Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All of our partner farms are audited and certified in humane animal care by leading third party, non-profit organizations in the field. Our fish is exclusively ocean caught using sustainable fishing practices in accordance with Ocean Wise and Seafood Watch standards. To learn more about our humane standards, check out our section on Animal Welfare.

We do not use farmed fish because of the quality, welfare and environmental issues associated with aquafarmed products. Fish raised in land and ocean-based aquafarms live in extremely crowded environments and often suffer from infection, disease, and debilitating injuries such as chronic blindness. Fish are fed preventative antibiotics to counteract infection and contaminants from ocean-based aquafarms can spread to the surrounding waters, adversely affecting the marine environment. By sourcing ocean caught fish through sustainable methods, we can ensure our fish have lived natural lives and consumed diets free from antibiotics and artificial feed. Beyond the environmental benefits, our sustainable ocean caught fish program ensures that we are sourcing the best quality fish ingredients for your pet.

All ingredients are sourced out of our Toronto office and are fully traceable - we receive certificates of origin for each and every ingredient. All incoming ingredients are inspected when received at our facility, and a member of the Open Farm team is on-site for production. Our facility is inspected on an ongoing basis by our team, and independent auditors from Certified Humane and other food safety organizations. Once finished product is produced, samples are sent to a third-party lab for independent testing for salmonella, e-coli, and other mycotoxins. We do not begin bagging the product until results have been received by the lab. You can see the results from our lab test for each finished bag of Open Farm using our lot code feature on our transparency page.

Open Farm recipes are free from artificial preservatives and flavors–including Ethoxyquin. Instead, we pay a significant premium to use a Natural antioxidant that is formulated with a proprietary blend of mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) that also provides anti-oxidants.

No, our poultry and meat are raised without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones. Our fish is always ocean caught, meaning it consumed a natural and antibiotic free diet.

Our natural flavor ingredient is dehydrated whitefish that is in a powder form and is preserved with mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) and a touch of salt.

Our mandate for fruits and vegetable sourcing is threefold: Fresh, local and Non-GMO. Currently, nearly 40% of our vegetables are grown in the same town as our manufacturing facility. Where we can’t source produce from the local town, we look for the next best option. In total, approximately 90% of our fruits and vegetables are grown locally–either in-state or in a state neighboring our manufacturing facility. We are always looking for new local sources of produce so we can continue providing your pet with the freshest ingredients, while supporting local businesses and minimizing our environmental impact.

Our manufacturing facility is a family-owned company in Minnesota called Barrett Ag Service, that has been in the pet industry for 30 years. Our facility is audited on an ongoing basis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), AIB International and Certified Humane, to ensure that strict food safety standards are constantly maintained. You can also take comfort knowing each batch of Open Farm is tested by an independent third party lab before it ever leaves the facility.

We do not use any meat or poultry meals due to their lack of regulation and traceability. Meat and poultry meals are made in large batches and may contain meat from diseased animals, disabled animals that may carry infections, or have been fed antibiotics and growth hormones. Instead, we use a small batch, ocean caught whitefish meal, so we have full traceability and can guarantee the fish have lived a natural life and have not been fed antibiotics or artificial feeds.

Do Some Good is the ability for you to make a positive impact through your purchasing decision while feeding the best quality food to your pet. With each Open Farm purchase, you are playing an important role in improving the lives of farm animals used in food production. You are also rewarding family farmers who are doing things the right way, and incentivizing conventional farmers to adopt humane and sustainable practices. Finally, you are making sustainability a priority in your life by supporting all of our environmental initiatives.

Sustainability is a priority in everything we do. Read about our environmental initiatives in Our Standards.

Our number one priority at Open Farm is the health and safety of animals, from implementing standards to ensure the ethical treatment of farm animals to creating food for our pets with clean, nutritious ingredients. We do not experiment on animals when testing our products, and you can rest assured that animal welfare is a top priority in everything that we do.

