Updated on May 4, 2024 by  Hannah Fitchett

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As the owner of a picky pup, reviewing two of the most highly rated fresh dog food brands was a no-brainer.

After considering the ingredients, costs, and convenience I have detailed what I learned about Ollie vs Farmer’s Dog food below.

In this article, I’ll break down the key differences between the two brands, to help you decide which one is best for you and your dog.

Brief Overview: Ollie vs Farmer’s Dog

Both Ollie and The Farmer’s Dog are human-grade food prepared in human kitchens. The meals are personalized to your dog, considering their breed, age, and even whether they’re spayed or neutered.

They both create perfectly tailored diets for your dog’s lifestyle, ensuring your pup gets all of the nutrients they need and more. 

Ollie Food

Best for dogs who are picky eaters and dogs with additional health problems.

  • Has both kibble and fresh food options
  • Can choose from 3 plans – All fresh, half fresh (add to dog’s current food), or mixed (fresh + kibble)
  • 5 fresh recipes to choose from + 2 kibble recipes
  • Also offers treats and supplements
  • Price starts at less than $4 per day for small dogs

The Farmer’s Dog Food

Best for pet parents who are working with a budget.

  • Meals are pre-portioned for convenience
  • 4 recipes available
  • Only fresh dog food is available (no kibble option)
  • 24-hour customer service should you need it
  • Reasonably priced, starting at around $2 per day

Quick Verdict: Which Is Best?

The Farmer’s Dog is best for dog parents who want to switch to a fresh dog food for the added heath benefits and their dogs aren’t picky eaters. It’s also best for pet parents who are working with a budget.

Ollie dog is best for pet parents who have a little bit more money to spend because the cost of Ollie dog food is slightly higher. Ollie is also best for picky eaters because there are more flavors available and it also has the option of a kibble.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll get a great, high-quality fresh dog food packed with nutrients for your dog.

Introducing Ollie Food and The Farmer’s Dog

Ollie Food

Ollie is a popular meal plan for dogs that will definitely benefit pet parents looking for a healthier option. As a subscription-based service that will deliver right to your door, it takes the hassle out of portioning out meals and does all of the hard work for you.

It’s great for pet parents who have dogs with health problems because they offer additional health screenings as part of their plan.

Ollie can also be bought in combination with a kibble diet to lower the expense, giving your dog a half-fresh plan. Ollie offers its own kibble option whereas The Farmer’s Dog does not.

Key features of buying Ollie Food include:

  • A personalized subscription and preportioned meals
  • Human-grade food that has been approved by the AAFCO
  • Eco-friendly and recyclable packaging
  • A handy scoop with your first box you can use to portion out the meals
  • Recipe options depend on your dog’s preferences and any allergies they might have

The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer’s Dog is another great option for a fresh food diet that pet owners can buy. It also involves personalized plans, along with 24/7 customer service if you have any questions. It was formulated by veterinary nutritionists, who’ve studied what a dog needs.

If you’re looking for a fresh food option for your dog but are nervous about the costs, The Farmer’s Dog is one of the more affordable brands.

Key features about buying The Farmer’s Dog food include:

  • A personalized subscription and preportioned meals, like with Ollie
  • Human-grade food that not only meets AAFCO standards but exceeds them, also suitable for adult dogs and seniors
  • Eco-friendly and recyclable packaging
  • 24/7 customer service so you can get answers to your questions any time

Head-to-Head Comparison

Health and Ingredients

The two products come very close in terms of health and ingredients. The Farmer’s Dog claims they exceed AAFCO standards whereas Ollie just meets them so, while both are very suitable for your dog, the ingredients in The Farmer’s Dog outshines Ollie food just a little.

Health is also mentioned in The Farmer Dog’s reviews frequently:

“This healthier diet may cost a little more than the dried or canned food but it has saved me hundreds of dollars on vet bills.”

“We have noticed clearer eyes, shinier coat, and much more energy!”

However, both products come with high-quality food, so you can be sure your dog is getting the best regardless of which you choose.

Winner: The Farmer’s Dog

Price

Although the final price will depend on your dog’s individual diet and how many portions you’d like delivered, The Farmer’s Dog price is slightly less. It starts at $2 a day whereas Ollie starts at $4 a day.

Winner: The Farmer’s Dog

Taste

Studies have found more than half of dogs are picky eaters, so this is an important element for some pet parents.

The Farmer’s Dog does have reviews specifically from picky eaters making points like:

“Our Havanese puppy “Chutney” is a very picky eater and The Farmer’s Dog is the only thing he eats without fuss.”

However, Ollie’s dog specifically has reviews calling out its competitor! Take this review:

“I noticed that she was very picky and I had to change brands almost every week because she would only eat for a few days and then stop eating it. […]  I initially started with The Farmer’s Dog because I have not discovered Ollie yet. She loved fresh food and has been on it since. A few years later, I discovered Ollie and switched to it and have stayed since.”

Ollie also has more recipes to choose from with the additional choice of including a kibble in the plan. This extra variety and choice is important for pet parents of picky eaters.

Winner: Ollie

Convenience

Both services offer prepackaged meals that come right to your door, and you can put the portion straight into your dog’s bowl. There’s no difference in the delivery time (though they are reliant on the carriers and delivery services), so if you’re looking to get one as quickly as possible, there’s no real winner. 

Both foods can also be frozen for up to six months, so if you do bulk buy in advance or take a break from giving your dog the food, it doesn’t have to go to waste.

Winner: Both

Customer Service

Interactions with customer service are generally lauded in the reviews. There are no reviews that mention negative customer service, so it’s hard to say one is better than the other in this area. 

The Farmer’s Dog only wins here because the customer service is available 24/7, which means if you’re lying awake at night with sudden questions, you don’t have to wait until morning for answers! 

Winner: The Farmer’s Dog

How to Choose Between The Farmer’s Dog & Ollie

Both brands have great reviews online so you can be certain you’re getting a high-quality fresh dog food.

But with The Farmer’s Dog starting at $2 per day compared to Ollie Food, the price could be a factor in deciding the best one for you. 

Both subscriptions are easy to cancel so if you try one and aren’t happy, you can easily switch to the other. Just be sure to transition the food over gradually to avoid stomach upset.

Final Thoughts

When considering switching your dog to a fresh dog food, both The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie offer human-grade food with a convenient delivery service that brings it straight to your door and ready to serve. If you were to give your dog either of these meals, they’d reap the rewards of having a nutritional boost at every meal.

For picky eaters, Ollie might be the best bet, as anecdotes and reviews suggest that dogs prefer the taste to The Farmer’s Dog.

However, The Farmer’s Dog has a few qualities that edge it above Ollie for dogs who love all food, including 24/7 customer service, a lower price, and clearer standards that go above and beyond regulations.

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