Common Questions

Product

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

More than 75% of the ingredients in the formulas are 100% fresh. None of the ingredients in Freshpet Select products are pre-processed, heat-treated, or frozen before they are added to the product. Refrigeration is the key to freshness. Freshpet Select products must be refrigerated since the meats and vegetables have only been gently cooked with minimal heat. Dry and canned food undergo thermal processing which sterilizes the food, depleting the nutrients. Freshpet Select foods do not contain the chemical preservatives commonly found in dry, canned, or semi-moist foods such as, BHA, sodium nitrate, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, or artificial colors.

Are Freshpet Select foods all natural? Aren't many of the products in pet food called "natural"?

Freshpet Select foods use 100% all natural ingredients, with refrigeration as the only preservative. Freshpet Select foods use real meats and vegetables. The product is gently cooked to leave in the natural goodness from its fresh ingredients.

Are Freshpet Select foods safe to feed my dog?

Yes. None of Freshpet Select’s products are affected by the recent pet food recalls. Freshpet Select manufactures all of its products in its own plant in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Freshpet Select products continue to be a fresh, safe, and healthy food for your dog. If you have additional questions, please contact our consumer hotline at 1.866.789.3737.

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

Freshpet Select food is refrigerated, but NOT raw. It has been gently cooked with light pasteurization to eliminate any harmful bacteria or parasites.

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 Select 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 Select food is refrigeration.

Product Usage:

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

Yes, they can be frozen and then thawed out later, but our products will taste better to your dog if they have never been frozen. Even humans can taste the difference between meat that is fresh and meat that is frozen for long periods of time. Fresh is best for taste.

How do I serve or feed it to my dog? Can I cut right through the packaging? Do I need to cut it into small meat cubes?

Just cut off a slice right through the packaging and serve it in your dog's regular bowl. The cut marks on the package indicate how much to feed your dog. You can cut right through the packaging and it will fall away automatically.

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

Yes, it is formulated for everyday feeding, but can also be fed with dry or as a treat.

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 "best before" date on each Freshpet Select roll.

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

After opening, you should feed the remainder of the roll within 7 days. To keep it fresh cover the opened end with kitchen wrap.

Nutrition:

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

You can feed your dog PAN diets like Freshpet Select every day because they are 100% complete and balanced for dogs in all life stages. In fact, Freshpet Select foods significantly exceed AAFCO's minimum standards for canine nutrition.

Why does dry food seem to have more protein than Freshpet Select 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 calories from the protein in the Adult formulas:


	Freshpet Select	Hill's	Nutro	Eukanuba

Protein	33%	21%	23%	27%

Fat	22%	15.5%	13%	17.7%

Remember that the natural moisture level in different meats is 70-77% moisture and Freshpet Select 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.

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 that the vast 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 at 72%?

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

Why is there liver in your formulas?

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

What type of rice is used?

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

Dog's Health:

Will there be an issue with keeping my dog's weight under control?

No, not if you follow the serving guidelines. Freshpet Select foods are concentrated nutrition so you do not need to feed as much as you think (although some people give in to dogs that stare at the fridge while waiting for you to walk into the kitchen).

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

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

Is Freshpet Select food good for finicky eaters?

Freshpet Select food tastes great since it is less processed than dry or canned foods and not heat treated. The natural flavors inherent in the fresh ingredients stay in Freshpet Select products. In addition, Freshpet Select foods are fresh, meat-based meals. The average dry food has anywhere from 5-15% real meat. Freshpet Select 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.