We are a Canadian company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. All of the work to develop, formulate and distribute our recipes happens here in Canada. Our manufacturing facility, located in Minnesota in the United States, to facilitate our local vegetable program and access to our audited and certified partner farms.

To learn how to recycle your Open Farm bag, please visit terracycle.com and register for our recycling program. Follow the steps to send in your bag for processing and become a part of our green initiative.

Check out our store locator to find an Open Farm retailer near you.

Thank you for your interest in Open Farm! Please contact us at support@openfarmpet.com with your store name and location, so we can provide you with our distributor information for your area.

Yes! Free samples are available at your local Open Farm reseller. If you need a paw finding a store in your area, email us at support@openfarmpet.com. Let us know how your dog likes Open Farm by posting a picture on social media of your dog with their sample bag and tag us @OpenFarmPet. We think it will be love at first bite!

Our fish is exclusively ocean caught. Because availability of wild fish species varies by season, the fish selection in our Catch-Of-The- Day Whitefish and Green Lentil recipe changes regularly. By sourcing seasonally, we can guarantee the freshest fish selection while maintaining our commitment to the health of our oceans. Plus, it keeps things interesting for your pet! The nutritional profiles of each seasonally sourced whitefish are very similar to one another, so the variation in fish type will not upset your pet’s stomach. Check the label on the back of your bag to see the seasonal fish selection in each batch.

Open Farm contains no ingredients from China. Almost all of our ingredients are sourced in Canada and the United States with the exception of our coconut oil and certain vitamins and minerals that are not available in North America. These particular vitamins and minerals are sourced from Europe and our coconut oil comes from Indonesia, the Philippines or Thailand.

Our recipes do not contain any gluten, however, they are not prepared in a gluten free facility and may contain trace amounts.

Ideally, you should store your food indoors, in a cool, dark place. Use a resealable container constructed of food grade plastic or tightly seal or roll the original packaging after opening. Prolonged exposure to higher temperatures increases oxidation and reduces shelf life, as does exposure to direct sunlight. Refrigeration is not needed.

We focus on the Certified Humane program for our meat, over an Organic one. Certified Humane is similar to organic, in that animals are fed a vegetarian diet with no animal by-products in feed and no antibiotics or growth hormones are allowed. Under Organic programs, animals must be fed organic feed, whereas under Certified Humane that is not a requirement. However, Certified Humane does have extensive standards for what the animals must be fed. But that is where organic ends; there are no welfare standards for organic meat. In contrast, Certified Humane, along with standards for feed, has an extensive program covering the treatment and care of the animals through their lives, such as space minimums, handling requirements and slaughter standards.

Our recipes are considered Low GI because they do not include high glycemic foods such as corn, rice, sugar, tapioca or potato starch. Instead, our formulations contain low glycemic complex carbohydrates such as garbanzo beans, green lentils, field peas and sweet potatoes. These low glycemic complex carbohydrates are high in soluble and insoluble fibers that are known to slow down digestion and provide a slower release of nutrients into the bloodstream, resulting in longer lasting energy and an increased feeling of satiety.

Yes, it is! You can rotate between our grain-free, limited ingredient formulations at any time without upsetting your dog’s stomach.

Open Farm recipes do not contain any corn, wheat, soy or fillers and we offer potato free recipe options. Instead, we focus on premium meats, fish and locally sourced, Non-GMO vegetables in our highly nutritious recipes.

Yes, Open Farm recipes are formulated for dogs of all life stages. We also have specific formulas for puppies and seniors too! Adjust your pet’s food intake according to the feeding guide on the side of your bag based on his or her age and weight. Please consult your vet to determine the ideal amounts to feed your pet.

Yes, Open Farm recipes are formulated for small, medium and large breeds. Adjust your pet’s food intake according to the feeding guide on the side of your bag based on his or her age and weight.

Our "best before" date is printed on the back bottom right of your bag.

A home cooked style meal or mixer, gently prepared at low temperatures with 100% human grade,

humanely raised ingredients and superfoods.  It’s home cooking for your pet, without the cooking!

