5 Science-Backed Benefits of Fresh Food

This article was updated January 2025.

Sometimes when you change something, you don’t notice a big impact right away. It’s often these changes that are the most powerful and lasting. 

And the science is clear—fresh food has real benefits that can contribute to your dog’s health span. Think of it as a vitality plan—you add to it each day and the results compound over your dog’s life. 

Here are some of the potentially life-changing benefits of feeding pre-portioned, human-grade food.

Easy weight management for the best shot at a long, healthy life

Our fresh-food plans are precisely portioned for your dog’s unique needs, making weight management straightforward. Maintaining a healthy weight is a proven longevity booster—research shows that lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer.

And keeping your dog at the right weight can help stave off a raft of health issues—including arthritis. Studies show that even a small weight reduction can alleviate this painful condition. 

Our fresh recipes also contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support joint health. And because our food is cooked to destroy potential pathogens, but at temperatures lower than those used to make ultra-processed foods, it retains more of the nutritional value of these and other powerful nutrients.

High-quality protein to protect muscle mass

While some dogs may gain weight as they get older, due to a reduced metabolic rate and less physical activity, others are prone to losing weight due to sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle tissue even when there is no other disease present. The high-quality protein sources used in The Farmer’s Dog recipes can help senior dogs maintain lean muscle mass. 

Proven palatability

The palatability of your dog’s food matters. Food is a big part of any animal’s life, and it’s nice to think your dog is enjoying the food you provide. And, simply, even the healthiest diet can’t provide the nutrients and energy your dog needs if they won’t eat it. The Farmer’s Dog food is proven to be highly palatable—dogs prefer it over popular dry options by over a 2-to-1 margin. This greater palatability makes The Farmer’s Dog an excellent choice for dogs who seem to be picky eaters.

Proven immunity boosters

Our fresh food is gently cooked—not highly processed at high heat, like kibble. This gentle cooking method ensures our food is safe for dogs to eat, while preserving vital nutrients that can help support their immune systems’ function.

The powerhouse omega-3 fatty acids in our fresh recipes are like nutritional Swiss Army knives—they work on so many areas of your dog’s health. Recent research show that these long-chain fatty acids, which provide glorious gloss to your dog’s coat and help brain health, can also boost immune function. And because our food is lightly cooked, it better retains these powerful nutrients.

The phytonutrients found in fresh, gently cooked vegetables (like the carrots and sweet potatoes in our food) have also been shown to improve immune system function in dogs. 

Proven digestibility

All our recipes are clinically proven to be highly digestible. Digestibility is an important indicator of a food’s quality—it means how much of a food’s nutritional value can be absorbed into an animal’s bloodstream.

Your dog absorbs more nutrients from fresh, gently cooked food than highly processed options, which is a big health-booster—plus, dogs eating it produce smaller poops!