Hey pet parents! If you’re cruising through Amazon’s pet food section, you’ve probably noticed a surge in “fresh” pet food options—think refrigerated rolls, frozen patties, or freeze-dried nuggets. These products are stealing the spotlight, and for good reason. The 2025 Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) report, prepared for IFEEDER, dives into the U.S. pet food market, revealing that fresh pet foods are carving out a growing niche in the $51.7 billion industry. With detailed sales data from 2024 Nielsen figures, the report shows fresh pet food is more than a trend—it’s a game-changer for pet nutrition. Let’s unpack why fresh pet food is so popular, its benefits for your cat or dog, and how to pick the best options on Amazon.
Fresh Pet Food: What’s the Buzz?
Fresh pet food, as defined in the DIS report, refers to products made with human-grade, minimally processed ingredients, often refrigerated or freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and flavor. Unlike traditional kibble or canned food, these foods mimic what you’d cook at home—think real meat, veggies, and no mystery fillers. The report highlights six fresh pet food brands, showing they’re gaining traction in a market dominated by dry (5.36 million tons) and wet foods (852,081 tons for cats, 1.84 million tons for dogs). While fresh pet food is a smaller slice of the 9.8 million tons of total pet food sold, its sales data—$2.5 billion in value for just 104,523 tons—shows pet owners are willing to pay a premium for quality.
Why the hype? Fresh pet foods align with what we want for ourselves: wholesome, natural ingredients. They’re often marketed as “human-grade,” appealing to pet parents who treat their fur babies like family. Plus, the DIS report notes a 70.2% spike in pet food sales value since 2019, with fresh foods riding the wave of demand for premium, health-focused options.
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The Advantages of Fresh Pet Food
The DIS report, backed by Nielsen data, sheds light on why fresh pet food is worth the buzz. Here are the key benefits that make refrigerated and freeze-dried products stand out:
1. High-Quality, Human-Grade Ingredients
Fresh pet foods prioritize whole ingredients like chicken (2.21 million tons used across all pet foods), beef (1.26 million tons), and veggies like peas or sweet potatoes. The report shows these foods often skip the additives (like preservatives or artificial flavors) that can make up 15.3% of traditional pet food weight. For example, a dry dog food sample in the DIS report listed pork liver, pea flour, and carrots alongside additives like glycerin and caramel color, but fresh foods lean heavily on the good stuff—real meat and produce—with minimal fillers. This means your pet gets nutrient-dense meals that mirror a home-cooked diet.
2. Better Nutrition and Digestibility
Fresh foods, especially refrigerated or freeze-dried, retain more nutrients thanks to minimal processing. The report’s guaranteed analysis shows cat foods need 11%–59% crude protein and dogs require 5%–60%, and fresh foods often hit the high end of those ranges with premium proteins like salmon or cod (502,013 tons total). For cats, who are obligate carnivores, fresh foods packed with animal proteins deliver essential nutrients like taurine. Dogs, as omnivores, benefit from the mix of meats and plant-based ingredients like rice or barley (1.84 million tons of grains used), which are easier to digest in fresh formats.
3. Hydration Boost for Cats
Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water, which can lead to health issues like urinary problems. The DIS report notes that wet cat food, a close cousin to fresh refrigerated options, makes up 852,081 tons of sales and is prized for its high moisture content. Fresh pet foods, especially refrigerated ones, offer similar hydration benefits, making them a smart choice for feline health. Brands like Freshpet, a leader in the fresh category, often highlight this perk.
4. Sustainability and Appeal
Fresh pet foods often use upcycled ingredients—like chicken byproducts or dried beet pulp—that reduce waste without skimping on nutrition. The report counts 1.06 million tons of upcycled ingredients in cat food and 3.03 million tons in dog food, with fresh foods leaning on these sustainable sources. Plus, the “human-grade” label and ingredients like blueberries or pumpkin make these foods feel like a treat for your pet and a win for eco-conscious shoppers.
5. Tailored for Picky Eaters
Got a finicky cat or a dog that snubs kibble? Fresh foods, with their rich flavors and textures, are a hit with picky eaters. The DIS report shows broths (184,737 tons, valued at $554 million) are common in fresh foods, especially for cats, adding palatability that makes mealtime exciting.
Fresh Pet Food Sales: By the Numbers
The DIS report’s data on fresh pet food sales paints a clear picture of its growing popularity. In 2024, fresh pet food accounted for 104,523 tons of the 9.8 million tons of total pet food sold, with a value of $2.5 billion. That’s a small but mighty 1.4% of total volume and 3.0% of total value, showing fresh foods punch above their weight. Cat food sales (2.57 million tons, $15.3 billion) and dog food sales (7.24 million tons, $36.4 billion) still lean heavily on dry and wet formats, but fresh foods are gaining ground, especially in the premium market.
The report highlights six fresh pet food brands, with sales data showing they’re resonating with consumers. For example, fresh dog food products are driving higher value per ton compared to traditional options, reflecting their premium price point. This aligns with the broader trend of a 70.2% increase in pet food sales value since 2019, as pet owners splurge on quality.
How to Choose Fresh Pet Food on Amazon
Ready to add some fresh pet food to your Amazon cart? Here’s how to pick the best refrigerated or freeze-dried options, based on insights from the DIS report:
Prioritize Protein
Look for fresh foods with high-quality proteins like chicken, beef, or salmon listed first. The report shows these are the top ingredients (2.21 million, 1.26 million, and 502,013 tons, respectively), perfect for cats needing meat or dogs needing balanced nutrition. Brands like Freshpet or The Farmer’s Dog are great choices.
Check for Whole Ingredients
Fresh foods should focus on whole meats and veggies, with minimal additives. The DIS report notes that additives can make up 15.3% of some traditional foods, so scan labels for real ingredients like pork liver or sweet potatoes over vague “flavors.”
Consider Your Pet’s Needs
Cats benefit from fresh foods’ high moisture content, especially refrigerated options. Dogs can handle more plant-based ingredients (like the 289,839 tons of specialty crops), so freeze-dried foods with peas or carrots work well. Check with your vet to match your pet’s breed or health needs, as the report notes varying nutritional requirements.
Refrigerated vs. Freeze-Dried
Refrigerated foods, like Freshpet rolls, are ideal for hydration and convenience but need cold storage. Freeze-dried options, like Stella & Chewy’s, are shelf-stable and great for travel or picky eaters. Both deliver the nutrient-packed benefits highlighted in the report.
Embrace Sustainability
Choose brands using upcycled ingredients, like chicken byproducts or veggie pulps, which the report shows are common and eco-friendly. The Honest Kitchen is a solid pick for sustainable fresh foods.
The Takeaway
Fresh pet food is more than a fad—it’s a growing segment of the $51.7 billion U.S. pet food market, with 104,523 tons sold for $2.5 billion in 2024, per the DIS report’s Nielsen data. Refrigerated and freeze-dried products offer high-quality ingredients, better nutrition, and hydration benefits, making them a hit for cats and dogs alike. Whether you’re drawn to their human-grade appeal, sustainability, or picky-eater approval, fresh foods are worth exploring on Amazon. Look for brands like Freshpet, The Farmer’s Dog, or Stella & Chewy’s.