Is The Farmer's Dog WSAVA-Approved?
WSAVA does not approve, certify, or endorse any dog food brand — no such list exists. What "WSAVA-approved" actually refers to is whether a manufacturer satisfies the five questions the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee tells owners to ask. The Farmer's Dog meets 3 of the 5, so it sits between the fully compliant brands and those that meet none. It substantiates its diets through formulation to AAFCO profiles rather than feeding trials, and typically costs $150–$250 per month for a 50 lb adult dog.
The Farmer's Dog against the 5 WSAVA questions
| WSAVA question | The Farmer's Dog |
|---|---|
| Employs a full-time qualified veterinary nutritionist | Yes |
| Diets formulated by a credentialed expert | Yes |
| Substantiates diets with AAFCO feeding trials | No |
| Owns and operates its manufacturing plants | Partial |
| Runs a documented quality-control program | Yes |
| Criteria fully met | 3 of 5 |
| Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog) | $150 – $250 |
Strengths
- Higher digestibility than typical kibble (published studies, 5-10 points higher)
- Board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff (Dr. Jonathan Stockman)
- Vet-formulated with documented nutrient targets
- Strong palatability for finicky eaters
Watch-outs
- 2-6x more expensive than premium kibble per calorie
- Formulation-only substantiation (no AAFCO feeding trials)
- Cold-chain shipping complexity
- No long-term outcome data
Who The Farmer's Dog suits
Best for: Owners with the budget for the price premium, finicky dogs, or dogs with mild transitional GI issues.
Avoid if: You travel frequently or board your dog often; budget cannot sustain $150-250/month.
The Farmer's Dog head-to-head
Personalized recommendation
WSAVA compliance is one input. Your dog is the other.
IntelliBowl's free 60-second quiz ranks 13+ brands (including The Farmer's Dog) against your dog's age, breed, weight, activity, allergies, and budget. Free, no signup.
Methodology: Scores reflect The Farmer's Dog's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of May 2026, assessed against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. WSAVA itself does not certify, approve, or rank any brand. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. See our recommendation methodology.