Senior Dogs Picky Dogs
One tip I can share is you can use riced frozen vegetables. I have used packages of riced cauliflower, sweet potato, and broccoli. All work great, save time and are convenient, but they are a little more expensive. These will work great for dogs that can’t chew well, are picky, don’t each much food, or won’t eat larger pieces of dog food.
Freshpet Believes In A Healthy Planet
Freshpet isnt just about making healthy meals for pets we also deeply care about the health of our planet. Our state-of-the-art food facilities use renewable wind energy to reduce carbon emissions. We also make use of recyclable and biodegradable tools and products to reduce our waste output. This further strengthens our commitment to sustainable practices, and, ultimately, the preservation of our planet.
At Freshpet, we believe that if our families are eating fresher, less processed foods, why shouldnt our pets? That’s why we make Freshpet dog food and cat food with fresh, all natural ingredients. Our fresh pet food is gently cooked with no chemical or artificial preservatives.
To see what pet parents are saying about Freshpet food, visit the Freshpet Reviews site and our .
Should I Be Feeding My Dog Freshpet Dog Foods
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Freshpet Review Should I be Feeding My Dog Freshpet Dog Food?
Freshpet has firmly established themselves in the pet food market as one of the best sources of fresh, natural food for your dog. But is their food really better for your dog than standard dog food, and is it worth the extra expense?
The short answer is that we think that it is!
We believe in the mantra that just like you, your dog is what it eats. Therefore, it is worth investing in fresh food that contains as few chemicals, preservatives, or other nasties as possible to ensure that they thrive.
Just like we know that it is good for us to eat fresh meals made from quality fresh ingredients, the same is true for our pets.
Freshpet, however, is just one of several companies that is trying to meet demand for this type of canine nutrition by cooking up fresh, short-life, preservative-free dog food daily and shipping it out on the same day.
However, Freshpet differs from other services, such as The Farmers Dog, Nom Nom Now and My Ollie, which are running delivery services that send direct to customers within certain catchment areas.
Freshpet is making their products available for customers to buy in the refrigerated food sections of certain stores, such as Whole Foods and Safeway.
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How Long Does Fresh Dog Food Stay Fresh
Since fresh dog food contains no preservatives, it must be kept refrigerated or frozen.
Storage instructions vary from brand to brand. In most cases, fresh dog food can last for up to 6 months, as long as the food package remains frozen and unopened.
Once a container is defrosted, it should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 4 days.
There Are No Questionable Ingredients
As we mentioned above, their ingredients lists are full of foods, not chemicals or additives. Even better, theyre foods youll recognize and could buy in the grocery store if you were so inclined.
You can even see many of those foods in their rolls, so you know theyre telling the truth about whats in there.
Even more impressive, is whats not in there: no cheap fillers, no animal by-products, no hormones or antibiotics. Just real food.
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Breaking Down The Label: Great Ingredients Make Happy Healthy Pets
Ingredient labels help us make informed choices about the foods we buy, but it can be difficult to know what to focus on with so much information on these labels. This is especially true when looking at labels on pet food, as they look similar to those on our food packaging, but contain slightly different details.
We asked our Freshpet vet, Dr. Aziza, to break down these labels so we can better understand why great ingredients make for happy, healthy pets.
What To Look For In Fresh Food
Most fresh food services are offered by subscription and delivered to your door. The best ones work with veterinary nutritionists to formulate a plan customized for your dog. They offer options in recipe choices, portion size, and frequency of delivery. They also provide easy-to-understand information about ingredients, feeding schedules, and how to keep the food fresh.
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Fresh Diy Dog Food Tips
Dog owners do get really concerned about feeding their dogs human food and scraps. I just had a really long chat with Sassy’s vet at her annual health check-up. Each dog is totally unique. Some have food sensitivities, easily get upset tummies and some have digestive issues, so regular commercial food is best for those dogs.
Freshpet Deli Fresh Dog Food Review
Score: 5.2/10
Package Ingredients Deli Fresh Grain Free Chicken Recipe With Spinach & Potato Recipe: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, spinach, potatoes, eggs, pea protein, carrageenan, natural flavors, pea fiber, salt, potassium chloride, inulin, fish oil, celery powder, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate
Using our evaluation criteria, Freshpet Deli Fresh is considered a moderate risk dog food. Here are our concerns:
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A Fresh Take On Pet Food
At Freshpet, making the best pet food starts with selecting the freshest and most nutritious ingredients. Our philosophy that sits at the core of everything we do stems from one single fact: if we feed the best and freshest to our families, why shouldnt we do the same for our pets?
Freshpet believes that food plays a very important role in your pets health and happiness. This is why, for us at Freshpet, fresh, healthy, and natural make more sense than anything else.
