What Is Freshpet? Ingredients, Types & Nutrition

Summary

What is Freshpet? Freshpet is a brand of fully cooked, refrigerated pet food made with ingredients such as chicken, beef, turkey, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, grains, vitamins, and minerals. Unlike shelf-stable dry kibble, Freshpet dog food is kept cold from production to purchase and must remain refrigerated at home. It can be served as a complete meal, mixed with kibble, or used as a meal topper—provided the chosen recipe is nutritionally appropriate for your dog.

Freshpet is not raw food; not every recipe is grain-free, and the company states that its recipes should not be described as human-grade pet food under applicable regulatory definitions. Many recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards, but owners must check each package because life-stage suitability, calorie content, fat levels, ingredients, and feeding instructions vary.

This guide explains Freshpet ingredients, cooking methods, product types, nutritional value, storage requirements, possible benefits, limitations, and the differences between Freshpet Select and Freshpet Vital.

What is Freshpet and how is it different?
How is Freshpet dog food made?
What is in Freshpet dog food?
Is Freshpet raw food?
Is Freshpet grain-free?
Is Freshpet human grade?
Is Freshpet AAFCO approved?
Freshpet product types and brands
Freshpet Select vs. Freshpet Vital
Is Freshpet high in fat?
How to read Freshpet nutrition information
Ways to serve Freshpet
Benefits of Freshpet dog food
Possible disadvantages and risks
Storage and food-safety rules
How to choose a Freshpet recipe
Frequently asked questions

What Is Freshpet and How Is It Different From Regular Dog Food?

Freshpet Inc. is an American pet food company known for producing refrigerated dog food and fresh cat food. The brand helped make refrigerated fresh pet food widely available through grocery stores, pet stores, major retailers, online sellers, and home-delivery plans.

The main difference between Freshpet and conventional dog food is how the product is cooked, preserved, packaged, and stored.

Traditional dry kibble is normally produced through high-heat extrusion. During this process, mixed ingredients are exposed to heat and pressure and formed into shelf-stable pellets. Because kibble contains relatively little moisture, it can remain stable in a sealed bag at room temperature for an extended period.

Freshpet takes a different approach. Its recipes contain a high moisture content, are gently cooked, packaged, and kept refrigerated. Refrigeration and temperature-controlled handling help preserve the food without relying on the same shelf-stability strategy used for dry kibble.

Freshpet is therefore closer in format to moist dog food than kibble, but it is not exactly the same as traditional canned or pouched wet dog food. Freshpet is sold from a grocery-store refrigerator and normally comes as a slice-and-serve roll, bagged meal, deli-fresh bag, single-serve meal, or customized delivery portion.

Freshpet in one simple definition

Freshpet is a commercial, fully cooked, refrigerated pet food made with animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, grains or grain alternatives, and added nutrients. Different recipes are designed for different dogs, life stages, dietary preferences, and feeding methods.

Is Freshpet a premium pet food?

Freshpet is generally positioned as premium pet food. It usually costs more than standard kibble because refrigerated ingredients, cooking, cold-chain storage, specialized packaging, transportation, and retail refrigeration increase production and distribution costs.

A premium price does not automatically mean a particular recipe is ideal for every dog. Nutritional adequacy, life-stage suitability, calorie density, ingredient tolerance, portion control, and veterinary guidance remain more important than marketing position.

Owners comparing the wider range of commercial diets can find additional information in the Dog Food section.

How Is Freshpet Dog Food Made?

Freshpet recipes are made using fresh ingredients that are combined with necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The food is then cooked under controlled conditions, packaged, chilled, and distributed through a refrigerated supply chain.

Gentle steam cooking

Freshpet describes its recipes as gently steam-cooked at controlled cooking temperatures. The goal is to cook the animal ingredients fully, reduce harmful pathogens, and maintain the taste and texture that make the food appealing to dogs.

This process differs from raw feeding. Even though the finished food may resemble freshly prepared meat and vegetables, Freshpet is fully cooked food.

Lower-temperature steam cooking may help protect some heat-sensitive nutrients, amino acids, natural flavors, and protein quality compared with more intensive processing. However, “less processed” does not mean unprocessed. Ingredient preparation, mixing, cooking, nutrient supplementation, packaging, chilling, and transportation are all forms of processing.

