Freshpet Vital Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Recipe

Brand: Freshpet, Vital

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Freshpet Vital Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Recipe

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Brand: Freshpet, Vital

Ingredient Quality

6 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 16% carbohydrate ^ⓘDogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
Contains unspecified animal sources, which are a less expensive source of meat ^ⓘWhile protein from animal sources is an important ingredient that’s highly digestible, the animal source should be named. You will want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive vitamins ^ⓘWhen vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.

Ingredient Safety

6 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is moderately processed ^ⓘHeating foods will cause losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Learn more
Contains ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues in the top 5 ingredients including pea protein ^ⓘPesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Learn more
Contains natural flavor ^ⓘNatural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

Product doesn't specify whether the fish is farmed or wild caught ^ⓘFarmed fish is less nutritious than wild caught fish and does not contain the same healthy fatty acid balance. Fish farming also threatens wild fish species. Learn more
Glam ingredients ^ⓘExpensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries, kale or apples are often added to appeal to consumers but may be in miniscule amounts. If these foods are below salt or other low concentration ingredients, they contribute little or no nutritional value for your dog. Learn more
Product doesn't provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more
Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein, Eggs, Cranberries, Natural Flavors, Pea Fiber, Vinegar, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Spinach, Potassium Chloride, Inulin, Fish Oil, Beta-Carotene, Celery Powder, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	16%
Crude Fat (min)	12%
Crude Fiber (max)	1.5%
Moisture (max)	63%

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Freshpet Vital Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Recipe

Overall Score

Freshpet Vital Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Recipe

Overall Score

Ingredient Quality

Ingredient Safety

Other Concerns

Ingredients On Package

Guaranteed Analysis

HAS THIS LABEL CHANGED?

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