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Freshpet Grain-Free Chicken Recipe with Spinach, Cranberries & Blueberries Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 2-lb roll, case of 8
Freshpet

Grain-Free Chicken Recipe with Spinach, Cranberries & Blueberries Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 2-lb roll, case of 8

Evidence Fair
wet $6.30/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

Freshpet Grain-Free Chicken Recipe is a wet, refrigerated dog food roll, primarily chicken-based.

This recipe uses quality fat sources, including named fat and marine oil, which provides EPA and DHA. It also features quality carbohydrate sources that include fermentable fiber.

This product lacks an AAFCO statement, so its nutritional completeness is unverified and its score is capped. Protein quality from chicken is noted as low, and it contains carrageenan, a thickener linked to gastrointestinal inflammation.

Good fit for dogs whose owners prioritize quality fats and fermentable fiber. Less ideal if you need verified nutritional completeness or want to avoid carrageenan.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022  (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Chicken anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15.

Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.

Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.

Research informing this analysis

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

  • FDA, 2022
    cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    diet composition· cited in 2 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 48/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from fat quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The cap isn't the binding constraint here. Protein quality would also need to improve to reach the next band.

What lifted the score

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

FQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI
What pulled it down

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF
What sets this apart
  • Bottom 4% for protein quality in Freshpet's lineup (9.9/27)
  • Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-free wet foods (29.2%)
  • Bottom 10% for overall Sniff Score in Freshpet's lineup (48/100)

Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.

Similar dog foods worth considering

Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
Freshpet Grain-Free Chicken, Beef, & Salmon Recipe Puppy Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 2-lb roll, case of 8
Freshpet

Freshpet Grain-Free Chicken, Beef, & Salmon Recipe Puppy Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 2-lb roll, case of 8

61

Scores 13 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Chicken with Carrots & Peas Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 5-lb roll, case of 4
Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Chicken with Carrots & Peas Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 5-lb roll, case of 4

45

$3.54/lb vs your seed's $6.30/lb (44% less) at a comparable score.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • carrageenan
    Seaweed-derived thickener; some studies link it to gastrointestinal inflammation. Most common in wet foods but appears in some kibble gravies.

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

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 42% ⓘ
Protein
10%
min (as fed)
Fat
7%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1%
max (as fed)
Moisture
76%
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 42%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

17 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    spinach

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

    Position 2: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  3. 3
    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

    Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.

  4. 4
    cranberries

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

    Position 4: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  5. 5
    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

    Position 5: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  6. 6
    pumpkin

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

    Position 6: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  7. 7
    carrageenan Flagged

    Seaweed-derived thickener. Some lab studies suggest gut inflammation, but the evidence in pets is mixed. See why →

  8. 8
    natural flavors

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

  9. 9
    fish oil

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

    Position 9. Moderate marine-oil inclusion. Supplements EPA/DHA without being the primary fat.

  10. 10
    zinc proteinate

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

  11. 11
    ironproteinate
  12. 12
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  13. 13
    manganese proteinate

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

  14. 14
    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 →

  15. 15
    calcium iodate

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

  16. 16
    celery powder
  17. 17
    choline chloride

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

15 of 17 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.