Freshpet® Vital™Grain Free Salmon & Ocean Whitefish Adult Dog Food

by FreshPet

Overall Score: 78/100

Ingredients

1. Salmon (protein)
2. Spinach (other)
3. Cranberries (other)
4. Blueberries (other)
5. Sweet Potatoes (carbohydrate)
6. Lentils (carbohydrate)
7. Pea Protein (protein)
8. Sunflower Oil (fat)
9. Carrageenan (additive)
10. Pumpkin (other)
11. Minerals (Dicalcium Phosphate (other)
12. Zinc Proteinate (mineral)
13. Iron Proteinate (mineral)
14. Copper Proteinate (mineral)
15. Manganese Proteinate (mineral)
16. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
17. Calcium Iodate) (other)
18. Natural Flavors (additive)
19. Paprika (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

• Lentils (low concern): Like peas, lentils are part of the legume family implicated in the FDA's ongoing investigation into grain-free diets and DCM in dogs. Their high use in grain-free formulations as both carbohydrate and protein sources has raised concerns about potential interference with taurine metabolism.
• 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.
• 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.

Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis)

On a dry-matter basis (water removed for a fair wet-vs-dry comparison): protein 40.9%, fat 18.2%, fiber 4.5%, ash 31.8%, carbohydrate 4.5%. By calories: 45.6% from protein, 49.3% from fat, 5% from carbohydrate.

AAFCO compliance

This food meets the AAFCO adult dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 40.9% vs 18% minimum, fat 18.2% vs 5.5% minimum.

Fresh food, grain-free, for the adult life stage.

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