Freshpet Cat Food Review: fresh, refrigerated meals with real meat and simple ingredients.

If your picky cat snubs dry kibble or you want fewer fillers and more fresh protein, you’re not alone. Refrigerated pet food can be a game changer. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, I break down how Freshpet stacks up for taste, nutrition, storage, and value. I also compare related Freshpet rolls and roasted meals so you know which to pick and which to skip for cats. I’ll keep it simple, practical, and honest so you can shop with confidence.

Fresh Pet Select Roasted Meals Chicken With Veggies, 1 lb

This cat-specific Freshpet recipe uses chicken as the first ingredient, then adds carrots and spinach for fiber and micronutrients. It’s fully cooked, refrigerated, and free from artificial preservatives. In my hands-on testing for this Freshpet Cat Food Review, the texture is soft and moist, more like a tender loaf you can crumble. Most cats I’ve fed respond well to the aroma and will lick the juices first. Moisture is high, which helps with daily hydration, especially for cats that don’t drink a lot of water. The single-pound size is handy if you have one or two cats because you can use it up while it’s still at peak freshness.

Feeding is simple: slice, measure, and serve cold or bring to room temp. Store it sealed in the fridge and use within 7 days of opening for best quality. The protein level is solid for a cooked fresh food, and it avoids heavy fillers. Cats are obligate carnivores, so I like that meat leads the list. Veggies here are minor extras, not replacements for animal protein. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, I found the biggest wins are palatability and digestibility. Stools were normal, coats looked shiny, and picky cats were more eager at mealtime. As always, adjust portions based on your cat’s weight and activity.

Pros

• Real chicken first; high moisture supports hydration
• Refrigerated freshness; no artificial preservatives
• Easy to portion and crumble for picky eaters
• Gentle on digestion; stool quality stayed consistent
• Small 1 lb size reduces waste after opening

Cons

• Requires fridge space and prompt use within 7 days
• Costs more per serving than standard kibble
• Some cats prefer pâté-smooth textures over crumble

My Recommendation

This one is best for cats who need higher moisture, simple ingredients, and better taste than dry food. If your cat ignores kibble or you want an easy transition to fresh food, start here. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, it offered the most cat-appropriate profile and the easiest daily routine.

Best for	Why
Picky eaters	Strong aroma and soft texture boost appetite
Cats needing more moisture	High water content supports daily hydration
Owners new to fresh food	Small roll, easy storage, simple portioning

Freshpet Grain Free Chicken Roll, Small Dogs, 1 lb

This product is formulated for small dogs, not cats. I’m including it in this Freshpet Cat Food Review because shoppers often see “Freshpet” and assume all rolls fit cats. Cats have unique needs, like higher taurine and certain amino acids from animal sources. While this roll features fresh chicken and is grain free, it’s built to meet canine, not feline profiles. If you share a home with both a cat and a small dog, it can be a good fresh option for the dog while you keep a cat-specific Freshpet recipe for your feline.

Texture is sliceable and firm, easy to cube for training treats or meals for small dogs. Storage and handling mirror the cat recipe: refrigerate, seal, and use within a week after opening. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, I found it useful to clarify the difference so you don’t cross-feed by accident. If you only have cats, skip this one and pick the Freshpet feline roll above. If you have a mixed-pet home, keep bowls separate and follow each species’ feeding guide for safety and balance.

Pros

• Fresh chicken with simple ingredient list
• Grain free for dogs with grain sensitivities
• Slice-and-serve convenience; minimal mess
• Great palatability for small dogs
• Refrigerated freshness, no artificial preservatives

Cons

• Not formulated for cats; do not use as a cat diet
• Still needs fridge space and quick use after opening
• May be pricier than dry dog food

My Recommendation

For a home with a cat and a toy-breed dog, this pairs well with a cat-specific Freshpet roll. In my Freshpet Cat Food Review, I recommend cat parents avoid feeding dog formulas to cats, but this is a fine dog choice if you’re staying within species needs.

Best for	Why
Small dog households	Portion control and texture fit tiny bites
Mixed-pet homes	Use alongside a cat-specific Freshpet safely
Owners wanting grain-free for dogs	Supports certain dietary preferences

Freshpet Healthy & Natural Chicken Roll, 6 lb

This is a dog food roll in a large 6 lb format. I’m reviewing it here to help cat parents avoid mix-ups when shopping Freshpet. The big roll is budget-friendly per ounce for dogs, but it’s not made for cats. From a handling view, it slices cleanly and stores in the fridge. But once opened, a roll this size can be too much if you only have one small pet. In my Freshpet Cat Food Review, large rolls work best for multi-dog homes, not cat-only homes.

Freshpet’s refrigerated system keeps the ingredient list short and the texture moist. That’s great for dogs with appetite issues. For cats, though, stick to feline formulas to ensure nutrients like taurine are at proper levels. If you keep this in the same fridge as your cat’s food, label containers clearly to prevent mix-ups. Freshpet suggests using opened products within a week and keeping them sealed. I follow that rule for quality and food safety.

