FAQs

Freshpet believes in the difference fresh, refrigerated dog and cat food can make to the health of your pet. Therefore, we have made varieties appropriate for different consumers and their pets. The choice between Freshpet recipes depends on the individual needs and preferences of you and your pet. All Freshpet foods are made according to our nutritional philosophy of fresh, meat-based nutrition and minimal processing.

All Freshpet® Foods:

• Made with all natural, fresh ingredients
• Gently cooked at lower temperatures to retain their natural vitamins and nutrients
• Refrigerated for freshness
• Free of preservatives
• Free of corn, wheat, by-products and fillers

Freshpet® Select – Natural, Nutritious, Refrigerated
Freshpet Select is a line of freshly prepared meals for dogs and cats. Each recipe includes only select ingredients, like high protein meats and eggs, vitamin-rich vegetables, and wholesome grains. The recipes are much like a meal you would prepare for your family with simple ingredients you are familiar with and can pronounce.

Freshpet Select offers a variety of recipes that your dog and cat will love. Freshpet Select is a good solution for finicky eaters and senior pets that are reluctant to eat.

Dog Joy™ – Fresh Meat and Vegetable Treats
Dog Joy treats come in a variety of flavors and forms to satisfy all treating occasions, from a quick reward to a long lasting chew to a special homemade treat.

Vital™ – Evolutionary Recipes to Support Optimal Health
Inspired by the ancestral eating habits of dogs and cats, Vital recipes were created to mimic carnivorous diets with the benefits of leading edge nutrition. Vital recipes contain 80% or more fresh poultry, meat or fish, are grain-free and include leafy greens, dark berries and pomegranates for antioxidant support.

If you’re interested in the benefits of a protein dense diet, Vital offers several varieties to address the preferences and nutritional needs of your pet, including single and multi-source protein recipes as well as unique proteins such as salmon and bison. Vital is also a safe and convenient alternative to raw feeding and home cooking regimens.

Deli Fresh® – Simple, Nutritious Foods with Functional Benefits
Deli Fresh formulas for dogs contain high fiber soluble and insoluble vegetables and wholesome grains to help promote digestive health, inulin which is a prebiotic that aids in the absorption of nutrients, and an ideal ratio of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids for skin, coat, brain and eye health.

Deli Fresh formulas combine the most bio-available protein sources with a multi-source fiber system for superior digestibility. Deli Fresh is great for active or working dogs that require nutrient dense foods. It’s also a great option for dogs with gastrointestinal issues.

Dog Nation™ – Healthy and Natural Treats from the Fridge
Dog Nation treats come in a variety of flavors and forms to satisfy all treating occasions, from a quick reward to a long lasting chew to a special homemade treat.

All Freshpet foods are made according to our nutritional philosophy of fresh, meat-based nutrition and minimal processing. The foods are available in multiple forms, such as Slice & Serve Rolls and Roasted/Complete Meals, to address the preferences of the pet and the owner (pet’s size, convenience, and flavor preference of pet).

All Freshpet foods are made in our own plant in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. All Freshpet treats are made in the USA and Canada. Cat cups are made outside the USA by a carefully chosen partner who is committed to using fresh, all natural ingredients that meet our high quality standards.

97% of Freshpet ingredients come from the USA and Canada. We do our best to source locally whenever possible. No Freshpet ingredients come from China.

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

Yes, Freshpet foods only use all natural ingredients. Because Freshpet foods do not contain any chemical preservatives (BHA, propylene glycol) commonly found in dry, canned and semi-moist pet food, they must be kept refrigerated.

Freshpet foods are fresh, NOT raw. They have been gently cooked and quickly cooled to eliminate any harmful bacteria or parasites. Our products undergo pasteurization similar to milk or cold cuts.

All Freshpet poultry, beef and fish ingredients are sourced from USDA registered suppliers who follow all USDA regulations for safe handling. Freshpet’s lamb is sourced from New Zealand and is natural, free-range, and BSE free.

