Our first encounter with Deli Fresh/Freshpet products was several years ago, by chance. I was with Bowdu at the off-leash dog park, proceeding towards the exit when all of the sudden, he jerked his head around as if his muzzle was tugged by a string, and he headed immediately towards a stranger in the near vicinity. Paw up on the stranger’s thigh, he was shamelessly mooching for something tucked into the man’s palm. “Sorry about that!” I called after him, trotting over to fetch my dog and embarrassed by his lack of manners.
“It’s okay,” said the man. And he showed me a lump of meat in his hand. “Can I give one to him?”
“What is it?” I checked.
“It’s refrigerated dog food, from the special case at the pet store,” he said. “It’s the only thing that’ll get my dog to listen.” Apparently, it was enough to make even my Shiba, who is typically much more reserved around strangers, heel at his side. So I let him give Bowdu a piece, got the name of the product from him, and made a mental note to check it out.
Photo taken 18 November 2010. This Bow is easily motivated by food.
That was back in 2008 or so, when the Freshpet company had only been around for a few short years. What sets them apart is their gently-cooked, preservative-free, refrigerated line of pet foods, all of which follow this basic nutritional philosophy:
* Fresh, minimally processed foods are more nutritious […]
* Animals thrive when fed biologically appropriate diets […]Freshpet has created an assortment of fresh dog and cat foods for your pets. Our recipe is unique and addresses different nutritional needs, but all Freshpet foods follow the same basic tenets:
* Made with fresh, high quality poultry, meats or fish
* Minimally processed and refrigerated for freshness
* All Natural without preservatives
* 100% Complete and Balanced
(via “Freshpet — Our Nutritional Philosophy”)
Now, we didn’t stick with the Deli Fresh dinners that we bought back then for a couple reasons, mainly cost. This was before I’d really started to explore dog food, and it was also back before Bowdu had started exhibiting protein sensitivities, so the price seemed extravagant to me. But since those days, I’ve modified my own nutritional philosophy a bit, which applies to humans and animals alike and can be summarized with the following three points:
* Variety is essential. We all thrive when we’re not eating the same thing every day.
* Investing a little more (time, money) in basic needs (such as food!) will stave off long-term problems.
* Food is love. So don’t go for the cheapest, the easiest, the dirtiest fare available. Don’t be afraid to court your food to get what you want out of it; simultaneously, you can utilize food to develop beautiful relationships…
Okay, admittedly, that last bit is hokey. What I’m saying is that we were ready to give this brand another attempt as more “experienced” consumers now, perhaps with more mature, discriminating tastes.
So we applied to be a part of Freshpet’s Blogger Program [EDIT: Program no longer seems to available!], and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to provide our honest thoughts.
A few weeks ago, The House of Two Bows received an overnighted box of goodies to review. We welcomed the case with a happy little schwag dance, and immediately began plotting out a feeding schedule to sample as much as we could while maintaining a reasonable deadline.
Included in the box was the following:
- Freshpet Select Slice & Serve Roll, chicken, vegetable & rice recipe (1 lb)
- Freshpet Select Bites, beef and vegetable recipe (1.75 lb)
- Freshpet Select Homestyle, one container chicken, vegetable, and rice, one container lamb, vegetable, and barley recipe (2 x 10.25 oz.)
- Vital meat rolls, one each of salmon & ocean whitefish, turkey, chicken, beef, salmon & egg, and bison & beef [The only one we didn’t get was the lamb & whitefish recipe, which appears to feature a Basenji on the package!] (4 x 2 lbs)
- Dognation Treats, one pack each of chicken, beef (2 x 8 oz.)
Over the course of the next few weeks, we continued to feed the Two Bows their regular meals of kibble in the morning. In the evening, we would dole out a variety of surprise meals. The Two Bows have hardy appetites and tough stomachs, given that they’ve adapted to a 30 ~ 50% raw diet. But for ease of transition, we usually mixed in a little bit of canned pumpkin or sweet potato and sprinkled some Acidophilus over their meals, particularly when we were switching between products.
Vital turkey recipe, buried by a mix of sweet potato, raw egg yolk, and Plaque Off and acidophilus sprinkled on top
I also preferred to “cut” the Vital meat rolls with some non-meaty bulk, since the high meat content in those recipes (80-90%, depending on the recipe) is somewhat atypical of the Bows usual diets. So Bowdu’s bowl above, for example, contains four ounces of chopped up Vital turkey meat roll, about one ounce of potato, and an extra raw egg yolk on top (that last bit is an occasional, not daily part of their diets). Even when they get raw meaty bones, I usually give them a small side dish of veggies because the Bows actually seem to like and want non-meat content in their meals, especially Bowdu. Those who feed a true prey model raw diet may be more amenable to these high protein, grain-free recipes, but for me, it was something to offset.
4 oz. Vital salmon & whitefish on the left, 3 oz. Freshpet Select beef bites on the right
I usually took the extra step of warming up the food for about 30-40 seconds in the microwave, though this step is not necessary and in some cases even inadvisable, as the liver “pockets” in most of the meat roll recipes would start to liquefy if heated too long. But somehow, the idea of a cold meal coming straight out of the fridge is a little sad to me… I prefer to serve my meals with a little more heart, though as the Doggy Daddy pointed out, it really doesn’t matter to them. Every meal was consumed with gusto, regardless of temperature.
