The Farmer’s Dog Controversy

The controversies surrounding The Farmer’s Dog span multiple distinct issues — each requiring separate analysis. From pancreatitis reports and the DCM investigation to subscription billing complaints and the debate over their Cornell University study, these 10 takeaways provide verified, balanced answers to the most searched questions about this brand.

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  What is The Farmer’s Dog controversy — and what actually happened? Multiple distinct controversies — not one single event: · 1. Pancreatitis complaints: Multiple BBB and consumer reports of dogs developing gastrointestinal illness and pancreatitis after starting The Farmer’s Dog — particularly with high-fat recipes · 2. DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) concern: Several recipes contain peas and lentils — grain-free legume ingredients that remain under FDA investigation for a possible link to DCM in dogs · 3. Cornell metabolomics study debate: An October 2025 study conducted with Cornell Vet showing metabolic benefits for dogs on fresh food was challenged by independent pet nutrition consultants for study design questions · 4. Subscription cancellation complaints: Multiple BBB reports of difficulty canceling, charges after cancellation requests, and non-refundable “60% off” trial structure · 5. Cost transparency concerns: Marketing of “60% off” discount that functions as store credit, binding customers to future orders · No FDA recalls as of April 2026 · Positive reviews remain the majority (83%+)

  Understanding “The Farmer’s Dog controversy” requires recognizing that this is not one event but a convergence of several independent concerns that together have generated significant online discussion. The pancreatitis reports on the BBB represent real human experiences with real dogs experiencing real illness — and while The Farmer’s Dog correctly notes that pancreatitis has many causes beyond diet, the volume and consistency of complaints warrants sober attention. The DCM question is a broad industry concern affecting all grain-free legume-heavy dog foods, not unique to The Farmer’s Dog — but it is particularly relevant given that several of the brand’s recipes contain peas and lentils as primary carbohydrate sources. The Cornell study controversy is a nuanced academic debate about research methodology — the study showed genuinely striking metabolic findings in dogs eating fresh food, but critics including BSM Partners, an independent pet food consulting group, raised concerns about confounded design, small sample size (22 dogs), and the fact that the study used Alaskan sled dogs rather than a representative sample of pet breeds. The subscription and billing complaints represent a practical consumer protection issue that has affected real customers, including, documented in BBB records, an 85-year-old widow who reported being unable to cancel after her dog became sick from the food.
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  Can The Farmer’s Dog cause pancreatitis in dogs? Evidence-based answer: possible contributor for at-risk dogs — not a universal cause · What the complaints show: Multiple BBB reports (late 2025–early 2026) describe dogs developing pancreatitis within weeks of starting The Farmer’s Dog — some involving recipes dated during the March 2025 beef moisture notification window · Fat content concern: Dry matter fat ranges from approximately 18% to 38% across recipes — some exceeding what veterinary nutritionists recommend for senior or pancreatitis-prone dogs (typically under 15% DMB for at-risk dogs) · The Farmer’s Dog response: “There is nothing unique about any of The Farmer’s Dog recipes that would be creating dietary-induced pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a common condition that can be caused by many non-dietary factors.” · Veterinary context: This response is partially accurate — pancreatitis has multiple causes including genetics, obesity, medications, and other factors · Key concern: An abrupt switch from lower-fat kibble to higher-fat fresh food IS a recognized pancreatitis trigger in susceptible dogs, particularly Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and obese dogs · Important: Always transition food gradually over 7–10 days; check fat content before switching; consult vet for dogs with any pancreatitis history

