Dr. Marty’s vs. The Farmer’s Dog vs. Blue Buffalo
Choosing between these three wildly different dog food brands feels like comparing a sports car, a luxury SUV, and a reliable sedan. They all get you somewhere, but the ride—and the price tag—couldn’t be more different. Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried raw food costs roughly $30 per pound, while The Farmer’s Dog fresh meals run $2.80-$10.39 daily depending on your dog’s size, and Blue Buffalo kibble averages around $3 per pound. But cost tells only part of the story.
⚡ Key Takeaways At A Glance
| ❓ Question | ✅ Dr. Marty’s | 🥗 The Farmer’s Dog | 🔵 Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Type? | Freeze-dried raw | Fresh, gently cooked | Traditional kibble |
| Price Range? | ~$30/lb (~$20/day for 3 dogs) | $2.80-$10.39/day | ~$3/lb (~$1-2/day) |
| Human-Grade? | Yes | Yes, USDA-certified | No (feed-grade) |
| Grain-Free? | Yes | Yes | Both options available |
| AAFCO Compliant? | Yes | Yes + feeding trials | Yes |
| Recalls? | Zero to date | Zero to date | Multiple (Vitamin D, DCM investigation) |
| Best For? | Picky eaters, small dogs | Health-focused owners, sensitive stomachs | Budget-conscious, convenience |
| Biggest Concern? | Extremely expensive | Subscription-only, no grain options | DCM investigation link, ultra-processed |
🧪 The Ingredient Quality Gap Is Massive—Here’s Why It Matters
Let’s get specific. When you examine what actually goes into these foods, the differences become striking.
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness lists: Turkey, beef, salmon, duck, beef liver, turkey liver, turkey heart, flaxseed, sweet potato, egg, pea flour, apple, blueberry, carrot, cranberry, pumpkin seed, spinach, dried kelp, ginger, salt, sunflower seed, broccoli, kale, mixed tocopherols (natural preservative).
Notice something remarkable? Dr Marty doesn’t contain any added vitamins or minerals, which indicates higher ingredient quality. The philosophy here is that nutrients should come from whole foods, not synthetic supplements.
The Farmer’s Dog takes a different but equally premium approach. Whole meats/organs: At least 50% of each recipe comes from named muscle meats and organs (e.g., beef, chicken, pork, turkey), providing complete amino acid profiles. Their food is gently cooked at 165 degrees to kill bacteria but not beneficial nutrients.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula represents conventional premium kibble: Blue Buffalo earns the Dog Food Advisor’s overall brand rating of 4.5 stars. The company makes its dog food in the U.S. with natural ingredients. The pillars it works to include: Real meat first.
However, there’s a critical distinction. After the natural flavor, we find pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable. Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
| 🥩 Ingredient Category | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Ingredient | Named meat (Turkey) | Named meat (varies) | Named meat (varies) |
| Protein Sources | 4+ animal proteins | Single protein per recipe | 1-3 proteins + plant protein |
| Added Synthetics | None | Vitamin blend only | Multiple supplements |
| Carbohydrate Level | ~24% (freeze-dried) | ~20-25% | ~38-56% (kibble) |
| Processing Method | Freeze-dried raw | Gently cooked at 165°F | High-heat extrusion |
💰 The True Cost Breakdown Will Shock You
Premium dog food sticker shock is real. But calculating actual daily feeding costs reveals the complete picture.
On the brand’s subscription plan, each bag runs about $29.99, with roughly 9–10 cups of food inside. For households with multiple dogs, feeding this exclusively could add up quickly, around $20 per day in my case with three pups.
“To feed my dogs a topping it 90-100 $ a month,” reports one reviewer who uses Dr. Marty’s as a supplement rather than sole diet—a strategy many owners adopt to manage costs.
The Farmer’s Dog pricing scales dramatically with dog size. For example an 11-pound Yorkshire terrier’s fresh food plan costs $2.80 a day, whereas a 75-pound Labrador is $10.39 a day.
Blue Buffalo remains the most budget-friendly option, with most formulas costing between $1-3 per day for average-sized dogs.
| 🐕 Dog Size | Dr. Marty’s (Full Diet) | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo Life Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (10-15 lbs) | $6-8/day | $2.80-4/day | $0.75-1.25/day |
| Medium (30-50 lbs) | $12-18/day | $5-7/day | $1.50-2.25/day |
| Large (70+ lbs) | $20-30/day | $8-11/day | $2.50-3.50/day |
| Monthly Cost (50 lb dog) | $360-540 | $150-210 | $45-68 |
Smart Money Strategy: Many owners use Dr. Marty’s or The Farmer’s Dog as toppers (10-25% of the meal) over quality kibble, getting nutritional benefits while controlling costs.
