Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food, Humanely Raised Meat Re

The Verdict

The Short Version: If you’re looking to move your dog off ultra-processed kibble but aren’t ready for the hassle of handling raw meat from a butcher, Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw hits a sweet spot. It’s genuinely transparent about sourcing, the ingredients are clean, and most dogs go bonkers for it. But at this price point, you need to decide if it’s a full-time diet or a nutrient-dense topper.

What You’re Actually Getting

Open Farm’s Freeze-Dried Raw line comes in a 14-ounce resealable bag — the product image shows the classic white-and-green packaging with a clear window so you can see the nuggets before committing. The recipe uses humanely raised beef (certified by Global Animal Partnership), plus organic pumpkin, organic cranberries, and coconut oil. No artificial preservatives, no fillers, no “meat by-product” mystery.

Here’s what sets it apart from cheaper freeze-dried options: every bag has a lot code you can enter on their website to trace the exact farm your meat came from. That’s a level of accountability almost no competitor offers at this price.

Feeding Experience: The Good and the Messy

The nuggets are small, uniform, and crunchy — about the size of a pea. You can feed them as-is or rehydrate with warm water, which turns them into a soft patty. Most dogs in the reviews didn’t give you time to rehydrate. One buyer put it plainly:

“My 70-lb lab normally sniffs new food and walks away. This was gone in 30 seconds. I’ve never seen her eat that fast.”

Digestibility is where this food earns its keep. Multiple reviewers noted firmer stools, less gas, and shinier coats within two weeks. The freeze-drying process preserves enzymes and probiotics that high-heat extrusion destroys, so you’re getting closer to a raw diet’s benefits without the thawing and contamination risk.

The mess factor is real. The nuggets are brittle, and by the bottom third of the bag, you’re scooping out powder. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s annoying when you’ve paid premium prices. The smell is also potent — it’s a strong, meaty odor that lingers on stainless steel bowls even after washing. If your dog eats indoors, consider a dedicated feeding mat.

Where It Falls Short

The biggest complaint across the 215 ratings isn’t quality — it’s cost per feeding. A 14-ounce bag runs roughly $30–35 depending on the retailer. For a 50-pound dog eating 2–3 cups daily as a complete meal, that’s about a week of food. You’re looking at $120–150 per month for a medium dog. That’s 3–4x the cost of premium kibble.

The second issue: transition sensitivity. While most dogs adjusted fine, a handful of reviewers reported loose stools when switching cold turkey. This food is rich — high fat content from the beef — so if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you need a 7–10 day transition, not the 3-day one Open Farm recommends.

Third, the crumbles-in-the-bag problem means the last serving is unevenly portioned. You’ll need to weigh the powder or accept inconsistent meals at the end of each bag.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You want to upgrade your dog’s diet to something closer to ancestral nutrition, you value knowing exactly where the meat comes from, or your dog is a picky eater who’s rejected every other premium food you’ve tried.

Skip it if: You’re on a tight budget (this will break it), you have a giant breed eating 4+ cups daily, or your dog has pancreatitis or other fat-sensitive conditions — the fat content is high, and you should run this by your vet first.

FAQ

Q: Can I feed this as a complete meal, or is it just a topper? A: Both. It’s nutritionally complete per AAFCO guidelines for all life stages. But because of the cost, many buyers use it as a topper over kibble — a half-cup sprinkled on top adds raw nutrition without the full price tag.

Q: How long does an opened bag last? A: The manufacturer says 6 weeks after opening. In practice, freeze-dried food stays safe longer if you keep the bag sealed and dry, but don’t push it — the fat can go rancid. Write the open date on the bag.

Q: Does it need refrigeration? A: No, not before opening. After opening, keep it in a cool, dry place. Unlike fresh raw, freeze-dried is shelf-stable because the moisture is removed. That’s the whole point.

The Verdict: 4.2/5

Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw earns its rating through ingredient integrity and results. Dogs eat it eagerly, coats improve, and the sourcing transparency is genuinely industry-leading. The downsides — price, powder at the bottom, and the strong odor — are tradeoffs you accept for a minimally processed product.

Buy it if you’re ready to invest in your dog’s nutrition and want a clean, traceable protein source without the raw-meat handling hassle. Skip it if budget is your primary constraint — there are solid grain-free kibbles at half the cost, though none with this level of sourcing transparency. For most health-conscious dog owners, this is a worthwhile upgrade you’ll see in your dog’s energy and coat within a month.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.

Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.