  The pancreatitis question is the most emotionally charged element of The Farmer’s Dog controversy because it involves owners watching their dogs suffer after making what they believed was a health-positive food choice. The veterinary science on dietary fat and pancreatitis in dogs is nuanced: while no randomized controlled study has proven that high dietary fat definitively causes pancreatitis in previously healthy dogs, the clinical consensus is that high-fat diets increase the risk of pancreatitis flares in genetically susceptible breeds and individuals with subclinical pancreatic vulnerability. Miniature Schnauzers are the most frequently documented breed, with documented genetic predisposition to hypertriglyceridemia that compounds fat-related pancreatitis risk. The Farmer’s Dog’s beef recipe — the specific recipe mentioned in multiple BBB complaints — has one of the higher fat percentages in the brand’s lineup. When a dog transitions abruptly from a lower-fat kibble to a higher-fat fresh food, the sudden increase in dietary fat can overwhelm pancreatic enzyme capacity, particularly in dogs with undiagnosed subclinical vulnerability. The March 2025 beef moisture notification — where the company advised customers to discard beef packages dated on or before March 9 due to excessive moisture — created a specific window where dogs may have eaten compromised product, and the timing of some pancreatitis diagnoses aligns with this period. The Farmer’s Dog’s response that moisture has “no implication or connection to pancreatitis” is correct in isolation — but it does not address the possibility that the affected product also had other characteristics beyond moisture that could have contributed to GI distress.
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  What do vets say about The Farmer’s Dog? Majority veterinary view: generally positive, with specific individual dog caveats · Positive endorsements: thousands of veterinarians recommend The Farmer’s Dog; company employs four board-certified veterinary nutritionists (including DACVN-credentialed professionals); formulas designed in conjunction with Cornell veterinary faculty · WSAVA compliance: The Farmer’s Dog is a WSAVA Diamond Partner and claims to meet or exceed all WSAVA guidelines; WSAVA President Dr. Jim Berry has confirmed publicly that the brand meets WSAVA criteria · Board-certified endorsement: “As a veterinary nutritionist, I have always been comfortable recommending The Farmer’s Dog and fully understand its potential to be an optimal way to feed” — Dr. [DACVN board-certified nutritionist via the brand’s vet portal] · Cardiologist caution: Dr. Steven Rosenthal, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), who has provided DCM case records to the FDA, recommends discussing grain-free diets with a veterinary cardiologist for breeds with elevated cardiac risk · Bottom line: mainstream veterinary community generally endorses The Farmer’s Dog as a quality food — with specific cautions for cardiac-risk breeds and pancreatitis-prone individuals

  The veterinary community’s view of The Farmer’s Dog is significantly more favorable than the controversy-focused online discourse might suggest. The brand’s investment in veterinary credentialing and research — employing four board-certified veterinary nutritionists, conducting a multi-year AAFCO-surpassing feeding study at Cornell, and achieving WSAVA Diamond Partner status — represents a level of scientific investment that exceeds many traditional kibble brands. The core veterinary endorsement comes from the food’s core attributes: human-grade ingredients manufactured to USDA food safety standards, high protein digestibility (93% protein digestibility versus 64–91% for kibble, per The Farmer’s Dog’s veterinary portal data), appropriate macronutrient balance formulated by credentialed nutritionists, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy for all life stages. The cardiologist caveat from Dr. Rosenthal represents an important counterpoint that applies not just to The Farmer’s Dog but to all grain-free, legume-containing dog foods. For breeds known to be at elevated DCM risk — particularly Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels — the ongoing FDA investigation into the possible link between grain-free legume-rich diets and dilated cardiomyopathy remains unresolved as of early 2026, and a proactive conversation with both the primary care veterinarian and a board-certified cardiologist is the clinically appropriate recommendation before committing to any legume-heavy grain-free diet long-term.
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  Is The Farmer’s Dog linked to DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)? Status: Under ongoing investigation — not proven causation, not cleared · What the FDA says: FDA received 1,382 reports of DCM in dogs between 2014–2022, with over 90% eating grain-free diets containing peas and lentils — ingredients found in several Farmer’s Dog recipes · The FDA’s current position: “Emerging science appears to indicate that non-hereditary forms of DCM occur in dogs as a complex medical condition that may be affected by multiple factors such as genetics, underlying medical conditions, and diet” · Key 2025 research: A 2025 narrative review in Veterinary Sciences found dogs on non-traditional grain-free legume-rich diets showed larger left ventricular diameters, reduced systolic function, and increased premature ventricular complexes vs. dogs on traditional low-legume diets · A 2024 published case report documented grain-free diet–induced DCM with atrial fibrillation in a Labrador Retriever on a grain-free diet for over five years · The Farmer’s Dog response: company has not disclosed whether their feeding study specifically evaluated cardiac biomarkers · Who is most at risk: Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels · Action for at-risk breeds: baseline echocardiogram before starting; periodic cardiac monitoring during grain-free feeding

