Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Shepherd Boy Farms guarantees farm‑recent, minimally processed, freeze‑dried vitamin made with USA‑raised meat, natural produce, and uncooked goat’s milk. However is Shepherd Boy Farms actually a wholesome alternative in your cat? Discover out in our unbiased Shepherd Boy Farms cat meals evaluation.
The Cats.com Normal Ranking Shepherd Boy Farms on What Issues
We’ve analyzed Shepherd Boy Farms and graded it in line with the Cats.com customary, evaluating the model on species appropriateness, ingredient high quality, product selection, value, buyer expertise, and recall historical past. Right here’s the way it charges in every of those six key areas.
Rankings
- Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
- Ingredient High quality – 8/10
- Product Selection – 5/10
- Worth – 5/10
- Buyer Expertise – 7/10
- Recall Historical past – 10/10
Total Rating: 7.4/10
We give Shepherd Boy Farms a 43 out of 60 score or a B+ grade.
About Shepherd Boy Farms
Shepherd Boy Farms is a household‑owned pet meals producer based mostly in Greensburg, Indiana. The corporate focuses on premium freeze‑dried canine and cat meals, goat’s milk, and single‑ingredient treats. Their philosophy focuses on farm‑to‑desk vitamin, utilizing USA‑raised meats, natural produce, and minimally processed elements to protect pure vitamins.
Based in 2016, the corporate has grown quickly and is now increasing its manufacturing capability with a brand new 100,000‑sq.‑foot freeze‑dried facility. This growth will triple output to twenty million kilos yearly and additional strengthen their manufacturing course of.
Shepherd Boy Farms positions itself as a clear, ingredient‑centered, uncooked‑impressed model providing clear, excessive‑protein vitamin with out fillers, synthetics, or synthetic components.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Shepherd Boy Farms meals are manufactured within the firm’s personal services in Greensburg, Indiana. As a result of the model owns and operates its freeze‑drying and manufacturing gear, it maintains full management over sourcing, processing, and packaging. This end-to-end course of mannequin is certainly one of Shepherd Boy Farms’ strongest benefits, permitting for shut oversight and higher transparency than manufacturers that depend on third-party co‑packers.
The corporate emphasizes the usage of USA‑raised meats, natural vegatables and fruits, and uncooked goat’s milk sourced from household farms. Their elements are minimally processed and freeze-dried to protect vitamins, a way the corporate says retains as much as 97% of naturally occurring nutritional vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. All recipes are freed from grains, fillers, synthetic preservatives, and artificial nutritional vitamins.
Shepherd Boy Farms states that their sourcing and manufacturing practices are cruelty‑free and grounded in accountable agriculture. Their meats come from humanely raised animals on American farms, and their natural produce is grown with out artificial pesticides. As a result of the corporate controls its personal manufacturing, it might probably carefully monitor high quality and security at each stage.
The model doesn’t conduct laboratory testing on animals. As a substitute, they depend on feeding trials, buyer suggestions, and in‑home pets to guage palatability and efficiency. This strategy aligns with their dedication to humane practices whereas nonetheless guaranteeing that their meals meet dietary and digestibility requirements.
Has Shepherd Boy Farms Ever Been Recalled?
As of 2026, Shepherd Boy Farms has by no means been recalled. The model maintains a clear security document throughout all obtainable FDA, AVMA, and unbiased recall databases.
What Sorts of Cat Meals Does Shepherd Boy Farms Provide?
Shepherd Boy Farms is a freeze‑dried meals model. Every of their formulation incorporates a single supply of animal protein like rooster, beef, pork, or rabbit. Additionally they provide a fish mix made with wild‑caught salmon, tuna, and whitefish. Each recipe is constructed round USA‑raised meat and enhanced with natural fruits, greens, and uncooked goat’s milk.
Their freeze‑dried meals are made within the firm’s personal Indiana services and include no grains, fillers, synthetic preservatives, or artificial nutritional vitamins. As a substitute of counting on gums, binders, or starchy thickeners, Shepherd Boy Farms makes use of a minimal‑processing freeze‑drying technique that preserves vitamins and creates a light-weight, shelf‑secure uncooked product.
The corporate highlights the advantages of freeze‑drying, explaining that the method retains as much as 97% of naturally occurring nutritional vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. As a result of the meals is constituted of entire elements slightly than fortified with artificial components, the nutrient profile comes instantly from the uncooked meat, goat’s milk, and natural produce.
Shepherd Boy Farms cat meals is available in 12‑ounce freeze‑dried luggage, designed to be served dry or rehydrated with heat water, broth, or goat’s milk.
