When it comes to dog food, everybody knows that you can choose between the wet and dry type, depending on your dog’s preferences and your veterinarian’s recommendations. However, these aren’t the only two types available on the dog food market, and people tend to know significantly less about others. In this article, we will cover the best freeze dried dog food to explain to you how it is made, what are its benefits, and which products are the best, so that you can decide if this is the right type of meal for your dog.
FREEZE DRIED DOG FOOD
The freeze-drying method was developed in opposition to cooking. High temperatures cause food to lose many nutritional values, and most dog owners don’t have time to always prepare fresh raw food for their pets; freeze-dried dog meal is an answer to their problems.
So what the whole process is all about?
Firstly, food gets frozen in the machine, then dehydrated and eventually dried. Most of the components that can be found in the best freeze-dried foods are raw or very lightly processed. As much water as possible is drained out from them, which keeps the contamination and bacteria away. It’s also why freeze-dried food can be stored longer than normally-dried kibble. Plus, you don’t have to worry if you leave the food in your dog’s bowl for a whole day, because it won’t produce any harmful bacteria.
Most freeze-dried dog food recipes are 80%-90% meat, and the rest are fruits and vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals, which make the food highly nutritious and rich in protein. Contrary to the majority of other types of food, freeze-dried meals contain the whole meat with organs, such as livers, hearts, muscles, and even bones to provide your dog with the best natural enzymes, protein, and the necessary minerals like magnesium, zinc, or calcium (e.g. ground bones deliver the optimum level of natural calcium that helps dogs maintain healthy teeth and bones).
You can find a variety of recipes: products made with chicken, salmon, beef, etc. The formula is enriched with natural fatty acids, such as flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin, or fish. What’s more, you can find different organic greens in these foods, such as parsley, broccoli, or spinach, and plants like dandelion root or yucca extract. Many companies make their freeze-dried foods free of various allergens or harmful components like gluten, grains, corn, or soy, so it makes the perfect food for dogs with sensitive stomachs, allergies and intolerances. The recipe takes after carnivore wild dogs’ diet, so the meat is always the number one ingredient; there also aren’t any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors added.
This unique method of food production allows all the ingredients to keep their nutritional values.
It’s true that freeze-dried food is a little bit more expensive than the traditional dried kibble, but it also allows you to rest assured that all the components are of high quality, very often fresh and organic. This is a guarantee that will keep your dog strong, healthy, happy, and what’s also essential, waiting impatiently for the next delicious meal you will serve them.
The meal is easy to serve. To prepare the best freeze dried raw meal for your dog, you need to mix it with water. Make sure that your dog has access to fresh water at all times, as this type of food doesn’t contain enough to keep them hydrated.
THE BEST FROZEN AND FREEZE-DRIED DOG FOOD
To make things easier for you, we have gathered a team of veterinary specialists and pet lovers to provide you with all the necessary information about freeze-dried dog foods.
Below you will find our freeze-dried dog food reviews so that you can get a broader understanding of what you should look for. Read more about recipes, components, and their nutritional value.
1. STELLA & CHEWY’S FREEZE-DRIED DINNER PATTIES GRAIN-FREE DOG FOOD
https://www.chewy.com/stella-chewys-chewys-chicken-dinner/dp/121085
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties is a high-quality, 100% organic-certified dog food that your furry friend will absolutely love! The unique combination of the best components will give your dog strength to play and the pleasure of eating. The main ingredient is cage-free chicken that provides your Fido with raw and natural protein. Minimally processed or even raw dog food is highly beneficial. Apart from meat (Stella and Chewy’s uses at least 90% of meat, bones, and organs in their meals), there are organic fruits and vegetables added, and all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the fermentation products, this food is also easier to digest.
KEY FEATURES:
- whole nutrition meal for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes
- made with cage-free chicken raised without any antibiotics or hormones, and 100% organic-certified fruits and vegetables
- suitable for limited ingredient diet and sensitive stomachs
- enriched with probiotics for healthy digestion
- free from grains, gluten, peas, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives
- the product must always remain raw – don’t cook, hear, or microwave it
- can be served as it is or rehydrated with water (always cool or warm, never hot)
- crude protein: min. 48%
- crude fat: min. 28%
- crude fiber: max. 5%
- moisture: max. 5%
INGREDIENTS: Chicken With Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Organic Cranberries, Organic Spinach, Organic Broccoli, Organic Beets, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Blueberries, Fenugreek Seed, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherols (Preservative), Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid.
