Published Nov 29, 2025
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Made with 100% traceable, ethically sourced ingredients, Open Farm cat food promises to deliver clean, high-quality nutrition pet parents can trust. This brand stands out for its commitment to transparency and high standards for product safety, but how does it hold up in real-world testing?
In this detailed review, we’ll explore the history of Open Farm, evaluate some of its most popular products, and provide an in-depth analysis of the brand as a whole.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Open Farm on What Matters
We’ve analyzed Open Farm and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Here’s how it rates in each of these six key areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
- Ingredient Quality – 9/10
- Product Variety – 9/10
- Price – 6/10
- Customer Experience – 8/10
- Recall History – 9/10
Overall Score: 8.2/10
In total, we give Open Farm cat food a 49 out of 60 rating or an A- grade.
Why Trust Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
My cats are members of my family, so I take their nutrition very seriously. When Open Farm started to gain traction in the pet food industry, I was immediately impressed with the brand’s commitment to transparency and ingredient traceability. And my cats have enjoyed a variety of Open Farm products over the past five years, so we have a personal history with the brand.
I’ve evaluated and reviewed Open Farm products many times over the years but, to write this review in particular, I decided to start fresh. I ordered one product from each of Open Farm’s dry and wet cat food lines and enlisted the help of my two cats, Biscuit and Munchkin, to help me test them.
My testing process involved analysis of each product’s ingredients and nutritional composition while my cats offered their opinions on flavor, texture, palatability, and overall appeal. I also spent several hours researching Open Farm’s history, reading customer reviews, and exploring the results of third-party lab testing for many of its products. This review reflects a mixture of my personal experience and that of other members of the Cats.com team who have tested Open Farm products with their own cats.
Open Farm Cat Food Explained
While we’ve updated our written review to include Open Farm’s latest products, there’s still some great information in this video review.
About Open Farm
Open Farm was founded in 2014 by Jacqueline Prehogan and Isaac Langleben who were inspired to build a better diet for their rescue pugs, Maddie and Bella. They aimed to create a pet food company that prioritized transparency and sustainability as well as humane and ethical ingredient sourcing. These are the core principles for which Open Farm is known today.
The Open Farm brand is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario in Canada, where all its research and recipe development happens. Open Farm products are widely distributed throughout North America with a more limited presence in Australia and Asia, and the brand has plans to expand into Europe.
Open Farm seeks to do good for both pets and the planet through a commitment to premium nutrition, animal welfare, and sustainability. Open Farm believes that pet parents should know what they’re putting in their pet’s bowl, so they offer complete transparency about everything from ingredient sourcing and product safety test results to third-party certifications and carbon emissions.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
While Open Farm is based in Canada, its primary manufacturing facility is in the United States and its products are made almost exclusively with ingredients sourced from the United States and Canada. The exceptions are nutrient supplements sourced from Europe and coconut oil from Indonesia, Thailand, or the Philippines, as well as lamb and venison from New Zealand.
All farm animals in Open Farm’s supply chain benefit from a comprehensive animal welfare program and all fish is ocean-caught using sustainable fishing practices. Open Farm uses only non-GMO fruits and vegetables, 40% of which is grown in the same town as the manufacturing facility, and none of its products contain artificial flavors or synthetic preservatives.
Furthermore, the brand works with 3rd party organizations to validate product claims like “humanely raised” and “ethically sourced.” You can find more detailed information about these claims and Open Farm’s policies regarding animal welfare and sustainability on the brand’s website.
Recall History
In over a decade of operation, Open Farm products have never been recalled. However, a limited number of products were withdrawn from the market in late 2024 due to quality concerns. Open Farm issued a statement in December 2024 describing the problem.
Through the course of quality control tests, Open Farm discovered small pieces of soft plastic film in some lots of dog food containing freeze-dried raw morsels. The film was identified as liner from raw protein ingredients that wasn’t fully removed before manufacturing. According to Open Farm, the plastic did not pose a health risk to dogs but the batches didn’t meet the brand’s high-quality standards and were therefore removed and replaced.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Open Farm Offer?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Open Farm offers a wide variety of cat food products including dry cat food, wet cat food, as well as meal toppers and treats. All Open Farm products heavily feature animal-sourced proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish. The product lineup includes an assortment of single-protein and novel protein recipes, as well as grain-free and grain-inclusive formulas.
Open Farm offers the following product lines:
- Grain-Free – Complete and balanced dry cat food formulas free from grains.
- RawMix – Kibble coated with bone broth and mixed with freeze-dried chunks of raw meat.
- Goodbowl – Simple dry food recipes made with wholesome grains.
- Freeze-Dried Raw – Morsels of freeze-dried raw chicken, beef, and fish.
- Pâtés – Moisture-rich recipes with a velvety smooth texture.
- Rustic Blends – Savory stew-like blends of kettle-cooked meat and veggies.
- Fish Toppers – Wet meal toppers made with 95% Icelandic fish.