The practical question is not whether a food has been processed at all. It is whether the finished recipe is safe, nutritionally complete, digestible, and suitable for the individual dog.

Refrigeration instead of shelf stability

Dry kibble is made shelf-stable by removing much of its moisture and using processing and packaging that limit spoilage. Freshpet retains much more water, so it depends on refrigeration and cold-chain storage.

This high moisture content gives Freshpet its soft texture and may contribute to a dog’s total hydration. It also creates a limited shelf life. Freshpet cannot be stored in a pantry like an unopened bag of kibble.

Food-safety and quality-control systems

Commercial refrigerated pet food requires careful microorganism control. Freshpet reports using food-safety procedures that include:

Ingredient sourcing standards
Ingredient traceability
Supplier verification
Laboratory testing
Contaminant testing
Controlled cooking
Temperature monitoring
Quality-control checks
Refrigerated transportation
Sealed packaging

Freshpet also reports that its manufacturing facilities use food-safety and quality systems, including SQF certification. Pet food production in the United States is subject to FDA requirements, while meat, poultry, labeling, and manufacturing activities may also involve USDA and state regulatory frameworks.

These controls are intended to reduce food contamination and the presence of disease-causing bacteria. They do not eliminate the need for proper handling after the food reaches the customer’s home.

What Is Freshpet Made Of?

What is in Freshpet dog food depends on the individual recipe. There is no single ingredient list shared by every Freshpet Select roll, Freshpet Vital product, Nature’s Fresh recipe, or Freshpet Delivery meal.

Most recipes combine an animal protein with vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Some are grain-free, while others use whole grains such as brown rice.

Real meat and animal protein

Freshpet commonly uses real meat as a major ingredient. Protein sources across its product range can include:

Chicken
Beef
Turkey
Salmon
Lamb
Fish
Bison
Egg

Animal protein supplies amino acids that dogs use to maintain muscle, organs, skin, enzymes, hormones, and other body structures.

The ingredient list is arranged by weight before cooking. An ingredient appearing first contributes more pre-cooking weight than ingredients listed later. Fresh meat naturally contains water, so the first position on an ingredient panel does not by itself reveal the food’s final dry matter protein concentration.

Vegetables, fruits, and grains

Depending on the recipe, Freshpet may include recognizable ingredients such as:

Pumpkin
Carrot
Sweet potato
Spinach
Green beans
Peas
Brown rice
Cranberry
Blueberry

Vegetables and whole grains may supply carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and energy. Pumpkin and sweet potato can contribute fiber and beta-carotene, while an antioxidant-rich fruit may contribute naturally occurring plant compounds.

However, individual ingredients should not be evaluated in isolation. A small amount of blueberry does not transform a nutritionally incomplete diet into a balanced one. The complete formulation matters more than the presence of a fashionable ingredient.

Vitamins and minerals

A commercial complete meal usually requires carefully measured vitamins and minerals. Even a recipe made with real meat, lean meat, fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains may not naturally provide every nutrient in the amount and ratio a dog needs.

Added nutrients may include sources of:

Calcium
Phosphorus
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Iodine
Selenium
Vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex

Seeing a chemical-sounding mineral name does not automatically mean the ingredient is harmful. Nutritional supplementation is often necessary to produce complete and balanced nutrition.

A short ingredient list may look attractive, but it is not automatically more nutritionally complete than a longer formulation developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Does Freshpet contain meat meal or meat by-products?

Freshpet promotes the use of fresh animal protein instead of meat meal, meat powder, and certain meat by-products. Owners who prefer visible, recognizable ingredients may find this appealing.

Meat meal and by-products are not automatically unsafe or nutritionally poor. Properly processed animal ingredients can supply protein and important nutrients. Freshpet’s decision not to use them is primarily a formulation and brand-positioning choice, not proof that all foods containing those ingredients are inferior.

Does Freshpet contain artificial preservatives?

Freshpet recipes are marketed without artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. The food stays fresh through cooking, packaging, refrigeration, and controlled distribution rather than being designed for extended room-temperature storage.

The absence of an artificial preservative does not mean the food cannot spoil. Refrigerated food is perishable and must be handled according to the package directions.

