Happy Howl vs The Farmer’s Dog vs Ollie which one fits your dog?
Many “brand vs brand” posts miss the real issue. Your dog needs food you can feed consistently and your dog can digest well. This comparison helps you solve two common problems:
- Which food will suit my dog? (stool, appetite, allergies, weight)
- Which food will I actually keep using? (storage, time, routine, travel)
Quick decision in 60 seconds (answer these 5 questions)
1) Do you have freezer space, and can you handle frozen deliveries?
- Yes → The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie can work well
- No → Happy Howl usually works better
2) Do you want flexible serving or strict pre-portioned packs?
- You want flexibility → Choose Happy Howl
- You want pre-portioned structure → Choose The Farmer’s Dog (and often Ollie)
3) Does your schedule change a lot (travel, long workdays, busy home)?
- Yes → Choose the brand with the easiest routine (Happy Howl often wins)
- No → You can manage a fresh subscription routine more easily
4) Does your dog act picky or get bored fast?
Check reviews for picky eater success. Choose the brand that lets you test easily.
5) Does your dog have a sensitive stomach (soft stool, gas, frequent changes)?
Choose the brand that supports slow transitions. Plan to move slower than 7–10 days.
Storage and daily routine matter more than “quality”
Happy Howl (easy routine for many homes)
Happy Howl often stays pantry-friendly before opening. You refrigerate it after opening. You can test it without changing your freezer setup. It works well if you want less planning and more flexibility. ( SHOP NOW )
The Farmer’s Dog (frozen and structured)
The Farmer’s Dog delivers frozen packs, so you must plan freezer space. The packs come pre-portioned, so serving feels easy once you set up. It works well if you want guided plans and routine feeding.
Ollie (quick view)
Ollie often feels like a fresh subscription plan. Many owners use cold storage for it, like other fresh or frozen options.
Practical takeaway: If freezer planning stresses you, you may stop using the food. Choose the routine you can follow daily.
Compare reviews the right way (don’t trust star ratings alone)
Do not look at ratings only. Look for patterns, because patterns show real results.
Look for these patterns
- Picky eater success: “My dog refused kibble, but now eats meals.”
- Stool changes: “Loose stool for 3 days, then normal,” vs “it never improved.”
- Subscription experience: shipping timing, pausing, canceling, packaging issues
- Customer support: how support handled refunds, delays, or damaged boxes
Avoid these review traps
- “My dog hated it” (the reviewer did not explain the transition)
- “It worked in 2 days” (that timing rarely proves anything)
- Emotional reviews with no details (you can’t learn from them)
Nutrition tip: compare wet foods with DMB
Wet foods carry a lot of water. Water makes “as-fed” numbers look lower than they really are. Use Dry Matter Basis (DMB) to compare protein and fat fairly.
Formula:
DMB % = (as-fed % ÷ (100 − moisture %)) × 100
Example:
Protein (as-fed) = 10%
Moisture = 75%
Dry matter = 25%
DMB protein = 10 ÷ 25 × 100 = 40%
This solves a common mistake: You stop thinking one food has “low protein” just because it has more water.
Feeding steps that prevent most problems (for all three brands)
Use a slow transition plan (7–10 days is the minimum for sensitive dogs)
- Days 1–2: 25% new / 75% old
- Days 3–4: 50% new / 50% old
- Days 5–6: 75% new / 25% old
- Day 7+: 100% new
If your dog often gets loose stool, extend the transition to 14 days.
Adjust portions by body condition, not guesses
Use these two checks:
- You should feel the ribs easily with a light fat layer.
- You should see a waist from the top view.
If your dog gains or loses weight, reduce or increase food by 5–10%. Then wait 10–14 days and check again.
Cut treats during the transition
Treats can confuse your results. For the first 7–10 days:
- Cut treats by 30–50%
- Avoid rich chews and new snack
Troubleshooting: fix common problems fast
“My dog won’t eat it”
Try these steps:
- Warm the food slightly
- Mix it with a small amount of the old food
- Feed on a schedule and avoid free-feeding
- Call your vet if your dog refuses food for more than 24 hours or looks sick
“My dog got soft stool”
Fast transitions and treats cause this most often.
- Slow down the transition (move back one step for 2–3 days)
- Cut treats
- Keep hydration steady
- Call your vet if diarrhea looks severe, bloody, or your dog acts weak.
“My dog has more gas”
- Slow the transition
- Track ingredients and watch for triggers (some dogs react to certain proteins)
- Avoid changing multiple things at once (food + treats + chews)
“My dog gained weight”
- Recheck portions (fresh food can carry more calories)
- Reduce food by 5–10%
- Check again after 2 weeks
Which one should you choose?
Choose Happy Howl if you want:
- A simple routine with less cold storage planning
- Flexible serving for daily life
- An easier way to test first (often with a sample option)
Choose The Farmer’s Dog if you want:
- A frozen fresh routine and you have freezer space
- Pre-portioned packs and guided feeding
- A structured system you will follow
Consider Ollie if you want:
- A fresh subscription feel
- A routine that includes cold storage planning
Final takeaway
Happy Howl often fits most homes because it makes daily feeding easier. The Farmer’s Dog works well if you want a structured frozen plan and you can handle freezer logistics. Ollie often sits in the fresh subscription category and also needs cold storage planning.
“For a complete overview of daily dog care routines including feeding, grooming, and safety, read our Dog Care Essentials guide.
Want to try Happy Howl?
If you decide it’s a good fit for your dog, you can use this discount link to order: [Happy Howl].
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page (at no extra cost to you).