Poultry liver, which consists of only chicken or turkey liver, is a rich source of protein, nucleic acids, vitamins A, D and most of the B vitamins.

Carrageenan is an extract from red seaweed found in the North Atlantic coastal regions. It is used in human and pet foods as a thickener or gelling agent to help improve the form and texture of the food.

Inulin, also called chicory root, is a prebiotic which helps with nutrient absorption. It is a high quality, soluble and functional fiber source which aids in the digestion process, especially in products that contain high amounts of fresh meat and fish.

Salt provides the essential nutrients sodium and chloride. Although sodium content in prepared foods is of concern to humans, pets do not suffer from cardiovascular diseases like humans do. Our salt levels are within the ranges recommended by veterinary nutritionists.

The natural flavors are a proprietary blend of ingredients such as vinegar, celery, lemon juice, and natural hickory. The total amount is less than 2% of the recipe. These flavors enhance the natural flavors of the meat.

Some Freshpet recipes include brown rice, oats and barley. These grains are a good source of soluble fiber for colon health, and are healthy alternatives for pets with allergic reactions to corn and wheat. All Vital recipes are grain-free.

All Freshpet foods are designed by veterinary nutritionists for optimal health and palatability. The mix of protein is most appropriate for each animal.

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 principles of minimal processing to retain nutrient value, contain only all natural ingredients, and are fresh and meat-based.

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

Just like the fresh human food you buy, there is a “Freshest if sold by” date on each product.

• Slice & Serve Rolls: Use opened roll within 7 days. Cover open end with plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag.
• Roasted Meals and Complete Meals: Use contents of open bag within 7 days.
• Homestyle: Use contents of open container within 2 days.
• Cat Cups: Use contents of open container within 2 days.
• Treats, Chews and Bones: Use contents of open pouch within 14 days.
• Cookies: Bake within 7 days of opening. Store baked cookies in an airtight container up to 14 days.

All Freshpet foods are 100% complete and balanced and exceed AAFCO’s minimum standards for canine and feline nutrition. While Freshpet treats are made of high quality meats and vegetables, they may not contain all the essential vitamins and minerals dogs need. To ensure your pet is getting all the nutrition he requires, feed a complete and balanced food.

Freshpet foods are meat-based products, so you can expect them to have the same moisture content as fresh, human-grade meats. 70-75% moisture is the natural state of fresh meat. Chicken breast meat contains 74.6% moisture, and fresh turkey meat contains 75.8%. (Reference: USDA database)

The Guaranteed Analysis is used to place a value on four nutrients: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. However, it doesn’t consider the water content of the product and can be misleading. Even the Food and Drug Administration admits to this problem on its website stating, “To make meaningful comparisons of nutrient levels between a canned (or fresh) and dry product, they should be expressed on the same moisture basis.”

To determine the amount of protein on a dry matter basis:

• Subtract the moisture percentage from 100% to determine the dry matter percentage
• Divide the protein percentage by the percent of dry matter percentage
• Multiply by 100.

For a simple example, a product with 10% protein and 75% moisture is within the range of Freshpet foods:

• 100% – 75% moisture = 25% dry matter
• 10% Protein /25% dry Matter = .4
• .4 x 100 = 40% dry matter protein content

This same formula can be used to determine the dry matter fat and fiber contents.

Freshpet treats, chews and bones are all natural, contain no artificial preservatives, and are less processed than traditional offerings. To ensure the freshness of our simple and healthy ingredients, all Freshpet treats, chews and bones must be refrigerated and used within 14 days of opening.

Yes, Freshpet chews and bones are a safer alternative to natural bones as they will not crack or splinter.

Freshpet bones are not suitable for dogs less than 12 lbs. or puppies.

If your dog takes more than one hour to finish a chew or two hours to finish a bone, please return the remainder to the fridge so they can enjoy it another time. If small pieces are left over, please take away from your dog and discard.

Yes, most dogs love sweet potatoes. Anti-oxidant rich sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C, and their high fiber content helps maintain digestive health.