2.K9 Natural Beef Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/k9-natural-beef-feast-raw-grain-free/dp/45430
K9 Natural promotes a healthy lifestyle for all our furry friends. If you choose their Beef Feast Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Foods, you can be sure you feed your dog only high-quality, natural components and wholesome, well-balanced, nutritious meals. K9 Natural makes sure to keep the food fresh and raw at all stages of its journey to your dog’s stomach. It’s 85% raw meat, bones, blood and organs from cage-free and well-fed livestock, enriched with fruits and vegetables for all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
KEY FEATURES:
- 100% natural and nutritious meal for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages
- the recipe based on the wolf’s diet enriched with vitamins and minerals required by domestic dogs
- 85% freeze-dried raw meat, crushed bones, blood, and organs from cage-free, grass-fed, and hormone-free livestock from New Zealand
- delicious meals made from only natural, high-quality, responsibly-sourced, non-GMO components
- no additives, artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, rice, rice gluten, cereal bulking agents, peas
- promotes healthy skin and smooth, shiny coat, joint health, and the right energy levels
- crude protein: min. 35%
- crude fat: min. 37%
- crude fiber: max. 2%
- moisture: max. 8%
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Tripe, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart, Beef Blood, Eggs, Beef Spleen, Ground Beef Bone, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed Flakes, Brown Kelp, New Zealand Green Mussel, Pumpkin, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Potassium Sulphate, Dried Kelp, Apples, Pears, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium Oxide, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement.
3.Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper
https://www.chewy.com/stella-chewys-stellas-super-beef-meal/dp/109900
Stella & Chewy’s use only high-quality components sourced from trusted and reputable suppliers. They make sure to provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to thrive and live a long, happy life. This delicious Super Beef Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw dog food can be served as daily meals, meal topping, or treats; whichever way you choose to do it, you can be sure to be boosting your dog’s overall health and mood. It’s based on the conviction that dogs should eat as close to what they would eat living in the wild as possible. Freeze-drying allows all the raw, natural components to keep their nutritional benefits.
KEY FEATURES:
- a complete and well-balanced diet for all adult dogs
- made from 95% grass-fed beef (plus organs and bones) and the rest is 100% natural and organic fruits and vegetables
- freeze-dried nuggets that can be served as meals, mixed with dry kibble or used as treats to provide a nutritious boost and an excellent taste
- no grains, gluten, fillers, soy, wheat, peas, artificial preservatives, colors, flavors
- wholesome nutrition enriched with probiotics for healthy digestion – suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- crude protein: min. 44%
- crude fat: min. 35%
- crude fiber: max. 5%
- moisture: max. 5%
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart, Beef Tripe, Beef Bone, Pumpkin Seed, Organic Cranberries, Organic Spinach, Organic Broccoli, Organic Beets, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Blueberries, Fenugreek Seed, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherols (Preservative), Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid.
4.Stewart Raw Naturals Beef Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/stewart-raw-naturals-beef-recipe/dp/128653
The experts from Stewart Raw Naturals choose only premium-quality, fresh components so that you can be sure that you’re feeding your dog only the best of the best. The food is freeze-dried to maintain all of its natural aromas, delicious flavors, and essential nutrients. It comes in the form of bite-sized nuggets that are easy and comfortable to eat and digest; you can serve them as wholesome meals, mix them with dry kibble or use them as tasty treats for rewarding your Fido.
KEY FEATURES:
- wholesome and beneficial diet suitable for all adult dogs, no matter their size or age
- specially formulated to provide your dog with the optimum levels of all the necessary nutrients
- raw, single or limited-source protein (real beef, beef heart, beef liver), and real fruits and vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, apples, berries and more) constitute a healthy, well-balanced diet for your dog to stay satisfied
- flaxseed meal and salmon oil provide natural omega fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin, smooth coat and strong immune system
- no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, grains, gluten, peas
- crude protein: min. 30%
- crude fat: min. 40%
- crude fiber: max. 6%
- moisture: max. 6%
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Ground Beef Bone, Broccoli, Carrots, Beef Kidney, Lettuce, Apple, Ground Flaxseed, Inulin, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blueberries, Cranberries, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Whole Ginger, Whole Parsley, Whole Garlic, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (As Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement.