Dog food ingredients arrangement

Is Freshpet Raw Food?

No. Freshpet is not raw food.

The confusion is understandable because Freshpet is moist, refrigerated, and made with visible pieces of animal and plant ingredients. Those qualities can make it look more like raw or homemade food than dry kibble.

Freshpet recipes are nevertheless fully cooked. Steam cooking brings the food to controlled temperatures intended to reduce potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria.

Freshpet versus a raw diet

Feature	Freshpet	Raw dog food
Cooking status	Fully cooked	Uncooked or minimally heated
Storage	Refrigerated	Refrigerated or frozen
Microbial risk	Reduced through cooking	Generally higher
Shelf life	Limited	Limited after thawing
Nutritional adequacy	Depends on the recipe	Depends on the formulation
Preparation	Ready to serve	May require thawing or handling raw meat

Raw diets may carry a greater risk of exposure to bacteria for dogs and people, especially children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and anyone with decreased immune function.

Freshpet still requires good hygiene because cooked refrigerated food can become contaminated after production or spoil when handled incorrectly.

Is Freshpet Grain-Free?

Some Freshpet recipes are grain-free, but the entire Freshpet product range is not grain-free.

The company offers both grain-free recipes and grain-inclusive recipes. Grain-inclusive products may contain brown rice or other grains, while grain-free formulas may use ingredients such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, or other carbohydrate and fiber sources.

If you are searching “is Fresh Pet grain free,” the most accurate answer is: check the individual package.

Grain-free does not mean carbohydrate-free

A grain-free recipe does not necessarily contain fewer carbohydrates. It simply avoids particular grains. Potatoes, peas, legumes, and other plant ingredients may still contribute carbohydrates.

Does a dog need grain-free food?

Most dogs do not need to avoid grains. Properly cooked whole grains can provide energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

A grain-free formula may be appropriate when recommended for a specific dog, but the label should not be treated as an automatic sign of better nutrition. Dogs with a suspected food allergy are more commonly reactive to an animal protein than to grain, although individual cases vary.

If your dog has itching, repeated ear problems, digestive symptoms, or another suspected food allergy, work with a veterinarian rather than changing foods randomly.

Check the entire ingredient list

A recipe’s name may emphasize chicken, beef, or salmon while the complete ingredient panel includes several proteins, grains, legumes, or eggs.

Owners managing an allergy or food sensitivity should read every ingredient rather than relying on the front of the package.

Is Freshpet Human Grade?

Freshpet dog food may resemble human food, and some of its ingredients come from suppliers that also serve the human-food system. That does not necessarily make the finished pet food legally “human grade.”

Freshpet currently states on product information that its recipes are not human grade, although ingredients may be sourced from human-edible suppliers. The distinction matters because a human-grade claim can apply to more than ingredient appearance or supplier origin. It may require every ingredient and the full manufacturing, handling, and storage process to satisfy the regulatory requirements associated with human food.

Therefore, the most accurate answer to “is Freshpet human grade?” is no; it should not be described as a human-grade finished product unless the current package explicitly carries a compliant claim.

Human grade does not guarantee better nutrition

Even when a pet food qualifies for a human-grade claim, the term does not prove that it is:

Complete and balanced
Appropriate for your dog’s life stage
Lower in fat
Easier to digest
Safer for a food allergy
More thoroughly researched
Better than every feed-grade product

A dog needs canine-appropriate nutrition. Food can look like a home-cooked human meal and still be deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or fatty acids.

Is Freshpet AAFCO Approved?

The phrase “AAFCO approved” is widely used but technically inaccurate.

AAFCO does not approve, certify, test, or endorse individual brands or products. As explained in the AAFCO pet-food FAQ, there is no such thing as an AAFCO-approved pet food.

What AAFCO does provide includes nutrient profiles, ingredient definitions, model regulations, labeling guidance, and feeding-trial protocols. Manufacturers can formulate recipes to meet an AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile or substantiate adequacy through a feeding protocol.

What to look for instead

Read the nutritional adequacy statement on the individual Freshpet package. It may state that the recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for:

Adult maintenance
Growth
Growth including large-size dogs
All life stages

This wording tells you which dogs the recipe is intended to feed as a complete diet.

