What Is Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food

Fresh Is Superior To Overly Processed Kibble

I don’t write this to slam a brand or attack people who feed kibble. Instead, I’m sharing information that I wish I had when I brought home two puppies nearly 7 years ago. I thought I was feeding my dogs the best kibble on the market instead, I was keeping my dogs sick.

We, the humans, are warned repeatedly about eating overly processed foods. We’re being told that fresh is best. However, when it comes to our pets, we’re encouraged to feed them a processed pellet day after day and we wonder why our dogs are sick.

Processed pet foods do not produce the lifetime of health promised by the pet food companies. They do not produce the lifetime of health seen when a properly formulated raw whole food diet is employed. Most degenerative disease processes in pet animals are the direct result of a lifetime being fed cooked and/or processed foods. This includes those so called super premium foods that have their own set of unique nutritional problems. Source: BarfWorld.com

DepositPhoto/happy_lark

Should I Be Worried About The Bacteria From Fresh Meat In Freeze

If you are thinking of feeding freeze dried dog food, its best to reach out to a brand in order to understand how they ensure the safety of their products. At Wellness, the quality and safety of every recipe we craft is paramount in all that we do. That is why every batch of meat that we freeze dry undergoes a special High-Pressure Pasteurization treatment step prior to the freeze-drying process. This innovative safety step adds additional pressure which destroys bacteria whilst maintaining the integrity of the ingredients.

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.

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We Answer Your Questions Around Freeze Dried Raw

• What is Freeze Dried Raw?

  Exactly as it sounds. Its raw ingredients ethically sourced meat, organ and bone and organic fruit and veggies that are combined then freeze dried. By doing this the moisture is removed from the raw ingredients, while preserving the nutritional quality and flavor. Simply put, its the benefit of raw while making it easy for you to serve. Perfect for on-the-go.

• How can you incorporate Freeze Dried Raw into a diet?

  Two ways. It can either be fed as a nutritious topper or as a complete and balanced meal. These recipes are perfect for those picky dogs who typically arent food motivated, or prefer an easier or lighter way to eat raw. Simply click on any of our products to learn more about the feeding guidelines.

• What are the benefits of feeding Freeze Dried Raw?

  Every Freeze Dried Raw recipe is made up of 85% ethically sourced and humanely raised animal ingredients combined with locally sourced, organic superfoods like spinach and kale.

Ingredient Transparency In Freeze Dried Dog Food

While home preparation of ingredients is a great and healthy option for your pet, it isnt always cost-effective or time-efficient. Nevertheless, you want to feed your pet the healthiest ingredients without having to start your own farm. Thats where freeze dried dog food comes in!

The ingredients in freeze dried dog food make this pet food choice stand out from other choices like kibble. Freeze dried dog food takes whole ingredients and freeze dries them to retain the ingredients natural nutrients! The result? Easy to serve freeze dried dog food with the natural nutrients and whole ingredients of a raw dog food diet.

Another unique thing about freeze dried dog food is the ingredient transparency that comes with some brands like Side by Side. Take a moment to picture the last bowl of dog food you served your pet. Can you point out each ingredient listed in the foods ingredients list? Chances are you likely cant. Because of the foods processing, many dog food brands lack ingredient transparency.

Common Ingredients in Freeze Dried Dog Food

To give you an idea of some of the tasty ingredients youll find in freeze dried dog food, here are various ingredients we use at Side by Side when preparing our freeze dried diets:

• Whole duck with bones
• Dried kelp
• Beets

Each whole food ingredient is carefully chosen to create a nourishing and species-appropriate meal. In the end, your pet enjoys real food in every bite!

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Why Feed Freeze Dried Dog Food

Perhaps you struggle to get your dog to eat, maybe you worry about your pup not getting enough protein or perhaps you just want to give him or her something extra! Feeding freeze-dried food is more of a personal preference than anything else, because while it has many dog care and health benefits it is not for everyone.

Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain

Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken , Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Chicken Heart, Dried Pumpkin

This dog food topper from Instinct is another good option for owners who want to supplement their dogs dry kibble. It is grain-free to reduce allergies and contains raw fiber and live probiotics for optimal digestive health and includes cage-free chicken, pumpkin, sweet potato, and more. This topper is a great pick for those who want to try and see if freeze-dried is to their dogs liking.

