Spot and Tango vs. The Farmer’s Dog
Navigating the world of premium dog food options can be tricky. With so many options to choose from, finding the right one for your canine companion can feel daunting. Two such contenders in this bustling space are Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog. This article aims to compare these two brands based on a few key factors such as ingredients, variety, price, and packaging, among others.
Ingredients and Quality: Freshness is Key
Spot and Tango takes pride in using 100% real ingredients in their recipes. Each meal is made with human-grade components, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality protein sources like beef, turkey, and lamb. They steer clear of preservatives and additives, ensuring a natural, nutritionally dense meal for your pet.
On the other hand, The Farmer’s Dog also prioritizes using fresh, human-grade ingredients in their formulas. They focus on high-protein recipes, complemented with fresh produce for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also exclude additives, preservatives, or any processed ingredients.
Both brands emphasize the use of real, fresh ingredients, with meals that are nutritionally balanced and vet-approved.
Recipe Variety: A Matter of Taste
Spot and Tango offer a total of three recipes: beef, turkey, and lamb, all of which come with a blend of healthy grains and vegetables. They also offer a dry food option called “Unkibble,” available in beef, chicken, and duck recipes.
Conversely, The Farmer’s Dog provides more recipe choices with four main options: beef, turkey, chicken, and pork, each coupled with a unique set of vegetables and grains.
When it comes to variety, The Farmer’s Dog slightly edges out Spot and Tango, offering one additional main protein source.
Pricing: Quality Comes at a Cost
Given the high-quality, human-grade ingredients used by both brands, their meals fall into the premium price category. The cost can vary based on the size, weight, activity level, and dietary needs of your dog.
Spot and Tango’s meal plans start around $2 per meal and can go up to $6, whereas The Farmer’s Dog meal plans begin around $2 and can reach upwards of $12.
While the price point is steep compared to traditional kibble, pet owners are paying for personalized, high-quality meals that promise superior health benefits.
Packaging and Delivery: Convenient and Eco-friendly
Both Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog deliver their meals in eco-friendly, insulated boxes. Meals from Spot and Tango come in pre-portioned packets, simplifying meal times, while The Farmer’s Dog packages its food in bulk pouches, requiring owners to portion out meals.
Both companies offer flexible delivery schedules, allowing you to choose frequency based on your convenience.
Customization and Personalization: Tailored to Your Pet’s Needs
When it comes to creating a meal plan tailored to your pet’s unique needs, Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog both excel. These brands consider various factors such as breed, age, weight, activity level, and health concerns to create a personalized meal plan for your pet. This customization helps ensure that your furry friend receives the right nutrients in the right amounts.
Nutritional Balance: Vet-Approved Meals
Both Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog claim their meals are developed with the help of veterinary nutritionists, ensuring a balanced and complete nutritional profile for your pet. Both brands strive to meet or exceed the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Spot and Tango features recipes rich in high-quality protein sources, along with a mix of fruits and vegetables like blueberries, spinach, carrots, peas, and apples. Their Unkibble option also includes superfoods like millet and flaxseed.
The Farmer’s Dog, too, serves up meals packed with high-quality proteins, paired with a variety of vegetables such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, and spinach. They also include organ meats in their recipes, which are rich in nutrients like vitamins A and B, iron, and taurine.
Taste and Palatability: Furry Food Critics
While we, as humans, cannot vouch for the taste of these meals, user reviews can provide insights into their palatability. Many dog owners report that their pets eagerly devour both Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog meals, indicating a high degree of palatability. The freshness of the ingredients and the absence of artificial flavors likely contribute to the appealing taste for dogs.
Sustainability: An Eye on the Environment
When it comes to sustainability, Spot and Tango make a considerable effort. Their boxes, meal liners, and meal packs are biodegradable or recyclable, making them a suitable choice for eco-conscious pet owners.
The Farmer’s Dog also packages its food in eco-friendly materials and strives to reduce waste in their supply chain. However, they don’t explicitly state whether their packaging is biodegradable.
Customer Service: Here to Help
Customer service is another important aspect to consider. Both brands offer responsive customer service teams ready to answer queries and address concerns. They provide support via phone and email, helping customers modify meal plans, understand feeding guidelines, or resolve delivery issues.
Transitioning to New Foods: The Right Approach
When switching your dog to meals from Spot and Tango or The Farmer’s Dog, it’s essential to transition slowly to prevent digestive upset. Both companies suggest a gradual change over about one week, gradually increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of the old food.
Flexibility in Meal Plans: Adjust as You Go
Both Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog offer the flexibility to modify your pet’s meal plan at any time. This flexibility is beneficial, especially if your dog’s dietary needs change due to age, health status, or activity levels. You can simply contact their customer service to make any necessary adjustments.
Allergies and Sensitivities: Special Considerations
For dogs with allergies or food sensitivities, Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog can be excellent choices. The use of fresh, natural ingredients and the absence of common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy make these meals easier to digest and less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. If your dog has specific allergies, you can discuss them with the companies, and they can adjust the meal plan accordingly.
The Role of Treats: How They Fit In
While the main focus of both Spot and Tango and The Farmer’s Dog is on providing complete, balanced meals, dog owners must remember to account for treats within the daily calorie intake. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. If you’re using these fresh food brands, you might need to adjust the amount of main meal fed on days when more treats are given.
Shelf Life and Storage: Keeping Meals Fresh
Since the meals from both brands are made fresh and without preservatives, they need to be refrigerated. Unopened, they will typically last for up to two weeks in the fridge. Once opened, it’s best to use them within five days. If you have more meals than you can use in two weeks, you can freeze them. When you’re ready to serve them, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Feeding Puppies: Special Nutritional Needs
Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and it’s crucial to feed them a diet formulated for growth. Currently, The Farmer’s Dog offers puppy-specific recipes. Spot and Tango does not explicitly mention puppy-specific meals, and it’s recommended to consult with your vet or the company to ensure the meals will meet a puppy’s nutritional needs.
Health Improvements: Potential Benefits
Many dog owners report seeing health improvements in their pets after switching to these fresh foods. These benefits might include a shinier coat, increased energy levels, improved digestion, healthier weight, and fewer allergies. It’s important to remember that results can vary, and what works for one dog might not work for another. Always monitor your dog’s health and consult with your vet regularly.
Bottom Line: A Personal Preference
When comparing Spot and Tango with The Farmer’s Dog, it’s clear that both offer high-quality, nutritious, and fresh meal options for your pet. The choice between the two will largely depend on factors like your pet’s specific dietary needs, your preference for recipe variety, and budget considerations.
