Furminator vs Hertzko Dog Food — Which Should You Buy? (2026)
Quick Verdict
This comparison needs an important clarification: Furminator is primarily known for grooming tools (like the famous deshedding brush), not dog food. The products we found under "Furminator" are actually premium dog food brands that may be sold through Furminator retailers or in similar pet supply categories. Hertzko, meanwhile, doesn't appear to have a dog food line — they're also primarily a grooming tool manufacturer.
If you're shopping for dog food, you're actually choosing between Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Farmer's Dog (the three products available in this comparison). If you're looking for grooming tools specifically, both Furminator and Hertzko make excellent deshedding brushes and pet grooming products, but that's a different category entirely.
This article focuses on the dog food products available, since those are what came up in the search data.
Understanding What We're Actually Comparing
The three dog food options in this comparison represent very different approaches to feeding your dog:
- Purina Pro Plan — Traditional kibble formula backed by decades of research
- Royal Canin — Specialized formulas designed for specific breeds and health conditions
- Farmer's Dog — Fresh, human-grade ingredients delivered to your door
Your choice depends on your dog's age, size, health status, and your willingness to manage different feeding methods.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Product | Price (typical size) | Format | Rating | Review Count | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food 35lb | $62.48 | Dry kibble | 4.7/5 | 68,200 | Budget-conscious owners of adult dogs |
| Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food 30lb | $74.99 | Dry kibble | 4.7/5 | 42,100 | Medium-sized adult dogs; breed-specific needs |
| Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Starter | $59.99 | Fresh (refrigerated) | 4.5/5 | 8,700 | Owners willing to invest in fresh, whole ingredients |
Price and Value: The Budget Reality
When comparing cost per serving, these options sit in very different price brackets:
The Purina Pro Plan at $62.48 for 35 pounds works out to roughly $1.78 per pound, making it the most economical choice for owners with average-sized dogs. You're getting a complete, AAFCO-certified diet with solid customer reviews (4.7 stars across 68,200 reviews — that's significant validation).
The Royal Canin Medium Adult formula at $74.99 for 30 pounds costs approximately $2.50 per pound. The price premium reflects Royal Canin's positioning as a veterinary-backed brand with formulas tailored to specific breeds and sizes. If you have a medium-sized dog and want a formula designed specifically for dogs in that weight range, this eliminates one variable.
The Farmer's Dog starter package at $59.99 is the wildcard. It's fresh food, which typically costs more per serving, but the starter price is competitive with kibble upfront. The real question is what happens after the introductory period — subscription pricing usually increases.
Value winner for most people: Purina Pro Plan. You get excellent ratings, huge review volume (which suggests reliability), and the lowest per-pound cost. This is nutritionally complete without requiring you to take out a second mortgage.
Format and Convenience: Kibble vs Fresh
This is where your lifestyle matters.
Both the Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin are dry kibble. You scoop, pour, and you're done. Storage is simple (sealed bag or container), and a 30-35 pound bag lasts most dogs several weeks. There's no subscription management, no delivery coordination, and no food spoiling in your fridge.
The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food is fundamentally different. It arrives refrigerated, portions are pre-measured for your specific dog, and you follow a feeding schedule that's more like preparing human meals. Some owners find this ritual meaningful and believe their dogs genuinely thrive on it. Others find it impractical, especially if they travel or prefer the simplicity of kibble.
Fresh food does offer psychological benefits: you know exactly what's in it (whole meats, vegetables, grains or grain-free bases), there's no mystery processing, and it's closer to what dogs would theoretically eat in nature. But that doesn't automatically mean it's healthier than scientifically formulated kibble — Purina and Royal Canin have decades of research backing their formulations.
Convenience winner: Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin (tied). Farmer's Dog wins only if you actively enjoy the fresh food ritual.
Quality and Research Backing
Purina Pro Plan: Purina is owned by Nestlé and invests heavily in nutritional research. The Pro Plan line specifically targets dogs with different life stages and needs. With 68,200 reviews at 4.7 stars, this indicates consistent performance across thousands of dogs. That volume of positive reviews is hard to fake.
Royal Canin: Positioned as the premium, veterinarian-recommended option. They tailor formulas to specific breeds and dog sizes, which appeals to owners who want something customized. The 4.7-star rating with 42,100 reviews is solid, though fewer reviews than Purina suggests a smaller user base (likely because it costs more and targets specific niches).
