Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Pouch range is made up of nine recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
This fresh range has a fresh, kibble-like texture and is lightly cooked to retain maximum nutrients. Recipes with smaller semi-moist chunks are specially designed for smaller mouths, and some recipes contain glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health in larger breeds.
Pros
- Responsibly sourced & sustainably made
- No artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, or additives
- FDA and USDA standards
Cons
- Pricier than other dog foods on the market
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Grain Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon and Egg | 5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Digestive Health Chicken | 4.5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Joint Health and Mobility Chicken and Salmon | 3.5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Small Breed Beef, Turkey and Lamb | 5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Small Breed Grain Free Chicken | 4.5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Shredded Chicken | 5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Large Breed Chicken, Beef, Egg and Salmon | 5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Grain Free Beef and Lamb | 4.5 | A |
| freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Chicken | 4.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Shredded Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Shredded Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, egg, sweet potatoes, carrots, ground oats, cranberries, beans, natural flavors, spinach, pumpkin, rosemary, potassium chloride, fish oil, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium lodate), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), choline chloride, beta-carotene
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 15% | 9% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 48% | 30% | 14% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 36% | 54% | 10% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient lists eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fourth ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is ground oats. Oats are naturally rich in dietary fiber, B-vitamins and low in gluten.
The sixth ingredient includes cranberries, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The seventh ingredient is beans, legumes naturally high in dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.
However, beans contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
After the natural flavors, we find spinach is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is a source of fiber. For dogs predisposed to oxalate stones spinach should be avoided, due to it’s high oxalate content.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this freshpet product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA types of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on the ingredients alone, freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Shredded Chicken looks like an above-average moist product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 47.1%, a fat level of 29.4% and estimated carbohydrates of about 16.8%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43.1% and a mean fat level of 30.7%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 19.6% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.
Which means this freshpet product line contains…
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical moist dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the pea protein, this looks like the profile of a dog food containing a significant amount of meat.
freshpet Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to freshpet through December 2025.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Dog Food
This product range definitely deserves the 5 stars it has received in our review. freshpet is transparent about where it sources its ingredients. All meat, fruits, and vegetables are reared and grown in the USA and are prepared to FDA and USDA standards.
About
freshpet was founded in 2006 by a group of three former pet food execs with their headquarters in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The company began in Secaucus, New Jersey, and expanded into Pennsylvania, then acquired a second facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, just seven years later. 2014. In 2020, another factory was opened in Texas to meet demand for the products.
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A Final Word
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