As any pet parent knows, our furry four-legged babies are part of the family.
And, as someone who is particular about what I put on my plate, I don’t blame Tidley, my Pomeranian, for having her own strong opinions about food. My girl knows what she likes!
Since Tidley can’t shop for herself, I recently grabbed two popular dog food brands for a little taste test: Just Food For Dogs and Freshpet.
Here's how they stacked up against each other in a tail-wagging showdown:
Convenience: Ready When You Are
Winner: Just Food For Dogs
I’m all about convenience but not at the expense of quality. I loved that both these brands offered ready-to-eat options filled with fresh ingredients for my girl.
But only one brand was totally suited for my sometimes-nomadic lifestyle.
Just Food For Dogs takes it up a notch with their frozen dog food. It's incredibly easy to get into the rhythm of defrosting. I simply take one package out from my fridge to feed Tidley and move another from the freezer to the fridge to thaw for the next day!
FreshPet requires constant refrigeration—not ideal for when we hit the road on one of our adventures, but great for immediate gratification at home. 🤦🏼♀️
Ingredient Quality: A Feast Fit for a King (or a Very Pampered Pooch!)
Winner: Just Food For Dogs
I’ve gotta say—I was very impressed by the ingredients these premium pet foods boasted. Just Food For Dogs promises meals composed of 100% human-grade ingredients, mirroring what you’d find in a wholesome home-cooked meal. We're talking real meats (not leftover by-products) with fresh fruits and vegetables.
In contrast, Freshpet uses “feed-grade” ingredients, intended for livestock and not fit for human consumption. This includes 4D meat—dead, diseased, dying, or downed animals—comprising leftover tendons, beaks, and muscle fibers.
Freshpet’s meat also undergoes extensive processing and heating. The meat is cooked, ground, and mixed into a slurry, which is then pressed into rolls and subjected to additional heating. This process depletes much of the nutritional value and introduces preservatives.
Not to mention Freshpet’s food has a chemical-like odor, while Just Food For Dogs smells and looks like real food. Just Food For Dogs’ meals contain large inclusions of whole foods that you can see in their natural form, enhancing both the appeal and nutritional integrity of the food.
Regardless of her paws and tail, Tidley firmly believes she’s one of us, so I preferred Just Food For Dogs.
Nutritional Integrity: Science-Backed, Tidley-Approved
Winner: Just Food For Dogs
Nutrition isn’t just about filling the belly but actually nourishing the body. Both brands adhere to the National Research Council's guidelines and are tested through AAFCO feeding trials. However, Just Food For Dogs stands out with their rigorous approach. They’ve been conducting feeding trials and studies for over a decade, proving their food’s benefits. This dedication to scientific validation sets them apart in the fresh dog food industry.
Just Food For Dogs ensures that their frozen products hit the essential nutrition categories for dogs. They include high-quality proteins for tissue repair and maintenance, energy-dense fats for energy and skin health, whole-food carbohydrates with fiber for energy and digestion, minerals & vitamins for body functions, and water for hydration. Their commitment to science-backed formulations gives me confidence Tidley is getting the best.
On the other hand, the processing involved in Freshpet’s food is extensive. The meat undergoes significant heating and processing before being turned into a slurry. This slurry is then rolled back into a tube, often losing much of its original nutritional value in the process. The heavy use of preservatives further depletes the food’s quality. Definitely not what I want to feed Tidley.
Taste: Tail-Wagging Taste Test
Winner: Just Food For Dogs
You might think all dog food tastes the same to our furry friends, but Tidley begs to differ. Regular ol’ kibble? She’d rather stage a hunger strike!
Both brands received a vigorous tail wag of approval. Just Food For Dogs was a favorite when I gave her both options. Luckily, with their variety pack, it’s easy to try all 6 of the recipes to find Tidley’s current favorite: the beef and russet potato meal.
Final Verdict: Just Food For Dogs Takes the Bone!
After trying Just Food For Dogs and Freshpet, it’s clear which one leads the pack. Not only does Just Food For Dogs bring buffet-worthy variety that Tidley loves, but it also offers unmatched freshness, convenience, and evidence-based nutritional integrity with their frozen products.
While the $167.99 price of the fresh frozen variety pack (with six different recipes) made me pause at first, I now see it as a worthwhile investment in my dog’s health, especially with the 50% off first-time auto-ship discount (making it only $84.00).