Vital turkey recipe, with cranberry and blueberry bits
In general, we prefer grain-free recipes (with the exception of the dog congee that I sometimes cook for the Bows). Some of the Freshpet Select items do contain a minimal amount of grain, specifically brown rice or barley.
Freshpet Select Slice & Serve chicken, vegetable, and rice roll
Those were delegated exclusively to Bowpi, since she doesn’t seem to exhibit any food sensitivities, just meat preferences. And no doubt about it, she was happy to slurp up each meal, especially the Homestyle recipes with extra gravy. In fact, she was so enthusiastic that it was hard to get a good picture of her consuming anything — she just came out a dimly-lit blur each time.
She doesn’t need to see what’s in the bowl to be ready to EAT!
The Freshpet Select Homestyle lines work pretty well for Bowpi, given their high moisture content and the fact that she doesn’t tend to drink very much water, except on hot days. I have to admit that even the Slice & Serve chicken roll smelled pretty appealing to my human senses; I sampled a nibble, as well as a piece of the Vital turkey roll. Suffice to say, they smell better than they taste to my human palate, but let’s be clear — this is dog food, after all.
Freshpet stops short of claiming that the food is “human grade,” a label which you should regard with skepticism anyway coming from dog food manufacturers. Instead, they say that “All of our poultry comes from Farmer’s Pride, a leading human poultry supplier. The poultry coming into our plant has been inspected by the USDA” (see FAQ). Not sure about their other meats and ingredients (which are “source[d] locally from the United States wherever possible”). The fact that they’ve offered some transparency and named some sources on their website is a step in the right direction, though I’d still like to see more details whenever possible (this goes for all commercial pet food companies).
Dognation beef treat
This leads me to my only real concern with this whole line of products, and why I must still hesitate to give them all my highest grade, despite the Bows’ obvious enthusiasm for their meals. While I love the fact that the Vital line, in particular, makes use of alternative proteins like turkey, fish, and bison (as opposed to the mainstays of chicken, beef, and lamb), I remain skeptical about the amount and source of liver to be found in all of their Vital formulas, except for the fish-based recipe. Sure, dogs love liver, because it is pungent and has a rich taste; it was that taste that clung to my tastebuds long after I had sampled that bite of turkey. And it’s an organ rich in nutrients, a perfectly fine ingredient to include in moderation, though I do question the ratio given what is presented in the Fresh Pet Select chicken, vegetable and rice roll (see the summary blurbs below). In general, it’s one organ that I personally prefer to source from organic means, given that it is the major waste processor in the body and thus most susceptible to accumulated toxins.
Again, their company FAQ is very upfront about the fact that their meats are not organic. Even though I’m not a stickler for eating only organic fare even in my own diet, I think it’s a cop-out to say that “Few, if any, pet foods are 100% organic.” In line with my own philosophies about maintaining variety, I remember that I have the option of not choosing commercial pet foods at all, and preparing my own 100% organic diet if that is important to me, as it is to many others. Given that criticism which is admittedly beyond the scope of this review and involves broader issues than I can hold Freshpet accountable for, I would concede that they’re doing pretty well compared to most other commercial dog food manufacturers. They’re manufacturing the kind of food that I would like to make for my Bows, if I had all the time in the world.
On that note, I do want to point out that they sponsor a research grant program through the Freshpet Foundation (can you spot the Shiba on the website?) to promote research in pet nutrition. At a certain level of industry, corporate sponsorship is unavoidable, so it is refreshing to see a pet food company funding these kinds of initiatives with some degree of transparency and at least an expressed commitment to innovation sans politics. You can see exactly who is currently serving on the Grants Advisory Board, which supposedly “has full autonomy to evaluate and deploy grants to research deemed appropriate by the majority of members.” In August 2010, they awarded their first grant to a Cornell University-based veterinary oncologist to study the link between Vitamin D levels and canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Let’s hope this is just the first of many more grants to come.
It makes the company look good. I took notice. And it all goes to give me some level of confidence in this company’s future, provided they’re able to maintain momentum.
As it is, the company is fairly young, and different enough that distribution is probably a little tricky due to the unique storage requirements of their products. Manufactured without preservatives, they must stay refrigerated, which no doubt creates some costs and issues during transit, and also compels the company to install on-site refrigerators in order to convince stores to carry their item. Currently, I’ve only seen their products at my local PetCo and PetSmart (above), where the large refrigerator case looks, frankly, somewhat forlorn, given the emptiness relative to its bulk. Apparently, it’s also being distributed through select Krogers and Walmarts as well (not very common where I live). I’m almost certain that the smaller pet boutiques I frequent would not have the floor space for such a display, which is a pity because this is, in my opinion, a good quality food that would interest the growing population of dog foodies. With creative marketing, tenacity, and a commitment to nurturing potential customers through this kind of direct feedback (i.e., this Blogger Program that allows li’l ol’ me to write whatever I want about their products), I think this company has a healthy future.