  The DCM question is the most scientifically complex element of The Farmer’s Dog controversy and requires careful separation of what is established, what is emerging, and what remains unknown. What is established: The FDA’s investigation documented a statistically anomalous cluster of non-hereditary DCM cases in dogs eating grain-free diets — a number far exceeding what would be expected given the known hereditary DCM rates in affected breeds. The temporal correlation is clear: as grain-free pet food became a mainstream consumer trend in the mid-2010s, DCM reports in dogs increased substantially, with over 90% of the reported cases eating grain-free diets containing peas and lentils as primary carbohydrate sources. What is emerging: A 2025 narrative review in Veterinary Sciences found measurable cardiac changes — specifically enlarged left ventricular diameters and reduced systolic function — in dogs eating non-traditional grain-free legume-heavy diets, adding mechanistic support to the epidemiological signal. What remains unknown: the precise biological mechanism by which grain-free legume-heavy diets may affect cardiac function in certain dogs. Several hypotheses have been proposed — reduced taurine bioavailability, altered arginine metabolism, specific antinutrient effects of peas and lentils — but none has been definitively confirmed. Golden Retrievers have been particularly overrepresented in the DCM reports, suggesting genetic or metabolic differences that may create breed-specific vulnerability independent of the population-level effect.
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  Has The Farmer’s Dog been recalled by the FDA? No — zero FDA recalls as of April 2026 · Dog Food Advisor automated tracking: “No recalls noted” through April 2026 — confirmed independently · March 2025 beef moisture notification: NOT a recall — important distinction · What the beef notification was: In March 2025, The Farmer’s Dog proactively notified customers to discard beef packages dated on or before March 9, 2025 due to excessive moisture that affected texture and quality — company confirms all safety testing passed; moisture does not indicate contamination · What the notification was NOT: It was not an FDA-initiated recall; the product passed all pathogen and safety tests; The Farmer’s Dog described it as a voluntary quality notification motivated by their own quality standards, not a safety concern · How to check for any future recalls: FDA pet food recall database at fda.gov/animal-veterinary; Dog Food Advisor automated recall tracking; sign up for FDA food safety alerts · Contact for concerns: [email protected] or (646) 780-7957

  The distinction between an FDA recall and The Farmer’s Dog’s March 2025 beef moisture notification is one of the most frequently misrepresented aspects of the brand’s controversy. An FDA recall involves either an FDA-initiated enforcement action or a company’s voluntary recall of product that may pose a safety risk — and both require formal FDA documentation and public notice through the FDA’s recall database. The March 2025 notification met neither criterion. The Farmer’s Dog identified that a batch of beef packages had developed excessive moisture that affected the product’s texture and quality — a quality deviation, not a safety deviation. All pathogen testing (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and other food safety markers) passed. The company’s response was to proactively notify affected customers and offer replacement product — a consumer-protective action that reflects the brand’s stated commitment to quality standards exceeding those legally required. Consumer criticism of this notification focused on the timing gap between product delivery (February 24) and the notification to discard (March 15 for the specific window of affected dates) — a three-week delay during which some customers’ dogs had already consumed the flagged product. The Farmer’s Dog’s explanation — that the quality deviation was identified through post-production monitoring — is plausible from a food safety standpoint, but the delay between identification and customer notification remains a reasonable point of criticism. Regardless of whether a future recall occurs, consumers are best protected by staying registered with the FDA’s pet food safety notification system and maintaining batch documentation for any perishable pet food they purchase.
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  What happened with the Cornell University study — and is it credible? What the study showed: A year-long metabolomics study conducted at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (published October 2025) compared The Farmer’s Dog fresh food vs. standard kibble in 22 senior Alaskan sled dogs · Findings: Fresh food group showed significantly lower levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs — compounds linked to aging and chronic inflammation); elevated branched-chain amino acid metabolism; higher antioxidant markers; increased omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA); improved metabolic markers overall · The challenge: BSM Partners — an independent pet food consulting organization — published a critique challenging the study for confounded design (sled dogs are not representative pet dogs), small sample size (22 dogs), nutrient reporting questions, and missing methodology details · Current status: Study findings are real and represent legitimate metabolic data; however, the study has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal as of early 2026, which means independent scientists cannot fully evaluate methodology · Honest assessment: Promising but preliminary data; the metabolic improvements shown in sled dogs may not directly translate to average pet dogs; peer-reviewed publication is the appropriate next step