- Bone Broth – Slow-simmered bone broth meal toppers rich in collagen.
None of Open Farm’s pet foods contain corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives. All farmed animal ingredients are humanely raised and ethically sourced, and all fish is wild-caught using sustainable fishing practices in accordance with Seafood Watch and Ocean Wise standards. All ingredients are fully traceable—you can even trace the ingredients in a specific bag by typing in the lot code on the product page.
All Open Farm products are formulated by a team of animal science and food manufacturing experts in the brand’s Toronto headquarters. And to ensure nutritional integrity, all formulas are tested by 3rd party accredited labs. You can find the results on each specific product’s page on the brand’s website.
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Having ordered from Open Farm in the past, I was familiar with the process. I found the website easy to navigate and my order arrived very quickly in recyclable packaging. As other customers have mentioned in reviews, I found some of the packages tricky to open but liked that everything was easy to reseal.
Because my cats have eaten a variety of Open Farm formulas before, I tried to choose flavors that would be new to them. They thoroughly enjoyed the wet food recipes and seemed to like the grain-free lamb better than the RawMix or Goodbowl dry foods. All the kibbles were small and easy for my cats to eat.
Open Farm Cat Food—Top 6 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Calories Per Ounce | Price Per Ounce | Our Grade |
| Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Pâté | Wet | Salmon | 35 | $0.56 | A- |
| Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food | Wet | Chicken | 30 | $0.54 | A- |
| Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels | Freeze-Dried | Chicken | 149 | $2.63 | A |
| RawMix Grain-Free Kitten Kibble | Dry | Chicken | 110 | $0.37 | B |
| Goodbowl Harvest Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 100 | $0.27 | B |
| Pasture-Raised Lamb Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Dry | Lamb | 110 | $0.37 | B |
#1 Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Pâté
Featuring wild-caught salmon as the primary ingredient, this smooth pâté-style wet cat food is protein-rich and easy for cats to eat. And because it’s a relatively simple recipe free from legumes and artificial additives, it’s also easy to digest. For an added digestive boost, it contains fiber-rich pumpkin and plenty of moisture.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Measured as dry matter, this recipe contains about 38.7% protein and 31.8% fat. It’s one of relatively few Open Farm recipes that doesn’t contain plant-based proteins like chickpeas and lentils but it does rely on plant-based fat (sunflower oil) instead of an animal-sourced alternative like fish oil.
Overall, this is a moderate-protein, high-fat, and moisture-rich cat food with fairly low carbohydrate content. The main source of added carbs is tapioca, a starchy ingredient with little nutritional value largely used to bind ingredients and give the food its smooth texture.
Ingredients
Salmon, Salmon Broth, Tapioca, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Agar Agar, Dandelion Greens, Calcium Carbonate, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Taurine, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate).
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains over 38% protein (measured as dry matter)
- Rich source of hydrating moisture
- Smooth texture is easy for cats to eat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Tapioca is a starchy ingredient with low nutritional value
- Primary source of added fat is plant-based
#2 Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food
Made with humanely raised chicken and chicken bone broth, this moisture-rich wet cat food is full of natural poultry flavor. It has a stew-like consistency that’s easy for cats to lap up without chewing, making it a great choice for seniors and cats with dental issues.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains about 39% protein and 33.3% fat. The estimated carbohydrate content is over 10% but considerably less than any of Open Farm’s dry cat food products. Unfortunately, the recipe contains some hard-to-digest legumes in addition to nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables.
Overall, this recipe is moderately high in protein with high fat and fairly low carbohydrate content. My cats really enjoyed the texture and I appreciated the resealable cartons, though some customers find them hard to open.
Ingredients
Humanely Raised Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Red Lentils, Agar Agar, Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Chicory Root, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Turmeric.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Red Lentils, Garbanzo Beans
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in high-quality animal protein
- Good source of hydrating moisture
- Stew-like texture is easy for cats to eat
- Cartons are resealable and recyclable
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains some hard-to-digest legumes
- Some customers find the cartons hard to open
#3 Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Morsels
Made with a single source of animal protein, this freeze-dried raw formula features chicken muscle meat along with nutrient-dense chicken liver and ground bone. It also contains salmon oil as the only added fat which provides beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Measured as dry matter, this recipe contains nearly 50% protein and just over 42% fat. The carbohydrate content is very low, coming primarily from the organic dandelion greens and cranberries. There’s no hard-to-digest legumes and, overall, the recipe appears to be simple and easy to digest.
Like any freeze-dried food, this recipe is very low in moisture—it’s best to rehydrate it in warm water or broth before feeding it to your cat. The small morsels are already fairly soft, so they rehydrate quickly. This food is also very calorie-dense, so your cat won’t need to eat a lot of it to meet their daily requirements.