5.Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Original Recipe with Freeze-Dried Turkey Dry Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-rawrev-grain-free/dp/141790
This Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Original Recipe with Freeze-Dried Turkey was specially designed for your dog to fall in love with its taste while also getting all the essential and pure protein, natural enzymes and necessary nutrients. This grain-free food is suitable for all dogs, even those with sensitive stomachs, which makes it a perfect product if you want to switch your Fido to a raw dog food. Wellness CORE takes excellent care of the quality of their components to make sure they provide all the dogs with wholesome, holistic meals.
KEY FEATURES:
- carefully prepared formula suitable for all adult dogs
- highly-digestible meal safe for canines with sensitive stomachs
- made with turkey and chicken kibble and freeze-dried raw turkey, which is the perfect combination of the two types of pet food to provide your Fido with high-quality protein
- the right choice for the first raw food – introduce it gradually, and it won’t upset your dog’s stomach
- free from grains, corn, gluten, wheat, soy, artificial additives
- crude protein: min. 36%
- crude fat: min. 16%
- crude fiber: max. 4%
- moisture: max. 10%
INGREDIENTS: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Freeze – Dried Turkey, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Liver, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Spinach, Vitamin E Supplement, Broccoli, Carrots, Choline Chloride, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Sweet Potatoes, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
6.Bravo! Homestyle Complete Beef Dinner Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/bravo-homestyle-complete-beef-dinner/dp/107953
Bravo! Homestyle Complete Beef Dinner offers grain-free, freeze-dried raw beef meals for your dog to enjoy the taste and get all the vital nutrients and benefits to stay healthy and eager to play. It’s made from beef as the number one ingredient, plus fruits and vegetables, all freeze-dried to maintain nutritious values, natural flavors and aromas. It’s recommended to mix it with water before serving to provide your Fido with wholesome daily meals. You can be sure that all canines will love it!
KEY FEATURES:
- grain-free, gluten-free, raw food for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds
- natural meal made from responsibly sourced components with added vitamins and minerals for the stronger immune system and better, healthier look
- no added hormones or antibiotics, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
- freeze-dried for freshness, excellent taste and tasty aromas
- highly digestible, suitable for sensitive stomachs and a limited ingredient diet
- crude protein: min. 38%
- crude fat: min. 13%
- crude fiber: max. 5%
- moisture: max. 20%
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Beef Hearts, Green Beans, Cranberries, Dried Eggs, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Turmeric, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols, (Proteinated Minerals and Vitamins), Rosemary Extract.
7.Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/primal-chicken-formula-nuggets-grain/dp/43376
It’s the perfect choice if you want what’s best for your dog, but you don’t have time or knowledge to cook them wholesome meals yourself. This Primal Chicken formula will keep you assured that your furry best friend gets everything they need to develop properly, stay healthy and energized, and keep you company for longer. It contains all the necessary nutrients from components that are responsibly sourced and carefully chosen. Based on wild dogs’ primal diet, it’s rich in natural protein, vitamins, and minerals, and helps your dog to stay in shape and thrive.
KEY FEATURES:
- inspired by wild dogs’ raw diet, this highly palatable, freeze-dried raw meal is suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, life stages
- the first ingredient and a protein source is chicken free from steroids, hormones, and antibiotics, enriched with fresh ground bone as the source of calcium
- certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins to support the proper development and nourishment
- the right levels of protein, fatty acids, natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals for the overall health of all dogs
- made in the USA with responsibly sourced components by Primal pet food experts
- no grain, gluten, corn, wheat, soy, peas, artificial additives
- crude protein: min. 37%
- crude fat: min. 37%
- crude fiber: max. 1%
- moisture: max. 2%
INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken Necks, Chicken Gizzards, Organic Kale, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Chicken Livers, Organic Broccoli, Organic Apples, Cranberries, Blueberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Parsley, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Dried Organic Kelp, Alfalfa, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative).
8.Meat Mates Beef Booster Freeze-Dried Dog Food Topper
https://www.chewy.com/meat-mates-beef-booster-freeze-dried/dp/146136
Meat Mates prepare their meals fresh in their kitchen with only premium, natural components, so that you don’t have to worry about making your dog’s food yourself. This meal topper is the best addition to your Fido’s daily dinner if you want to provide them with a fresh, natural, high-protein boost. Your furry friend will look better, feel better, and they will undoubtedly be grateful for these tasty delicacies you’re serving! What’s more, all the components used by Meat Mates are sustainably farmed, do it’s the perfect choice for everyone who cares about the environment.