  The Cornell metabolomics study is perhaps the most nuanced element of The Farmer’s Dog controversy because it involves a genuine scientific finding that has been legitimately criticized without being disproven. The metabolic markers identified — particularly the reduction in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in dogs eating fresh food — have meaningful scientific importance. AGEs are harmful compounds formed when proteins or fats combine with sugars through non-enzymatic glycation, and elevated AGE levels are associated with accelerated aging, increased cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammation in both humans and dogs. High-heat food processing — which includes the extrusion and baking processes used to make kibble — dramatically increases AGE formation compared to gentler cooking methods. From a food chemistry perspective, the finding that fresh, gently cooked food produces lower AGE exposure than heavily processed kibble is scientifically coherent and consistent with published food chemistry research in humans. The BSM Partners critique raises valid methodological concerns: 22 Alaskan sled dogs, a breed with documented extraordinary metabolic characteristics, are not a representative sample for drawing conclusions about typical pet dog metabolism. Sled dogs have higher caloric needs, different muscle fiber composition, and distinct metabolic adaptations to sustained aerobic performance that make their metabolic responses to dietary changes difficult to extrapolate to a sedentary house pet. The Farmer’s Dog’s $10 million investment in veterinary research signals a long-term commitment to generating more clinical data — but the honest assessment is that one unpublished metabolomics study in 22 atypical dogs, however promising, does not constitute sufficient evidence to make strong health claims for the general pet dog population.
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  How much does The Farmer’s Dog cost per month? Is it worth it? Cost range by dog size: · Small dogs (under 10 lbs): approximately $2.50–$5.00 per day → ~$75–$150/month · Medium dogs (30–50 lbs): approximately $8–$12 per day → ~$240–$360/month · Large dogs (70–90 lbs): approximately $14–$21+ per day → ~$420–$630+/month · First-box discount: typically 50–60% off first trial box — important note: this is store credit or a reduced first-order price, NOT a long-term price reduction · Subscription auto-renewal: you will be billed at full price after the first discounted box unless you cancel or modify · “60% off” clarity: some promotions function as store credit toward future orders rather than true upfront discounts — read the terms before enrolling · Cost comparison: 3–10× more expensive than quality kibble; comparable to or less expensive than some other fresh dog food services · Value assessment: genuine nutritional advantages documented (human-grade ingredients; high protein digestibility at 93%; AAFCO-compliant) — but cost limits accessibility and makes topper/mixer use the most practical approach for most households · Budget-conscious strategy: use as 25–50% of the diet mixed with quality AAFCO-compliant dry food — achieves meaningful fresh food benefit at 25–50% of the full-diet cost

