Last Updated on April 8, 2026 by admin
Most Freshpet side effects are digestive — diarrhea, loose stool, vomiting, or gas — and they’re usually caused by switching food too fast rather than the food itself. For the majority of dogs, these symptoms clear up within a few days once the gut adjusts. Persistent or severe reactions can signal a real allergy or a spoilage issue, and those warrant a vet call.
Freshpet is a refrigerated fresh food brand made with steam-cooked whole meats, vegetables, and grains (or grain-free alternatives). Because it’s much more digestible than processed kibble, even a gradual switch can cause temporary GI upset as the gut microbiome recalibrates.
What Side Effects Are Normal When Switching to Freshpet?
Loose stool and mild diarrhea are the most common complaints, affecting dogs in the first week or two of transition. Gas and occasional vomiting are also reported, especially if the switch happened quickly. Some dogs lose appetite briefly as they adjust to a new smell and texture.
These reactions are not unique to Freshpet — they happen with most food transitions. The AKC recommends transitioning any new food over 7 to 10 days, starting with 75% old food and 25% new, and gradually shifting the ratio every few days. Skipping this process is the most common reason dogs end up with digestive problems after starting Freshpet.
How Long Do Side Effects Usually Last?
Transition-related diarrhea typically resolves within 1 to 3 days of completing a proper food swap. If symptoms started because of an abrupt switch, backing off to the old food for a few days and restarting the transition more slowly usually fixes the problem.
If soft stool or vomiting persists beyond 3 to 4 days after a slow transition, or if your dog shows blood in the stool, significant lethargy, or refuses water, contact your vet. At that point the issue may be an ingredient sensitivity, a bacterial contamination, or something unrelated to food entirely.
How to Transition to Freshpet Without Stomach Problems
The 7-day transition schedule that works for most dogs: days 1–2, mix 25% Freshpet with 75% of the old food. Days 3–4, go 50/50. Days 5–6, shift to 75% Freshpet and 25% old food. Day 7 onward, serve Freshpet only. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may need 10 to 14 days.
Adding a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) during the transition can help firm up loose stools — pumpkin’s soluble fiber absorbs excess water in the colon. A vet-approved probiotic can also ease the microbiome adjustment. If your dog is prone to hot spots or hives, track any skin changes during the transition period too.
Freshpet Allergies: Signs Your Dog Is Reacting to an Ingredient
A true food allergy is different from transition upset — it doesn’t resolve after a few days and often involves skin symptoms alongside GI issues. Watch for recurring itchy skin, red paws, ear infections, or chronic loose stool that started with Freshpet and didn’t improve over 2 to 4 weeks.
Common allergens in dog food include chicken, beef, eggs, and dairy — all of which appear in Freshpet’s recipes depending on the line. If you suspect a specific ingredient, your vet can recommend an elimination diet using a novel protein your dog hasn’t eaten before. Freshpet does offer a limited ingredient line, which can be worth trying for dogs with known sensitivities.
Skin reactions from food allergies don’t always look like a rash. Chronic ear infections, recurring hot spots, or obsessive paw licking are frequently allergy-driven and easy to miss as food-related. For more on managing allergic skin reactions in dogs, see how to treat dog hives.
Freshpet and Weight Gain
Freshpet’s caloric density is higher than many budget kibbles, and it’s worth checking the specific formula’s fat content. Some Freshpet rolls run around 30% fat on a dry matter basis, according to nutritional analyses reviewed by pet food experts — significantly higher than a standard adult maintenance kibble at 12 to 18%. For an overweight dog, this can lead to weight creep if portions aren’t adjusted.
The feeding guide on Freshpet packaging is a starting point, not a guarantee. Dogs vary in metabolism and activity level, so weighing your dog monthly and adjusting portions accordingly is the best approach. A basic dog care routine that includes regular weigh-ins and exercise will go further than any single food decision.
Carrageenan and Grain-Free Concerns
Some Freshpet recipes contain carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickener that has been debated in pet nutrition circles. Human-focused studies have raised gastrointestinal concerns, but the research in dogs is inconclusive at typical dietary doses. If your dog has confirmed inflammatory bowel disease, it’s worth discussing carrageenan-containing foods with your vet before starting.
