In this article
View 4 More +Review Summary
We give Freshpet dog food a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
One of the first brands to promote fresh food for pets, Freshpet has been on the market since 2006. Freshpet is available at many pet food retailers and is instantly recognizable as the rolled food in the refrigerator. Along with that, Freshpet also offers bagged refrigerated dog food and treats.
There’s a lot to like about Freshpet, including its cooked and pasteurized foods, meats sourced from North America, and commitment to the environment. Learn more about the pros and cons of Freshpet dog food below.
At a Glance: The Best Freshpet Dog Food Recipes:
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Freshpet Healthy & Natural Fresh Beef Roll |
|
Check Price |
|
|
Freshpet Select Roll Chicken & Turkey Recipe |
|
Check Price |
|
|
Freshpet Dog Food Fresh Salmon Recipe |
|
Check Price |
|
Freshpet Vital Chicken Fresh Dog Food |
|
Check Price | |
|
Freshpet Vital Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg Recipe |
|
Check Price |
Freshpet Food Reviewed
Who Makes Freshpet and Where Is It Produced?
Freshpet is an American pet food company that produces both dog and cat foods. The brand was founded in Secaucus, NJ, in 2006 by Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps, all former pet food executives. The factory opened in Quakertown, PA, in 2006, followed by another in Bethlehem, PA, in 2013. The brand is public on NASDAQ as of 2014.
All Freshpet ingredients are sourced in North America from farmers and growers with the same commitment to the company’s environmental responsibility. All meat is 100% farm-raised and shipped to the kitchens in Bethlehem.
Which Type of Dog Is Freshpet Best Suited For?
Freshpet offers a range of product lines and recipes for puppies, adult dogs, and small dogs. Recipes are available in grain-free and grain-inclusive, with meat as the primary source of animal protein. Freshpet offers complete and balanced nutrition in each recipe and for each life stage, but it may be expensive for pet parents on a budget.
Which Type of Dog Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
The rolled dog food recipes contain one pound of food. According to Freshpet, one pound is recommended per day for a dog that weighs 40 to 60 pounds. A larger breed would need two rolls a day (if not more), and that may present issues with shortages or costs.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
As the name suggests, Freshpet offers fresh, refrigerated ingredients balanced for your dog’s needs.
Animal Protein Sources
Regardless of the recipe, Freshpet features animal protein sources like beef or chicken as the first ingredients to provide the amino acids dogs need. Other animal sources include organ meat, such as beef liver, and beef broth for flavor and moisture.
Quality Carbohydrate Sources
Freshpet recipes have a combination of ingredients like oats, cranberries, carrots, brown rice, and rice bran that provide carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. All of these ingredients offer nutrition for a dog.
Macronutrient Breakdown
All foods for humans and animals alike are broken down into macronutrients, or protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Depending on the recipe, Freshpet offers above-average macronutrients. The rolled Chunky Beef Recipe has a dry matter protein of 46%, a fat content of 27%, and a carbohydrate content of 18%.
Controversial Ingredients
Freshpet does have some controversial ingredients, including carbohydrate sources that may skew the overall protein content. Though most of the protein in Freshpet comes from animal sources, which are the primary ingredients, some protein may come from ingredients like peas, and soy flour. These less expensive products can boost the protein content significantly. Peas are also a legume, which may have contributed to the cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs reported by the FDA.
A Quick Look at Freshpet Dog Food
- Responsible ingredient sourcing and made in USA
- Animal protein sources as primary ingredients
- Excellent nutritional breakdown
- Fresh, refrigerated food
- Multiple product lines and food formulas
- Some controversial ingredients
- Cost-prohibitive
- May be subject to local shortages
Recall History
Freshpet has had a few recalls due to potential contamination with Salmonella bacteria in 2021 and 2022. Both recalls involved a single lot for contamination and the product was accidentally shipped to retailers in a limited geographic area.
Get Free Dog Food Recall Alerts!