IN SUMMARY…
Product: Freshpet Select Slice & Serve Roll, chicken, vegetable & rice recipe (also available in turkey)
Quantity: 1 roll (16 oz.)
Retail Price: $3.99*
Ingredients: Packaging claims the recipe consists of 7 oz. fresh chicken, 2 oz. liver, 1 egg, 2 oz. of vegetables, 1 oz. brown rice, and 18 essential vitamins and minerals.
Chicken, eggs, chicken liver, chicken broth, carrots, brown rice, peas, rice bran, carrageenan, salt, natural flavors, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, niacin, manganese proteinate, calcium pantothenate, biotin, riboflavin supplement, manganous oxide, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, sodium selenite.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min): 10%
Crude fat (min): 6%
Crude fiber (max): 2%
Moisture (max): 73%
Short blurb: Smelled the best to my human sense of smell, most cost efficient relative to quality. Amount of protein is actually much more significant when converted to dry matter percentages (I get 37% if I followed this correctly). I would get this again for Bowpi, and for her weight and diet, the 1-pound roll is just the right size.
GRADE: A
Product: Vital Salmon & Ocean Whitefish food roll
Quantity: 1 roll (2 pounds)
Retail Price: $9.99*
Ingredients: Salmon, ocean whitefish, spinach, blueberries, cranberries, pomegranate, Vitamins & Minerals (Calcium Sulfate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Iron Proteinate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite), Carrageenan, Natural Flavors, Broccoli, Inulin, Sunflower Oil, Green Tea Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min): 8.5%
Crude fat (min): 7.5%
Crude fiber (max): 1.0%
Moisture (max): 76%
Short blurb: My favorite of the Vital recipes based on ingredients, though it does seem richer (oilier) than normal fare, perhaps because of the protein.
GRADE: A
Product: Vital Turkey recipe, Bison & Beef recipe, and Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg recipe food rolls
Quantity: 1 roll apiece (2 pounds)
Retail Price: $9.99*
Ingredients: [Turkey recipe] Turkey, turkey liver, spinach, blueberries, cranberries, pomegranate, carrageenan, natural flavors, broccoli, inulin, flaxseed oil, green tea extract, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, biotin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, calcium Sulfate, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, tricalcium phosphate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite.
Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein (min): 9%
Crude fat (max): 7.5%
Crude fiber (max): 1%
Moisture (max): 77%
Short blurb: The other recipes don’t differ substantially from the above, except for the Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg recipe which has the highest protein content of all. All seem to contain high quality ingredients, though they do seem a bit greasy and again, I am a little leery about the source of some of the liver meat, more so for ungulates than poultry. They’re also pushing my price-per-meal limits here, and it’s a concern with these proteins because there are comparable options available elsewhere, whereas there are fewer completely fish-based foods for dogs.
GRADE: A-
Product: Freshpet Select Deli Bites, beef and vegetable recipe
Quantity: 2 14 oz. pouches (1.75 lb container)
Retail Price: $7.99*
Ingredients: Beef, chicken, poultry liver, ground oats, rice bran, vegetable glycerin, peas, carrots, eggs, calcium lactate, maltodextrins, salt, canola oil, natural flavors, parsley, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese proteinate, biotin, riboflavin supplement, manganous oxide, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, sodium selenite
Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein (min): 12%
Crude fat (min): 9%
Crude fiber (max): 1%
Moisture (max): 59%
Blurb: Bowpi was visibly less into this one, though Bowdu stole and gorged himself on the rest of an ENTIRE POUCH the first night I fed this (he ate enough for a 60 pound dog). I guess the product was tempting enough to bait Bowdu into breaking the rules, as he has NEVER counter-surfed like this before! Needless to say, his poops were gloriously messy for the next day or so. I should not judge this product based on Bowdu’s aberrant experience, but Bowpi was also noticeably gassier after eating this one. Combined with the clumsy packaging (bulky and not resealable), relatively unappetizing appearance of the contents, and more grain (though they’re still pretty high quality grains), this was our least favorite meal of the lot.
This was also the first (and only) Freshpet / Deli Fresh product that we’ve ever tried prior to this trial, the same product mentioned in my prefatory anecdote.
GRADE: B
Product: Freshpet Select Homestyle chicken, vegetable, and rice and lamb, vegetable, and barley
Quantity: 1 tub (10.25 oz.)
Retail price: $3.49*
Ingredients: [chicken] Chicken broth, chicken, eggs, carrots, ground oats, chicken liver, brown rice, peas, salt, guar gum, natural flavors, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, biotin, riboflavin supplement, manganous oxide, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, sodium selenite
Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein (min): 6%
Crude fat (min): 4%
Crude fiber (max): 1.5%
moisture (max): 78%
Blurb: Again, great ingredients and unlike the Deli Bites above, comes in functional packaging. I could scoop out a fair portion for Bowpi’s meal, and leave the rest in the lidded container to be finished later. This seemed to be Bowpi’s favorite, and I was happy to give it to her for additional moisture, but given that this does consist of a lot of gravy, I wonder about its value relative to quantity. Bowpi preferred the chicken to the lamb recipe.
