Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh Chicken Recipe is receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars. A recipe claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient guidelines for maintenance.
Instant Fresh is gently cooked to maintain whole food and reserve maximum nutritional value.
What Instant Fresh is: A dry, shelf‑stable recipe that turns into a freshly made, ready‑to‑serve meal. It offers the ease of a dry food while still being crafted to human‑food quality, giving convenience without compromising on freshness.
- Scoop your dog’s personalized portion
- Stir in an equal amount of normal drinking water
- Serve a freshly made meal
Pros
- Minimally processed
- Fresh and free of artificial flavors
- You can see the meat and veggies in the recipe
Cons
- A single adult‑only recipe
The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh Chicken Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken breast, potatoes, oats, chicken fat, chicken broth, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, minerals [tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, choline bitartrate, magnesium amino acid chelate, taurine, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, selenium yeast, vitamin B12 supplement, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid], salmon oil, spinach, chia seeds, dried yeast, mixed tocopherols (for freshness), rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 37% | 10% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 40% | 10% | 42% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 38% | 23% | 39% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is 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 potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The third ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The next ingredient is 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.
The seventh ingredient is carrot. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
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 four notable exceptions.
First, we find taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
This recipe also contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, The Farmer’s Dog Instant Fresh Chicken Recipe looks like an above-average fresh product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.8%, a fat level of 11.4% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 36.3%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 27%.
This means this Farmer’s Dog product line contains near-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical fresh dog food.
The Farmer's Dog Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to The Farmer's Dog through August 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of The Farmer's Dog Instant Fresh Dog Food
This Farmer’s Dog product range is certainly worthy of the 5 stars the brand has earned in our review. Instant Fresh reinvents what dry food can be by bringing the fresh food quality and experience to a shelf-stable format.
The brand is a subscription service that delivers fresh, custom‑prepared meals tailored to your dog’s needs. Its high‑quality, minimally processed recipes are formulated by board‑certified veterinary nutritionists, and all food is produced in facilities that meet USDA human‑food standards.
About
The company was founded in 2015 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev and has grown exponentially, now delivering millions of fresh dog food meals around the U.S every year.
Compare The Farmer's Dog Instant Fresh Dog Food
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A Final Word
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