What is Freeze Dried Dog Food?

Dog Dry Food Freeze

Questions

  • What is freeze dried dog food?
  • Benefits of feeding freeze dried dog food
Freeze dried dog food is becoming an increasingly popular option for dog parents looking to feed their pets a more natural, raw diet. It’s a great option for parents who may not like the idea of handling raw meat that looks like fresh meat or maybe don’t have the freezer space to dedicate to storing a raw diet. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about freeze dried dog food and understanding if it might be the right route for you and your canine companion. 

What is freeze dried dog food?

Freeze dried dog food is a type of raw diet for dogs that undergoes a specialised preservation process to maintain its nutritional integrity while removing moisture content. It starts with raw ingredients, which are quickly frozen to preserve their freshness. Then, these frozen ingredients are subjected to dehydration at low temperatures and pressure. This unique combination of freezing and dehydration effectively removes water from the food without damaging its nutritional value. 
Overall, freeze dried dog food provides a convenient and nutritionally rich alternative to traditional options, resembling what dogs would eat in the wild. Its raw and minimally processed nature makes it an appealing choice for pet parents who want to provide their fur babies with a diet that closely resembles what their ancestors would have consumed.  

Benefits of feeding freeze dried dog food

Feeding freeze dried raw dog food for dogs allows pup guardians to give their pooch all the benefits of a raw diet without having to handle or store raw meat. It saves on freezer space and makes it a little bit easier to prepare and manage for those who have never fed raw before. Studies even suggest that the freeze dried method even helps to kill off bacteria that are present in raw food. 

Dog eating.
Freeze dried dog food closely resembles the diet that dogs have evolved to consume over centuries of breeding. It typically contains raw ingredients, which are biologically appropriate for dogs, mimicking the natural diet of their ancestors. The freeze drying process preserves the natural nutrients found in raw food, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. This ensures that dogs receive a diet rich in essential nutrients without the need for artificial additives or supplements. 
Freeze dried raw dog food is lightweight and highly digestible, making it suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. The absence of fillers and artificial ingredients reduces the risk of digestive upset, allowing for optimal nutrient absorption. Regular consumption can contribute to various aspects of a dog's health, including skin and coat health, dental hygiene, immune system function, and joint health. The natural ingredients and balanced nutrition provided by raw freeze dried dog food support overall well-being and vitality in pups of all ages. 
It’s a convenient diet to feed because of its lightweight and shelf-stable nature. It requires minimal storage space and can be easily transported, making it ideal for travel or outdoor activities with your canine companion. You can go just about anywhere and as long as moisture doesn’t get into it, it won’t spoil.  

How to store and handle freeze dried dog food 

Freeze dried dog food doesn’t have to be kept in the freezer which makes storage options far easier. The lack of moisture in the bag means that it won’t spoil. Once opened you will need to tightly reseal the bag after use to stop any moisture from getting inside but most bags will come will be resealable for this very reason. It should be stored in a cool and dry place to help prevent any moisture from getting in the bag. 
When handling the food, it’s important to remember that while it doesn’t look or feel like traditional raw food, it still contains raw meat. You may be far less squeamish at the thought of touching it but you should use all the same precautions you might do if you were to feed your pooch raw. It should only come into contact with surfaces you can wipe down and disinfect. A pet friendly cleaner like Johnson's Clean 'n' Safe Disinfectant will easily keep any contact surfaces clean. If you were to feed your pooch a dry biscuit you may leave the bowl down for most of the day but dishes that are used in feeding raw food should be cleaned after every use. Washing your hands after preparing food or handling bowls is vital to prevent the spread of bacteria as well.  

How to feed freeze dried dog food 

As with feeding any diet, you should follow the guide on the packet when working out how much to feed your pup. Different diets will have different feed amounts due to the caloric density so you will need to recalculate their food amount if you are switching food. Changing your pup’s diet should happen gradually over the course of a few weeks to make sure they don’t react badly to their new diet, especially if you are switching from a dry biscuit or wet food and they’re not used to raw.  

Dalmation Dog ready to eat.
Freeze dried food should be rehydrated with water before you give it to your pooch to make sure they gain some hydration while eating. You should also make sure to provide clean and fresh drinking water as they can become more thirsty on a freeze dried diet.  

Top freeze dried dog food brands 

If you’re looking to try out freeze dried food for your pup then there’s no better time. There is a selection of high quality brands making freeze dried diets with only the best ingredients for your beloved pet. Nature's Variety Complete Freeze Dried Dog Food Chicken contains 80% chicken and is a great single protein source diet. Feeding a diet that only uses a single source of protein makes it nice and easy to track what your pup may be sensitive to or even just what they do and don’t enjoy. You can try all of their flavours with Nature's Variety Multipack Freeze Dried Dinners for Dogs. Each option has a different protein source but they’re all grain and gluten free so they’re gentle on your dog’s tummy.  
Another option for freeze dried dog food is Coya Freeze-dried Raw Beef Adult Dry Dog Food. The ingredients are 100% raw so your pup gets to benefit from all of the nutrients available. The nuggets make it nice and easy to measure and feed a portion controlled diet. It’s nice and easy to feed and another single protein diet option for your pooch. Coya should be fed to dogs who are at least one year old and above but don’t worry if you want to feed your puppy a freeze dried diet because they have that covered too. Coya Freeze-dried Raw Chicken Puppy Dry Dog Food is a special formula for puppies aged eight weeks and over. It’s packed with protein to help with growth and development while remaining gentle on their tummy.  
Freeze dried dog food provides the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of raw. It’s naturally preserved, easy to feed, and great for dogs with sensitivities. Talk to your vet to see if switching to freeze dried food is right for your dog. Â