Freeze-dried dog food has gained immense popularity over the last few years. More and more pet parents and nutritionists share that freeze-dried dog food is an excellent way to give your dogs a complete and balanced diet. It’s also considered more natural and contains high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, or salmon.
Dogs need quality protein for the growth and maintenance of their body’s tissues. Protein supplies the amino acids necessary for the body to build hair, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. In general, dogs will mostly prefer protein-rich food because good quality meat smells and tastes more delicious.
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Most people will agree on how raw food has changed and improved their dog’s health. However, it can be expensive and also difficult to keep a constant supply of raw ingredients.
Freeze-drying is a technique that provides dogs with a fresh and natural food source that has gone through minimal processing. This strongly appeals to owners that need sustainable alternatives to kibble.
Taste
Freeze-drying can help to preserve the taste of meat and other ingredients. This results in tastier meals for your dogs. It’s often a massive upgrade from plain kibble. Comparing the smell alone will tell you the difference between the flavor that fresh food can give your pups.
Nutritional Value
Thanks to the freeze-drying process, the ingredients that go into freeze-dried food don’t have to go through much before it’s ready. This simple process allows the ingredients to maintain it’s nutritional value. Because some of these foods contain whole, natural, and fresh ingredients, it’s almost the same as feeding your dog a raw diet.
Variety
Giving your pet freeze-dried dog food doesn’t mean that you have to abandon kibble completely. Kibble is still suitable for dogs. Some might even prefer it. However, for picky eaters, variety is a must. And that’s where freeze-dried food comes in. Depending on how much it takes to get your dog interested in the new addition to their meal, you can probably save money by having freeze-dried food handy.
Common Ingredients Found in Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Most dog food incorporates the following ingredients for the nutritional value they provide dogs. Here are the following ingredients you can expect to find in freeze-dried dog food:
Whole duck with bones
Beef heart
Chicken heart
Chicken liver
Salmon
Carrots
Sweet potato
Green beans
Apples
Spinach
Dried kelp
Beets
Incorporating Freeze-Dried Dog Food into Your Dog’s Diet
If your dog is used to solely eating kibble, it may take a while before they get used to something new. Whether you’re planning to switch out entirely or make it a nice mix of kibble and fresh food, it’s best to take it slow. Include a little bit into their meal and see how they respond. Depending on how well they eat it, you can continue to add more until finding the perfect ratio or find that it might be best to switch.
The Bottom Line
Should you switch your dog to a freeze-dried diet? In all honesty, it depends. There are plenty of benefits and evidence to prove that freeze-dried dog food can be very good for your dogs. However, all dogs are different, and while it might be good for them, some might prefer their kibble over anything else. What you need to do as a dog parent is to try and explore these options. The most important thing at the end of the day is that your dog is happy and healthy.
At Wags to Wiskers, we provide all your dog food and local pet supplies and necessities. With hundreds of items to choose from, you aren’t likely to come up short on anything your pet needs! Visit our pet store at any of our locations in Michigan at Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Ludington.