Common Questions

Product:

How is Freshpet ® food "fresh"? Why is it "fresh" dog food?

The majority of our ingredients are fresh. Our chicken comes in fresh daily from local farms, in addition to locally sourced vegetables. Refrigeration is the key to freshness. Freshpet® products must be refrigerated since the meats and vegetables have only been gently cooked with minimal heat.

Are Freshpet foods all natural?

All Freshpet foods, including The Loved Dog™ Treats, use 100% all natural ingredients. Refrigeration is the only preservative.

Are Freshpet foods organic?

No, Freshpet foods are not organic. Few, if any, pet foods are all 100% organic, due to difficulty in locating organic ingredients as well as their costliness. At Freshpet, our focus is on finding the highest quality, freshest, all natural ingredients.

Freshpet foods are a PAN diet; what is a PAN diet?

Pandean or PAN diets stand for Pasteurized, All Natural, and Nutrient Dense. PAN is a scientific descriptor for fresh pet foods that adhere to the principle of minimal processing to retain nutrient value, are fresh meat-based and contain all natural ingredients (fresh vegetables, brown rice for fiber, etc.).

Is Freshpet food raw? Is there a risk for parasites or harmful bacteria?

Freshpet food is fresh, NOT raw. It has been gently cooked and quickly cooled to eliminate any harmful bacteria or parasites. Our products undergo pasteurization similar to milk or cold cuts.

Are all of the ingredients human grade?

All the ingredients in Freshpet are safe for human consumption. However, since our plant is not regularly inspected by the USDA, we cannot claim human grade on our packaging.

Do all Freshpet ingredients come from the United States?

All our major ingredients come from the US and Canada.

Where are Freshpet foods made?

Freshpet foods are made in our own factory in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The Loved Dog™ Treats are manufactured at human food factories in Wisconsin which Freshpet has partnered with due to their high standards and understanding that pets deserve the same high quality products as people.

Can I feed my dog Freshpet foods every day? Is it complete and balanced nutrition?

All Freshpet meals are 100% complete and balanced. Freshpet food significantly exceeds AAFCO’s minimum standards for canine nutrition. While The Loved Dog™ Treats are high quality and meat based, dogs require specific essential vitamins and minerals. To ensure your dog is getting all the nutrition he requires, feed a complete and balanced food, like Freshpet meals.

Can I mix Freshpet foods with my dog’s dry food?

Yes, however make sure to reduce the amount of dry food you give your dog to prevent overfeeding.

What is the difference between other “roll-style” products such as: Natural Balance, Pet Botanicals, etc.?

The only similarity between our product and other roll-style products is the shape of the package. Freshpet foods are fresh dog foods formulated to be consistent with PAN diets. Other roll-style products are semi-moist and preserved so they do not need to be refrigerated.

Natural Balance, Pet Botanicals, Roll-Over and Red Barn use preservatives so that they can stay at room temperature for a long period of time.

The only preservative for Freshpet food is refrigeration.

What makes The Loved Dog™ Treats different from regular treats?

1. Meat Based – High quality chicken or beef is the base for all our recipes.

2. Minimally Processed – Our products undergo significantly less processing than traditional dry treats which maintains the texture and flavor of the meat, as well as essential nutrients.

3. No preservatives – Fresh products require refrigeration to maintain their flavor and freshness.

All of this adds up to a treat that your dog will love and is good for him.

Why should I feed The Loved Dog™ Treats instead of human food?

Not all foods safe for humans are safe for dogs. By using The Loved Dog treat, you can ensure that no harmful ingredients are unintentionally added to your dog’s diet. In addition, The Loved Dog™ Treats are specially balanced for high digestibility.

Are Freshpet foods safe to feed my dog?

Yes, Freshpet products are NOT affected by the recent pet food recalls.

Product Usage:

Can Freshpet foods be frozen and stored in my freezer for future use?

Yes, they can be frozen, however no Freshpet foods are frozen before you purchase them in your local stores. If you choose to freeze the food, your may see a slight change in texture when thawed out.

How can I tell if the product is fresh when I buy it at the store?

Just like the fresh human food you buy, there is a “sell by” date on each Freshpet roll or pouch. Use the product within one week of the “sell by date”.

How do I feed the Slice & Serve rolls to my dog?

Slice & Serve rolls are fully cooked and ready to serve. Simply cut through the packaging using the serving marks -- the packaging will fall away. No heating required. Cover open end with kitchen wrap and refrigerate.

How long can I leave Freshpet foods in my fridge once I have opened the package?

Slice & Serve Rolls – Use opened roll within 7 days. Cover open end with kitchen wrap or place in plastic bag.
Fresh Bites - Use contents of open pouch within 4 days.
The Loved Dog Treats™ – Use contents of open pouch within 14 days.

Nutrition:

Is it true that meat protein has more amino acids than grain-based proteins??

Yes, protein from meat and eggs has the broadest spectrum of amino acids. When you are brushing your dog’s teeth, you can see the majority of the teeth are incisors (pointy) for ripping and tearing meat with minimal molars in the back of the mouth. While it is theoretically possible for a dog to survive on a vegetarian diet, the dog will suffer from an abundance of health problems from the missing amino acids.

The moisture or amount of water seems high, why is this?

Freshpet foods are a meat-based product. Each pound of Freshpet contains 7 oz of chicken, turkey or beef and 2 oz of liver, so you expect our product to be the same moisture content as fresh human grade meat. 70-75% moisture is the natural state of fresh meat. Chicken breast meat contains 74.6% moisture and fresh turkey meat contains 75.8%*. If you want to compare, there is 40% more nutrition per bite in Freshpet foods than in Hill’s or Iams' canned dog food.
* Reference USDA database.

Why does dry food seem to have more protein than Freshpet when I look at the label?

PAN diets have higher protein content and are more complete in protein than most other commercial foods. However, it does not look like it on the label because the different moisture levels make protein, fat, and fiber difficult to compare. A better way to compare protein content is by looking at the protein vs. fat in the Adult formulas:
Remember that the natural moisture level in different meats is 70-77% moisture and Freshpet foods avoid heavy processing that change the meat. Protein in dry food, which comes from powder, rendered meals and grains like gluten are only 8% - 10% moisture.

Why is there poultry liver in the formulas?

Poultry liver is an essential protein source of amino acids and a natural source of vitamins.

What type of rice is used?

Brown rice is less processed versus white rice and contains more nutrients like fiber, minerals (especially magnesium), phosphorus, potassium, and Vitamin B.

What is the sodium content of Freshpet meals?

Sodium is 560 mg per ½ lb serving of either Slice & Serve rolls or Bites.

Dog's Health:

Will there be an issue with keeping my dogs’ weight under control?

No, but keep in mind that Freshpet foods are concentrated nutrition so you do not need to feed as much as other less concentrated (dry) foods. For working dogs or those experiencing high levels of activity increase food allowance by 15 to 25%. For overweight dogs decrease food allowance by 10 to 20% until ideal or desired body condition is achieved.

My dog is on a special diet from our veterinarian. Can I use Freshpet food?

You need to ask your veterinarian if the dog’s specific condition requires a prescription food.

Is Freshpet food good for finicky eaters or older dogs?

Yes, Freshpet food tastes great since it is made with fresh meat and is less processed than dry or canned foods. The average dry food has anywhere from 5-15% real meat. Freshpet foods contain anywhere from 70-75% real meat. Lastly, oil and fats, which dogs need for health and great taste, occur naturally in meat, so unlike dry food, there is no reason to coat the kibbles in fat or grease or for the consumer to add messy gravies.