I’ve been feeding my golden retriever puppy Open Farm food, specifically their Ancient Grains High Protein Puppy formula. He’s healthy, active, and at a good weight, but now I’m hearing there’s some controversy around this brand.
I know it’s not WSAVA approved, though it does meet AAFCO standards. What’s the actual difference between those? Should I consider switching to a different brand when transitioning him to adult food? If so, what would be a good option for a large breed? Is Goodbowl worth trying, or are raw mix recipes better? Really looking for some clarity here.
AAFCO sets basic nutritional standards, while WSAVA guidelines focus more on safety, quality, and scientific research. Neither actually approves food. Brands that follow WSAVA guidelines in the U.S. are Royal Canin, Hills, Purina, Iams, and Eukanuba. Open Farm is great at marketing, but there’s no scientific proof it’s better than other foods. If you’re looking for a safe bet, consider Royal Canin or Hills for large breeds. Raw food isn’t generally recommended because it can carry pathogens that affect both pets and humans.
AAFCO is just the baseline standard pet food companies need to meet to sell their products. WSAVA has much stricter standards, emphasizing science and formulation by actual experts. It’s a big step above AAFCO.
AAFCO compliance is required for all pet foods, but WSAVA standards are much higher.
I used to think ingredient lists told the whole story, but they don’t. WSAVA-compliant foods are made by vets and rigorously tested. I learned this the hard way. My dog loved FreshPet, but he passed away from pancreatitis. Now, I only feed WSAVA-recommended brands.
I used to feed my dog boutique brands and even made his food at home. After reading discussions here, I switched to Hills kibble mixed with wet food. His health improved significantly—his digestion is regular, and his lab results are excellent now.
Milan said:
What made you think Open Farm was nutritionally complete?
I thought it was better because the ingredients seemed healthier compared to other brands. For instance, Open Farm lists fruits and veggies higher up on the ingredients list, and it has good protein content, omegas, and DHA for my active pup. But after reading these replies, I’m rethinking everything and might switch to a more trusted brand.
@Ridge
It’s great that you’re open to learning! Keep in mind that chicken meal, for example, is actually very nutritious since it’s concentrated without water weight. Also, corn and soy aren’t as bad as they’re made out to be; they’re perfectly fine for dogs.
Open Farm does excellent marketing, but they don’t conduct feeding trials or have the same expertise as WSAVA-approved brands. They use large copacking facilities, which limits quality control. Fun fact: Open Farm’s biggest investor is a private equity firm, which kind of undercuts their ‘small and sustainable’ image.
For reliable info, check out the links on this forum about ingredients and fillers. They explain a lot about what really matters in dog food.
@Fintan
Thank you for breaking this down! I’m realizing how much I didn’t know. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do so I can make better choices. Really appreciate the help.
Ridge said: @Fintan
Thank you for breaking this down! I’m realizing how much I didn’t know. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do so I can make better choices. Really appreciate the help.
It’s all about trusting evidence. If something isn’t backed up by solid data, take it with a grain of salt. Don’t stress—you’re asking the right questions, and that’s what matters most.
Ridge said: @Fintan
Thank you for breaking this down! I’m realizing how much I didn’t know. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do so I can make better choices. Really appreciate the help.
If you enjoy learning, I recommend the book ‘Dog Food Logic’ by Linda Case. It really helped me understand pet nutrition better. I used to feed boutique brands too, but my cat got sick, and I learned how misleading some marketing can be.
Ridge said: @Fintan
Thank you for breaking this down! I’m realizing how much I didn’t know. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do so I can make better choices. Really appreciate the help.
Check out ‘nutritionrvn’ on Instagram. Her posts are super informative, and she dives into more detailed blog articles for those who want to learn even more.
Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I think I’ll switch to a different brand. One thing that made me hesitant about WSAVA-approved foods was the recalls—Science Diet, Purina, and Royal Canin have all had issues recently. Meanwhile, Open Farm hasn’t had any recalls yet, but maybe it’s just a matter of time since they’re a newer company. Still, which WSAVA-approved brand do you all think is best for a large breed like mine?
@Ridge
Recalls are not necessarily a bad thing. They show that a company’s quality control is working because they’re catching and addressing problems. A brand with no recalls doesn’t mean they haven’t had issues—it might just mean they didn’t catch them. With WSAVA brands, you’re at least getting food that’s been developed by experts and tested rigorously.