As a dog parent, we all have a deep desire to provide the best life possible for our pet. It includes finding the right way to store their food.
Among the numerous inquiries about preserving dog food, the question I’ve encountered most frequently is, can you freeze dry dog food?
In this guide, I’ll lead you through freeze-dried dog food, offering a quick insight into its pros, cons, and all the essential information every dog owner should know.
Let’s delve in and uncover the details!
Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food?
Yes, you can freeze dry dog food. Freezing dry dog food is a way to remove moisture from the food while keeping nutrients.
This way, the dog food will be lighter and last longer. Your dogs will definitely like it.
Here are more details of the benefits of the freezing dog food method!
Preserving The Minerals & Vitamins – A Healthy Choice
Can I freeze dry dog food? Yes, as I have mentioned above. The first benefit of it is the preservation of nutrients.
It captures all the good stuff and ensures it stays in the food. Imagine high-quality ingredients like beef liver and duck liver lose their potency over time.
This method can store all those significant substances.
What’s cool is that even essential nutrients in raw meats, like amino acids, which can sometimes be lost or less effective in wet and dry dog food due to their cooking processes, are still there.
As a result, freeze-dried dog food retains all the essences of raw food but is safer. Another thing is that freeze-dried dog food doesn’t have synthetic additives.
Unlike wet dog food, which sometimes has artificial things that might mess with the nutrients, freeze-dried dog food is packed with less harmful ingredients.
Prolong Product Shelf Life
Freeze-dried dog food can last a lot longer than other types of dog food. The method takes out all the water from the food, which greatly prevents mold & bacteria growth.
With minimal water content, those microorganisms can’t grow, and the food stays good much longer.
So, if you keep the freeze-dried food in air-tight containers, no microorganisms can invade. It stays fresh and ready to eat for a long time.
You won’t need to worry about the food getting yucky or spoiled. Instead, your pup will have tasty and healthy food whenever hungry.
Protect Food’s Size & Shape
The freeze-drying process keeps the shape of the food intact. Freeze-dried dog food looks just like the real thing. Even fruits and veggies stay as a whole.
When I apply the method to beef heart, I can tell you that it is still fresh after a long time. There is no more squashed or mushy food.
Easy To Store
Freeze-dried dog food takes up less space, and it’s light, too. You don’t need to cram your cupboard or fridge.
A small bag of food holds a lot. Imagine there are no more huge bags of kibble in your house; isn’t it great?
Tasty For Dogs
Dogs love freeze-dried foods. Even picky eaters can’t resist the taste. The flavors stay strong and almost intact with the freeze dog food method.
Your pets will enjoy every bite; I can assure you. My dog feels happy each time he eats it.
Ready Anytime
Even better, you don’t need to cook or prepare. Just grab some freeze-dried dog food. It’s ready to eat whenever your pup is hungry.
There is no need for a fridge or freezer. Just keep it in a cool place.
Light To Carry/Travel Friendly
Traditional wet dog food often comes in heavy cans, while dry kibble might be stored in larger, weighty bags.
Meanwhile, freeze-dried dog food is significantly lighter than other methods of preparing and packaging dog food.
Hence, it is an ideal choice for trips or adventures. You can carry it easily. Just grab some, and you’re good to go.
What Are Some Drawbacks Of Freezing Dry Dog Food?
Should you freeze dry dog food? Yes, but there are some considerations you should take into account.
- Cost: It can be pricier than other dog foods.
- Taste: Your dog might need time to get used to the different tastes.
- Storage: Because it’s light, you must store it carefully to avoid crushing.
- Digestion Concerns: Freeze-dried dog food might not be as easy for dogs to digest as natural food due to drying and rehydration.
- Dehydration: A lower moisture content translates to a higher risk of dehydration in your pooches. Make sure a bowl of clean water is always around your pet if you go for this food type.
- Microbial Pathogens: Freeze-drying alone might not effectively remove harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
- Health Risk: Feeding raw or freeze-dried animal-based products to dogs can pose health risks for them, especially those with weakened immune systems because of hiding bacteria.
What’s The Difference Between Freeze-Dried And Dry Dog Food?
| Freeze-Dried Dog Food | Dry Dog Food | |
| Moisture Removal | Water taken out, nutrient preserving | Cooked at a high heat |
| Nutrient Preservation | Gentler on nutrients | Processed more |
| Texture | Lightweight, soft & crunchy | Crunchy |
| Feeding Options | Various options | Various types |
| Storage | Space saving | Take more space |
| Usage | Travel-friendly, daily use | Everyday use |
Moisture Removal
Freeze-dried and dry dog food both go through a process to get rid of water.
Freeze-dried dog food removes moisture by freezing it first and then turning the frozen water into vapor without melting.
On the other hand, dry dog food takes out moisture by baking or cooking the ingredients at high temperatures. This moisture removal step affects how long the food can be stored.
Nutrient Preservation
The nutrients are mostly preserved in freeze-dried food since the low-heat method doesn’t damage them much.
Dry dog food might lose some nutrients because of the higher cooking temperatures.