KEY FEATURES:
- prepared with 100% natural, grass-fed, free-range, sustainably-farmed, freeze-dried raw beef from New Zealand
- freeze-drying allows the meat to maintain all the nutritional values of raw dog food
- hoki oil and rosemary extract added as the sources of healthy antioxidants
- mix it with your dog’s usual meal to provide essential nutrients
- grain-free, non-GMO, no artificial preservatives, no corn, wheat, or soy
- suitable for sensitive stomachs and a limited ingredient diet
- crude protein: min. 42%
- crude fat: min. 34%
- crude fiber: max. 5%
- moisture: max. 1.5%
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Kidney, Beef Liver, Beef Spleen, Hoki Oil, Rosemary Extract.
9.Primal Beef Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
https://www.chewy.com/primal-beef-formula-nuggets-grain/dp/43379
Primal pet food experts pride themselves on sourcing only the best ingredients and formulating them into complete, well-balanced meals that dogs get crazy for. This is the best option to keep your furry best friend on a raw diet that’s safe for them and not so time-consuming for you. The whole concept of this tasty and nutritious food is based on how your dog would eat while living in the wild, and it’s made 100% safe. It’s high in beneficial protein and naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals to make sure every Fido stays healthy, happy, and energized.
KEY FEATURES:
- whole and balanced nutrition for dogs of all breeds and ages
- made with freeze-dried organic beef organs and fresh ground bones for protein, healthy fats, and calcium supplementation
- essential fatty acids, natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals support the healthy immune system and overall health of your pup
- based on a primal canine diet to provide nutrition and help manage weight
- serve as it is or add water
- made with no antibiotics, hormones, steroids, grain, wheat, corn, gluten, or soy
- crude protein: min. 48%
- crude fat: min. 38%
- crude fiber: max. 1%
- moisture: max. 3%
INGREDIENTS: Beef Hearts, Beef Livers, Ground Beef Bones, Organic Kale, Organic Carrots, Organic Squash, Organic Broccoli, Organic Apples, Cranberries, Blueberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Parsley, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Dried Organic Kelp, Alfalfa, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative).
10.Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-Free Gut Health Recipe Dog Food Topper
https://www.chewy.com/instinct-freeze-dried-raw-boost/dp/170071
Specialists from Nature’s Variety created this delicious topper so that you can enrich your dog’s boring kibble with some raw, delicious, aromatic boost without adding any artificial ingredients and allergens. A short ingredient list makes it an excellent product for canines with sensitive stomachs. It provides all the necessary nutrients, such as protein, fiber, and natural probiotics to support healthy digestion, overall health, and good mood of your pup. And it does it all while also tasting absolutely amazing.
KEY FEATURES:
- a great, high-protein pet food additive for active dogs, even those with sensitive stomachs
- freeze-dried, natural, aromatic, and delicious to enrich every meal with more nutrients and better taste
- cage-free chicken as the first ingredient complemented by sweet potatoes, pumpkin, chicory root, apple cider vinegar and probiotics for overall health
- made with no grain, soy, wheat, corn, peas, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- made in the USA with only premium ingredients from all around the world
- crude protein: min. 36%
- crude fat: min. 30%
- crude fiber: max. 15%
- moisture: max. 6%
INGREDIENTS: Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Chicken Heart, Dried Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Dried Chicory Root, Annatto (color), Apple Cider Vinegar, Mixed Tocopherols (for freshness), Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus coagulants, Fermentation Product.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, freeze-dried food is one of the healthiest, the most nutritious option on the dog food market. It’s the source of real meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and superfoods. This unique production process allows food to keep all of their essential nutritional values. The price of these products may be higher than those of traditional kibble, but it certainly is worth it because of the premium-quality ingredients. Your dog will love the natural taste and smell of meals, so you will be sure they are not only healthy but also happy and satisfied. Give your furry friend the best freeze-dried raw dog food meal and see the pure joy of eating!
THE BUYER’S GUIDE
We know that researching dog food can get too confusing. There are so many types, brands, flavors, and ingredients that it gets incredibly hard to find the one perfect product, especially if you don’t have a broad knowledge of the topic. Of course, the final decision will be one of your dog; after all, your Fido is the one who will eat it every day and should undoubtedly enjoy it. However, our team of pet lovers and experts have gathered all the necessary basics about freeze-dried dog food to make it easier for you to decide if that should be your choice.
What is freeze-dried dog food?
