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Questions
- What is freeze-dried raw?
- How is freeze-dried raw dog food made?
- How do you serve freeze-dried raw?
- What are the benefits?
- Is there bacteria in freeze-dried raw food?
- Is freeze-dried raw the same as dehydrated or air-dried dog food?
- What’s the difference between freeze-dried raw and dry foods like kibble?
- How much freeze-dried raw do I need to feed my dog?
- How do I transition to freeze-dried raw?
- Can I feed freeze-dried raw with kibble?
- How do I choose the best freeze-dried raw dog food?
Freeze-dried raw dog food is becoming increasingly popular with pet parents. It’s a great option if you want to feed a natural, raw diet that’s easy to store and feed.
Highly nutritious and easy for your dog to digest, most freeze-dried raw food is made of high-quality raw ingredients, minus the fillers and artificial flavours that you might find in regular dry dog food.
In this article, we answer your biggest questions about freeze-dried raw – from the main benefits of feeding this diet to your canine companion to our top tips for choosing the right brand for your dog.
What is freeze-dried raw?
Freeze-dried raw dog food is simply raw dog food that’s been through the freeze-drying process. Typically, to freeze-dry food, ingredients are placed under low temperatures and high pressure to remove the water content.
The process helps to maintain the raw food’s nutritional quality but can make it easier to serve and store. Like fresh or frozen raw, it’s minimally processed and contains high-quality ingredients that are beneficial to your pooch.
How is freeze-dried raw dog food made?
Freeze-drying is a safe and gentle method of preserving food. It’s used to make many of the foods you’ll find in your kitchen cupboards at home – from the freeze-dried fruit in muesli to instant coffee!
1. Raw ingredients are combined
The process starts by mixing raw ingredients like meat, offal, fruits and vegetables, and usually forming them into feedable nuggets or chunks.
2. They’re frozen quickly
These ingredients are usually quickly frozen under high pressure to preserve their freshness and lock in all of that tasty natural goodness!
3. Dehydration
Then, they’re placed into a vacuum chamber, which causes the moisture to evaporate – keeping the food raw but lowering its water content.
The combination of freezing and dehydrating removes the water from the food without damaging its nutritional value. Freeze-dried foods usually have around 5-7% moisture content, compared to about 70% or more in frozen raw food.
Some studies have found that the freeze-dried method could help kill off bacteria sometimes present in raw food.
How do you serve freeze-dried raw?
Freeze-dried raw is simple to feed. Serving can depend on the brand you've chosen, but for some types of freeze-dried raw all you need to do is weigh the food out and pour it into your dog’s bowl.
Some brands recommend adding a little water, and you can just follow the instructions on the pack. You could add a nutritional boost to upgrade their mealtime with a meat broth or healthy gravy.
Always ensure you provide your dog with clean, fresh drinking water to keep them hydrated, at mealtimes and throughout the day.
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What are the benefits?
Feeding freeze-dried raw comes with all the benefits of a standard raw diet – from healthy energy levels and digestion to firmer poos and better immunity – but with the added bonus that you don’t need to handle or store raw meat!
Here are some of the specific benefits of freeze-dried:
1. It’s nutrient-rich
Compared to other drying or cooking methods, freeze-drying causes minimal nutrient loss. The freeze-drying process preserves the natural nutrients in raw food, including vitamins and minerals, as well as the enzymes and amino acids – the building blocks of protein.
2. You can store it easily
All dog parents want to give their dogs the best diet possible. However, cooking fresh meals isn’t always realistic and raw meals can take up valuable space in the freezer. Freeze-dried has all the goodness of fresh ingredients but can be stored and kept for a long time.
3. It’s gentle on the digestive system
One of the biggest benefits of freeze-dried raw is that, just like fresh raw, it can be easy for dogs to digest. The highly digestible ingredients and minimal processing makes it gentle on their stomachs and could help their gut stay healthy. A recent University of Helsinki study found that puppies and young dogs fed raw food are less likely to have gut issues later in life.
