Summary
If you are wondering who makes Freshpet dog food, the answer is Freshpet, Inc., an independent, publicly traded American pet food company. Freshpet produces its refrigerated recipes in company-owned kitchens in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Ennis, Texas. Founded in 2006 by Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps, the company manages its own manufacturing process, including ingredient inspection, cooking, packaging, testing, refrigeration, and distribution. Freshpet is fully cooked rather than raw, and its high-moisture recipes must remain refrigerated. This guide explains who owns Freshpet, where its food is made, how its recipes are formulated, what its recall history shows, and which practical Amazon products can help owners transport, portion, refrigerate, store, and serve the food safely.
Table of Contents
- Who Makes Freshpet Dog Food?
- Who Owns Freshpet, Inc.?
- Where Is Freshpet Dog Food Made?
- How Freshpet Dog Food Is Manufactured
- Who Makes Freshpet Dog Food Recipes and Checks Their Safety?
- What Ingredients Are Used in Freshpet?
- Is Freshpet Raw or Fully Cooked?
- Freshpet Brands and Product Types
- Does Freshpet Meet AAFCO and WSAVA Guidelines?
- Freshpet Dog Food Recall History
- How to Store Freshpet Safely
- Helpful Amazon Products for Freshpet Owners
- Is Freshpet a Good Choice for Your Dog?
- Freshpet Versus Traditional Kibble
- How to Transition a Dog to Freshpet
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Freshpet Dog Food?
Freshpet dog food is manufactured by Freshpet, Inc., an American company focused on fresh, refrigerated meals and treats for dogs and cats.
Freshpet is not simply a marketing brand that sends its recipes to an unidentified outside co-manufacturer. The company says it wholly owns the manufacturing sites where its refrigerated food is produced.
That makes Freshpet both the consumer-facing brand and the manufacturer responsible for its production system. Its teams oversee ingredient sourcing, supplier verification, food formulation, cooking, hygienic packaging, quality-control testing, refrigerated storage, and cold-chain distribution.
Freshpet occupies a different category from dry kibble, canned dog food, frozen raw food, and subscription-only fresh diets. Most of its products are sold through refrigerated Freshpet Fridges in grocery stores, mass retailers, club stores, and pet specialty retailers.
Is Freshpet a manufacturer or a private-label brand?
Freshpet is a pet food manufacturer, not merely a private-label name. Freshpet, Inc. owns its principal brands, employs its nutrition and research professionals, and controls production in its U.S. facilities.
Some pet food companies use third-party plants, but Freshpet follows a company-owned manufacturing model. This gives the company direct responsibility for the kitchens, equipment, production teams, food-safety procedures, refrigeration, and product traceability.
Ownership of a plant does not guarantee that a problem can never occur. It does, however, make the manufacturing relationship clearer because consumers do not need to identify an undisclosed co-packer.
Is Freshpet an American company?
Yes. Freshpet is an American pet food company headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey. Its refrigerated food is manufactured in the United States.
Freshpet is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol FRPT. It is therefore collectively owned by shareholders rather than by a single private owner or another major pet food corporation.
Who Owns Freshpet, Inc.?
Freshpet, Inc. is an independent public company. It is not owned by Purina, Nestlé, Mars Petcare, General Mills, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, or another large multinational pet food company.
Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps founded Freshpet in 2006. The founders saw an opportunity to create a widely distributed fresh pet food category at a time when most commercial choices were dry kibble, canned food, or frozen diets.
Building the business required more than developing recipes. Freshpet also had to establish a refrigerated manufacturing and distribution system that could carry perishable food from the kitchen to retail refrigerators while maintaining proper temperatures.
Billy Cyr serves as Freshpet’s chief executive officer. Scott Morris has remained connected to the company as a co-founder and senior leader.
The ownership and leadership structure can be summarized as follows:
- Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps founded Freshpet.
- Billy Cyr leads Freshpet as CEO.
- Public shareholders collectively own Freshpet, Inc.
- Freshpet, Inc. owns the Freshpet brand and manufacturing operations.
- Freshpet stock trades on Nasdaq under FRPT.
Because Freshpet is publicly traded, its largest shareholders can change as investment firms and individual investors buy or sell shares. That does not change the identity of the manufacturer: Freshpet, Inc. remains the business that makes the food.
Where Is Freshpet Dog Food Made?
Freshpet dog food is made in company-owned manufacturing facilities in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Ennis, Texas.