GRADE: B+/A-
Product: Dognation Treats in chicken and beef formulas
Quantity: 8 oz. pouch
Retail Price: $5.99*
Ingredients: [Chicken] Chicken, ground oats, chicken broth, salt, natural flavors, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin B12 supplement.
Guaranteed analysis:
Blurb: We made the least use of these treats, as it often slipped our mind to reach into the refrigerator, pull out and unzip the pouch, and fish out one of the cold meat nuggets to treat the dogs. They were always interested, but I don’t think these treats ultimately do much to inspire them to “Live, Love, Wag,” as the product’s motto goes. Besides, they’re a little greasy, as evidenced by the film on the packaging window above. All of this doesn’t make for a particularly convenient treat, especially as they recommend returning the treats to the fridge within 20 minutes.
We did try to use them as pill pockets with mediocre success. The inside is drier than it appears, so it’ll crumble if you try to stuff too much in the center. On the other hand, your dog will probably be too interested to care, unless it falls apart before you can get the pill down his throat.
GRADE: B
OVERALL PLUSES:
- Fresh ingredients, no preservatives makes this generally superior to kibble and canned food, in my opinion
- Good variety of proteins, specifically the Vital line
- Very appetizing, will probably appeal to picky eaters
- Soft texture is great for dogs with dental problems, or just for variety
- Probably one of the best pet foods being distributed through national chains
OVERALL MINUSES:
- Short shelf life — most items need to be consumed within 7-10 days after opening.
- Price — keeping a large adult dog on this diet would be difficult!
- Liver content means I would not recommend this for exclusive feeding.
- Soft texture may provide fewer dental benefits for dogs that need it (and mine do).
- Currently, limited distribution at the local level — honestly, I prefer to shop at independently-owned pet stores than national chains.
FINAL EVALUATION: RECOMMENDED.
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: “vast majority of our ingredients come from the United States and Canada”, manufactured in Quakertown, Pennsylvania
COMPANY INFORMATION: Freshpet®; P.O. Box 2157; Secaucus, NJ 07096-2157; The company maintains “strategic alliances” with Tyson Foods, which enable its distribution.
COMPANY WEBSITE: Start at the Freshpet site, and click around to find the websites of their other brands; also on Facebook
* All prices based on one of my local pet store’s pricing scheme. Prices may vary in your area.
EDIT 12 April 2011: Freshpet foods are not frozen before shipment, though they say it’s okay for you to freeze them. I would not recommend doing this, or at least not the way I did it. That is, I cut up the appropriate portions of the rolls beforehand and placed about 3 days’ worth in separate Ziplock bags. Perhaps because of the high moisture content of the rolls, the freezing process ended up “squeezing” much of the moisture out of the food, so that when they thawed, the juices pooled in the bag, making it a little messier. Freezing the pieces also changed the texture of the product, so it was a little “spongier” and more porous, less dense in feel. The rolls are probably best when you can finish it all before it goes bad, without having to freeze it, so this is something to keep in mind before chopping up several different rolls at a time.
awesome! and thorough.
we’ve tried the select bites for training before. major gas effect.
we’ll have to try some vital!
Yeah — keep the probiotics on hand, just in case! =)
I just talked to one of my pet store clerks, who also said the Select Bites gave her dog gas. Interesting.
Great reviews! It’s actually making ME hungry, LOL! I may have to give them a try, they look pretty delicious..
OMG I’m a little freaking out about this shiba-y (def. not just shiba, but definitely looks like a mix to my dog dumb eyes) doggy rescue, sorry. Here’s a link with video:
http://shibainumix.com/2011/04/video-dog-rescued-on-floating-rubble-from-tsunami-debris/
Eeeee! So insane! Doggies are amazing creatures!
The back end reminded me of a shiba too, until I saw his/her face, which isn’t so much a shiba to me, but the butt looked kind of like my girl’s butts!
Great review!!!
Freshpet Select in the 6 lb roll has skyrocketed recently (August 2011) from $9.98 to a shocking price of $12.98 here at our local Cub Foods stores in Minnesota. We thought the $3.00 price increase was a pricing error. We found by calling around the Twin Cities area that all the Cub Foods stores had raised the price of Freshpet Select by $3.00!! That’s just plain OUTRAGEOUS!!! and has convinced us to make our own fresh homemade dog food to go along with Blue Diamond dry dog food we feed our dogs.
I started my dog on Fresh Pet in Aug, 2011. She absolutely loved it. It was the first dog food that she would eat. (a Boxer). But allergies soon formed in September. My vet suggested putting her back on what she was eating before (people food) and now that horrible itching rash is gone from her stomach after just a week. Has anybody else had this problem? If so, do you know of any allergy meds she could take since she likes it so well? Or do you kinow what is in this food that would cause the allergies. She has eaten the chicken roll, the beef roll and the bag of the chicken ball mixture. Connie
My question would be, what kind of “people food” was she accustomed to eating, and what kind of protein(s) was she getting before? Chicken and beef frequently top the list of protein sensitivities — I don’t give one of my dogs any processed chicken (though he gets it raw), and neither do very well with beef. This is one reason that I liked the Vital line, in particular, since they use different proteins like turkey and fish. There’s a lamb and bison-based recipe too, if I recall.
