Freshpet review: is the fridge food actually good for dogs?
We are not affiliated with Freshpet and earn nothing from this review. Prices, recipes, and availability change — always check current details and talk to your vet before switching your dog’s food.
Freshpet is the brand behind the fridge of rolled dog food at your grocery or pet store. It has been around since 2006, and it occupies a useful middle ground: fresher than kibble, but cheaper and far more accessible than subscription delivery brands. Here is an honest look at whether it lives up to the appeal.
What is Freshpet?
Freshpet makes refrigerated, gently cooked and pasteurised dog food — rolls, bagged meals, and toppers — sold in branded fridges in stores rather than by subscription. The meats are sourced from North America, and the recipes contain no meat meal, which makes them highly digestible and often a good fit for picky eaters and sensitive stomachs.
The pros
- Accessible and no subscription — you buy what you need from the store fridge, and it is usually the most affordable fresh option per meal.
- Gently cooked and pasteurised, with North American meat and no meat meal — highly digestible.
- Complete and balanced recipes for each life stage; many vets cautiously support it, especially for picky or senior dogs needing more moisture.
- Great as a full diet or as a topper to make dry food more appealing.
The cons and things to watch
- It must stay refrigerated, and once opened it should be used within about seven days — improper storage is the leading cause of consumer illness complaints.
- It is still pricier than standard kibble, even if cheaper than delivery fresh brands.
- Higher-fat rolls (some are around 27% fat on a dry-matter basis) can trigger digestive upset or pancreatitis if a dog is switched abruptly from low-fat kibble.
Has Freshpet been recalled?
Freshpet has had a small number of recalls — single lots recalled in 2021 and 2022 over possible salmonella, both limited in scope, terminated by the FDA, with no reported illnesses. As of early 2025 there were no active recalls, and a February 2025 third-party analysis by Consumer Reports (covering Freshpet alongside dozens of other brands) found it safe to consume. A few well-handled, limited recalls over nearly two decades is not unusual.
Store it cold, respect the use-by window once opened, and transition gradually over about a week — especially onto higher-fat recipes. Dogs prone to pancreatitis or on a prescribed diet should switch only with veterinary guidance.
How it compares
Freshpet is often the value pick among fresh foods because it skips the subscription model and sells in stores. Fully fresh delivery brands like The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie offer more customisation at a higher price, while a fresh-style dry food like Spot & Tango’s Unkibble trades refrigeration for convenience. See our fresh dog food comparison for the full line-up.
The verdict
Freshpet is a sensible, accessible way to feed fresher food without a subscription or a premium delivery bill — and many dogs do very well on it. The catch is storage discipline: keep it cold, use it in time, and transition slowly. Do that, and it is one of the easiest fresh options to live with.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freshpet good for dogs?
For many dogs, yes — it is gently cooked, highly digestible, complete and balanced for each life stage, and often well tolerated by picky or sensitive dogs. The main caveats are correct cold storage and a gradual transition, especially onto higher-fat recipes.
Has Freshpet ever been recalled?
Yes — limited single-lot recalls in 2021 and 2022 over possible salmonella, both terminated by the FDA with no reported illnesses. As of early 2025 there were no active recalls. Always check the latest recall status before buying.
How long does Freshpet last once opened?
It must be refrigerated and is generally best used within about seven days of opening. Improper storage is the most common cause of problems, so respect the use-by window.