Freshpet often refers to these production plants as “kitchens.” Despite the home-style wording, they are commercial food-manufacturing facilities equipped for ingredient receiving, cutting, grinding, mixing, steam cooking, packaging, chilling, testing, refrigerated storage, and distribution.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is Freshpet’s established Pennsylvania production center. It has played an important role in the company’s expansion and produces refrigerated pet food for distribution across major U.S. markets.
The location provides access to ingredient suppliers, transportation networks, warehouses, and large population centers in the eastern United States. That proximity is useful for a company whose products must travel through a temperature-controlled supply chain.
Ennis, Texas
Freshpet’s second company-owned manufacturing site is in Ennis, Texas, south of Dallas. The Texas kitchen increased production capacity and strengthened distribution to central, southern, and western parts of the United States.
The Ennis site supports large-scale fresh pet food manufacturing, including ingredient processing, steam cooking, package sealing, rapid chilling, cold storage, and refrigerated shipping.
Is Freshpet made at its New Jersey headquarters?
No. Freshpet’s corporate headquarters is in Bedminster, New Jersey, but its primary food manufacturing takes place in Pennsylvania and Texas.
A corporate headquarters houses administrative, financial, marketing, leadership, and related business functions. It should not be confused with a production kitchen.
Is Freshpet made in China?
Freshpet says its recipes are made in company-owned kitchens in the United States. However, “made in the USA” does not necessarily mean every vitamin, mineral, or individual ingredient originates domestically.
The company says it sources animal proteins from USDA-inspected suppliers. Anyone concerned about the country of origin of a particular ingredient should contact Freshpet with the full recipe name and package information.
How Freshpet Dog Food Is Manufactured
Freshpet uses a farm-to-fridge production model designed for refrigerated, high-moisture pet food. The precise process varies by recipe, but the main stages include ingredient sourcing, inspection, preparation, blending, cooking, packaging, chilling, testing, and refrigerated distribution.
Ingredient sourcing and supplier verification
Freshpet recipes may contain chicken, beef, turkey, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, grains or other carbohydrate sources, fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Approved suppliers must provide ingredients that meet the manufacturer’s specifications. Supplier verification can involve reviewing food-safety documentation, confirming ingredient identity, assessing nutritional composition, and tracing each delivery to its source.
Freshpet says its animal proteins come from USDA-inspected suppliers. This describes the sourcing and inspection system associated with the protein supplier. It does not mean the finished dog food is certified for human consumption.
Ingredient inspection and traceability
Incoming ingredients are inspected before use. The manufacturer must be able to trace materials from the supplier through production and into the finished package.
Ingredient traceability connects information such as:
- Supplier identity
- Delivery date
- Ingredient batch
- Production line
- Recipe
- Finished lot
- Distribution destination
If Freshpet receives a product complaint, this information can help its quality team identify which ingredients entered the batch and which stores received the finished food.
Grinding, cutting, blending, and mixing
Meat and whole-food ingredients are cut or ground according to the texture of the recipe. The prepared ingredients are then mixed with measured amounts of fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Accurate mixing is essential because nutrients must be distributed consistently. One section of a batch should not contain substantially different vitamin or mineral levels from another.
The visible appearance of chicken, carrots, spinach, cranberries, or other ingredients may resemble homemade food. Freshpet is nevertheless a commercial formula that must deliver predictable nutrition in every serving.
Steam cooking
Freshpet uses steam cooking rather than the extrusion process commonly used for kibble. The food is cooked at controlled temperatures designed to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens while maintaining its characteristic soft texture.
Freshpet refers to this as moderate-temperature cooking. The food is fully cooked, even though it is displayed in a refrigerator and looks less processed than dry kibble.
Heat control matters for both food safety and nutrition. Insufficient cooking can fail to control microorganisms, while unnecessary heat exposure may reduce the nutrient stability or bioavailability of certain vitamins and amino acids.
Hygienic packaging
The cooked food is portioned and sealed under controlled hygienic conditions. Depending on the product, the final format may be:
- A refrigerated roll
- A resealable bag
- A cup
- A stew
- A meat patty
- A mixer
- A package of fresh treats
Sealed packaging protects the food from environmental exposure before opening. It does not make the product shelf-stable. Freshpet still requires refrigeration from production through feeding.
Chilling and cold storage
Freshpet relies on cooling rather than traditional shelf-stabilizing methods. After cooking and packaging, the food is chilled and transferred into refrigerated storage.
