelf whenever you need it.

6. PetPlate

Best for: owners who want a subscription with flexible plans.

PetPlate delivers human-grade fresh meals to your door, much like Farmer's Dog. It has a range of recipes to rotate through.

Flexible plans are the main benefit, useful if your dog's needs or your budget change.

7. Raised Right

Best for: owners who want simple recipes and clear ingredient sourcing.

Raised Right takes a human-grade, fresh approach with short, simple recipes. It is a smaller brand focused on transparency, which sets it apart from larger players.

Transparent ingredients mean you know what goes in the bowl.

8. Open Farm

Best for: owners who want ethically sourced food in several formats.

Open Farm makes kibble, freeze-dried and gently cooked recipes. You can buy it online and in stores, and it usually costs less than Farmer's Dog.

Getting several formats from one brand lets you combine budget and fresh options.

9. Cesar Fresh

Best for: shoppers who want fresh food from a mainstream brand.

Cesar Fresh is sold in stores with no subscription. It is more widely available than Farmer's Dog, and cheaper too.

Wide in-store availability makes it easy to grab on a regular shop.

10. Stella & Chewy's

Best for: owners who want raw rather than cooked food.

Stella & Chewy's sells freeze-dried and frozen raw food through retailers. Unlike Farmer's Dog, nothing is cooked.

Freeze-dried raw is light, easy to store and simple to serve.

How we picked these tools

Picks cover different price tiers, formats and ways to buy. We compared published product details and did not run hands-on tests. We give no ratings or scores, and no brand paid for placement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest type of alternative?

Store-bought options like Freshpet and Cesar Fresh are usually cheaper than subscription services. Open Farm also tends to cost less than Farmer's Dog.

Which options skip a subscription?

Freshpet, Cesar Fresh and Stella & Chewy's are sold through retailers. Just Food For Dogs and Open Farm also offer store access.

Is raw or freeze-dried a like-for-like swap?

Not exactly, since it isn't cooked fresh food. Check with a vet before switching, especially for dogs with health conditions.

The verdict

Ollie is the strongest overall pick on merit, thanks to its fresh and baked variety. Freshpet is the runner-up for budget and no commitment.

Just Food For Dogs is the second runner-up for veterinary diets and retail access. Whichever you choose, transition food gradually over several days.