In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition in pets’ overall health. While traditional kibble has been the norm since it was first invented decades ago, it falls short when compared to fresh food for pets. Let’s take a closer look at why feeding fresh food for pets should be the new norm, and is the best dog food option out there.

What’s wrong with kibble?

When compared to fresh food for pets, kibble leaves a lot to be desired. While it may start with some fresh ingredients, they’re cooked at such high temperatures that by the end all that’s left is over-cooked pellets. Instead of using high-quality proteins, kibble is made from by-products and powdered meat meals which keep the protein levels “high” but lack the essential nutrients found in fresh meat.

What’s
more, in an attempt to bring back the taste and appearance that was lost during
the cooking process, kibble is filled with artificial colors and flavors as
well as preservatives to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Fresh food for pets provides better
nutrition

Our fresh food for pets, on the other hand, prioritizes natural ingredients and a gentle cooking process that locks in essential nutrients. This results in a fresher, healthier, and more natural diet as well as better overall nutrition.

• A complete and balanced diet: Our fresh food for pets is made using
  whole ingredients that are minimally processed and do not contain artificial
  preservatives or additives. As a result, our fresh food for pets can provide a
  more complete and balanced diet than traditional kibble.

• High-quality proteins: Each of our recipes contains at least
  one high-quality protein such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish. These
  proteins provide the essential amino acids that pets need to build and repair
  tissues, maintain muscle mass, and support immune function.

• Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants: In addition to high-quality
  proteins, our fresh food for pets also contains a variety of fruits and
  vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples.
  These ingredients are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can
  help support your pet’s overall health. For example, carrots are high in
  vitamin A, which can help support eye health, while blueberries are rich in
  antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage and inflammation.

• Healthy fats: Our fresh food for pets also contain healthy fats, such as
  those found in fish. These fats are important for your pet’s health, as they
  can help support a healthy coat and skin, regulate inflammation, and support
  brain and eye health.

As
you can see, the use of whole food ingredients in fresh food for pets can
provide a variety of essential nutrients in a balanced and easily digestible
format.

Health benefits that can be seen
inside and out

From
their digestion and immune systems to their energy levels and coat, fresh food
for pets offers health benefits that can be seen both inside and out.

• Improved digestion and gut health: Internally, the most noticeable
  benefit for your pet is improved digestion. Fresh food for pets is easier for
  pets to digest than commercial kibble because it contains whole food
  ingredients that are not highly processed. This can lead to fewer gastrointestinal
  issues, better nutrient absorption, and better overall gut health.

• Improved immune function: Fresh food for pets can contain a
  variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help boost your pet’s
  immune system. A healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of illness and
  disease, leading to a longer and healthier life.

• Improved coat and skin health: Our recipes can contain many ingredients, such as salmon, that are rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which can help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Other fresh ingredients like sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and promote skin health.

• Increased energy and vitality: Fresh food for pets can provide a
  more complete and balanced diet, which can help increase your pet’s energy
  levels and overall vitality. This can lead to a more active, playful, and happy
  pet well into their golden years.

A more sustainable option

In
addition to the overwhelmingly positive impact fresh food can have on your
pet’s health, making the switch to fresh can also have a positive impact on the
environment. We’re committed to using ingredients that are sustainably sourced,
with a strong emphasis on sourcing from farms close to our Freshpet Kitchens.
Working with local farmers not only enables us to support the communities we
work and live in, but it also reduces the overall transportation requirements!

But
our sustainability efforts don’t stop there. We’re also proud to say that we
use up to 20x less packaging than our wet food competitors to feed a 30lb dog
daily. The packaging we use is strong, light, and efficient which means we only
need to use between 2–10g of packaging per 30lb dog compared to the 80-120g
used by our competitors.

You can learn more about these and other sustainability initiatives on our website.

Between
the positive impact on the environment, as well as your pet’s nutrition and
overall health, we think it’s safe to say goodbye to kibble and hello to fresh
food for pets!

Source: Freshpet