Maintaining a safe temperature helps limit microbial growth and protect product quality. If the food remains too warm for an extended period, its safety and freshness can no longer be assumed simply because the package is unopened.
Cold-chain distribution
Cold-chain distribution keeps Freshpet refrigerated as it moves from the production kitchen to a warehouse, delivery vehicle, retailer, and customer’s refrigerator.
Stores display the food in Freshpet Fridges or other approved refrigerated cases. After checkout, responsibility for temperature control passes to the buyer.
Freshpet should be placed in a refrigerator promptly, especially during warm weather. Leaving it in a parked car while completing other errands can interrupt the cold chain.
Who Makes Freshpet Dog Food Recipes and Checks Their Safety?
Freshpet uses a multidisciplinary nutrition and research team rather than relying only on marketing staff to develop its formulas.
The company identifies professionals such as:
- Dr. Gerardo Pérez-Camargo, DVM, Ph.D.
- Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)
- Amanda Dainton, Ph.D.
Dr. Lisa Weeth’s DACVIM credential in nutrition reflects advanced veterinary specialty training. A board-certified veterinary nutritionist completes veterinary education, supervised specialty training, research, and certification requirements beyond a general veterinary degree.
Dr. Gerardo Pérez-Camargo brings veterinary, food science, and research experience to Freshpet’s research and development work. Amanda Dainton contributes Ph.D.-level knowledge in pet food science and nutrition.
Other professionals involved in fresh pet food development may include food microbiologists, process specialists, product developers, laboratory technicians, and animal nutrition researchers.
Together, these professionals evaluate matters such as:
- Canine nutrient requirements
- Digestibility
- Protein quality
- Amino acid balance
- Fat and fatty acid levels
- Vitamin and mineral stability
- Palatability
- Calorie density
- Shelf life
- Food microbiology
- Cooking temperatures
- Package performance
- Life-stage suitability
Quality-control and batch testing
Freshpet says ingredients and finished batches undergo quality checks. Testing may evaluate:
- Ingredient identity
- Supplier records
- Nutrient composition
- Vitamin and mineral levels
- Microbiological safety
- Potential contaminants
- Temperature records
- Package seals
- Sell-by dates
- Traceability codes
Batch testing helps determine whether finished food meets release standards. When a product does not meet a critical specification, it should be isolated rather than released into normal distribution.
FDA and APHIS registration
Freshpet states that its kitchens are registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
FDA registration does not mean the agency approves every dog food recipe before it reaches a store. It means the facility operates under applicable federal registration and regulatory requirements.
APHIS is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its work involves animal and plant health issues that can affect ingredient sourcing, movement, and international or interstate trade.
SQF certification
Freshpet’s manufacturing facilities have also been associated with Safe Quality Food certification. SQF is a third-party program covering structured food-safety and quality-management systems.
A certification program may review:
- Hazard controls
- Sanitation
- Employee training
- Supplier approval
- Traceability
- Corrective actions
- Recordkeeping
- Recall readiness
No certification can guarantee that a defect will never occur. Its value lies in requiring a documented system for identifying, preventing, and responding to risks.
What Ingredients Are Used in Freshpet?
Freshpet makes multiple recipes, so the entire brand cannot be evaluated from one ingredient list. Ingredients differ among Freshpet Select, Vital, Nature’s Fresh, Homestyle Creations, Deli Fresh, and other products.
Common animal ingredients may include:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Turkey
- Fish
- Eggs
- Liver or other organ meat
Recipes may also contain vegetables and fruit such as carrots, peas, spinach, green beans, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, blueberries, or cranberries.
Measured vitamins, minerals, fats, fiber sources, and amino acids are added to help the finished food meet its intended nutritional profile.
Natural and whole-food ingredients
Freshpet emphasizes natural ingredients and recognizable whole-food ingredients. While those qualities may appeal to owners, the appearance of an ingredient does not determine whether a complete diet is nutritionally appropriate.
A successful formula must deliver the correct nutrients in digestible amounts. A recipe can contain attractive pieces of meat and vegetables yet still require carefully calculated supplementation.
Added vitamins and minerals are not automatically undesirable. They may be necessary to replace processing losses or provide nutrients that whole ingredients alone do not supply consistently.
Farm-raised meat
Freshpet describes its animal proteins as farm-raised. This means the source animals come through agricultural production, but the term alone does not explain every farming, welfare, or environmental practice.