Pros

• Economical per ounce for dogs
• Moist, palatable texture
• Simple ingredients without artificial preservatives
• Easy to slice and portion
• Great for multi-dog households

Cons

• Not for cats; nutrient targets are canine
• Large size can spoil if not used fast
• Requires significant fridge space

My Recommendation

Skip this for cats. In my Freshpet Cat Food Review, I only suggest this 6 lb roll if you also feed multiple dogs and want value. Cat owners should choose the Freshpet cat roll to meet feline needs and avoid waste.

Best for	Why
Multi-dog homes	Large size lowers cost per meal
Dogs needing soft textures	Moist roll is easy to chew
Budget-conscious dog owners	More servings per purchase

Freshpet Roasted Meals, Tender Chicken, 1.75 lb

These roasted meals are made for dogs, shaped like small meaty bites. I’m covering them in this Freshpet Cat Food Review to help you spot the difference on shelves. They look like cat kibble at a glance, but they are not for cats. The texture is tender and smells like roasted chicken, which many dogs love. If you have both dogs and cats, this can be confusing during busy feeding times, so I suggest storing cat food on a dedicated fridge shelf and labeling containers.

For dogs, it’s a convenient, scoop-and-serve option with refrigerated freshness. For cats, pass. Cats need a diet built specifically for feline amino acid needs and micronutrient balance. If your cat shows interest, remember that a small taste is not a balanced meal. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, the lesson is simple: match the formula to the species. When you do, you’ll see better energy, coat, and stool results.

Pros

• Dog-friendly roasted aroma and texture
• Refrigerated freshness with simple ingredients
• Easy to scoop and serve
• Great for dogs that dislike dry kibble
• Portion-friendly 1.75 lb size

Cons

• Not made for cats
• Needs refrigeration and quick use after opening
• Can be confused with cat food shapes

My Recommendation

Good for dog households, not for cats. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, I advise cat owners to choose Freshpet’s cat-designated rolls for correct nutrition and keep dog meals well labeled to avoid mix-ups.

Best for	Why
Dog parents wanting fresh bites	Roasted texture and aroma increase interest
Dogs sensitive to dry kibble	Tender pieces are easier to chew
Busy feeders	Scoop-and-serve convenience

Freshpet From the Kitchen Dog Food, 4.5 lb

This is another dog-only Freshpet recipe that many cat owners spot while browsing. I’m including it in my Freshpet Cat Food Review so you can shop accurately. It usually contains shredded-style chicken with visible veggies, which dogs find very appealing. The 4.5 lb size is a middle ground: not too small, not huge. For dog families, it’s practical. For cats, it’s not an appropriate daily diet because the nutrient profile is tailored to dogs.

If your household includes both species, set a routine: feed cats in a quiet room, use cat-only bowls, and store feline rolls in a labeled, sealed container. That small step prevents accidental swapping. As with all refrigerated foods, keep it cold, minimize time at room temp, and use after opening within a week. In this Freshpet Cat Food Review, I found Freshpet’s refrigeration-first approach helpful for freshness, but you still need species-specific formulas for balanced nutrition.

Pros

• Shredded-style texture dogs love
• Refrigerated freshness without artificial preservatives
• Balanced for dogs, easy to serve
• Good mid-size bag for weekly use
• Often well accepted by picky dogs

Cons

• Not suitable for cats
• Must be refrigerated and used promptly
• Higher cost than standard dry dog food

My Recommendation

Ideal for dog homes that want a fresh, shredded texture. For cat parents, pick Freshpet’s cat recipe above. My Freshpet Cat Food Review shows that choosing the feline formula gives better results for coat, energy, and hydration in cats.

Best for	Why
Dogs that like shredded textures	Looks and tastes more like home-cooked
Owners who want fresh meals	Simple ingredients and refrigerated freshness
Mixed-pet homes (with dogs)	Use alongside a cat-specific recipe safely

FAQs Of Freshpet Cat Food Review

Is Freshpet good for cats?

Yes, when you choose Freshpet recipes formulated for cats. They offer real meat, high moisture, and simple ingredients.

Can I feed Freshpet dog food to my cat?

No. Dog recipes don’t meet feline nutrient needs. Always buy Freshpet’s cat-specific formulas.

How long does Freshpet last after opening?

Keep it refrigerated and use within about 7 days for best quality and safety.

Do I need to warm Freshpet before serving?

No. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Do not microwave plastic packaging.

How do I switch my cat to Freshpet?

Transition slowly over 5–7 days, increasing Freshpet and decreasing the old food to avoid stomach upset.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

The Fresh Pet Select Roasted Meals Chicken With Veggies is the clear cat pick in this Freshpet Cat Food Review. It’s fresh, high-moisture, and cat-appropriate. The other Freshpet items here are dog-only; they’re fine for dogs but not for cats. For feline health, choose the cat-formulated Freshpet and follow fridge and portion guidelines.