Freshpet has been pioneering fresh pet food for nearly two decades – in fact, we’re the oldest and original fresh pet food company in the U.S! This extensive experience sets us apart, allowing us to create high-quality, nutritious, and highly palatable fresh diets for pets. Since pets are family, we go beyond industry standards, assembling a team of dedicated experts to ensure the best for our furry companions. This blog will introduce you to our R&D and manufacturing team that contributes their passion and experience to our products.

A Team of Experts

One of the most common questions we receive is, “Do you have a veterinarian on staff?” or “Do you use a veterinary nutritionist?” amongst other top 5 questions veterinarians have about Freshpet. The answer is yes—but that’s just the beginning. Our team extends far beyond veterinarians to include microbiologists, six PhDs, thermal engineers, and industry professionals specializing in small animal and human nutrition, pet food manufacturing, and processing. Together, they bring over 100 years of product formulation and pet food manufacturing experience to the development of our fresh pet food. Many of those years were spent in the sophisticated and often complex science of making fresh pet food.

Veterinarians on Staff

We proudly employ two veterinarians:

• Gerardo Perez-Camargo, PhD, DVM, Senior Vice President of Research and Development since 2018 he brings over 25 years of experience previously working with Nestlé Purina and Mars. Over the years Dr. Pérez-Camargo has accumulated 20 research publications, 8 granted patents and numerous dry, can and fresh pet food product launches.

• Anuraj Sukumaran, PhD, DVM, a microbiology specialist, he ensures food safety and pathogen control—a critical role for a perishable, preservative-free product.

Their firsthand experience as prior practitioners help shape Freshpet’s approach to pet nutrition and safety.

Collaborating with Veterinary Nutritionists

Our Nutrition Council includes Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists^® like Lisa Weeth, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Beth Hamper, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition). This advisory board consults on formulations and research, such as the ideal glucosamine levels in senior pet food, which helped develop our Vital Healthy Aging formula.

Microbiology and Food Safety

With no added preservatives, pathogen control is a top priority. Dr. Sukumaran evaluates antimicrobial options, packaging innovations, and ingredient advancements to extend refrigerated shelf life while maintaining safety and quality.

We also employ thermal engineers who focus on the efficient and effective application of heat and temperature control during manufacturing processes, ensuring food safety, quality, and sustainability.

Product Development

Our team includes PhD animal and human nutrition experts who develop innovative recipes that meet pets’ evolving nutritional needs while maintaining the safety and quality pet parents expect. Their expertise in food science and processing ensures we create the best fresh food for dogs and cats.