There are so several brands of dog food formulas on the market, at this point choosing the right food for your dog can seem more complicated than buying your own. Should I omit the seeds? Not genetically modified? Biological? wet or kibble? Protein-rich or carb-friendly?
One of the newer options on the shelves, freeze-dried dog food, has become a more and more popular choice in recent years. However, what is it exactly? And is it a safe option for your dog? Here’s everything you should know about freeze-dried dog food.
What is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
Freeze-dried dog food undergoes a process of removing moisture, essentially dehydrating the ingredients. From raw or cooked food, the mixture is first frozen. The ambient pressure is then lowered to allow water to freeze in the components to go directly from the solid to the gas, bypassing the liquid phase.
While it is a process, it actually involves very little processing, essentially eliminating the need to add preservatives and chemicals. When buying frozen dry dog food, the end product comes in many forms. From snacks and nuggets to patties and chews, each brand typically uses natural and organic ingredients to provide your puppy with all the nutrients he needs.
Pros and Cons of Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Like the human version, freeze-dried dog food has been dehumidified through freezing temperatures and a multi-step drying process. The outcome is a stable, dry product that lasts for years and becomes plump with just the addition of water.
When it comes to the health of our canine companions, diet is an integral part of their overall health. With so many choices on the market today, it can be difficult to determine which is the best.
When searching for the highest quality ingredients, freeze-dried food emerges as a favorite among other feeding options. They are available across Winnipeg pet stores. As with everything, however, there are pros and cons to frozen dog food that we should consider.
Types of Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Freeze-drying is one way to dehydrate dog food, but not all dehydrated dog foods are freeze-dried. Typically, dehydrated foods are foods that have had their water removed using hot air rather than the cold temperature process used for freeze-drying.
As with other dog foods, freeze-dried products come in several formulations, ranging from high protein, and high fat/moderate protein, to varieties that closely resemble traditional snack foods that include carbohydrates like potatoes peas, and beans. In each of these freeze-dried varieties, Roberts notes, protein is still considered crude, and in some cases, starch as well.
The Pros of Freeze-Dried Dog Food
- The nutrients are kept intact with minimal processing. Amino acids, enzymes, and minerals are retained, which is very beneficial for your puppy’s gut and digestive system. The lack of processing also eq`1c eliminates the need for harmful preservatives.
- Dogs love the taste of freeze-dried ice! Since raw, uncooked ingredients are used without extensive processing, the natural flavor of the food is preserved. This means that the fruits, vegetables, and meats used in the recipe will retain all of their delicious flavors.
- Freeze-dried dog food is lightweight, portable, and has a long shelf life. In case of an emergency or traveling, you can easily carry nutritious food with you to keep your dog healthy.
The Cons of Freeze-Dried Dog Food
- Once rehydrated, the bacteria in these raw foods can once again thrive. Although dogs can handle much higher amounts of bacteria than us humans, you should always make sure to refrigerate leftovers after adding water.
- Due to the nature of the freeze-drying process, food can become powdery or crumbly and turn mushy when rehydrated, which some dogs may not like.
The Bottom Line
For pet owners who want to feed their dogs a raw diet but are concerned about finding, handling, and preparing raw meat themselves, freeze-dried dog food can be a quick and easy alternative. And unlike conventional raw meat, “all commercially available [freeze-dried] recipes will be complete and balanced for all life stages.
Pet parents also appreciate how easy it is to find high-quality, organic ingredients, including grass-fed meat, in freeze-dried dog food.