Owners who care about a particular sourcing detail should review information for the individual recipe instead of applying a general brand statement to every product.
Does Freshpet contain preservatives?
Freshpet says it avoids artificial or chemical preservatives and uses refrigeration to maintain freshness. Its preservation system depends on cooking, hygienic sealing, refrigeration, and a controlled product life.
A preservative-free claim does not mean the food cannot spoil. High-moisture refrigerated food requires careful storage because microorganisms can grow if the temperature becomes unsafe.
Is Freshpet Raw or Fully Cooked?
Freshpet is fully cooked food. It is not a raw diet.
Its recipes undergo steam cooking at controlled temperatures intended to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens. The cooked food is then packaged, chilled, and kept refrigerated.
This distinction is important because raw and cooked pet food have different handling risks. Raw diets may contain uncooked meat, bones, or organs, while Freshpet includes a cooking stage before distribution.
Fully cooked food still requires hygienic handling. Contamination can occur after cooking if utensils, hands, countertops, containers, or bowls are dirty.
Owners should:
- Wash their hands before and after serving.
- Use clean utensils for every meal.
- Refrigerate the package immediately after portioning.
- Wash the dog’s bowl after feeding.
- Avoid returning a served portion to the original package.
- Discard food left at room temperature too long.
- Follow the package’s specific storage directions.
Freshpet Brands and Product Types
Freshpet produces several refrigerated food lines. Each line has different recipes, formats, ingredient combinations, and intended uses.
Freshpet Select
Freshpet Select is one of the company’s most widely available lines. It includes refrigerated rolls and bagged recipes containing combinations of meat, vegetables, grains, or grain-free carbohydrate sources.
Vital
Vital is positioned as a premium range featuring high-quality proteins and focused ingredient combinations. Some recipes are grain-free, while others serve different life stages or feeding preferences.
Nature’s Fresh
Nature’s Fresh emphasizes responsibly sourced ingredients and environmental considerations. Availability can vary between retailers and regions.
Homestyle Creations
Homestyle Creations includes meat-based patties and mixers that owners can combine. Check the label before feeding a component alone because a mixer may be intended for supplemental feeding rather than as a complete meal.
Fresh From the Kitchen
Fresh From the Kitchen offers shredded meals with a home-cooked appearance. The food is commercially formulated and should be evaluated by its nutritional adequacy statement rather than appearance alone.
Deli Fresh
Deli Fresh products may be sold through particular grocery, club, or mass-retail channels. Package size and recipe availability can differ from the company’s other lines.
Dog Joy and other treats
Dog Joy includes refrigerated treats. Treats should be included in the dog’s total daily calories and should not replace a complete and balanced meal.
Freshpet has also used names such as DogNation and Spring & Sprout for particular products or concepts. Product lines can be introduced, renamed, or discontinued, so current packaging is more reliable than an old online list.
Does Freshpet Meet AAFCO and WSAVA Guidelines?
Freshpet says its complete-meal recipes are designed to meet applicable AAFCO nutrient profiles. However, the nutritional adequacy statement must be checked on each package.
Understanding AAFCO nutrient profiles
The Association of American Feed Control Officials develops model regulations, ingredient definitions, and nutrient profiles commonly used by manufacturers and regulators.
AAFCO does not approve or certify individual pet foods. Therefore, the phrase “AAFCO-approved dog food” is technically inaccurate.
An adequacy statement may indicate that a formula is designed for:
- Adult maintenance
- Growth
- Gestation and lactation
- All life stages
A product labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding should not be used as the dog’s only long-term food unless directed by a veterinarian.
Understanding WSAVA guidelines
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides questions and guidelines for evaluating pet food manufacturers. These address nutrition expertise, formulation, research, quality control, and manufacturing transparency.
WSAVA does not issue a universal list of approved brands. A manufacturer may state that it follows WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, but owners should still examine the company’s supporting information.
Useful questions include:
- Who formulates the food?
- Does the company employ qualified nutrition professionals?
- Who owns the manufacturing facilities?
- What ingredient and finished-product testing is performed?
- Can the company provide detailed nutrient and calorie information?
- Does it conduct or publish nutritional research?
- Can a consumer reach the company with product questions?
Complete and balanced nutrition
A formula described as complete and balanced should provide recognized essential nutrients for the stated life stage when fed according to directions.
This does not mean it is suitable for every medical condition. Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, food sensitivities, or another health issue may require a different balance of fat, protein, phosphorus, sodium, fiber, or calories.
