In this article
We give Open Farm’s GoodGut Dog Food line a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
There is nothing more difficult than being a thoughtful dog owner. You want the best for your dog—their gut, their immune system, and their overall health. But you also want what’s best for the planet and the animals on it. Those two things are often at odds.
But that’s not the case with Open Farm. Their pet foods are created with humanely raised animal products, traceable ingredients, and industry-leading sustainability efforts. And their new line of GoodGut dog foods contains everything your dog needs to support a thriving gut biome that will allow them to also thrive.
My dog, Ragz, and I recently got the opportunity to try all three recipes in Open Farm’s new GoodGut line. These kibble and freeze-dried raw bits recipes were a big hit with my pup, and I was equally impressed by what went into making them. Keep reading to find out if this is the planet-friendly, health-supporting food you’ve been after in my full Open Farm GoodGut review.
Finding a Gut-Supporting Kibble Can Be a Challenge
In terms of dog food, it really doesn’t get any easier than kibble. It’s easy to buy, easy to store, and super simple to feed. But kibble also has its downsides. Specifically, it doesn’t always treat the canine gut well.
Dogs’ guts evolved to process fresh protein, whole-food fibers, and diverse ingredients—all with the help of the natural enzymes, probiotics, and fermented products present in fresh food. Dog kibble, typically, does not contain much of this.
Add to that problem the fact that most kibble recipes are made with low-quality proteins, cheap fillers, and too many carbohydrates, and are ultra-processed, and you have a gut disaster in the making. This problem reveals itself through excess gas, inconsistent stools, a suppressed immune system, weight gain, and a host of other health problems.
To counteract the downsides of kibble, you need a product made with intention and special consideration for the needs of the canine gut.
About Open Farm GoodGut Dog Food
Open Farm has long been holding kibble to a higher standard. Their foods are made with high-quality animal ingredients supplied exclusively by farms that meet high humane husbandry standards. Both their meat and plant ingredients are sourced from trusted partners, and every single one is easily traceable to the source.
This dedication to better food for the planet and the animals takes care of the quality question that impacts the gut-health issues of kibble. And now, with Open Farm’s GoodGut line, this company addresses the other gut-centric problems plaguing kibble. This new line includes prebiotics and postbiotics to support a balanced gut microbiome, live probiotics and enzymes provided by added freeze-dried raw cubes, and carefully selected ingredients to provide the macronutrients to keep the digestive system running smoothly.
Who Makes Open Farm and Where Is It Sourced and Produced
Open Farm was founded by Jacqueline Prehogan and Isaac Langleben, pet lovers on a mission to make dog food more ethical and sustainable. Today, they continue that mission by sourcing their ingredients only from farms that are third-party-certified humane. This means no cages, natural environments, healthy feed, and less of an impact on the planet.
Each ingredient in every bag is traceable to its source, and consumers can find out where their ingredients came from using the transparent ingredient lists on the company’s website.
Open Farm’s products are manufactured in Brainerd, Minnesota, using thoughtfully sourced US and global ingredients.
Which Type of Dog Is GoodGut Best Suited For?
The GoodGut line is a great choice for dogs who struggle to maintain a solid gut biome. Specifically, those who struggle with consistent stools, gassiness, or weight issues on other kibble diets.
These recipes are free of corn, wheat, and rice and are packed with protein, making them a good maintenance diet for all dogs. These all-life stage formulas are perfect for small and medium breed puppies, all adult dogs, and seniors.
GoodGut Product Specs
Ingredients
Currently, the GoodGut line contains three recipe options, which I will get into in more detail in the next section.
Each of the recipes features a named meat ingredient as the first listed. Each also contains fish meal as the second ingredient, followed by a short list of ancient grains and oils.
While these ingredients may not seem that different from other high-quality kibble options, it’s worth noting that the amount of protein present in each serving (about 33%) suggests that the first two listed ingredients truly do make up the majority of what goes into the bag.
Add to that the fact that these animal ingredients are certified humane and ethically sourced, and you have something truly unique.
Gut Benefits
In addition to the main ingredients mentioned above, each bag of GoodGut food also contains some specific ingredients to support gut health. These include:
- Psyllium husk – a source of fiber that helps with regularity and feeds the microbiome
- Rice brand – contains both soluble fiber and fermentable fiber to support biome health
- Tomato pumice – contains fermentable fiber to feed gut bacteria
- Dried citrus pulp – contains pectin-rich fermentable fiber that certain gut microbes love
- Dried yeast culture – a source of fermentation metabolites that support healthy digestion
- 12 Dried fermentation products – active probiotics that aid in digestion (includes Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus strains)
Pricing
This is a specialty kibble in multiple senses. Not only is this food Certified-Humane, but it also contains numerous probiotic strains and digestion-specific ingredients that you won’t find in most kibble. Plus, it is a high-protein food made without fillers or cheap ingredients.
