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

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.

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? This Freshpet dog food review shares my hands-on experience to help you decide.

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. In fact, Freshpet essentially created the refrigerated dog food category: those branded fridges in the pet aisle are theirs. This fresh dog food company's focus is on producing high-quality, fresh pet food products made with natural, whole ingredients.

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

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.

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?

So, is Freshpet really 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) guidelines, and every recipe is designed to be complete and balanced.

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.

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

Do Vets Recommend Freshpet?

Do vets approve of Freshpet dog food? Many do, and the formulation credentials behind the brand are a big reason why. Freshpet recipes are developed by a team that includes veterinarians and board certified veterinary nutritionists, and the company publishes who is behind its vet formulation work. Every recipe is also formulated to meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced dog nutrition.

That level of transparency is why organizations like the American Kennel Club have highlighted the benefits of Freshpet for everyday feeding. Veterinarians often point pet parents who want a vet recommended fresh dog food toward gently cooked options like Freshpet because the food is pasteurized, easy to digest, and made in facilities with third-party Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification.

As always, your own veterinarian knows your dog best. If your pup has a health condition or needs a prescription diet, check in with your vet before switching foods. For healthy dogs, though, Freshpet is an easy recommendation to make.

Freshpet Recipes & Ingredients

Beyond the delivery service, the Freshpet recipe lineup at retail is broad, and the ingredients philosophy is the same across every line: real meat first, visible vegetables, and no preservatives, rendered meats, or artificial flavors. The main Freshpet dog food lines include:

• Slice & Serve Rolls: the classic refrigerated rolls, easy to portion for any size dog
• Fresh From the Kitchen: bagged, home-style shredded chicken meals
• Freshly Roasted Meals: hearty roasted multi-protein recipes with sweet potatoes and garden vegetables
• Complete Nutrition: simple, complete and balanced everyday recipes
• Freshpet Vital and Freshpet Select: targeted grain-free and balanced-nutrition recipes for specific needs

Freshpet dog food ingredients read like a shopping list rather than a chemistry set. The Tender Chicken roll, for example, is made with US farm-raised chicken, carrots, peas, and brown rice, gently steam cooked to retain nutrients. Premium lines like Freshpet Vital and Freshpet Select consistently earn glowing reviews from owners of dogs with sensitivities, since the grain-free and limited-ingredient options make it easier to match a recipe to your dog.

There are also life-stage and size-specific options, including puppy recipes, healthy senior formulas, and small dog bite-size meals, so you can keep your dog on Freshpet from puppyhood through the senior years.

Freshpet Vital and Select Review

Freshpet Vital is the brand's balanced-nutrition line, with grain-free and whole-grain recipes built around a single lean protein plus vegetables, and it consistently earns some of the strongest owner reviews in the lineup. Freshpet Select, the line behind the classic rolls and bagged meals, is the easiest to find in grocery stores and the most budget-friendly way to feed fresh every day.

Freshpet Complete Nutrition Review

The Complete Nutrition bagged recipes are exactly what the name promises: simple, complete and balanced meals with real chicken or beef first. Owners rate them highly for picky eaters, and the resealable bags make portioning fast on busy mornings. If you want one recipe that just works for a healthy adult dog, start here.

Freshpet Puppy Food Review

Freshpet's puppy recipes, like the Multi-Protein Puppy formula with green beans and carrots, are complete and balanced for growth, and the soft texture is easy for young dogs to eat. Reviews from puppy owners echo what we saw with adult dogs: fast bowl-clearing enthusiasm and easy digestion during the switch from kibble.

Which Freshpet Recipe Should You Choose?

For most dogs, the Complete Nutrition and Slice & Serve roll recipes are the easiest starting point. Puppies should stay on a dedicated puppy recipe like the Multi-Protein Puppy formula, which is complete and balanced for growth, while senior dogs benefit from the Healthy Senior chicken recipe with added support for aging joints. Small breeds have their own bite-size line. If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, start with a limited-ingredient Freshpet Vital or grain-free Select recipe and transition gradually.

Storage, Shelf Life & Freezing

Storage and shelf life are the biggest practical differences between Freshpet and kibble. 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.

Can you freeze Freshpet dog food? Yes. While Freshpet dog food is made to be consumed fresh from the fridge, you can freeze unused food. This should only be done with food that has not been opened for longer than seven days, and freezing may create some texture and moisture changes after thawing.

One more common question from pet parents: is Freshpet raw food? No. Unlike raw diets, every Freshpet recipe is gently steam cooked and pasteurized, so you get the appeal of fresh food without the handling risks that come with raw feeding.

Where to Buy & Pricing 

Freshpet products are widely available locally in every major big box, grocery, and pet specialty store, including Walmart, Target, PetSmart, and most grocery chains. Just look for the branded Freshpet fridge in the pet aisle to find Freshpet dog food near you. But if, like me, you are interested in having the products shipped directly, you can order directly from the delivery website.

How much does Freshpet cost per month? It depends on your dog and how you buy. Grocery-store rolls are the most budget-friendly way to feed Freshpet, while the delivery service costs more for the convenience. Here is the real math from my order: at $10.74 per day for my 57 lb basset hound, a full meal plan works out to roughly $322 per month. Smaller dogs cost much less, and using Freshpet as a topper alongside kibble cuts the monthly cost dramatically.

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.

How Freshpet Ranks Among Fresh Dog Foods

Where does Freshpet rank in dog food? Among fresh options, it ranks at or near the top of the category. Freshpet invented the refrigerated fresh category, remains the largest fresh pet food company in the world, and is the most widely available fresh dog food in the US. For a wider look at the category, our fresh dog food guide compares every major fresh brand side by side.

Owner reviews back that ranking up. Across retail sites and review platforms, Freshpet dog food reviews are consistently strong, with pet parents praising taste, digestion, coat shine, and visible enthusiasm at mealtime, the same things I saw with my own dog.

Freshpet vs The Farmer's Dog

Which is better, The Farmer's Dog or Freshpet? Both make excellent fresh food, but they fit different lifestyles. The Farmer's Dog is a delivery-only subscription, while Freshpet gives you both options: grab a roll at the grocery store tonight or set up Freshpet Delivery for a customized plan. That flexibility is what makes Freshpet the better fit for most pet parents:

Our Verdict: Is Freshpet Worth It?

After hands-on testing of the delivery service and weeks of feeding, this Freshpet dog food review lands on an easy verdict: yes, Freshpet is worth the price. It is a genuinely good dog food made from real, recognizable ingredients, and my dog has never been more excited for mealtime. The customized feeding plan took the guesswork out of portions, and the slow feeder tip is the only crowd control you will need.

It is an especially good fit for picky eaters, dogs transitioning off kibble, and pet parents who want fresh nutrition without preparing meals themselves. If you read through Freshpet dog food reviews from other owners, you will see the same pattern I experienced: enthusiastic eating, easy digestion, and a shinier coat.

If you want to try it at the best possible price, the delivery service regularly offers 50% off your first order, which makes the first box an easy, low-risk way to see how your dog responds.

Freshpet Dog Food FAQ