  The Farmer’s Dog’s cost structure is one of the most practically important factors for prospective customers and also one of the most frequently complained about in consumer reviews. The first-order discount — typically marketed as “60% off” — is real in the sense that the first box arrives at a reduced price. The controversy arises because some customers report discovering after enrollment that the discount functions as store credit toward future orders rather than a true price reduction applied upfront, and the ongoing monthly cost at full price is substantially higher than they anticipated. For large breed dogs, the monthly cost can rival or exceed car payments — a financial commitment that becomes particularly frustrating for customers whose dogs do not tolerate the food well and who then encounter difficulty canceling. The budget-conscious topper strategy deserves serious consideration: using The Farmer’s Dog for 25–50% of a dog’s daily calories while completing the diet with a quality AAFCO-compliant kibble (Purina Pro Plan, Hill’s Science Diet, or Royal Canin) delivers meaningful benefits from the fresh food’s superior protein digestibility, reduced AGE exposure, and higher moisture content while keeping monthly costs in a range that most households can sustain. The brand explicitly states that their food is AAFCO-complete and can serve as a sole diet — and many dogs do thrive on it exclusively — but the practical reality for most households is that the full-cost subscription is financially impractical beyond small breeds.
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  Is it hard to cancel The Farmer’s Dog? What are the subscription complaints? Documented consumer complaints about the subscription model: · Multiple BBB and Trustpilot reports describe difficulty canceling · Specific documented issues: charges processed after cancellation requests; shipments sent despite email cancellation confirmations; orders “in preparation” locked for delivery even within hours of cancellation request · January 2026 case: A customer provided email proof of cancellation before shipment; company refused the cancellation and shipped the order the following day · An 85-year-old customer documented in BBB records reported being unable to cancel after her dog became ill, stating she felt the experience “was an attempt to scam” · How to cancel effectively: (1) Call (646) 780-7957 AND send email to [email protected] simultaneously; (2) Screenshot both interactions immediately; (3) Set calendar reminders 3–5 days before each delivery date to initiate cancellations with enough lead time · Company’s stated policy: cancellations may need to be submitted before an order enters “preparation” status · What The Farmer’s Dog says: they are a BBB-accredited business (since September 2024) committed to resolving concerns · Best protective practice: treat as any high-value auto-renewing subscription — read cancellation terms before enrollment

  The subscription billing and cancellation complaints represent a consumer protection dimension of The Farmer’s Dog controversy that is separate from, and in some ways more actionable than, the nutritional debates. Unlike the DCM question or the pancreatitis causation debate — which involve complex medical causation that is inherently difficult to establish — the billing and cancellation issues involve documented cases of customers who made cancellation requests by reasonable means and were charged anyway. The business model of subscription fresh pet food companies creates structural tension between operational efficiency (preparing orders in batches to maintain cold-chain integrity) and consumer autonomy (the ability to cancel any time). The Farmer’s Dog’s “order preparation” window — after which cancellation may not be honored — creates a practical barrier that some customers find inadequate in relation to their reasonable cancellation expectations. The fact that multiple elderly customers appear in the complaint records — including an 85-year-old widow who described the experience as feeling like a scam attempt, and another customer who noted she was charged multiple times while trying to stop deliveries — is particularly concerning from a consumer protection standpoint. The BBB accreditation obtained in September 2024 indicates that The Farmer’s Dog has committed to the BBB’s standards for trust and to responding to consumer complaints — which represents an accountability mechanism, even if it does not prevent the complaints from occurring. Consumer advocates consistently recommend the dual-channel cancellation approach: simultaneous written and verbal communication with immediate documentation — the same practice recommended for any subscription service where cancellation disputes are possible.
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  Is The Farmer’s Dog owned by Jeremy Clarkson? No — completely unrelated entities · “Clarkson’s Farm” = Amazon Prime series about Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, UK · The Farmer’s Dog = American pet food company headquartered in New York, NY · These are two entirely separate things with no ownership, affiliation, or connection whatsoever · Why the confusion: Google autocomplete associates “Farmer’s Dog” with “Jeremy Clarkson” because the Clarkson’s Farm show is highly searched, and the similar phrases trigger cross-association in search algorithms · The Farmer’s Dog was founded by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev in 2014 in New York · The company received venture capital funding and grew into a direct-to-consumer subscription fresh dog food service · The Clarkson association is purely a search engine coincidence — not a business or ownership connection · “Is Checkers the Farmer’s Dog still alive?” — Checkers is Jeremy Clarkson’s dog, a black Labrador, featured on Clarkson’s Farm; as of available information, Checkers has been part of the show’s ongoing seasons

