Every wholesome recipe starts with high quality proteins and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Our healthy meals are steam-cooked to lock in vital nutrients, and it’s all done according to the highest quality and food safety standards under the oversight of our veterinary nutritionists.
ingredients
At Freshpet, we only use the good stuff. Our recipes are packed with high-quality chicken, beef, and fish, as well as nutrient-rich fruits and veggies.
Our animal proteins come from USDA-inspected suppliers, and our ingredients are handled according to strict food safety and quality standards from sourcing through cooking and refrigeration. We believe pet parents should know exactly what’s in their pet’s bowl, which is why each Freshpet product page includes a full ingredient list and nutritional information for that specific recipe.
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- Preservative-free
- No meat powders, meals, or by-products
- Farm fresh fruits and veggies
real meat is the first ingredient
preservative-free
no meat powders, meals, or by-products
farm fresh fruits and veggies
a new level of safety and quality standards
Freshpet Kitchens are registered with APHIS and the FDA, and all of our meals undergo over 20 quality and safety tests before leaving our kitchens.
- Freshpet recipes are steam-cooked at lower temperatures than traditional dry kibble, which is typically made using a high-heat extrusion process. This lighter cooking approach helps preserve the bioavailability of the natural nutrients in our ingredients while still fully cooking every recipe to temperatures that eliminate potentially harmful pathogens.
- Freshpet is not raw – it is fully cooked, refrigerated fresh food made following strict food safety standards.
Safe production and a healthy workplace are our top priorities at the Freshpet Kitchens. We’re continually improving our processes to ensure all team members feel responsible and empowered to achieve our goal of an accident-free facility.
meet some of our Freshpet kitchens team
Javier
Production Supervisor
Darlene
Production Operator
Dave
Production Operator
experience the Freshpet difference
Our nutrient-packed recipes are meticulously crafted by our board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
picky eater approved
shinier skin and coat
healthier weight
increased energy
improved digestion
FAQs
Where is Freshpet made?
Freshpet recipes are made in Freshpet-owned kitchens in the United States. Our kitchens are registered with APHIS and the FDA, and every recipe is prepared under strict food safety and quality standards before it reaches store shelves.
Where does Freshpet source its ingredients?
Freshpet sources its animal proteins from USDA-inspected suppliers and uses farm fresh fruits and vegetables in its recipes. We believe transparency matters, which is why every Freshpet product page includes a full ingredient list and nutritional information for that specific recipe.
Is Freshpet raw, gently cooked, or fully cooked?
Freshpet is fully cooked, not raw. Our recipes are steam-cooked at lower temperatures than traditional dry kibble, which helps preserve more of the natural nutrients in the ingredients while still eliminating potentially harmful pathogens and bacteria.
Because Freshpet is fully cooked and refrigerated, it offers the benefits of fresh food without the higher food safety risks associated with raw diets.
Is Freshpet more or less processed than high-end kibble?
Freshpet is meaningfully less processed than traditional dry kibble, including many premium kibble brands. Most kibble is made using a high-heat extrusion process that cooks ingredients at very high temperatures and pressures to create shelf-stable pellets, which can affect protein quality and heat-sensitive nutrients.
Freshpet recipes are made with fresh ingredients and steam-cooked at lower temperatures instead of being heavily processed for long shelf life. Freshpet also stays fresh through refrigeration rather than relying on artificial preservatives.
Are Freshpet recipes free from artificial preservatives and colors?
Yes. Freshpet recipes are made without artificial preservatives or artificial flavors.
Instead of chemical preservatives, Freshpet stays fresh through refrigeration and careful temperature-controlled handling from our kitchens to your pet’s bowl.
Does Freshpet use by-products or meat meals in its recipes?
No. Freshpet recipes are made without meat by-products, meat meals, or meat powders.
Real meat is always the first ingredient in our recipes, alongside fresh vegetables and other recognizable ingredients.
Is Freshpet transparent about its ingredient lists and nutritional information?
Yes. Every Freshpet product page includes a full ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, feeding guidance, and nutritional information for that specific recipe.
Our recipes are formulated under the oversight of veterinary nutritionists and are designed to meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for complete and balanced nutrition. If your dog has specific dietary needs or sensitivities, the product pages are the best place to review detailed ingredient and nutrient information.
How are Freshpet recipes developed and validated – and what about feeding trials?
Freshpet recipes are meticulously crafted by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and developed with input from veterinarians, PhD food scientists, and nutrition experts. Our recipes are formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutritional profiles and are developed in alignment with WSAVA nutritional guidance and food safety principles. We have a team of on-staff veterinary nutritionists, veterinarians, food scientists and PhDs.
Like the vast majority of pet food brands, Freshpet primarily uses AAFCO formulation standards and nutritional analysis to validate recipes. Some large prescription-focused veterinary brands also conduct extensive feeding trials and publish broader peer-reviewed clinical research, which is a different type of nutritional model than Freshpet’s fresh food approach.
Freshpet’s focus is delivering minimally processed, fresh, fully cooked food made from high-quality ingredients while maintaining complete and balanced nutrition under veterinary oversight.
