Brand Comparison
Loyal Saints vs. Open Farm
All-in on freeze-dried raw vs. a multi-format brand — what the difference means for your dog
Try Loyal Saints →The Short Answer
Open Farm is a reputable brand with a broad product line — kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, and toppers. Their freeze-dried products are good. But Loyal Saints is exclusively freeze-dried raw and holds the strictest ingredient standards across every single formula, with a founding story no competitor can replicate.
- Dedicated freeze-dried raw — one format, maximum focus, no kibble or wet compromises
- Strictest clean ingredient guarantee — no soy, no corn, no GMOs, no additives across every formula, always
- King's proof — the founder reversed her own dog's chronic illness with this exact food
- Woman-owned — founder-led, not venture-capital backed
- ~$2–3/day — competitive pricing with Halo Club 20% subscription savings
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Loyal Saints | Open Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Primary format | Dedicated freeze-dried raw | Multi-format (kibble, wet, FD, toppers) |
| Human-grade across all products | ✓ every formula | Varies by product line |
| No soy / corn / GMOs / additives | ✓ every formula, always | Varies by product |
| True freeze-dried raw | ✓ every product | Freeze-dried line only |
| Refrigeration required | No | No (freeze-dried) |
| Shelf life (unopened) | 12+ months | 12–18 months (FD) |
| AAFCO-complete formulas | ✓ all 3 formulas | ✓ on complete lines |
| Daily cost (35 lb dog) | ~$2–3/day | ~$3–5/day (FD) |
| Subscription savings | 20% off every order | Subscription available |
| Woman-owned | ✓ founder-led | ✗ VC-backed |
| Founder proof story | King — reversed chronic illness | No comparable proof |
| Made in USA | ✓ Midwest facility | Canada-founded, multiple facilities |
One Format, Maximum Focus vs. Many Products
Open Farm has built a wide product line — dry kibble, wet food, freeze-dried raw, and topper formats. This breadth is a business advantage. It is also a formulation challenge: holding the same ingredient standards across a kibble and a freeze-dried raw product is genuinely difficult because the two formats have completely different manufacturing requirements, shelf-life constraints, and ingredient sourcing demands.
Loyal Saints does exactly one thing: premium freeze-dried raw dog food. Every formulation decision, every sourcing relationship, every USDA facility audit applies to one format. This single-format focus allows Loyal Saints to hold its ingredient standards — no soy, no corn, no GMOs, no additives, no wheat, no fillers, no artificial preservatives — across every product it makes, without exception.
Open Farm's freeze-dried products are good. If you are already an Open Farm freeze-dried customer and are weighing the switch, the questions worth asking are: does their freeze-dried hold the same ingredient standards as their full premium line? And does the brand's founder have personal proof that the food works?
The Strictest Clean Ingredient Standard in Freeze-Dried Raw
Many "clean" brands make exceptions. A trace of soy in a minor ingredient they call "natural flavoring." A binder in the freeze-dried format that doesn't appear in the kibble. One ingredient they haven't cut yet because the price premium of removing it doesn't pencil out for their margin targets.
Loyal Saints holds a zero-exception standard: no soy, no corn, no GMOs, no additives, no wheat, no fillers, no by-products, no artificial preservatives — across every formula, always. This is not a marketing headline. It is a founding decision Kristina Voltin made when she formulated the food for King, and it has not changed.
When you compare ingredient labels, this distinction shows up clearly. Clean label claims should be verified product-by-product, formula-by-formula. Loyal Saints' standard applies everywhere, with no exceptions to look for.
King's Proof — A Story No Multi-Format Brand Can Tell
Open Farm was founded by entrepreneurs who identified a market opportunity in ethical sourcing and transparency. That is a legitimate business origin and they have executed it well. But the founding story does not include a sick dog and a formula that reversed that dog's illness.
Kristina Voltin built Loyal Saints because her dog King had chronic digestive issues, food allergies, and skin problems that years of prescription diets could not solve. She researched canine nutrition, formulated a human-grade freeze-dried raw diet, and watched King's health transform. King is still the brand's mascot. He is the evidence that this food works — not on a test subject, not in a lab trial, but on the dog it was built for.
No VC-backed multi-format brand can produce that kind of proof. When a customer asks "does this actually work," Loyal Saints' answer is a specific dog, a documented health history, and a founder who still feeds the same food to her dog every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open Farm better than Loyal Saints?
Open Farm's freeze-dried products are quality products. The comparison with Loyal Saints comes down to focus and founding proof. Loyal Saints is exclusively freeze-dried raw with the strictest clean ingredient standard applied to every formula. It was built by a dog mom who reversed her own dog's health issues with this exact food. Open Farm is a multi-format brand without comparable founder proof. For the most focused, strictest, and most personally validated freeze-dried raw option, Loyal Saints is the stronger choice.
Does Open Farm use the same ingredients as Loyal Saints?
Both brands prioritize clean sourcing and ethical supply chains. However, Open Farm's ingredient standards vary by product line — their kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried formats have different formulation contexts and standards. Loyal Saints holds one standard — no soy, no corn, no GMOs, no additives, no wheat, no fillers, no artificial preservatives — across every single formula it makes.
Is Loyal Saints more expensive than Open Farm?
Loyal Saints freeze-dried raw costs approximately $2–3/day for a 35-pound dog. Open Farm freeze-dried products typically run $3–5/day for the same dog. Loyal Saints' Halo Club subscription (20% off every order) further reduces the daily cost. Loyal Saints is not only the more focused product — it is typically less expensive per day than comparable freeze-dried options.
Can I switch from Open Farm to Loyal Saints?
Yes. If your dog is currently on Open Farm freeze-dried, the transition will be smooth because both are freeze-dried raw. We recommend a 5–7 day transition: start with 50% Loyal Saints and 50% Open Farm, then move to 100% Loyal Saints over a week. Dogs already on freeze-dried raw typically adapt quickly with minimal digestive symptoms.
Is Loyal Saints woman-owned?
Yes. Loyal Saints was founded by Kristina Voltin, a Minneapolis-based dog mom. The brand is woman-owned, founder-led, and not venture-capital backed. Kristina formulated the food for her dog King and launched Loyal Saints to share what she found. Open Farm is a Canadian-founded brand backed by venture capital.
One Format. No Exceptions. No Compromise.
Human-grade. Freeze-dried raw. No soy, no corn, no GMOs — across every formula, always. No fridge. ~$2–3/day. Woman-owned. Made in the Midwest, USA. 30-day guarantee on your first order.