Farmer's Dog: 4.5 stars with 8,700 reviews. The lower review count reflects its newness and subscription-based model (not everyone sticks with subscription products long-term). The slightly lower rating likely reflects two factors: some dogs have digestive adjustments when switching to fresh food, and the price point means unhappy customers feel more justified in leaving detailed complaints.
Quality winner: It's a tie between Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin, each for different reasons. Purina has more extensive research backing and broader testing. Royal Canin has more specialized, breed-targeted formulations. Farmer's Dog is high-quality but newer to the market.
Specific Use Cases and Recommendations
Best for Budget-Conscious Owners
Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food 35lb ($62.48) is your answer. It's AAFCO-certified (meaning it meets nutritional standards), has 68,200 positive reviews, and you can buy it almost anywhere. Feed quality doesn't require spending $3+ per pound.
Best for Medium-Sized Adult Dogs
Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food 30lb ($74.99) is specifically formulated for dogs in the 26-44 pound range. If you have a 35-pound Lab or similar, Royal Canin has optimized kibble size, nutrient ratios, and digestive support specifically for that body type. The premium price reflects that specificity.
Best for Owners Who Want Fresh Ingredients
Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Starter ($59.99) is the only fresh option here. If you value seeing actual meat and vegetables in your dog's bowl and you're willing to manage a subscription, this is worth trying. The starter price is reasonable for testing whether your dog thrives on it.
Best for Dogs with Sensitive Digestion
This is where context matters. None of these three products are explicitly marketed as limited-ingredient or sensitive-stomach formulas. Farmer's Dog might help if your dog's issues stem from additives or processing, but there's no guarantee. Royal Canin actually does make digestive-specific formulas (just not in this data set). Purina Pro Plan has specific digestive health lines too. If your dog has genuine digestive issues, talk to your vet before switching — they might recommend a prescription diet.
Real Downsides to Consider
Purina Pro Plan: Kibble is heavily processed. Some owners feel morally opposed to it regardless of nutritional completeness. It's also not customized to your specific dog — it's a one-size-fits-most approach.
Royal Canin: Expensive. The breed-specific benefit is real, but not every dog needs it. If you have a mixed breed or a dog without specific health issues, you're paying extra for something you may not need.
Farmer's Dog: Subscription commitment required. The starter price is tempting, but recurring costs add up fast. It also requires refrigerator space and planning. And contrary to marketing hype, fresh food isn't automatically "better" — it's just different. Your dog's individual biology and genetics matter more than the format.
Hertzko and Furminator: The Grooming Connection
Since this comparison started with those brand names, it's worth noting: both Furminator and Hertzko are grooming tool companies. Furminator's famous deshedding tool is genuinely excellent for dogs with heavy coats. Hertzko makes similar grooming products at competitive prices.
If you were actually looking for grooming tools rather than dog food, both brands are solid. But neither makes dog food that we can find data on. The products in this comparison are from other brands that may be sold alongside these grooming tools in pet supply retailers.
Final Recommendation
For most dog owners: Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food is the smart choice. It balances quality, price, and availability without requiring lifestyle changes.
For owners of specific dog sizes/breeds: Royal Canin Medium Adult if you want formulation tailored to your dog's physical profile.
For owners committed to fresh feeding: Farmer's Dog, but only after an honest assessment of whether you'll maintain the subscription long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purina Pro Plan actually healthy for dogs?
Yes, within the limits of any processed food. Purina Pro Plan meets AAFCO standards for complete nutrition, and 68,200 customer reviews at 4.7 stars suggest consistent real-world performance. The term "healthy" is subjective — it's nutritionally complete, but it's not fresh food. Your dog will thrive on it, though whether it's "better" than alternatives depends on your values and your dog's individual needs.
Why is Royal Canin more expensive than other brands?
Royal Canin charges more because their formulas are breed and size-specific. A Medium Adult formula is different from a Small Adult or Large Adult formula — the kibble size, nutrient ratios, and digestive support are customized. You're paying for that specialization. Whether it's worth the premium depends on whether your dog benefits from that specificity.
Does fresh dog food really make a difference?
It depends on your dog. Some owners report improvements in coat quality, energy, and digestion. Others see no difference. Nutritionally, a well-formulated kibble (like Purina Pro Plan) meets all the same standards as fresh food. The advantage of fresh is primarily that you control the ingredients and processing. The disadvantage is cost and convenience.
Should I switch my dog's food immediately or gradually?
Always switch gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food with the old. Abrupt switches can cause digestive upset regardless of which foods you're switching between. This applies whether you're going from Purina to Royal Canin, or from kibble to fresh food.