Pets Table Vs. Farmer’s Dog: Which One Actually Gets Eaten Every Day?

I’ve spent way too many evenings comparing fresh dog food options for my own dog, and if you’re stuck between The Farmer’s Dog and The Pets Table, I get it.

What I want to do here is give you a straightforward, real-world breakdown of how these two actually perform day to day so you can decide which one makes sense for your pup’s eating habits, your freezer space, and your monthly budget.

Key Differences Between Pets Table And Farmer’s Dog

• How much the food actually gets customized to your dog: The Farmer’s Dog builds a plan around your dog’s exact weight, age, activity level, and any sensitivities, then sends pre-portioned sleeves labeled with your pup’s name. That means less guesswork at mealtime and easier handoff to a sitter or daycare. The Pets Table also personalizes through a quiz, but the real edge comes from letting you pick entirely different formats within the same subscription. You can do full fresh one month and switch to mostly air-dried the next without starting over.
• What you actually store in your kitchen: With The Farmer’s Dog everything arrives frozen in a big box, so you need reliable freezer real estate for a couple weeks of meals. Thawing happens in the fridge overnight. The Pets Table gives you choices here. Their air-dried recipes sit on a shelf like fancy kibble, which makes them perfect for travel, backup bags, or homes where freezer space is tight. Many owners use the mixed plan so they get the fresh experience most days but keep air-dried on hand for convenience.
• Price reality over a full year: Pure fresh from The Farmer’s Dog tends to land lower than The Pets Table’s fresh-only option in most owner comparisons. You might save $20–$80 a month depending on your dog’s size and how the recipes shake out. However, The Pets Table’s air-dried or 50/50 mixed plans can undercut both on cost while still delivering human-grade ingredients. If budget is the main constraint, The Pets Table’s flexibility often wins long-term.
• How dogs actually respond at the bowl: Several side-by-side tests with picky eaters show The Farmer’s Dog recipes getting finished more consistently, even after the novelty wears off. The pre-portioned format and gentle cooking seem to hit the right texture and aroma for finicky dogs. The Pets Table performs well too, especially the fresh recipes, but some owners report their dogs start leaving more in the bowl toward the end of a bag or box compared to Farmer’s Dog.
• Ingredient and recipe philosophy: Both use human-grade meats and vegetables with no fillers or artificial junk. The Farmer’s Dog sticks strictly to fresh gently cooked recipes across a handful of proteins. The Pets Table spreads its bets with fresh options plus air-dried versions that go through low-temperature drying to keep nutrients intact while becoming shelf-stable. That air-dried line gives you a middle ground between kibble and full fresh without the full price or storage hassle.
• Day-to-day convenience and routine fit: The Farmer’s Dog feels more “set it and forget it” once the first box arrives because everything is already portioned and labeled. You just thaw and serve. The Pets Table requires a bit more decision-making up front when you choose your plan mix, but that same choice pays off if you travel a lot or want to rotate textures to keep meals interesting for your dog.

Also Read: Comparison of Wellness Core And Wellness Complete Health.

Key Features of The Farmer’s Dog

• Human-grade ingredients prepared in facilities that follow the same standards as food made for people, with real named meats like USDA beef or chicken as the first ingredient and added liver for extra nutrition.
• Pre-portioned sleeves that arrive with your dog’s name printed right on them, which makes measuring exact calories simple and reduces the chance of overfeeding or underfeeding.
• A small but focused set of recipes (beef, chicken, turkey, pork) offered in both grain-free and grain-inclusive versions so you can avoid common allergens while still having options.
• Delivery that can be paused, skipped, or adjusted easily through text replies, plus the ability to add treats or extras to each box without much hassle.
• Strong emphasis on digestibility, with many owners reporting smaller, firmer stools and less gas after the switch from kibble or other fresh brands.

Pros of The Farmer’s Dog

• Picky dogs often clean their bowls more reliably with these recipes than with competing fresh options, which saves money on wasted food and reduces mealtime stress for everyone in the house.
• The named, pre-portioned packaging makes life easier when you have multiple dogs, travel with your pup, or need to leave clear instructions for a pet sitter.
• Many veterinarians recommend it for dogs dealing with chronic digestive upset, food sensitivities, or coat issues because the gentle cooking and limited ingredient approach tends to agree with sensitive stomachs.
• You get consistent quality control and the ability to fine-tune the plan over time as your dog’s weight or activity changes, without having to guess or buy extra supplements.
• The brand has built up years of feeding data and owner feedback, which shows up in steady reports of shinier coats, higher energy, and better overall stool quality once dogs fully transition.

Also Read: Is Yumwoof Dog Food Worth It?

