Open Farm vs Fromm Dog Food 2024 Comparison: Pros, Cons & Facts

There are many things to consider when you are on the hunt for the perfect dog food. Even when you have narrowed down the top contenders, it can be very difficult to make that final pick. Here we are going to compare Open Farm and Fromm, two brands that aim at providing top-quality pet foods to their customers.

On one hand, you have Fromm, a company with a long history and solid reputation in the pet food industry, on the other you have Open Farm, a relatively new company that focuses on humane and environmentally-friendly practices.

Follow along as we go over their products, ingredients, manufacturing practices, pricing, and more to see how these two brands compare. We’ll give you all the facts and a side-by-side comparison to see which brand would be the best for your dog.

A Quick Comparison

Brief History of Open Farm

Open Farm is a Canadian-based pet food company that is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2014 by husband and wife team, Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan along with brother-in-law Derek Beigleman. The team sought to create nutritious, high-quality pet food with a focus on humane and transparent practices.

Open Farm is a company that puts animal welfare and sustainability at the very top of its list. From their ingredient sourcing to their packaging, this is one of the most environmentally friendly brands out there. They only work with farmers with the strictest animal welfare standards and each product comes with the certified humane label stamped on the package. As far as dogs go, they offer 19 dry foods, 6 wet foods, 6 freeze-dried raw foods, 4 gently cooked recipes, and a variety of treats and supplements.

Brief History of Fromm

The Fromm family started off breeding foxes, which ultimately led to the family searching for ways to provide animals with top-of-the-line nutrition that is as safe as it is tasty.  After plenty of research and work developing the type of food they were aiming for, Fromm dog food first hit the market in 1949.

Fromm evolved over the years from a small operating facility to two large manufacturing plants in Wisconsin. They are known in their fifth generation of this family-owned and operated business. They produce a variety of foods including 34 dry dog food recipes, 36 wet dog food recipes, and 15 varieties of dog treats.

Now a fifth-generation family-owned and operated business, all of Fromm’s foods are crafted in their family-owned plants. They produce a variety of food choices including premium dry food, wet food, and treats. Fromm has three dog food product lines that include 34 dry food recipes, 36 wet food recipes, and 15 different varieties of dog treats.

Open Farm Manufacturing

Open Farm develops, formulates, and distributes all recipes from its headquarters in Canada but the manufacturing facility is located in the United States in the state of Minnesota. The company works with certification partners to ensure all of the ingredients are sustainably sourced.

All farm animals come from audited, certified humane farms, are raised cage and crate-free, and never receive any antibiotics and artificial growth hormones. All fisheries follow the Ocean Wise sustainability standards and all fish are wild-caught and never come in contact with antibiotics or artificial feed sources.

When it comes to transparency, Open Farm is one of the most transparent brands on the market. They offer pet owners the ability to trace each ingredient right back to the source using the lot number on the bag.

Fromm Manufacturing

Fromm owns and operates two manufacturing facilities for dry dog food and treats in Wisconsin. One is located in Mequon and the other is in Columbus. They also have a wet food cannery located in Eden, Wisconsin. Every Fromm product comes directly from one of these facilities.

The safety of their pet foods is Fromm’s priority. The company’s Approved Supplier Program is in place to make sure the ingredients are tested by suppliers and remain secure and untouched until they are received by Fromm. They have an on-site testing lab that also verifies the safety of each load and ensures the formulas comply with the guaranteed analysis on their labels.

All dry foods and treats manufactured by Fromm are third-party lab tested for pathogenic bacteria and are not shipped out until they receive the all-clear. Each product on the shelves contains a batch code that allows the company to trace every product back to manufacturing, formulation, and the individual supplier.

Open Farm Dog Foods

Sustainability

We’ve already touched base on how much Open Farm focuses on sustainability. According to the company, they are working to minimize their carbon footprint and reduce emissions. They thoroughly vet all of their suppliers and audit all farms for strict animal welfare practices. They also use sustainable packaging for their products.