Not every Freshpet product has the same life-stage claim

A recipe designed for adult maintenance should not be assumed appropriate for a puppy. Similarly, an all-life-stages recipe may carry specific language about whether it supports the growth of large-size dogs expected to weigh 70 pounds or more as adults.

Treats and meal toppers may not be complete and balanced. They should not replace a complete diet unless their label specifically establishes nutritional adequacy for that use.

The article Is Freshpet Good for Puppies explains how to check growth and large-breed suitability in more detail.

Freshpet Product Types and Brands

Freshpet is not one formula. Its range includes several brands, formats, protein combinations, and feeding options.

Freshpet Select

Freshpet Select is the company’s signature retail line. It includes rolls and bagged meals made with combinations of meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, or grain alternatives.

A slice-and-serve roll can be cut using the serving indicators on its packaging and then divided into smaller pieces. Bagged meals can be measured and poured directly into the bowl.

Freshpet Vital

Freshpet Vital is positioned as a premium line built around simple ingredients and particular nutritional goals. The range includes grain-free and grain-inclusive options, multiple animal proteins, puppy recipes, and formulas for different dog sizes or needs.

“Vital” does not mean every recipe is suitable for every life stage or medical condition. Check the actual nutritional adequacy statement, calorie information, ingredients, and feeding guidelines.

Nature’s Fresh

Nature’s Fresh recipes may include grain-inclusive and grain-free options using animal protein, vegetables, fruits, and ingredients such as brown rice.

Availability can vary by retailer and region.

Homestyle Creations

Homestyle Creations products are designed to create a ready-to-serve, home-style feeding experience. Depending on the product, an owner may combine a refrigerated protein patty with a complementary mixer.

Owners should confirm whether every component is a complete meal or whether certain items are intended only for complementary feeding.

Deli Fresh

Deli Fresh is a refrigerated line commonly available through Costco. It is marketed as a convenient way to purchase protein-rich fresh food in a larger retail format.

As with every Freshpet line, suitability depends on the individual recipe rather than the line name.

Freshpet Delivery

Freshpet Delivery offers customized meal plans sent directly to the customer. A subscription plan can provide:

Home delivery
A customized meal plan
Preselected recipes
Recommended feeding portions
Recurring shipping
Multiple protein choices

Freshpet Delivery may be useful for owners who want fresh food without visiting a brick-and-mortar store. It can still cost more than standard kibble, and owners need reliable refrigerator or freezer capacity when shipments arrive.

Dog Joy and Freshpet treats

Dog Joy includes refrigerated dog treats. Treats can be useful for training and reinforcing positive Dog Behaviour, but they are not automatically complete meals.

Treat calories should be counted as part of the dog’s total daily intake. Feeding too many treats may dilute a balanced diet and contribute to weight gain.

What Is the Difference Between Freshpet and Freshpet Vital?

The simplest difference is product positioning.

Freshpet Select represents the company’s signature range of everyday refrigerated meals. Freshpet Vital is presented as a more specialized premium range featuring simple ingredients and recipes developed for specific preferences, sizes, or life stages.

However, the exact difference can vary from one recipe to another.

Comparison point	Freshpet Select	Freshpet Vital
Positioning	Signature everyday range	Premium or more specialized range
Formats	Rolls and bagged meals	Rolls and bagged meals
Grain options	Grain-free and grain-inclusive	Grain-free and grain-inclusive
Protein choices	Vary by recipe	Vary by recipe
Life stages	Vary by recipe	Vary by recipe
Calorie and fat levels	Vary	Vary
Retail availability	Broad	May vary by retailer
Nutritional adequacy	Check package	Check package

Freshpet Vital is not automatically healthier simply because it carries a different sub-brand name. Compare the two specific recipes you are considering.

Focus on:

Nutritional adequacy
Life-stage statement
Ingredient list
Guaranteed analysis
Calorie content
Feeding portion
Protein and fat levels
Grain or legume content
Package size
Storage period
Cost per day

Is Freshpet High in Fat?

Some Freshpet recipes can be relatively high in fat, while others have more moderate levels. It is inaccurate to apply one fat value to the entire brand.

Freshpet’s guaranteed analysis may appear to list low protein or fat percentages compared with kibble because refrigerated food contains far more water. For a fair comparison, nutrients should be evaluated on a dry matter basis or by calories rather than comparing the printed percentages directly.

