Freshpet Cat Food Review [Purchased & Tested]
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Freshpet set out on a mission to revolutionize the way all pets are fed by making fresh, natural food. They put together a team of the best in both pet and human food and in October 2006, they were cooking nutritious, fresh meals for pets. Today over one million pet owners in North America alone, serve their fur-babies Freshpet foods.
Freshpet vows to never use meat meals, powders, preservatives, or additives in their foods. They also partner with shelters and rescues to increase their visibility and provide the pets in their care with the food and resources they need until they find their forever homes.
Why Should You Trust This Review?
- I am a certified pet nutritionist
- I’ve been a cat mom for 30 plus years
- I have volunteered at cat shelters for over 15 years
- I did 48 hours of research on this cat food brand
About Freshpet
In 2006, Freshpet set out on a mission to revolutionize the way all pets are fed. Today, 97 percent of their ingredients come from the USA and Canada and 70 percent of that number comes from local farms.
All Freshpet poultry, beef and fish ingredients are sourced from USDA registered suppliers who follow all USDA regulations for safe handling. The poultry used in their Nature’s Fresh recipes are antibiotic and hormone free.
In 2013, Freshpet opened a new 25$ million manufacturing facility, the Freshpet Kitchens, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This facility was built to with human-grade manufacturing standards in mind. In 2018, it announced an investment of $100+ million to expand its pet food production operations at its current location.
Unlike traditional shelf-stable pet foods, Freshpet ingredients are cooked only once at lower temperatures. In addition, the food does not contain any processed meat meals or by-products, and is made in small batches to preserve the natural goodness of the ingredients.
Freshpet Cat Food Sourcing And Manufacturing
| Parent Company/ Owned by | Freshpet |
| Company Net Worth | 319 million |
| Dry Food Manufactured | Pennsylvania, USA |
| Wet Food Manufactured | Pennsylvania, USA |
| Number of Recipes | 10 |
| FDA Approved | Yes |
Recall History
Freshpet cat food has never been recalled in the United States or Canada to date.
Top 5 Recipes Reviewed And Analyzed
#1 Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 18.0% Min
- Crude Fat 10.0% Min
- Crude Fiber 2.0% Max
- Moisture 65.0% Max
- Taurine 0.5% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Ocean Whitefish, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Eggs, Carrots, Pea Fiber, Vinegar, Spinach, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Taurine, Celery Powder, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate
To better understand the Freshpet Select Tender Chicken Recipe recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Chicken liver, is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A.
Ocean whitefish is a significant source of protein. It is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which cats need to remain healthy.
Natural flavors can mean several things and qualifies as being extracted from a natural source. This might mean it came from meals or by-products.
Pea protein is a plant protein and can not replace animal protein. While it maybe high in fiber it is simply a way to increase protein levels in cat food.
#2 Nature’s Fresh Grain Free Chicken & Ocean Whitefish
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 19.0% Min
- Crude Fat 10.5% Min
- Crude Fiber 1.5% Max
- Moisture 65.0% Max
- Taurine 0.05% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Ocean Whitefish, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Carrots, Eggs, Pea Fiber, Vinegar, Spinach, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Taurine, Celery Powder, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate
This grain-free chicken recipe uses protein sourced from US raised chicken, as well as ocean whitefish. Let’s look at the first five ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Chicken liver, is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A.
Ocean whitefish is a significant source of protein. It is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which cats need to remain healthy.
Natural flavors can mean several things and qualifies as being extracted from a natural source. This might mean it came from meals or by-products.
Pea protein is a plant protein and can not replace animal protein. While it maybe high in fiber it is simply a way to increase protein levels in cat food.
#3 Vital Grain Free Chicken & Ocean Whitefish
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 19.0% Min
- Crude Fat 10.5% Min
- Crude Fiber 1.5% Max
- Moisture 65.0% Max
- Taurine 0.05% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Ocean Whitefish, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Carrots, Eggs, Pea Fiber, Vinegar, Spinach, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Taurine, Celery Powder, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate
This grain-free chicken recipe uses protein sourced from US raised chicken sources and ocean whitefish. Here we have reviewed the first five ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Chicken liver, is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A.
