Are you considering changing your pup to premium dog food? If so, you’ve likely heard of The Farmer’s Dog and Badlands Ranch. Both brands take a wholesome approach to canine nutrition and offer high-quality food. The two companies take pretty different approaches to this task.
The Farmer’s Dog makes fresh, human-grade dog food delivered to your door. Badlands Ranch uses a slow cooking and air-drying method to preserve freshness and nutritional content. Which of these brands better fits your pup’s needs? I took an in-depth look at The Farmer’s Dog vs Badlands Ranch brands to learn more about ingredients, recipe selection, pricing, personal experiences, and more to assist you in making the best nutritional choice for your pup.
Visit The Farmer’s Dog Website | Visit Badlands Ranch Website
Meal & Treat Variety
Contents
The Farmer’s Dog (TFD) makes human-grade, fresh dog food prepared, flash-frozen, and shipped right to your door. TFD has four recipe options: beef, chicken, pork, and turkey. All recipes are customized to meet the nutritional guidelines of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for dogs of all life stages. The Farmers Dog offers only grain-free options and chicken-apple dog treats.
Badlands Ranch (BR) is a dog food brand started by actress Katherine Heigl, who also happens to be an animal activist. Her commitment to animal health and welfare was behind her launching Badlands Ranch in 2022. Badlands Ranch features all-natural, air-dried, whole-food ingredients. Badlands Ranch offers three Superfood Complete recipes: beef, chicken, and a lamb & venison formula. All are grain-free. They also offer three Superfood Bite dog treats in beef liver, chicken breast, and wild salmon flavors. Additionally, BR offers supplements to support four areas of health: well-being, healthy digestion and immune system function, skin and coat health, and cartilage and joint function.
There is no clear winner in the meal and treat variety category, so this one is a tie. While Badlands Ranch offers more selection regarding treats and supplements, they offer one less food option than TFD. However, The Farmer’s Dog offers only four recipes and one treat choice. It’s too close to choose one over the other on this one, so I’m calling it a tie.
Nutritional Value
Both brands use top-notch ingredients and take great care in preparing their products.
The Farmer’s Dog
The Farmer’s Dog uses all-natural, limited ingredients that are human-grade, meaning they are 100% USDA-certified for human consumption. TFD recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and prepared in USDA-certified and inspected kitchens. Along with human-grade meats, TDF uses fresh vegetables, essential vitamins, minerals, and salmon oil in every recipe. All four recipes use only a single protein, and the chicken and beef recipes include organ meats.
While recipes vary, TFD also includes sweet potatoes, carrots, lentils, kale, sunflower seeds, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, chia seeds, spinach, and other highly nutritious fruits and vegetables. Every recipe includes the TFD nutrient pack. Currently, there are no grain-inclusive recipes. However, TFD has said they are working to develop these in the future.
TFD’s fresh recipes are packed with nutrition. Animal meats provide protein, amino acids, fats, and other nutrients dogs need to survive. Fresh fruits and vegetables add fiber, plant protein, antioxidants, beta-carotene, minerals, and vitamins. Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, and the recipes also contain taurine, which supports heart health. Not only are these recipes chock full of nutritional value, but they also taste great.
Badlands Ranch
Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete is formulated to meet the AAFCO guidelines for adult maintenance. It uses premium ingredients to provide dogs with top nutritional value in a shelf-stable option. Its recipes are packed with protein and include organ meats, as well as vegetables and fruits like carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, broccoli, and blueberries. All meats are from humanely raised proteins.
Organ meats are full of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Salmon and flaxseed oil add healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and flaxseed is also a source of protein and soluble fiber. Other ingredients like sweet potatoes and pumpkin provide complex carbohydrates and nutritional components like beta carotene and dietary fiber.
BR recipes provide a healthy blend of fiber, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Recipes also include superfood ingredients such as flaxseed, chia seed, lion’s mane mushroom, ginger, and turmeric. Badlands Ranch recipes tend to fall on the lower end of the carbohydrate content for commercial kibble. The Superfood Complete formulas also tend to have a little bit higher fiber and lower fat than many traditional kibble alternatives. The company uses only humanely raised meats, and the recipes are free from soy, corn, dairy, and wheat.