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Rawz Meal Free Dry Dog Food

Made with 100% human grade ingredients, this dried meat dog food is a strong contender for the title of the Best Freeze Dried Dog Food. The content of each bag of grain-free freeze-dried dog food by Rawzreg is carefully crafted in FDA and USDA approved facilities, and the first seven ingredients are meat products such as deboned chicken and turkey, chicken liver and turkey hearts all full of healthy protein that will keep your beloved pup as healthy as he or she can be. This product also contains healthy veggies such as sweet potato, spinach and broccoli.

Rawzreg is one of the best raw dog food brands when it comes to quality ingredients and fair-trade, and their products have meat from non-hormone treated animals and without added antibiotics. They know that your dog deserves the best and have dedicated time and research to find out exactly what that is.

Pros:

+ The first 7 ingredients are quality meat + Made in USDA and FDA approved facilities+ With broccoli, spinach, sweet potato, and more+ Grain-free and high-protein

Why We Liked It The effort to become the best raw dog food brand shows in the quality of this Rawz Meal Free Dry Dog Food we love that the first seven ingredients on the ingredients list are meat from quality sources!

Alternative product: Entree Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food.

What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Freeze Dried Dog Food

Freeze-dried dog food provides minimally processed nutrition for dogs which appeals to pet parents seeking an alternative to plain kibble. Excelling on taste, freeze dried dog food can be used as a full meal for fussy eaters, or a tasty topper for all dogs to add an element of variety to their meals.

• Minimally processed
• Preserves taste of meat ingredients
• Preserves ingredient nutritional value

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Feeding Raw Diets

Feeding raw food to your dog is as natural and as close to what they would eat in the wild as it gets , and a lot of dog owners believe these are the best diets for canines.

Some benefits of feeding a raw diet to your dog include:

• Fresher breath and less plaque/tartar build-up on teeth

• Healthier coat and skin

• Reduced skin allergies and food intolerances

• Easier digestion

• Regular bowel movements with firmer, smaller stools

However, designing your own raw diet to feed your dog can take a lot of time and effort. The usual ingredients for a raw dog food diet are bones, organ meats, muscle meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and some form of dairy.

As you can probably tell, raw diets take a lot of time to prepare when you make them yourself. When youve had a busy day, the last thing you want to do is go out and purchase and chop up a load of ingredients for your dogs dinner.

If you still want to feed your pooch a raw diet but want to save time and energy, then freeze-dried raw dog food is the best alternative.

Even though freeze-dried raw dog food is convenient and saves you time, your dog still doesnt lose any of the health benefits included with a fresh raw diet. Its a win-win!

Safety Issues Associated With Feeding Rmbds To Dogs And Cats

Most dogs and cats handle the bacteria in raw ground meat most of the time due to the consistent acidity of their stomach fluid . Occasionally, a dog fed raw meat does develop diarrhea from its food, but more commonly enteritis occurs due to dietary indiscretion.

Raw food is not appropriate for any dog or cat whose immune system is suppressed because of significant disease or immune suppressant medications. Pets with severe disease such as moderately advanced heart, kidney, or liver dysfunction, diabetes, or cancer should not be fed a raw diet that may contain pathogenic bacteria. If the owner wants to feed a high protein diet for diabetes or cancer, for instance, some raw diets may be cooked and vitamins added just before feeding, or an HPP product could be fed.

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Is Freeze Dried Food Healthy For Dogs

Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is Still Raw Dog Food. Cooked foods may be safer for immune-compromised individuals. Some dogs digest cooked foods better. That said, freeze-dried dog foods don’t seem as raw as raw-frozen or fresh raw foods, but it’s important to understand that they are, in fact, uncooked.

Stella & Chewys Meal Mixers Freeze

Here we have the best raw dog food to add you your fussy pups meal, to make sure he gulps it all down without further hesitation! Dogs love these Stella & Chewys Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw with 95% grass-fed lamb , plus a carefully composed mix of organic vegetables and fruit.

