Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Tender & True Freeze-Dried product range is one recipe which received the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4 stars. A recipe claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient guidelines for all life stages.
This recipe is raw and freeze-dried to preserve nutrients, featuring premium, humanely raised chicken and turkey, along with nutrient-rich organic fruit and vegetables, and contains no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives, nor corn, wheat, or soy.
Pros
- Quality protein sources
- Global animal partnership-certified
- USDA certified organic
Cons
- Expensive
Tender & True Organic Farmers Market Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Organic chicken, organic turkey, organic flaxseed meal, organic chicken liver, organic dried eggs, organic carrots, fish oil, organic pumpkin, organic sweet potatoes, organic apples, organic blueberries, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, organic spinach, mixed tocopherols (preservative), salt, ascorbic acid, vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganese sulfate, inositol, ferrous sulfate, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, citric acid (preservative), green tea extract, spearmint extract, vitamin B12 supplement, iron proteinate, zinc oxide, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, potassium iodide, sodium selenite, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 38% | 33% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 42% | 37% | 13% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 62% | 9% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is organic chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is organic turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.2
Turkey is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient is organic flaxseed meal, one of the best plant-based sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxmeal is particularly rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fourth ingredient is organic chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is organic whole dried egg, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth ingredient is organic carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bioavailability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The eighth ingredient is organic pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The ninth ingredient is organic sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has two notable exceptions.
First, this food contains chelated minerals, which have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Also, spinach is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is a source of fiber. For dogs predisposed to oxalate stones spinach should be avoided, due to it’s high oxalate content.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Tender & True Organic Farmers Market Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food looks like an above-average freeze-dried product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 42.9%, a fat level of 37% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 8.6%.
This means this product contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried dog food.
Tender & True Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Tender & True through December 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Tender & True Dog Food
Tender & True emphasises sustainability and ingredient quality, making it an excellent choice. This recipe has a high fat-to-protein ratio; otherwise, we would have been compelled to give this product a higher rating.
About
Tender & True was established in 2014 by Matthew Michaelson, as the first certified USDA organic, humanely raised, antibiotic-free pet food. Its headquarters are in Omaha, Nebraska, and it remains an independently owned company.
Compare Tender & True Dog Food
How does Tender & True compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
Sources
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
