Welcoming a new dog into your life is an exciting journey, and ensuring they receive the best nutrition is paramount. As a seasoned pet reporter with a particular fondness for our canine friends, I’ve had the opportunity to test and review numerous dog food brands. My personal experience extends to raising a pup with specific dietary needs and a discerning palate, making me constantly on the hunt for foods that are not only delicious but also versatile enough for training. This quest led me to explore Freshpet Delivery, a notable player in the fresh dog food market. The service boasts four distinct recipes, offering welcomed variety to keep mealtime engaging. A significant advantage is that three of these formulas come in convenient nugget shapes, which are far easier to handle compared to other wetter fresh food options. My primary objective was to ascertain if these recipes would be enticing enough for my picky eater and if they could effectively serve as training rewards and enrichment tools.
For this comprehensive Freshpet dog food review, I received samples to evaluate with Roo, my 4-year-old lab/terrier mix. I tested all available recipes through their full custom meal plan for a duration of one month. Herein, I share my findings on the food itself and my firsthand experience feeding it to my dog.
Freshpet Delivery provides access to several fresh dog food lines, available both in physical stores and online. The Freshpet Delivery service, however, allows for the direct ordering of up to four different fresh dog food recipes to your doorstep. This food is less prone to mess than frozen fresh dog food options and can be conveniently served in a bowl, used in a puzzle feeder, or even hand-fed.
- What we like:
- Four recipes formulated for all life stages.
- Meets both WSAVA and AAFCO nutritional guidelines.
- More affordable than many other fresh food brands.
- Option to select up to four different recipes.
- Less messy compared to other wet dog foods.
- What we don’t like:
- Only three recipes are suitable for large-breed dogs.
- Different recipes require varying measurement amounts for feeding.
How Freshpet Delivery Works
Freshpet’s recipes are formulated to meet the rigorous nutritional standards set forth by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for both puppies and adult dogs. Notably, two of the recipes – the Beef and Chicken, and the Beef, Turkey and Lamb varieties – are not specifically formulated for large-breed puppies weighing 70 pounds or more. Furthermore, Freshpet adheres to the Global Nutrition Guidelines established by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), which are recognized as the highest benchmarks in the pet food industry and align with our recommendations for the best dog foods.
Freshpet Delivery offers a quartet of recipes: Shredded Chicken, Beef and Chicken, Beef, Turkey, and Lamb, and Multiprotein. The Multiprotein recipe uniquely includes chicken, eggs, beef, and salmon. All recipes, with the exception of the Multiprotein, feature fish oil, a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids. Research indicates that these fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and promote healthier skin and coat. The salmon incorporated into the Multiprotein formula also serves as an excellent source of these beneficial omega-3s.
| Recipe | Ingredient Highlights | Guaranteed Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Shredded Chicken | Chicken, carrots, pumpkin, pea protein, pea fiber, ground oats, green beans, cranberries, fish oil, sweet potatoes, spinach | Crude protein: 16.5% min Crude fat: 6% min Crude fiber: 1.5% max Moisture: 66% max |
| Multiprotein Recipe | Chicken, beef, beef liver, eggs, ground oats, salmon, rice bran, carrots, sweet potatoes, pea fiber, cranberries, spinach, green beans | Crude protein: 14% min Crude fat: 9.5% min Crude fiber: 1.5% max Moisture: 66.5% max |
| Beef and Chicken Recipe | Beef, chicken, beef liver, lentils, eggs, carrots, green beans, pea fiber, sweet potatoes, cranberries, spinach, fish oil | Crude protein: 13% min Crude fat: 10% min Crude fiber: 1.5% max Moisture: 65% max |
| Beef, Turkey and Lamb Recipe | Beef, turkey, beef liver, lamb, green beans, carrots, eggs, pea protein, ground oats, green lentils, pea fiber, pumpkin, fish oil, spinach | Crude protein: 15% min Crude fat: 10% min Crude fiber: 1.5% max Moisture: 63% max |
Ordering and Customization
Upon signing up for Freshpet Delivery, you’ll be prompted to provide specific details about your dog, including their gender, weight, and activity level. You’ll also be asked about any specific health goals, such as weight management, addressing picky eating habits, or maintaining healthy skin and coat. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive an email, and optionally a text message, containing an estimated arrival date and a tracking link for your shipment.
Based on the information you provide about your dog, Freshpet will generate a personalized meal plan that aligns with their estimated caloric needs, taking into account any known food allergies. You have the flexibility to accept these recommendations or customize your order by selecting a combination of up to four recipes. While you cannot alter the ingredients within a specific recipe, you can determine the quantity of food you wish to receive. Freshpet offers three plan options: Full Meal, Half Meal, and Topper. The Half Meal plan provides 50% of your dog’s daily caloric requirement, intended to be mixed with their current food, while the Topper plan accounts for 25%.
Your initial order is typically delivered within six business days. Following this, meals are shipped on a recurring schedule that corresponds to your dog’s meal plan, usually every one to six weeks. If you opt to create your own plan, you can set a delivery timeline that suits your preferences, with delivery frequencies extending up to every eight weeks. You retain the ability to pause or modify your delivery date up to 24 hours before your order is processed and shipped.
Delivery and Packaging
The food arrives in a substantial, insulated cardboard box, complete with dry ice to maintain the cold chain. Each recipe is contained within a resealable plastic pouch. Both the outer box and the insulation material are recyclable, though the pouches themselves are not.