Nutrients like amino acids in raw meats, chicken liver, or beef liver can be better retained in freeze-dried food. Preserving these nutrients is crucial for your dog’s health.
Texture
Like fresh meat, freeze-dried food keeps a more natural texture, often softer because the freezing process doesn’t destroy cell structures.
Dry dog food, however, can be crunchy or hard since it’s cooked at high temperatures. Dogs might prefer the softer texture of freeze-dried food.
Considering the texture is important, especially if your dog has dental issues.
Feeding Options
You can feed freeze-dried food as a complete meal or use it as a topper for other foods like dry food. Dry dog food is a complete meal on its own.
If you want to switch to a raw diet for your dog, freeze-dried raw dog foods can be a good option.
Storage
Freeze-dried food is lightweight and doesn’t need refrigeration, which makes it convenient for travel.
Dry dog food is bulkier and might need airtight containers to keep it fresh. Storing these types of foods affects their shelf life and quality.
Usage
Freeze-dried food is a grab-and-go meal, as it’s easy to carry and prepare. You can feed your dog this type daily or as an occasional treat.
Meanwhile, dry dog food is suitable for everyday meals. Both options offer pet food in various forms, freeze-dried products or bags of dry food, to cater to different needs.
How To Freeze Dry Dog Food?
Preparation
To start freeze-drying dog food, gather your raw ingredients like raw dog foods or fresh foods (in my case, I choose to go with duck liver as it is my dog’s favorite food) and veggies like green beans.
Ensure they are clean and safe for consumption.
Freezing & Isolation
Place the prepared ingredients into a vacuum chamber. Lower the temperature to freeze the food.
It isolates moisture from food from the food and preserves its nutritional content.
Moisture Transformation
Now, through sublimation, the water content turns into vapor. The ice inside the food changes directly into vapor without becoming liquid.
This step removes the moisture. As a result, it prevents food poisoning and keeps the food fresh.
Vacuum Sealing
After removing the moisture, seal the dried food in an airtight package. It prevents food from becoming rancid and preserves the nutritional content.
Use a permanent marker to label the package with important details, for instance, the type of food and date of freeze-drying.
How Long Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food?
The freeze-drying dog food process takes a few days to complete. In my experience, it can take around 40-50 hours. Then, the food is sealed to keep it safe.
So, how long does freeze-dried pet food last? Several months. Indeed, you can store it for a long time. It stays good because the moisture is gone.
So, when you’re ready to feed your dog, it’s like new, and they’ll enjoy it just as much!
Besides, you may want to watch for signs like a weird smell, unusual color, or if it’s clumpy instead of separate pieces.
They indicate that your freeze-drying dog food is bad. These indications are similar to the signs that dry dog food is bad, so you may notice them easily.
How To Store Freeze Dry Dog Food?
Keep It In The Original Packaging
The simplest way to store frozen dry dog food is to use its original packaging. The bag or container is designed to keep the food fresh and safe.
Ensure the packaging is sealed tightly after each use to prevent moisture and air from getting in.
The food quality is maintained. The method also prevents the food from spoiling. If your dog food comes in a resealable bag, use the built-in closure to keep it tightly sealed.
Use Ziploc Bags/Airtight Containers
Another easy option is transferring freeze dry dog food into Ziploc bags or airtight containers.
When you do that, an extra layer is added so that moisture & air exposure can not harm your pet’s food.
Place the food in smaller portions that your dog can consume within a reasonable timeframe.
This way, you can defrost and serve only what your dog needs, keeping the rest of the food fresh.
Remove as much air as possible from the bags or containers before sealing to maintain the food’s quality.
Use Label
When storing this type of food, labeling and applying the “first in, first out” principle is crucial. Take a marker and write down the expiration and the open dates.
It helps you keep track of the food’s freshness and ensures you’re using the oldest food first.
Transfer the label if you decide to transfer the food to different containers. These simple steps prevent confusion and help you manage your dog’s food effectively.
FAQs
How To Prepare & Feed Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
Add warm water to the food in a bowl to prepare freeze-dried dog food. The steps are quite similar to how to wet dry dog food.
Then, you should also let it sit for a few minutes to rehydrate.
Mix well and serve. For feeding, follow the guidelines on the package. Adjust the amount based on your dog’s size and activity. Don’t forget to provide fresh water for your pet, too.
How Much Freeze-Dried Food To Feed Your Canine?
The amount of freeze-dried dog food depends on your dog’s weight and activity level.
If you switch your dog’s food to freeze-dry type, do it slowly. Start by adding a little to one meal each day. Keep doing this over 10 days.
And remember, give your dog lots of water to drink and adjust as needed. Please consult the package instructions and your vet for accurate feeding recommendations.
Conclusion
Can you freeze dry dog food? Yes. Freeze-drying dog food is indeed a viable option. It offers the advantages of prolonged shelf life and nutrient preservation.
However, while it has merits, don’t overlook the cons based on your dog’s needs. Any questions? Comment, and I will give you the answer as soon as possible!
