Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food Better Than Kibble and Air-Dried?

If you are looking for a convenient, nutritious, and long-lasting food option for your pets, freeze-dried dog food might be the solution! While kibble, air-dried or dehydrated dog food is used a lot as one of the methods in producing dog food, freeze-drying offers several distinct advantages that make it the superior choice for canine companions. In this blog, we will do a deep dive into all you need to know about freeze-dried dog food.

What is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

Not all drying processes are the same. Freeze drying is a cutting-edge technology that removes moisture from food through a multi-stage process. First, the food is frozen at extremely low temperatures. Then, the pressure is lowered to create a vacuum, causing the ice in the food to sublimate (transform directly from a solid to a gas) without ever reaching a liquid state. Because the food remains frozen for much of the process the food has much less heat than other drying methods. Consequently, this gentle process minimises damage to the food's cellular structure, and results in less loss of delicate nutrients, giving a product that retains its original qualities much better than air-dried food. Nutritionally, freeze-dried food retains essentially the same nutrient quality as fresh, raw food.

History of freeze-dried food

The history of freeze-drying extends from ancient times to modern applications. Before the advent of vacuum freeze-drying, the process was used by people in very cold, dry climates such as the Arctic to dry fish, and in Peruvian mountains to dry potatoes. Modern equipment speeds up the process by freezing the product, creating a vacuum, and removing the ice by sublimation. This preserves the quality and nutritional value of the food, so it’s no wonder freeze-dried foods are a staple for space missions and for ultra-long-term food storage.

How does freeze-drying work?

There are three main steps in the freeze-drying process:

1. Freezing: The food is first frozen to a very low temperature, typically below -40°C. This process turns the water in the food into ice.
2. Primary drying: The frozen food is then placed in a vacuum chamber where the pressure is lowered. This causes the ice in the food to sublimate or turn directly into vapor, without ever becoming liquid.
3. Secondary drying: After all of the ice has been removed from the food by sublimation, a small amount of remaining moisture is removed by raising the temperature slightly.

What are the advantages of Freeze-Dried?

Vacuum Freeze Drying: Process of Freeze Dry at Frontier Pets

Frontier Pets have taken full advantage of the benefits of freeze-drying by using premium, human-grade, raw materials in our products. Formulation of the main Frontier Pets products are to the highest standard to provide nutritionally balanced diets with very high amounts of high-quality protein (greater than 40%), high fat content and low carbohydrate. These are close to the ideal found for dogs (Watson et al., 2023). This ensures the products are very high quality and provide the best food for your pets.

Freeze-dried dog food is the preferred option over kibble (extruded), air-dried dog food or dehydrated foods for several reasons. Firstly, freeze-drying preserves the nutritional content of the food more effectively. The gentle freeze-drying process ensures that the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the finished product of the dog food remain intact, resulting in a highly nutritious meal for your furry friend. For example, close to 100% of the nutrition quality remains compared to less than 80% in kibble pet foods (Butowski et al. 2019).

Process of Air-Drying

Extruded (kibble) or air-drying processing can lead to browning and loss of nutritional quality because of the amount of heat involved in drying. Also kibble and air-dried foods retain higher moisture in the food compared to freeze-drying, reducing shelf-life and leading to further loss of nutritional quality during storage. This quality loss is often seen as a browning of the product where proteins combine with carbohydrates, reducing the protein’s availability to your pet.

The textural changes during extrusion or air-drying can make the food harder and more difficult for some dogs to chew. Some kibble or air-dried foods might not be suitable for all dogs, particularly small, mini, or toy breeds, as well as senior dogs with dental issues.

In contrast, freeze-drying reduces the moisture content more effectively, making the food less prone to browning and easier to chew. This method can be particularly advantageous for dogs struggling with harder foods.

Freeze Drying vs. Air Drying

While a popular method for producing dog food, extrusion and air-drying can lead to significant nutrient loss. The exposure to heat during the drying process can degrade the nutritional value of the food. Vitamins, enzymes, and delicate proteins may be compromised, reducing the overall nutritional benefits of the food. Therefore, freeze-drying is a better option if you want to provide your dog the finished product with a complete and balanced diet that retains more of the delicate vitamins and healthy omega-3 fats.

