Our Verdict
Open Farm RawMix cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor second highest rating, 4.5 stars.
Raw Mix cat food contains high meat content and is relatively low in carbohydrates. The kibble is coated in a bone broth and freeze-dried raw, it also contains chunks of raw meat that are protein-rich.
Pros
- Whitefish is ocean caught and not farmed
- Grain-free
- No added antibiotics or hormones
Cons
- No senior formula or weight loss recipes
- Limited bag sizes are available
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Open Farm RawMix product line includes only two cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Ocean Grain-free | 4.5 | A |
| Open Prairie Grain-free | 4.5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Open Farm Raw Mix Wild Ocean Grain-free 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 Raw Mix Wild Ocean Grain-free
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Ocean whitefish, menhaden fish meal, peas, lentils, ocean whitefish meal, coconut oil, salmon, ocean rockfish, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pumpkin, natural flavor, cranberries, apples, dandelion greens, potatoes, tapioca, vitamins (niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin), dried chicory root, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), organic butternut squash, choline chloride, organic carrots, organic blueberries, montmorillonite clay, miscanthus grass, fish bone broth, flaxseed, taurine, turmeric, dried yucca schidigera extract, organic spinach, organic kale, organic apple cider vinegar, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is ocean whitefish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The second ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
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.1
The third ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The fourth ingredient is 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 fifth ingredient is ocean whitefish 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 sixth ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The seventh ingredient is ocean rockfish. Rockfish is an arbitrary name given to a group of fish relating to their tendency to hide amongst rocks.
The name groups several kinds of fish that are not closely related, and includes many kinds of fish used for food. Unfortunately, the phrase “rockfish” is vague and does little to adequately describe this ingredient. Since different species of fish vary in terms of the nutrition they provide, it’s impossible for us to judge the quality of this item.
In any case, fish meat is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The eighth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
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 Raw Mix Wild Ocean Grain-free recipe looks like an above-average product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 42.2%, a fat level of 15.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 34.2%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 42.2% and near-average fat level of 15.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 37%.
This means that this Open Farm Raw Mix product line contains higher-than-average protein, near-average fat and near-average carbohydrate when compared to typical raw mix cat food.
Final Word
Open Farm Raw Mix is an above-average quality cat food product. The kibble, coated in a bone broth and freeze-dried raw blend, contains added chunks of raw meat, so is protein-rich.
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 that meet their 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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