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Quick Summary
- Both the process of drawing out moisture in dehydrated dog food and the gentle cooking for fresh dog food are good ways to retain nutrients.
- It is believed that the nutritional content of dehydrated dog foods is almost the same as raw foods. Similarly, fresh dog food is also a highly nutritious meal.
- The main difference with these two types of dog is storage. While dehydrated dog food has a long shelf life, fresh dog food needs to be refrigerated and consumed after a few days.
Back in the day, dog owners have two options for dog food—kibble or fresh food. Today however, pet parents have learned to place high value on nutritious food thanks to a market the made access to other dog food types possible. Aside from fresh and dry dog food, pet owners can also choose dehydrated foods to serve their pets.
I often make my own dog food or order through delivery services. However, I cannot deny the convenience of dehydrated pet food; but aside from that, what exactly makes this an ideal choice? I’ll answer this question by going over the pros and cons of each dog food type.
Dehydrated Dog Food and Fresh Dog Food—What’s the Difference?
Dehydrated dog food is made through a process that removes moisture content from the food using warm air. By removing the moisture, you’re basically extending the life span of the food while keeping all the vitamins and nutritional benefits intact. Note that dehydrated food should not be confused with freeze dried dog food which is also gaining popularity nowadays. Freeze dried food is processed with cold air as opposed to dehydrated or warm air dried dog food.
Fresh dog food is composed of fresh meat, vegetables, potatoes, rice, and other ingredients considered to be healthy for the dog. The food chunk may be cooked or served as raw pet food. In either instance however, fresh or wet dog food retain their moisture. With fresh dog food, the owners have the choice of making the food as needed or making the dog foods in batches and freezing the rest. However, with pet food delivery service platforms, you get the right meal proportions for your dog every time. In either case, the fresh pet food chunks are served at their peak status with all the moisture included in each meal.
Pros and Cons of Dehydrated Dog Food
So why do most pet owners considered dehydrated as the best dog food option today? Here are some pros associated with this pet food:
- It has a long shelf life provided you keep it within acceptable conditions. Since it is freeze dried, the cold will not damage it, but heat will. The pet food will last up to 30 years if stored in places less than 75 degrees in temperature.
- These meals are much like raw food in that they retain the same amount of nutrients and vitamins when served. Other than the fact that moisture is removed, the dehydrated meal delivers all the benefits expected of a whole and balanced diet.
- To serve dehydrated dog food, rehydration is needed if you want to introduce more moisture to his diet. Just add some water into the bowl. This will soften the pet food and make it easier to eat especially for senior dogs.
- There’s minimal processing involved and the dog’s meal is as close as possible to the real thing. There are no preservatives added into the mix.
- There are tons of flavors and mixes for this type of dog food. You can take your pick from different recipes and serve your pooch a different meal each time. This should help prevent your dog from turning into a picky eater.
- This food type is something you can easily take with you during travels or even short trips. The meal can be stored in a cooler so there’s a consistent supply of nutritious meals for the dog. They can also be stored in bag sizes ranging from small to extra large, depending on the availability of storage.
Of course, there are some cons that come with this type of dog food. It can be expensive since the dehydration process requires the use of specialized equipment.
Pros and Cons of Fresh Food
Most dogs love actual food. There’s something about the raw ingredients that really brings out the taste and texture of the food. Here are some of the reasons why feeding raw or fresh dog meals are preferred compared to air drying:
- Raw meat is very appetizing and perfect for picky eaters
- Unlike dried meals, fresh meals come intact with the moisture. This lets the dog feel fuller faster and therefore makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
- The important nutrients are mostly retained with high temperature processing. At the same time, it kills off the pathogens that may be included in raw meats [1]. Note though that if you’re serving raw dog food, faulty preparation may fail to kill of all the bacteria.
- Fresh food that you prepare yourself makes it easy to change the ingredients as needed. You can add different vegetables, use different cooking methods, and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- There’s more freedom with the recipes. You check ingredient labels, add human-grade food, and essentially mix your groceries with your dog’s meal.
The prep time is the biggest drawback of fresh meals. The process can take hours of your time each week. Fresh meals are also not shelf stable and should be consumed within 4 days from the time it is kept in the fridge.
Related Article: Fresh Dog Food vs Dry
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dehydrated food good for dogs?
Yes! The nutritional content of dehydrated food is as close as possible to the raw foods. This is especially true if the dehydration is done through low temperature. Even with hot air dehydration however, the nutritional values remain high.
Does dehydrated dog food lose nutrients?
Not by much. The nutritional content of dehydrated dog food remains practically the same as the raw food diet. The only thing missing would be moisture which can be quickly added per meal.
Is dry food or homemade food better for dogs?
Finding the “better” option all comes down to the nutritional value of the food. Whether it’s a raw diet, freeze dried, fresh, or kibble, the food has to contain all the vitamins, minerals, and calories necessary for the dog to grow. Ideally, each meal should be prepackaged in bag sizes that corresponds to their unique needs. Since it can be tough to pin down the perfect diet, dog owners should get the input of a licensed
Does dehydrated dog food have bacteria?
Much like the freeze drying process, dehydrating dog food kills off the bacteria in the food. However, keep in mind that the process is not perfect. Some bacteria may remain in the food, requiring you to do further checkups. Note though that bacteria issues usually occur in personal kitchens. Some providers guarantee the cleanliness of their food through a foolproof process.
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