The Farmer's Dog vs Ollie: Fresh Dog Food Comparison

The Bottom Line

The Farmer’s Dog wins this comparison, though both are excellent fresh dog food subscriptions. Both services deliver human-grade, vet-formulated meals with personalized portions. The deciding factors are The Farmer’s Dog’s A+ BBB accreditation (vs Ollie’s B rating), slightly lower starting price point, and their status as the pioneer that set the standard for fresh dog food delivery. Either choice will serve your dog well, but The Farmer’s Dog edges ahead on trust indicators and value.

Quick Comparison

Why The Farmer’s Dog Wins

Better Trust Indicators

The Farmer’s Dog holds an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since September 2024, demonstrating commitment to resolving customer issues. Ollie has a B rating without accreditation, with some complaints about shipping and cancellation difficulties noted. While Ollie has more Trustpilot reviews with a higher rating, the BBB accreditation represents a formal commitment to customer satisfaction standards.

Lower Entry Price

Small dogs can start with The Farmer’s Dog at around $60/month, while Ollie typically starts at $90/month for comparable dog sizes. Both scale with dog size, but The Farmer’s Dog offers a more accessible starting point for budget-conscious pet parents wanting to try fresh food.

Industry Pioneer

Founded in 2014, The Farmer’s Dog pioneered the fresh dog food movement and has spent 12 years refining their process. They were featured by NY Times Wirecutter and Dog Food Advisor, establishing their reputation as the gold standard in the category.

What’s In Each Box?

The Farmer’s Dog

Every delivery includes:

• Pre-portioned meal packs calculated for your dog’s exact caloric needs
• Fresh food made in USDA-certified kitchens with no preservatives
• Four protein options: beef, chicken, turkey, and pork with vegetables
• Insulated packaging with ice packs
• Personalized feeding guide
• Free shipping on every delivery

Ollie

Each shipment contains:

• Pre-portioned pouches with personalized calorie calculations
• Human-grade ingredients from USDA-certified sources
• Four protein options: beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb
• Fresh-frozen delivery in insulated packaging
• Customized feeding instructions
• 60% off first box for new customers

Pricing Breakdown

The Farmer’s Dog

Ollie

Both services offer mixed feeding options (50% fresh, 50% kibble) to reduce costs.

Ingredient Quality

Both services use 100% USDA human-grade ingredients, meaning the food meets the same standards as food prepared for human consumption. This is a significant differentiator from “human-grade ingredients” claims that don’t involve USDA-certified preparation facilities.

The Farmer’s Dog Recipes:

• Beef with lentils, carrots, and spinach
• Chicken with bok choy, sweet potato, and parsley
• Turkey with chickpeas, broccoli, and parsley
• Pork with sweet potato, green beans, and cauliflower

Ollie Recipes:

• Beef with sweet potatoes, peas, and kale
• Chicken with carrots, rice, and spinach
• Turkey with butternut squash, kale, and blueberries
• Lamb with cranberries, butternut squash, and kale

Both are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and meet AAFCO standards.

Customer Experience

The Farmer’s Dog (4.6 Customer Experience Rating)

• Pros: Exceptional customer service, comprehensive satisfaction guarantee, proactive communication
• Cons: Some reports of delivery timing issues, limited to 4 proteins

Ollie (4.4 Customer Experience Rating)

• Pros: Highly responsive support, strong app experience, easy subscription management
• Cons: Some complaints about shipping/thawing issues and cancellation process (noted in BBB complaints)

Who Should Choose The Farmer’s Dog?

Choose The Farmer’s Dog if you:

• Value BBB accreditation and formal trust indicators
• Have a small dog (lower entry price point)
• Want the original, pioneering fresh dog food service
• Prefer pork as a protein option
• Prioritize a satisfaction guarantee backed by accreditation

Who Should Choose Ollie?

Choose Ollie if you:

• Want lamb as a protein option (not available at The Farmer’s Dog)
• Value a larger volume of positive Trustpilot reviews
• Prefer their specific recipe formulations
• Find their first-order discount (60% off) more appealing
• Already have experience with their service

Health Results

Both services report similar health improvements in dogs:

• Shinier, softer coats within 2-4 weeks
• Improved digestion and smaller, firmer stools
• Increased energy and vitality
• Healthier weight management
• Reduced allergy symptoms

Reddit communities for both r/dogs and r/pets consistently praise both services for transforming picky eaters and improving overall dog health.

Final Verdict

Winner: The Farmer’s Dog

This is a close comparison between two excellent fresh dog food services. Both deliver on their core promise of human-grade, vet-formulated, personalized nutrition. The Farmer’s Dog earns our recommendation based on:

1. A+ BBB accreditation vs Ollie’s B rating
2. Lower starting price for small dogs
3. 12 years as the industry pioneer
4. Slightly higher overall rating (4.7 vs 4.5)

That said, Ollie remains an excellent choice, especially if you need lamb as a protein option or prefer their specific recipes. Both services offer satisfaction guarantees, so you can try either with minimal risk.

Best strategy: Take advantage of first-order discounts from both services and see which one your dog prefers. The quality difference is minimal, so your dog’s preference and your budget will ultimately decide.