Can You Freeze Freshpet Dog Food? A Safe Storage and Thawing Guide
Freeze Freshpet while it is still fresh, in meal-sized airtight portions, so you only thaw what your dog will eat.
Freshpet is convenient until your dog cannot finish the package within a few days. This is especially common with small dogs, occasional Freshpet users, and owners who buy larger rolls or bags.
Fortunately, the extra food does not automatically need to be discarded. Yes, you can freeze Freshpet dog food. Freshpet says unused portions may be frozen for later use. It recommends serving the food fresh from the refrigerator for the best texture, but says freezing and thawing do not reduce its nutritional value.
You may notice extra moisture, a softer consistency, or a small color change after thawing. The key is to freeze the food while it is still fresh, package it properly, and thaw it safely.
QUICK ANSWER
Freeze unused Freshpet promptly, then thaw one sealed portion in the refrigerator
Divide the food into single-meal servings, seal out as much air as possible, label each package, and move the next portion to the refrigerator the night before feeding. Retail Freshpet has no universal freezer deadline; follow the package. Freshpet Delivery separately recommends one month for best freshness and allows up to six months.
- Official answer
- Unused Freshpet portions can be frozen
- Safest thaw
- Overnight in the refrigerator
- Freezer timing
- Check the product; Delivery guidance differs
The best way to freeze Freshpet dog food
For the best results, freeze only food that still looks and smells normal. Freshpet's current storage guide recommends portioning opened food, sealing it in airtight packaging, labeling it, and freezing it promptly.
- Divide the food into individual meals. Smaller portions freeze and thaw more evenly.
- Use freezer-safe packaging. Choose airtight containers, freezer-grade bags, or a covered silicone tray.
- Remove excess air. Less air helps limit freezer burn, dryness, and odor transfer.
- Label each package. Add the recipe, portion size, and date frozen.
- Freeze it promptly. Do not wait until the last day of the refrigerator window.
- Thaw one serving at a time. Move it to the refrigerator the night before it is needed.
Freshpet does not publish one universal freezer limit for every recipe sold in stores. Check the package before freezing and label the date so portions do not get forgotten. Freshpet Delivery has separate guidance, explained in the freezer-time section below.
When freezing Freshpet makes sense
Freezing is not necessary when your dog can finish the package within the after-opening period printed on the label. It becomes useful when the package and feeding routine do not line up.
You have a small dog
A small dog may need only a small slice of a large Freshpet roll each day. Freezing the extra slices prevents the remaining food from sitting open beyond its recommended refrigerator period. If you are tracking a puppy's growth, the dog weight calculator can help you follow the trend without turning one estimate into a feeding prescription.
You buy larger packages
Larger rolls and bags may cost less per serving, but only when the food is used before it spoils. Dividing a new package between the refrigerator and freezer can make bulk buying more practical.
You want to reduce waste
Freezing unused portions can save food that would otherwise be discarded after several days. It does not rescue food that is already old, warm, or questionable.
You prepare meals in advance
Pre-measured frozen servings make feeding easier. Move the next meal to the refrigerator at night and it can be ready by the following feeding time.
Can you freeze an unopened package of Freshpet?
Freshpet says an unopened refrigerated product can stay in the refrigerator until the sell-by date printed on the package, provided it remains properly chilled. Freezing an unopened package is therefore usually unnecessary unless you know it will not be used by that date.
If you do freeze it, keep undamaged packaging intact and place it inside a freezer bag for added protection from freezer odors and moisture loss. Product directions take priority because packaging and storage instructions can differ.
How to freeze Freshpet properly
1. Check the food before freezing
Only freeze Freshpet that still has its normal smell, color, and texture. Do not use the freezer to try to rescue food that has:
- developed a sour or unusual smell;
- become slimy or unexpectedly discolored;
- grown visible mold;
- been left at room temperature too long;
- passed the package's recommended use period; or
- come into contact with saliva in your dog's bowl.
Freezing pauses microbial growth; it does not reverse spoilage or make questionable food fresh again.
2. Divide it into meal-sized portions
Avoid freezing an entire opened roll or large bag as one solid block. Portion the food according to what your dog normally eats at one meal. This speeds thawing and prevents repeated handling.
Portion size should still support your dog's activity level and healthy target weight. Review healthy dog weight basics and use a dog body condition score to put the number on the scale in context before making a major feeding change.
3. Use airtight, freezer-safe packaging
Suitable choices include freezer-grade zipper bags, small airtight containers, vacuum-sealed bags, and silicone freezer trays with tight covers. Press excess air from bags before sealing them. Thin sandwich bags provide less protection from dryness and freezer odors.
