What Is Fresh Pet Food
When I initially wrote this blog post in 2014, I considered fresh and freeze-dried food different today, I look at fresh pet food as an umbrella over a lot of food options. Fresh food includes
- Raw pet food
- Fermented vegetables
- Cooked vegetables
You get it, right? Fresh food for pets, to me, encompasses food that hasn’t been over processed.
Why Is Nature’s Variety Freeze
Simply, because a large percentage of the moisture has been removed from the product. Most meats, fruits, and vegetables contain high levels of water. Removing this water results in the finished freeze-dried product weighing considerably less than traditional dry/kibble and wet dog foods. The ratio of Freeze-dried to wet dog food is approximately 1 to 5. So 120g of Nature’s Variety Freeze-dried is the equivalent of a 600g can of wet food.
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Primal Lamb Formula Nuggets Grain
This freeze-dried raw dog food by Primal is a convenient and safe way to give your pooch a raw diet. All you need to do is add water to the nuggets and your dog can enjoy.
Hormone-, antibiotic-, and steroid-free lamb organs, as well as ground bone are the main ingredients. This means your four-legged friend is getting a nutritious, healthy, and safe raw meal.
In addition to being extremely nutritious, this freeze-dried raw dog food is high in protein to ensure your pooch maintains a healthy weight. A good balance of fruits, vegetables, amino acids, fatty acids, and digestive enzymes are also mixed into this freeze-dried raw dog food for your companions optimum health.
Squash, cranberries, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, and flaxseeds are used in this freeze-dried raw dog food. Not only are these ingredients completely organic, but they also provide a great deal of health benefits to your pup including a shinier coat, extra vitamins, and a boost to their immune system.
All the ingredients are locally sourced, and the formula is made in the USA. No gluten, grains, wheat, corn, or soy are used.
A lot of the consumer reviews for this freeze-dried dog food report that it is great for picky eaters and extremely healthy. As well as being very tasty for your pooch, this freeze-dried raw dog food is high-quality and uses nutritious and wholesome ingredients.
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Help From The Experts
The food we give our dogs makes a huge difference in their health and well-being. So it makes sense to let the experts help us determine what is best.
Ollies veterinary nutritionists use the latest advancements in research to develop the best recipes for your dog recipes that include fresh ingredients to keep your pups brain function healthy, address allergies and gastrointestinal sensitivities, are proportioned for ideal weight, and use Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. All that delivered right to your door, for free.
Ollie has received rave reviews from both customers and industry leaders. Ollies customers have reported better weight management, shinier coats, and more. Ollie has received a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor and has named one of the best dog food brands by Forbes, and Readers Digest.
Starting at just $2 a day, Ollie is offering 50% off your first trial box for AKC readers, plus it always ships free. .
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
The Advantages Of Freeze Dried
This is where a freeze dried diet can be useful. It has the ease and convenience of kibble yet its comprised of the same ingredients as a raw diet. The food is not messy to feed so your dog doesnt get it all over himself or the area where you feed him. Ideally, the food will already be nutritionally balanced so you dont have to spend time choosing the ingredients or making the food yourself. Freeze drying kills the bacteria that sometimes poses a problem with raw foods. And the bones in the freeze dried food are already ground. You can still give your dog bones for recreational chewing to help keep his teeth clean.
Plus, freeze dried pet foods have a long life. If you keep them in their packaging, they can last a long time until you are ready to rehydrate them and feed them. No additional refrigeration or freezing is required. You can store them in a kitchen cabinet or take them with you when you travel with your dog.
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What Is Frozen Raw Dog Food
If you made homemade food in your kitchen, then put it in the freezer, that’s frozen raw dog food.
Now think of someone else doing that for you. Just as there are companies that make kibble and canned food, there are companies that make frozen raw food. Some of these companies make frozen in addition to kibble and canned, while other companies specialize in frozen.
You can buy frozen raw food from the freezer section of your local pet store or health food store. Or you can order it online and have it shipped to your house.
Obviously you store frozen food in your freezer. The day before you feed it, you move it from the freezer to the fridge to thaw. Once thawed, you put it in your dog’s bowl.
Oh, wait! It’s cold!
Some owners don’t care. They feed it cold and most dogs gobble it right up. That’s usually fine.
But I try to be kind to my dog’s digestive system by taking the edge off the cold before I feed it. I put a large pan in the sink, fill it with hot water, and float my dog’s bowl on top of the hot water for a few minutes until it warms up a bit. Then I feed.
Primal Nuggets, an example of freeze-dried dog food
How Air Dried And Freeze Dried Foods Are Made
Air dried foods are the ones that are dried with air. When air drying happens, moisture is sucked out completely. This makes the items look raw, but the product loses shape.
