Healthy & Natural Small Breed Non-GMO Beef, Turkey & Lamb Fresh Dog Food, 1-lb bag, case of 6
Graded by The Sniff System
Freshpet Healthy & Natural Small Breed Non-GMO Beef, Turkey & Lamb Fresh Dog Food is a wet food featuring beef, turkey, and lamb as its main protein sources.
This formula has a strong protein profile, with beef as the primary ingredient, offering high biological value. It also includes quality fat sources, like marine oil for EPA and DHA, and good carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
The biggest watch item is the lack of an AAFCO statement, meaning its nutritional completeness is unverified. There's also some legume stacking with pea protein and lentils, though organ meat in the top 10 helps mitigate this.
Good fit for small breed dogs whose owners are comfortable with an unverified nutritional completeness statement. Less ideal if AAFCO verification is a priority.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Strong fit for adult French Bulldogs and similar lower-energy companion breeds navigating weight management. At 284 kcal/cup this formula runs on the lean side. The American Kennel Club breed standard for the French Bulldog specifies that weight must not exceed 28 pounds, a critical guideline for a breed prone to obesity and related health issues (AKC) . The 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines define overweight as a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6-7 on a 9-point scale. A score of 8 or 9 indicates obesity, representing 20-30% and >30% above ideal body weight, respectively (Brooks et al., 2014) .
Looking at this for adult French Bulldogs or French Bulldogs with weight management ? 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
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 4 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- Brooks et al., 2014diagnostic · protocol · satiety· cited in 5 claims
- AKCweight management
- APOP, 2023prevalence
- Raffan et al., 2016genetics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
Sniff scored this formula 59/100, landing in C-tier (acceptable-with-notes). The biggest contributor was protein quality (+23 points): Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. A hard cap of 59 also applied 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). If the brand publishing the AAFCO statement were on the label, the cap would lift and this formula could clear the B-band threshold (60).
Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.
Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..
- Top 4% for protein quality in Freshpet's lineup (23.2/27)
- Bottom 10% for crude fiber in grain-inclusive wet foods (4.1% DMB)
- Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-inclusive wet foods (27.0%)
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.
Freshpet Vital Beef & Lamb Grain-Free Fresh Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag
Scores 5 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Freshpet Turkey Recipe with Carrots, Brown Rice, & Spinach Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 6-lb roll, case of 4
$3.50/lb vs your seed's $10.99/lb (68% less) at a comparable score.
PetPlate Human Grade Variety Pack Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pork, Turkey & Venison Fresh Dog Food, 12-oz cup, case of 6
Chicken instead of beef, matched score, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 41%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalbeef
Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2protein animalturkey
Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3protein animalbeef liver
Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.
Position 3. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.
- 4protein animallamb
Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5green beans
Real vegetable. Fiber and a small amount of vitamins. Often used in weight-management formulas because it bulks up a meal without adding calories.
- 6vegetablecarrots
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.
Position 6: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 7ground oats
Whole grain. Steady energy, soluble fiber, and well-tolerated by most dogs.
Position 7: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 8egg
Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label, by amino acid score.
Position 8: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 9protein plantpea protein
Concentrated plant protein. Inflates the protein number on the label without matching the amino acid quality of meat.
Position 9. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 10legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 10. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 11fiberpea fiber
Insoluble fiber from peas. Doesn't carry the protein-inflation concern of pea protein. Mostly there for stool quality.
Position 11. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 12othernatural flavors
Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.
- 13mineraldicalcium phosphate
Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.
- 14mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 15mineraliron proteinate
Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.
- 16mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 17mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 18mineralsodium 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 →
- 19mineralcalcium iodate
Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.
- 20mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 21vegetablepumpkin
Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.
- 22fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
- 23celery powder
- 24supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 25vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
Showing first 25 of 33. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.