Ingredients
Chicken with Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Dandelion Greens, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Taurine, Organic Cranberries, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Salt, Salmon Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative), Magnesium Sulfate, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken with Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
What We Liked:
- Features a nutrient-rich combination of muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Calorie-dense, doesn’t require large servings
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Contains nearly 50% protein (measured as dry matter)
What We Didn’t Like:
- Low in moisture, should be rehydrated before feeding
- Only sold in small 3.5- or 9-ounce bags
#4 RawMix Grain-Free Kitten Kibble
Formulated for cats in all life stages, this RawMix formula is specifically marketed for kittens. It’s a multi-protein recipe made with chicken, fish, turkey, and an assortment of organic fruits and vegetables. It may not be appropriate for kittens or adult cats with fish allergies.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
What sets the RawMix line apart from Open Farm’s other dry cat foods is that the kibbles are coated in a mixture of bone broth and freeze-dried raw chicken. There are also freeze-dried chunks of chicken mixed into the kibble.
Measured as dry matter, this recipe contains about 44% protein and 22% fat. Like many dry foods, the carbohydrate content is significant and much of it comes from hard-to-digest peas and lentils. The recipe also relies on plant-sourced fats over a more species-appropriate animal fat like fish oil or chicken fat.
Ingredients
Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Coconut Oil, Salmon, Turkey, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pumpkin, Lentils, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Apples, Dandelion Greens, 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), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Potatoes, Tapioca, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Chicken Bone Broth, Turmeric, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Organic Butternut Squash, Organic Blueberries, Organic Spinach, Organic Kale, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Salmon, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Lentils, Tapioca
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains numerous sources of animal protein
- Protein- and calorie-dense recipe helps fuel kitten growth
- Enriched with DHA for healthy development
- Coated with bone broth and freeze-dried raw
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content
- Contains hard-to-digest peas and lentils
#5 Goodbowl Harvest Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food
The Goodbowl line of dry cat foods features clean recipes made with simple ingredients, all humanely raised and sustainably sourced. This particular recipe features chicken and menhaden fish along with peas, barley, and brown rice. It contains a blend of animal- and plant-sourced fats, including coconut oil and salmon oil.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains about 35.5% protein and 13.3% fat. Like Open Farm’s other dry foods, it’s high in carbohydrates and contains some legumes which may be difficult for some cats to digest. However, the recipe is enriched with prebiotic fibers to support healthy digestion.
Overall, this is a moderate-protein, low-fat, and high-carbohydrate formula. My cats seemed to like the flavor and the small, bite-sized kibbles were easy for them to eat.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Barley, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Coconut Oil, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salt, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), 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), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Turmeric, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Clean formula made with simple ingredients
- Contains numerous sources of animal protein
- Enriched with prebiotics for healthy digestion
- Made with humanely raised and sustainably sourced ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content
- Contains some hard-to-digest peas
#6 Pasture-Raised Lamb Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
From Open Farm’s grain-free line of dry cat foods, this formula features pasture-raised lamb with supplementary protein from ocean whitefish meal and herring meal. While lamb is a novel protein for many cats, this recipe might not be appropriate for cats with fish allergies.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains about 41% protein and 20% fat. This makes it a fairly high-protein and energy-dense recipe, but it also contains a significant number of plant ingredients. With several legumes added to the assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, the carbohydrate content of this food is fairly high.
My cats seemed to prefer the flavor of this food over the Goodbowl chicken-based formula and the small kibbles were equally easy for them to eat. I appreciated that this line of kibbles comes in bags of three different sizes, not just two like the Goodbowl and RawMix lines.
Ingredients
Lamb, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Herring Meal, Chickpeas, Red Lentils, Herring Oil, Coconut Oil, Green Lentils, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Apples, Dandelion Greens, Dried Chicory Root, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Sunflower Oil, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative), Tricalcium Phosphate, Turmeric, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Lamb, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Herring Meal, Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Chickpeas, Red Lentils, Green Lentils
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Top 3 ingredients are animal-sourced proteins
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Contains prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion
- May be suitable for cats sensitive to chicken or beef
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
- High carbohydrate content
- Contains hard-to-digest chickpeas and lentils
What Do Customers Think of Open Farm Cat Food?
Over the past decade, Open Farm has become a familiar name in the pet food industry and the products are generally well-liked. Across online retailers, most Open Farm products have an average customer rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars. Unfortunately, the brand doesn’t have a presence on third-party review sites like Trustpilot.
Positive Reviews
Open Farm has a strong reputation for transparency and values-driven customers appreciate the brand’s commitment to ethical ingredient sourcing and traceability. Satisfied customers often refer to high-quality ingredients, meat-first formulas, and sustainability in their reviews.
