We know that a dog owner always strives to feed the best to their pups, and for that we have brought the best hassle-free option.
It is known that spending time on cutting and storing raw meat for your dog can be a bit challenging. Some might find that too time taking. But on the other hand you want to feed your dog the goodness of meat as well.
Some popular brands of freeze-dried dog food include Stella & Chewy’s, Primal Pet Foods. It’s important to remember that every dog is different, so what works for one dog may not work for another.
It is a great source of protein-rich meat and quality grain-free nutrition for your pet.
Why is Freeze Dried Food Essential for Dogs?
Freeze-Dried food is considered better than any other canned or preserved dog foods. This is because it retains its originality and has the same texture as of cooked or raw food.
Feeding the right amount of raw or cooked food is always a better option than other grains or filler diets. Your dog must have food that is palatable and tastes real.
Freeze-dried food ranges come in raw or cooked varieties from which you can choose. Just adding the appropriate amount of water makes the food gain its original state with all the nutrients preserved.
Read more: Best holistic dog food
Freeze-Dried Dog Foods vs. Raw Foods
Raw food is always preferred for the amount of natural nutrients it has but what if freeze-dried foods serves your dog the same while saving your time as well? Let us see how both differ and which is a better option.
| Raw Food | Freeze-dried Food |
| They can be bought easily from anywhere such as raw meat, poultry, veggies or fruits. | Has to be picked very specifically from a superstore having renowned brands. |
| Can be time taking in terms of preparation. | Easy to prepare and takes minutes only to prepare. |
| Has all the nutrients that your dog needs with real texture and taste of the food. | Has maximum nutrients and taste but is still not compared to that of raw food. |
| Very cheap to buy. | Can be highly expensive. |
| Tricky to store and has a lesser shelf-life. | Easy to store and has the longest shelf life. |
It clearly depicts how Freeze dried food can be an exceptional alternative to raw food if you can bear the expense.
Types of Freeze-Dried Dog Foods
Based on the forms and ingredients, freeze-dried food can have several ranges. They all don’t totally different from each other but still possess some characteristics that you must know.
Low Carbs Freeze-Dried Food
This type of Freeze-dried food posssess mainly of meat components such as meat, vital organs and meaty bones. Hence making the diet overall rich in proteins. Such diets conatin 99% protein components and only 1% of the food has other fats, vitamins or essential minerals.
Low Protein Freeze-Dried Food
If you are giving your dog raw meat and protein sources then he clearly doesn’t need a diet which has to be protein in major.
You can opt for this type of product instead which has more carbs, fats, vitamins and essential oils. These foods are given in a lesser proportion as a dog doesn’t need these in abundance.
Raw Freeze-Dried Food
This type will have natural chunks of meat, fruits and veggies which you can clearly see. These components have been preserved by absorbing all the moisture and as you add water to them, the food regains its original texture and taste.
Cooked or Processed Freeze-Dried Food
This type has meat or other poultry and veggie material processed, cooked and mixed to give a shape of nuggets or sausages. They are a mixed diet which has all essential nutrients in every piece your dog eats. The taste might not be the same as separate meat stuff but it still tastes fine.
Things to Look for Before Choosing Freeze-Dried Dog Foods
Buying the best product of freeze-dried dog food may seem like an easy shopping trip, but it can be tough when you’ll have a number of options in front of you.
Choosing the best one that fits your dog’s need has to be the priority as you are spending a lot of money for your pup’s diet.
Product Manufacturing
Freeze-dried food are often found in forms which are imported. Imported food products have no guarantee of safety if the country is little susceptible. They might be cheaper but you really can’t guarantee what is being served inside the packet.
To make sure you are buying the right manufacturer, always pick a product that states to be made in USA or Canada. These products are approved by vets and have tend to give better results as well.
Portion Size
Meal size is fixed and is written on every packet that is available. You need to see which doses can your dog eat. Buying a diet for small dogs that is suitable for large dogs isn’t going to do any good.
So always read the instructions mentioned on the package and buy only if it matches your dog’s weight and description.
Taste
Many dogs are very picky eaters when its comes to their mealtime. You need to know what your dog likes and what he doesn’t before spending your money that is later going to be wasted.
If your dog has been eating raw food since the beginning then switching him on kibble diet or processed chunks will be much difficult.
You must get the raw freeze-dried food range for him as it has real meat, fruit and veggie chunks in it with almost an original taste.
Ingredients
We’ve defined how much importance ingredients hold in any diet. You need to focus on giving your dog the best proportion which is meat, good fat, fiber, veggies, fruits, and carbs which are essential for his growth.