What Did Our Take a look at Cats Assume?
Shepherd Boy Farms makes a terrific first impression with its clear ingredient lists, USA‑sourced meats, and freeze‑dried uncooked format. The meals rehydrates simply and has a recent, pure aroma that displays the model’s entire‑meals strategy. The items are light-weight, crumbly, and comparable in measurement to different freeze-dried cat meals.
Nonetheless, in testing, my very own cats didn’t love the Shepherd Boy Farms recipes. Even when absolutely rehydrated with heat water or combined with broth, they have been reluctant to eat the rooster, beef, and fish formulation. This isn’t uncommon for cats transitioning from canned or kibble diets as a result of freeze‑dried uncooked meals are usually hit and miss, and palatability varies from cat to cat.
Whereas my cats weren’t followers, the ingredient high quality and formulation stay sturdy, and lots of buyer opinions for the model’s freeze‑dried treats and goat’s milk present that different cats do very properly with the merchandise. As with most uncooked‑fashion diets, approval relies upon closely on particular person cat choice.
Shepherd Boy Farms Cat Meals—High 3 Recipes Reviewed
Hen seems to be the first protein supply on this freeze‑dried cat meals. This restricted‑ingredient Shepherd Boy Farms recipe is constructed round rooster with floor bone, supported by rooster liver, rooster coronary heart, and a brief checklist of natural plant elements.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
In keeping with the ingredient checklist, the system is a real single‑protein recipe, making it acceptable for a lot of cats with meals sensitivities or those that do greatest on easy, meat‑centered diets.
The meals comprises no gums, thickeners, binders, grains, or artificial nutritional vitamins. As a substitute of counting on starches or synthetic components, Shepherd Boy Farms makes use of a mild freeze‑drying course of that preserves vitamins whereas holding the meals light-weight and shelf‑secure. As soon as rehydrated, the feel resembles a uncooked weight-reduction plan slightly than a pâté.
Primarily based on the assured evaluation, the recipe comprises 42% protein, 26% fats, and solely 3% fiber, with 7% moisture. As a result of freeze‑dried meals are extraordinarily low in water, the carbohydrate content material stays minimal even after accounting for natural produce like spinach, carrots, and cranberries. This makes the system considerably extra species‑acceptable than most dry or canned meals.
Along with meat and organs, the recipe contains uncooked goat’s milk, which gives pure probiotics, and small quantities of natural greens and seeds that contribute antioxidants, fiber, and omega‑3 fatty acids. Probiotic strains equivalent to Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus are added to assist digestive well being.
Total, this meals is excessive in protein, excessive in fats, and really low in carbohydrates, making it a superb possibility for cats who thrive on a uncooked‑fashion, carnivore‑acceptable weight-reduction plan. Its single‑protein formulation and clear ingredient checklist make it particularly interesting for cats with allergic reactions or digestive sensitivities.
The meals comprises 4,484 kcal/kg, or 191 energy per cup.
Hen with floor bone, Hen Liver, Hen Coronary heart, Goat Milk, Natural Spinach, Natural Carrot, Natural Cranberries, Flaxseed, Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Inulin, Yucca schidigera, Blended Tocopherols (pure preservative), Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei.
Crude Protein: 42%
Crude Fats: 26%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 7%
Protein: 45.16%
Fats: 27.96%
Fiber: 3.23%
Carbs: 23.66%
Protein: 33.03%
Fats: 49.66%
Carbs: 17.3%
Professionals
- Single‑protein, restricted‑ingredient system supreme for cats with meals sensitivities
- No gums, thickeners, grains, fillers, or artificial nutritional vitamins
- Natural vegatables and fruits add pure antioxidants
- Uncooked goat’s milk gives pure probiotics and digestive assist
- Very low carbohydrate content material in comparison with kibble or canned meals
- Made in firm‑owned services within the USA
Cons
- Costlier than canned or kibble diets
- Requires rehydration for optimum digestion and hydration
- Some cats might not settle for the freeze‑dried texture; my very own cats didn’t like this recipe
Beef seems to be the first protein supply on this freeze‑dried cat meals. This restricted‑ingredient Shepherd Boy Farms recipe is constructed round USA‑raised beef, together with beef muscle meat, beef liver, and beef coronary heart.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
As a real single‑protein system, it’s designed for cats with meals sensitivities or those that do greatest on easy, meat‑centered diets. The recipe comprises no grains, fillers, gums, or artificial nutritional vitamins. As a substitute, it depends on entire‑meals vitamin and a mild freeze‑drying course of to protect naturally occurring vitamins.