I’ve learned that food allergies are particularly difficult to figure out. Luckily, there’s a lot of information available out there to help you figure out what’s best for your dog. Good luck!
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WOW! What an impressive food review. You guys are going on my recommended resources list. I LOVE FreshPet too as does my friend Susan Thixton of http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com. In fact, the owner of FreshPet is good friends with her and has been an invaluable ally for pet food safety. And FreshPet was one of only a handful of brands that Susan recommends (featured on “the List”), which says allot coming from someone who has been the pet food industry’s most vocal critic for over 19 years. We also both are in love with Answers Pet Food. I like them for many reasons but mostly because they believe in the humane treatment of animals for food, a rarity in the pet food industry. I will forward your review to Susan, she’ll love it. Great pics too!
That’s some high praise! Thank you! And I have learned a lot from Susan Thixton’s site, too.
I have not seen Answers around here, but their site says that several of the stores that I frequent *do* (or will) stock it. I will keep an eye out.
hello what would you suggest mixing this food with. I think i saw that you said in your opinion because of the live you would not serve exclusive. im just looking for a good and simple mix of dry and and fresh pet. thanks.
Sorry for the typo meant to write liver.
Hi there,
I don’t necessarily think that this food itself needs to be mixed with anything, but I personally wouldn’t want to feed ONLY Freshpet for months at a time. I think it would be fine to rotate any type of well-balanced food with Freshpet, from kibble to raw to home-cooked. My two might go through one or two rolls of Freshpet for their primary meal for as long as it’s there, and then we’ll switch to something else until that’s gone, then another brand, then back to Freshpet, etc.
As I stated, I think variety is essential — as long as it’s a healthy, well-balanced variety. It also helps that my two are NOT extremely picky eaters and usually quite fond of surprises.
Hello thanx for the reply……I always thought that switching food was a no no.
Im going to prob find a good fish based kibble and alt. days with the freshpet. P.S. great site.
If your dog tolerates gentle changes to the diet, and if you transition carefully between foods, it’s totally fine to switch around. I usually add digestive enzymes to their meals if I’m switching between drastically different foods (i.e., acidophilus and canned pumpkin, or any of numerous digestive supplements brands available for pets). But of course, if the transition doesn’t seem to be going smoothly after a few days (and keep in mind that proper transitions can take even a few weeks), re-evaluate what you’re doing. That would be my non-expert suggestion.
Here’s a little more info:
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/diet-rotation-for-dogs/
Dog Food Advisor is one of the handiest websites for researching dog foods. We generally stick to fish-based kibble too, and while I do not want to endorse any particular brand at this time, there are a lot of decent options out there.
Thanks for this review. I have two Golden Retrievers who have decided to become finicky in their older ages (12 and 7). I bought the tube of FreshPet Select today at my local Walmart. My idea was to use it in their regular Nutros Lamb and Rice to get them to eat. I know I am falling for their tricks, but I want them to eat. I’ve heard good things about it and your review eased my mind.
Sounds like they know how to get you to do what they want. =) With bigger dogs like Goldens, using this as a topper to kibble is probably a good idea, economically speaking.
With older dogs who exhibit a change in appetite, I would definitely get some bloodwork done as well.
Thanks for the great information. I have a hairy hairless (oxymoron for sure!) Chinese Crested and she loves the chicken and beef rolls. I got her from a friend several months ago and the dog was overweight and was fed an Iams dry pellet diet. Her skin was a mess and she had hot spots everywhere. I researched pet food and was appalled to find out how non nutritious most dog foods are and that dry foods leave dogs in a state of dehydration. Exercise, and a change to this product line has resulted in a healthy weight loss and better skin. Ultimately I want to move to a home prepared diet but am in the process of fact finding. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks again for taking the time to help other dog owners.
I went with the best quality commercial fare I could find while I researched home prepared raw and cooked foods. So I made a lot of use of sites like Dog Food Advisor (paying attention not so much to what are the four and five star-rated foods, but how he evaluates foods by ingredients list), online discussion forums (the Shiba and Nihon ken forums which I frequent are quite populated with dog foodies), and good ol’ fashioned books on pet nutrition (a list could comprise a separate post of its own — suffice to say, there are a lot out there, each has their strengths, and you’d do well to read more than one).
I really only have general advice to offer for now. You’re already making the effort to do the research for your dog’s health, and that makes me happy. I’m sure it makes HER happy too to eat well and live well. 😉
Hi! Thank you for your great review. I just bought the vital chicken and rice roll for my dog and now he’s so gassy! Do you recommend I try another flavor or just try another brand?
Is your dog used to eating fresh/whole/raw foods, or was he on a kibble diet before? His gut may not be used to the diet change, and is working a bit too hard, shall we say, to compensate. I imagine the Vital rolls can seem pretty rich to a dog not used to that type of food. I wouldn’t feed an entire meal of Vital to introduce it — maybe gradually introduce it as a topper, for example. Can also pair it with probiotics or other digestive aids. That’s the rule I generally follow when switching to new food.
Some gas, I think, is permissible, and suggests that your dog’s digestive tract is actually doing its job. Especially if everything comes out solid on the other end. If there’s diarrhea though, or it’s a long term problem and happens whenever you switch foods, then I’m more inclined to treat the dog’s sensitive GI tract rather than chalk it up to just the food or brand.