It’s hard to pick a winner on this one due to the high quality of both brands’ ingredients and the input both brands have from veterinary nutritionists to formulate their recipes. TFD has a slight edge due to its human-grade ingredients and suitability for all life stages. Therefore, The Farmer’s Dog wins the nutritional value category.
Meal Customization
The Farmers Dog is a subscription-based service that helps you personalize your pup’s meals and portions. You fill out an online profile for each pup, which includes their gender, age, activity level, breed, current weight, and body condition. The questionnaire will also ask you for any health issues or medical conditions such as grain sensitivity, allergies, digestive problems, infections, or medical issues like arthritis or diabetes to personalize their portions and recipe choices.
Badlands Ranch does not offer any sort of customization or personalization, but you can set up a recurring delivery.
The Farmer’s Dog is a clear winner in this category due to the level of customization they offer.
Pricing
The Farmer’s Dog is a pricey option, no doubt about it. The human-grade quality of ingredients and the preparation methods drive the price to be high. That said, you are getting an incredible product. Meal plans start at $2 per day and vary based on your pet’s weight and recipe selections. This can add up quickly. For example, a healthy, three-year-old pup with no medical issue that weighs ten pounds costs about $23.94 per week for the chicken recipe, a 40-pound dog costs $50.47 a week, and a 60-pound pooch costs $59.57 a week. Learn More about The Farmer’s Dog cost in our detailed breakdown.
Badlands Ranch is also pricey. One 24-ounce bag of chicken or beef Superfood Complete recipe costs $59.95. The lamb and venison recipe is a bit more, at $69.95 per 24-ounce bag. For a larger breed, one bag would only last a few days, making BR an unrealistic choice for many pet owners. The price is steep, so using this as a topper may be a better option than making it your pup’s main meal source.
Badlands Ranch offers discounts if you buy three or six bags of food or treats at once. Shipping is free on orders over $50.
Both The Farmer’s Dog and Badlands Ranch are pricey options. It’s hard to pick a clear winner, so this one’s a tie.
Coupons
Below, you can find links to savings on both brands.
Our readers have access to 50% off your first box of The Farmer’s Dog. No code is needed; use this link, and the discount will be applied!
Canine Journal readers receive a large discount for one-time purchases and subscriptions to Badland’s Ranch. You can save up to 60% off Badlands Ranch with a subscription. Use this link to get started.
Customer Service & Reputation
Both companies offer customer support that is available seven days a week. TFD has 24/7 customer service available seven days a week. You can call or email for assistance. The company is dedicated to working with you to find a recipe and meal plan that works for your pup. If you are unhappy, they offer you a refund if you donate the unused portion to an animal shelter.
When it comes to product quality, there are fewer complaints and dissatisfied customers about The Farmer’s Dog. Most customers are very satisfied with the quality and have observed significant changes in their pup’s behavior, health, and digestion. TFD receives categorically positive reviews. As of this writing, TFD has not had any product recalls or reports of problems with the food.
Badlands Ranch offers customer support seven days a week during set service hours. You can also reach them through email and phone. Additionally, you can fill out a customer service form on the website, and the customer service team will respond. Customer service is based in the United States.
BR has more customer complaints, many of which are from pet parents whose dogs simply do not like the taste. Another big concern is that pet parents feel the serving sizes are insufficient to satisfy their dogs. The most prominent customer concern about Badlands Ranch is the price point. At over $50.00 for a 24 oz bag, the price point is simply out of reach for many pet owners. That said, most of Badlands Ranch’s reviews are positive, and many pet owners report the recipes to be very helpful for their dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestive issues.
When comparing websites, TFD offers far more information and a thorough FAQ section, which Badlands Ranch does not provide. While they do provide a blog, they do not give as much information about the food or ingredient sourcing.