“My cat is a huge fan of this brand, and this salmon recipe is one of his absolute favorites. It’s always a relief to find a healthy food that he genuinely gets excited about at mealtime. As a pet owner, the peace of mind that comes from the ingredient list is the biggest selling point.” – AClavijo reviewing Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Grain-Free Dry Cat Food on Amazon.com, October 7, 2025
“This has been a lifesaver for my senior kitty… I tried this because it is 92% meat and very low in fat…and she loves it. She’ll eat it dry; she’ll eat it with broth or water. She’ll eat it. It’s her (and my) new food of choice.” – E. Burian-Mohr reviewing Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food on Amazon.com, November 6, 2025
Negative Reviews
Dissatisfied customers often complain that Open Farm’s products are expensive, some saying that the cost isn’t fully justified despite quality claims. Some customers have mentioned concerns about phosphorus levels (particularly in products containing freeze-dried raw morsels) and several cats developed urinary issues while eating the food. Other customers have complaints about the packaging being difficult to open or reseal.
“My cat refused to eat the Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend. $37 down the drain. He likes the Harvest Chicken pate in cans just fine. My first experience with cartons. Its harder to get all the food out. The cans more convenient – easier to serve and store.” – BeeGee reviewing Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food on Amazon.com, October 27, 2025
“Had to take my male cat to the ER 1 month after starting this product for complete urinary blockage. $2000 and 8 hours at the vet + ER combined (they wanted to keep him over night and charge $6000+ which I couldn’t afford). They need to figure this out as I see others here have had the same issue come up.” – Erick reviewing Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Cat Food on Amazon.com, November 15, 2025
How Much Does Open Farm Cat Food Cost?
Open Farm cat food costs vary across different product types. The average per-ounce price for Open Farm wet food ranges from about $0.50–$0.60 per ounce. Open Farm dry foods cost between $0.27 and $0.40 per ounce (when you purchase the largest bag) and freeze-dried foods average $2.75 per ounce.
To get the best price on Open Farm cat food, you can start a subscription rather than making a one-time purchase. You’ll save 20% on your first AutoShip order and get 5% all subsequent orders. All products are backed by a 30-day risk-free satisfaction guarantee.
Where is Open Farm Cat Food Sold?
The best place to buy Open Farm cat food is on the brand’s website. Here you can browse the entire product selection, trace ingredients, review lab analyses, and more. When you buy directly from Open Farm, you can make a one-time purchase or save 5% with recurring AutoShip orders. Shipping is free on orders over $50 in the continental US.
If you prefer to shop in person, you can use Open Farm’s store locator to find a retailer near you. Open Farm is primarily sold in independent and specialty pet stores. For additional online shopping options, you can find Open Farm products on Amazon.com and some online retailers like PetFlow and Only Natural Pet.
Overall, Is Open Farm a Good Choice?
If you’re looking for a cat food brand that prioritizes ethical sourcing and ingredient transparency, Open Farm could be a good fit. You’ll pay a premium price for it, but many pet parents find the cost worth the peace of mind.
While Open Farm stands out for its commitment to transparency and sustainability, the nutritional composition of some recipes aren’t a good fit for all cats. Many formulas rely heavily on plant-based proteins like lentils and chickpeas, and the carbohydrate content of the dry and some wet food products is fairly high. Plus, though every recipe features animal-sourced protein, nutrient-rich organ meats are largely absent, except in the freeze-dried products.
That being said, Open Farm has significantly expanded its product variety over the years. So, if brand transparency is your top priority, you should be able to find a recipe that fits your cat’s needs and preferences.
Similar Brands
Looking for other cat food brands similar to Open Farm? Check out some of our other brand reviews.
After exclusively eating Open Prairie Raw Mix cat food for close to one year my cat was diagnosed with diabetes. His diabetes test was 500. I started feeding him this food based on your review of dry cat food and thought I was giving him the best possible diet short of very expensive fresh or canned food. My cat showed many diabetic signs including obsessive water consumption and flooding the litter box.
I researched and read about cat diabetes and discovered that since they are obligate carnivores the high legume carbohydrates in Open Farm dry foods are not the best diet for cats and very possibly contributed to if not caused my cat to become diabetic. I discovered Mature Zero dry food by Young Again and have been feeding it to my cat for about 3 weeks. His water consumption and peeing is now normal. I am hoping he is going into remission thanks to dramatically changing his diet from plant protein and carbs to meat protein and near zero carbs.
I valued your high regard for Open Farm without knowledge of my own regarding cat nutrition. Since I have become better self educated I seriously question your high rating of this food.
Hi Gigi, we’re so sorry to hear about your cat but glad to hear he’s doing well on his new diet! Your concerns about the carbohydrate content of Open Prairie Raw Mix are valid, and most dry cat food has similar issues in terms of high carb and low moisture levels.
Our nutritional philosophy prioritizes animal-sourced ingredients and moisture, so dry food isn’t usually our top recommendation. We mention some of these concerns in the Open Prairie Raw Mix review and our summary of Open Farm. We sometimes rate this brand higher than similar products because they use humanely raised, sustainably sourced ingredients and maintain a level of transparency with customers that many brands don’t.
Regarding your question about the food potentially contributing to your cat’s diabetes, I can certainly understand your concern. I’m not a vet, so I can only summarize some of the research I did on the subject. The Merck Veterinary Manual says that diet can be a risk factor for diabetes in cats if it causes obesity (suggesting caloric density is the issue, not necessarily carbs). Sedentary lifestyle is the other lifestyle risk factor the manual mentions.
