Written By: Dr. Kristie 

Dogs are wonderful companions! If you love your dog, you want them to be their healthiest and live a long life. Just as humans benefit from a healthy diet and lifestyle, so do dogs. When you feed your dog you want to give them the best possible food for their health, and you have lots of choices. These days, you can choose from kibble, which is dry food, canned food, and other types of canned or packaged foods.

 

One type of canine diet that's growing in popularity is a freeze-dried dog food diet. According to Naturally Dog magazine, sales of freeze-dried dog food will 525 million by 2025, almost double what it was in 2018.

 

What is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

 

Manufacturers make freeze-dried dog food by sucking the moisture out of raw foods in a freeze dryer via a several-step process. The result is a shelf-stable raw diet for dogs with a longer shelf life. At no point is the dog food exposed to heat and that helps preserve its vitamins and preserve its nutrition.

 

You might wonder whether this type of food really is better than the standard dog foods on the market. Let's look at some advantages to this style of feeding and why give your dog freeze-dried dog food.

 

It Doesn't Contain Preservatives

 

Freeze-dried dog food is less likely to contain preservatives. Normally, if you bug raw dog food, it must contain preservatives to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. However, manufacturers remove the moisture from freeze-dried food, so it won't spoil. Without moisture, bacteria can't grow and thrive.

 

The freeze-drying process acts as a natural preservative, which is how the food can last several years in your cabinet once it has been freeze-dried and packaged. After opening the package and exposing it to air, use the product within a few months though. Wash your hands after handling it, too. The components in the food are raw, so there is still a slight risk of bacterial contamination. Also, don't moisten the food and leave it out for hours for your dog to eat.

 

The Ingredients Are Often of Higher Quality

 

Kibble contains a lot of additives and fillers such as corn, wheat, dyes, MSG, carrageenan, and other ingredients that don't belong in your dog's body. In contrast, freeze-dried dog food is made from raw foods such as organ meat, muscle meat, and bone. Some also contain dried fruits and vegetables. If you choose the right food, it should have a higher nutrient density relative to the standard dry food or kibble.

 

Plus, freeze-drying preserves the nutrients in food because you don't heat it. However, even freeze-dried foods may lose some vitamin C. For dogs, that isn't a problem since they can produce their own.

 

More Palatable to Some Dogs Than Raw Food

 

Some dogs don't like the texture of raw food and prefer the crunchiness of kibble. Freeze-dried dog food is still firm, like kibble, so your dog may be more accepting of it than a standard raw food diet.  The firm texture is also better for their teeth and gums. Don't be surprised if Fido loves the taste and texture of a bowl of freeze-dried food!

 

Safer for Your Dog

 

This type of food also makes sure that the ingredients don't contain moisture, which protects them from bacterial growth. Freeze drying destroys the bacteria that can overgrow and become a problem with raw foods. However, since freeze-dried food contains raw meat, there is still a small risk of bacterial contamination if you wet the food and leave it out at room temperature. Yet the rawness of the diet is one of its strengths. Many people who feed raw diets believe that they are healthier for their dogs and are more similar to what their dogs would eat in the wild.

 

 Ideal for Traveling with Your Dog

 

Dehydrated food lacks moisture, so it creates a product that's lighter and more shelf-stable. That's an advantage if you travel with your pet and don't want to carry a big bag of dog food. Freeze-dried food is more compact and easy to take along wherever you travel with your canine companion.

 

 The Bottom Line

 

Freeze-dried foods are especially but it's still important to select one that has a balanced array of nutrients. When choosing freeze-dried pet food, consider the same things you would when selecting a raw food diet for your dog. The best choice is an option that offers a complete and balanced whole food nutrition diet with no artificial additives, preservatives, or chemicals. It should include high-quality protein, bone, fruits, and vegetables for balance. Also, be sure that the food has an AAFCO statement saying that it is adequate for your dog's life stage. Ultimately, it's most important that your pet gets the nutritional support it needs throughout life.

 

References:

 

"Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food? [Is It Safe & Still Healthy?]." 15 Dec. 2020, peteducate.com/can-you-freeze-dry-dog-food/.

"Freeze-Dried Dog Food: The Pros And Cons | Dogs Naturally." 16 Dec. 2020, dogsnaturallymagazine.com/freeze-dried-dog-food-the-pros-and-cons/.

"Is Freeze-Dried Raw Safer to Feed? - The Science Dog." 23 Nov. 2020, thesciencedog.com/2020/11/23/is-freeze-dried-raw-safer-to-feed/.