Freshpet’s grain-free lines use peas, pea protein, and lentils as carbohydrate sources — ingredients linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) concerns in a 2018–2020 FDA investigation. The FDA’s inquiry did not identify a definitive cause, but certain breeds (Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers) are genetically predisposed to DCM and should be monitored with regular cardiac checkups if fed grain-free long-term. If you compare Freshpet against other flea and parasite prevention options for your dog, the same logic applies — know what you’re giving and check in with your vet.
Freshpet Recall History
Freshpet has had two recalls, both involving potential Salmonella contamination. In June 2021, Freshpet recalled its Select Small Dog Recipe. In June 2022, a single lot of Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe (4.5 lb. bags, sell-by date 10/29/22) was voluntarily recalled. Freshpet reported no confirmed illnesses from the 2022 recall.
As of early 2026, there are no active Freshpet recalls. A Consumer Reports analysis from February 2025 reviewed Freshpet alongside 58 other dog food brands and found no current safety concerns. You can check for the most current recall status at the FDA’s recall database or Dog Food Advisor’s recall tracker.
Freshpet’s refrigerated format means spoilage can happen at the store or in transit if cold chain is broken. Check every package for an intact seal, no bloating, no unusual odor, and a valid sell-by date before serving. If anything looks or smells off, discard it — don’t serve it on the assumption a small amount is fine.
When to Call the Vet
Contact your vet if diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than 3 to 4 days after completing a proper transition. Blood in stool, black or tarry stool, vomiting more than twice in 24 hours, refusal to drink water, or signs of dehydration (dry gums, skin tenting) all require prompt care — don’t wait those out.
Lethargy combined with GI symptoms is a red flag. A healthy dog feeling off for a day or two during a food transition is normal; a dog that won’t get off its bed and isn’t eating after two days is not a wait-and-see situation. Your vet can rule out pancreatitis (a real risk in dogs that eat high-fat food in large quantities) and check for bacterial contamination if needed.
Is Freshpet Worth It Despite These Side Effects?
For most dogs, Freshpet is a solid choice. It’s formulated by a Nutrition Council that includes board-certified veterinary nutritionists (DACVNs), and the steam-cooked whole-ingredient recipes are more bioavailable than heavily processed kibble. Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do better on it once the transition is complete — not worse.
The side effects that make owners nervous are almost always transition artifacts. If you go slowly, watch the fat content for overweight dogs, choose grain-inclusive formulas if your breed is DCM-prone, and inspect every package for freshness, most dogs will tolerate Freshpet well. For more on reading fresh dog food options, Ollie is another refrigerated brand worth comparing — the ingredient approach differs in ways that matter for sensitive dogs. If your dog needs a balance supplement alongside fresh food, Balance It is worth reviewing for its ingredient profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my dog have diarrhea after starting Freshpet?
Transition-related diarrhea usually clears up within 1 to 3 days after completing a proper 7-to-10-day food switch. If diarrhea started because you switched abruptly, go back to your dog’s old food for a few days and restart more slowly. Diarrhea persisting beyond 4 days after a gradual transition warrants a vet visit.
Can Freshpet cause vomiting?
Yes, vomiting can occur during the transition period, especially if the switch was made too quickly. Occasional vomiting in the first week is generally not alarming if the dog remains alert and hydrated. Vomiting more than twice in 24 hours, or vomiting combined with lethargy or blood, should be evaluated by a vet.
Has Freshpet ever been recalled?
Freshpet has had two recalls — both for potential Salmonella contamination, in June 2021 and June 2022. No active recalls existed as of early 2026. The 2022 recall involved a single product lot with no confirmed illnesses. Always check the FDA or Dog Food Advisor for current recall status before purchasing.
Is Freshpet safe for dogs with allergies?
Freshpet can work for allergic dogs, but you need to choose the right formula. Stick to limited-ingredient recipes that use a single protein source your dog hasn’t previously been exposed to. Track symptoms over 4 to 8 weeks — food allergies take time to develop or resolve, and a single-protein trial is the most reliable way to identify the trigger.