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Freshpet Vital Beef & Lamb Grain-Free Fresh Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag
Freshpet

Vital Beef & Lamb Grain-Free Fresh Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
wet growth $7.63/lb

Freshpet Vital Beef & Lamb Grain-Free Fresh Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 64/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..

CIP

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 40% ⓘ
Protein
14%
min (as fed)
Fat
10.5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
65%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 40%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

23 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  2. 2
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  3. 3
    beef broth

    Real broth. Adds flavor and moisture, signals the recipe leans on real meat.

  4. 4
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

  5. 5
    lentils

    Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

  6. 6
    eggs

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.

  7. 7
    pea protein

    Concentrated plant protein. Inflates the protein number on the label without matching the amino acid quality of meat.

  8. 8
    pea fiber

    Insoluble fiber from peas. Doesn't carry the protein-inflation concern of pea protein. Mostly there for stool quality.

  9. 9
    cranberries

    Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.

  10. 10
    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  11. 11
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  12. 12
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  13. 13
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  14. 14
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  15. 15
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  16. 16
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  17. 17
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  18. 18
    natural flavors

    Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.

  19. 19
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  20. 20
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  21. 21
    celery powder
  22. 22
    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

  23. 23
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

22 of 23 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.

AAFCO statement

Freshpet recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for specific life stages (e.g., adult maintenance or growth), as indicated on each package.