Open Farm Ancient Grains (Dry)
Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Open Farm Ancient Grains dry dog food receives the Dog Food Advisor highest rating, 5-stars.
Pros
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Non-GMO ingredients
- High-quality protein
- Human-grade
Cons
- Expensive
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The product line includes nine dry dog foods.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon and Ancient Grains was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon and Ancient Grains
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, oats, ocean whitefish meal, sorghum, quinoa, coconut oil, herring meal, pumpkin, natural flavor, millet, carrots, apples, cranberries, potassium chloride, salmon oil (source of DHA), salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), dried chicory root, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, selenium yeast, calcium lodate), taurine, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 17% | 46% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 35% | 40% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The third ingredient is ocean whitefish meal, because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1.
The fourth ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is quinoa. Quinoa is not a true cereal grain but a plant prized for its gluten-free seeds.
Compared to most other grain-type ingredients, it is high in protein (about 12-18%), dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.
The sixth ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.
Because of its proven safety as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
The seventh ingredient is herring meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, herring meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.2
The eighth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The ninth ingredient is natural flavor. Natural flavors doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.
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 includes three notable exceptions.
First, salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
In addition, this food includes chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Taurine, an essential 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 the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon and Ancient Grains looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28.9%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 46.4%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 28.9% and a mean fat level of 16.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 46.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 58%.
This means the Open Farm Ancient Grains range contains near-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, near-average fat, when compared to typical dry dog food.
Our Rating of Open Farm Dog Food
Open Farm is certainly worthy of the 5 stars the brand has earned in our review. They provide high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients. Each recipe is protein-packed and features nutrient-packed ancient grains like oats and quinoa.
About
In 2014, Jacqueline Prehogan founded Open Farm Pet Foods. Its manufacturing facility, Barrett Ag Service, is located in Minnesota, USA.
The company is focused on using locally sourced ingredients, and the location of the plant allows easy access to farms that meet its strict animal welfare and quality standards.
Compare Open Farm Dog Food
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