Why moisture changes the comparison

Imagine that a Freshpet recipe contains 75% moisture. Only 25% of its weight is dry matter. A fat value printed as 7% “as fed” represents a much larger percentage of the dry portion than it first appears.

A dry matter calculation uses the following formula:

Dry matter nutrient percentage = as-fed nutrient percentage ÷ dry matter percentage × 100

If a recipe contains 7% fat and 75% moisture:

Dry matter = 25%
7 ÷ 25 × 100 = 28% fat on a dry matter basis

That does not automatically make the food unhealthy. Fat provides energy and essential fatty acids. The concern is whether its concentration fits the dog’s calorie requirements, body condition, activity level, and medical history.

Dogs that may need extra caution

Discuss the recipe with a veterinarian if your dog has:

Pancreatitis
Hyperlipidemia
Obesity
A history of digestive reactions to fatty food
A medical condition requiring fat restriction
Low activity and easy weight gain

A high-fat recipe may be appropriate for one healthy, active dog and unsuitable for another. Portion size is just as important as the percentage printed on the label.

Understanding Freshpet Nutrition Labels

The ingredient list is only one part of the label. A responsible comparison should include several sections.

Nutritional adequacy statement

This tells you whether the food can serve as a complete meal and identifies the intended life stage.

Guaranteed analysis

The guaranteed analysis commonly lists minimum crude protein and crude fat, plus maximum crude fiber and moisture. It does not provide every nutrient or show exact amounts.

Because Freshpet has high moisture content, use dry matter values when comparing it with kibble or lower-moisture foods.

Calorie content

Calorie content may appear as kilocalories per kilogram and per serving, package, cup, or half-pound.

Two Freshpet recipes with similar ingredient lists can have different calorie densities. Always use the feeding instructions for the exact product in your refrigerator.

Feeding guideline

The package feeding guideline provides a starting portion based primarily on body weight. The correct serving may also depend on:

Age
Life stage
Activity
Reproductive status
Body condition
Treat consumption
Mixed feeding
Health conditions

To calculate a more realistic portion, consult the guide on how much Freshpet to feed dog.

Ingredient panel

Read the full list when managing a food allergy or sensitivity. A recipe named after beef or salmon may contain chicken, egg, or another animal protein.

Do not assume a product is suitable based only on the photograph or name on the front.

How Can Freshpet Be Served?

Freshpet can be used in several ways.

As a complete meal

A recipe carrying the appropriate complete and balanced nutritional adequacy statement can be served as the dog’s primary diet.

Measure the recommended daily amount and divide it into suitable meals. Avoid cutting inconsistent slices from a roll without checking their weight.

As a meal topper

Freshpet can be added to kibble to improve aroma, moisture, texture, and palatability. This may help a picky eater show more interest in the bowl.

A topper still adds calories. Reduce the kibble portion to prevent gradual weight gain.

In a mixed-feeding plan

Mixed feeding combines fresh dog food with another complete food. It may reduce cost while providing some of the texture and moisture of refrigerated food.

Do not give a full daily portion of Freshpet plus a full daily portion of kibble. Calculate the calories contributed by both foods.

As a training reward

Small pieces of a Freshpet roll can be used during training because the soft food can be divided into small portions.

Subtract training pieces from the daily allowance and avoid carrying refrigerated food unrefrigerated for long sessions.

Through home delivery

A Freshpet Delivery subscription provides recurring refrigerated or frozen shipments and may offer portions based on information about the dog.

Customized recommendations are still estimates. Monitor healthy weight, body condition, appetite, stool quality, and energy, then adjust the plan when necessary.

Potential Benefits of Freshpet Dog Food

An appropriate Freshpet recipe may offer several practical benefits.

Palatability for picky eaters

The smell, moisture, meat content, and soft texture may be more appealing than dry kibble. This can be helpful for a picky eater, although a sudden loss of appetite should never be dismissed as fussiness.

Moisture and hydration

Freshpet’s high moisture content contributes water with every meal. This may support total hydration, particularly in dogs that drink relatively little.

Fresh water must still remain available at all times.