The meals comprises no thickeners or binders. Not like canned meals that depend upon starches or gums, this system maintains its construction by means of freeze‑drying alone. As soon as rehydrated, it resembles a uncooked weight-reduction plan in texture and odor, which many cats discover interesting.
Primarily based on the assured evaluation, the recipe is excessive in protein and fats, with very low carbohydrate content material. Freeze‑dried uncooked meals are usually extraordinarily low in moisture, so the nutrient percentages seem concentrated. After adjusting to a dry matter foundation, the system stays strongly meat‑based mostly and species‑acceptable.
Along with beef, the recipe contains uncooked goat’s milk, which gives pure probiotics, and small quantities of natural greens like spinach, carrots, and cranberries. These elements contribute antioxidants and fiber with out considerably growing carbohydrate load. Probiotic strains equivalent to Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus are added to assist digestive well being.
Total, this meals is excessive in protein, excessive in fats, and really low in carbohydrates, making it a superb possibility for cats who thrive on a uncooked‑fashion, carnivore‑acceptable weight-reduction plan. Its single‑protein formulation and clear ingredient checklist make it particularly inviting for cats with allergic reactions or digestive sensitivities.
The meals comprises 4,720 kcal/kg, or 203 energy per cup.
Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Coronary heart, Goat Milk, Natural Spinach, Natural Carrot, Natural Cranberries, Flaxseed, Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Inulin, Yucca schidigera, Blended Tocopherols (pure preservative), Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei.
Crude Protein: 44%
Crude Fats: 28%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 7%
Protein: 47.31%
Fats: 30.11%
Fiber: 3.23%
Carbs: 19.35%
Protein: 33.85%
Fats: 52.31%
Carbs: 13.85%
Professionals
- USA‑raised beef as the first ingredient
- No grains, fillers, gums, or artificial nutritional vitamins
- Uncooked goat’s milk gives pure probiotics
- Very low carbohydrate content material
- Appropriate as an entire meal or topper
Cons
- Requires rehydration for greatest outcomes
- Beef is usually a frequent allergen for some cats
- Increased fats content material might not swimsuit cats needing low‑fats diets
- Restricted availability in bodily shops
Fish seems to be the first protein supply on this freeze‑dried cat meals. This restricted‑ingredient Shepherd Boy Farms recipe is constructed round a mix of untamed‑caught salmon, tuna, and whitefish, supported by fish liver, goat’s milk, and a brief checklist of natural plant elements.
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
Amy Brown-Towry / Cats.com
As a single‑protein–class system (fish‑solely), it’s designed for cats preferring seafood or who can not tolerate poultry or crimson meat. Like all Shepherd Boy Farms recipes, it comprises no grains, fillers, gums, or artificial nutritional vitamins.
The meals comprises no thickeners, binders, or synthetic components. As a substitute, it depends on freeze‑drying to protect vitamins and keep construction. As soon as rehydrated, the meals takes on a delicate, uncooked‑like texture with a powerful fish aroma that many seafood‑loving cats discover interesting.
Primarily based on the assured evaluation, this recipe is excessive in protein and fats, with very low carbohydrate content material. Freeze‑dried meals naturally seem nutrient‑dense on account of their low moisture content material, however even after adjusting to a dry matter foundation, the system stays strongly meat‑based mostly and species‑acceptable.
Along with fish, the recipe contains uncooked goat’s milk, which gives pure probiotics, and small quantities of natural greens like spinach, carrots, and cranberries. These elements contribute antioxidants and fiber with out considerably growing carbohydrate load. Probiotic strains equivalent to Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus assist digestive well being.
Total, this meals is excessive in protein, excessive in fats, and really low in carbohydrates, making it a powerful possibility for cats who thrive on a uncooked‑fashion, carnivore‑acceptable weight-reduction plan. Its fish‑solely formulation could also be particularly engaging for cats with poultry allergic reactions or those that choose seafood‑based mostly diets.
The meals comprises 4,620 kcal/kg, or 198 energy per cup.
Salmon, Tuna, Whitefish, Fish Liver, Goat Milk, Natural Spinach, Natural Carrot, Natural Cranberries, Flaxseed, Cod Liver Oil, Sunflower Seed, Pumpkin Seed, Inulin, Yucca schidigera, Blended Tocopherols (pure preservative), Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei.