I’ve been feeding my 60lb. 14 year old german shepherd /foxhound mix primarily Fresh Pet Select (usually Beef) for about 4 or 5 years–1/2 pound per meal plus 1/4 cup Origen red meat dry. He also gets a little grass-fed beef and some slivers of KerryGold Dubliner cheese. He almost immediately stopped having anal gland problems when I swithched from a chicken/brown rice dry to Fresh Pet Select.
He recently had a small foot injury and had his spine and legs xrayed. The vet said he has much less arthritis than you would expect in a dog his age. He walks so well, jumps on and off the couch and beds all day long. I can’t say Fresh Pet has created his health and longevity, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it plays a large role. I’ve just added a little Fresh Pet Vital beef/bison. He loves it and seems even perkier. Along with long walks, massage with a comb or brush, good genetics and daily tooth brushing, Fresh Select must be doing something right.
Hi! Good to read this review. Re-enforces the fact that I feel very good about feeding this to my 9 pound Yorkie, Tyrone. Notoriously picky eaters, he has enjoyed all the varieties for two years now….I spent hundreds in his first year trying to get him to eat ANYTHING! They now make a dry food, which he also loves…gets that in the AM with fatty acids on top and the rolls in the evening. Also the treats, especially the turkey bacon, which he adores. Never had a single gas problem with any of the products, and though he has undetermined allergies, no problems with that either. The cost is easy to swallow as he only eats a quarter cup per meal. Main trouble is I have to drive nearly an hour to get it here in NH. Hope more places will soon carry it.
Hi! What an incredibly helpful and thorough review of a line of products I’ve been itching to try for my little one! My three year old Pom is actually quite finicky about her food and I’m hoping that FreshPet will do the trick for her.
I’ve been passing the FreshPet refrigerator at PetCo for a while now, with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. However, your reviews coupled with the seal of approval apparently bestowed upon the food by your dogs, encouraged me to give FreshPet a shot. I bought the Vital salmon & whitefish and I can’t wait to see how my dog likes it.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that FreshPet foods have a tendency to make dogs gassy. I’m a little worried because my little guy has a really sensitive stomach. In your opinion, should I still give it a try?
The liver content in Freshpet Food is definitely quite high! And I agree with you that I’d much prefer it if the liver used was organic. Other than that, the food looks delicious!
Freshpet Food definitely is a good product, and convenient too! The only thing is that it’s not exactly feasible to keep my two huskies on a diet which is solely composed of Fresh Pet. I will definitely keep buying it though, because my dogs seem to love it.
We’ve tried FreshPet Food and the dogs seem to enjoy it well enough. The only issue is that FreshPet in and of itself isn’t enough, especially for big dogs.
Fresh Pet Dog Food is beyond incredible. Especially since I don’t have the time to make natural, healthy food for my dogs myself. At least I can rest a little easier knowing that there’s a healthier dog food alternative out there. Very convenient for working parents!
I absolutely love the fact that Fresh Pet Dog Food has so much variety when it comes to the meats they use. I’m so eager to try out the salmon for my dogs!
After reading these reviews (mouth watering), I can’t wait to try out Fresh Pet Food Select. My fussy little dog might like this one. I just need to see how it can be managed within in my budget. It’s hard to choose quality when price becomes an issue.
I personally feel that if I’m going to dish out that kind of money for freshly made dog food, I’d really prefer it if the meat and ingredients used were organic. That would seal the deal for me. Is Fresh Pet Dog Food organic?
Hey guys. I have 5 cats…please don’t judge me. Well I have started giving them Fresh Pet Food recently. All of my cats love it. The only problem I have is the price. Affording Fresh Pet for 5 cats is kind of difficult. So I was wondering if I could maybe add a cheaper substitute. Any suggestions?
My dog has serious gastrointestinal problems and is allergic to chicken. It’s actually a nightmare trying to find the right food for him. I was wondering if Fresh Pet Dog Food would be better for him. Do they have chicken-free meals?
This review is great. But I’m concerned about the freshness of the food. I’m usually away most of the time, and I have a friend who comes over to feed my dogs. So how long can this Freshpet Food last on shelf or in a refrigerator?
I just bought a dog last week. I am still figuring out what to feed him. He’s only 8 months old. Is feeding him a high protein diet a good idea?
I believe Fresh Pet seems to have a large variety when it comes to the types of proteins that they use in their foods. They even use salmon! I’d suggest trying that one out.
It is an excellent food to feed to my pets. The only drawback I found in Freshpet Food is that it should be used within a week tops. Not longer than that since it doesn’t have any preservatives in it.
I will suggest giving it a try. Mix a little bit of Fresh Pet with puppy kibble and he should be fighting fit.
A friend of mine is using Pet Fresh food for his dog. This morning when I met him while I was on stroll with my dog , we discussed pet food and he was really impressed by PetFresh food and he also recommended it to me. So I’ll be trying it out as well from next week.