Freshpet Dog Food Recall History
Freshpet has issued limited voluntary recalls involving particular products and lots. One documented recall occurred in June 2021 and involved one lot of Freshpet Select Small Dog Bite Size Beef & Egg Recipe because of potential Salmonella contamination.
The recall did not apply to every Freshpet product. It was identified through specific package, lot, and sell-by information. The official FDA Freshpet recall notice states that the recall was completed and terminated.
A historical recall does not establish that food currently in stores is unsafe. It does show why lot-level traceability and current official information are more useful than unverified social media claims.
Information to retain from the package
Before discarding the original packaging, record:
- Full product and recipe name
- Package size
- UPC
- Sell-by date
- Lot code
- Traceability code
- Store and purchase date
A recall usually applies to identified lots, not every package under the brand name. Without the production code, it may be difficult for the manufacturer to determine whether a complaint involves a particular batch.
Warning signs that justify caution
Do not feed Freshpet if the package:
- Is swollen
- Is leaking
- Has a broken seal
- Was displayed outside refrigeration
- Feels unexpectedly warm
- Contains visible mold
- Has a sour or abnormal odor
- Is significantly discolored
- Is past the relevant use date
Contact a veterinarian if a dog develops vomiting, diarrhea, fever, unusual tiredness, reduced appetite, or another concerning symptom after eating.
Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens can affect people as well as animals. Clean the refrigerator shelf, bowl, utensils, floor, and nearby surfaces if a package leaks.
How to Store Freshpet Safely
Safe storage begins at the store and continues until the dog finishes the package.
At the store
Select Freshpet near the end of your shopping trip. Confirm that it is cold and stored inside a functioning refrigerated case.
Avoid packages that are warm, damaged, leaking, swollen, or past the sell-by date.
During transportation
Go home promptly after purchasing refrigerated dog food. If you live far from the store, expect traffic, or need to complete other errands, transport the food in an insulated bag with adequate cooling.
A cooler does not make unlimited travel safe. Its purpose is to reduce warming during a reasonably short trip.
Before opening
Place unopened Freshpet in the refrigerator immediately. Do not store it in a pantry, unrefrigerated cabinet, warm garage, or vehicle.
Monitor refrigerator performance rather than assuming every shelf remains at the same temperature. Door shelves often experience greater temperature changes because they are exposed to warm air whenever the door opens.
After opening
Reseal the original package carefully or transfer the remaining food to a clean, airtight, refrigerator-safe container. Use clean utensils and avoid touching unused food with a spoon that has contacted the dog’s mouth.
For format-specific storage details, read How Long Does Freshpet Last after opening.
Do not depend only on appearance or smell. Dangerous microorganisms may not produce visible spoilage, while some harmless ingredient variation may affect color or texture.
Can Freshpet be frozen?
Some Freshpet products may be frozen, although freezing can change their texture. Check the instructions for the particular recipe before freezing.
When freezing is allowed, divide the food into meal-size portions using clean equipment. Thaw each portion in the refrigerator, not on the countertop, and avoid repeated freezing and thawing.
Helpful Amazon Products for Freshpet Owners
The following products match the needs created by refrigerated dog food: maintaining temperature, transporting it cold, storing opened portions, measuring accurate servings, and cleaning feeding equipment.
They are not Freshpet products and are not required by the manufacturer. They are practical tools that may make safe handling easier.
Buying note: Amazon inventory and sellers can change. For better authenticity, confirm that the brand name, model number, seller, return policy, and package details match the listing before ordering. Avoid suspiciously altered listings or products shipped without original branded packaging.
| Recommended product | Problem it helps solve | Why it fits Freshpet use |
|---|
| Messy Mutts Stainless Dog Bowls With Silicone Lids | Storing prepared portions and opened food | The stainless bowls allow Freshpet portions to be prepared in advance, while the airtight silicone lids keep meals covered in the refrigerator until feeding time. |
| Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder With Ice Packs | Serving scheduled meals when the owner is away | Its timed compartments and cooling packs can hold measured Freshpet portions for small dogs. Ice packs do not replace active refrigeration, so follow the feeder’s safe-use instructions. |
| LickiMat SloDog Slow-Feeding Mat | Fast eating and gulping | Freshpet’s soft texture can be spread across the mat, encouraging slower licking and extending mealtime. Wash it thoroughly after every use. |
| West Paw Toppl Dog Enrichment Toy | Boredom and rapid food consumption | A measured Freshpet portion can be placed inside for supervised enrichment. Count the food toward the dog’s daily calories and refrigerate the filled toy until serving. |
| Messy Mutts Silicone Dog Feeding Mat | Moist food spills and difficult cleanup | The raised-edge pet mat catches dropped Freshpet, water, and drool, creating a cleaner feeding area that can be washed after meals. |
Which product is most important?