All this is to say, you will pay more per pound for this food than other “premium” kibble and kibble plus freeze-dried raw options. But in this case, you truly are getting what you pay for.
Where to Find It
The easiest place to find the GoodGut line is on the Open Farm website. There, you can opt for a one-time order or sign up for their autoship program, which will save you 25% on your first order and 5% off each order after that.
You can also find GoodGut at Chuck & Dons & More and many other independent and local pet food stores.
The Recipes We Received
The GoodGut line currently has three recipes, and I got to try them all. Here is a quick breakdown of each.
1. Grass-Fed Beef Recipe
This option features certified-humane beef from New Zealand, herring meal from Mexico, and beef liver, also from certified-humane farms in New Zealand.
It contains 33% protein and 19% fat, making it a great option for active dogs and puppies.
2. Harvest Chicken Recipe
This recipe features G.A.P. Step 2 chicken as the first ingredient. This kind of chicken comes from farms that are certified to Global Animal Partnership’s “Step 2 – Enriched Environment” animal welfare standard. In other words, the chickens processed for this food were raised in open environments with plenty of space to roam, enrichment options, and natural light. And all are sourced from Pennsylvania.
Additionally, this food contains menhaden fish meal and chicken livers.
The macro breakdown of this option is 33% protein and 16% fat, making it a great maintenance diet for most dogs.
3. Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe
This GoodGut option features wild-caught Pacific salmon from the coast of Washington and Alaska, menhaden fish meal, and ocean whitefish from Alaska.
Because this recipe doesn’t contain any other proteins aside from fish, it is a great option for dogs with sensitivities and allergies to things like chicken and beef.
It also has the least amount of fat out of the three options, making it a great choice for less active adult dogs and seniors. It contains 33% protein and 15% fat.
Comparison
| GoodGut by Open Farm | Leading Competitor |
| Price – $$$ Ingredients – Human-certified meat first, with limited ancient grains Probiotics – Yes, 12 strains |
Price – $$ Ingredients – Meat first with excess grains and legumes Probiotics – Yes, 5 strains |
Our Experience With GoodGut by Open Farm
I received three 3.5 lb bags of GoodGut, one of each flavor. All contained relatively small kibbles plus plenty of freeze-dried raw bites.
I started with the chicken option, since that one was closest in primary meat ingredients to the food I was already feeding. Ragz was a fan from the start and had no problem gobbling this kibble up or transitioning onto it full-time.
After feeding it exclusively for only a week, I can’t say much about the long-term effects of this gut-centric diet. But I can say that Ragz is doing very well on it. Her stools are well-formed, consistent, and small—all great signs.
From my end, there is a lot to love about this food. As an animal lover and a supporter of all things sustainable, I am a big fan of this brand and what they stand for. And as a health nut and biology major who knows the vital role the gut biome plays in our digestion, immune function, and so much more, I really appreciate the long list of ingredients that help support that system.
Including the freeze-dried raw bits as the delivery method for the probiotics is genius. While kibble undergoes too much processing and is exposed to too much heat to maintain active cultures, these bites are minimally processed and never exposed to heat. At the very least, this will save you money on a probiotic supplement for your dog!
I was also very impressed with the quality of all the ingredients. These are meat-first recipes that include fish meal as the second ingredient, and liver, which many kibble recipes fail to include. Plus, the grains that are used are minimal and restricted to gut-friendly options like oatmeal and barley.
While many kibble dog foods like to make claims about what they are good for, few rarely deliver. But GoodGut truly does what it says. Not only does it contain a long list of ingredients proven to help digestion and support the gut biome, but it also meets Open Farm’s own ethical and sustainability standards.
I would definitely recommend this line to anyone looking to better support their dog’s health, gut, and longevity with an easy-to-feed, planet-friendly kibble diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does GoodGut contain live probiotics?
Yes, GoodGut recipes contain 12 strains of live probiotics and have 2 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) per pound, higher than most dog foods on the market.
Is GoodGut a high-protein food?
Compared to most kibble diets, GoodGut recipes contain a good amount of protein at 33%. This is much more than the typical commercial kibble diet and is the perfect amount for maintaining a healthy weight in most companion dogs.
Is there a subscription option for GoodGut?
Like all Open Farm foods, you can purchase them directly through the website and opt for autoship to get your selected amount delivered to your door at your selected frequency. Autoship orders are also discounted compared to one-time orders.
Conclusion
For dog owners who want a dog food that is just as good for their pet as it is for the planet and the animals that make it possible, GoodGut is a great choice.
This ethically and transparently sourced food contains humane-certified animal ingredients, a long list of gut-healthy additions, and 12 strains of live probiotics. It supports not only gut health, but also immune system function and overall vitality. It’s the perfect choice for dog owners who want more from their kibble.
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