Freshpet Vital Clean Nutrition Puppy Grain Free Beef and Bison Recipe

by FreshPet

Overall Score: 55/100

Ingredients

1. Beef (protein)
2. Beef Liver (protein)
3. Bison (protein)
4. Spinach (other)
5. Cranberries (other)
6. Blueberries (other)
7. Pumpkin (other)
8. Beef Broth (protein)
9. Carrageenan (additive)
10. Minerals (Dicalcium Phosphate (other)
11. Zinc Proteinate (mineral)
12. Iron Proteinate (mineral)
13. Manganese Proteinate (mineral)
14. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
15. Calcium Iodate) (other)
16. Pea Protein (protein)
17. Natural Flavors (additive)
18. Fish Oil (protein)
19. Celery Powder (other)
20. Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement (other)
21. Vitamin A Supplement (vitamin)
22. Riboflavin (vitamin)
23. Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin)
24. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (other)
25. Vitamin D3 Supplement (vitamin)
26. Vitamin B12 Supplement (vitamin)
27. Folic Acid) (other)
28. Choline Chloride (vitamin)

Ingredient concerns

• Carrageenan (high concern): Research has shown that both degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) and food-grade carrageenan can promote intestinal inflammation in animal models. Studies have linked carrageenan exposure to intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and colitis-like symptoms in laboratory animals. While the FDA considers food-grade carrageenan safe, concerns remain about degradation during processing and digestion. The Cornucopia Institute petitioned the USDA to remove carrageenan from organic food standards.
• Sodium Selenite (low concern): Sodium selenite is an inorganic form of selenium with a narrower safety margin than organic forms (such as selenium yeast). It has lower bioavailability and higher potential for toxicity at elevated levels compared to organic selenium sources. Some premium pet foods use selenium yeast instead as a safer alternative.
• Pea Protein (medium concern): Plant-based protein concentrates like pea protein can artificially inflate the total protein percentage on guaranteed analysis without providing the same amino acid profile as animal proteins. Associated with the FDA investigation into grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, though a causal link has not been definitively established.

Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis)

On a dry-matter basis (water removed for a fair wet-vs-dry comparison): protein 11.1%, fat 5.6%, fiber 0%, ash 7.8%, carbohydrate 75.6%. By calories: 11.1% from protein, 13.6% from fat, 75.4% from carbohydrate.

AAFCO compliance

This food does not meet the AAFCO growth dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 11.1% vs 22.5% minimum, fat 5.6% vs 8.5% minimum.

Dry food, grain-free, for the puppy life stage.

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