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Freshpet Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken, Beef, Egg, & Salmon Recipe Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 1-lb roll, case of 8
Freshpet

Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken, Beef, Egg, & Salmon Recipe Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 1-lb roll, case of 8

Evidence Fair
wet $8.54/lb

Freshpet Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken, Beef, Egg, & Salmon Recipe Fresh Refrigerated Dog Food, 1-lb roll, case of 8 earns a Sniff Score of 56/100 (C) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. chicken delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

Controversial ingredients · 2

  • carrageenan
    Seaweed-derived thickener; some studies link it to gastrointestinal inflammation. Most common in wet foods but appears in some kibble gravies.
  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 44% ⓘ
Protein
10.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
8%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
76%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 44%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

30 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  3. 3
    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

  4. 4
    eggs

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.

  5. 5
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  6. 6
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  7. 7
    salmon

    Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.

  8. 8
    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  9. 9
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  10. 10
    pea fiber

    Insoluble fiber from peas. Doesn't carry the protein-inflation concern of pea protein. Mostly there for stool quality.

  11. 11
    tapioca starch

    Refined cassava starch, used as a binder. Easy to digest, low on nutrition.

  12. 12
    carrageenan Flagged

    Seaweed-derived thickener. Some lab studies suggest gut inflammation, but the evidence in pets is mixed.

  13. 13
    natural flavors

    Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.

  14. 14
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  15. 15
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  16. 16
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  17. 17
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  18. 18
    sodium 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 →

  19. 19
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  20. 20
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  21. 21
    celery powder
  22. 22
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  23. 23
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  24. 24
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

  25. 25
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

Showing first 25 of 30. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.