Open Farm’s proteins come from 100 percent humanely raised meats that are never given any artificial hormones or antibiotics. The farm animals are all animal welfare certified and fed natural diets without being confined in crates or cages.

All fish are wild-caught and sustainably sourced using Oceanwise standards. None of their foods contain any artificial flavors or unnecessary fillers. All of their plant-derived ingredients are GMO-free and nutrient dense.

Transparency

Open Farm is one of the few companies with full transparency.  Every ingredient can be traced back to the source and that traceability is fully available to their customers.  All you have to do is visit their website and enter your lot code to have full access to where your pet’s ingredients came from.

Variety

Open Farm produces a variety of dog and cat products. For cats, they offer dry food, wet food, broths, and supplements. Dogs have a much wider variety available which includes dry, wet, freeze-dried raw, and gently cooked foods. There are even plant and insect-based dog food alternatives. They also offer treats, supplements, broths, and liquid food toppers.

Fromm Dog Foods

There’s no doubt that Fromm stands out among a lot of other competitors in the pet food industry. They are certainly considered a top-tier food brand for several reasons. Here’s an overview of what aspects stand out about this family-owned brand.

Ingredients

Fromm thoroughly vets their suppliers and ensures they provide only top-notch ingredients in both their cat and dog foods. They use high-quality meat, fish, and locally sourced Wisconsin cheese. They ensure their formulas come complete with both prebiotics and probiotics for proper digestion and immune function. They also use farm fresh produce and whole grains (in some recipes) to ensure each product provides a nutrient-rich, well-balanced meal.

Safety

Fromm puts the safety of their foods at opt priority. According to their website, they have implemented HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) programs for their manufacturing plants to prevent any safety issues with foods and manufacturing processes.

They also have an approved supplier program to thoroughly check where their ingredients are sourced. They implement on-site testing to ensure safety and quality and also have a third-party test their finished products before they hit the market.

Variety

Fromm is no stranger to offering variety. They have nine different product lines for dogs and four different product lines for cats. They offer dry foods and many different textures and styles of wet food. There are plenty of dog treat options available, too. All of these include a wide range of protein sources so pet owners are sure to find something that works for their pet.

Open Farm vs Fromm: Price

When it comes to pricing, Open Farm ends up being the more expensive of the two brands overall. Though certain Fromm foods can be more expensive when compared to similar Open Farm varieties. There is a substantial difference in price per pound when comparing each company’s least expensive and most expensive dry and wet dog foods in side by side comparison. Fromm does not offer any gently cooked recipes, so there is no comparison to be made on that front.

Open Farm

Open Farm’s Gently Cooked product line is the most expensive. These products are cooked in a process known as Sous vide, a method of cooking that involves vacuum sealing the food and immersing it in warm water. This removes bacteria while retaining more flavor, protein, and nutrients. The Gently Cooked recipes include Grass-Fed Beef, Surf & Turf, Homestead Turkey, and Harvest Chicken.

The three most expensive dry foods offered by the brand are the New Zealand Venison Dry Dog Food, Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Dog Food, and  Grass-Fed Beef Dry Dog Food. All of their 6 wet food formulas are priced the same.

The least expensive foods offered by Open Farm are all dry kibbles. These more budget-friendly buys include the Homestead Turkey & Ancient Grains, Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains, and Kind Earth Premium Plant Kibble Recipe.

Fromm

Among the highest-priced dry dog foods offered by Fromm are from the Four Star product line. This includes the grain-free Lamb & Lentil Recipe, the grain-inclusive Zealambder Recipe, the Highlander Beef, Oats n’ Barley, Beef Frittata Veg, Hasen Duckenpfeffer, and Rancheros Recipes.

The best budget foods offered by Fromm are from their Class product line, which includes three dry foods: Classic Adult, Classic Puppy, and Mature Adult. All of these are grain-inclusive and feature chicken and chicken meals as the first two ingredients.

