10 Fresh Dog Foods Evaluated & Compared

Freshpet Dog Food Review

By Carl Uy Reviewed by Petful Veterinary Team Published Jun 18, 2025 Updated Sep 18, 2025
freshpet dog food review
7.5 Overall Score
Nutrition
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
AAFCO complete & balanced88.0
Macronutrient distribution86.0
Nutrient density43.0
Digestibility & bioavailability53.0
 8.0
Ingredients
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Whole meats & organs88.0
Meals & legumes43.0
Artificial additives & preservatives44.0
Processing retention43.0
 9.0
Sourcing
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Named sourcing87.0
Traceability oversight43.0
Certifications/testing43.0
Transparency gaps42.0
 7.5
Safety
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Recall/control54.0
Safety handling54.0
Scientific oversight53.0
 7.3
Feeding Trials
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
AAFCO feeding trials52.0
Peer-reviewed studies40.0
 2.0
Taste
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Flavor formulation2.52.0
User feedback2.52.0
 8.0
Labeling
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Nutritional info2.52.0
Claim accuracy2.52.0
 8.0
Sustainability
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Sustainable sourcing10.5
 5.0
Buy on FreshpetBuy on Chewy
Recommended in 1 article:
Best Fresh Dog Food of 2025: Top-Rated Refrigerated, Frozen, and Subscription Meals Reviewed
Petful may earn a commission if you click on our links and make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps us continue providing trusted pet product reviews.
Made In:United States (company-owned kitchens in Pennsylvania and Texas)
Sourced From:Animal proteins from USDA-inspected suppliers; produce primarily U.S.-sourced (brand does not publish full farm-level sourcing)
Breed Size:All breeds (with small- and large-breed formulas)
Price Range:$$-$$$ (varies by recipe, pack size, retailer)
Food Form:Refrigerated fresh-cooked rolls, bagged shredded/roasted meals, tubs/cups; fresh treats
Special Diet:Fresh-cooked (not raw), refrigerate-only, grain-free and grain-inclusive options, no artificial preservatives, no rendered meals, vet-nutritionist-guided formulations
Freshpet offers refrigerated dog food made with real U.S.-farm-raised meat, vegetables, and fruits. Recipes are gently steam-cooked to preserve nutrients and designed by veterinary nutritionists for digestion, energy, and skin health. Available in rolls, bags, and cups—always kept fresh in the fridge.Founded in 2006, Freshpet runs landfill-free kitchens in Pennsylvania and Texas powered by renewable energy, reflecting their commitment to sustainability. Today, they reach millions of pet households through grocery stores, pet retailers, and online delivery. Check out our experience when we tried Freshpet Dog Food here.

Our Verdict

Freshpet Dog Food Review

7.5Overall Score
Nutrition
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
AAFCO complete & balanced88.0
Macronutrient distribution86.0
Nutrient density43.0
Digestibility & bioavailability53.0
 8.0
Ingredients
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Whole meats & organs88.0
Meals & legumes43.0
Artificial additives & preservatives44.0
Processing retention43.0
 9.0
Sourcing
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Named sourcing87.0
Traceability oversight43.0
Certifications/testing43.0
Transparency gaps42.0
 7.5
Safety
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Recall/control54.0
Safety handling54.0
Scientific oversight53.0
 7.3
Feeding Trials
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
AAFCO feeding trials52.0
Peer-reviewed studies40.0
 2.0
Taste
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Flavor formulation2.52.0
User feedback2.52.0
 8.0
Labeling
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Nutritional info2.52.0
Claim accuracy2.52.0
 8.0
Sustainability
Sub-CriterionWeightScore
Sustainable sourcing10.5
 5.0

Freshpet offers one of the most accessible fresh dog food options, made with named meats, organ inclusions, and vegetables in refrigerated rolls, bags, and tubs. Recipes are lightly steam-cooked for digestibility and taste, and the brand avoids artificial preservatives by relying on refrigeration.Freshpet's strengths are convenience, wide retail availability, and sustainability efforts through renewable energy and landfill-free kitchens. However, formulas can run higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates than ideal adult targets, and the brand lacks AAFCO feeding trials or peer-reviewed validation. While recalls have been limited and precautionary, packaging sustainability and sourcing transparency remain areas for improvement. Overall, Freshpet is a solid choice for picky eaters and owners looking beyond kibble, though it trails some competitors in scientific rigor and ingredient traceability.