Soft texture

Freshpet may be easier to chew for some senior dogs or dogs with dental limitations. However, difficulty chewing can indicate dental disease and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Digestibility

Some owners report improved digestion after switching to fresh food. The cooked texture and ingredient combination may be highly digestible for certain dogs.

Individual responses vary. A dog with a sensitive stomach may improve on one recipe and react poorly to another.

Visible ingredients

Recognizable meat and vegetables can make owners feel more comfortable with the food. Visible ingredients also make Freshpet easy to portion or use inside certain enrichment toys.

Possible coat, weight, and energy changes

Freshpet markets benefits such as a shinier coat, healthier weight, increased energy, and improved digestion. These outcomes should not be guaranteed for every dog.

Coat quality, weight, stool, and energy are influenced by total nutrition, calorie intake, health, grooming, activity, age, genetics, parasites, and medical conditions.

Possible Disadvantages and Risks

Freshpet is convenient for many households, but it has limitations.

Higher feeding cost

Freshpet generally has a higher feeding cost than ordinary kibble. Large dogs, active dogs, and multi-dog households may consume substantial amounts.

Owners planning a long-term budget can consult the breakdown of Freshpet Dog Food Cost monthly.

Limited refrigerated life

Freshpet is perishable food. Once opened, most products must be used within a relatively short period.

Buying an oversized roll for a small dog may result in waste if it cannot be finished safely.

Refrigerator dependence

The product requires continuous refrigeration. It may be inconvenient during travel, camping, lengthy power outages, or any situation without reliable cold storage.

Overfeeding risk

Freshpet is often highly palatable. Dogs may eat it quickly and continue asking for more.

The soft appearance can also cause owners to underestimate calorie content. Repeatedly adding unmeasured portions can lead to weight gain.

Digestive upset during transition

A sudden switch from kibble to moist refrigerated food may cause vomiting, gas, loose stool, or diarrhea.

Transition over approximately 7–10 days unless your veterinarian recommends another schedule. Slow the change further for a sensitive stomach.

Multiple protein ingredients

Some recipes combine chicken, beef, turkey, fish, egg, or other proteins. Multi-protein diets can be unsuitable during a veterinary elimination-diet trial.

Not a prescription veterinary diet

Freshpet recipes should not replace a prescription veterinary diet for kidney disease, pancreatitis, urinary disease, severe food allergy, or another medical condition without veterinary approval.

Freshpet Storage and Food-Safety Advice

Correct refrigeration is essential.

Keep Freshpet at 35–40°F

Freshpet recommends refrigeration at approximately 35–40°F. Place the food in a consistently cold part of the refrigerator rather than in a warm door compartment.

Keep it separated from leaking raw human foods.

Follow the use-by date

Check the package’s use-by date before serving. Do not assume that an unopened product will remain safe indefinitely.

After opening, Freshpet rolls and many bagged meals commonly need to be used within seven days. Some formats may have a shorter period, so follow the specific serving instruction on the package.

The complete storage guide, How Long Does Freshpet Last, explains opened-package timing and spoilage signs.

Use resealable packaging or an airtight container

Close a bag using its resealable packaging. Place an opened roll or a product without a secure seal in a clean airtight container.

A container helps prevent moisture loss and cross-contamination, but it does not extend the manufacturer’s use period.

Follow the one-hour rule

Freshpet advises that its food should not remain at room temperature for more than approximately one hour.

Discard uneaten food after the safe serving period. Do not return food covered in saliva from the bowl to the main package.

Wash bowls and utensils

Wash food bowls, knives, measuring tools, storage containers, and preparation surfaces after feeding.

People with decreased immune function should take particular care when handling any pet food. Wash hands thoroughly after serving it.

How to Choose the Right Freshpet Recipe

Do not choose solely on the basis of attractive ingredients or package design.

Check the life stage

Select a nutritional adequacy statement appropriate for:

Puppy growth
Adult maintenance
All life stages
Large-breed growth, when relevant

Consider your dog’s health

A healthy adult dog has different needs from a puppy, pregnant dog, senior dog, highly active dog, or dog with a medical condition.

Consult a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist when nutritional requirements are complicated.

Review protein sources

Check every animal protein if your dog has a diagnosed allergy or is completing a controlled food trial.

