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
Open Farm Pate wet product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 4.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Pros
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Non-GMO ingredients
- High-quality protein
- Human-grade
Cons
- Expensive
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 Chicken and Beef | 4 | M |
| Open Farm Surf and Turf | 4 | M |
| Open Farm Chicken and Salmon | 4 | M |
| Open Farm Harvest Chicken | 4.5 | M |
| Open Farm Puppy Chicken and Salmon | 4.5 | G |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Harvest Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Open Farm Harvest Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken broth, potatoes, chicken liver, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, tapioca, agar agar, carrots, dicalcium phosphate, dried chicory root, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), spinach, choline chloride, taurine, turmeric
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 23% | 33% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 44% | 26% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second 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 third 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 fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth 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 sixth 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.
The seventh ingredient is tapioca, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The eighth ingredient is agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.
The ninth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals 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 includes four notable exceptions.
Firstly, sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
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.
In addition, this food includes chelated minerals, 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, Open Farm Harvest Chicken looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 23% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 33%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 35% and a mean fat level of 22%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 35% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
This means the Open Farm Pate range contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat, when compared to typical wet dog food.
Open Farm Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Open Farm through June 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Open Farm Dog Food
Open Farm provides high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients. Each recipe is protein-packed with non-GMO vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach to provide a highly nutritious meal.
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
How does Open Farm compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
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.
