Open Farm Goodbowl (Dry) Review

Open Farm Goodbowl dry cat food is made up of two recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars.

Goodbowl kibble is made from humanely-raised proteins and rich wholesome grains such as brown rice. The recipes are ideal for adult cats.

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Open Farm Goodbowl™ Wild-Caught Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.

This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. ¹

The third ingredient is ocean whitefish meal. Whitefish is a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. ²

The fourth ingredient is peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.

The fifth ingredient is milo which is another name for sorghum, a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.  

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, milo can be considered a quality non-meat ingredient.

The sixth ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.

The seventh ingredient is lentils which are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.

However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.

The eighth ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.

From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.

There is one notable exception, however. 

This food also contains chelated minerals — minerals that have been chemically attached to protein which makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Open Farm Goodbowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe looks like an above average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 35.6%, a fat level of 13.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 43.1%.

As a group, the brand features a near-average protein content of 35.6% and a near-average fat level of 13.3%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 43.1% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 38%.

This means Open Farm Goodbowl dry range contains near-average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and near-average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.

Has Open Farm Goodbowl (Dry) cat food been recalled in the past?

No.  Open Farm cat food has not had any product recalls.

You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.

To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.

About

In 2014, Jacqueline Prehogan founded Open Farm Pet Foods.  The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated in Canada. However, production takes place over the U.S. border in the state of Minnesota. 

The company is focused on using locally sourced ingredients, and the location of the plant allows easy access to farms which meet its strict animal welfare and quality standards.