Freeze-drying is the food production process of water removal that helps to preserve perishable food. It can be split into three stages: firstly, you need to freeze the food (that is to lower the temperature and let the fluids turn to solid); secondly, it’s drying/sublimation), which means that you reduce pressure to reduce the water, and thirdly, you dry/absorb (raise the temperature to cut the links between the material and the water). Apart from preserving perishable food, freeze-drying also allows preserving more natural nutrients, flavors, and aromas than other processes. Therefore, it’s a great alternative to a time-consuming raw diet, or another dried dog food.
Why choose freeze-dried dog food? What are the benefits for your dog?
Freeze-dried dog food is the latest talk of the town. Even if you don’t buy it yourself, you have probably heard people talking, you have seen it in a store, or while browsing dog food products online. Many people claim it to be superior to other types of dog food, but what is the truth? Is it really the best choice? How will it benefit your four-legged friend?
After some research and consultation, our team prepared a list of reasons why freeze dried dog food can actually be an excellent choice for many dogs. These products are aimed mainly at canines that are kept at a raw dog food or those that would like to switch.
Primarily, freeze-drying significantly prolongs the shelf-life of all foods. It can help you plan your shopping and meals more efficiently, reducing (or even eliminating) the amount of food waste. You can buy dog food in bulks, which will save you some money.
What’s more, the whole freeze-drying process does all that without sacrificing any of the food’s nutritional values. It also gets rid of the need for artificial preservatives and other fillers that are typically used to prolong the shelf-life of foods. Freeze-dried products are often free from artificial ingredients and other fillers, such as grains, and the quality of raw, real ingredients is usually higher. You know precisely what you feed to your dog.
Also, since the food is dehydrated, it eliminates the risk of most bacteria presence (as they need water to thrive).
How to choose the best freeze-dried dog food?
Since you already know what the benefits of feeding your dog with freeze-dried food are, you probably wonder how you can choose the absolute best product on the market. After all, the best is probably what you want for your furry best friend. The final choice depends on your dog’s individual needs and preferences, but here are some general rules about how to look for the best freeze dried dog food.
Since the food is freeze-dried to prolong its shelf-life while preserving all of its nutritional values, you need to look for products without any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors; there are brands that still add them to freeze dried dog food, even if it’s not necessary. You also would like to avoid GMO-ingredients, and other processed or unnatural components.
You want to find reputable brands that source their ingredients from responsible sources. Look for transparent companies, short and clear lists of ingredients with fresh raw meat as the first ingredient. Plus, many freeze-dried foods are free from grains, gluten, and other allergens, to make it easier for your dog’s stomach to digest. It may be a good idea to choose one of these products, as switching to a different food can already be challenging for your Fido’s digesting system.
How to feed freeze-dried food to your dog?
If you’re only just switching to a new diet or a new type of food, it’s essential to do it gradually. Start small by adding a small amount of new food to your dog’s old food, and if nothing upsetting happens to their stomach, you can gradually change the proportions of the new and the old food in your dog’s meals. It’s crucial, however, to watch how much you’re feeding them exactly. Stick to the same number of calories daily; it’s best to use a measuring cup.
Always stick to the producer’s recommendations and consult the amounts and the regularity of feeding with your veterinarian, as it usually depends on your dog’s characteristics. Optimal feeding amounts depend on dogs’ size, age, breed, and general health condition.
Since freeze-dried food is dehydrated, it is vital to provide your dog with constant access to freshwater always to keep them hydrated. Most freeze-dried food can be served with water as proper meals or used as treats, in which case you will need to make sure that your dog drinks enough water.
Also, even though freeze-dried food is not straightforwardly a raw diet, you need to be careful, as raw food, especially meat, can contain some harmful bacteria; freeze-drying significantly reduce their numbers, but it doesn’t kill all of them. Be sure to keep it away from other foods, and to use hot and soapy water for washing utensils, tabletops, and your dog’s bowls.
Freeze-dried dog food vs traditionally dried kibble — which dried dog food to choose?
Dry dog food, dried dog food, or dry kibble, is one of the most common dog food types on the market. Many people buy it, and a lot of them buy only that. It’s probably of great significance that it’s among the most cost-effective options available. It can be transported and stored well, without any special requirements, for a specific period. Commercially-prepared kibble needs to meet all the standards, including a guarantee of nutritional completeness, so you don’t have to worry about not providing your dog with everything they need. These foods are also available in a wide range of flavors, costs, and sources, and they require no preparation on your part. However, when you decide on dry kibble, you need to wholly trust the company when it comes to the quality of ingredients and the safe food manufacturing process, so it’s vital to find a reputable, trustworthy brand. Unfortunately, many companies use low-quality components in their products, such as meat by-products, sweeteners, and artificial preservatives. Of course, you can educate yourself to be able to tell a good product from the bad, but it’s not always possible for a customer to know. Also, dried dog foods are typically high in carbs, which is not the best option for all dogs. Plus, it may be stored for a longer time, but it looses its best values, vitamins, and minerals with time.