Refrain from buying any product that comes with, or even has a suspicion of having, artificial preservatives, food colors, GMOs or any other harmful substances which have been listed later in this article.
Packet size
Freeze-dried food is not always very cheap and can cross your budget. But if you are willing to buy one for your dog, then buy the size of package which is suitable for you.
A smaller packet can go a long way. This is because the food portion increases as you add water to it. So buy a smaller packet for getting used to at first before going for a larger one directly.
Budget
Like any other product, food also has to be under your budget. Feeding your dog the best is essential but it shouldn’t be a financial burden.
If you can afford it, go for the brands that are best known but if you are looking for a freeze-dried food product that comes under your budget, that’s still not a problem. You can find many products which have good reviews and are affordable as well.
Harmful Considerations for Freeze-Dried Dog Foods
While freeze-dried food is a much healthier option than any other industrial food source, there still are some ingredients that you should avoid such as:
- Wheat, gluten, or corn.
- By-products or Meat and grain meals.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- Ethoxyquin
- Food Dyes such as Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE, etc)
- Propylene Glycol (PG).
- Rendered Fat
- BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
These substances may harm your dog’s health in several ways. So it is better to avoid any product that has any of them. There are products in the market which don’t contain any of them and we have listed such options for you.
The Usefulness of Freeze-Dried Dog Foods
Before choosing a freeze-dried dog food, there are several things you should consider:
Full of Natural Nutritions
The composition and ingredients of a freez-dried diet has all the natural ingredients that your dog must have. They are dried only to make them last longer. Also, with zero artificial additives.
It preserves the natural texture and nutrients of the food which are essential for your dogs. You will find natural meat, veggie and fruit chunks in the diet which is a wholesome meal for your pup.
Saves your Time and Effort
For giving your dog natural meat nutrition, many have to purchase, prepare and store the meat themselves which is a time taking task. While some dog owners have a busy schedule to manage all that.
For this reason, dried food option is always the best. It is natural and saves your time. Neither does it require any extra efforts in storage and keeps your tension free.
Tastes Good
Your dog can get bored of a typical kibble diet. He needs to have something palatable too. For that, these dried food items serves in the form of natural meat or food chunks which have its natural taste with which your dog will fall in love.
Easy to Prepare
Nothing can be easier than just adding some water. Yes you heard it right! Freeze-dried dog food ranges just needs some water for regaining its edible form.
Once they are hydrated well, they are ready to eat. The food readily absorbs the water and regains its natural texture within a matter of seconds.
Important Tips
- Make sure you pick the right product with high protein and low carbs ratio.
- Don’t overfill your dog’s bowl even if he is hungry. The diet amount has to be fixed according to your pup’s weight.
- Maintain a schedule for feeding your dog so that he doesn’t skip any meal or overeat at once.
- If you are giving freeze-dried food in smaller portions, then maintain the rest of your dog’s diet with adequate amount of kibble.
- Read the chart and instructions before use.
- Always be accurate in adding the amount of water to the food.
- Make sure you store the packet in a cool and dry place. You can easily store it in a cabinet within an air-tight jar so that it doesn’t catch any moisture.
Conclusion
Considering how much important it can be, freeze-dried food items have to be selected very precisely according to your dog’s needs.
They serve well in terms of nutrients and saves you a lot of time in preparing raw food. With our buying guide, you can know all that you need to, and find the best product for your pup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freeze-dried dog food be used as a topper for kibble?
Yes, freeze-dried dog food can be used as a topper for kibble to add flavor and nutrition to your dog’s meal.
Is freeze-dried dog food good for your dog?
Yes absolutely! Freeze-dried dog food is very essential for your dog in terms of both nutrients and taste. Your dog can feel the taste of real food while you don’t have to prepare it or worry about storing it.
Is freeze-dried dog food considered raw?
It depends on the type you are buying. Some are raw while some are half or full cooked before drying. Both types serves their nutrieints well.
How much healthy is freeze-dried dog food?
It is as healthy as raw food. It contains same or more nutrients as the raw meat, fruits and veggies which you want to feed your dog but can’t because of too much time taking preparation.
While this type of food products saves your time and energy along with providing the same nutrients to your pup.
Do you have to add water to freeze-dried dog food?
Yes. An adequate amount of water is always needed to be added before you serve it to your dog. The amount or water is mentioned on the product you are buying. Water makes the food regain its original texture and is then ready to eat.
Are there any downsides to feeding my dog freeze-dried dog food?
One potential downside to feeding your dog freeze-dried dog food is that it can be more expensive than other types of dog food.
Some dogs may not like the taste or texture of freeze-dried dog food. As with any changes to your dog’s diet, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian first.