In many cases, Merck seems to suggest, diabetes in cats is caused by damage to the pancreas that results in insufficient insulin production or underlying conditions that lead to insulin resistance. Once a cat develops diabetes, a low-carb diet is crucial for managing the condition but there doesn’t seem to be evidence suggesting carbs themselves play a significant role in causing the disease. Your vet might be able to help you determine what factors contributed to your cat’s diabetes specifically.
Wishing you and your cat well! Hope this helps.
I began feeding my 14 year old cat Open Prairie Raw Mix about a year ago. At that time he was newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, had lost a lot of weight and had become very picky about food. That was the first dry food he would eat that I thought was high quality.
One year later and he was recently diagnosed with diabetes and a glucose reading of 500. He was drinking and peeing quarts of water. The vet recommended insulin. I love my cat but honestly can’t afford the medicine and vet bills that would go along with that journey. So I researched and read. I discovered that the carbohydrate content in Open Farm Raw Mix is very, very high. Peas, lentils and chickpeas as ingredients fooled me into thinking I was feeding my cat a high quality food free of grains. It was not. It was a horrible food for my cat and I believe, the cause of diabetes.
As a result of my research I learned that cats are obligate carnivores and came across the brand Young Again. I have been feeding the Mature Zero variety for about 3 weeks and have high hopes that my cat is going into remission. His water needs have diminished to near normal. He appears to be reverting to a normal, healthy 14 year old cat.
On another note, though he has been taking prescribed medicine for his hyperthyroidism for 1 year, recent testing showed he was still slightly above normal range. Open Farm brand has approximately 5 times the iodine content and 3 times the phosphorous content of Young Again Mature Zero.
I am convinced that the majority of dry cat food is not optimum nutrition for cats, Open Farm included.
Concerned, Open Farm freeze dried cat food, very high in crude fat, 40%,
Protein 47 % compared to Primal 20% crude fat, 60% Protein, Which is the most species appropriate. Unfortunately Primal recalled a few times, whereas Open Farm never recalled ?
True to date Open Farm has never been recalled
Why was this brand declared the best of 2023, when it has lower grades than some others, for example Monge?
Hello Filip! Apologies for the late reply. We select our top recommendations based on a variety of factors, including regional availability and accessibility. Monge, for example, is not available to the majority of our readers, who generally live in the United States.
Thank you for your reply. Perhaps it would be useful to have a separate category for best cat food per region or continent, or simply overall best food regardless of current availability? That would in turn create demand, and demand could potentially lead to the recommended food being made available to a broader market, no?
Crazy that some of the plant based ingredients that people are complaining about are the ingredients in actually looking for as pumpkin is something I will add at times unless I find foods w/it already included.-(pumpkin for digestion issues)
And I JUST wrote a comment in a different section(instinct/nature valley)-s pet smart no longer carries the brand I was feeding my two Persian kittens -& as they needed to transition to adult formula -solid gold wet/can food-which has coconut oil -I’ve noticed that my cats fur has become completely unmanageable -losing clumps of fur-shedding an insane amount& getting terribly matted -& thier coats just look a mess!!
I’ve since been feeding Applaws 1-2 ingredient grain free limited ingredient & I also fed kibble so I chose instinct kibble+raw limited ingredient grain free chicken formula and I’m having an issue with the inconsistent of the raw bits-i just bought a bag that had ZERO raw bits and had to return to Pet Smart-which they allowed me to trade for a new bag of the same& the new bag did have ‘some’ raw bits-my cats just pick out the raw bits leaving the kibble behind -Soo I don’t think it’s worth the high price. The issue I’m having with the wet food u choose is that I noticed on the label it says it’s ONLY a complimentary & not considered a whole meal-that it must be added along with other wet formula or dry kibble meals. SOO how do I find a wet food that is limited ingredient & grain free is in chicken w/broth or chicken w/pumpkin& broth as a whole meal?
But after reading your article about BEST cat foods for Persian & seeing this brand has both pumpkin-coconut oils plus I see those’plant-based’ ingredients as SUPER foods that have added benefits that our country does not regulate so it is NOT in these FDA guidelines etc
Things like turmeric are good for animals as it is in humans& helps w/inflammation, muscle health, etc-cranberries help w/UTI -which cats are famous/prone to getting SERIOUS UTI issues!!-I was a certified massage therapist which means I had to do 600hrs of school therefore I have a degree in natural nutrition therefore I look outside the box because big pharma does not want us to use preventative measures to maintain homeostasis -they want us to go to the DR ti year the symptoms & get THOSE prescriptions!-i was also a registered hot yoga teacher! Yes, cats can eat certain fruits and veggies and they do& will benefit from them just like humans!! Ok, rant OVER!!-i just had to say something about all the negativity around plant based ingredients and all the comments saying cats don’t NEED fruits, plants, vegetables –YES they do!!-they do eat these things in the wild-ie; grass!!-carnip, sunflowers, silver vine, cantaloupe (has protein in it so they are naturally attracted to it-mine act like it’s crack whenever I’m eating it& they INSIST I share with them!!) of course they NEED to have MOSTLY animal protein as#1 important(& organs ) don’t get me wrong there!!