4. Label every portion
Write the product or recipe, portion size, and freezing date on each package. When several recipes are stored together, include the protein name. Use the oldest package first so food is not forgotten at the back of the freezer.
5. Freeze it promptly
Freeze extra portions soon after opening instead of waiting until the final refrigerator day. Food frozen earlier will generally keep better flavor, moisture, and texture. Federal food-safety guidance uses 40°F (4°C) or below for refrigerators and 0°F (-18°C) or below for freezers.
How to freeze different Freshpet products
Freshpet rolls
Cut the roll into the amount your dog eats at one meal. Place parchment between slices to keep them from sticking, then group the separated servings in a freezer bag or airtight container.
Bagged Freshpet meals
Measure each serving with a clean scoop or kitchen scale. Flatten sealed freezer bags gently so they freeze and thaw faster than a thick block. Smaller bags also prevent repeatedly opening one large frozen package.
Patties and single-serve products
For opened patties, wrap each portion tightly or transfer it to an airtight container. An unopened single-serving package should go into the freezer only when its packaging is undamaged and the product label permits freezing. Storage directions can differ by product, so check the exact package.
How long can Freshpet stay in the freezer?
Freshpet's general retail guidance allows freezing but does not give one universal freezer-life limit for every store-bought product. Freshpet Delivery uses separate, more specific instructions: use frozen portions within one month for the best freshness; its Delivery recipes may remain frozen for up to six months; and thawed Delivery portions should be used the same day.
Do not apply the Delivery six-month figure automatically to every Freshpet product sold in stores. The package for your exact recipe is the best authority.
| Storage situation | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Unopened retail product in refrigerator | Keep chilled until the printed sell-by date |
| Opened retail product in refrigerator | Usually 5–7 days, depending on recipe; check the package |
| Frozen retail Freshpet | Allowed; no single published limit for every recipe |
| Frozen Freshpet Delivery | Best within 1 month; up to 6 months |
| Thawed Freshpet Delivery | Use the same day |
USDA guidance explains that food held continuously at 0°F stays safe while frozen, but quality declines over time. Dry areas, freezer odors, moisture separation, and a softer thawed texture are reasons to use well-packaged portions sooner.
Do not mix up the two storage clocks
The after-opening refrigerator window is product-specific and short. The freezer quality target is longer and begins when a fresh portion is frozen. Freezing does not restart the clock on food that has already spent several days open in the refrigerator.
How to thaw frozen Freshpet safely
Move the next serving from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before it is needed. Keep it sealed while it thaws to prevent leaks, odor transfer, and contact with other foods. Small flat portions may thaw within several hours; thick slices may need overnight.
Freshpet identifies refrigerator thawing as the safest method.
Do not thaw it on the counter
When food sits on a kitchen counter, the outside can warm while the center remains frozen. Freshpet advises against room-temperature thawing, and general food-safety guidance recommends keeping perishable food cold while it defrosts.
Can you microwave frozen Freshpet?
Do not use a microwave to rapidly thaw a frozen portion. After the food has thawed safely in the refrigerator, Freshpet says it may be warmed gently if your dog prefers it that way. Remove all packaging, use a microwave-safe dish, stir or spread the food evenly, and check for hot spots before serving.
Freshpet is already fully cooked, so additional cooking is not required.
Does freezing change Freshpet's nutrition or texture?
Freshpet says freezing and thawing do not reduce the nutritional value of its meals. Texture is more likely to change. You may see extra liquid, softer pieces, a slightly crumbly roll, minor color variation, or less firmness than freshly refrigerated food.
Water inside the food freezes and can separate as it thaws. These changes do not automatically mean the food is spoiled. Stirring separated moisture back into a bagged meal may improve consistency. If your dog is sensitive to texture, freeze a small test portion before storing the rest of the package.
How long does Freshpet last after opening?
The refrigerator window is not the same for every Freshpet product. Freshpet's current consumer FAQ lists these after-opening periods:
| Freshpet product type | Use after opening |
|---|---|
| Slice & Serve Rolls | Within 7 days |
| Roasted Meals, Shredded Meals, Complete Meals, and Healthy Mixers | Within 7 days |
| Homestyle Creations Chicken & Turkey; Beef, Chicken & Turkey | Within 5 days |
| Homestyle Creations Shredded Beef; Chicken Bites | Within 7 days |
Always follow the directions on your specific package because recipes and packaging can change. Freeze unused portions early; do not treat freezing as a way to rescue food near the end of its refrigerator period.
What temperature should Freshpet be stored at?
Keep refrigerated Freshpet at 40°F (4°C) or below. FDA pet-food guidance uses the same refrigerator limit and recommends promptly chilling or discarding unused moist pet food. A household freezer should remain at 0°F (-18°C) or below. An appliance thermometer is the simplest way to check both compartments.