Stay in the know. Get instant updates on dog food recalls here
Reviews of the 3 Best Freshpet Food Recipes
1. Freshpet Healthy & Natural Dog Food Fresh Beef Roll
This rolled recipe features 100% natural US-farm-raised beef as the first ingredients and no meat meals or byproduct meals. The food is formulated for small, medium, and large dogs as an adult maintenance diet with exceptional protein and vitamin- and antioxidant-rich vegetables. The rolled dog food is conveniently marked for perfect portions and keeps in the refrigerator for 7 days after opening. Large dogs or multiple dogs may go through a roll more quickly, which is difficult when it has to be refrigerated and may be out of stock locally.
- Beef as first ingredient
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Fresh
- Minimal shelf life
- Must be refrigerated
- May be out of stock locally
2. Freshpet Select Roll Small Wet Dog Chicken & Turkey Recipe Refrigerated Wet Dog Food
This nutrient-dense, soft-texture recipe is formulated for small dogs with no grains, gluten, soy, or fillers. Appropriate for all life stages, the roll features chicken and turkey as first ingredients and plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables like cranberries, pumpkin puree, blueberries, and spinach. Like other rolled recipes, this product comes in a one-pound roll that must be refrigerated and keeps for 7 days. Still, this food may be cost-prohibitive for pet parents on a budget and may be subject to local shortages. It has a minimal shelf life, so you can’t stock up like you can on kibble.
- Chicken and turkey as first ingredients
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Fresh
- Minimal shelf life
- Must be refrigerated
- May be subject to local shortages
3. Freshpet Dog Food Nature’s Fresh Salmon Recipe
Formulated for dogs with food sensitivities with chicken, this recipe provides salmon and ocean whitefish as the sole sources of animal protein. This salmon recipe uses verified non-GMO, responsibly and ethically sourced salmon and fruits and vegetables to support your dog’s lean muscle mass and skeletal health. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids provide essential nutrients for skin and coat health. Like other rolls, this food has markers for correct portions and keeps in the refrigerator for 7 days. If your dog requires more than one pound of food a day, it may be cost-prohibitive and difficult to source locally.
- Fish sources of protein
- Responsibly and ethically sourced
- Fresh and refrigerated
- Cost-prohibitive
- May be difficult to find with shortages
What Other Users Are Saying
According to reviews, many users are happy with Freshpet for their dogs. Here are some notable reviews:
- Chewy: “I love that it is fresh wholesome food that I don’t have to worry about my dog eating.”
- PetSmart: “I went from a dog who would barely eat every day to a dog who begs for this food regularly.”
- Amazon: As pet owners, we always double-check with Amazon reviews from buyers before we buy something. Check them out.
Wrapping Up
Freshpet is a pioneer in the fresh pet food revolution. Since its start in 2006, Freshpet has had minimal recalls and expanded its product lines to include both rolled and bagged varieties, all refrigerated, and options for puppies, adult dogs, and small breeds with grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Though Freshpet is an excellent option, it can be inconvenient and cost-prohibitive for some, especially with large dogs. Because of its minimal shelf life, you can’t stock up and may struggle to find food regularly at local suppliers due to shortages.
20 Responses
How long does it keep in the refrigerator?
Hello David,
thank you for your question, although to get a correct and qualified answer, it would be best if you would contact the manufacturer directly, perhaps through their customer service.
Hope this helps
I have a senior chi, and was wondering if this was a good food choice for seniors, he is 10 pounds, and I know seniors have special dietary requirements.
Hello Catherine,
Thank you for reaching out with a question about your senior Chihuahua's diet. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a specific recommendation or endorsement of any particular brand, including Freshpet in this comment section as these matters should be consulted with a veterinarian.
We strongly recommend you book a video call appointment with one of the licensed veterinarians at PangoVet.com. A vet is the best resource to evaluate your senior dog's individual health, weight, activity level, and existing health conditions to help you choose the best diet plan for him.
Please visit www.PangoVet.com to book a consultation at your convenience.
Best wishes!
Hello Catherine,
Thank you for reaching out with a question about your senior Chihuahua's diet. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a specific recommendation or endorsement of any particular brand, including Freshpet in this comment section as these matters should be consulted with a veterinarian.
We strongly recommend you book a video call appointment with one of the licensed veterinarians at PangoVet.com. A vet is the best resource to evaluate your senior dog's individual health, weight, activity level, and existing health conditions to help you choose the best diet plan for him.
Please visit www.PangoVet.com to book a consultation at your convenience.