Ocean whitefish is a significant source of protein. It is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which cats need to remain healthy.
Natural flavors can mean several things and qualifies as being extracted from a natural source. This might mean it came from meals or by-products.
Pea protein is a plant protein and can not replace animal protein. While it maybe high in fiber it is simply a way to increase protein levels in cat food.
#4 Freshpet Select Chicken and Beef Grain Free Gourmet Pate’
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 10.0% Min
- Crude Fat 7% Min
- Crude Fiber 1% Max
- Moisture 78.0% Max
- Taurine 0.05% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Beef, Chicken Liver, Natural Flavours, Egg, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Carrageenan, Pea Fiber, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Fish Oil, Celery Powder,Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate
This grain-free chicken and beef recipe uses protein sourced from farms located in the United States and Canada. Let’s take a look at the first five ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Chicken broth is rich in vitamins, minerals and collagen. These components can help improve your cat’s digestion and overall immunity.
Beef contains several nutrients including the amino acid taurine, a fatty acid called arachidonic acid, and vitamin A. It is one of the most common food allergens for cats.
Chicken liver, is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A.
Natural flavors can mean several things and qualifies as being extracted from a natural source. This might mean it came from meals or by-products.
#5 Vital Grain Free Chicken and Beef Recipe
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 10.0% Min
- Crude Fat 6% Min
- Crude Fiber 1% Max
- Moisture 78.0% Max
- Taurine 0.05% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Beef, Chicken Liver, Natural Flavors, Eggs, Tapioca Starch, Carrageenan, Pea Protein, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pea Fiber, Salt, Taurine, Celery Powder, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate
This grain-free chicken recipe uses protein sourced from US raised chicken, as well as ocean whitefish. Let’s look at the first five ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Chicken broth is rich in vitamins, minerals and collagen. These components can help improve your cat’s digestion and overall immunity.
Beef contains several nutrients including the amino acid taurine, a fatty acid called arachidonic acid, and vitamin A. It is one of the most common food allergens for cats.
Chicken liver, is a good source of copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus and zinc as well as high in protein, fat and vitamin A.
Natural flavors can mean several things and qualifies as being extracted from a natural source. This might mean it came from meals or by-products.
Is Freshpet Good Cat Food?
Freshpet provides your cat with quality ingredients and ethically sourced food that you can trust. Freshpet offers species appropriate cat foods as well as a variety of grain-free options. There are some recipes that do include garbanzo beans and lentils which are not necessary in a cats diet and can be difficult for some to digest.
Freshpet’s downfall is some recipes contain carrageenan as well as ingredients with limited nutritional value like tapioca starch and pea protein.
Where Is Freshpet Cat Food Sold?
Freshpet cat foods are available in most pet store chains and pet food specialty stores, although recipes may vary. You can also purchase Freshpet cat food online through Chewy, Amazon and various online pet food retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Freshpet Cat food cost?
Most Freshpet recipes cost around $5 a bag or roll. A 10 pound cat may run you about $4 a day to feed Freshpet food if you follow their feeding guidelines.
Where can I buy Freshpet cat food?
Freshpet does not deliver directly to your door. But depending on where you live and product availability, Freshpet can be purchased online via these retailer partners:
Amazon Fresh
Prime Now
Instacart
PeaPod
FreshDirect
SHIPT
Additionally, many local grocery and pet stores carry Freshpet food. You can search your area on the Freshpet website for retailers closest to you.
Is Freshpet cat food all natural?
Freshpet's foods are said to be made of all-natural, high quality ingredients. Nature’s Fresh recipes only use chicken that follows the standards developed by the Global Animal Partnership. Freshpet foods are 100% complete and balanced and exceed AAFCO’s minimum standards for canine and feline nutrition.
Does Freshpet Cat Food need to be refrigerated?
Freshpet recommends serving their food fresh from the fridge for the best results, but you can choose to freeze any unused portions for later use. Be aware that you may see a slight change in color and texture when thawed, but this won’t change the nutritional value or taste of our meals. No Freshpet food is frozen before being purchased at your local store.
