What’s the Difference Between Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
After reading about the benefits of dehydrated dog food and how its made, you may be wondering how it differs from natural freeze-dried dog food.
The main difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food is the method used to remove the moisture content.
As explained above, dehydrated dog food is made by using warm air to remove the moisture from the ingredients. Freeze-dried dog food, on the other hand, is made using a three-step freezing, absorption, and sublimation process.
Dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food share many of the same benefits. However, freeze-dried dog food typically contains a higher concentration of nutrients due to the gentler processing used to make it.
Additionally, freeze-dried dog food is often more expensive than dehydrated dog food. This is because the manufacturing process is more complex and time-consuming.
Both of these types of food are excellent choices for your dog, so its up to you to decide which one is right for your pet. For most pet parents, the choice comes down to a matter of budget and personal preference.
What Are The Benefits of Dehydrated Dog Food?
There are many reasons why dehydrated dog food is becoming a popular choice among pet parents. In this section, well highlight some of the most notable benefits associated with this type of pet food.
One of the biggest advantages of dehydrated dog food is that its highly nutritious. As we mentioned earlier, dehydrated foods retain many of their original nutrients thanks to the low-heat cooking process used to make them. This means that your dog will be getting all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.
Since its minimally processed, dehydrated dog food is also free from many of the artificial additives and preservatives found in traditional kibble. This makes it a great choice for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
Because of the way dehydrated dog food is made, its also a very safe option for your pet. In particular, the low-heat cooking process helps to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present in the ingredients. This means that you can rest assured knowing that your dog is getting a safe and healthy meal.
Another big benefit of dehydrated dog food is that its very convenient. This type of food is easy to store and doesnt require any special preparation. Simply add a little water or bone broth to rehydrate the ingredients, and youre good to go. This makes dehydrated dog food a great option for busy pet parents who dont have a lot of time to prepare meals.
A further advantage of dehydrated dog food is that its easy to store. Unlike traditional kibble, dehydrated food doesnt require a lot of space. This makes it a great option for pet parents who live in small homes or apartments. Additionally, dehydrated dog food has a long shelf life and doesnt require refrigeration, which makes it even more convenient.
The methods used to radically lower the moisture content of rehydrated or freeze-dried foods have the following advantages over baking or extruding the foods at high temperatures:
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 contains zero-tolerance policies for pet foods that test positive for pathogenic bacteria. For this reason, some of the manufacturers of freeze-dried raw foods subject their products to a “kill step” known as high-pressure processing (also known as high-pressure pasteurization, and in either case abbreviated as HPP); they don’t want to risk increased surveillance or recalls from food control officials.
There are food-industry experts who feel strongly that HPP is a very safe technology, and others who worry that it may alter foods on a molecular level. We feel fine about HPP; we’ve been to HPP plants and observed the raw dog food before, during, and after treatment and have confidence that it is not harmed or made unsafe to feed. On the other hand, we respect the right of owners to feed raw foods that have not undergone a kill step – as long as they are informed about the risks to which they are subjecting themselves and their dogs.
Like freeze-drying, air-drying can be accomplished at low temperatures, but it takes longer and leaves meats and fats vulnerable to oxidation (spoilage); most foods are dried with temperatures of 140ºF to 180ºF. At these temperatures, the food is actually lightly cooked; the cellular structure (and thus the aroma and taste) of meats, fruits, and vegetables actually changes and the taste and appearance. In contrast, proper freeze-drying doesn’t affect the appearance or taste of foods as much.
The owners of some other companies, however, believe so strongly in the benefits of raw foods that they refuse to use a kill step. Instead, they rely on the quality of their ingredients and their own food “hazard analysis and critical control points”(HACCP) plans to prevent selling contaminated products. They understand that the FSMA policies are present to protect dogs and their owners, and that today’s human food supply does sometimes contain pathogens – but they also have observed that most healthy dogs can easily digest and benefit from raw foods – even raw foods that may contain some pathogens. (Few healthy dogs have trouble with Salmonella, for example, though Listeria and e. Coli are another story.) And, importantly, they engage and educate their consumers about these facts.
Dehydrated Vs. Freeze-Dried Pet Food – Which Is Safer?
Freeze-dried or dehydrated dog foods have certain benefits when compared to traditional wet (canned) or dry (kibble) dog foods. Before incorporating these foods into your dog’s diet, it’s important for you to learn more about those benefits, as well as the process for making these foods, including safety measures.
The methods used to radically lower the moisture content of rehydrated or freeze-dried foods have the following advantages over baking or extruding the foods at high temperatures:
