The pet food industry contributed over $10 million to the U.S. economy in 2023 and is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 3.4% through 2026. Needless to say, the industry won’t be shrinking anytime soon!

There are more choices than ever when it comes to pet food so choosing the right one for your pup can be confusing and time-consuming. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the well-known fresh pet food brand Freshpet and discuss why you may want to consider alternatives for your dog or cat food.

Freshpet entered the dog food market in 2006 with refrigerated meals. The company wanted to provide pets with the same quality food that their owners enjoy. At the time, this was a major differentiator from traditional kibble and canned dog food options, which use many preservatives that compromise nutritional value.

Freshpet offers a variety of pet food products for both cats and dogs. Their range includes meals, treats, and specific dietary options, including grain free recipes. Freshpet is a fresh dog food brand, so its products include real meat and veggies, with minimal processing and preservatives, meaning it must stay refrigerated.

Despite its advantages, Freshpet may not meet every pet parent’s or dog’s needs. Some drawbacks can include higher costs compared to traditional pet products, limited availability, and the need for continuous refrigeration.

Additionally, some pet owners may want more convenience or specific ingredients not included in Freshpet’s line. You may need to explore alternatives that align better with your dog’s diet preferences and lifestyle constraints.

Founded on a commitment to providing natural, human grade food for pets, The Honest Kitchen stands out in the pet food industry thanks to its dedication to transparency and quality — without sacrificing convenience.

The Honest Kitchen’s mission revolves around providing pets with nutritious meals made from real food, to support a whole-food diet. Our brand also emphasizes sustainability and ethical sourcing practices in every area of the business.

First established in 2002 by Lucy Postins, The Honest Kitchen began as a solution to her own dog’s health issues. Lucy felt frustrated by the lack of wholesome pet food options, so she created her own. This led to the creation of dehydrated pet food — a gentle processing method that retains nutrients without compromising ingredient quality. Lucy’s approach set a new standard in the pet food industry.

The Honest Kitchen offers a full range of products designed to meet various nutritional needs and preferences for both cats and dogs. These offerings include:

• Dehydrated food: The core of The Honest Kitchen’s product line is dehydrated food, available in different recipes tailored for different life stages, activity levels, and dietary requirements.

• Dry food: The Honest Kitchen’s dry food options are whole food clusters that combine the convenience of dry kibble with the quality of dehydrated ingredients.

• Wet food: The Honest Kitchen offers human grade stews and pates made with real meat and wholesome vegetables.

• Supplements and food toppers: The Honest Kitchen crafts boosters and meal enhancers to add nutrition and flavor to regular meals. These can be great for picky eaters.

• Treats: The Honest Kitchen focuses on creating healthy, single-ingredient treats that are sourced responsibly to complement a pet’s balanced diet.

Each product from The Honest Kitchen reflects the brand’s commitment to using only human-grade ingredients. This ensures pets receive the same high-quality nutrition that their owners prefer for themselves. This approach sets The Honest Kitchen apart from the competition and often resonates with pet owners who want trustworthy alternatives to conventional pet foods.

Freshpet and The Honest Kitchen share similarities like approval by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and minimal processing, making them more nutritious and easier for pets to digest. But that’s where the similarities stop.

Let’s look at a detailed comparison to help you decide which brand might be best for your furry friend’s specific needs.

When it comes to ingredient quality, The Honest Kitchen stands out with its commitment to using minimally processed human grade food. Each batch of products undergoes rigorous testing and sourcing scrutiny to ensure only the best ingredients make it to your pet’s food bowl. This transparency in ingredient sourcing contributes to the brand’s reputation for providing nutritious meals that mimic homemade cooking.

Freshpet, on the other hand, emphasizes freshness but primarily uses refrigerated ingredients that are not always human grade. They focus on providing pets a diet closer to what they eat in the wild — also known as a raw food diet — but without the same level of ingredient transparency and quality control as The Honest Kitchen.

