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Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food vs Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food

Buy Vital Essentials if you want a true raw diet and your dog has no chicken issues: it is pure freeze-dried raw chicken, grain free, and simple. Buy Open Farm Front Range Red Meat if you want convenience and a chicken-free formula: it is kibble coated in beef bone broth and freeze-dried raw, with beef, lamb and pork. Reviewers rate Open Farm highly (4.9 from 132 ratings) and owners say picky dogs eat it. Vital Essentials is the more minimal, single-protein raw option; Open Farm is the easier everyday food with broader life-stage and breed coverage.

  • Choose the Vital Essentials if your dog does well on chicken and you want a straight freeze-dried raw food with a short ingredient list.
  • Choose the Open Farm if your dog is picky, has chicken sensitivities, or you want shelf-stable kibble with a raw coating.

Prices

  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: $29.60 at Amazon (last seen Nov 9)
  • Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food: $26.84 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food is $2.76 cheaper than the Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Vital Essentials
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

$29.60at AmazonChecked 12 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Single chicken protein, easy to rule in or out for allergies
  • Freeze-dried raw keeps nutrients intact
  • Grain free and suitable for all ages
  • Short, simple ingredient list
Cons
  • Raw food needs careful handling and storage
  • Not for dogs with chicken sensitivities
  • Only one flavor in this size
Open Farm
Open Farm Grain Free Front Range Red Meat

Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food

Open Farm Grain Free Front Range Red Meat

4.9(132 ratings)
$26.84at eBayChecked 12 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Chicken-free red meat blend for sensitive dogs
  • Kibble convenience with a raw coating and raw chunks
  • Rated 4.9 out of 5 by 132 reviewers
  • Traceable ingredients and humanely raised pork
  • Suits puppies through seniors
Cons
  • Kibble base, not a full raw diet
  • Multi-protein blend is harder to isolate if a dog reacts
  • Contains legumes-free but still processed kibble

What separates them

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog FoodOpen Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food
Food formFreeze-dried raw pieces, rehydrate or feed dryKibble coated in beef bone broth and freeze-dried raw, plus raw chunks
Protein sourceChicken, single animal proteinBeef, lamb and pork blend
Chicken-freeNo, chicken is the main ingredientYes, built for chicken sensitivities
Life stageAll agesPuppy, adult and senior
Feeding convenienceRaw handling, rehydration and fridge storageScoop from the bag, shelf stable
Ingredient sourcingGrain free, limited formula100% traceable ingredients, humanely raised pork
Picky eatersRaw aroma appeals to many dogsOwners report picky dogs eat it
Breed size fitAny sizeSmall and medium breed puppies listed

Price history

  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: lowest $29.60 on Nov 9 at Amazon.
  • Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food: lowest $30.99 on Nov 9 at Polkadog.

Prices at every store

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

  • Treats on a LeashNew

    In stock

    $32.99Checked 12 h ago
    Visit Treats on a Leash
  • Chewy.comNew

    In stock

    $35.99+ $4.95 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit Chewy.com
  • Two BostonsNew

    In stock

    $32.99+ $7.99 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit Two Bostons
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $29.60Checked 12 h ago
    Visit Amazon
All 13 stores and price history →

Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food

  • Open FarmNew

    In stock

    $34.99+ $5.99 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit Open Farm
  • PolkadogNew

    In stock

    $30.99+ $10.95 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit Polkadog
  • PetSmartNew

    In stock

    $34.99+ $6.99 shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit PetSmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by lychan-26 (98.2% positive, 54 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $26.84Free shippingChecked 12 h ago
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 14 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog FoodOpen Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food
FlavorChickenBeef, Lamb, Pork
Life StageAll AgesAdult, Puppy, Senior
Health BenefitDigestive HealthComplete and balanced nutrition
TypeRaw—
Grain FreeYes—
Size14 oz—
Form—RawMix, Freeze-dried raw coating
Pet Food Type—Dog Food
Dietary Highlights—Grain-Free
Pet Type—Dog
Suitable Health Concern—Common allergens, Chicken sensitivities
Suitable For—Picky eaters
Show all 21 specsShow fewer specs
SpecVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog FoodOpen Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food
Flavor Variety—Multi-animal protein blend, Front Range
Breed Size—Small Breed (puppies), Medium Breed (puppies)
Texture Consistency—Kibble
Main Ingredient—Humanely-raised pork, Beef bone broth, Grass-fe…
Ingredient Type—Superfoods, Multi-animal protein blend
Packaging Style—Bag
Food Subtype—Kibble
Food Highlights—100% traceable ingredients
Eco-Friendly Features—

What reviewers say

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Owners generally praise the simple ingredient list and say picky dogs eat it readily, especially as a topper. Complaints center on crumbly pieces, strong odor and bags that seem light on whole nuggets.

What people mention
  • TextureMixedOwners like the nugget form but often find the bag full of loose crumbs.
  • PalatabilityPraisedReviewers say picky dogs and dogs that refuse kibble eat it eagerly.
  • SmellCriticisedThe raw chicken odor is strong and some owners find it unpleasant indoors.
  • IngredientsPraisedBuyers value the short, grain-free chicken recipe with few additives.

Open Farm Front Range Red Meat Grain-Free Dog Food

  • 4.9 / 5132 ratings

Owners rate it very highly, with 132 ratings averaging 4.9 out of 5. The recurring theme is that picky dogs finish the bowl, and buyers see the ingredient list and traceability as worth the premium.

What people mention
  • TastePraisedOwners say picky dogs eat it readily, largely because of the raw coating and chunks.
  • IngredientsPraisedBuyers value the traceable, humanely-raised red-meat proteins and the grain- and legume-free recipe.
  • SensitivitiesPraisedOwners of chicken-sensitive dogs report it as a good fit.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a dog with chicken allergies?
Open Farm Front Range Red Meat. It uses beef, lamb and pork and is aimed at chicken sensitivities. Vital Essentials is chicken-based.
Is freeze-dried raw better than kibble with a raw coating?
Vital Essentials is fully raw, so it is closer to a raw diet. Open Farm is kibble with a raw coating and raw chunks, which is easier to store and serve.
Which lasts longer once opened?
Open Farm kibble keeps longer in the bag at room temperature. Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw should be kept sealed and used promptly, and rehydrated portions refrigerated.
Will a picky dog eat either one?
Both have strong appeal. Open Farm owners specifically praise it for picky eaters, and raw aroma from Vital Essentials draws many dogs.
Can puppies eat both?
Yes. Vital Essentials is labeled for all ages. Open Farm lists puppy, adult and senior, including small and medium breed puppies.
Is Open Farm worth stepping up to over a basic kibble?
If you want traceable ingredients, a raw coating and a chicken-free blend, yes. It sits above standard kibble in ingredient quality without going full raw.

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Humanely-raised (pork)
  • ValueMixedBuyers see the quality as worth it but note it costs more than mainstream kibble.