Learn how your pup can try it for free here (click on “Get Coupon).

Want to learn more? Contact us today.

Call Us: 1-833-399-3403

Email Us: support@openfarmpet.com

There’s no secret to our recipes. We start by combining the best humanely raised meats and

sustainably sourced wild-caught fish with a nutritious blend of veggies and superfoods.

The ingredients are blended and portioned into PBA-free packages and then sous vide. This gradual

cooking process retains more flavor, nutrients and vitamins, while providing higher food safety as

the low heat removes bacteria. Once cooked, the meals are cooled and frozen to preserve

freshness.

Coming soon, our Gently Cooked line will be available in select neighbourhood pet shops.

Contact Customer Care to find a store near you.

Call Us: 1-833-399-3403

Email Us: support@openfarmpet.com

Yes, and your pup is going to love it! We are offering one free 8oz pack of Gently Cooked (Harvest Chicken, Homestead Turkey, Grass-Fed Beef and Surf & Turf) with any purchase of Open Farm products totaling $25 or more. Click here and follow the steps to claim your coupon and find a retailer near you.

Please store in the freezer and thaw prior to use. Once thawed, keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

Store in the freezer and thaw before serving. When ready simply scoop the appropriate portion based on the serving guidelines on the package and serve. It’s that easy to really impress your pup at mealtime!

Once thawed, keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

It is best to be fed once thawed. If it needs to be re-frozen, ensure this is done quickly after thawing and be sure the product has been kept cold.

 We work hard to produce the healthiest, most delicious, ethically sourced foods and treats for your pets – and we stand behind our products. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, we will happily accept returns within 15 days of your purchase. If you made your purchase through our website, to initiate a return, please email us at support@openfarmpet.com or call us at 1-833-399-3403 and one of our customer care associates will provide you with the appropriate return mailing address and instructions to process the return. Once we receive the returned product at our designated warehouse, we will process your exchange or refund. Unfortunately, we are only able to refund the purchase price for the returned product. Shipping charges will not be refunded. If you purchased from one of our authorized resellers, please contact the reseller where the transaction occurred directly to arrange your return. Open Farm will credit the reseller’s account once the return has been processed.

If your order is over $50, you qualify for free 2-day shipping across most of the continental US. If your order less than $50, we charge a flat rate shipping fee of $5.99 for your order.

At this time we do not offer shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. 

All orders are shipped via FedEx and they do not deliver on weekends. 

We work hard to deliver your Open Farm products as quickly as possible. Most customers receive their order within 1-3 business days of placing their order. You can also check your Order Status at any time for tracking information.

If you’re not home, the driver will leave the package at your door or with your door man.

We ship across Canada and the U.S.A, with just a few exclusions. We are not yet shipping to Puerto Rico, Nunavut, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories at this time.

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No, we do not ship to PO Boxes or APO/FPO addresses at this time.

We accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Google Pay.

DCM is a rare but serious heart condition that is estimated to affect between 0.5% and 1.0% of dogs in the US. While this condition is more prevalent in certain breeds, particularly large breed dogs, The cause of DCM is still largely unknown and case dependent. According to the FDA, if DCM is caught early, heart function may improve in cases of DCM that are not linked to genetics and with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification.

Per the FDA, they are “investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain pet foods containing legumes like peas or lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), or potatoes as main ingredients. We began investigating after FDA‘s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) received a number of reports of DCM in dogs eating these diets.”

On June 27, 2019, the FDA shared an update on their investigation into recently reported cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The FDA’s most recent status update provided a detailed list of the 524 reported cases of DCM, collected by the FDA between January 1, 2014 to April 30th, 2019. The reported cases involved a wide variety of dog breeds who were being fed a variety of diets.

Given the data collected thus far, the FDA has stated that it still cannot attest to “whether or how these case reports are linked to diet”, and that “the agency believes that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors”. 

