Vital Shredded Chicken Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 17, 2026
This is a refrigerated, shredded wet dog food made primarily from chicken and egg, providing animal-based protein with a home-cooked style texture. Carbohydrates and fiber come from sweet potatoes, carrots, oats, pumpkin, and green beans, with cranberries and spinach adding natural antioxidants. It is formulated to be complete and balanced for dogs of all sizes and life stages, including puppies and adults, when fed as the main diet.
Overall, this is a high-quality, gently processed wet food that uses chicken and egg as its main protein sources and a nice variety of vegetables and fruits for fiber and antioxidants. The nutrient profile is appropriate for an all–life stages wet diet, and the AAFCO statement confirms it is complete and balanced by formulation. It can work well for many dogs who do well on chicken-based diets and for owners who prefer a fresher, refrigerated option.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken and egg as primary ingredients provide highly digestible animal protein suitable for growth and maintenance in most dogs.
- Good mix of carbohydrate and fiber sources (sweet potatoes, carrots, oats, pumpkin, green beans) that can support regular digestion.
- Includes fish oil and plant ingredients like spinach, cranberries, and beta-carotene that contribute omega fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Complete and balanced for all life stages per AAFCO formulation, so it can be used as a sole diet for puppies and adult dogs when fed in appropriate amounts.
Considerations
- Chicken and egg are common food allergens for dogs, so this recipe isn’t a good fit for dogs with known sensitivities to these proteins.
- As a wet, refrigerated food with 70% moisture, portions by volume will be larger than with dry food, so caregivers need to measure carefully to avoid unintended over- or underfeeding.
- Formulated by AAFCO nutrient profiles rather than validated in feeding trials, so actual in-dog digestibility and performance have not been feeding-test–verified.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Egg
Eggs are used in pet foods as a highly digestible, complete animal protein and nutrient source—providing essential amino acids, bioavailable vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex including B12), minerals like selenium and iron, choline and healthy fats—while also improving palatability and texture. They support muscle maintenance, skin/coat and cognitive health in dogs and cats, but raw eggs can carry bacterial risk and contain avidin in whites that may reduce biotin with long-term feeding; some pets may also have egg allergies or require portion control for calorie management.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
05
Oat
Oats are commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (beta‑glucans), plant protein, B vitamins and minerals, which can support healthy digestion and help moderate blood glucose and cholesterol. They are generally well tolerated by dogs and can be included sparingly for cats, but owners should avoid flavored or sweetened preparations (and ingredients like xylitol or raisins), be mindful of possible grain sensitivities or cross‑contamination with gluten, and prefer cooked oats for better digestibility and portion control due to caloric content.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Freshpet is a pet food brand that produces fresh, refrigerated meals for dogs and cats. Positioned as a premium alternative to traditional kibble and canned food, Freshpet products are made from fresh meats and vegetables, gently cooked and refrigerated to preserve nutrients.
Visit FreshpetManufacturer
Freshpet operates its own kitchens with in-house manufacturing, quality testing, and temperature-controlled processes that comply with USDA and FDA pet food safety standards. They employ rigorous sanitation and inspection systems throughout production.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Freshpet Vital Shredded Chicken Wet Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Freshpet ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Freshpet. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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