Top 7 Frozen & Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Brands: Pros/Cons and Reivews 2024

What is Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food?

As the name suggests, freeze-dried dog food is prepared through a flash-freezing process. Freeze-dried dog food is made of raw nutritional ingredients like beef, salmon, chicken and more that is frozen at peak freshness. Moisture is then removed from the food using a vacuum that converts any remaining water to vapor.This freeze-drying process locks in vital essentials such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.It’s often more affordable, protein dense, easily portable and can be stored in the cupboard rather than your refrigerator or freezer. It can be an addition to regular kibble or, in some cases, a stand-alone meal. 

Not only is freeze-dried food packed with flavor and nutrition, but it's also super easy to prepare. Simply add water, and your pup will have a delicious, balanced meal in no time. 

So, many consumers think it’s a healthier option vs. commercial kibble if they want the healthiest ingredients without having to store dog food in their fridge or freezer. 

Freeze-Dried Dog Food Pros and Cons

What is Frozen Raw Dog Food?

Frozen raw dog food is made from uncooked meat of animals, ranging from the common chicken to the atypical kangaroo flesh. At times, there are pet-friendly vegetables mixed in to provide a varied and balanced diet. 

Interestingly, to preserve the freshness of raw foods, flash freezing technology is used where the food is frozen instantaneously in commercial refrigerators using ultracold circulating air. This is different from freezing it (slowly) with consumer refrigerators.

Freezing food tends to keep it fresher and healthier for longer periods of time. A bag of frozen carrots that’s been sitting in the freezer for two months is ready at a moment’s notice for a human side dish. The same holds true for frozen dog food: it’s healthy but without all of the preservatives and processing.Many companies offer packaged, frozen raw dog food diets that you can store in your freezer and thaw before serving. 

Frozen Raw Dog Food Pros and Cons

Frozen Raw Food vs. Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

If you’ve decided to give raw dog food a try, you have another decision to make: frozen or freeze-dried?

Keeping raw dog food frozen is the easiest way to prevent the food from spoiling. The downside is, of course, that you need to have room to store it in the freezer. You’ll also need to thaw it before feeding.Frozen raw food maintains a level of freshness that freeze-dried food cannot, which can make it more appealing to some dogs and potentially beneficial for their health.

Choosing to feed your pets frozen raw dog food may mean a higher risk of contamination but the most important thing is to know how to prepare, handle and serve the food correctly. When you see your furry friends reaping the rewards of a natural and healthy diet, it is totally worth the extra effort.    

Freeze drying is a method of extracting all moisture under cold conditions. Freeze-dried foods are shelf stable, and may be fed as is or reconstituted with water. Freeze drying does a better job of preserving nutrients, compared to kibble or canned products.It’s also an affordable alternative to paying the price of a full menu of raw frozen food.

However, switching to raw dog food requires some research to make sure you choose a recipe that’s ideal for your dog’s needs. Consider your dog’s weight, health conditions, allergies, and preferences when deciding what kind of raw food to get them.

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The 7 Best Frozen & Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Brands

1. Open Farm (freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Openfarmpet.com

• Amazon

• Walmart.com (up to 4% super cash back)

Open Farm are one of the leading suppliers of freeze-dried raw dog food in the USA.It is a family-run business where they know that the best ingredients are grown and raised by farmers who respect the land they call home and the animals under their care.The dog food company hold themselves to an extremely high standard, finding the most sustainable and ethical ways to obtain quality protein and ingredients without compromising their values. Unlike many dog foods made from low-grade meat meal unfit for human consumption, these dry recipes are made from 100% humanely raised grass-fed raw beef. You can feel good about feeding your dog Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw food.

Open Farm freeze-dried Raw Dog Food has 6 recipes: surf & turf, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb, homestead turkey, harvest chicken, and farmer’s table pork. Each recipe contains meat from humanely-raised animals, along with organic fruits and vegetables. On Open Farm’s website, the source of every ingredient is listed.The foods all have a somewhat lower percentage of fat than protein, which is desirable in a freeze-dried food. The freeze dried pieces are about the size of kibble, so they’re ready to serve when you pour them out of the bag. If you’re worried your dog isn’t ingesting enough liquid, you can mix warm water with the food.

However,The foods have added coconut oil, which is a concern because coconut oil has been shown to cause undesirable changes in the gut lining, potentially harming gut health. Also, there’s salmon oil in several of the recipes and this isn’t specified as wild-caught, so it’s likely from farmed fish, which is less nutritious than wild-caught. 

2. Instinct Raw (frozen and freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Instinct Pet Food

• Petco (up to 2% super cash back)

• Chewy (4% super cash back)

Instinct Raw Dog Food is a product line of Instinct – a premium dog food brand owned by Nature’s Variety.The brand is relatively new as it was founded in 2002.The brand has several lines, and Instinct Raw Dog Food is one of the most popular.