When considering canned food, the Four Star line is also the most expensive when you break down the cost for the price of 12 cans. These include Shredded Beef in Gravy, Shredded Chicken in Gravy, Shredded Pork in Gravy, and Shredded Turkey in Gravy Entrees.  The least expensive canned foods are from their Classic line, which only has two varieties: Chicken & Rice and Turkey & Rice.

Open Farm vs Fromm: Return Policy/Money-Back Guarantee

Though Open Farm and Fromm both sell through authorized retailers, each company has a specific return policy for its products. Here’s what you can expect from each company if you need to return a purchase.

Open Farm

Open Farm’s return policy is a bit more strict than some other dog food companies. Returns can be accepted within 15 days of your purchase. However, any purchases with more than 3 quantities of the same product will not be eligible for return.

Fromm

Fromm offers a money-back guarantee to any customers that are unsatisfied with their purchases as long it was through an authorized retailer. An itemized purchase receipt from the authorized retailer and the UPC number are required to complete the refund, which is done by mail. Fromm suggests always checking with your authorized retailer about product refunds, as it may streamline the process.

Open Farm vs Fromm: Customer Service

Open Farm and Fromm both come highly recommended in terms of customer service. Each company is responsive and offers more than one way to contact them with any issues or concerns regarding your purchases. Here’s a quick breakdown of how customer service works for each company:

Open Farm

Open Farm is widely available for customer service-related inquiries. The company offers live chat and email support, and also provides a phone number to call them directly. They operate during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for phone support and until 7:00 pm for chat support. Emails have a turnaround time of 24 to 48 business hours. Overall, customers seem highly satisfied with Open Farm’s customer service.

Fromm

Fromm is also committed to providing excellent customer service. There is an email submission form directly on their website, which has a 1 to 3-day turnaround time depending on the current volume of emails to address any concerns. They also offer their phone number as a means to contact them directly for live support. Phone calls can be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Standard Time.

Head-to-Head: Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains vs Fromm Adult Gold with Ancient Grains

Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains

Guaranteed Analysis

Open Farm’s Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains recipe is packed full of premium protein from ethically raised cage-free chicken and sustainably caught whitefish. This grain-inclusive recipe contains fiber and nutrient-rich steel-cut oats, millet, and quinoa within the first five ingredients. This food is crafted to meet the AAFCO standards for all life stages except for the growth of large breed puppies.

Not only are there no artificial flavors or preservatives, but there is also no corn, wheat, soy, peas, legumes, or potatoes, all of which have been met with controversy in one way or another.  Included in the list of ingredients are also coconut oil, pumpkin, and apples for a healthy blend of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Like all recipes from Open Farm, each ingredient is fully traceable with the provided lot number and the packaging is recyclable. This is one of the most budget-friendly recipes offered by the company but maintains its high quality and excellent transparency.

Fromm Adult Gold with Ancient Grains

Guaranteed Analysis

Fromm Adult Gold with Ancient Grains is a comparable food to the Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains recipe. This formula features chicken, chicken meal, whole grain sorghum, chicken broth, and whole barley as the top ingredients.

This recipe is packed full of healthy protein and essential amino acids and also contains the nutritional benefits of these fiber-rich ingredients. This food meets the AAFCO standards for all life stages including the growth of large breed puppies. Overall, this recipe offers a well-balanced and wholesome diet with added probiotics and natural antioxidants from blueberries and apples.

Our Verdict: Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains

In this head-to-head comparison, we have to go with Open Farm. Their recipe features the most traceable ingredients from certified humane chickens and comes at a lower cost per pound than the competitor.

Head-to-Head: Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe vs Fromm Salmon Tunalini® Recipe

Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe

Guaranteed Analysis

Open Farm’s Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe features wild pacific salmon, garbanzo beans,ocean whitefish meal, field peas, and herring meal as the top ingredients. This recipe is rich in protein and omega-fatty acids and is a great choice for those looking for a grain-free diet.

With this food, your dog gets a well-balanced blend of fiber and nutrients to support digestion and overall health. This recipe is great for allergy sufferers since it does not contain any proteins or grains that are more commonly linked to food allergies and sensitivities. All the fish used are wild-caught using sustainable fishing practices.

