Is Refrigerated Dog Food Better for My Pet?

If you watch TV at all, you've probably noticed the commercials touting the new refrigerated dog foods that profess to be the best thing for your pet because of their freshness. Is refrigerated, fresh dog food better than dry or canned?

Dogs love fresh meat and, as carnivores, that should be the bulk of their diet. Refrigerated dog foods such as Deli Fresh and Freshpet Select likely provide the right amount of nutrients that your dog needs, but nutritional value alone shouldn't be the deciding factor on what to feed your dog.

Fresh Doesn't Always Mean Better

In the wild, dogs would hunt fresh meat, and get bones and muscle with it. Canines need bones and other hard objects to chomp on in order to keep dental plaque at bay and to satisfy their natural urge to chew. Soft and meaty refrigerated dog food doesn't satisfy the instinct for chewing, and it does nothing to naturally clean their teeth.

Soft dog food is actually worse for your dog's oral health since it sticks to the teeth, providing a prime breeding ground for the growth of harmful bacteria. Without keeping that in check, that bacteria can result in a host of other health problems.

Is Fresh Worth the Cost?

I called my local grocery store for prices on the refrigerated foods and the cheapest variety available was $4.59 for a one-pound package, and some went over $6.00. I don't pay that much for the meat on my own table, so I'm certainly not going to pay it for my dogs.

While your dog might love the flavor of the refrigerated dog foods, he'd likely enjoy a hunk of beef or chicken just as much, which would keep more money in your pocket. If you insist on providing fresh for your pet, buy the less expensive cuts in your grocer's regular meat department (even cheaper if you buy it bone-in), then round it out with leftover rice and vegetables. Your kids are probably sneaking it off their plates to feed the dog under the table anyway.