Open Farm has not been contacted by the FDA and has not been included in any of its reports to date. However, please be assured that we will continue to monitor the FDA’s investigation and keep you updated with any information that is important for the health of your pets. 

Taurine is an amino acid that is found abundantly in tissues and organs throughout the body, including the brain, heart and muscles of dogs. Taurine is a critical building block of nutrition for dogs, but is considered “non-essential” as their bodies can synthesize it from the presence of two other amino acids, methionine and cysteine. While the causes of DCM are not fully known, taurine deficiency is well-documented as a potential driver of this condition.

All Open Farm diets are meat first recipes and our dry foods are no different, with the vast majority of protein in these recipes coming from animal ingredients. These ingredients are a rich source of natural and bioavailable vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They supply dogs with an abundant source of cysteine and methionine, the two precursors to taurine synthesis, at levels that significantly exceed AAFCO requirements. These meat ingredients are also strong sources of naturally occurring taurine which, together with taurine supplementation, result in all Open Farm dry food recipes achieving taurine levels of ~0.25%.

All of our recipes are formulated at our head office in Toronto with a team of nutrition, animal science and food manufacturing experts. Core to this team are an Animal Nutritionist who holds a Master Degree in Animal Science, Formulation and Animal Nutrition and a PHD Food Scientist. These experts ensure that our recipes are formulated to meet the nutrition pets need to optimize their health and longevity. All ingredients are added with a meaningful purpose and create the best recipes for our pets to thrive. Beyond delivering the critical building blocks of health and nutrition, our recipes are formulated to ensure that pets are energetic, have strong digestive tracts and immune systems, and enjoy their food.  

All ingredients are sourced out of our Toronto office and are fully traceable - we receive certificates of origin for each and every ingredient. Incoming ingredients are inspected and quality tested when received at our facility. Once finished product is produced, we send out composite samples to a third-party lab for independent testing for a wide array of nutritionals, salmonella, e-coli, heavy metals and other mycotoxins. We do not ship products from our facilities until favorable results have been received by the lab. We continue to test finished product on an ongoing basis. You can see the results from our lab test for each finished bag of Open Farm using our lot code feature on our transparency page.

Additionally, all of our facilities are inspected on an ongoing basis by independent auditors from Certified Humane and other food safety organizations.

Per the FDA, “Legumes are part of the Fabaceae plant family and are the fruit or seed of these plants. Common legumes include peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts. Pulses are dry edible seeds of certain legume plants. Examples include dried beans, dried peas, chickpeas and lentils. Not all legumes are pulses, but all pulses are legumes. Legumes/pulses are used as an ingredient for both human and animal food and have become a common plant-based source of protein. Many of these ingredients have long been included in pet food.”

Some Open Farm products include a number of low glycemic complex carbohydrates such as garbanzo beans, green lentils, field peas and sweet potatoes. These low glycemic complex carbohydrates are high in soluble and insoluble fibers which are known to slow down digestion and provide a slower release of nutrients into the bloodstream, resulting in longer lasting energy and an increased feeling of satiety.  In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, Open Farm products also contain a variety of fruits and vegetables to provide additional fiber as well as nutrients.

Per the FDA statement on June 27, 2019, the agency does not advise any dietary changes based solely on the information they have gathered. Although there are significantly fewer reports of dogs who ate diets containing grains, the FDA has received some complaints associated with grain-containing diets.  

At this time, the FDA is not advising dietary changes based on the information that has been gathered so far. If you have questions or concerns about your dog’s health or its diet, please contact us at 1-833-399-3403 or support@openfarmpet.com

We do not currently offer any products with grains, however we are always working to ensure that we are offering a variety of high quality, ethically sourced and humanely raised products to fit the needs of as many pets and pet owners as possible. We always want to hear about how we can best serve the needs of you and your pets, and encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about any of our products at 1-833-399-3403 or support@openfarmpet.com

All our recipes our formulated at our head office in Toronto with the support of various nutrition, animal science and food manufacturing experts. Core to this team are an Animal Nutritionist who holds a Master Degree in Animal Science, Formulation and Animal Nutrition and a PHD Food Scientist. These experts ensure that are recipes are formulated to meet the nutrition pets need to optimize their health and longevity.