I have tried Fresh Pet once but I would stick to basic raw diet personally. I generally feed mine raw, mostly chicken and turkey chunks that I supplement with a prepared product that is more chicken, pork, organs, eggs, bones. And I use an honest kitchen dehydrated product occasionally – like if we are camping.
I feed my dogs with Freshpet. Maggie loves the fresh Pet lamb meal because he is allergic to chicken flour. I have been feeding Fresh Pet to Maggie for all of her life (4 years). She never liked kibble. She loves it and it is very healthy. There is 5 star rating on Dog Food Adviser.
I like freshpet. I use it as a topper. It would be too expensive to feed alone to my pup. I use Freshpet with my dog and cats. My dog gets it as a training treat or food topper and my cats get it as their AM meal. Rated well by independent dog food exams and I have also seen many vets impressed by it. My parents dog is on it and loves it. Good choice!!
I am thinking to use FreshPet food for my dog but I have a question that should I make immediate and complete switch or the process should be gradual? I need advice on best practices carried in this regard.
I prefer freshpet food over canned food due to its fresh ingredients and no preservatives addition thing. And its vital line has very good variety of proteins added. I’ve used it during some dog trainings which went very well.
Freshpet dog food is what I’ve been making for my boy for the past 3 wks and he LOVES IT! I also add in okra, spinach, chicken gizzards and hearts to the mix. it’ll last my boy about 9-10 days if mix with some kibbles. I have to mix it up with kibbles because Fresh Pet is priced high. You could also just buy chicken thighs and boil them and remove the skin and bone from the meat and feed that along with vegetables and rice.
Many people here in Texas use raw diet like chicken boiled with vegetables & mix with dry food and it works. I have never done a raw/fresh diet. I feel I would miss vital essentials and there is a lot of research and development that goes into foods. I use Freshpet Vital for my Greyhounds…..It is the only dog food that they will eat! I have tried so many premium brands and raw dog food, but they would eat it for awhile and then refuse to eat anymore….So far Freshpet has lasted the longest.
I used to make my own dog food once a week in a crockpot, freeze in daily portions and it was just enough for that day. I used beef mince, some suit (not a lot) and a selection of veges safe for dogs and rice (whiolegrain,). They loved it and had bones as a treat!! Now i prefer Fresh Pet food. Freshpet is easy to make and hassle free. Wiggy had no health issues and in this past year reached a healthy weight and hasn’t had to go to the vet for anything but her annual checkup.
Instead of buying these expensive dog foods why don’t we cook our own? Just bulk and freeze and it will works out much cheaper. A basic understanding of diet is easy to research; this is essential if feeding cooked or raw diet. I fed raw for over 20 years, but any dog fighting cancer or serious illness needs an easy to digest food low in bacteria, so the body has full power to fight, this is vets advice as well as common sense. Turkey and lamb are only fed on very rare occasion, no pork, loads of pheasant . All my food contains virgin coconut oil, turmeric and fresh ground black pepper; this is ace as it reduced allergies, reactions, sensitivities as well as reducing inflammation improving movement, energy and metabolism.
Try FreshPet Select. It is less expensive than vitality but is just as good. After years of thinking it was the best diet for all dogs, I finally switched mine from raw diet to Freshpet. It isn’t nearly as complicated as I thought it was going to be, nor as expensive. It is an easy to find product in stores here. My favorite is Freshpet Select Slice & Serve chicken, vegetable, and rice roll.Freshpet good is a good choice for my dog’s health and my dogs no longer need to receive a dangerous general anesthetic to get their teeth cleaned. I think many people do not pay any attention to balancing the diet and just give raw hamburger…not good.
I spend a lot of money on good pet food, then Mazy goes out and eats all kinds of nasty nonsense from the street on our walks. Also, I have run into some supply problems with high end dog foods. I’m thinking of switching to a Freshpet and give it a try. Maybe it’ll make my life easier.
I have free fed my dogs Large Breed Purina Pro-Plan and similar commercial dog foods for 35+ years. All my dogs (Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Greyhounds and now an ASD) have thrived and lived long healthy and happy lives on this type of diet. I toss food into their bowl whenever it is empty. None of my dogs are “food focused” so this works well for me. If a dog doesn’t have a specific health need, I don’t think there is a “better” or “worse” way to feed a dog. It comes down whatever is the best fit between the owner’s budget and their time and interests in dog meal preparation. Why not consider raw meat that is way cheaper than dog food brands?
The pet industry spends a lot of money on advertising but a lot of it is also about manipulating buyers. The current trend for grain free foods or freshly cooked food is a good example. Other buzz words like holistic, natural, as nature intended etc. are just that, not regulated what that means and it’s not “better”. So what a pet owner needs to do? I have over the last several years paid attention to the foods recommendations from pet nutritionists, both veterinary nutritionists and non-veterinary that have good results with their clients. Those professionals look beyond what’s on the label, They don’t refer you to petfoodadvisor or recommend the latest popular foods. I have also listened to what many longtime breeders are feeding their dogs over the years and have good results with it. Many breeders use range of Petfresh dog food products. I have never used it, but it seems to work for a large number of breeders.I also like it when a company discloses an analysis of the nutrients in their foods and not just a guaranteed analysis.