At Instinct, they provide a variety of ways to add raw to your pet’s routine. That includes frozen raw meals, freeze-dried raw meals, raw toppers, kibble boosted with raw, and more. Made with 95% real meat, organs and bones, 5% fruits and vegetables and other wholesome ingredients, and 0% grain or artificial ingredients. Instinct RAW ingredients are frozen at their peak and never cooked to preserve their nutritional integrity. They use ingredients closest to their natural state like real meat and non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

The brand also uses fish in its products that provide a natural flavor, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Furthermore, marine ingredients act as central storehouses of omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial amino acids.The Instinct Raw diet does not use inferior ingredients, including harmful gluten, potato, soy-by products, and corn.Whether you opt for their frozen raw foods or wet dog foods such as patties, their product line suit both young and adult dogs.

3. Stella & Chewy's (frozen and freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Stella & Chewy's

• Amazon

• Chewy (4% super cash back)

Stella & Chewy’s is a commercial raw dog food brand that only offers pre-made raw food that falls into the BARF category (with vegetables and fruit).Their frozen meals are available within all of the US, but only in the freezer sections of brick-and-mortar pet retail stores. 

Stella & Chewy’s offers frozen raw dinners for dogs in patties and morsels. Stella and Chewy’s meat ingredients are sourced from North America (beef, poultry, fish), Australia and New Zealand (beef, lamb, venison), and Europe (rabbit).Their fruits and vegetables are 100% certified organic and are sourced from North and South America depending on seasonal availability.Meals are 100% complete and considered a balanced dinner.Stella & Chewy’s also has freeze-dried dinner morsels, meal mixers, treats, and a blend of freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with freeze-dried raw chunks.

Since the food is in patties, it’s easy to portion out your dog’s meals. You can serve the freeze-dried patties as-is, but Stella & Chewy’s recommends rehydrating them to give your dog some added moisture. 

4. Primal (frozen and freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Amazon

• Walmart (up to 4% super cash back)
  

• Chewy (4% super cash back)

Primal was founded in 2001. The company produces raw frozen and freeze-dried foods and treats for dogs and cats. All of their frozen and freeze-dried foods and some treats are manufactured in their state-of-the-art facility in Fairfield, CA. 

Primal is another highly-rated company that makes freeze-dried dog food. All of their meats are antibiotic and steroid-free without added hormones. Their all-natural nuggets are protein-rich (containing at least 80% of meat, organs, and bone) and include organic fruits and veggies. They’re also free from grains, gluten, corn, wheat, and soy. Primal also makes raw treats suitable for both dogs and cats.Overall, this is a convenient choice for dog parents who are new to raw dog food.

5. Raw Paws (frozen and freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Raw Paws Pet Food (3% super cash back)

• Amazon

Founded in 2014, Raw Paws Pet Food is a small family business, and Woman-Owned Business, located in Indianapolis. Their goal is to make it practical, affordable, and accessible for you, as a pet parent, to provide your pet with ready-to-serve raw pet food, formulated in a blend that is as natural as possible, just meat, bone, and organ!

Raw Paws Pet Food says that it sources its ingredients from “responsible and ethical farms.” It offers blends with and without vegetables. All of its blends are free of antibiotics, fillers, additives and preservatives.Their beef, chicken, turkey, goat and lamb lines are sourced from free-range animals on a family farm in Indiana.The duck line is sourced from free-run, USDA-inspected ducks raised on family farms who were humanly harvested.All of the vegetables are also grown on Indiana farms. The mackerel (oily fish) used in some of their blends is wild-caught in the Atlantic.

Their raw dog food is not available for sale in pet retail stores, but they do offer local pickup from their warehouse on weekdays.

6. Steve’s Real Food (frozen and freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• Raw Pet Food

• Amazon

Steve’s Real Food was the first raw pet food company to make fresh feeding convenient and affordable.Since its inception, Steve’s Real Food has focused on getting more dogs and cats to eat fresh, whole foods. 

Steve’s Real Food helps to support and maintain your pet's health naturally through a well-rounded, natural pet food. Every Steve’s formula uses only USDA inspected, free-range meats, and unprocessed whole, functional foods.Their frozen food is available nationwide across the U.S.

The Raw line has 6 raw meat-based formulas (including bone and organ meats) combined with produce and natural supplements. The foods all have a lower percentage of fat than protein, which is desirable in a raw food. The company provides the names and descriptions of all of its suppliers on the website, and there’s a strong focus on sustainable sourcing. Some, but not all, of the produce is organic.  