But it’s clear to ME the DIFFERENCE since I switched& they are no longer getting coconut oil -as that is the ONLY ingredient that’s missing since the switch-and much thier poor coats of super long& very fluffy fur looks horrible, sheds like crazy& is terribly matted!!
Unless, anyone CAN tell me what’s going on otherwise?
I think I’ll try this for wet food& look for a BETTER fit for kibble (I might JUST buy the RAW bits& add to suitable dry food-when I find a good one-any suggestions would be greatly appreciated)-as always furever Grateful for all the hard work & efforts you, your staff& the customers put into these reviews& articles and all the prompt responses to comments!!ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅMAHOLA 🤙 ALOHA 🌺 NAMASTE 🪷 STAY STOKED ❤️ MoSurfs73 ❤️
Hi there – thanks so much for the wonderful in depth review – any updates from the company on the phosphorous? Thanks so much.
Hey Gabriela, I just checked, and that thread has been lying dormant since December! I just re-emailed to see if I could get more information. Sorry about that!
My cat has Hyperthyroidism and early-stage CKD so I am following this also to see any comments regarding the phosphorus. Please keep us posted.
Thank you so much Mallory, I really appreciate your insight!
As a first time cat owner, I’ve really appreciated the resources on your website!
Have a great day!
Hi there! Thank you so much for the review!
I saw Open Farm released a new type of dry cat food called “Rawmix”, would this be a better and/or healthier dry food for my cat vs the salmon food reviewed here?
If you are able to review their new dry cat food and compare it to the currently reviewed varieties, it would be much appreciated!
Hey Alice, good question! I haven’t done an in-depth review of the RawMix yet, but from what I can tell, it isn’t nutritionally much better than the regular food. In fact, it’s higher in carbohydrates! Personally, I’d rather combine their regular kibble with some freeze-dried raw food on the side.
Many thanks for your informative article, Kate! While five out of six of my cats are on Iron Will Raw Complete, I have one 19 year old gal who will eat nothing but Wellness wet cat food. I saw Open Farm on Natura Market and was thinking of trying the wet for her. The hormone-free chicken and turkey and the wild-caught salmon appealed to me – certainly a step up from Wellness I thought. What are your thoughts on this? Wellness wet versus Open Farm wet? The kibble isn’t an option as I would never feed that to my cats. Also, may I ask what you feed your cats? Would love to hear back from you on this. Thank you so much!
Hello Robyn, thanks for reaching out! Responding on Kate’s behalf, the foods are nutritionally comparable, but you’re getting a seemingly higher level of transparency and quality from the Open Farm cat food. It really depends on your and your cat’s preferences and how much money you’re willing to spend.
This cat food gave my cat urine crystals and we spent 4 grand to hospitalize him. I wish i had never bought it.
Really sorry to hear that. Hope your cat is doing better now.
He was hospitalized twice. He’s been home a week now and he’s on a prescription diet. He’s still struggling a little but he’s peeing on his own. I hope it never happens again. He’s only 1 year old.
OMG! I just tried this brand and my cats love it. Both are seniors and both are males. It is my understanding that males tend to get more UTIs than females. Now I am very concerned. I had hoped to be able to find a food that was natural without chicken and salmon because he has allergies to them.
I hope your fur baby is better by now.
What I like the most about their wet food is the texture. One if my cats is a “licker” and will not grab pieces of food to chew. The texture of open farm wet food is just perfect for her, but I don’t like the price and the high amount of veggies… a review of the textures would be so helpful in all of the reviews you make!
Thanks for sharing, and that’s an excellent point!
OPEN FARM ARE A SCAM.
So Open Farm makes a big deal about their ethics. Fully 1/3 the bag is devoted to big letters like “Know what’s in their bowl.” Then you go to this very website and you have to dig into their FAQs just to find the tracing link. And then the kicker: they just list the country (or maybe the State) of ingredient origin. My white fish is from “United States Pacific Ocean.” That isn’t tracing “back to the source,” that is marketing BS and this food and company are a scam.
Wow! What an amazing Video! I’ll be definitely signing up for more!
I was reading through the comments and see the one talking about an unusually high Phosphorous count, does this make it unsafe? It has taken me forEVER to find something my 2 boys will eat and I was so stoked to find this seemingly stellar brand.
let me know and thanks again for all the work you do!
Hey Deborah, I’ve reached out to Open Farm support for more insights on this and have yet to hear back with more details—will update you when I can.
Is this brand ok for kittens?
It depends on which variety you feed! Check the label, but their dry recipes are generally appropriate for all life stages, while the wet is for adults only.