Crude Protein: 40%
Crude Fats: 24%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 7%
Protein: 43.01%
Fats: 25.81%
Fiber: 3.23%
Carbs: 27.96%
Protein: 32.18%
Fats: 46.9%
Carbs: 20.92%
Professionals
- Made with wild-caught salmon, tuna, and whitefish
- Single‑class protein (fish‑solely) appropriate for poultry‑delicate cats
- No grains, fillers, gums, or artificial nutritional vitamins
- Freeze-dried uncooked preserves vitamins
- Natural vegatables and fruits for antioxidants
Cons
- A powerful fish aroma might not attraction to all cats
- Barely greater carbohydrate content material than the Hen and Beef recipes
- Fish‑heavy diets might not swimsuit cats with seafood allergic reactions
- Restricted availability in bodily shops
What Do Clients Consider Shepherd Boy Farms Cat Meals?
As a result of Shepherd Boy Farms is a smaller, household‑owned model with a stronger presence within the pet food market, there aren’t many public opinions particularly for his or her cat meals recipes. A lot of the obtainable suggestions on-line focuses on their freeze‑dried treats and goat’s milk, that are utilized by each canine and cat house owners.
The opinions that do point out cats are constantly optimistic, particularly with palatability and ingredient high quality. Cat house owners have a tendency to focus on the freshness of the freeze‑dried meats and the simplicity of the ingredient lists.
Constructive Critiques
“These hearts hold my hungry cats coming again for extra!” – Rachelle A., reviewing Freeze‑Dried Hen Hearts
“Each of our cats love this freeze‑dried rooster breast.” – J. Schrader, reviewing Freeze‑Dried Hen Breast
“Glorious deal with for my canines and cats.” – Jason, reviewing Freeze‑Dried Lobster & Coconut
Unfavourable Critiques
There aren’t any vital destructive opinions particularly about Shepherd Boy Farms’ cat meals or cat‑focused merchandise.
How A lot Does Shepherd Boy Farms Cat Meals Value?
As a result of Shepherd Boy Farms makes freeze‑dried uncooked meals, the price construction is totally different from canned or kibble diets. Freeze‑dried meals are extra calorie‑dense and light-weight, so a bit goes a great distance as soon as rehydrated.
For a median 10‑lb cat needing round 200 energy per day, you’d feed roughly 1 cup per day of the rooster, beef, or fish recipes. Primarily based on present pricing on the Shepherd Boy Farms web site and Amazon, this works out to roughly $3.50–$4.25 per day relying on the recipe (rooster is normally the least costly; fish is the costliest).
This places Shepherd Boy Farms within the premium value vary, akin to different freeze‑dried uncooked manufacturers like Stella & Chewy’s, Primal, or Feline Pure. It’s considerably dearer than canned meals however in step with the price of most uncooked‑fashion diets.
The place to Purchase Shepherd Boy Farms Cat Meals?
Shepherd Boy Farms is a smaller, household‑owned model, so its cat meals line isn’t as broadly distributed as mainstream freeze‑dried uncooked merchandise. You should purchase their meals instantly by means of the Shepherd Boy Farms web site, in addition to by means of main on-line retailers like Amazon.
A restricted collection of their treats and goat’s milk merchandise can also be obtainable in some unbiased pet specialty shops, although the total cat meals line is primarily bought on-line.
Total, Is Shepherd Boy Farms a Good Selection?
Shepherd Boy Farms stands out as one of many few pet meals manufacturers providing really minimal elements, freeze-dried uncooked diets made with USA-raised meats, natural produce, and uncooked goat’s milk. Whereas many corporations emphasize “clear” ingredient lists, Shepherd Boy Farms takes it a step additional by avoiding artificial nutritional vitamins, synthetic preservatives, gums, and fillers completely. Their meals depend on entire‑meals vitamin and delicate freeze‑drying slightly than heavy processing.
Though the Shepherd Boy Farms lineup is small and the model isn’t broadly recognized, their meals look like secure, constant, and constituted of excessive‑high quality, clearly named elements. Every recipe is single‑protein and restricted‑ingredient, making the model interesting for cats with meals sensitivities or those that do greatest on easy, meat‑centered diets. The inclusion of uncooked goat’s milk and probiotics provides digestive assist that many freeze‑dried rivals lack.
Not like some moist or dry meals, Shepherd Boy Farms formulation are very low in carbohydrates, with most recipes falling between 10–20% on a dry matter foundation. This makes them considerably extra species‑acceptable than canned meals thickened with starches or dry meals constructed round plant elements.
The largest disadvantage is value. Freeze‑dried uncooked diets are inherently costly, and Shepherd Boy Farms isn’t any exception. For a lot of cat house owners, the worth locations it firmly within the premium class, akin to manufacturers like Stella & Chewy’s or Feline Pure.
In case you’re on the lookout for a clear, entire‑meals, restricted‑ingredient weight-reduction plan and are comfy with the upper value level, Shepherd Boy Farms is a wonderful alternative.
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