Another advantage of freeze-dried dog food is its texture and flavor. The freeze-drying process allows the food to maintain the same shape and structure as when frozen while removing moisture. This results in a crunchy, but softer texture that dogs love. Additionally, the natural flavors of the ingredients are better preserved, making freeze-dried dog food more palatable for picky eaters.

Why Choose Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

There are many benefits of Freeze-Dried raw dog food and here's why.

1. Convenience and Versatility

When it comes to convenience, freeze-dried dog food offers unparalleled ease and simplicity. With its lightweight and compact nature, freeze-dried dog food is incredibly convenient for travel, outdoor adventures, or simply on-the-go feeding. The freeze-drying process removes the water content from the food, resulting in a lightweight product that is easy to carry and store. This makes it an ideal choice for pet owners who lead an active lifestyle or frequently travel with their furry friends. No need to rehydrate the food before feeding, just ensure the dog also has access to lots of drinking water.

In contrast, air-dried dog food can be bulkier and less travel-friendly. The drying process used in air-dried dog food often leaves behind a denser product, which takes up more space in your pantry or travel bag. This can be cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when you need to pack light or have limited storage capacity. Therefore, if convenience is a top priority, freeze-dried dog food is the better option.

In addition to its convenience, freeze-dried food boasts an extended shelf life. The removal of all the moisture during the freeze-drying process means bacteria can’t grow and spoil the food. This allows freeze-dried dog food to have a much longer shelf life compared to traditional air-dried or wet dog food. The extra dry food eliminates the need for preservatives, artificial additives, and excessive packaging, making freeze-dried dog food a healthier and more environmentally friendly choice.

3. Moisture Content

Freeze-dried dog food typically has a moisture content of less than 5% and often close to 2%. In contrast the moisture of air-dried or dehydrated food is 8% to 12%. This is much lower than kibble (8-12%) and wet food (75-80%%). The lower the moisture content, the better it is. Because the freeze-drying process does not use high temperatures, it retains more of the nutrients and flavour of the original ingredients. The low moisture content also makes freeze-dried dog food lightweight and shelf-stable, which can be convenient for storage and travel. It serves as an excellent alternative and a healthy source better than kibble and wet dog food.

4. Retention of Nutrients and Texture

Furthermore, freeze-dried dog food retains the natural nutrients and flavors of the ingredients. The low-temperature freeze-drying process minimizes the loss of essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes commonly experienced in other drying methods. This helps ensure that your furry friend receives a nutritionally balanced diet that nourishes their overall health and well-being. Additionally, the preservation of natural flavors makes freeze-dried dog food highly appetizing to even the pickiest eaters.

The superior convenience, extended shelf life, and retention of natural nutrients and flavors make freeze-dried dog food the optimal choice for pet owners seeking a high-quality, hassle-free feeding option. That's why at Frontier Pets, we call it "Raw food made Easy" and "The Raw Food, You Can Travel With".

Frontier Pets have taken full advantage of the benefits of freeze-drying by using premium, human-grade, raw materials in our products. Formulation of the main Frontier Pets products are to the highest standard to provide nutritionally balanced diets with very high amounts of high-quality protein (greater than 40%), high fat content and low carbohydrate. These are close to the ideal found for dogs (Watson et al., 2023). This ensures the products are very high quality and provide the best food for your pets.

5. More Digestible

Freeze dried pet foods are more digestible than air dried or extruded kibble feeds because there is less heat damage to the nutrients making it easier for pets to digest and absorb these essential nutrients. Additionally, freeze drying helps to maintain the food's natural flavors and textures, making it more palatable for picky eaters. This can lead to improved digestion and nutrient absorption in pets, ultimately promoting better overall health and well-being.

Whether you are looking for a convenient travel companion or simply want to provide the best nutrition for your dog, freeze-dried raw dog food exceeds expectations and sets the standard for dog food.

Why Choose Frontier Pets Raw Freeze-Dried Pet Food?