Why do you put chickpeas and carrots in a carnivore’s food?
John, this seems to be very common practice among brands selling grain-free cat food. Chickpeas and carrots are used in lieu of grains as a binder that holds the kibble together, and they contribute some nutrients as well, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Since cats can metabolize these ingredients, few vets and food manufacturers advise a truly meat-based diet. However, All About Cats encourages this kind of biologically-appropriate diet, which is why Open Farm doesn’t receive the highest scores we can offer.
I reviewed the report. The Mercury result is 3600/100 ug???? which equals 36000ng/g. That’s way more than the FDA Value (267ng/g).
Hi Erika, the mercury content of this food is, indeed, high, but we don’t know exactly how much is safe for cats to ingest. Really, we need more context on this, but we do know that many cat foods (including this one) seem to contain levels of mercury that exceed the concentration considered dangerous to river otters, so it does seem concerning.
I’d like to add that in my first statement, the 1200 number was in reference to acana not orijen, my mistake. I have just begun down the rabbit hole of the best food/diet for my cats and it has been overwhelming to say the least.
However, I’d like to thank you for your replies and the work on this site in general. By far it is the most dedicated and informative cat review site I have come across. It has been immensely helpful in making sense of it all and my go to resource now.
The first lab report states 173 mg per 100g, the next two have numbers in the 1500 and 1700 range. If I am reading that correctly, is that excessively high or possibly unsafe? I am currently feeding Orijen for my cats dry but looking for an alternative. They appear to be in the 1200 range. Phosphorus in particular is not a present concern to me but I am worried about the effects of excess nutrients in general.
Hello Hope, that’s a good observation. The phosphorus content of the dry foods is unusually high, at 430mg per 100kcal and 456mg per 100kcal, respectively. While we don’t have a lot of knowledge on how much this can affect kidney health or any effect on other organs/systems, there is some evidence that continued intake of a high-phosphorus diet can be harmful. I’ll run it by Open Farm and our veterinary advisors to see if this is something we should flag on the site. Thanks!
My cat had some urianry issues some time ago, but since getting an extra litter tray is doing much better. I would like to find a better food then Felix (which he is currently eating as he threw up the vet recommended hills urianry wet food and would bot touch the other flavour of hills urianry stress when I offered it shorlty after the first flavour). He is not fusy and this makes me question exactly what is in the hills food all 3 vets consulted have recommended. Ive looked into top brands like Feline natural and ziwi peak yet worry these high quality foods could lead to more crystals due to the high nutrients. Open farm looks good but I do worry if it also has ‘to many’ nutrients and to much phosphorus.. which may put him at risk of urianry issues again. Can you please help me compare the phosphorus levels between open farm and felix ? Felix is ironallcally causing no problems, but its poor quality and id love to find somthing with better quality ingredients.
Hi Frank, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, I don’t have information on Felix cat food’s phosphorus/mineral content right now. I’ll send you an email so I don’t forget to write back to you after I’ve gathered some more information on this. In the meantime, you might appreciate our article on the best cat food for urinary tract health.
I reviewed the independent lab report for the Open Farm wet food, which you rated #1 for Persians (I have three). I need help interpreting the results. For example, the column headings are: Results, Min Det Limit, and Reporting Limit.
The “Results” for Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend is 171, but what does that number reflect? It should be a %. The recommendation for low phosphorus diets is less than 1% on a wet and dry matter basis. Many of the cat foods that I have researched with low phosphorus content are junk food at best. The reason i selected Open Farm was because of your recommendation and the quality of the ingredients.
However, I need to clearly understand the phosphorus content on a wet and dry basis. The Min Det Limit might be the phosphorus content (.16%), which, if true, is incredible for food not advertised for a restricted phosphorus diet. I am most concerned about the phosphorus % because high phosphorus is bad for kidneys.
It would be helpful if each food analysis had a footer to explain what each column means and show both the wet and dry matter basis for all the wet foods.
Thanks
Michael, thank you for the thoughtful comment. We’re working on a page that will explain all of the test results, and I hope to have that live on all pages within the next couple of weeks. For now, I can provide some clarification on the phosphorus content here. Our food analysis lab returns phosphorus values measured in mg/100g of food rather than a percentage, and the minimum determining limit is the number of milligrams per 100g that their testing equipment can pick up. The reporting limit is the minimum amount that will show up in the report. So in this case, the phosphorus content is 173mg per 100g of food. To get some data that are easier to interpret and compare to standard guidelines, we need to do some conversions. I use this calculator. It tells us that the food has 188.04 mg phosphorus for every 100 kcals. This is above the minimum set by AAFCO for adult cats (125mg per 100kcals) and, naturally, well above the recommended 100mg or less per 100kcals (less than 1% of calories) for cats with kidney disease. However, you may be relieved to know that it’s within the recommended <250mg per 100kcals recommended for maintenance in older cats and those with early-stage renal failure.