Pros
  • Made with fresh, named meats and vegetables
  • Refrigerated format avoids artificial preservatives
  • More appealing taste and texture than dry kibble
  • Company-owned kitchens powered by renewable energy and landfill-free operations
  • Widely available in grocery and pet retailers across the U.S.
Cons
  • Higher fat and lower carbs than ideal adult targets in some recipes
  • No AAFCO feeding trials or peer-reviewed validation
  • Packaging is mostly plastic and not widely recyclable
  • Some recall history, though limited and precautionary
  • Less detailed sourcing and audit transparency than top competitors
Buy on FreshpetBuy on Chewy

Change Log

Updated Aug 12, 2025: Initial Freshpet Dog Food product review published on Petful by Carl Uy.
Updated Aug 20, 2025: Freshpet Dog Food product review updated with performance insights, and competitive context. Research and editorial coordination by Carl Uy, in consultation with Carol Bryant.

Score Components

Nutrition

8.0
Macronutrient Distribution
46%
Protein
27%
Fat
19%
Carbohydrates
Freshpet recipes meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and are formulated by veterinary nutritionists. As lightly steam-cooked, moisture-rich foods, they aim to deliver essential nutrients with a simpler ingredient list than typical kibble.
  • AAFCO complete & balanced: Most recipes carry an adult maintenance claim; some formulas are all-life-stage. Always confirm the specific recipe label.
  • Macronutrient distribution: Representative rolls analyze around ~46% protein, ~27% fat, and ~19% carbohydrates on a dry-matter basis; Vital Balanced Nutrition tubs average ~28% protein, ~27% fat, and ~36% carbs. This is higher in protein and fat, and lower in carbs than our adult targets.
  • Nutrient density: Fresh, lightly cooked formats provide moderate calorie density per serving; portion control is important for sedentary dogs.
  • Digestibility & bioavailability: Gentle cooking and whole-food ingredients support digestibility, though the brand does not broadly publish detailed digestibility trials.
Overall, Freshpet delivers a protein-forward profile with moderate to higher fat and lower carbohydrates than our adult benchmarks (Protein 20-30, Fat 10-20, Carbs 30-50). These targets are guides, not safety limits; work with your veterinarian to ensure the recipe fits your dog's energy and life-stage needs.

Ingredients

9.0
Freshpet emphasizes fresh, whole-food ingredients with named animal proteins like chicken, beef, and turkey, often paired with organ meats such as liver for natural vitamins and minerals. Vegetables like carrots, peas, and spinach provide fiber and micronutrients, while whole grains such as brown rice or oats appear in certain recipes.
  • Whole meats & organs: Named meats and organs are consistently the first-listed ingredients, supporting high-quality animal protein.
  • Meals & legumes: Recipes avoid rendered meals; legumes such as peas appear in supportive amounts without dominating the protein profile.
  • Artificial additives & preservatives: No BHA, BHT, artificial colors, or chemical preservatives. Refrigeration maintains freshness without synthetic stabilizers.
  • Processing retention: Light steam-cooking preserves more nutrients compared to high-heat extrusion, though vitamin fortification is still needed to ensure AAFCO compliance.
Overall, Freshpet earns strong marks for ingredient quality, prioritizing named meats and vegetables, avoiding artificial additives, and minimizing legumes while using gentle cooking methods.

