At present, there seems to be a cornucopia of dog food options within the market, all directed to better feeding for your furry friend. Fresh food is the most popular entailing a raw diet cooked and portioned out for dogs. It is highly advantageous to dogs as it fulfills the nutritional requirements but also contains no fillers, which means you are likely to have a healthier dog.
Freeze dried pet food is similar to fresh dog food as it contains fresh ingredients. The difference with fresh foods is that the moisture is removed from the food. Despite its consideration as one of the more modern dog food options. Its origins began in the Andes, where the people discovered high altitude and air pressure vaporized frozen water in their food.
Pros and cons of Fresh dog food
Fresh ingredients and no preservatives
It is one of the main benefits which fresh dog food can claim. Once you choose a meal plan from a fresh dog food delivery service, it is evident that the food has all the necessary ingredients to keep your dog healthy and vibrant. That is because fresh food follows a particular structure to their meals as they are based on animal proteins with a complement of fruits and vegetables. These are sourced from particular farms that ensure no preservatives have been added.
Better digestibility
Fresh dog food is also healthier for the dog’s digestive system as the pup does not have to break down processed ingredients, which are present in commercial dog foods. In addition, reducing the ingredients the dog has to process does help them have more energy considering their body is not slowed down from heavy digestion. Find out how much fresh food to feed a dog, to maximize this benefit.
Shiny coat
Fresh dog food comes with essential vitamins and minerals which improve the dog’s health. One symptom of this is a softer and shinier coat. Nutrient-rich diets with essential fatty acids improve the skin and hydrate the coat, making it look thicker [1].
Storage issues
Fresh pet food is vulnerable because it includes organic ingredients such as meats and vegetables. Even though these are cooked to remove the pathogen content, it is still possible for the food to go bad if they are not stored properly. They also should not be left out for lengthy periods when the dog is eating because decomposition can take place, reducing the integrity of the meal.
Pros and cons of Freeze dried food
Significant shelf life
Unlike fresh food, which needs to be stored appropriately and for a small amount of time, freeze dried has a better shelf life. The food can be kept viable for at least a year or more. That is, provided the food packaging is sealed and placed in a cool, dry place. Though, once the package is opened and the air comes in, you will only have a month. Sometimes manufacturers of freeze dried options recommend that you freeze it to retain the viability as soon as it is opened.
High nutritional quality
During the preparation of freeze dried food, the nutrients are not removed. Rather the moisture is taken out by the reduction of temperature and pressure. That means significant nutritional elements such as fats, enzymes, and probiotics remain within the food. In addition, it provides a higher nutritional value than dehydrated dog food or even fresh foods because these employ heating which denatures enzymes. The only nutrient eliminated by freeze drying is vitamin C, which is irrelevant, considering dogs make their vitamin C.
Cost
Freeze-dried foods tend to be more expensive compared to fresh foods. It is because of the cost of preparation as the equipment used to prepare is pricy. It is also a laborious and slow process which explains why freeze-dried foods are so expensive. The fact freeze-dried foods tend to have a higher nutritional quality than fresh foods also increases the expense.
Starch content
Some prey model freeze dried dog food options only have muscle, organ meat, and bone material. However, there are many brands out there that add starchy ingredients anyway. It is not dangerous per se, though dogs tend to have a reduced starch capacity than people [2]. Fresh food diets are structured with a majority of muscle meat and minimal starch content. That means starch is irrelevant and tends to cause significant weight gain due to the dog’s inability to break down large fat amounts.
FAQs
Is freeze dried raw better than raw?
Freeze dried and raw food both have whole food nutrition elements. Though freeze dried dog food utilizes natural whole-food ingredients to derive vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. It also has a better shelf life than raw dog food.
Why is freeze dried more expensive than raw?
Raw dog food does not entail any processing, so the cost is attributed to the ingredients. Freeze dried foods, though, require processing which is quite expensive and time-consuming. Freeze dryers are expensive, and they require a lengthy drying time. These utility costs are then transferred to the end product.
Is fresh or raw better for dogs?
Fresh or a whole-food diet is better for your dog because it entails raw meat and essential vitamins from veggies and fruits. Raw dog food, though, can be homemade, store-bought, or dehydrated. Fresh foods have better nutrients available in the ingredients for dogs.
Is freeze dried raw as good as frozen?
Considering the moisture levels have been reduced within the freeze dried dog foods, it causes the protein and fat levels to be more concentrated than is the case with frozen food.