  The Jeremy Clarkson connection question is an excellent illustration of how search engine autocomplete can create false associations between completely unrelated entities. Jeremy Clarkson, the British television personality most famous for Top Gear, purchased Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire and began documenting his farming experience through Amazon Prime’s “Clarkson’s Farm” series — a show that became enormously popular in both the UK and internationally. Clarkson is indeed a farmer and is also the owner of several dogs including a black Labrador named Checkers, who appears in the show. The Farmer’s Dog, however, is an entirely American company — founded in New York in 2014 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev, two friends who were inspired to create fresh dog food after Podolsky’s dog, Jada, was diagnosed with a serious illness and responded well to a fresh food diet. The company operates entirely within the United States, delivers exclusively through a domestic cold-chain subscription system, and has no connection to British farming, Jeremy Clarkson’s media enterprises, or the Diddly Squat Farm brand. The confusion arises because “farmer’s dog” is a phrase that naturally connects to “Jeremy Clarkson” in algorithmic associations — both involve dogs and farming-related concepts — and search engines surface these connections through co-search pattern recognition without any factual relationship between the subjects. Clarkson’s Checkers, the dog most commonly associated with this search pattern, has been a fan favorite of “Clarkson’s Farm” viewers since the show began.
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  Should I feed my dog The Farmer’s Dog — and is it right for every dog? Who it works well for: · Healthy adult dogs with no history of pancreatitis, heart disease, or food sensitivities · Picky eaters who reject dry kibble — palatability is one of the strongest consumer-reported benefits · Senior dogs who have lost interest in dry food and need higher moisture and palatability · Dogs with certain GI conditions where the 93% protein digestibility advantage is clinically meaningful · Small breed dogs where the cost-per-day is manageable ($2.50–$5/day) · Who needs extra caution or vet consultation first: · Dogs with pancreatitis history: verify fat content (choose lower-fat recipes; under 15% DMB) and transition extremely slowly · Breeds with elevated DCM risk: Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels — discuss with vet and consider grain-inclusive options · Obese dogs: high-fat recipes can contribute to weight gain; portion precision essential · Senior dogs with kidney disease: protein and phosphorus levels require vet evaluation · Pregnant or nursing dogs: verify AAFCO Growth/Reproduction statement applies · Absolute clarity: consult your veterinarian before starting The Farmer’s Dog for any dog with a diagnosed medical condition

  The honest answer to whether The Farmer’s Dog is right for a specific dog requires acknowledging that no single food is universally optimal for every individual animal — and that this principle applies to premium foods as much as to budget options. For a healthy, adult, average-weight dog with no history of GI issues, cardiac concerns, or food sensitivities, The Farmer’s Dog represents one of the highest-quality commercial dog food options available. The human-grade ingredients, high protein digestibility, AAFCO compliance backed by a multi-year feeding study at Cornell, and the involvement of four board-certified veterinary nutritionists in formulation are genuine quality indicators that distinguish this brand from both budget and many mid-tier competitors. The consumer complaints — which exist alongside a substantial body of positive reviews — are most informative about which dogs need more careful pre-enrollment evaluation. Dogs with pancreatitis history require fat content verification before starting any new food. The pancreatitis-prone breeds (Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and obese dogs of any breed) need even more caution — a veterinary conversation and a blood panel before transitioning is the appropriate standard. Dogs at elevated DCM risk need cardiac baseline evaluation and should discuss grain-free diets directly with a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. The subscription billing model requires the same level of careful reading as any auto-renewing service — know the cancellation policy, keep documentation, and set calendar reminders before each billing cycle. With these precautions in place, The Farmer’s Dog is a legitimately high-quality option for the appropriate dog and owner combination.

Use these buttons to find fresh dog food options, veterinary nutrition specialists, and resources near your location. The Farmer’s Dog: (646) 780-7957 · [email protected] · thefarmersdog.com · To report problems: FDA Safety Portal at fda.gov/animal-veterinary