Beef Recipe vs Beef with Sweet Potatoes
The short answer
The Farmer's Dog and Ollie are the two longest-running fresh DTC dog food subscription brands in the US. Both ship cooked, refrigerated meals on a schedule. Both have venture backing and aggressive marketing. The differences are operational: shipping reliability, recipe variety, customer service depth.
At a glance
| The Farmer's Dog | Ollie | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2016 |
| Format | Gently cooked fresh | Gently cooked fresh + baked option |
| Recipe count | Beef, chicken, turkey, pork | Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb |
| Subscription model | Personalized portions | Personalized portions |
| Half-portion plan | Yes | Yes |
| Veterinary nutritionist on staff | Yes | Yes |
| Operating history at scale | Longest | Close second |
| Best for | First-time fresh subscribers | Variety + baked option |
Who each one is actually for
The Farmer's Dog Beef Recipe fits owners who:
- Want the brand with the longest at-scale operating history
- Prefer the simplest possible ingredient panel
- Need consistent shipping reliability
- Are committing to a fresh subscription as their primary feeding plan
Ollie Beef with Sweet Potatoes fits owners who:
- Want broader recipe variety and the option of baked meals
- Like Ollie's customer service and onboarding experience
- Prefer the smaller-batch positioning
- Have a dog that hasn't taken to The Farmer's Dog texture
The verdict
The Farmer's Dog for owners who want the brand with the largest US production footprint and the cleanest ingredient panel. Ollie for owners who want a slightly broader recipe lineup including baked options as an alternative to gently cooked. Both are excellent. Most dogs do well on either.
Common questions
Is The Farmer's Dog or Ollie cheaper?
Both price subscriptions personalized to the dog's weight and activity level, so direct comparison is hard without knowing your dog. In general, the two brands are within 10 to 15% of each other on price. Both offer half-portion plans that meaningfully reduce monthly cost. Expect $4 to $8 per day for a 50-lb dog on either brand.
Are The Farmer's Dog meals AAFCO complete?
Yes. All The Farmer's Dog and Ollie meals are AAFCO complete and balanced for the named life stage. Both brands have board-certified veterinary nutritionists involved in formulation. Verify on each brand's website for the specific recipe.
Can I cancel my fresh dog food subscription?
Yes, both brands allow cancellation. Both also allow pause, skip, and reschedule options. The actual cancellation process varies; check the brand's site for the current process. The cancellation experience is one of the dimensions worth checking customer reviews for before signing up.
Do I need a freezer for fresh dog food?
Yes. Both The Farmer's Dog and Ollie ship frozen and require freezer space for storage. A month's supply for a 50-lb dog is roughly 30 pounds of frozen pouches. Plan freezer space before subscribing. The fresh vs kibble guide covers the operational details.