7. The Honest Kitchen (freeze-dried)

Where to Buy:

• The Honest Kitchen

• Petco (up to 2% super cash back)

• Chewy (4% super cash back)

The Honest Kitchen is a pet food company founded in 2002 in San Diego, California. The company specializes in dog and cat food. The categories of dog food offered include dry dog food, dehydrated dog food, wet food, dog treats, dog food toppers, and supplements.

The Honest Kitchen makes dehydrated raw dog food as well as dehydrated base mixes that you can add to your own raw dog food.Their dehydration process gently removes the moisture from their whole food ingredients, but still maintains all of the vitamins and minerals they get by using real fruits, veggies and lean meats.

All of The Honest Kitchen’s ingredients are certified non-GMO, preservative & chemical-free, as well as human-grade. Some of their vegetables and fruit are conventionally grown, and some are organic (coconuts, kelp, quinoa, barley, flaxseed, oats).

With a major commitment to ingredient quality and food safety, The Honest Kitchen is still among the best human-grade dog food you can find, particularly for its comparatively affordable shelf-stable options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is freeze-dried or frozen raw dog food better?

Freeze-dried dog food is made by removing the moisture from fresh ingredients. Freeze-dried food is a convenient option if you use the bag within 30 days from opening, which we recommend to maintain optimal freshness.Frozen dog food is made by flash-freezing fresh ingredients, which also preserves the food. The freezing process locks in the nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes ready to fuel your dog’s vitality. Frozen food has to be stored in a freezer, but it is a good option if you want to stock up on food and have the time to thaw before mealtime.

In summary, freeze-dried and frozen dog food are both good options for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with high-quality, nutritious meals. The choice between freeze-dried and frozen dog food ultimately comes down to personal preference and storage.

Is freeze-dried food healthy for dogs?

Yes, freeze-dried dog food is healthy.However, the high-protein recipes often have high-fat content, which may not be appropriate for certain dogs. There is a lot to consider when choosing raw freeze-dried pet food.

Why is freeze-dried raw dog food so expensive?

Freeze drying out requires costly devices that consume a lot of power; these boosted expenses lead to a costlier item. Furthermore, freeze-dried canine food normally contains higher quality food such as fresh beef versus rendered "beef secret meal".

Is freeze-dried raw dog food really raw?

Freeze-drying is a technique that preserves raw ingredients such as fresh meat to deliver a finished dog food product which is safe, shelf stable and lightweight. Freeze dried dog food is technically raw and full of nutrients.

Why are vets against raw diet for dogs?

The raw dog food products were made from ground meat or sausage and frozen in tube-like packages. Nearly 25% of the raw food samples tested positive for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella ssp. and Listeria monocytogenes.

Are dogs happier on raw diet?

It can improve your dog's immune system and digestive health, as well as increase their energy levels and make them happier overall. There are no real downsides to switching to a healthy, fresh, raw diet for your animal.

Do you have to add water to freeze-dried dog food?

Although you can give your dog a small chunk without rehydrating it as a treat, most freeze-dried dog food is best rehydrated with water before giving it to your pup for several reasons. Not only does it help your dog stay hydrated. It’s more filling and helps them digest the food better.

Depending on the product, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 20 minutes to rehydrate. Rehydration adds water to your dog’s diet and makes the food more palatable and easier to digest.

Is freeze-dried healthier than frozen?

Since freeze-drying removes most of the water from food, the vitamins in that food last longer than if the food were preserved some other way. Freeze-drying food is a great way to preserve the nutritional value of food. Frozen food requires a freezing and stable environment.

Can you make your own raw dog food recipes?

Yes, many dog parents choose to create their own raw dog food recipes as opposed to buying a brand. However, this can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll need to ensure your dog gets a proper balance of protein, fat, carbs, and nutrients. If you’re not confident you can prepare that for your dog, you can talk to a vet or canine nutritionist for advice.However, raw dog food brands are generally safer and more convenient for dog parents using raw food for the first time. 

Is frozen raw dog food safe for dogs? 

Freezing a food doesn’t guarantee its safety.If raw dog food is contaminated before it’s frozen, it will still be contaminated after it is frozen.

Can puppies eat frozen raw dog food? 

Yes, puppies can eat frozen raw dog food. However, it’s essential to choose a raw food diet specifically formulated for puppies as they have different nutritional needs compared to adult dogs. Always consult with your vet before making dietary changes.

How should I store frozen raw dog food?

Frozen raw dog food should be stored in the freezer. When it’s time to feed your dog, thaw the food in the refrigerator or in a sealed plastic bag in cold water. Never microwave raw food as it can change the nutritional profile and create hot spots that can burn your dog’s mouth.

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