Vital Essentials Dog Food for French Bulldogs
Vital Essentials French Bulldog food, reviewed: who makes it, what is in it, and what it costs to feed a 25 lb Frenchie.
- Freeze-Dried
- Frozen Raw
- Treats
- Complete and Balanced
- Prey Model Raw
- Private equity owned
- Made in USA
- Since 2011
- No Red-Flag Ingredients
Vital Essentials is made by Carnivore Meat Company, owned by Arbor Investments. Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002) is complete and balanced, with beef with bone and beef liver listed first. For a 25 lb Frenchie it costs about $15.08 a day.
- Vital Essentials was founded in 2011, by Lanny Viegut.
- Vital Essentials is made by Carnivore Meat Company, owned by Arbor Investments.
- Vital Essentials food is made in USA (Green Bay, Wisconsin).
- Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002) carries an AAFCO complete and balanced statement that covers puppies.
- Its first three ingredients are beef with bone, beef liver and beef lung. The label lists none of our eight red-flag ingredients.
- Feeding a 25 lb adult French Bulldog costs about $15.08 a day, or about $458.52 a month.
Owned by Arbor Investments
Vital Essentials is made by Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, Wisconsin, which Lanny Viegut started in 2011. Private equity firm Arbor Investments invested in the company in a deal that closed in November 2021 (Pet Food Processing describes it as an acquisition). Viegut retired as CEO at the end of 2023 and remains on the board. petfoodprocessing.net
private equity
Vital Essentials French Bulldog Feeding and Cost Calculator
Calories from the AAHA formula (70 × body weight in kg to the 0.75 power, times your life-stage factor). Amount from this recipe’s published calories (ME = 5000 kcal/kg, 260 kcal/cup). Price: $16.99 for 5.5 oz (brand site, November 2026). Start with the bag’s feeding chart and adjust every 2 to 3 weeks by body condition.
Vital Essentials French Bulldog Food: What Is in It?
Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002)
- Beef with bone
- beef liver
- beef lung
- beef kidney
- beef heart
Full ingredient list (source: Chewy)
- No chicken on the label
- None of our eight red-flag ingredients
- No rendered meals
- No peas, lentils or chickpeas
- No corn, wheat or soy
- Marine omega-3 source listed
- Organ meat listed
- A named meat is the first ingredient
- Label covers puppies (growth or all life stages)
- None of our eight red-flag ingredients found.
Vital Essentials French Bulldog Food Label Facts
- AAFCO statement
- Vital Essentials™ Freeze-Dried Raw Protein Beef Entree Crunchy Mini Nibs are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).
- Life stage
- All life stages, including growth of large-size dogs
- Calories
- ME = 5000 kcal/kg, 260 kcal/cup
- Price
- $16.99 for 5.5 oz (brand site, read November 2026)
- Made
- Proudly American Crafted
Is Vital Essentials Good for French Bulldogs?
- A chicken-free food (chicken is a common trigger for itchy dogs)
- Marine omega-3s for skin, coat and joints
- A recipe labeled for growing puppies
- Nothing on the label flagged for common Frenchie needs.
Matched from the label against our Food Finder checklist. Every Frenchie is different: itching, gas, loose stool or weight changes are worth a vet visit, and food changes should be gradual over 7 to 10 days.
Where Vital Essentials French Bulldog Food Is Made and Sourced
Where It Is Made
Carnivore Meat Company, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, manufactures frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food and treats. In 2024 it announced a new 235,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and headquarters due later that year. The brand says it uses customized freeze-drying equipment in a “low and slow” process at 23°F for a 48-hour standard. petfoodprocessing.net
Ingredient Sourcing
The brand says it uses traceable ingredients from strictly audited suppliers committed to responsible sourcing. It does not name supplier countries on its homepage. vitalessentials.com
“Strictly audited suppliers committed to responsible sourcing.”Vital Essentials vitalessentials.com
Vital Essentials Product Lines
The Vital Essentials Story
- 2011Lanny Viegut starts Carnivore Meat Company, maker of Vital Essentials. petfoodprocessing.net
- November 2021Arbor Investments' investment in Carnivore Meat Company closes. hl.com
- 2023Founder Lanny Viegut retires as CEO at year end; stays on the board. petfoodprocessing.net
- May 2024Heather Govea named CEO effective May 1; company plans a new 235,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and headquarters. petfoodprocessing.net
Worth Knowing
- Freeze-drying standard: custom freeze-dryers at 23°F for 48 hours, per the brand. vitalessentials.com
- Sold in more than 7,200 stores in the US and Canada (2024). petfoodprocessing.net
Where to Buy Vital Essentials French Bulldog Food
Amazon links are affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, BFB earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Brand and Chewy links are not paid.
More Vital Essentials Foods We Track
- Frozen Raw Protein Beef Dog Food PattiesFrozen Raw
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Vital Essentials French Bulldog Food: Common Questions
Who owns Vital Essentials?
Vital Essentials is made by Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, Wisconsin, which Lanny Viegut started in 2011. Private equity firm Arbor Investments invested in the company in a deal that closed in November 2021 (Pet Food Processing describes it as an acquisition). Viegut retired as CEO at the end of 2023 and remains on the board.
Where is Vital Essentials made?
Carnivore Meat Company, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, manufactures frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food and treats. In 2024 it announced a new 235,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and headquarters due later that year. The brand says it uses customized freeze-drying equipment in a “low and slow” process at 23°F for a 48-hour standard.
Is Vital Essentials good for French Bulldogs?
It depends on your dog. Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002) is complete and balanced for all life stages, including growth of large-size dogs. Its label lists none of our eight red-flag ingredients. It is chicken-free. Talk to your vet about allergies, weight or health conditions before switching.
How much Vital Essentials should I feed a 25 lb French Bulldog?
About 4.9 oz of Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002) a day for a 25 lb spayed or neutered adult, based on about 692 calories a day and the label’s ME = 5000 kcal/kg, 260 kcal/cup. Start with the bag’s chart and adjust by body condition every 2 to 3 weeks.
How much does Vital Essentials cost per day for a French Bulldog?
About $15.08 a day, or $458.52 a month, for a 25 lb adult. That uses $16.99 for 5.5 oz from brand site, read November 2026.
Does Freeze-Dried Beef Entree or Mixer Dog Food Crunchy Mini Nibs (Beef Crunchy Mini Nibs, SKU 8002) contain chicken?
No. We found no chicken, chicken fat, chicken meal, poultry or hen on the ingredient list.
How long has Vital Essentials been in business?
Vital Essentials was founded in 2011, by Lanny Viegut.
Sources
- petfoodprocessing.net: 17991 seasoned pet industry leader named ceo of carnivore meat company
- hl.com: houlihan lokey advises carnivore meat company
- carnivoremeat.com
- vitalessentials.com
- vitalessentials.com: frozen raw beef entree patties dog food
- Brand site (vitalessentials.com)
- Brand site (nutrition.vitalessentials.com)
- Chewy product page (chewy.com)
- vitacost.com: vital essentials freeze dried raw protein crunchy mini nibs for dogs beef entree 25 oz 708 7 g
Facts were read on the sources above in November 2026. Brands change recipes, owners and prices; tell us if something is out of date at hello@bestfrenchbulldog.com. This page is for education and is not veterinary advice. Listing a brand is not an endorsement, and no brand pays to be listed.