🔬 What Clinical Science Actually Proves About Each Brand
Here’s where most comparison articles fall short—they ignore actual research. Let’s fix that.
The Farmer’s Dog leads in published clinical evidence. We have conducted a multi-year feeding study to ensure that our food is 100% complete and balanced with bioavailable nutrients. Third-party digestibility studies have clinically proven that our recipes are highly digestible. Third-party studies have clinically shown that our recipes can help reduce the risk of urinary stone formation in dogs.
Their digestibility data is particularly impressive: Our food has been clinically proven highly digestible (93% protein digestibility vs. 64-91% for kibble).
Company has invested over $10 million in veterinary research, funding clinical studies, grants, and residencies across multiple universities to advance scientific understanding of pet nutrition.
Dr. Marty’s relies more on anecdotal evidence and holistic veterinary philosophy than published peer-reviewed studies. The brand’s strength comes from its founder’s 45+ years of integrative veterinary practice rather than controlled clinical trials.
Blue Buffalo meets AAFCO standards through both laboratory analysis and feeding trials. During manufacturing, the company’s output goes through a rigorous six-point quality check. The food is tested to a range of AAFCO and Global Nutrition Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) standards.
However, Blue Buffalo products appeared in FDA investigations regarding dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Wilton-based Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. is one of 16 dog food brands cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being a probable contributing cause of canine congestive heart failure.
| 📊 Scientific Backing | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding Trials | Not disclosed | ✅ Multi-year Cornell study | ✅ AAFCO trials |
| Digestibility Studies | Not published | ✅ 93% protein digestibility | Standard kibble range |
| Third-Party Testing | Not disclosed | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Six-point check |
| WSAVA Compliance | Partial | ✅ Meets/exceeds | ✅ Meets guidelines |
| Published Research | Limited | ✅ Multiple studies | Manufacturer-funded |
⚠️ The Grain-Free Heart Disease Controversy Every Owner Must Understand
This is the elephant in the room that affects all three brands differently.
In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free,” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms as main ingredients.
The numbers are sobering: The FDA found 16 dog food companies that had ten or more cases of DCM associated with their food. More than 90% of the diets were grain-free, and 93% of the diets contained peas or lentils.
Critical Update for 2025: The main difference between hereditary DCM and non-hereditary DCM is the fact that patients with true nutritional (non-hereditary) DCM will recover when they are switched to another diet. This case also highlights the fact that the disease hasn’t ‘disappeared’ just because the FDA isn’t reporting on it.
How does each brand stack up?
Dr. Marty’s is grain-free and contains pea flour. The carbohydrate for this food is calculated at 19% (dry matter). This is quite high for a freeze-dried food. The carbohydrates come from starchy ingredients like sweet potato and pea flour.
The Farmer’s Dog is also grain-free. The Farmer’s Dog (TFD) doesn’t currently offer any grain-inclusive options but claims to be looking into expanding their recipe selection in the future. However, their formulations appear to use lower proportions of legumes than typical grain-free kibble.
Blue Buffalo offers BOTH grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Both types of diets can be a good fit. It just depends on the needs of your pet and your personal preference. We use wholesome oats, barley, and brown rice.
| ❤️ DCM Risk Factors | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Both available |
| Contains Peas/Legumes? | Yes (pea flour) | Varies by recipe | Varies by formula |
| FDA Investigation Link? | No cases reported | No cases reported | Listed among 16 brands |
| Taurine Added? | From whole ingredients | Added in vitamin blend | Added |
| Veterinary Recommendation | Consult vet | Consult vet | Consult vet |
📋 The Recall History Reality Check
Past recalls reveal how companies respond to safety issues—and whether problems are isolated or systemic.
Dr. Marty’s: No recalls noted. The brand maintains a clean safety record since inception.
The Farmer’s Dog: Zero recalls to date. The company’s human-grade processing standards and USDA-facility production appear to prevent contamination issues common in traditional pet food manufacturing.
Blue Buffalo: Multiple recalls over the years, including:
- Blue Buffalo Company is voluntarily recalling one production lot of BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs, as the product has the potential to contain elevated levels of naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormones.
- Blue Buffalo has announced that it is voluntarily recalling specific production runs of its Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products. These products may contain a higher level of Vitamin D than is called for in the product specifications.
The higher levels of Vitamin D could cause hypercalcemia, a serious illness that affects the electrolytes in the body and can disrupt normal organ function.
| 🛡️ Safety Record | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recalls | 0 | 0 | Multiple |
| Recent Issues | None | None | Vitamin D (2017), Thyroid hormones |
| Manufacturing | Own facility | USDA-certified kitchens | Third-party + owned facilities |
| Human-Grade Standards | Yes | Yes | No (feed-grade) |
🏆 Which Dogs Thrive On Each Brand?