Fromm Salmon Tunalini® Recipe

Guaranteed Analysis

This grain-free salmon recipe from Fromm comes from the Four Star product line. Salmon, salmon meal, peas, lentils, and pinto beans are the key ingredients in this formula. Not only is it packed full of healthy protein and omega fatty acids but it’s rich in fiber, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants for whole body support.

This food is suitable for breeds of all ages and features added probiotics for a boost of digestive support. It is just slightly lower in protein than Open Farm’s comparable recipe and higher in fat and fiber. This is also a great option for allergy sufferers since it is free from your typical protein allergens as well as grains.

Our Verdict: Tie

Both of these recipes are worth considering if you need grain-free dry dog food with salmon as the main source. As far as price goes, they are very similar in cost per pound with Fromm being slightly less expensive by a few cents.

Head-to-Head: Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Stew vs Fromm Turkey Pate

Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Stew

Guaranteed Analysis

Open Farm’s Turkey Rustic Stew comes from certified humane, cage-free turkey that is free from any antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. It’s a single-source protein option that is great for even the pickiest of eaters.

There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this wet food and it is crafted to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance. This food features turkey, turkey bone broth, pumpkin, carrots, and green beans as the top ingredients. It is a wholesome, well-balanced wet food with plenty of essential vitamins and nutrients.

Fromm Turkey Pate

Guaranteed Analysis

Fromm’s Turkey Pate is part of the Four Star product line of wet foods. Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, pearled barley, and potatoes are the first five ingredients in this recipe. It is a protein-rich pate that is crafted to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, except for the growth of large dogs over 70 pounds.

The recipe is free from any artificial dyes, colors, and synthetic preservatives. It offers a well-balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates from whole grain sources and is highly palatable. It is higher in protein than Open Farm’s turkey wet food but is slightly less in moisture.

Our Verdict: Fromm

This is a very tough choice because Open Farm undoubtedly offers top-of-the-line wet foods. We are giving this one to Fromm because the price is much more affordable and the nutritional profile covers all life stages except for large dogs.

Overall Brand Reputation

Ingredients

While both of these brands make high-quality foods from trustworthy ingredients, we are giving this win to Open Farm. We like that customers can trace each ingredient directly to the source by using their lot code. We also love that Open Farm puts such a strict focus on animal welfare for their farm animals and ensures their farmers adhere to the proper standards.

Price

There are certain foods that when comparing these two competitors with similar recipes, Fromm ends up being the more expensive of the two. However, when you break down the price per pound overall, Fromm is the more budget-friendly option. This makes sense because they do have a lot more products available than Open Farm, so ultimately, the price category goes to Fromm.

Manufacturing

Fromm has the advantage of being in complete control of its family-run manufacturing facilities that are located within its home state. Open Farm’s manufacturing takes place in Minnesota, USA while they are headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.

Comparing these two in terms of manufacturing is difficult because they have very different pros and cons. Ultimately, we give this one to Open Farm because of their sustainable practices and focus on the welfare of the farm animals used in their recipes and the fully transparent traceability for their customers.

Variety

Another tough choice to make is who takes the cake for variety. We are giving this to Fromm because when it comes to dog food, they have more products and more diversity in their recipes. While both of these brands offer both dry and wet food, there’s no way around Fromm’s victory over Open Farm. One thing that Open Farm has that Fromm doesn’t though, is the Gently Cooked line that is slow-cooked Sous vide style.

Conclusion

Choosing which brand is the best for your dog when comparing Open Farm and Fromm is a very difficult choice. They are both great-quality dog foods that use premium ingredients and put a focus on healthy, well-balanced nutrition for pets.

Fromm has many more dry and wet food varieties than Open Farm and puts a lot of focus on the safety of their batches. Open Farm excels at sustainability by being fully transparent with sourcing, top-notch in terms of humanely-raised farm animals, and offering recyclable packaging.

Choosing the best food will be highly dependent on what type of dog food, the specific protein source you prefer, and which qualities are most important for you in your dog food.