Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food? My Honest Review

is freshpet a good dog food

Have you ever asked yourself, is Freshpet a good dog food? I know I did. I always saw that big fridge in the pet aisle. It caught my eye every single time. I wanted a much healthier choice for my dog. But, I did not want to pay for crazy expensive mail delivery meals.

I finally decided to buy a roll and test it out. My dog is very picky. His tummy gets upset easily. I needed to see if this fresh food lived up to the hype. Here is what I learned after feeding him Freshpet for a few months.

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Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

You might be asking, is Freshpet a good dog food for everyday use? Yes, it really is. It bridges the gap perfectly between dry kibble and pricey custom fresh meals. I noticed a massive change in my dog right away. His coat got super shiny. He also had way more energy for our long evening walks.

I tried the Roasted Chicken with Garden Vegetables recipe first. My dog loved the taste so much. He finished his bowl in record time. Next, I used the slice-and-serve turkey roll. It was very easy to chop up as a food topper. The only real catch is the fridge life. You must use the food within seven days once you open it.

Pros and Cons of Freshpet

Here is a quick look at the best parts and the biggest drawbacks I found while using it.

Type	Feature	My Experience
Pro	Fresh ingredients	I could see real peas and carrots in his bowl.
Pro	Easy to find	I buy it right at my local grocery store.
Pro	Better digestion	My dog had smaller and much firmer poops.
Pro	Highly appealing	My picky eater licked his bowl clean every time.
Con	Strict shelf life	I threw some away because it spoiled after a week.
Con	Takes fridge space	I had to clear a whole shelf just for his dog food.
Con	High fat content	I had to watch his weight very carefully.
Con	Pricey vs kibble	My weekly pet food bill definitely went up a bit.

Ingredient Quality: Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

When I first looked at the label, I was happy. Freshpet uses real meat. They do not use weird meat meals or rendered by-products. The turkey recipe has real turkey, turkey liver, and turkey broth. I also saw cranberries and spinach mixed in.

It felt good knowing exactly what my dog was eating. Many dry foods have long lists of fake names. Freshpet keeps things very simple. The company also owns its own kitchens here in the USA. That fact made me trust the food a lot more.

Comparison Point	Freshpet	Standard Dry Kibble
Primary Meat	Fresh turkey or beef	Meat meal or by-products
Chemicals	None used at all	Synthetic shelf stabilizers
Real Vegetables	Whole spinach and carrots	Powdered or totally absent

Nutritional Value: Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

Freshpet meets the strict AAFCO rules for all life stages. This means it is a complete and balanced daily meal. You do not have to add extra daily vitamins. Board-certified vets and food scientists make these recipes. I found this to be very reassuring. It is not just a trendy brand. Real pet health experts stand firmly behind it.

Protein Content: Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

My dog is highly active and needs good protein. Freshpet delivers very high-quality protein from eggs and fresh meat. Because they gently steam the food, the protein stays mostly intact. Dry kibble is cooked at a super high heat. That harsh heat can ruin some of the good nutrients.

Myth	Reality
Fresh food lacks vitamins.	It is completely balanced for daily feeding.
High heat makes food safer.	Gentle steaming keeps it safe and healthy.
All protein is the same.	Fresh, steamed meat digests much better.

Digestibility: Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

My dog used to get a bad upset stomach from dry food. Since we made the switch, his tummy issues are completely gone. The food is very soft and super easy to chew. Older dogs with really bad teeth would absolutely love this.

However, I did make one mistake early on. I fed him too much of the high-fat chicken recipe. He got a little sluggish. I learned to measure his daily portions much better. Some recipes are just very rich for lazy dogs.

Mistake	Better Approach
Guessing portion sizes	Use a scale to weigh the exact amount.
Leaving the bag open	Store it in a tight container to keep it fresh.
Feeding the fattiest recipe	Pick lean turkey if your dog is overweight.

Flavor Appeal: Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

Getting my dog to eat his food used to be a huge chore. Now, he literally dances when I open the fridge door. The smell is just like real human food. It does not have that strong, gross pet food smell. Even my friend’s super picky poodle ate a whole bowl at our house.

I use the roll mostly as a food topper now. I slice off a few pieces and mix it with a high-quality kibble. This keeps my costs down. It also keeps my dog very excited for his meals.

Problem	Solution
Super picky eater	The real meat smell brings them running.
Sensitive teeth	The soft texture is easy to chew.
Bored with kibble	Chop up the turkey roll as a tasty topper.

Daily Storage Realities

I had to get totally used to the strict storage rules. You buy it cold at the store. You must keep it cold at home. Once you cut the bag or slice the roll, the clock starts ticking. You only have seven days to use it up.

I had to throw out half a roll once. That really hurt my wallet. Now, I freeze half the roll right away. Freezing it saves me money. It also stops me from rushing to feed him too much just to finish the bag.

Feature	Benefit
Resealable bag	Keeps the small chicken pieces fresh longer.
Slice marks on roll	Makes it easy to measure a daily portion.
No added chemicals	Keeps your dog safe from weird preservatives.

Final Thoughts

So, is Freshpet a good dog food? Yes, it is a truly great choice. It offers real, fresh nutrition without the crazy price tag of mail-order meals. My dog is happier, much healthier, and genuinely loves mealtime now.

Just be ready to share your fridge space. Always keep an eye on those expiration dates. If your dog needs a boost in health or just hates dry kibble, I highly suggest giving it a try. Start with a small roll and see how they like it.

FAQs for Is Freshpet a Good Dog Food

Does Freshpet need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Freshpet has no fake preservatives. You must keep it in the fridge at all times. Once you open it, use it within seven days to keep it safe.

Can I freeze Freshpet dog food?

Yes, you can easily freeze it. Freezing helps the food last much longer. Just know the soft texture might change slightly when you thaw it out.

Is Freshpet a good dog food for picky eaters?

Yes. The real meat and gentle cooking make it smell amazing. Dogs love the fresh taste. It is perfect for dogs who refuse to eat plain dry kibble.

Does Freshpet cause weight gain?

It can if you feed them too much. Some recipes have higher fat. Always check the feeding guide. Adjust the food amount based on how active your dog is.