Freeze dried implies removing moisture from raw items totally and happens through a vacuum process. Then, the food is cut and placed into freezers at lower temperatures. The shape of the meat items remains intact throughout the process.
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What To Look For In A Freeze
Besides checking the price tag, theres a lot more to look for when buying freeze-dried dog food because you have to meet your dogs body requirements in every possible way. Ingredient lists and nutritional analysis can be made instantly when looking at the food bag, but whats more important is listed below:
- Fat Content
Depending on your dogs daily activity, fat content is considered. For example, an active dog who regularly follows a walk and running schedule should go for higher fat content because it provides more energy to meet the dogs energy needs.
- Fruits and Vegetables
Going for only meat might not be a good option, especially when youre transitioning from commercially cooked dry and wet food. In that case, the addition of fruits and vegetables is always helpful as they provide micronutrients and valuable fibers.
- Protein Content
Protein quality differs a lot which means they come in high quality and low quality. So, always go for high-quality proteins or food having more protein content, so you can meet the requirements without using probiotics or hormones.
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- Price
Since youve to buy a lot of food every month or week, it has to be reasonable. Otherwise, you would be spending a lot of money on expensive food when a cheaper one can deliver the same nutrition. Look for a reasonable price in the market and go for a monthly subscription because that gets more discounts.
- Quality and Safety
About Wellness Core Dog Food Products With 100% Freeze Dried Meat:
At Wellness CORE we believe firmly in always doing things the right way and never the easy way, so our freeze dried products feature only 100% meat ingredients. We produce our freeze-dried products in our company-owned facilities in Minneapolis, MN.
Wellness CORE offers pet parents premium freeze dried products such as Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters. Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters are freeze dried meat pieces that can be added to any current wet or dry dog food to customize a dogs meal and add some extra protein. At Wellness, we also offer Wellness CORE RawRev, which combines Wellness COREs nutrient-dense, high-protein kibble with pieces of 100% freeze dried meat evenly dispersed throughout the bag. The inclusion of these 100% freeze dried meat pieces in every scoop means your dog will get the crave worthy aroma of meat along with the nutritional benefits of high-protein, mineral-rich freeze-dried meat.
Our Wellness CORE RawRev dog foods are available in both grain free and with wholesome grains varieties. Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters can be added to your dogs existing food without transitioning, but if you are planning on transitioning your dog from a current food to Wellness CORE RawRev with freeze-dried meat, you should slowly transition your dog to the new food over the course of 3-5 days to avoid any digestive issues.
Has your dog tried Wellness CORE RawRev? If so, share your photos by using @wellnesspetfood and #WellnessCORERawRev on , or for a chance to be featured.
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Other Products We Considered
If you don’t think any of our top five freeze-dried dog foods are right for your canine companion, we have some excellent alternatives for you. If you’re looking for a complete and balanced option, consider Purpose Freeze-Dried Dog Food. It comes in five different formulas, each of which contains 95% meat and 5% veggies. And it doesn’t contain any fillers or artificial additives. The TruDog Feed Me Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood is made from 99% meat and designed to be rehydrated and added as a booster to your dog’s existing diet. Another excellent booster is the K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Food Booster, made from 100% green tripe, which is said to have a range of health benefits, including supporting the digestive system.
Freeze Dried And Dehydrated Raw Food Is This Really Raw
This post may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an aff-link.
DepositPhoto/zzkruger
Today you get double the information because I couldnt decide between F Farmers Market or F Freeze Dried and Dehydrated. So I wrote a post about each subject.
I was in a discussion online about freeze dried, and dehydrated raw and an Experienced raw feeder shared her opinion that those of us who use these products are too lazy to learn how to feed our dogs properly.
As you can imagine, I disagree.
The discussion did make me wonder is freeze dried and dehydrated pet food really raw food?
Ive always held the opinion that when heat is applied to raw meat, it takes the meat out of the realm of raw food. The heat puts it into the bucket of homecooked because heat destroys the nutrients and vitamins that attracted us to feeding raw to our dogs. But how much heat is too much heat?
But is this correct?
When asking a question like this, I always like to look to others who have more education and experience than I do, and I was surprised by the responses
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Potential Downsides Of Freeze
Roberts has two main concerns about freeze-dried dog food. First, when you take food out of its natural statein this case, by drying it out and rehydrating it laterit is never quite as easy to digest as it is in its original form, she says. Second, its hideously expensive, she adds, so the convenience comes at a cost.
According to Nielsen data, freeze-dried pet food clocks in, on average, at $33 per pound, compared to $10 or $11 for air-dried or dehydrated pet foods .