The most useful choice depends on the reader’s main problem:
- Choose a refrigerator thermometer if you are uncertain whether your refrigerator remains cold enough.
- Choose an insulated tote if the trip home is long or the weather is hot.
- Choose a sealed glass container if opened packages leak or absorb refrigerator odors.
- Choose a digital scale if your dog needs strict calorie or weight control.
- Choose washable stainless-steel bowls if your current feeding dishes are porous, cracked, or difficult to sanitize.
A product cannot correct unsafe food that has already remained warm for an unknown period. If the cold chain has clearly failed, the safer approach is to contact the manufacturer and replace the food rather than trying to chill it again.
Is Freshpet a Good Choice for Your Dog?
Freshpet can be a practical option for owners who want fully cooked refrigerated food with a softer texture and recognizable ingredients.
Its aroma and texture may improve palatability for some picky eaters. The high moisture content can also contribute to total water intake.
Potential advantages include:
- Soft, moist texture
- Strong aroma
- Visible ingredients
- High moisture content
- Several animal protein choices
- Multiple product formats
- Company-owned manufacturing
- Formulation by qualified nutrition professionals
Some owners report improved digestion, healthier-looking skin and coat, stable weight, or increased energy and vitality. These are individual experiences rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Practical disadvantages
Freshpet also presents challenges that do not apply to ordinary kibble:
- It requires reliable refrigeration.
- Open packages have a limited storage period.
- It can cost more per day.
- Travel and boarding require planning.
- Packages take up refrigerator space.
- Portions may be overestimated without measurement.
- A cold-chain failure can create spoilage concerns.
Calculate the likely Freshpet Dog Food Cost monthly before switching completely. A food is not sustainable for the household if the owner cannot purchase or store it consistently.
Is Freshpet suitable for puppies?
Some Freshpet recipes are formulated for growth or all life stages, while others are intended for adult maintenance or supplemental feeding.
Puppy owners must check the nutritional adequacy statement. This is especially important for puppies expected to become large adult dogs because their growth requires carefully controlled mineral and calorie levels.
The guide Is Freshpet Good for Puppies explains what to examine before selecting a puppy recipe.
Dogs with health conditions
Consult a veterinarian before using Freshpet as the principal diet for a dog with:
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Bladder stones
- Chronic diarrhea
- Food sensitivity
- Suspected allergy
- A prescribed therapeutic diet
A fresh appearance does not determine medical suitability. Two Freshpet recipes may differ significantly in fat, protein, fiber, phosphorus, sodium, or calorie content.
Readers can explore the main Dog Food section for additional feeding comparisons. Changes in appetite, food guarding, begging, and feeding routines may also be better understood through Dog Behaviour.
Freshpet Versus Traditional Kibble
Freshpet and dry kibble use different cooking, preservation, storage, and distribution systems.
| Feature | Freshpet | Dry kibble |
| Storage | Requires refrigeration | Shelf-stable before opening |
| Moisture | High | Low |
| Texture | Soft and moist | Dry and crunchy |
| Common cooking method | Steam cooking | Extrusion |
| Preservation method | Cooking, packaging, and refrigeration | Low moisture and shelf-stabilizing methods |
| Open-package life | Relatively short | Usually longer |
| Transportation | Cold handling recommended | Generally no refrigeration needed |
| Typical cost | Often higher | Usually lower |
| Portion appearance | Larger due to water content | Smaller and calorie-dense |
| Travel convenience | Requires planning | Easier to transport |
Neither format is automatically best for every dog. The more appropriate choice is the one that is nutritionally complete, medically suitable, affordable, available, and stored correctly.
Owners comparing Freshpet with a conventional dry-food manufacturer can read about Diamond Dog Food to understand the difference between refrigerated production and kibble manufacturing.
For a broader explanation of Freshpet’s formats, ingredients, and uses, visit the main Freshpet Dog Food guide.