Every batch of Stella & Chewys best dehydrated raw dog food is crafted in their very own U.S based kitchen, where only the finest ingredients make the final cut. Freeze-dried raw dog foods will help your pup obtain a shinier coat, healthier skin, a stronger immune system, and better digestion, and best of all they will love you for feeding them the delicious meal we all know they deserve.

Pros:

+ Made in the United States+ Improves metabolism and digestion+ With added vitamins and minerals

Why We Liked It Lamb is a very mild meat ingredient that works great for many dogs with sensitive stomachs, and it has a high enough protein content to fulfill each of their nutritional needs.

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The Best Freeze Dried Dog Food

Author WDF Staff

11.05.2021.

Freeze-dried dog food is an excellent way of providing your dog with a natural, raw diet. However, preparing raw food for your dog can be a long and tedious process many dog owners simply dont have time for. Luckily, there are great freeze-dried dog foods available, and they make incredible raw food alternatives. Here is what you should know about freeze-dried raw dog food if you are considering changing your dogs diet.

How To Feed Freeze

This should be easy! If you buy a food thats sold as a complete diet for your dog, just follow the feeding guidelines on the package for your dogs ideal weight.

Then follow the raw feeders scientific adjustment method. If your dog gains weight, cut back a bit. If she loses, add a bit extra.

Recommended feeding amounts on the package are usually for food in its dry state. So you can just scoop and serve. But you may want to let it soak a few minutes in water first.

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What About Safety Are Frozen And Freeze

If you’re asking about safety because the food is raw, I cover that here.

If you’re asking about safety from dog food recalls, those have mostly affected dry kibble and canned foods. But yes, frozen and freeze-dried foods have also been recalled for contamination.

Any dog food made by any company can end up contaminated.

That’s why I recommend making your dog’s food yourself, if possible. Otherwise, you’re placing his health into the hands of some company.

I definitely pay attention to a company’s recall history when I feed anything commercial to my dogs, and when I recommend commercial dog food brands to anyone else.

How Does Freeze Drying Work

Freeze drying is a form of dehydration so the food you are feeding your dog with this method is condensed and has had the moisture removed. In most cases companies sell small bags or bars of freeze dried food compared to larger amounts of kibble or frozen raw food. You usually need to add some water back to the freeze dried food to rehydrate it.

The freeze drying process includes freezing the food, lowering the pressure around the food, removing the moisture, and sealing the product. The freeze drying process acts as a preservative which is how the food can last so long once it has been freeze dried. Other preservatives are not necessary.

• Get A List Of The Most Popular Freeze Dried Dog Food Here

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Castor & Pollux Pristine Freeze Dried Raw Meal Or Mixer Grain

If you are looking for real organic freeze-dried dog food free of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, check out Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Grass-Fed Beef Recipe. This complete and balanced freeze-dried dog food starts with grass-fed beef as the #1 ingredient.

Additionally, the cows raised have free-range access to natural, pesticide-free grass which gives your dog a healthier fat profile and more antioxidants. Furthermore, the organic ingredients are manufactured in a USDA organic certified plant. Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Freeze-Dried Raw Meal also includes organic peas, potatoes, blueberries, kale, carrots and apples for whole food health optimum nutrition.

Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Ground Beef Bone, Beef Broth, Beef Fat, Organic Dried Peas, Organic Dried Potatoes, Gelatin, Organic Blueberries, Organic Carrots, Organic Apples, Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Inulin , Salt, Potassium Chloride, Salmon Oil, Mixed Tocopherols , Minerals , Vitamins .

Caloric Content: 4195 kcal/kg, 310 kcal/cup

Choosing A Freeze Dried Food

When choosing a freeze dried pet food you should look at the ingredient list and consider the same things you would consider when choosing a raw food diet for your dog. Look at the amount of protein, fat, and fiber on the guaranteed analysis. Make sure that the food has an AAFCO statement saying that it is adequate for your dogs life stage. Many raw food companies make products that can be used as supplements they may feature lots of meat or vegetables, but they are not intended to provide complete nutrition. Be sure you are buying a freeze dried product that is for all life stages or for adult maintenance, for example.

When looking at the guaranteed analysis for raw and freeze dried foods you will need to convert the food to a dry matter basis, just as you do for canned food. Heres an example using Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Lamb Nuggets:

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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