Brand Comparison · 2026

The Farmer's Dog vs Wellness CORE

The Farmer's Dog (fresh-cooked subscription with the largest market share; meets aafco but partial wsava.) and Wellness CORE (higher-protein boutique kibble with partial wsava compliance.) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. The Farmer's Dog meets 3 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Wellness CORE is roughly 63% less than The Farmer's Dog.

Quick comparison

Dimension	The Farmer's Dog	Wellness CORE
Parent company	The Farmer's Dog Inc.	WellPet
Category	Fresh-cooked subscription	Boutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met	3 of 5	2 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	Partial
Credentialed formulator	Yes	Partial
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Partial	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$150 – $250 / month	$55 – $95 / month

The Farmer's Dog Inc.

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh-cooked subscription with the largest market share; meets AAFCO but partial WSAVA.

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

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.

Visit The Farmer's Dog ↗

WellPet

Wellness CORE

Higher-protein boutique kibble with partial WSAVA compliance.

Strengths

Higher-protein formulations than mass-market alternatives
Owned manufacturing through WellPet
Consistent ingredient sourcing

Watch-outs

Formulation-only AAFCO substantiation
No full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff
Grain-free variants implicated in the FDA DCM investigation

Best for: Owners who want higher protein content and accept partial WSAVA compliance.

Avoid if: Your dog is at risk of diet-associated DCM or you specifically want feeding-trial-substantiated food.

Visit Wellness CORE ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. The Farmer's Dog is the better choice when: Owners with the budget for the price premium, finicky dogs, or dogs with mild transitional GI issues. Wellness CORE is the better choice when: Owners who want higher protein content and accept partial WSAVA compliance.

On cost, Wellness CORE is roughly 63% less than The Farmer's Dog at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, The Farmer's Dog meets 3 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Wellness CORE.

Personalized recommendation

Skip the brand decision — get a food matched to your specific dog.

IntelliBowl's free 60-second quiz ranks 13+ brands (including The Farmer's Dog and Wellness CORE) against your dog's age, breed, weight, activity, allergies, and budget. Free, no signup.

Take the free quiz →

Compare these brands against others

Methodology: WSAVA criteria reflect each brand's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of May 2026, scored against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. AAFCO substantiation reflects the dominant method used across the brand's main retail product line. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. Recommendations are editorial and not influenced by affiliate relationships. See our recommendation methodology for IntelliBowl's quiz-engine ranking logic.