I guess all pet food products including Fresh Pet are rich in proteins and sodium. I won’t overload the pup with protein as that makes them grow too fast. I’ll recommend, visit your butcher and get raw chicken bones. I’d mix just a bit of that with dry food. If you’re into veggies, boil some and add it in the diet. Green beans and carrots, even potatoes are good. Don’t give em processed wet food full of sodium.
I was doing research on changing my dog’s food and found this review about freshpet, though I have read some other reviews about freshpet dog food as well. I am thinking to start with gradual diet change so that my dog has good and easy time during transition.
y dog Brownie was severely constipated for over a year (the poor thing!), and it wasn’t until someone at my dad’s school suggested I change his food that I even knew it could be related to what he was eating. (This was almost 10 years ago.) I put him on Fresh Pet, and he was constipation-free! Also, grain-free food is recommended for dogs. Just be sure to change the food gradually. Also, grain-free food can cause gas, though Brownie hasn’t had much of a problem with that.
I have my dogs on Freshpet food and it has helped rid my allergy ridden dog of all his itchies. Sometimes I mix the food with veggies and brown rice and they love it. Much cheaper than this prepared stuff. If you don’t have a grinder, just get a cleaver and chop each quarter into 4-5 pieces. They LOVE to chew the bones and raw bones don’t splinter.
The only food Cujo can eat without throwing up or having diarrhea is Freshpet Balanced Nutrition Turkey Adult Dog Food. Many people have opinions on “dog food” but you have to find what works best for your dog. Not all dogs can handle a high quality dog food. I did cook for Cujo the 1st 6 months we had her, it was boiled raw chicken with rice. we used a dog nutritionist to help find the right food & amount of food Ask your vet if they have or know of a dog nutritionist, have them help find the right food
I do understand that most people don’t have the time or inclination to make their own dog food, and I have no judgment about it, but even the best quality or premium dog food is……processed. Which means it contains additives, preservatives, and synthetic vitamins and minerals to make up for the natural vitamins and minerals that are lost in the processing. Synthetic vitamins are dead vitamins…they were never alive. I would rather feed my dogs with Freshpet as it made up of fresh natural ingredients. It is way better than canned dog food. It’s convenient!! I do keep a bag of holistic kibble on hand in emergencies.
Almost all of the ingredients used in Freshpet dog food are sourced from North America. Freshpet does not use any ingredients from China. When you research pet food, don’t rely only on the listed ingredients alone to make your decision. Make sure the ingredients are well sourced and always sourced from the same location… Many pet foods are made from ingredients sourced from “the lowest bidder” and can change qualities dramatically from one batch to the next.
We had such an awful time with our dog last year. He was in and out of the animal hospital on Liverpool. We found eventually that he couldn’t stomach certain foods and tried what the vet suggested but even that didn’t work. Eventually we decided to try two methods to help him. The first thing we did was get her onto an aloe drink (recommended by the vet) as this did two things. It helped get nutrients into her that would help the body, it also helps dogs go to the toilet. Secondly we switched to Freshpet dog food that contained chicken. We also used pork and potato mix as it worked perfectly for him. Most dogs with an upset stomach can’t digest rice. My dog is loving the food. So I’d definitely recommend the aloe to get the system up and running with Freshpet food and the pork and potato mix. I hate it when dogs suffer from this.
My Vet recommended me freshpet food for my dog. I used to make my own dog food earlier. But due to my work and hectic job I had to rely on some dog food provider company. So I consulted my vet. So far experience with freshpet dog food has been good as it has been 2 weeks. My dog enjoys the food!
A very nice and detailed review. I have always considered grain free food for my dogs as an ideal food and freshpet has the solution! Freshpet dog food has been my choice for long. It’s really nice to see this review and I am proud of my decision!
Does anyone here use FreshPet regularly? I’m looking to hear from people who regularly feed their pets FreshPet — if so, can you please help me out by filling out this survey for a chance to participate in a small closed online dog community. We want to talk to owners about their dog and their dog’s needs for a chance to earn free pet products!
https://rmrsurveys.com/projects/t1603100
Thanks for your help!
My dog LOVES FreshPet foods, I’ve used both vital and select (she does back flips when I take out the food.) I don’t feed it to her regularly only as an occasional treat she doesn’t seem to have a preference between the two and both seem to have good nutrition. Thanks for your detailed review!
My kiities loved the Freshpet food. Made with natural ingreadients and best pet food for picky eaters.
Thanks for very nice and detailed review. Freshpet products are my first choice for my dog from a long time and your review made my decision correct.
We had such an awful time with our dog last year. He was in and out of the animal hospital on Los Angeles. We found eventually that he couldn’t stomach certain foods and tried what the vet suggested but even that didn’t work. Eventually we decided to try two methods to help him. The first thing we did was get her onto an aloe drink (recommended by the vet) as this did two things. It helped get nutrients into her that would help the body, it also helps dogs go to the toilet. Secondly, we switched to Freshpet dog food that contained chicken. We also used pork and potato mix as it worked perfectly for him. Most dogs with an upset stomach can’t digest rice. My dog is loving the food. So I’d definitely recommend the aloe to get the system up and running with Freshpet food and the pork and potato mix. I hate it when dogs suffer from this.