It’s important to choose a food that is balanced and nutritionally dense, and The Honest Kitchen offers just that. For example, a 10-pound box of Dehydrated Grain Free Chicken dog food includes 16 pounds of cage free chicken, 6.5 sweet potatoes, and 15 handfuls of green beans, giving your pup 24% protein per serving. Even more, The Honest Kitchen provides in-depth nutrient profiles for each pet food recipe, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

On the other hand, in Freshpet’s Grain-Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg recipe, there is no transparency about how much of each product is included in the finished food, and there is only 17% protein per serving. Lastly, Freshpet doesn’t offer as detailed nutrient profiles as The Honest Kitchen, leaving some nutritional values in question.

In terms of convenience, Freshpet’s refrigerated food is ready to serve straight out of the fridge, which can make mealtime simpler than home-making food for your pet. However, the refrigeration requirements of Freshpet’s food mean that it has a short shelf life once opened, posing challenges for small dogs that don’t eat as much.

On the flip side, The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated and dry food options offer greater flexibility. They can be stored and transported easily (perfect for travel!), require less space, and have a longer shelf life before and after opening. Preparation involves rehydration, if desired to make for a soft, hydrating meal.

When considering the price, Freshpet’s products are typically more accessible initially, but the ongoing cost of feeding them as a full-time diet can add up, especially for larger dogs. The Honest Kitchen, although initially more costly, offers value for money through its high-quality ingredients and nutritional benefits, potentially reducing long-term vet costs associated with poor nutrition.

When exploring alternatives to Freshpet for your pet’s nutrition, The Honest Kitchen stands out for its commitment to quality, transparency, and innovative products. Keep reading to learn more about The Honest Kitchen’s pet foods.

If your pet prefers wet food, look no further than The Honest Kitchen’s wet food offerings. The wet food line includes stews and pates made with real meat like whole, cage free chicken, cranberries, veggies like sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, and kale, and wholesome grains like rolled oats and quinoa. This ensures that every meal is packed with nutrients to support your pet's wellness without artificial additives or fillers.

The Honest Kitchen also offers unique wet base mixes, allowing pet parents to add their own choice of protein. This flexibility supports home-cooked feeding while ensuring pets receive a customized, balanced diet they’ll love to eat.

Alternatively, Freshpet’s wet foods provide similar benefits in terms of freshness and appeal but may not guarantee the same level of ingredient quality and nutritional transparency as The Honest Kitchen.

Dehydrated pet food combines the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of fresh, human-grade ingredients. Thanks to minimal processing, The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated food options retain more nutrients than traditional kibble or canned food.

In contrast, Freshpet’s refrigerated or dry products, while fresh, may require continuous refrigeration and have short shelf lives when opened. Freshpet’s products are also packaged less efficiently than The Honest Kitchen, which considers package shape and how it impacts shipping.

For pet parents who prefer dry food options, The Honest Kitchen’s dry dog food clusters are a premium choice. The clusters are made with high-quality ingredients like turkey, oats, brown rice, and pumpkin, offering a balanced nutrition profile. They are gently baked to preserve nutrients and flavor, ensuring a satisfying crunch. Beyond the taste and nutrition, The Honest Kitchen’s dry pet food can be easily transported, used as treats on the go, and can help pets manage tartar buildup.

When it comes to dry pet food from Freshpet, there are no options. Freshpet only focuses on fresh, refrigerated pet food, which can pose challenges if you’re a pet parent seeking a convenient alternative to traditional kibble.

Finding the best dog food is hard. Every pet parent and pet has different dietary needs and preferences, so it’s important to take time to research dog food brands that can check all of your boxes. It may even be worth a consultation with your veterinary nutritionist.

Freshpet can be a solid pet food for some, but doesn’t stand up next to the quality, convenience, and ingredient transparency of The Honest Kitchen. Whether you’re a pet parent to a dog or a cat, The Honest Kitchen has you covered.

Explore The Honest Kitchen’s options for dog and cat food today.