At Frank’s Fresh, we don’t choose ingredients because they’re trendy, or cheap, or easy to produce at scale. We choose them because they work—for real canine health, for real nutritional balance, and for real, noticeable changes in your dog’s energy, skin, coat, digestion, and overall well-being.
And unlike most fresh-food subscription companies, we rely on whole foods, not long lists of synthetic vitamins, to deliver that nutrition. Yes, our price point is higher. But that’s because our food is better—more nutrient-dense, more thoughtfully formulated, and made with ingredients that actually cost more because they’re worth more.
Here’s a look at a few of our powerhouse ingredients and why they’re in your dog’s bowl.
Protein-Packed Quinoa
Most fresh dog food companies lean heavily on cheap starchy fillers like rice, potatoes, or legumes. Quinoa is different.
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It’s higher in protein than most grains
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It contains all nine essential amino acids
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It’s gentle on digestion
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It supports steady energy without spiking blood sugar
Quinoa gives our recipes structure and staying power—without diluting them with empty calories.
Turmeric: Small Spice, Big Mobility Benefits
Turmeric isn’t just a bright golden color in our pots—it’s included for a reason.
Curcumin, the active compound, is known for supporting:
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Joint mobility
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Reduced inflammation
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Long-term musculoskeletal health
When customers tell us their senior dogs are acting more puppy-like again, turmeric is one of the quiet heroes behind the scenes.
Sardines: Omega-Rich, Tasty, and Highly Bioavailable
Forget fish oil pills—sardines give dogs whole-food omega-3s in their most complete, absorbable form.
They bring:
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EPA + DHA for skin, coat, brain, and heart health
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Natural calcium from the soft bones
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A flavor dogs absolutely lose their minds over
They’re also a clean, low-mercury fish… which is not something you can say for many common pet-food proteins.
Hemp Seeds: Gentle Omegas That Keep Skin Happy
Hemp hearts are one of the most balanced omega sources on the planet, containing both omega-3s and omega-6s in a natural 3:1 ratio. They help:
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Support healthy inflammatory responses
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Keep skin moisturized and flake-free
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Promote a softer, shinier coat
And because we use the whole seed, your dog gets protein, minerals, and fiber too.
Sunflower Seeds: Vitamin E the Natural Way
Rather than adding synthetic vitamin E (which is standard in most commercial foods), we use sunflower seeds, one of nature’s richest whole-food sources. Vitamin E:
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Protects cells from oxidative stress
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Helps maintain immune health
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Supports skin and coat condition
It’s real nutrition—not a lab-made replacement.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize:
Brands like Farmer’s Dog are formulated to meet AAFCO standards by relying on synthetic vitamin and mineral premixes, because their base recipes don’t contain enough natural nutrition on their own.
There’s nothing illegal about that. But it’s not how we do things.
At Frank’s Fresh, we build nutrition from the ground up using whole foods.
That means your dog’s vitamins and minerals come from:
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Real meats
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Real vegetables
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Real seeds
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Real fish
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Real greens
Not powdered synthetics added at the end of the recipe.
It’s harder. It’s more expensive. But it’s better.