Freeze-Dried Food For Dogs: The Pros and Cons

When it comes to feeding your dog, there are an overwhelming number of options on the market today.

Understanding what each food offers your dog—as well as potential downsides to that diet—can help you make a well-informed decision for your furry companion.

Let’s discuss what freeze-dried dog food is, as well as the pros and cons of offering this diet to your dog.

What Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

Freeze-dried dog food is a type of commercially made raw meat-based diet.

It’s increasing in popularity in recent years, as more individuals seek less processed alternatives to commercially available kibble or dehydrated diets. Freeze-dried dog food is available at many retailers, including grocery stores, pet stores, and online.

Freeze-drying is a special process that removes the water content of the food while maintaining is integrity, such as its taste, smell, and general appearance.

To do so, food is initially frozen. It then undergoes a process called sublimation, where it’s exposed to low pressure and heat to remove the ice.

Finally, heat is applied to remove the remaining moisture content of the food to maintain its stability when packaged.

Freeze-dried dog food is different from other dog foods because it contains raw ingredients and is minimally processed.

These diets may contain:

• Meat

• Fruits or vegetables

• Natural preservatives

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Antioxidants

• Amino acids

• Fish oil

• Probiotics

A few freeze-dried diets also contain bone as an ingredient for an added source of calcium and phosphorus. Unlike many other dog foods, most freeze-dried foods do not contain grains or starches because the high protein content provides energy and digestibility without them.

Since freeze-dried dog food is considered a specialty diet, it’s typically more expensive than your standard kibble because the freeze-drying process is costly.

What Are The Pros of Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

The pros of freeze-dried food for dogs include:

• Extended shelf life: Because these diets have the moisture content removed during the freeze-drying process, they have an extended shelf life when stored according to the package instructions.

• Integrity of ingredients: Freeze-drying allows the ingredients to remain unchanged. This means that their taste, smell, and overall structure is not affected by processing, which is beneficial for nutrient content and palatability.

• Natural preservation: Freeze-drying itself preserves food because of the removal of moisture. Many of these diets also contain natural preservatives, such as tocopherols, which are sources of vitamin E.

• Nutrient-dense: Because freeze-drying retains the integrity of the food, nutritional content is not lost during processing.

• Digestibility: Since freeze-drying is a process that does not affect the enzymes in the food, dogs may have an easier time digesting it.

  • These diets are also high in protein, which is easier for most dogs to digest unless there is an underlying health condition, such as kidney disease.

What Are The Cons of Freeze-Dried Food for Dogs?

The cons of freeze-dried dog food include:

• Potential pathogen exposure: Freeze-drying does not eliminate all pathogens in the diet. Even with high-pressure pasteurization (which some companies choose to do), pathogens may be decreased but not fully eliminated.

  • Bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and worms that may be present in the diet can make pets very ill and are a serious concern. Raw diets are commonly recalled due to food safety concerns.

• Pet parent safety: Pet parents who handle the food can be exposed to food-borne illnesses—particularly salmonella—even with good hygiene practices. Dogs who are fed contaminated diets can also shed harmful germs in their stool, which can pose a risk to pet parents.

• Cost: Freeze-drying is an expensive process, and these diets are more costly than other commercially available diets such as kibble.

• Potential incomplete nutrition: Some freeze-dried dog food may not be formulated to contain the nutrients recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (an organization that guides state, federal, and international pet food and animal feed regulations) for a complete and balanced diet. Dog food approved by AAFCO should be noted on the packaging.

Pet parents have many food options for their dogs and must weigh the pros and cons when deciding.

Under the guidance of their veterinarian, pet parents can make informed choices about the best diet to feed their pet to promote long-term health and well-being.