Not every food suits every dog. Here’s the honest breakdown of ideal candidates:
Dr. Marty’s Works Best For:
- Picky eaters who refuse kibble
- Small dogs (cost becomes prohibitive for large breeds)
- Dogs needing weight management (nutrient-dense, smaller portions)
- Owners who want raw benefits without raw handling concerns
- Dogs with lackluster coats or low energy
The Farmer’s Dog Excels For:
- Dogs with sensitive digestive systems
- Owners prioritizing convenience + premium nutrition
- Dogs transitioning from homemade diets
- Weight management (pre-portioned meals)
- Dogs with food allergies (single-protein options)
Blue Buffalo Suits:
- Budget-conscious families
- Multi-dog households
- Dogs doing well on kibble who don’t need upgrades
- Owners wanting grain-inclusive options
- Dogs requiring veterinary prescription diets
🥣 The Digestibility Factor Nobody Discusses
Here’s a critical insight most articles miss: what your dog actually absorbs matters more than what’s in the bag.
Digestibility is the cornerstone of an effective GI diet. We’ve conducted digestibility studies on all our recipes and our food has been clinically proven highly digestible (93% protein digestibility vs. 64-91% for kibble).
This explains why dogs eating The Farmer’s Dog often have smaller, firmer stools—they’re absorbing more nutrients and excreting less waste.
Freeze-dried foods like Dr. Marty’s also preserve digestibility better than kibble. Freeze-dried pet food is made using a technique of preserving raw natural ingredients to create a finished product that is safe, lightweight, and shelf-stable. Naturally preserved to vaporize most of its moisture content, freeze-dried pet food is technically raw and packed with essential nutrients.
Traditional kibble undergoes high-heat extrusion that can damage proteins and reduce bioavailability. Blue Buffalo Basics contains below-average protein, below-average fat, and above-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
| 🔄 Digestibility Comparison | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Temperature | Below freezing (preserves nutrients) | 165°F (gently cooked) | 400°F+ (extrusion) |
| Protein Digestibility | High (uncooked proteins) | 93% (clinically proven) | 64-91% (typical kibble range) |
| Stool Quality Reports | Improved | Significantly improved | Standard |
| Nutrient Preservation | Excellent | Very good | Moderate |
📞 Veterinary Expert Credentials: Who’s Actually Behind These Brands?
Knowing who formulates your dog’s food matters tremendously.
Dr. Marty’s was founded by Dr. Marty, who has been a leading voice in integrative veterinary medicine for more than 50 years. He’s the bestselling author of The Nature of Animal Healing and The Spirit of Animal Healing. However, the company doesn’t publicly disclose their full nutritionist team.
The Farmer’s Dog employs an impressive roster: Our on-staff, board-certified nutritionists are: Rae Sires, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM (Nutrition), Ryan Yamka, Ph.D., M.S., PAS, FACN, Dipl. ACAS (Companion Animal Nutrition).
That’s four board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff—a level of expertise few pet food companies can match.
Blue Buffalo maintains: All of our ingredients are carefully selected by a team of veterinarians, animal nutritionists and food scientists. They also employ holistic veterinarians for their LifeSource Bits formulation.
| 👩⚕️ Expert Credentials | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founder Background | 50+ year integrative vet | Dog dads (consumer-driven) | Pet industry entrepreneurs |
| Board-Certified Nutritionists | Not disclosed | 4 on staff | Team (unspecified number) |
| WSAVA Guidelines Met | Partial | Full compliance | Full compliance |
| Feeding Trial Conducted | Not disclosed | Yes (Cornell study) | Yes |
🎯 The Bottom Line: Making Your Decision
After analyzing hundreds of data points, here’s the honest verdict:
Choose Dr. Marty’s if: You have a small dog, money isn’t the primary concern, your dog is a picky eater, and you want the convenience of freeze-dried without raw handling. Expect to pay premium prices ($300-500+/month for medium dogs). Consider using it as a topper to stretch value.
Choose The Farmer’s Dog if: You prioritize clinical evidence, want human-grade convenience, have a dog with digestive sensitivities, and can afford $150-300/month for medium dogs. Their scientific backing and digestibility data are genuinely impressive.
Choose Blue Buffalo if: Budget is a real consideration, your dog thrives on kibble, you want grain-inclusive options, and you’re comfortable with traditional pet food manufacturing. At $45-70/month for medium dogs, it delivers solid nutrition affordably. Consider their Life Protection or Wilderness lines for highest quality within the brand.
| 🏁 Final Verdict | Dr. Marty’s | The Farmer’s Dog | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Scientific Backing | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Convenience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Safety Record | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best For | Picky small dogs | Health-focused owners | Budget-conscious families |
The wisest approach? Consult your veterinarian before switching foods—especially if considering grain-free options given ongoing DCM research. What works for one dog may not suit another, regardless of price tag or marketing claims.