4. It’s convenient
Fresh raw food is great for your dog but can be time-consuming to prepare and messy to serve! Freeze-dried retains all the nutrients but is easier to serve – with some brands, you can simply pour straight from the pack. It’s also easier to travel with and take on the go.
5. It offers plenty of variety
Like raw, you can often choose between different freeze-dried recipes that include a range of proteins and ingredients. Whether you've got a fussy furry on your hands or one with a tentative tummy, different recipe options make freeze-dried raw more accessible and appealing to more canines! Recipe variety doesn't just extend to different flavours for the sake of taste, it’s also possible to select grain-free options or cut out specific ingredients or meats your dog might be sensitive or allergic to.
6. It’s useful for treats
Feeding your dog high-quality freeze-dried raw food means they’ll get a complete and balanced healthy diet. Some brands also offer freeze-dried treats, which make for great high-value rewards when training or for enrichment activities.
Is there bacteria in freeze-dried raw food?
It’s common for pet parents to worry about bacteria levels in food. However, it’s important to remember that bacteria is present in all kinds of pet food, kibble and wet food included.
The contamination risks are generally low as long as the food manufacturer adheres to good hygiene practices and safety protocols. This is why it’s a good idea to research which brand you're buying from.
Is freeze-dried raw the same as dehydrated or air-dried dog food?
No, even though they may sound the same, they’re slightly different. Freeze-dried raw food is still raw. Dehydrating or air-drying removes moisture from the food but usually uses heat. Even at low temperatures, the food is lightly cooked and can cause nutrient loss.
What’s the difference between freeze-dried raw and dry foods like kibble?
The key difference here is nutritional value. Freeze-dried raw food contains the nutrients, vitamins, and taste of the raw ingredients, and it’s minimally processed.
Traditional dry food or kibble is usually processed using high temperatures, and the ingredients are cooked, which can remove a high proportion of their nutritional goodness that your canine needs in their diet!
Dry foods might also contain more preservatives and fillers, which aren’t beneficial for your dog.
How much freeze-dried raw do I need to feed my dog?
Most freeze-dried raw food is ready to serve – you can just pour the correct amount into your dog’s bowl.
Every dog is unique and you’ll need to feed the correct amount depending on their weight and age. Always follow the guidance on the food’s packaging. It might differ from the food you’re already feeding, so it’s always best to double-check!
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How do I transition to freeze-dried raw?
If you’re already feeding your dog complete raw food, you can immediately switch to freeze-dried raw. Just don’t forget to recalculate their food portions and check the instructions for their new brand of food.
You might also find that your dog is thirstier on a freeze-dried diet than their fresh or frozen raw one, as the moisture content is much lower. It's super important to make sure fresh, clean drinking water is available for your canine companion at all times.
If you feed another type of pet food or prefer to do things gradually, you can gradually transition. Try doing this across a week or so by gradually swapping out their meals. This will allow your dog’s digestive system to adjust, and you can keep an eye on how they respond to their new diet.
If in doubt, speak to your vet.
Can I feed freeze-dried raw with kibble?
If you’re feeding a complete freeze-dried raw dog food, you don’t need to mix it with any other food. However, if you still want to feed your dog kibble or wet food, you could use freeze-dried raw as a food topper to add variety and a nutritional boost to your dog’s meals or as treats.
How do I choose the best freeze-dried raw dog food?
There’s no better time to try out freeze-dried raw! There’s a great selection of high-quality brands out there. Natures Menu’s new freeze-dried raw range is made with 80% meat and 20% nutritious fruits, vegetables and superfoods and comes in easy-to-pour nuggets.
Overall, look for a complete and balanced food with a high meat content and ingredients you recognise. If in doubt, check the All About Dog Food site to check the nutritional rating of the freeze-dried raw food brand.
Check out our range of freeze-dried raw dog food brands in store or have a sniff around online today!