Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Open Farm GoodGut Kibble product range consists of three recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars.
GoodGut kibble combines gut‑supporting prebiotics and probiotics paired with carefully selected non-GMO fruits and vegetables to support overall health including skin & coat and joint mobility.
Pros
- No corn, wheat or soy
- Formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist
- Ethically sourced ingredients that can be traced back to the original source
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Open Farm GoodGut Grass-Fed Beef Recipe | 5 | A |
| Open Farm GoodGut Harvest Chicken Recipe | 5 | A |
| Open Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe | 5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Open Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, menhaden fish meal, oats, barley, coconut oil, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, natural flavor, psyllium seed husk, rice bran, whitesh, dried tomato pomace, pumpkin, dried citrus pulp, carrots, cranberries, apples, spinach, yeast culture, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), taurine, potassium chloride, apple cider vinegar, dried chicory root, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, selenium yeast, calcium iodate), ascorbic acid, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, New Zealand green mussel, turmeric, cinnamon, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, dried bidobacterium bidum fermentation product, dried bidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus brevis fermentations product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus fermentum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, dried lactococcus lactis fermentation product, dried streptococcus thermophilus fermentation product, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 31% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 16% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 34% | 37% |
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 menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.
This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1
The third ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth 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. Dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG has long-lasting cognition-enhancing effects in aged dogs.
Because of its proven safety in canines during a 90-day feeding study, 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 sixth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also 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.
After natural flavor, we find, psyllium seed husk. Psyllium seed husk is mainly included in pet foods as a source of dietary fiber. The husk is a source of soluble fiber which when combined with water has gelatinous properties.
As a source of fiber Psyllium seed husk can be used to support digestive health. The stool bulking effects can also be beneficial for dogs with anal gland issues. It may also be used as a thickener for controlling the texture of pet food.
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 eight notable exceptions.
First 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 the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, yeast-culture. Although yeast culture is high in B-vitamins and protein, it can also be used as a probiotic to aid in digestion.
We also find 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 used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
This recipe also contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a higher quality alternative.
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.
Next, choline chloride, an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plant and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ.
Because a dog cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.
Lastly, green-lipped mussel. Mussels are clam-like animals notably rich in glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients proven to support long-term joint health.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33.4%, a fat level of 15.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 36.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 33.2% and a mean fat level of 17.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 39% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 53%.
This means this Open Farm product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, near-average fat, when compared to typical dry dog food.
Open Farm Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Open Farm through May 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Open Farm GoodGut Kibble Dry Dog Food
Open Farm GoodGut recipes are nutrient‑dense, featuring humanely raised meat sources with no added antibiotics or hormones. Certainly worthy of the 5 stars it has earned in our review.
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.
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