Fresh vs. Frozen: What’s the Difference in Pet Food?

Fresh vs. Frozen: What’s the Difference in Pet Food?
Exploring the Benefits of Freshpet, Prime100, and Raw Frozen Diets

When shopping at J-B Pet Supplies, you’ll find a variety of premium pet food options—from fully cooked, refrigerated meals to nutrient-dense frozen raw food. Both offer major health benefits over traditional kibble, but they serve different needs. So what’s the difference, and which is right for your pet?

Let’s take a closer look.

❄️ Frozen Raw Food

Frozen raw diets are made from raw meat, organs, bones, and often fruits and veggies. They’re designed to replicate a dog or cat’s natural, ancestral diet. Because these foods are raw and unprocessed, they’re frozen to preserve freshness and nutritional integrity.

At J-B Pet Supplies, our top frozen raw brands include Tucker’s, Primal, Steve’s Real Food, Goffle Road Poultry Farm, and more. Pets on raw diets often experience better digestion, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and higher energy levels. Just keep in mind—raw food requires freezer storage and thawing before use.

🧊 Fresh Refrigerated Food (Fully Cooked)

In contrast, our refrigerated section features fully cooked fresh meals from trusted brands like Freshpet and Prime100. These foods are made from real meat and vegetables, cooked for safety, and then refrigerated—not frozen.

Freshpet offers complete and balanced recipes for dogs and cats in rolls, bags, and pouches, made with wholesome ingredients like chicken, beef, turkey, and veggies.
Prime100 provides single-protein, limited ingredient diets—perfect for pets with food sensitivities, allergies, or digestive issues.

Fully cooked fresh food is ideal for pet parents who want simple, convenient nutrition with no thawing, no mess, and no raw handling. It’s also a great choice for picky eaters or those transitioning away from dry food.

Which Should You Choose?

✅ Frozen Raw is ideal for pets who thrive on a raw, natural diet and for pet parents who are comfortable with storing and thawing meals.
✅ Fresh Refrigerated (Fully Cooked) is great for households that want the benefits of fresh, minimally processed ingredients in a safe, easy-to-serve form.

Visit Us In-Store or Online

At J-B Pet Supplies, we carry both frozen raw and fresh refrigerated pet foods, so you can choose what works best for your lifestyle and your pet’s needs. Whether you're shopping in Oakland or Hawthorne—or browsing online—we're here to help you make the healthiest choice for your furry family member.

🐾 Stop in today to explore our selection of Freshpet, Prime100, and premium Frozen Raw Foods. Available in-store, for curbside pickup, and with same-day local delivery!