While both products are high quality, have no recalls in their history, and have majorly positive customer reviews, the Farmer’s Dog has a slight edge over Badlands Ranch. This is in part due to the company being around a little longer but mainly because TFD has overwhelmingly positive reviews and personalized nutrition plans for your pup.
Our Personal Experience With The Farmer’s Dog
Our pup Lexie LOVES The Farmer’s Dog! She gobbles it down fast and has had much more consistent bowel movements since switching. She’s also lost and maintained a much healthier weight since switching from kibble (and her coat is noticeably more shiny and healthy).
–Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Parent, Canine Journal Marketing
My Personal Experience With Badlands Ranch
I’ve tried out Badlands Ranch with my dogs and found it a good choice. My pups really like the Superfood Complete beef and chicken recipes. Immediately, they both loved the taste and texture. It is easy to serve, and I like that this air-dried- chow does not have the same pungent odor many freeze-dried products do. This makes it much easier to feed my dogs without getting that overwhelming, sometimes tremendously strong smell. I also like that it stays fresh for up to a year, although my dogs make quick work of it, so it will never sit on my shelf that long.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Mom, Writer for Canine Journal
Our Experience Using Badlands Ranch As A Topper
I was sent Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Beef Formula to share my experience with my 10-year-old, 60-pound Coonhound mix, Sally. I first noticed how little dog food was in each bag. I measured it out, and there were only 6 cups in a bag. According to Badlands Ranch’s feeding guidelines, I should give Sally 3.5 cups of food each day. That means one 24 oz bag of Superfood Complete wouldn’t feed her for two full days. Considering one bag of food costs about $40 (our readers get a discount), that would become very expensive. For one week of food, Sally would need 24.5 cups of Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete, equating to 4 bags of food ($160 per week).
Because of this, I opted to use it as a topper for Sally’s regular kibble. This was a much more feasible way for me to give her the food without going through it all in a few days.
Sally absolutely loves the food. I would compare the texture to what human beef jerky looks like. It also works as a great treat and could easily be used to train a dog since the food is similar in size to kibble or training treats.
– Kimberly Alt, Rescue Pup Parent, Canine Journal Pet Insurance Expert
What’s Our Final Verdict?
Both The Farmer’s Dog and Badlands Ranch make high-quality, premium pet nutrition. Both companies use quality ingredients and offer low-processed, highly nutritious, tasty meals aimed at keeping dogs healthy. These companies offer two distinctly different products: one is human-grade fresh pet nutrition that ships fresh and frozen to your door, and the other is all-natural, whole food, air-dried kibble. If you are picking either of these brands for your pup, you are providing them with an extremely high-quality, nutritious diet. For some dogs, fresh nutrition is a better fit, while others require a more traditional kibble type of diet.
In a head-to-head comparison of The Farmer’s Dog vs Badlands Ranch, TFD takes the win due to their high-quality ingredients, human-grade kitchens, customizations of meals, flavor and nutritional quality, and customer satisfaction. The detailed information they gather helps pick the right diet for your pet also gives TFD a leg up on the competition. Additionally, they offer the convenience of meals delivered to your door in pre-portioned packages.
Finding The Right Food For Your Pup
Both brands are top quality and offer exemplary nutrition, but that does not mean they are right for every pup. If you still don’t know if either one of these brands works for your pup, we’ve got plenty of information available to help. We’ve researched both brands extensively in our individual reviews of The Farmer’s Dog and Badlands Ranch. Along with that, you can see how the Farmer’s Dog and Badlands Ranch stack up to other top-rated human-grade pet food brands, the best dog food delivery services, and more. We also cover other options like freeze-dried nutrition and food made from alternative proteins like Chippin, a cricket-based brand. Of course, if you have any concerns about your pup’s dietary needs, it’s best to talk to your veterinarian before making any significant changes.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a lifelong dog lover and animal advocate. She has a special place in her heart for rescue animals and has given many a loving home. Danielle works tirelessly as a professional researcher and writer to bring pet owners the most recent, valid, and valuable information. She has a particular interest in pet behavior and canine nutrition. With the help of her two rescue pups, Daisy and Falkor, she has reviewed and tested over 50 brands of pet food and treats.