Our Verdict
Open Farm dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor second highest rating, 4.5 stars.
The recipes are crafted with premium ingredients that are responsibly sourced. They typically feature animal protein as the main ingredient, such as chicken, turkey or fish.
Open Farm places an emphasis on using humanely raised, antibiotic-free and hormone-free meats in its formulas, along with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to provide a balanced and wholesome diet for cats.
Pros
- High in protein
- You know where each ingredient comes from
- Humanely raised chicken and turkey are the top ingredients
Cons
- High in fat and calories
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The product line includes five cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Turkey & Chicken | 4.5 | A |
| Wild Caught Salmon | 4.5 | A |
| Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish | 4.5 | A |
| Pasture-Raised Lamb | 4.5 | A |
| Kitten Grain-Free | 4.5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Grain Free Homestead Turkey & Chicken recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Open Farm Grain Free Homestead Turkey & Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Humanely raised turkey, humanely raised chicken, ocean whitefish meal, herring meal, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), red lentils, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ocean menhaden fish meal, green lentils, pumpkin, natural flavor, cranberries, dried chicory root extract, apples, choline chloride, salt, dandelion greens, taurine, turmeric, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, dried yucca schidigera extract, mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A acetate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first and second ingredients are humanely raised turkey and chicken. Chicken and turkey are considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken and turkey”.1
These meats are naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The third and fourth ingredients are ocean whitefish meal and herring meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself. Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.2
The fifth ingredient is garbanzo beans (chickpeas). Like peas, beans and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (pulse) family of vegetables. Garbanzos contain about 22% protein, something which must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The sixth ingredient is red lentils. Lentils are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber. However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The seventh ingredient is coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols). A natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
The eighth ingredient is ocean menhaden fish meal. Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.
This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.3
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.
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Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm Dry Homestead Turkey & Chicken looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.1%, a fat level of 20% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 30.9%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 41.8% and near-average fat level of 20.2%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 30% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 48%.
This means that this Open Farm Dry product line contains higher than average protein, higher than average fat and near-average carbohydrate when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Open Farm dry cat food is formulated with all the macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals your cat needs to enjoy a healthy, active life. It is an above-average quality dry cat food product and contains premium ingredients like pasture-raised lamb, turkey and chicken, wild-caught salmon, non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
Has Open Farm cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Open Farm cat food has no known history of product recalls.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
In 2014, Jacqueline Prehogan founded Open Farm Pet Foods. The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated in Canada. However, production takes place over the U.S. border in the state of Minnesota.
The company is focused on using locally sourced ingredients, and the location of the plant allows easy access to farms which meet its strict animal welfare and quality standards.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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