Sourcing

7.5
Freshpet highlights U.S.-sourced meats and locally sourced produce when possible, with all foods prepared in company-owned kitchens in Pennsylvania and Texas. While proteins like chicken, beef, turkey, and salmon are clearly identified, the brand provides limited detail on farm-level sourcing or supplier audits.
  • Named sourcing: Proteins are consistently identified as U.S.-raised, giving clarity at the ingredient level.
  • Traceability oversight: All foods are produced in Freshpet's own kitchens, but supplier audits and third-party traceability measures are not disclosed.
  • Certifications/testing: Food safety is emphasized, though the brand does not cite SQF, GFSI, or other certifications. Testing protocols are described broadly rather than with published data.
  • Transparency gaps: Marketing highlights freshness, but farm-level sourcing details and independent certifications remain limited compared to higher-transparency competitors.
Overall, Freshpet earns credit for U.S.-based sourcing and in-house control but could improve its transparency by publishing supplier audits and certifications.

Safety

7.3
Freshpet produces all recipes in company-owned kitchens in Pennsylvania and Texas, giving it greater control over safety compared to brands that outsource. Refrigeration helps preserve freshness, though it also requires proper handling after purchase to reduce spoilage risk.
  • Recall/control: Freshpet has had a few precautionary recalls over the years related to Salmonella or Listeria concerns. These were limited in scope and managed responsibly. It's worth noting that a recall does not necessarily indicate poor product quality, many brands issue voluntary recalls out of an abundance of caution.
  • Safety handling: Kitchens operate under human-food standards with quality checks throughout production and distribution, but detailed third-party audit results are not publicly shared.
  • Scientific oversight: Recipes are formulated with veterinary nutritionist input, though expanded testing data and published safety protocols remain limited.
Overall, Freshpet demonstrates solid safety practices with in-house production and controlled kitchens, but greater transparency on audits and safety testing would strengthen consumer confidence.

Feeding Trials

2.0
Freshpet recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles but do not appear to undergo full AAFCO feeding trials. Nutritional adequacy is established through formulation and analysis rather than live animal testing.
  • AAFCO trials: No evidence of long-term AAFCO feeding trials; recipes are considered ‘formulated to meet' rather than ‘proven in trials'.
  • Peer-reviewed studies: No peer-reviewed or independent scientific research validating Freshpet recipes has been published.
Overall, Freshpet meets baseline AAFCO standards but lacks the higher level of validation seen in brands that invest in controlled feeding trials or peer-reviewed studies.

Taste

8.0
Freshpet's fresh meats, organ inclusions, and moisture-rich texture give the food a natural aroma and mouthfeel that many dogs find appealing, especially picky eaters. The lightly cooked format can be served cold or slightly warmed, which may further improve acceptance.
  • Flavor formulation: Named meats and organs drive flavor; some recipes use natural flavor to enhance palatability.
  • User feedback: Reviews commonly report strong interest at mealtimes and easy transitions; a minority of very selective dogs may still refuse certain recipes.
Overall, palatability is solid relative to dry kibble, though individual preferences and sensitivities vary by dog.

Labeling

8.0
Freshpet provides clear feeding directions, calorie content, and guaranteed analysis on packaging, with straightforward ingredient lists that highlight named meats and vegetables. Charts are easy to follow by weight range, and storage instructions are included for refrigerated handling.
  • Nutritional info: Labels include GA, kcal, feeding charts, and storage guidance; extended nutrient panels (e.g., full amino acids, micronutrients) are not routinely published.
  • Claim accuracy: Claims around freshness, whole ingredients, and veterinary nutritionist input are generally accurate but lightly supported by citations; some phrasing leans marketing-heavy.
Overall transparency is good for everyday use, though adding more detailed nutrient data and citations would strengthen labeling clarity and claim substantiation.