How to Transition a Dog to Freshpet
A sudden switch can cause temporary digestive upset even when both foods are nutritionally appropriate. Transition gradually unless a veterinarian recommends another method.
| Transition period | Current food | Freshpet |
| Days 1–2 | 75% | 25% |
| Days 3–4 | 50% | 50% |
| Days 5–6 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 7 onward | 0% | 100% |
Dogs with sensitive digestion may need ten days or longer. Monitor:
- Appetite
- Stool consistency
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Itching
- Ear irritation
- Energy
- Body weight
- Water intake
Feeding instructions provide a starting point, not a perfect prescription. The guide explaining how much Freshpet to feed dog can help owners compare serving amounts and calorie needs.
When mixing Freshpet with another complete food, calculate both portions by calories. Do not feed a full daily allowance of kibble plus a full daily allowance of Freshpet, as this can lead to excessive calorie intake.
Conclusion
Freshpet dog food is made by Freshpet, Inc., a publicly traded American pet food company founded in 2006 by Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps. The company is led by CEO Billy Cyr and trades on Nasdaq under the symbol FRPT.
Freshpet owns manufacturing kitchens in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Ennis, Texas. Its corporate headquarters is in Bedminster, New Jersey. The recipes are developed with help from veterinary nutritionists, veterinarians, board-certified specialists, food scientists, and research professionals.
The manufacturing process includes ingredient sourcing, supplier verification, traceability, cutting or grinding, blending, steam cooking, hygienic packaging, rapid chilling, batch testing, refrigerated storage, and cold-chain distribution.
Freshpet is fully cooked rather than raw. Its preservation system depends on correct refrigeration, which means safe transportation and storage are essential. A refrigerator thermometer, insulated transport tote, sealed container, portion scale, and washable bowl can help owners manage the food more consistently, but no accessory can make improperly stored food safe again.
Before choosing a recipe, check the complete product name, nutritional adequacy statement, life stage, ingredients, guaranteed analysis, calorie content, feeding guide, sell-by date, lot code, and storage instructions. Ask a veterinarian whether the formula meets your dog’s individual nutritional and medical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Freshpet dog food?
Freshpet dog food is made by Freshpet, Inc., an independent American pet food manufacturer.
Who makes Fresh Pet dog food?
“Fresh Pet” generally refers to Freshpet, which manufactures its refrigerated recipes in company-owned U.S. kitchens.
Where is Freshpet dog food made?
Freshpet is made at company-owned manufacturing sites in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Ennis, Texas.
Where is Fresh Pet dog food made?
Fresh Pet food is manufactured in the United States at Freshpet’s Pennsylvania and Texas kitchens.
Who owns Freshpet?
Freshpet, Inc. is publicly traded on Nasdaq, so its shareholders collectively own the company.
Is Freshpet owned by Purina?
No. Freshpet is an independent public company and is not owned by Purina or Nestlé.
Is Freshpet made in China?
Freshpet says its food is made in the United States. Contact the company for the origin of a specific ingredient.
Does Freshpet own its factories?
Yes. Freshpet says it wholly owns its manufacturing sites in Bethlehem and Ennis.
Is Freshpet raw dog food?
No. Freshpet is steam-cooked and fully cooked before being packaged and refrigerated.
Does Freshpet need refrigeration?
Yes. Freshpet requires continuous refrigeration before and after opening.
How long can Freshpet sit out?
Follow the package directions and avoid leaving it at room temperature. Discard food that has remained warm for an uncertain period.
Is Freshpet complete and balanced?
Many Freshpet recipes are complete and balanced, but some products may be supplemental. Check the adequacy statement on the exact package.
Is Freshpet AAFCO approved?
AAFCO does not approve individual products. Check whether the recipe is formulated to meet the appropriate AAFCO nutrient profile.
Has Freshpet ever been recalled?
Yes. Freshpet has issued limited recalls, including a completed 2021 recall involving one lot because of potential Salmonella.
Can Freshpet be frozen?
Some recipes may be frozen, but texture can change. Check the product’s directions before freezing.
Can puppies eat Freshpet?
Puppies may eat a recipe formulated for growth or all life stages. Confirm that it is suitable for the puppy’s expected adult size.
How can I tell if Freshpet has spoiled?
Swelling, leaking, mold, unusual discoloration, a damaged seal, or an abnormal odor are warning signs. Do not taste suspected pet food.
What should I do if my dog gets sick after eating Freshpet?
Stop feeding the suspected package, save its code information, and contact a veterinarian and the manufacturer.