Your first delivery includes measuring scoops to help portion the meals accurately. Freshpet also incorporates a loyalty rewards program; for instance, your third order includes a tennis ball, your sixth order a poop bag dispenser, and by your tenth order, you receive a 5% discount on all future purchases.
Our In-Depth Review of Freshpet Dog Food Delivery
After a brief five-minute questionnaire, I opted to try all four Freshpet recipes for Roo. Considering Roo’s profile as an active, medium-sized dog with no reported food allergies, Freshpet recommended a daily intake of 10 bags of food every two weeks. This recommendation closely mirrored the daily calorie requirements my veterinarian had previously outlined for Roo to maintain her current weight. As Roo is on the cusp of a healthy weight for her frame, I adjusted her food portions on days she received additional treats or chews. It’s important to note that Freshpet does not offer an option to specify whether you feed your dog supplemental treats, necessitating personal caloric calculations for those instances. As always, consulting with your veterinarian regarding any dietary modifications or concerns about your dog’s health is highly recommended.
The day after placing my order, Freshpet promptly notified me that my package had shipped, providing a tracking link and an estimated arrival time that proved remarkably accurate, down to the hour. The shipment arrived within three business days, and despite the dry ice having evaporated, the box remained well-insulated and cold. The delivery packaging was easy to dismantle, and I could directly place the box and insulation into the recycling bin.
Each bag of food weighed either 1 or 1.5 pounds and contained between 3 1/3 cups and 5 3/4 cups of food. The daily feeding amount varied depending on the specific recipe used. While I initially found these different amounts slightly inconvenient, the provided feeding guide and measuring scoops simplified the process considerably. As an unexpected bonus, my first box included a poop bag holder filled with bags, an item typically reserved for the sixth order.
The food is designed to be stored in the refrigerator and is ready to serve immediately – no thawing required. I did transfer some of the meals to my freezer to optimize refrigerator space. Freshpet confirms this is acceptable, although it may slightly alter the texture upon thawing. However, I did not find this to be a significant issue.
The texture of the Freshpet formulas was a standout feature for me. Unlike some other fresh foods that can be quite soupy, three of the recipes (excluding Shredded Chicken) are formulated into firm yet soft pellets. While this may indicate a slightly higher level of processing compared to other fresh meals, the food’s resemblance to finely ground nuggets and its lack of an offensive odor were greatly appreciated. As a vegetarian, handling meaty foods can sometimes be a challenge, but none of the Freshpet recipes posed this issue for me.
I particularly appreciated how the food’s texture facilitated versatile usage beyond simply serving it in a bowl. The nugget-like pieces were perfect for use in treat pouches during walks or for training sessions indoors, reinforcing tricks and basic commands. I could also hide them in a towel or snuffle mat, encouraging Roo’s natural foraging instincts for mental enrichment.
Roo found the food highly enticing, comparable to medium to high-value treats like freeze-dried chicken or beef liver, which I typically reserve for basic training and activities. She showed a particular fondness for the Multiprotein recipe, which proved effective in more challenging situations, such as redirecting her attention from neighboring barking dogs or teaching a new trick. Utilizing her meal portions for training and enrichment was a significant benefit, as it allowed me to manage her weight effectively without relying on external treats that could contribute to weight gain.
Rotating through the four distinct recipes successfully maintained Roo’s interest throughout the entire trial period. We adhered closely to the provided transition timeline, and she experienced no digestive upset. By the end of the month, Roo was consistently finishing her meals from her puzzle bowl and eagerly accepted Freshpet nuggets during training – a stark contrast to her usual kibble!
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
The cost for Roo, a medium-sized dog, amounted to $123.50 every two weeks, totaling $247 for the month. While not the most expensive fresh food option available, it is also not the most budget-friendly.
Additionally, despite Freshpet providing a detailed handout with feeding instructions and measuring scoops, mealtime preparation isn’t entirely straightforward. Each recipe comes with distinct feeding guidelines. For instance, Roo’s daily feeding amounts were as follows:
- Beef and Chicken: 2 1/2 cups per day
- Multiprotein: 2 3/4 cups per day
- Shredded Chicken: 4 cups per day
- Beef, Turkey, and Lamb: 2 2/3 cups per day
Furthermore, particularly finicky eaters might find the drier, more processed formulas less appealing compared to meals featuring fresh, whole ingredients.
Exploring Alternative Options
For those seeking a more straightforward feeding plan with fresh food that more closely resembles human-grade meals, Nom Nom and The Farmer’s Dog present viable alternatives. While they may offer fewer grain-inclusive options, the ingredients in these meals are clearly visible, and portion sizes are pre-measured for each package. An added advantage is that The Farmer’s Dog is slightly more affordable, with monthly costs ranging from approximately $170 to $220 for an active, medium-sized dog. Conversely, Nom Nom tends to be more expensive, with monthly costs ranging from $270 to $345.
The Final Verdict
Freshpet Delivery distinguishes itself by offering fresh dog food with a unique texture that empowers pet parents to utilize it in various engaging ways, adding excitement to mealtimes. I found immense value in being able to incorporate it into training and enrichment activities, thereby reducing the reliance on supplementary treats. While I would appreciate more uniform feeding guidelines across all recipes, keeping the provided instructions readily accessible proved to be an effective solution. For pet owners in search of a convenient and reasonably priced fresh food option suitable for on-the-go use or for food puzzles, Freshpet presents a compelling choice.