Can you refreeze thawed Freshpet?
It is better to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Freshpet does not publish a broad retail-specific recommendation for repeated refreezing, while Freshpet Delivery tells owners to use refrigerator-thawed portions the same day. General USDA guidance says food thawed safely in the refrigerator can be refrozen if it remained at 40°F or below, although moisture and quality may be lost.
Each cycle can make the food wetter, softer, and less appealing. Meal-sized portions remove the need to refreeze leftovers. Never refreeze Freshpet that thawed on the counter, became warm, sat in your dog's bowl, came into contact with saliva, or looks or smells unusual.
How to tell if Freshpet has gone bad
Freshpet should have the normal smell, color, and texture associated with its recipe. Discard it if you notice:
- a strong sour or rotten smell;
- a slimy or sticky surface;
- visible mold or unusual discoloration;
- swollen, damaged, or leaking packaging;
- food that was left out overnight; or
- any change that makes you uncertain about its freshness.
Freshpet recommends discarding uneaten food after it has been in your pet's bowl for one hour. Do not taste pet food to decide whether it is safe. When you are unsure, discard it.
How long can Freshpet sit in the dog bowl?
Freshpet's current guidance is to leave refrigerated food in the bowl for no longer than one hour. The same limit applies after freezing and thawing because freezing does not make the food shelf-stable. Serve a smaller portion first if your dog often leaves food behind.
Freeze clean, unused food directly from the refrigerated package—not food that has already been served. FDA guidance recommends clean serving utensils and washing and drying pet-food bowls after each use.
A simple weekly storage routine
Suppose a small dog needs only one-quarter of a Freshpet roll each week. A simple routine would be:
- Keep the current week's portion in an airtight refrigerator container.
- Cut the rest of the roll into meal-sized or weekly servings.
- Wrap, label, and freeze the extra portions promptly.
- Move the next portion to the refrigerator the night before it is needed.
- Use the oldest frozen serving first.
This reduces waste and prevents the full roll from remaining open too long. Measured servings also make gradual changes in intake easier to notice. Review the signs your dog may be overweight before increasing portions simply because your dog appears hungry.
Conclusion
Yes, you can freeze Freshpet dog food. Freeze clean, fresh food early in meal-sized airtight packages, label the date, and thaw one portion overnight in the refrigerator. Expect possible moisture or texture changes, but Freshpet says the nutritional value remains intact. Because refrigerator and freezer instructions vary by product—and Freshpet Delivery has guidance that does not automatically apply to retail recipes—check the exact package before storing or serving.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Freezing Freshpet dog food FAQ
Can you freeze Freshpet dog food?
Yes. Freshpet says unused portions can be frozen. Divide fresh food into meal-size servings, seal them in airtight freezer-safe packaging, label them, and freeze them promptly.
How long can Freshpet stay frozen?
Freshpet does not publish one universal freezer deadline for every retail recipe. Freshpet Delivery separately recommends using frozen portions within one month for best freshness and says its Delivery recipes can remain frozen for up to six months. Check the instructions for your exact product.
What is the safest way to thaw frozen Freshpet?
Thaw one sealed portion in the refrigerator, preferably overnight. Do not thaw it on the counter or use a microwave to rapidly defrost a frozen portion.
Does freezing Freshpet reduce its nutritional value?
Freshpet says freezing and thawing do not reduce nutritional value, although moisture, color, and texture may change slightly.
How long does Freshpet last in the refrigerator after opening?
Freshpet's current consumer FAQ lists 7 days for Slice & Serve Rolls, Roasted Meals, Shredded Meals, Complete Meals, and Healthy Mixers. It lists 5 days for some Homestyle Creations recipes and 7 days for others. Follow the exact package label because instructions vary by recipe.
Can you refreeze thawed Freshpet?
Freshpet does not publish a broad retail-specific recommendation for repeated refreezing. General USDA guidance says food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen if it remained at 40°F or below, but quality may decline. Portion once, freeze once, and thaw once when possible.
RESEARCH Research and references Brand instructions are separated from general food-safety and freezer-quality guidance.
Reviewed August 23, 2026. Product instructions can change, so check the current package before storing or feeding.
- Brand storage guideFreshpet feeding and storage instructions Open source
- Product periodsFreshpet consumer FAQ Open source
- Delivery timingFreshpet Delivery product storage FAQ Open source
- Pet-food handlingFDA proper storage of pet food and treats Open source
- Freezer safetyUSDA freezing and food safety Open source
- Safe thawingUSDA safe defrosting methods Open source
Educational information only. Follow the instructions on your Freshpet package and contact your veterinarian if your dog becomes ill or needs an individualized feeding plan.