Compare fat and calories

Use calorie content and dry matter analysis rather than comparing only the as-fed fat percentage.

Consider grains and legumes

Choose grain-free or grain-inclusive food according to the dog’s actual needs, not marketing trends. Review the legume content if it is a concern in your dog’s diet.

Assess practical fit

Before switching, ask whether you can:

Afford the ongoing cost
Maintain continuous refrigeration
Finish packages within the stated period
Measure portions accurately
Store delivery orders safely
Obtain the recipe consistently from an online retailer or brick-and-mortar store

The best dog food is not simply the product with the most attractive ingredient list. It is a nutritionally appropriate food that your dog tolerates and that your household can feed safely and consistently.

Conclusion

Freshpet is fully cooked, refrigerated pet food made with combinations of real meat, vegetables, fruits, grains or grain alternatives, vitamins, and minerals. It differs from dry kibble because it contains more moisture, is gently steam-cooked, and depends on refrigeration rather than shelf stability.

Freshpet is not raw. Some recipes are grain-free, while others contain whole grains. Freshpet also states that its finished products are not human grade under the applicable regulatory definition. Although people commonly ask whether Freshpet is AAFCO approved, AAFCO does not approve pet-food brands. The correct approach is to check whether the individual recipe’s nutritional adequacy statement says it meets an appropriate AAFCO nutrient profile.

Freshpet Select, Freshpet Vital, Nature’s Fresh, Homestyle Creations, Deli Fresh, Freshpet Delivery, and Dog Joy serve different purposes. Compare the specific recipe’s life stage, calorie density, protein sources, fat level, feeding instructions, storage period, and cost.

When selected carefully and fed in suitable portions, Freshpet can be a convenient complete meal, mixed-feeding component, or topper. If your dog has a medical condition, food allergy, unexplained digestive problems, or special nutritional needs, ask your veterinarian before switching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freshpet?

Freshpet is fully cooked refrigerated food for dogs and cats, made with animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, grains or alternatives, and added nutrients.

What is in Freshpet dog food?

Ingredients vary but may include chicken, beef, turkey, fish, egg, pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, brown rice, vitamins, and minerals.

Is Freshpet raw food?

No. Freshpet is fully cooked using controlled steam cooking and should not be confused with a raw diet.

Is Freshpet grain-free?

Some Freshpet recipes are grain-free, while others contain grains such as brown rice. Check the individual ingredient list.

Is Freshpet human grade?

Freshpet states that its finished recipes are not human grade, although ingredients may come from suppliers associated with human-edible food.

Is Freshpet AAFCO approved?

No pet food is technically AAFCO approved. Many Freshpet recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for stated life stages.

What is the difference between Freshpet and Freshpet Vital?

Freshpet Select is the signature everyday line, while Freshpet Vital is positioned as a premium line with simple ingredients and specialized recipes.

Is Freshpet high in fat?

Some recipes are relatively high in fat, while others are moderate. Compare individual products on a dry matter or calorie basis.

Does Freshpet contain preservatives?

Freshpet is marketed without artificial preservatives. Refrigeration, cooking, packaging, and controlled handling maintain freshness.

Does Freshpet need refrigeration?

Yes. Freshpet must remain refrigerated and should generally be stored between 35°F and 40°F.

How long does Freshpet last after opening?

Many rolls and bagged meals should be used within seven days, but always follow the instructions on the individual package.

Can Freshpet be used as a topper?

Yes. It can be added to kibble, but its calories should be subtracted from the dog’s regular daily food allowance.

Can Freshpet be a complete meal?

Yes, when the package carries a complete and balanced nutritional adequacy statement for your dog’s life stage.

Is Freshpet suitable for puppies?

Certain puppy and all-life-stages recipes are suitable. Confirm growth and large-breed suitability on the current label.

Is Freshpet good for picky eaters?

Its aroma, moisture, meat content, and soft texture may appeal to picky dogs. Persistent appetite loss still requires veterinary attention.

Can I mix Freshpet with dry kibble?

Yes. Mixed feeding is possible when both foods are appropriate, but portions must be adjusted to prevent excessive calorie intake.

Where is Freshpet sold?

Freshpet is available in refrigerated displays at many grocery and pet stores, through selected online retailers, and through Freshpet Delivery.