US pet food brand Freshpet claims to have launched the UK’s first fresh and refrigerated turkey bacon treats for dogs that will be available in supermarkets. Dog Joy Turkey Bacon for Dogs goes on sale in nearly 300 Tesco stores nationwide at the beginning of December.

These strips of naturally wood-smoked turkey bacon look and smell like human turkey bacon and will be Freshpet’s first treat to launch in the UK.  

Dog Joy Turkey Bacon treats are free from corn, wheat, soy by-products and fillers. They offer a good source of natural protein, are hypoallergenic and contain NO rendered meats, artificial flavourings, sweeteners or preservatives. 

Another ‘pet food first’ for the supermarket giant Tesco in the UK, Dog Joy Turkey Bacon will be available in the Freshpet chiller cabinet in the pet aisle, sitting alongside its already popular batched cooked, chilled fresh food for pets which launched earlier this year.

It’s been ten years since fresh pet food hit supermarket fridges in the US with the launch of Freshpet, a brand on a mission to bring ‘the power of fresh, real food to dogs and cats’ and revolutionise the way we feed pets. Its range of fresh, natural, less-processed and wholesome pet food is now one of the fastest growing pet food companies in North America.

In the UK, less processed, healthier  pet treats are also a growing trend and, according to a 2016 Mintel report, two fifths of British pet owners have expressed an interest in feeding their pets fresh pet food and treats that contain none of the nasties of more processed foods currently available.

Freshpet Europe’s MD, Cathal Walsh, said: “At Freshpet, we believe that natural nutritious food shouldn’t just refer to meals, but to our pets’ treats too.  By feeding dogs natural treats, pet owners can help prevent their dog from becoming over excited or badly behaved.

“We started ten years ago in the US, with a single-minded mission to bring the power of fresh, real food to our pets. Since launching in the UK earlier this year, the response has been overwhelmingly positive so we’re very excited to be expanding our range in the UK with this new product."

At its Freshpet Kitchens, these natural ingredients and everyday essentials are thoughtfully prepared and cooked in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. Freshpet refrigerated foods are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet Fridges in UK supermarkets.

The range has been developed by vets, scientists and nutritionists and includes meals for both dogs and cats in nine tempting recipes and now it’s first complementary  treat for dogs.