Is Dehydrated Food Good for Dogs?
Written by: Richard Rowland
If you have a dog, you know that healthy dog food plays an important role in their overall health and wellbeing. That's why it's important to choose a high-quality diet that will provide them with all the nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life.
But with all the different options out there, which type of dog food should you choose? Thanks to its many benefits, dehydrated dog food is becoming a popular choice among pet parents. But what exactly is it? And more importantly, is it the right choice for your furry friend?
In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about dehydrated dog food, including what it is, how it's made, and the many benefits it offers. We'll also provide some tips on when to consider feeding your dog this type of food.
What Is Dehydrated Dog Food and How Is It Made?
First, let's start with the basics. Natural dehydrated dog food is a type of food that's made by gradually removing moisture from fresh, raw ingredients.
How Is Dehydrated Dog Food Made?
To make dehydrated dog food, manufacturers start with high-quality, raw ingredients like meat, vegetables, and fruits. These ingredients are then gently cooked using warm air to remove the moisture content.
Dehydrated Dog Food vs. Kibble
Unlike high-heat methods used to make traditional kibble, this low-heat cooking process helps to retain many of the original nutrients found in the ingredients. The end result is a dehydrated food that's packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential to your dog's overall health.
How To Serve Dehydrated Dog Food
Due to the unique preparation process, dehydrated food will be in a powdery format straight out of the package. To serve dehydrated dog food, simply add a little water or Only Natural Pet Bone Broth Meal Topper to rehydrate the ingredients. Your dog will then enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that contains all the nutrients they need to thrive.
What Are The Benefits of Dehydrated Dog Food?
Dehydrated dog food is becoming a popular choice among pet parents for a number of reasons. Some of the top benefits of all-natural dehydrated dog food include:
It’s Nutrient-Rich
One of the biggest advantages of dehydrated dog food is that it's 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.
It's Safe for Dogs
Since dehydrated food undergoes a low-heat cooking process, any harmful bacteria that may be present in the ingredients are killed. This makes dehydrated dog food a safe and healthy alternative to traditional raw diets.
It's Incredibly Convenient
We all want to feed our pets the healthiest dog food possible – and dehydrated food makes it easy to feed your dog a highly-nutritious diet without much hassle. This type of food is easy to store and doesn't require any special preparation. Simply add a little water or bone broth to rehydrate the ingredients, and you're good to go. This makes dehydrated dog food a great option for busy pet parents who don't have a lot of time to prepare meals.
It’s Easy To Store
Dehydrated dog food is easy to store. Unlike traditional kibble, dehydrated food doesn't require a lot of space – each bag of dehydrated dog food makes 4x more than the listed weight due to the rehydration process.
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 doesn't require refrigeration, which makes it even more convenient.
What's the Difference Between Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
After reading about the benefits of dehydrated dog food and how it's made, you may be wondering how it differs from natural freeze-dried dog food. Take a look at the 3 main differences between dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food:
1) Preparation Method
The main difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food is the method used to remove the moisture content:
- 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
2) Nutrient Retention
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.
3) Price
Freeze-dried dog food is often more expensive than dehydrated dog food. This is because the manufacturing process is more complex and time-consuming. Due to the low-heat preparation process, dehydrated dog food is a cost-effective alternative to freeze-dried or fresh frozen foods that provides pets with the high-quality vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need to thrive.
Both of these types of food are excellent choices for your dog, so it's 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.
Dehydrated Dog Food: Is It Right For Your Pup?
Now that you know more about dehydrated dog food, you may be wondering if it's the right choice for your pup. The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, including your dog's individual needs and preferences.
If your dog is used to a diet of traditional kibble, they may need some time to adjust to the new texture and flavor of dehydrated food. It's important to slowly introduce dehydrated dog food into their diet to avoid any stomach upset. Using a natural topper for dogs is a great way to introduce dehydrated food to your dog.
Another potential downside of dehydrated dog food is that it can be more expensive than traditional kibble. However, many pet parents feel that the added convenience and nutrition are worth the extra cost.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to feed your dog dehydrated food depends on what you feel is best for them. If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your veterinarian for guidance.
Dehydrated Food: The Bottom Line
Dehydrated dog food is a nutritious and convenient option for pet parents who are looking for an alternative to traditional kibble. This type of food is packed full of essential nutrients and is very easy to store. It's also safe, minimally processed, and free from many of the artificial additives found in low-quality kibble.
If you're considering dehydrated dog food for your pup, be sure to speak with your holistic veterinarian for guidance. They can help you determine if this type of food is right for your dog and offer tips on how to slowly introduce it into their diet.