Freeze-dried dog food, on the other hand, is even more portable, as it’s lightweight and has an even longer shelf-life. It’s minimally processed, or even raw, and it doesn’t lose almost any of its nutritional values with time. It also has more of the nutrients to begin with, because freeze-drying is the only process that preserves the foods without stripping it off its qualities. Plus, you can be sure that there will always be premium quality ingredients in these products, and it’s better for your dog, as it’s both healthy and super delicious. The biggest flaw, however, is the fact that it’s one of the most expensive types of dog food, but you’re definitely paying for high quality here. You also need to be careful, because some freeze-dried foods are made to be served as treats or additions to proper meals, so always look for a product that says “complete and balanced nutrition.” Then, you will probably need to add water.
FAQ
Here, our experts are trying to answer some of the most frequently asked questions online concerning canine diet, raw dog food, best freeze-dried raw foods, differences, feeding rules, etc. If you don’t find an answer to yours, don’t hesitate to contact us, or look further on our website.
How long does freeze-dried dog food last?
One of the most significant advantages of freeze dried dog food and one of the main points of producing it is its longevity. But what does it mean precisely that these products can be stored for longer? It can’t mean endlessly, right?
Well, some freeze-dried products can last as long as years before going bad. There is a small amount of water left in the food, so it will eventually spoil, but you probably won’t be storing it for years. If it happens that you find a package of food that you have bought ages ago, you can sniff it to check if it smells bad or not. It should be enough to judge whether you can give it to your dog or not.
Of course, in the case of dried dog food, the shelf-life is longer if the food is stored correctly, that is in a relatively cool and dry place.
What’s the difference between freeze-dried dog food and raw dog food?
Raw dog food is fresh and has never been processed in any way. People believe that it’s the healthiest way to feed your dog as it’s the closest to what they would eat in the wild — mostly raw meat and plants, and no grains. Especially raw muscle meat is praised for its numerous benefits, while organ meat provides vitamins, ground bone — calcium, and fresh vegetables are what a canine would eat from the stomach of its prey in the wild. Raw dog food is often sold frozen.
Freeze-dried dog food is raw meat that has been freeze-dried to prolong its shelf-life; it’s not raw anymore, as it has been processed, but it has not been significantly changed (apart from dehydration). Freeze-drying allows it to keep almost all the nutrients that raw meat contains, but it can be stored for much longer without going bad. That’s why it’s the perfect option for all pet parents who want to put their furry friends on a raw diet but don’t have time to prepare their meals regularly from scratch.
What’s the difference between freeze-dried dog food and dehydrated dog food?
Now that you know almost everything about the process of freeze-drying, you probably wonder how it is different from simple dehydration. Yes, it’s true that you can find both freeze-dried and dehydrated food for dogs, and they are not the same.
Dehydration consists of a slow process of removing water or moisture with warm air from raw items in order to preserve them. There usually aren’t any artificial preservatives used, and the food is able to maintain its nutrients and natural enzymes. It doesn’t have to be frozen to avoid going bad, so it’s an alternative to raw foods if you, for example, go traveling.
How is it different from freeze-drying? Well, freeze-drying removes much more moisture from food than dehydration; therefore, it assures a much longer shelf-life. Also, it maintains much more original nutrients than dehydrated food. Freeze-dried food has almost as many nutritional values, flavors, and aromas as raw food, while dehydrated food loses around half of it. Plus, freeze-dried food, despite being nearly entirely dehydrated, takes less time to rehydrate, so it’s quicker to serve to your dog.
Why is freeze-dried dog food so expensive?
Freeze dried dog food has a reputation for being much more expensive than any other common diet. It may be especially surprising when you compare the prices of freeze-dried foods to the dehydrated, but here, you will find the key to its price. These two processes are different only in one step – dehydrated food does not get frozen and then dried. And freeze-drying is actually one of the most expensive food manufacturing processes in the world, not only when it comes to dog food, but food in general. However, many people still think that freeze-dried raw dog food is worth it, as it keeps most of its nutritional values, and that’s what food should be all about, right? It also lets you buy products in bulks because they won’t go bad, and it significantly reduces the food waste, so maybe it’s not that much more expensive after all.
