Freshpet Dog Food Review: Is This Fresh, Refrigerated Pet Food Worth It?

If you are in the process of looking to switch to a fresh dog food, you may have come across Freshpet and its wide range of products. Freshpet is a popular refrigerated fresh dog food brand that prioritizes real meat, vegetables, and natural ingredients. You may have seen the advertisements and wondered, is Freshpet a good dog food? Is it worth the hype? If you’re considering a switch to fresh dog food, Freshpet is most likely on the list of contenders. 

When it comes to deciding what to feed your dog, it’s important to do research and determine what would be best for your pup. Ingredient quality, nutritional value, cost, storage, convenience, and customer experiences are all important factors to consider when selecting food for your dog. This Freshpet dog food review will cover all of those considerations as well as compare this food to kibble and other fresh food brands. 

What is Freshpet?

Freshpet is an American pet food company that was founded in 2006 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Freshpet is the largest fresh pet food company in the world and was the first manufacturer of fresh pet food in the US. This fresh dog food company’s focus is on producing high-quality, fresh pet food products that prioritize pet nutrition and wellness. 

Unlike most kibble, Freshpet dog food ingredients have no preservatives, no rendered meats, and no artificial flavors. Freshpet products have 100% all-natural ingredients and real meat as the primary protein source. Their products are gently cooked to retain nutrients, and since they are fresh, it’s important to note that they require refrigeration and have a limited shelf life. 

• Freshpet has a large selection of product lines for both dogs and cats available in a variety of retail stores, but today we are going to focus on Freshpet® Delivery – custom meal plans that are personalized for your pet and delivered right to your door

A Closer Look at Freshpet Delivery

When I started the Freshpet Delivery order process, I was pleasantly surprised that they asked a series of questions to identify the best meal options for my dog. A customized meal plan was then suggested based on my answers. 

I was given the option of selecting a full meal plan or a half meal plan, with the full meal plan covering all of the food my dog would eat in a day and the half meal plan to be used in conjunction with my dog’s current food. I chose the full meal plan to get the full experience! 

I placed my order on a Wednesday evening and received it on Saturday morning. The food was shipped frozen and arrived in a large, insulated box. At the top of the box was a customized feeding plan for my dog. Inside the box were the meals and measuring cups. 

These are the meals that were included in the delivery:

• Beef, Turkey and Lamb Recipe
• Beef and Chicken Recipe
• Multiprotein Recipe
• Shredded Chicken Recipe

Since I needed to gradually incorporate the food into my dog’s diet, I put half of the bags in my freezer to keep them frozen and the rest in the fridge. I would recommend that you clear some space when ordering, no matter how compact the product is, it still takes up room! 

I was impressed with the packaging, quality, and quantity of the food that came with the order, but the real test would be with whether or not my dog liked it. It turns out, he did not LIKE it. He LOVED it. This food has become the highlight of my dog’s day. He falls over himself to get to his bowl when it’s time to eat. Since incorporating it into his diet, I have noticed that he seems to be full and satisfied after eating his recommended portion. I also did not see stomach issues as we followed the  transition guidelines given. 

Overall, I’m really pleased with the quality of the food because it is made from ingredients I can see without any preservatives and additives. These meals look like something that was prepared in someone’s kitchen, and it feels great to be able to give food of that quality to my pet. 

Freshpet Delivery™ Fast Facts 

Purpose: 

Complete and Balanced, refrigerated fresh food made from real meat and veggies, customized to your dog’s nutritional needs

Key Ingredients: 

Chicken, beef, salmon, lamb, eggs, pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato

Customer Feedback: 

Many pet owners report dogs loving the taste, improved digestion, and shinier coats, but some find the legume content concerning. Overall, these products receive exceptionally high reviews across all platforms.  

Why It’s Suitable: 

Good for dogs who would benefit from a high-protein diet and for pet parents who value high-quality dog food. 

Reviewer’s Note:

When ordering from Freshpet Delivery, I went with the suggested meal plan that was based on my dog’s weight, activity level, and dietary goals. 

For my 57lb basset hound with moderate activity, this plan costs $10.74 a day with free shipping every two weeks through the subscription. When ordering for your pet, you can either go with the recommended meal plan or create your own meal plan and adjust the subscription shipping frequency from 1-8 weeks. You can also cancel the subscription at any time.  

Pro Tip: Based on the gusto I witnessed by my dog for this food, I highly recommend using a slow-feeder! This food tastes and smells so good that it could be eaten within seconds by enthusiastic dogs. 

Is Freshpet Safe & Healthy for Dogs?

In short, yes, Freshpet is safe and healthy for dogs! All Freshpet food is pasteurized and fully cooked through gentle steaming. This process kills microorganisms while maintaining nutrients in the food. This also ensures the food maintains an appetizing texture. Importantly, Freshpet adheres to World Small animal Veterinary association (WSAVA) global guidelines for pet food manufacturing. WSAVA provides guidelines for pet food manufacturing, however, they do not certify specific pet food brands. WSAVA guidelines include:

• Nutritionist on staff
• Transparent formulation
• Quality control and safety
• Product testing and studies
• Clear ingredient information and sourcing

Freshpet ensures that all of its products are chemically analyzed to ensure they conform with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) minimum and maximum standards for dog nutrition. However, Freshpet meals are not designed for dogs who require prescription diets. If your dog has a medical condition that requires a specific diet, Freshpet food may not be the best choice for them. 

As with any fresh food product, there is a limited shelf life. For food safety, Freshpet products need to be consumed within seven days of being opened. While they are designed to be refrigerated for longer when unopened, they do have a much shorter expiration date than kibble. 

It is also important to note that some formulas, specifically “grain-free” products, contain peas, lentils, and other legumes.

Where to Buy & Pricing 

Freshpet products are widely available locally in every major big box, grocery, and pet specialty store. But if, like me, you are interested in having the products shipped directly, you can order directly from the delivery website. 

You may be wondering, if you decide to buy in bulk or have some left over, can you freeze Freshpet dog food? While Freshpet dog food is made to be consumed fresh from the fridge, you can freeze unused food. However, this should only be done with food that has not been opened for longer than seven days. Also be aware that freezing may create some texture and moisture changes. 

Freshpet products range from two-to-five times more expensive than traditional kibble, per month. Freshpet Delivery is similar in price range to other fresh food subscription services. 

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