Again, I know the reports need some additional clarification. Hope this helps for now!
My roommate cat Gracie developed an allergy to anything with chicken or beef products. Open farms is one of the few dry cat food that she can eat that has fish as their main source of protein. Thank you for developing this product.
I am concerned that Open Home salmon wet food lists salt in the ingredients.
Hi Margaret,
Open Farm has a trasnparent policy where they publish lab reports on their site. You can see the Salmon wet food recipe here:
https://assets.ctfassets.net/vox5vb2o82d3/1RGIPBO9vDoxx7hkxVqTaD/288caef589b0e8dc111b15b0b2593ac8/RusticBlendCat-Salmon_6a8fa3ed-1350-4749-b98e-d2e52ed29e46.pdf
We suggest checking in with your Vet if the sodium levels are appropriate to your cat’s diet.
Hi thanks for this really well done review. I loved the video as well. I am debating on switching my almost 14 year old Siamese to this wet food –in particular the chicken& turkey wet food flavors. And possible a dry food bag. But I always worry when it comes to newer companies about how complete their nutrition is. My partner said that vets tend to recommend big brand names because they have more pressure to perform well. I worry about nutrient deficiency, like taurine bring too low or something like this. Based on your experience, do you think it would be okay to switch to this brand? My cat responded well to both wet food flavors (picked it up at the store the other day to try it out). I think that I am currently feeding my cat too much fish food (three different Tiki Cat mousse packets, all some kind of fish, and the Feline Natural king salmon & lamb cans–I alternate so he gets a variety of flavors), but I have been reading that he should have more turkey/chicken/duck/rabbit. So I got worried that maybe I should give him other foods, and lessen the fish to maybe once a week. I also give him Orijen Fit & Trim (not too much, but about ~90cal worth in the evenings. he is on a strict calorie count to get him to loose weight..he’s doing pretty well so far). I appreciate your advice ! Thanks for all you do! This site is fantastic.
Hi Abigail, thanks for the comment! There are valid reasons to lean towards bigger companies—they tend to have a larger budget for everything from research and development to quality control. Many of the bigger, more vet-trusted brands perform feeding trials rather than just meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles, which means that they were trialed on real cats in a controlled environment. This can give us a higher level of confidence in their nutritional adequacy. However, all pet food companies, no matter how big or small, must comply with AAFCO’s nutrient profiles, and, frankly, no company wants to be caught making nutritionally inadequate or unsafe food. Larger companies may have more money, but that doesn’t mean they have more at stake. In fact, there are legitimate concerns about large pet food companies holding sway over the regulatory agencies involved—specifically, the FDA. So I wouldn’t be so quick to say that these companies are under more pressure to perform well. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be too scared of trying Open Farm. A newer company like this may not be as well-funded, but they will do their best to do everything right, and given the combination of conscientious sourcing and manufacturing facilities that meet the standards for human food production (in the case of their wet food), I think that there’s good reason to think that their food is trustworthy.
I would agree that it’s a good idea to mix in something besides fish to maintain some nice variety in his diet, and there are plenty of options in this category—including, of course, Open Farm! I hope you’re able to find something that works for both of you soon.
Best,
Mallory
These are such great points. Thank you for your very helpful response! I think I will try the Open Farm, my cat did really like it. Thanks again 🙂
Thanks for the comprehensive review, helps me make my decision using information rather than ratings or scores.
I am not sure if the promo code is still active but when I use the code “FIRSTSUB20”, I get an error message saying “Enter a valid discount code or gift card”. Please let me know if the code has expired. Thanks!
Hi Shashank, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I’m having some issues with the Open Farm site myself, so I will run this by our contacts at Open Farm and see if we can figure this out for you. I’ll send you an email when we’ve found a solution.
hello i was wondering if you could possibly review a cat food brand called Burgess. i havent seen a lot of food reviews on it and would like to see one from you guys if possible.
Hi Ithar, we’ll take note of this request. Thank you!
Hi Mallory, Please review I and love and you wet cat food. I think its good but don’t trust my own analyses. Thank you
Hey Melissa, I already did. 🙂
https://cats.com/i-and-love-and-you-cat-food-review
Hope this helps!
Thank you for this review! I’ve been curious about this brand for a while. I don’t understand the addition of legumes or the use of coconut oil If they would change out these ingredients to be more species appropriate, this would be my go to wet food.
Would you please do a review on Fussie Cat soon? That’s the other brand I’ve been interested in. Thanks!
Hey Amy, glad you found the review helpful! We actually posted a Fussie Cat review not too long ago. You can find it here: https://cats.com/fussie-cat-cat-food-review
I wish more companies would say what the percentage of animal ingredients is, or that companies would do so consistently within their brand (Stella & Chewies does this for their raw but not regular). I find that to be very important because I don’t want to buy something that is majority vegetables and you have no way of knowing based on the label. That wet food is really high carbs for a wet food though.
We agree! It would make it so much easier to compare products across the board without having to get out your calculator.