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Essence vs Open Farm

Essence vs. Open Farm

In this comparison article for Essence vs Open Farm, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Essence and Open Farm, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Open Farm vs Essence comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Essence Review Page or Open Farm Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Open Farm vs. Essence

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Essence Dog Food vs. Open Farm Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Crude Protein40.9%34.0%
Crude Fat19.3%20.9%
Crude Fiber5.7%5.1%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Crude Protein46.2%40.0%
Crude Fat32.6%31.0%
Crude Fiber6.0%9.7%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

The table shows that Open Farm provides far less protein than Essence. The difference in protein content is roughly 6.81%. In addition, Essence wet dog foods also provide more protein than Open Farm wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

As you can see, Essence and Open Farm guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. With regards to wet dog food, Essence and Open Farm also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.


Open Farm and Essence both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Open Farm typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.74% more).

Essence Cat Food vs. Open Farm Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Crude Protein44.1%41.1%
Crude Fat18.5%20%
Crude Fiber4.8%3.3%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Crude Protein46.2%43.5%
Crude Fat31.8%29.2%
Crude Fiber4.8%11.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

If you look at the average percentages of crude protein, you'll notice that Essence typically guarantees 2.96% more protein. This is a fairly small difference between Essence and Open Farm, but still worth mentioning. In addition, Essence wet cat foods also provide more protein than Open Farm wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, Essence typically provides a little more fat (about 2.65% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Open Farm provides more fiber (about 6.26% more).

Essence Pet Food Ingredients vs. Open Farm Pet Food Ingredients

In our option, both Essence and Open Farm utilize high-quality ingredients. According to our records, neither brand uses any type of controversial ingredients or harmful ingredients.

Product Safety: Recall History of Essence & Open Farm?

According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Essence or Open Farm pet food products.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Per Pound$4.11$12.03
Per Calorie$0.0024$0.0058
Dry Cat FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Per Pound$4.64$5.92
Per Calorie$0.0027$0.0034
Wet Dog FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Per Pound$4.99$5.12
Per Calorie$0.0090$0.0119
Wet Cat FoodEssenceOpen Farm
Per Pound$5.98$7.83
Per Calorie$0.0103$0.0188

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Essence or Open Farm, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Essence or Open Farm will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Essence and Open Farm. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet foods from the following stores:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Open Farm Pet Foods

You can purchase Open Farm pet food products from these retailers:


45 Recipes In-Stock Today

8 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEssenceOpen Farm
Dry Dog Food6 Recipes17 Recipes
Wet Dog Food6 Recipes8 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone5 Treats
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes4 Recipes
Wet Cat Food3 Recipes6 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Essence Recipes

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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
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Top Rated Open Farm Recipes

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Dry Dog Food Pasture-Raised Lamb Recipe
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Wet Dog Food Harvest Chicken Rustic Stew For Dogs
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Wet Cat Food Herring & Mackerel Rustic Blend For Cats
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