Calorie content (calculated), Metabolizable Energy (ME):

• Dog Joy Peanut Butter & Oatmeal (baked) – 4800 kcal/kg, 82 kcal/cookie
• Dog Nation Oatmeal & Cranberry (baked) – 4210 kcal/kg, 72 kcal/cookie

Yes, the dough can be baked at different temperatures to accommodate whatever else you have in the oven. Bake as follows or until lightly browned: 350 degrees F for 10 to 14 minutes; 375 degrees F for 9 to 13 minutes; 425 degrees F for 7 to 11 minutes.

No, although the dough contains pasteurized eggs, it should always be baked before feeding. We cannot guarantee that your dog will or will not get sick if they eat raw dough.

Yes, if you freeze the dough before the “Freshest if sold by” date you can store it in the freezer for up to nine months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator. Use within 7 days of opening.

No, the dough is not designed to be microwaved. If you microwave the dough it may change texture and crumble.

It is possible as the dough is made in a facility that also processes peanuts and tree nuts.

Evaporated cane juice is a sweetener made from sugar cane that is less processed than refined sugar.

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.

For dogs that have pancreatic problems or compromised renal function (i.e. kidney), high protein diets made from meat and fish should be avoided. If your dog suffers from these conditions, consult your veterinarian to determine if Vital is appropriate for your dog.

Ask your veterinarian if Freshpet is appropriate for your pet’s specific condition before introducing it into his diet.

Freshpet is making frozen treats and appetizers to provide even more nutritious and delicious snack options for your dog. We choose to freeze them so they are more convenient for you to keep on hand. We continue to believe that fresh pet food is best for your dog and cat’s main diet.

The frozen foods are best stored in your freezer at 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C).

All Freshpet frozen foods are made in the USA at carefully selected human food partners that are committed to using fresh, all natural ingredients that meet our high quality standards.

Yes, the meatballs are 100% complete and balanced and can be fed as a snack or as a main meal. Calorie content (calculated): Metabolizable Energy (ME) 1820 kcal/kg, 826 kcal/lb, 26 kcal/meatball.

No, once the meatballs have been thawed or heated they should be consumed immediately or stored in the refrigerator and used within three days.

Calorie content (calculated), Metabolizable Energy (ME):

• Chilly Wags Natural Vanilla Flavor – 1160 kcal/kg and 115 kcal/cup
• Chilly Wags Peanut Butter Flavor – 1185 kcal/kg and 118 kcal/cup
• Wag-gurt Blueberry & Vanilla Flavor – 780 kcal/kg and 77 kcal/cup
• Wag-gurt Apple & Peanut Butter Flavor – 800 kcal/kg and 80 kcal/cup

No, the cups should not be refrozen if completely thawed. Product thawing and refreezing can create ice crystals causing an undesirable, grainy texture.

To deliver the best flavor and texture, soften the cups slightly at room temperature for approximately ten minutes before serving, depending on the actual room temperature and the temperature of your freezer.

Microcrystalline cellulose is a human food stabilizer used as a thickening agent.

Cellulose gum is a human food stabilizer used as a thickening agent.

Mono and diglycerides are common human food additives used to help blend together certain ingredients for improved consistency.

Pea protein is a nutritional supplement used to improve digestibility.

Calorie content (calculated): Metabolizable Energy (ME) 4,290 kcal/kg, 85 kcal/scone.

Yes, the dough can be baked at different temperatures to accommodate whatever else you have in the oven. Bake as follows or until lightly browned: 350 degrees F for 10 to 14 minutes; 375 degrees F for 9 to 13 minutes; 425 degrees F for 7 to 11 minutes.

No, although the dough contains pasteurized eggs, it should always be baked before feeding. We cannot guarantee that your dog will or will not get sick if they eat raw dough.

Yes, if you refreeze and use before the “Best if used by” date.

No, the dough is not designed to be microwaved. If you microwave the dough it may change texture and crumble.

It is possible as the dough is made in a facility that also processes peanuts and tree nuts.

Evaporated cane juice is a sweetener made from sugar cane that is less processed than refined sugar.