Sustainability

5.0
Freshpet reports meaningful sustainability steps in its operations: company-owned kitchens in Pennsylvania and Texas run on renewable wind energy and are designed to be landfill-free. These initiatives reduce operational emissions and waste compared to conventional pet food manufacturing.
  • Energy & waste: Facilities powered by renewables with landfill-free goals, reflecting progress in day-to-day footprint reduction.
  • Packaging: Primarily plastic formats with limited curbside recyclability; room to improve end-of-life solutions.
  • Supply chain transparency: Limited public reporting on farm-level sustainability or third-party sourcing certifications.
Overall, operational sustainability is a positive, but clearer packaging roadmaps and supply chain disclosures would strengthen Freshpet's environmental profile.

Ingredients Composition

Component Approx. Percentage Role in Formula
Fresh meats and organs ~60 - 70% Primary source of animal protein, amino acids, and essential nutrients
Vegetables and fruits ~20 - 30% Provide natural fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants (e.g., peas, carrots, spinach)
Grains (in grain-inclusive recipes) ~10 - 20% Offer digestible carbohydrates and additional fiber (e.g., brown rice, oats)
Vitamins and minerals Trace amounts Fortification ensures AAFCO nutrient completeness

Differences

As seen in our Freshpet dog food review, the brand offers fresh, steam-cooked meals in rolls, bags, and single-serve cups, made with real meat, vegetables, and fruits. Recipes are developed by veterinary nutritionists and primarily formulated for adult dogs.

Competitors

We Feed Raw: Balanced raw meals made with whole meat, organ, and bone — ideal for pet parents seeking a biologically appropriate, minimally processed diet with added safety via HPP. The Farmer’s Dog: Delivers human‑grade, gently cooked fresh meals in pre‑portioned packs, vet‑formulated and balanced for all life stages Nom Nom Dog Food: Fresh, vet-crafted meals made with real meat and veggies — great for picky eaters and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freshpet good for dogs?

Yes, Freshpet is a refrigerated dog food made with real meat and vegetables, and many pet owners report improved appetite and digestion.

Do vets recommend Freshpet dog food?

Some vets may recommend Freshpet, especially for picky eaters or dogs needing a gently cooked diet, though it depends on your dog’s specific needs.

Can you freeze Freshpet dog food?

Yes, Freshpet can be frozen to extend shelf life, but it’s best used fresh and should be stored in the refrigerator once opened.

How much Freshpet to feed my dog?

Feeding amounts depend on your dog’s weight and activity level; Freshpet provides a feeding chart on each package for guidance.

Feeding Instructions

These tables provide general daily feeding estimates for Freshpet. Actual portions vary by recipe, calorie density, and your dog's age, weight, and activity level. Always check the package feeding chart for the most accurate serving sizes.
Weight (lbs) Less Active (cups/day)* Active (cups/day)*
5 - 100.25 - 0.500.50 - 0.75
11 - 200.50 - 0.750.75 - 1.25
21 - 400.75 - 1.501.25 - 2.25
41 - 601.50 - 2.252.25 - 3.25
61 - 802.25 - 2.753.25 - 4.25
81 - 1002.75 - 3.254.25 - 5.00
101 - 1203.25 - 3.755.00 - 5.75
*Based on typical Freshpet rolls and meals (~1100 - 1300 kcal per lb). Use the specific product's feeding chart for accuracy.

Feeding Guidelines

Official Feeding Guidelines from Freshpet
  • Keep Freshpet refrigerated at all times. Do not freeze unless specified on the package.
  • Use within 7 days of opening rolls or bags, and within 5 days for smaller tubs or cups.
  • Wash hands, bowls, and utensils after handling.
  • Transition plan: Days 1-3: 25% Freshpet, 75% previous food; Days 4-6: 50/50; Days 7-9: 75/25; Day 10: 100% Freshpet.
  • For precise serving sizes, refer to the feeding chart printed on your Freshpet package.
Disclaimer: Feeding amounts may vary based on your dog's age, breed, activity level, and individual metabolism. Always adjust portions to maintain healthy body condition.
Table of Contents