Many veterinarians also worry about illness-causing bacteria. Freeze-drying alone, without a prior heating/cooking step, is not an effective way to eliminate microbial pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, says veterinary nutritionist Dr. Megan Shepherd, who is also a clinical assistant professor of nutrition at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Therefore, I recommend avoiding raw and freeze-dried animal tissue-based products, unless the manufacturer can confirm that the finished product is pathogen-free.
All The Benefits Of Rawbut Without The Hassle
Rich meaty flavours 100% derived from raw ingredients
Easier to digest
No fillers or bulking agents means fewer stomach issues
Glossier coat
Retention of natural food oils for a strong, shiny coat
Stable energy levels
Free from preservatives that weigh your dog down
Cleaner teeth and fresher breath
No binding agents that latch onto teeth and gums
Heathier poos
A cleaner recipe for smoother, easy-to-pick-up poos
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How Is Dog Food Freeze
Freeze-drying is a special form of drying that removes moisture at very low temperatures. In freeze-drying, raw ingredients are initially frozen and then placed in a strong vacuum that converts the water in the food into vapor. You may already be purchasing freeze dried foods for yourself, with some examples being instant coffee or cereal with freeze dried berries.
The Benefits Of Freeze Dried Dog Food
So, why should you feed your four-legged family member freeze dried dog food? Heres a look at some of the benefits that are associated with this type of diet:
- Its highly nutritious. The best freeze dried dog food is comprised of the highest quality ingredients usually more than 90 percent is made up of real animal meat, marrow, bones, and other animal-based products. It can also contain fruits and veggies. Combined, freeze dried dog food offers a bevy of vital nutrients that your dog needs to thrive.
- No harsh chemicals. Since the freeze drying process naturally preserves the food, theres no need for artificial preservatives, which means that your pup wont be exposed to harsh chemicals. Additionally, the highest quality freeze dried foods are free of hormones and other agents that have been found to cause adverse effects.
- Its easier. While a raw diet can certainly offer your pup many benefits, its also pretty complicated. If you dont want to deal with the hassle of preparing a raw meal, freeze dried food is an easy solution just add water or mix it in with your pups wet food and hell get all of the goodness of a raw diet.
- Palatable taste. Lastly, freeze dried dog food usually has a highly palatable flavor. Thats because its made of the best possible ingredients and the flavor of those ingredients is locked right in.
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Pros Of Dehydrated Or Freeze
Considering your adorable dog, understanding the benefits of both dehydrated dog food and freeze-dried dog food will help in choosing the best:
Convenience: Both freeze-dried and dehydrated dog food are easy to feed you just need to add water and wait. They are great for packing when you are traveling with your dog.
Lightweight and Less space consumption: Both of these foods are better than kibble, since they are lightweight and are easy to store.
Longer shelf life: These foods can last for about a year . However, once they are rehydrated, they should be served promptly, and the leftovers should be refrigerated.
Nutritious: Both food types are nutritious compared to kibble. Freeze-dried dog food is the most nutritious among the three. However, you should read the nutritional analysis on the container just to be sure.
Not as messy to feed as raw: This is an advantage of both dog food types over the raw dog food. Badly cooked raw food can poison your dog if not cooked properly. To save yourself from this stress, freeze-dried or dehydrated dog food is the better option.
What Is Freeze Dried Dog Food
Freeze dried dog food contains many proteins, fruits, vegetables, minerals, and vitamins in the correct proportion. In this type of food, all the meat products are freeze dried to preserve the raw nature and deliver nutrients directly with minimum processing. This type of food is generally raw and makes a wholesome meal.
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Best Freeze Dried Food For Dog Buying Guide
We have concentrated so far on various products that are the best organic freeze dried dog food in the market. All the items were either in mix, nuggets, or broth form. We could easily mix up dehydrated foods with water to form a complete meal within minutes. The forthcoming sections will include a buying guide that gives all answers to generic questions about freeze dried dog food. Also, a small segment of FAQs will provide quick and knowledgeable information with proper facts to decide the best food suitable for your pet at home. As we did, choose the best flavor profile possible to get them licking the bowl completely.
A Word About Preservatives
Most freeze-dried dog foods contain a preservative as an extra precaution against spoilage. You may see mixed tocopherols or rosemary extract on the ingredient list.
Mixed tocopherols are extracts of vitamin E. Theyre technically synthetic, but they are an effective antioxidant that helps preserve the food. Theres no evidence of harmful side effects. You may also see D-alpha tocopherol, which is a natural tocopherol .
Rosemary extract is oily residue extracted from the leaves of rosemary plants. It prevents oxidation of fats and protects flavors. Rosemary essential oil is said to be risky for dogs who get seizures but the amount used is tiny, and for most dogs is safe. Herbalists Gregory L Tilford And Mary L Wulff say its safe in concentrations of less than 1% of the food.
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