Freshpet Select Adult Dog Food Fresh From The Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe
- Made in the USA
- Natural US Farm Raised Chicken #1 ingredient
- No Meat Meals or By-Product Meals
- Vitamin and Antioxidant Rich Vegetables
Dog Food, Home Cooked Chicken Recipe, Larger Size
Feeding Guidelines: Depending on the age, activity level and condition of your dog, the feeding guidelines will need to be adjusted. The normal daily feeding amount for a healthy adult dog: Dog’s Weight: 4 – 10 lbs 3/4 – 1 1/4 cups . Dog’s Weight: 11 – 20 lbs 1 1/4 – 2 1/4 cups . Dog’s Weight: 21 – 35 lbs 2 1/4 – 3 1/4 cups . Dog’s Weight: 36 – 50 lbs 3 1/4 – 4 1/4 cups . Dog’s Weight: 51 – 65 lbs 4 1/4 – 5 1/4 cups . Dog’s Weight: +20 lbs +1 cup . The above quantities can be fed as one meal or divided into two meals based on your dog’s preference. When switching foods, gradually increase the new food and decrease the previous food to help make a smooth transition. Visit your veterinarian regularly to maintain your pet’s health. Always provide fresh water.Keep refrigerated. Please treat our recipes the way you would any fresh food. Keep refrigerated and use within 7 days of opening.
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Freshpet Select Dog Food Review
Score: 5.8/10
Package Ingredients for Freshpet Select Home Cooked Chicken Recipe: Chicken, cranberries, carrots, pea protein, pea fiber, ground oats, natural flavors, vinegar, carrageenan, cassia gum, salt, potassium chloride, spinach, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin b12 supplement, vitamin d3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate
Using our evaluation criteria, Freshpet Select is considered a moderate risk dog food. Here are our concerns:
Fresh Cuts Chicken Recipe
The Vital line also contains a fresh cuts recipe, which is basically shredded chicken with a few added ingredients, including sweet potato, carrots, peas, green beans, cranberries, fish oil, and spinach. On top of this, it is enriched with Freshpets Vitamin Pack but also contains carrageenan as a thickening agent.
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How Do I Know Which Format Of Food I Should Select For Mydog
I recommended choosing the format of food based on your pets needs and personal preference. Some dogs have severe periodontal disease and will therefore benefit from the rolls or pate formats since they are softer and more gentle on their teeth, whereas others will prefer the texture of the bagged or shredded food. Also, take into consideration your dogs size a small breed dog will benefit from the rolls or bagged food formulated in small bites versus those made for a large breed dog.
Freshpet makes their dog food on the basis of some simple principles.
Fresh Quality Meat
First, although dogs are omnivores, they need a lot of meat-based protein in their diet, and fresh meat should form the base of every meal.
Most dog foods follow this principle, listing a named meat as their first and, therefore, most plentiful ingredient, and then topping up their protein content with animal meal or animal by-products.
Animal meal and animal by-products arent necessarily bad for your dog. They are what is left over after the butchering process, and these include organ meat, bone, skin and hair. It is actually not bad for your dog to eat these things, as they would form a natural part of their diet in the wild.
The problem with meals and by-products is that you never know what exactly is in them, and it is possible that infected meat or other debris has made its way into the mix.
Fresh Fruit And Vegetables
Controversial Ingredients
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Feeding Steam Cookedmeat
Its imperative thatpets have a well-balanced, high-quality diet, and a key factor in this is howthe food is cooked. Ingredients typically retain more of their nutritionalvalue when they have been gently cooked rather than cooked in high temperaturesfor prolonged periods . This is whywe gently steam our recipe at low temperatures then vacuum seal each meal tolock in the natural goodness.
Having ingredients that are steamed, like the chicken in Freshpet® Selects Sensitive Stomach and Skin recipe, allows for a significant amount of nutrients found in these ingredients to be readily absorbed by the body.
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Is It Beneficial To Feed My Pet Grains
Dogs are omnivores,meaning their diet consists of meat, grains, and vegetables. Grains can bebeneficial to a dogs diet, especially because they are a good source of fiberand carbohydrates. Its also quite rare for a dog to have a grain allergy sincemost food allergies are due to the protein source. However, unlike dogs, catsdo not require grains and can have a well-balanced diet without them.
We hope that Dr. Aziza was able to help you better understand the science behind food labels. If you have any further questions about what you should be feeding your pet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.
Is Freshpet Good For Dogs With Digestive Problems
Freshpet offers a number of recipes that are made with gently steam-cooked chicken, fiber-rich pumpkin, and brown rice. These ingredients are packed with natural prebiotics and highly digestible protein, which can be beneficial for dogs with digestive issues.
Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that help to feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria play an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive system and can help to improve the overall function of the digestive tract.
The protein used in Freshpet dog food is also highly digestible, which means that it is easily broken down and absorbed by the body. This can help to reduce the workload on the digestive system and can make it easier for dogs with digestive problems to process and utilize the nutrients in the food.
Freshpet dog food may be a good option for dogs with digestive problems. It is always important to consult with a veterinarian for specific advice on the best diet for your dog, but Freshpets recipes made with gently steam-cooked chicken, fiber-rich pumpkin, and brown rice may be worth considering.
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Freshpet Vital Dog Food Review
Score: 5.8/10
Package Ingredients For Vital Grain Free Beef & Lamb Recipe With Cranberries & Spinach Dog Food Recipe: Beef, beef liver, beef broth, lentil flour, lamb, egg, spinach, pea protein, pea fiber, natural flavors, cranberries, calcium phosphate, sunflower oil, vinegar, salt, carrageenan, potassium chloride, celery powder, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, biotin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, calcium carbonate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate
Using our evaluation criteria, Freshpet Vital is considered a moderate risk dog food.
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Resources For The Chef
- Your best resource and first stop is your dogs veterinarian, who knows your dog and has a thorough understanding of his health history and current condition.
- A good resource to help find a veterinary nutritionist for a homemade diet consultation is the Diplomate directory at www.acvn.org. If there isnt a nutritionist in your area, you can consult with one remotely.
- An alternative option is to use the online consulting service called BalanceIT, a site operated by a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a basic, nutritionally balanced recipe.
- The American College of Veterinary Nutritionists has prepared an informative brochure, called Your Dogs Nutritional Needs: A Science-Based Guide for Pet Owners
- Answers to frequently asked questions are provided here: ·
- The Veterinary Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Service provides a list of common mistakes pet owners make when choosing and preparing homemade diets:
- Another site that provides answers to your questions is: Ask the Nutritionist
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Is Their Packing Environmentally Friendly
In their FAQ page, FreshPet notes that their products are free from toxins and chemical preservatives, but they do cook and pasteurize their products to kill bacteria.
They use mainly plastic packaging to keep the food fresh and safe until it is opened unfortunately, you may not be able to recycle these materials.
That being said, FreshPet does have a commitment to sustainability in their practices.
They use 100% renewable wind energy to power their kitchens and make every effort to recycle wooden pallets, light tubes, and ballast in their facilities.
The work with dedicated green partners and are working on replacing their existing refrigerators with more environmentally friendly models.
Freshpet Dog Food Formulas Reviewed
There are dozens of different Freshpet Dog Food formulas. To help you decide which is best for your pet, we have reviewed several of the brands recipes.
Summary: Freshpet roasted meals uses 100% natural US farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient and uses no meat meals or by-product meals. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, made without no preservatives or fillers, and offers complete nutrition for your dog. It is available in two flavors and sold in 1.75-pound bags.
Type: Steam-cooked fresh pellets
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken with garden vegetables
Price: $13.60/lb
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- No by-product meals are used in the formula
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
- Offers a complete source of nutrition
- Delicious, sourced & made in the USA
Cons
- Expensive price tag
- Must be refrigerated and used within 7 days of opening
Ingredient Analysis: The first ingredient is real farm-raised chicken which is a great source of protein. Chicken liver, ground oats, and rice bran are the next three ingredients and offer a healthy source of minerals, carbohydrates, and fiber. The vitamin profile is complete with folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, and vitamin E, while the minerals are supplemented to offer balanced nutrition. The only natural negative to the ingredients listed is an unnamed natural flavor that is unspecified in its origin.
Type: Steam-cooked wet dog food
Best for: Adult dogs
Cons
Type: Steam-cooked wet dog food
Cons
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Can I Feed My Dog Raw And Cooked Food
It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Practice impeccable food hygiene as the risk of both you and your dog getting a food-borne bacterial infection such as campylobacter or salmonella is high.
Is Fresh Food Right For My Dog
While fresh foods for dogs may be the way to go for some pups, there are cases when fresh isnt the right call, including:
- If your dog has a medical issue, they may need a prescription diet thats unavailable in fresh form.
- If your dog is allergic to an ingredient in fresh food, that reaction is likely to outweigh the benefits of fresh food.
Pet parents should also consider their own lifestyle factors:
- Can you afford to buy fresh food?
- Are you able to store the food at a frozen or refrigerated temperature to ensure it doesnt spoil?
Remember: Every dog is unique. Before making any significant change to your pets diet, its important to talk to your veterinarian, who can provide the best advice based on your pets individual health profile.
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