Fresh vs Freeze-Dried Dog Food: What’s the Difference?

These days, the choice of dog food largely falls into two categories: dry kibble or dehydrated food, and fresh food, which is easier to digest and more nutrient-rich. Many dog owners make the transition from dehydrated to fresh food, but that’s just the first step. For most pet owners, the question of fresh dog food vs freeze dried food comes up. 

While both retain some key benefits, such as minimal food processing and higher nutrient content, including more protein and enzymes, there are slight differences. In this guide, our expert veterinarians will show you the benefits of both to help you decide which is best for your furry friend.

What Is Freeze-Dried Food?

Freeze-dried food is essentially fresh food that has been prepared in a way that allows for a longer shelf life. It goes through the process of water removal, which reduces the moisture, leaving raw ingredients that can be packaged for later use. Besides this factor, freeze-dried food also retains all the taste, smell, and form of the raw food.

Since the integrity remains unchanged, it’s just like being able to whip up a fresh meal for your dog, only without having to do all the preparation. That said, freeze-dried food needs to be rehydrated. That means you’ll still need to take some time to get the meal ready before use. 

Another great benefit of freeze-dried food is the fact that it requires no refrigeration. That leads to simple storing and allows you to save more space, compared to frozen food, which needs to be stored in a freezer. Here’s a complete overview of the main pros and cons of freeze dried food: 

Pros:

• Longer shelf-life without compromising on the nutritional factor 

• Instant meal preparation, minimising mess 

• Much healthier, travel-friendly option than dry food

• Usually made of raw ingredients without additives

Cons:

• Freeze-dried food is among the most expensive fresh options

• It usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes for rehydration

When it comes to the matter of freeze dried vs raw dog food, the two options are pretty similar. There are, however, several notable differences, including the way the food is prepared. Pawy packages of fresh food provide slow-cooked, home-style pet meals right at your very doorstep. 

Fresh food is made of raw ingredients, and it’s a nutrient-rich option, which helps with your dog’s digestion. It’s made with whole ingredients, which means it’s nothing like processed food that you would regularly get with dry kibble and similar options. 

Pawy even provides you with a variety of options, including different package types tailored to dogs with varying needs. For instance, we offer a special program for overweight dogs, helping them lose weight entirely through a controlled diet. Here’s an overview of the main pros and cons of fresh food for dogs:

Pros:

• Perfect option for improved digestion

• Leads to a healthier, shinier coat 

• Reduces the chance of food-based irritation, itching, and scratching

• Organic, raw and whole ingredients 

Cons:

• Fresh food needs to be stored in a refrigerator if not used immediately 

• Not the best option for travel

Which Is Better For Your Dog

The choice between fresh vs freeze dried dog food depends on your dog and its needs. Both are significantly better options than dry kibble or dehydrated food, as they retain the freshness factor. Freeze-dried food is ideal for pet owners with a dynamic lifestyle who need travel-friendly food packages. 

On the other hand, it carries a higher risk of spoilage or microorganisms, as it doesn’t eliminate all of them. So, it requires proper handling and storage. Fresh food is ideal for pets on a diet, with slow-cooked meals that are perfect for weight loss while maintaining health. 

You can subscribe to a regular delivery plan with Pawy and receive daily portions tailored to your dog's needs at your doorstep. Still, if your goal is longer dog food shelf life, freeze-dried meals are a better option. In terms of convenience, there are slight differences depending on how you get your fresh dog food.

If you opt for deliveries from expert nutritionists and veterinarians, you won’t need to worry about preparation much. However, if you opt for freeze-dried food, you will have to take a bit of time to prepare the meal and wait as it rehydrates. Here’s an overview of the key aspects of both at a glance:

	Fresh food	Freeze-dried food
Digestibility	High digestibility thanks to most nutrients being preserved	Higher digestibility
Cost	Moderate/high cost	High cost, usually higher than fresh food
Convenience	High convenience, especially with fresh food deliveries	Moderate, you need to rehydrate the meal before use
Freshness	Very high freshness, best used immediately	High freshness, can be stored for more prolonged use

Conclusion

While both freeze-dried and fresh dog food have their benefits, fresh food has a slight edge for daily use. It’s the best option for keeping your pet healthy and with high stamina due to whole, minimally processed ingredients. 

On the other hand, freeze-dried food is better in terms of longer shelf life, so it’s a perfect solution for pet owners looking for meal prep in advance or travel. Either way, you should make a decision based on your pet’s health, weight, and lifestyle. At Pawy, we bring fresh, slow-cooked food to your doorstep, leaving you with more quality time to spend with your pet.