Best wishes!
My dog loves Fresh Pet. I usually buy the chicken without grains rolls. I feed her the recommended amount, but she always seems hungry. She has a tendency to gain weight if I am not careful. What can I do to satisfy her appetite? She weighs 11.0 lbs.
Hi Patricia,
It’s great that your dog enjoys Freshpet! Since she tends to gain weight but seems hungry, you could try splitting her meals into smaller portions throughout the day, using puzzle feeders to keep her busy, or adding vet-approved low-calorie veggies to help her feel fuller.
Because she’s prone to weight gain and always hungry, it’s best to check with your vet to make sure nothing else is driving her appetite and to adjust her feeding plan safely.
You can speak with a vet from the comfort of home by booking a consultation with on of our experts at Pangovet.com.
Have a great day!
My Maltese mix loves Pet Fresh for 1 1/2 yrs that’s all he eats to my shocked upsetting surprise I opened a bag of chicken turkey recipe on 9/30/25 and there was a 1 inch sharp chicken bone in there I contacted CS at FP & told them they should put a warning on there product bag what if I didn’t see this ?? My lil guy would have choked very upsetting Please be careful and go through there food with your fingers I have pics
Hi Lisa,
That must have been such a frightening experience, we’re really sorry you and your little one went through that. It’s completely understandable that you’d be upset finding something like that in your dog’s food. You did exactly the right thing by contacting the company directly and keeping photos of what you found.
While this kind of issue is thankfully rare, it’s always wise to check any new bag or batch of food, especially if your dog eats quickly or is small like a Maltese mix.
We’re glad you caught it in time and appreciate you sharing the warning with other readers, that could help keep more pups safe.
Have a great day!
My dog Misty is 13 years old. She loves Fresh Pet and has been eating it all her life. She is very healthy and has never had any health issues what so ever.
I highly recommend Fresh Pet.
Is fresh pet safe to feed a dog with cushions disease?
Hello Christy,
thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this is a very specific question. Truth also is, that things like these can vary case by case, so these questions need to be consulted with a veterinarian. We can offer you 20-minute video-call conversation with one of our professional veterinarians from PangoVet.com telehealth service. One consultations costs just $29.95 so you can simply go to https://www.pangovet.com and book an appointment at your convenience.
Hope this helps.
heard there was a recall on this product, my dog loves fresh pet, is it safe to buy again??
Hi Jenae. I had a look into this and you're right. Freshpet recently issued a voluntary recall for a single lot of their Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe dog food due to potential salmonella contamination. The affected product is the 4.5 lb. bag with a sell-by date of October 29, 2022, and UPC code 627975011673. This lot was inadvertently shipped to retailers in the past two weeks, despite being designated for destruction. Other than this particular product, Freshpet is perfectly safe to buy again. 🙂
I feed my pug fresh pet twice a day! We love fresh pet best dog food out there!
We switched our dog (10 yrs old) to Freshpet about a year ago and what a difference! She’s a good weight, her coat is shiny and she loves her food again. No more stomach issues at all. No more throwing up un-digested kibble, no more bowls of uneaten food. We went from high end dry (many over the years) to this and it’s worth it.
I've not found Freshpet products in my local Walmart for the past few weeks. Usually, Frespet is in its own display case in the pet section. Can you provide any information as to why Walmart has recently not carried Freshpet products?
Hello Andrew,
thank you for your question. Unfortunately, we are not associated with Walmart and we have no information on their stock.
Our best advice would be to contact your local Walmart directly and ask them about Freshpet products. They will surely be able to answer your question and let you know if and when will be Freshpet back in stock.
Best of luck!
I bought a large roll of FreshPet. How do I store it and for how long can the large roll be refrigerated. Is it better to buy to smaller roll?
I have been feeding my two dogs Fresh Pet refrigerated bagged multi protein for almost a year. Yes it is expensive ( $23.00 a bag) but they do love it. It goes very quickly because we have 2 dogs a dachshund and a pitbull) my small dog gets 1/2 cup twice daily and the pitbull gets 1 cup twice daily. So yes I am buying food 3 times a week but my babies are worth every penny! Kibble can be nutritious too, but read the label and be sure meat is the first ingredient. I give Pet Fresh 41/2 stars.