Cons of The Farmer’s Dog

• Everything needs freezer and fridge space, which can be a real problem in small apartments or homes where the freezer is already packed with family meals.
• The cost adds up quickly for larger dogs, and while it is often cheaper than other full-fresh subscriptions, it is still a big jump from standard kibble or even store-bought fresh rolls.
• Recipe variety is narrower than some competitors, so if your dog gets bored easily or has multiple protein allergies, you may run out of appealing options faster.
• A recent class-action lawsuit claims the fat levels in some recipes are higher than advertised on a dry-matter basis and could contribute to issues like pancreatitis in certain dogs. The company strongly denies this, stating all recipes meet AAFCO and NRC standards and that their internal data shows no unusual health signals.
• Subscription model means you commit to regular deliveries, and while you can pause or cancel, some owners feel locked into the rhythm once they start.

Key Features of The Pets Table

• Multiple feeding formats under one subscription so you can do full fresh, full air-dried, or any mix in between, including a popular 50/50 calorie split between the two.
• Air-dried recipes that are gently cooked at low temperatures then dried, giving you a shelf-stable food that still uses real meat and vegetables without the freezer requirement.
• Fresh recipes that arrive frozen and look and smell like real stew, with options like chicken casserole with green beans or beef stew with carrots.
• Plans built around a veterinary nutritionist’s input and formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, from puppies through seniors.
• More recipe and format variety overall, which helps if you want to rotate proteins or textures to keep your dog interested long-term.

Pros of The Pets Table

• The plan flexibility is genuinely useful. You can start with more fresh while your dog adjusts, then shift toward air-dried to lower the monthly bill or free up freezer space without switching brands entirely.
• Air-dried options cost noticeably less per meal than full fresh while still delivering human-grade ingredients and better nutrition than most kibble, making the brand more accessible for bigger dogs or multi-pet homes.
• Shelf-stable air-dried bags travel well and work as a backup when you’re away from home or the power goes out, something pure fresh subscriptions can’t offer as easily.
• The mixed plans give you the best of both worlds for many dogs: the palatability and moisture of fresh combined with the convenience and lower cost of air-dried.
• Newer brand backed by HelloFresh operational experience, which shows in smooth ordering and the ability to buy through Chewy or add to an existing HelloFresh account in some cases.

Also Read: Comparison of Farmer’s Dog And Ollie.

Cons of The Pets Table

• Pure fresh pricing often comes in higher than The Farmer’s Dog in direct comparisons, so if you want to feed only the frozen recipes you may end up paying more each month.
• Some dogs that start strong with the fresh recipes lose interest faster over repeated deliveries compared to The Farmer’s Dog, according to owner side-by-side tests.
• Air-dried texture is different from both kibble and fresh stew, so there can be an adjustment period if your dog is used to one or the other.
• As a newer player in the space, there is less long-term feeding data available compared to more established fresh brands, though early reviews and vet nutritionist involvement are positive.
• Delivery and plan choices require more upfront decisions than a simpler fresh-only service, which can feel like extra work if you just want one straightforward option.

Cost Comparison With Freshpet In Mind

When people ask what is cheaper between these subscription services and Freshpet, the answer usually favors Freshpet for raw dollar cost per day.

Freshpet rolls are sold in stores, require less commitment, and generally land lower per serving than either The Farmer’s Dog or The Pets Table fresh plans.

The tradeoff is less personalization, no named portions, and a different ingredient and processing profile. If pure lowest price is your top priority and your dog does well on the store-bought rolls, Freshpet wins on cost.

If you value the customized plan, pre-portioned convenience, and owner-reported digestive improvements, the subscription route usually justifies the higher spend for many people.

Who Actually Benefits Most From Each?

The Farmer’s Dog tends to shine for households with one or two picky or sensitive dogs where consistent bowl cleanup and easy portion control matter a lot.

It also suits people who have the freezer space and are willing to pay a premium for the “fresh only” experience that many dogs seem to prefer long-term.

The Pets Table makes more sense if you have a bigger dog, multiple pets, limited freezer room, or you simply want the ability to dial cost and convenience up or down by mixing formats.

It also appeals to owners who like the idea of rotating between fresh and air-dried without juggling two different companies.

My Honest Bottom Line

After looking at the features, real owner feedback, pricing examples, and the practical day-to-day differences, The Farmer’s Dog edges ahead for most picky eaters and people who want the simplest fresh routine.

The Pets Table pulls ahead when flexibility, potential cost savings through air-dried options, or storage limitations are bigger factors in your life. Neither is wrong. The right choice comes down to what your specific dog finishes consistently and what your household can actually maintain without stress.

If your dog has a history of pancreatitis or serious fat sensitivities, talk to your vet about the recent lawsuit details and the company’s response before committing to either. Both brands meet AAFCO standards, but individual dogs can react differently to fat levels and textures.

Also Read: Comparison of Nom Nom And Farmer’s Dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wrapping Up

If you’re weighing these two for your own dog right now, start with the plan that matches your biggest constraint—whether that’s picky eating, freezer space, or monthly cost—and give it a full transition period.

Most dogs adjust within a week or two, and the real test is how consistently they finish meals and how their digestion and energy look after a month.