WSAVA provides a series of recommended questions for pet owners in deciding on a food for them. Please see our responses to those recommended questions below. If you have any additional questions related to WSAVA guidelines or our foods please contact us at 1-833-399-3403 or support@openfarmpet.com

All our recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO In addition to formulating our recipes to meet AAFCO standards and requirements, we have many check and balances in place to ensure the nutritional integrity of our recipes. Our foods and treats are tested by 3rd party accredited labs for nutritional profile, pathogens, heavy metals and other contaminants, to ensure they meet our strict nutritional and food safety standards. We take great pride in sourcing only the highest quality ingredients, maintaining significant control and traceability throughout our supply chain, and in ensuring that the foods we make are not only extremely healthy, but also safe. 

For information about specific product manufacturing locations, please contact us at 1-833-399-3403 or support@openfarmpet.com

We take great pride in the level of control and traceability we have into our supply chain, and in how we transparently share this information with our customers for every batch of Open Farm food. For our meat and seafood ingredients, we work directly with the source to secure the highest quality, welfare and sustainability certified ingredients we can find. Not only do we maintain traceability into these supply chains, our partners and our production processes are audited by 3rd party certification agencies like Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership and Ocean Wise.

This rigorous approach to sourcing allows us to give our customers transparency into every batch of Open Farm – customers can trace their specific lot on our website at: https://www.openfarmpet.com/our-standards/transparency

Additionally, our manufacturing partners have different safety protocols for ensuring that ingredients meet specifications and are in good order prior to use in our diets. This includes detailed supplier onboarding, testing of raw materials (E. Coli, water activity, salmonella, APC) before they are ever shipped for use and providing those test results in the form of COA’s prior to accepting product for delivery. Additionally, where appropriate our co-manufacturers test ingredients at risk of mycotoxins on the inbound to their facility before ever being used in production.

As it relates to our finished products that are ready for retail, no product is ever released from our facilities for sale before it is tested at a 3rd party laboratory. We test for a wide range of nutritional information as well as for pathogens (E. Coli, Salmonella and Listeria). Product is not released before favorable test results is received from our third party labs. 

We are happy to answer any nutrient analysis questions you may have. Please contact us with the specific recipe and numbers you are looking for at 1-833-399-3403 or support@openfarmpet.com.

Please see the caloric value for each of our dog products below:

Dry Recipes:
Turkey & Chicken: 436 KCAL/CUP
Whitefish: 390 KCAL/CUP
Pork: 387 KCAL/CUP
Lamb: 430 KCAL / CUP
Salmon: 420 KCALS / CUP

Rustic Stews:
Turkey Rustic Stew: 1025 KCAL/KG OR 363 KCAL/354 G CARTON
Chicken Rustic Stew: 900 KCAL/KG OR 320 KCAL/354 G CARTON
Beef Rustic Stew: 1000 KCAL/KG OR 354 KCAL/354 G CARTON 
Chicken & Salmon Rustic Stew: 960 KCAL/KG OR 340 KCAL/354 G CARTON
Herring & Mackerel Rustic Stew: 750 KCAL/KG OR 265 KCAL/354 G CARTON (Meal Mixer only)
Salmon: 790 KCAL/KG OR 280 KCAL/354 G CARTON (Meal Mixer only)

Freeze Dried Raw:
Turkey: 202 KCALS/CUP
Chicken: 208 KCALS/CUP
Beef: 226 KCAL/CUP
Surf & Turf: 233 KCALS/CUP

Lamb: 226 KCAL/CUP

Pork: 226 KCAL/CUP

We have not engaged in any peer-review research to date; however, we are very passionate about the continued progression in nutrition science and stay abreast of industry research and new insights that can help us further elevate our foods and the nutrition solutions we provide pet parents.