Freshpet Freshpet Small Dog Small Bites Chicken Recipe With Carrots & Cranberries — Grade A− (88/100)

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Scanned by Randall Saunders · April 26, 2026

Freshpet Freshpet Small Dog Small Bites Chicken Recipe With Carrots & Cranberries

88/100

Grade A− — Very Good

📦 Product Overview

BrandFreshpet

TypeDog Food - Wet/Soft

Life StageAll life stages (except growth of large size dogs 70 lbs or more as an adult)

Size6 LB (3 x 2 LB bags)

AAFCO Compliant✅ Yes

Label states this food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, except for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult). This is a formulation-based claim, not a feeding trial. Acceptable but feeding trials are the gold standard.

⚠ DCM Heart Disease Risk

This food contains Pea Protein and Pea Fiber — both legume-derived ingredients flagged in the FDA's ongoing DCM investigation. While they are not in the top 5 ingredients, their combined presence contributes to the legume load. Dogs eating this as a sole diet should have taurine levels monitored, especially breeds predisposed to DCM.

🧪 Ingredient Breakdown

✅

Chicken

Named whole meat as the first ingredient. Excellent. However, chicken is approximately 70% water — once cooked, its weight contribution drops significantly. The real protein heavy-lifter may be further down the list.

🟡

Chicken Liver

Named organ meat, nutrient-dense (rich in Vitamin A, iron, B vitamins). Good inclusion but moderation is key — excess Vitamin A can cause toxicity over time.

−1 pts

✅

Carrots

Whole vegetable, good source of beta-carotene and fiber. Appropriate inclusion.

✅

Cranberries

Antioxidant-rich superfood. May support urinary tract health. Good inclusion.

🟡

Eggs

Highly bioavailable protein source. Moderate allergen potential but generally excellent for dogs. Listed as 'Eggs' — assumed whole eggs.

−1 pts

⚠

Natural Flavors

Source never disclosed. 'Natural Flavors' is a catch-all term that can include animal digest or other undisclosed sources. Freshpet's fresh format makes this less concerning than in kibble, but transparency would be better.

−2 pts

❌

Pea Protein

Legume protein isolate that artificially inflates crude protein numbers without providing the amino acid profile of real meat. Flagged in FDA's DCM investigation. A fresh food brand charging premium prices should not need this ingredient.

−3 pts

❌

Pea Fiber

Cheap, indigestible fiber filler extracted from peas. In a premium refrigerated food, this is a cost-cutting measure. Real vegetables (already present) should provide adequate fiber.

−3 pts

✅

Vinegar

Natural preservative/pH adjuster. Safe and appropriate.

✅

Salt

Essential mineral. Acceptable when used in appropriate amounts for palatability and sodium requirements.

✅

Spinach

Nutrient-dense leafy green. Rich in iron, vitamins, and antioxidants. Good inclusion.

✅

Potassium Chloride

Standard potassium supplement. Essential mineral.

✅

Fish Oil

Source of EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Species not specified, which is a minor transparency issue, but fish oil in general is beneficial.

✅

Beta-Carotene

Provitamin A and antioxidant. Dogs can convert this to Vitamin A. Safe.

✅

Zinc Proteinate

Chelated zinc — highly bioavailable mineral form. Superior to zinc oxide or zinc sulfate.

✅

Iron Proteinate

Chelated iron. Excellent bioavailability.

✅

Copper Proteinate

Chelated copper. Good mineral form.

✅

Manganese Proteinate

Chelated manganese. Well-absorbed form.

⚠

Sodium Selenite

Inorganic selenium source. Toxic in excess and less bioavailable than selenium yeast (organic form). Many premium brands have moved to selenium yeast. Disappointing in a premium-priced fresh food.

−2 pts

✅

Calcium Iodate

Standard iodine supplement. Essential for thyroid function.

✅

Celery Powder

Natural source of nitrates, used as a natural preservative. Safe.

✅

Choline Chloride

Essential B-vitamin complex nutrient. Supports liver function and brain health.

✅

Vitamin E Supplement

Antioxidant vitamin. Essential.

✅

Riboflavin

Vitamin B2. Essential.

✅

Biotin

B-vitamin for skin and coat health. Essential.

✅

Calcium Pantothenate

Vitamin B5. Essential.

✅

Niacin

Vitamin B3. Essential.

✅

Thiamine Mononitrate

Vitamin B1. Essential.

✅

Vitamin B12 Supplement

Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function.

✅

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Vitamin B6. Essential.

✅

Folic Acid

Essential B-vitamin for cell growth and DNA synthesis.

⚖ What's Good / What's Bad

Good

✅ Named whole chicken as first ingredient — real, identifiable meat protein

✅ Refrigerated fresh food format — minimal processing compared to kibble

✅ Gently steam cooked — better nutrient retention than extrusion

✅ Chelated minerals (proteinates) throughout — superior bioavailability

✅ Real whole vegetables and fruits (carrots, cranberries, spinach)

✅ Fish oil for omega-3 EPA/DHA support

✅ No artificial colors, no artificial preservatives, no BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin

✅ No unnamed/unspecified animal ingredients — no rendering risk

✅ Short, relatively clean ingredient list for a commercial dog food

✅ Made in Freshpet's own kitchens in the USA — not contract manufactured

Bad

❌ Pea Protein — legume protein isolate that inflates crude protein numbers; flagged in FDA DCM investigation

❌ Pea Fiber — cheap indigestible filler inappropriate for a premium-priced fresh food

❌ Natural Flavors — undisclosed source; lack of transparency

❌ Sodium Selenite — inorganic selenium; premium brands should use selenium yeast

❌ Formulated only, not feeding trial tested — no proof this food performs well in live animals

❌ 16% crude protein as-fed with 63% moisture = approximately 43% protein on a dry matter basis (good), but the pea protein inflates this number — real meat protein contribution is lower than it appears

🧬 Potential Cancer-Linked Ingredients

✅ None found.

📊 Score Breakdown

Start score100 pts

Ingredient penalties−12 pts

Final score88/100

💬 The Verdict

A solid fresh dog food with a clean ingredient list, real named chicken as the first ingredient, and no rendering or artificial garbage. Freshpet earns points for transparency and format — refrigerated fresh food is inherently better than ultra-processed kibble. The deductions come from Pea Protein (a protein-inflating legume isolate with DCM flags), Pea Fiber (a cheap filler that has no business in a premium fresh food), undisclosed Natural Flavors, and the use of inorganic Sodium Selenite instead of selenium yeast. These are cost-cutting ingredients in what is otherwise a genuinely above-average product.

🧨 Final Verdict

Freshpet Small Dog Chicken Recipe is one of the better commercial dog foods on the market. Real chicken first, real vegetables, no artificial junk, no rendering nightmares, no dyes, no carcinogenic preservatives. The fresh refrigerated format preserves more nutrients than any kibble ever will. That said, Freshpet still cuts corners with Pea Protein and Pea Fiber — two ingredients that exist solely to save money and inflate numbers on the guaranteed analysis. A truly premium fresh food at this price point should deliver 100% of its protein from animal sources. The 'Natural Flavors' opacity and inorganic selenium are minor but real flaws. Bottom line: this is a legitimately good food with a few cost-driven compromises. It lands at A− (88/100) — significantly better than the vast majority of what's on store shelves, but not quite the flawless fresh food Freshpet's marketing suggests.