Get Joy Fresh vs Freshpet: An Honest Comparison for Dog Parents (2026)

Updated: July 2026 · Reviewed against verified competitor data and Get Joy product facts · See our vet & nutrition experts

Both Freshpet and Get Joy Fresh Meals are a real step up from highly processed kibble, and both put real meat first, so the honest question is not which is better in the abstract. It is what the food does for your dog and which one fits your week. If you want fresh food you can grab tonight at the grocery store, Freshpet is hard to beat; if you want fresh food designed around gut-health outcomes and delivered consistently, that is what Get Joy was built for.

Here is what most fresh comparisons miss. Refrigeration and real meat solve access, but the outcome that matters happens deeper down, in the gut. That is where Get Joy takes a different path: we start with the gut, because gut health is whole-body health, and we build functional gut support directly into every Fresh Meal. Fresh is the format. Gut function is the outcome.

What is the main difference between Get Joy Fresh and Freshpet?

The main difference is that Freshpet solves access while Get Joy is built around gut function and consistency. Freshpet pioneered the refrigerated pet food case, and that deserves real credit. Before fresh delivery existed, Freshpet put minimally processed food with real meat within reach of anyone near a grocery store. No subscription, no commitment, no waiting on a delivery. If you run out on a Tuesday night, you can restock in twenty minutes.

Get Joy answers a different question: what happens after the ingredients, and whether fresh feeding stays consistent. Fresh ingredients are a real upgrade over highly processed kibble, but a healthy gut microbiome does not come automatically with refrigeration. And fresh feeding works best when it is consistent, while grocery trips are not: rolls get self-portioned by eyeball, opened food has a short fridge life, and a busy week can quietly turn into a kibble week. Get Joy arrives portioned to your dog on a schedule you control, with skip, pause, and cancel anytime.

How do Get Joy Fresh and Freshpet compare at a glance?

Here is the head-to-head on the factors dog parents ask about most.

Which does more for your dog's gut health?

Get Joy Fresh does more for the gut because gut support is engineered into the food, not left to refrigeration. The gut is where digestion, nutrient absorption, immune activity, and skin health begin, and feeding fresh without feeding the gut is like upgrading the fuel but skipping the engine tune. Every Get Joy Fresh Meal is gently kettle-cooked from human-grade whole foods, with each protein cooked separately and then combined, and reaches 95%+ starch gelatinization so it is easier to digest. Recipes use real meat and organ meat, garden vegetables, brown rice (or quinoa in the lamb recipe), salmon oil for omega-3 (EPA and DHA), flaxseed, turmeric, and gut support built right in: inulin, a prebiotic fiber, and a yeast-culture postbiotic. There are four proteins (chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb), no fillers, byproducts, seed oils, or artificial anything, and every recipe is developed with a PhD animal nutritionist and a veterinarian, cooked in a USDA-certified kitchen, and AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed puppies.

What dog parents typically notice within two to four weeks of a gut-first food: firmer, more consistent stool, less gas, and a steadier appetite, and over time a shinier coat and less scratching. Individual dogs vary, and no food treats, cures, or prevents any medical condition. But if you are already feeding fresh and still not seeing those basics, the missing piece usually is not fresher ingredients. It is gut function. And the meal is only the start of the routine. When a dog needs deeper gut support, Get Joy's Freeze-Dried Raw Meals, treats, and supplements carry Belly Biotics, our proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, all built around the same gut-first belief. Meals come first, and everything else deepens the routine, from one brand. That means one brand and one belief instead of assembling a routine from the grocery aisle. If you want the science first, start with Gut Health 101 and our guide to pre, pro, and postbiotics.

Which has better ingredients?

Both brands lead with real meat, but Get Joy pairs premium protein with a functional gut layer and purpose-chosen whole foods. Get Joy Fresh recipes use real meat and organ meat, garden vegetables, a whole-food carbohydrate (brown rice, or quinoa in the lamb recipe), salmon oil for omega-3 with EPA and DHA, flaxseed, turmeric, and built-in gut support, with no fillers, byproducts, seed oils, or artificial anything.

Freshpet's recipes list real meat first and use natural ingredients across refrigerated rolls, bags, and meals, which is a genuine on-ramp to better feeding. The difference is that Get Joy adds a functional gut layer on top of a clean base and is gently kettle-cooked to 95%+ starch gelatinization for high bioavailability and a smaller, firmer stool. If you are weighing formats more broadly, see why feed fresh food vs kibble.

What does each really cost per day?

Freshpet is genuinely transparent here: prices are on the shelf, and we will not pretend otherwise. Depending on the product line and your dog's size, feeding Freshpet as a full diet typically runs a few dollars a day for small dogs and climbs meaningfully for larger dogs, especially on their premium lines.

For many dogs, a full Get Joy fresh plan lands in the same range as a full Freshpet diet from the premium refrigerated lines, with gut support built in and zero grocery runs. Same honest shelf-price energy. More function in the bowl.

Who should choose Get Joy Fresh, and who should choose Freshpet?

Choose based on how your week works and how your dog is doing. If zero commitment and grocery-aisle convenience matter most and your dog is doing well, Freshpet fits. If you want built-in gut support, portioning, and delivery consistency, Get Joy is the better fit.

Is switching to Get Joy Fresh simple?

Yes. Transition over 7 to 10 days, starting with about 25% Get Joy mixed into the current food and stepping up every 2 to 3 days. Slow transitions are kinder to sensitive stomachs. Every first order is covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee, and subscriptions can be paused, skipped, swapped, or canceled anytime.

The final verdict: Get Joy Fresh or Freshpet?

Both are a real upgrade from kibble. The deciding question is access versus function and consistency.

Frequently asked questions

Is Freshpet good for dogs?

Freshpet is a legitimate step up from highly processed kibble, with real meat first and wide availability. Whether it is the right food depends on your dog's results, especially digestion and skin.

What is a good alternative to Freshpet?

Get Joy Fresh Meals: human-grade, gently kettle-cooked fresh food delivered portioned to your dog, with inulin, a yeast-culture postbiotic, and omega-3s built into every recipe, backed by a full gut-health portfolio.

Is delivered fresh food better than Freshpet?

Not automatically. The advantages of delivery are portioning, consistency, and, with Get Joy, built-in gut support. The advantage of Freshpet is instant access. It depends on what your dog and your week need.

Does Get Joy Fresh have probiotics?

Get Joy Fresh builds gut support into the recipe itself: inulin (a prebiotic fiber), a yeast-culture postbiotic, and salmon-oil omega-3 with EPA and DHA. For the full Belly Biotics blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, pair Fresh with our Freeze-Dried Raw Meals or gut supplements as one routine.

How much does Get Joy Fresh cost per day?

Most dogs land between $3 and $9 per day depending on size, with 20% subscription savings. Pack prices are listed on getjoyfood.com, no quiz required.

Published by Get Joy. We make one of the foods below, and we will still be straight with you. Competitor details (formats, ingredients, pricing, and policies) are drawn from each brand's own website and public retailer listings as of July 2026; prices and specs can change, so confirm current details on each brand's site. Get Joy figures are from getjoyfood.com and internal product documentation. Pricing varies by dog size, recipe, and plan. This article is for education and is not veterinary advice; consult your vet for your dog's individual needs.