We know that all of these different dog food manufacturing processes can get confusing but that’s why we are discussing them. Freeze-drying has not been around very long. Applied to foods, it’s less than 100 years old. Freeze dried dog foods are a kind of dry dog food. The food starts out frozen with all of the moisture in the food in the form of ice.
Then it goes to a freeze dryer with a vacuum at very cold temperatures. At this point the ice in the food is changed to water vapor (this is called “sublimation”) and the frozen food becomes a dry product. After a few hours, the food is ready for the shelf and will not thaw out. It’s ready to be bagged and can be shipped just as it is.
This is different from dehydrated dog foods (also a kind of dry dog food). With these foods, which start out raw, the food is dried at low heat for short periods of time to remove the moisture.
When you buy the food you just have to rehydrate to plump up the food again and feed it to your dog. So these two methods are completely extreme ways of removing moisture from the food.
The end result for the two processes is similar, though many people believe that freeze-dried dog foods keep the food in it’s original state better.
If you prefer a dry dog food that has more “raw” qualities, then freeze-drying should be your choice since this process changes the original ingredients less than the dehydration process.
For many people, the freeze dried raw diet is a simple version of feeding a raw diet.
Freeze-dried dog foods are often made by the same companies that make raw food or frozen raw diets. Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw, for example, has several raw frozen diets in different formats such as bites, small bites, patties, and medallions.
They also make foods that contain freeze dried raw such as Instinct Raw Boost. This is a kibble that includes freeze-dried raw pieces.
Stella & Chewy’s makes raw frozen and freeze-dried foods. They have a wide range of freeze-dried dinner patties in different formulas and mixers.
As you might guess, freeze-dried foods are expensive but they are very calorie-dense. You don’t have to feed your dog very much of one of these foods for him to consume an entire meal’s worth of calories.
Like dehydrated dog foods, freeze-dried foods last a long time. You can feed freeze-dried foods straight from the bag. (Make sure you check the feeding instructions for any food. Some individual brands may be different.)
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People often like freeze dried foods because they are high in protein. One thing you have to watch, however, is the fat percentage in the food. Many of these foods are very high in fat. This may not agree with some dogs.
Even if your dog likes the fat and has no trouble digesting it, it may quickly put extra weight on him, so watch his condition and adjust his meals/diet accordingly.
There are lots of good reasons to consider a freeze-dried diet for your dog. You can buy samples from some companies if you want to see how your dog responds to these foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is freeze dried food healthy for dogs?
Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is Still Raw Dog Food. Cooked foods may be safer for immune-compromised individuals. Some dogs digest cooked foods better. That said, freeze-dried dog foods don't seem as raw as raw-frozen or fresh raw foods, but it's important to understand that they are, in fact, uncooked.
Is freeze dried dog food as good as raw?
The freeze dried is more concentrated due to lack of moisture but it's still essentially the same exact product with approximately the same Kcals. It is best to rehydrate your freeze-dried formulas particularly if this is the primary diet for your pet.
Which is better freeze dried or dehydrated dog food?
Freeze drying preserves more of the nutritional content of the food than dehydrating, as proteins, vitamins, and minerals stay intact due to freezing before drying. The process of air-drying food, while similar to dehydration, produces an extremely nutrient-dense food with scoop-and-serve convenience.
How long does freeze dried dog food last after opening?
1-3 weeks. As a general rule, most manufacturers recommend using opened packages within one to three weeks after opening — Treat any leftover food as you would fresh food.
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An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
