Does your dog gobble up their dinner like they haven’t eaten in days, only to seem a little…uninspired the next morning? Choosing the best food for your furry best friend feels like a huge task. You want something healthy, but you also need it to be easy to store and prepare. Many dog owners struggle to find that perfect balance between nutrition and convenience when looking at dehydrated dog food options.
The world of dehydrated dog food is booming, offering amazing benefits like longer shelf life and retaining more nutrients than regular kibble. However, navigating the different brands, ingredients, and price points can feel overwhelming. You worry about hidden fillers or if your dog will actually like the taste once you add water.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes dehydrated food a fantastic choice, how to spot the highest quality options, and what preparation secrets will make your dog bark with joy. Get ready to discover the simplest way to upgrade your dog’s bowl!
Top Dehydrated Dog Food Recommendations
- COMPLETE & BALANCED MEAL SOLUTION: Just add warm water to provide a convenient and nutritious meal or topper for your dog's favorite dry food in just 3 minutes. A 10 lb. box makes 40 lbs of food.
- HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like free range chicken, organic oats,& banana. Produced in a human food facility where our whole food are gently dehydrated for flavor and nutrient retention..
- FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: This complete and balanced dog food serves the nutritional needs of all breeds & sizes, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation), making it a versatile choice for families with multiple pets & specific dietary requirements
- NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY: We prioritize your pet's health by saying no to feed grade ingredients, meat meals, and artificial preservatives. Our human grade chicken dog food is crafted to provide only the best nutrition without compromise
- SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLY SOURCED: The Honest Kitchen is a certified B Corporation committed to high environmental and social standards. Choosing our dehydrated dog food helps support a brand dedicated to positive community impact
- Raw Food Made Easy : Simply Raw combines the safety, easy prep and shelf stable convenience of kibble and canned food with the unsurpassed nutrition offered in real, fresh raw food. Just add water to make this 3 lb bag into over 18 lbs of raw whole food, ready to serve in minutes.
- Ingredients With Purpose : Simply Raw is made with only the freshest human grade ingredients. Every ingredient is chosen with care to support holistic health and provide functional benefits for lasting wellness : Freeze-dried raw beef muscle, organ meat, chicken bone broth, whole egg, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, OMEGA fatty acids, probiotics & prebiotics. Raw, whole food ingredients you can see.
- All Natural Nutrition : At Nature’s Diet, we believe in honest, transparent labels. We are proud of the wholesome, clean ingredients we use to make Simply Raw - unlike some other brands, we never put anything into our dog food that isn’t listed on the label. No fillers, no grains, no GMOs, no unnatural preservatives, no soy, no added flavorings or dyes. Just honest, raw, whole food nutrition. Key Product Features
- USA Sourced, Sustainable, Thoughtful : Made lovingly in small batches in the USA with regionally sourced ingredients & humanely raised meat. Real food for healthy dogs and a healthier planet.
- Safe Raw : Freeze-Drying is a natural food preservation process which removes moisture while maintaining the nutritional integrity of food. Freeze-Dried Raw is always free of pathogens, making it the safest way to feed a raw diet. Shelf stable, safe to handle & easy to store.
- MAKES 8 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm water for a wholesome and delicious meal that rehydrates to 4x its weight. A 2 LB box makes 8 LBs of fresh food Serve alone as a complete easy homemade meal, or use as a topper to dry food.
- HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like free range chicken, organic oats, and banana. Produced in a human food facility where our whole food are gently dehydrated for flavor and nutrient retention..
- SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES and ADULT DOGS: Complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation).
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to have a positive impact on our employees, communities and the environment.
- MAKES 16 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm water for a wholesome & delicious meal that rehydrates to 4x its weight. A 4 LB box makes 16 LBs of fresh food! Serve alone as a complete easy homemade meal, or use as a topper to dry food.
- HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like free range chicken, organic oats,& banana. Produced in a human food facility where our whole food are gently dehydrated for flavor and nutrient retention..
- SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: Complete & balanced nutrition for adult dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation).
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to have a positive impact on our employees, communities and the environment.
- QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST - A wholesome blend of highest quality ingredients, freeze-dried fruits, vegetables and herbs
- LIMITED INGREDIENTS - This all natural, grain-free recipe contains no fillers, by products, GMO’s or preservatives to keep your dog happy and healthy
- PRE-MIX - This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. Add desired protein that is either cooked or raw
- GREAT TASTE - We don’t compromise on taste. Freeze-drying uses low levels of heat to retain taste, texture and aroma that your pup craves
- JUST ADD WATER - For each cup of dog food add 1-2 cups of warm water. Stir well and let stand for 3-5 minutes
- PREMIUM BLEND - Nutra Complete is veterinarian-developed with 95% ranch-raised beef & organs. Each delicious bite contains hand-selected ingredients for nutrition that help support healthy digestion, a thick coat, healthy immune function, and overall health and happiness.*
- HIGH QUALITY BEEF - Premium, ranch-raised beef and organs make up 95% of Nutra Complete. Our beef is 100% freeze-dried, so your dog gets easily digestible protein from every bite.*
- SEEDS, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES - Our unique blend of seeds, fruits, and vegetables provides your dog with health-supporting nutrients. This includes flaxseed, blueberry, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, and more.*
- HEALTH-SUPPORTING VITAMINS AND MINERALS - Our food contains a variety of ingredients, carefully selected to offer your dog high-quality nutrition to help support their daily well-being and happiness.*
- USE AS FOOD OR AS MIXER - If you’d like to boost your dog’s diet with freeze-dried nutrition but don’t want to replace their current food, you can use Nutra Complete as a mixer. To add, simply reduce the amount of your dog’s food and replace it with the desired amount of Nutra Complete to avoid overfeeding. Each 1lb bag contains about 7 cups of food.
- MAKES 8 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm water for a wholesome & delicious meal that rehydrates to 4x its weight. A 2 LB box makes 8 LBs of fresh food! Serve alone as a complete easy homemade meal, or use as a topper to dry food.
- GRAIN FREE, CAGE FREE CHICKEN: The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Chicken dog food is made with real whole food ingredients like cage free chicken, green beans & apples, which are gently dehydrated for maximum flavor & nutrient retention and easy digestion.
- SUITABLE FOR ADULT & SENIOR DOGS: Complete & balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes including adult and senior dogs.
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to have a positive impact on our employees, communities and the environment.
- Upgrade to Air Dried for More Nutrients: We slowly oven roast our food at a low temperature so each bite retains maximum nutrition and a crunchy texture bursting with flavor—a great alternative to highly-processed kibble.
- Real Beef is the #1 Ingredient: Single-protein, grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-inspired recipe made with 96% beef to satisfy your pup’s carnivore cravings and a 4% blend of flaxseed, salmon oil, vitamins, & minerals to help support healthy joints and hips.
- Safely Made in the USA with only wholesome ingredients from around the globe, with added vitamins and minerals - entirely free from fillers. Get the digestibility of raw or freeze dried dog foods with the safety and convenience of dry dog food.
- Vet Recommended Complete Nutrition for All Life Stages: Our healthy dog food is vet recommended, AAFCO Compliant, and made in an SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified facility so you can rest assured that your pup is getting a safe, nutritious meal.
- For Pet Parents, By Pet Parents: All dogs deserve the very best - that’s why as a small business Pawstruck only makes natural & healthy recipes that we proudly feed our own dogs, using the strictest of quality standards.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dehydrated Dog Food
Dehydrated dog food is a fantastic option for pet owners seeking high-quality, nutritious meals for their furry friends. This food uses low heat to remove moisture from fresh ingredients, locking in nutrients without harsh processing. Choosing the right brand can make a big difference in your dog’s health. Here is what you need to know before you buy.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for dehydrated dog food, certain features signal a superior product. Look closely at the ingredient list and the manufacturing process.
1. Ingredient Quality and Sourcing
- Real Meat First: The first ingredient should always be a named meat source (like “dehydrated chicken” or “dehydrated beef”), not meat by-products.
- Whole Foods: You want to see vegetables, fruits, and healthy grains listed, not just fillers.
2. Nutritional Completeness
Ensure the label states the food is “Complete and Balanced” for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or all life stages). This means it meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.
3. Minimal Processing
The best dehydrated foods use low-temperature drying. This process preserves vitamins and enzymes better than traditional high-heat cooking.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The materials used in dehydrated food determine its value. Think of it like cooking for yourself—fresh ingredients provide the best results.
Protein Sources
High-quality protein builds strong muscles. Look for single-source proteins if your dog has allergies. Avoid excessive rendered fats or unidentified animal meals.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Good sources include sweet potatoes, peas, or brown rice. These provide necessary energy and support digestive health. Avoid corn, wheat, and soy if you see them high on the list, as some dogs do not digest these well.
Fats and Oils
Healthy fats are crucial for skin and coat health. Look for ingredients like flaxseed or fish oil (rich in Omega-3s).
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
How the food is made heavily influences its quality. Understanding these factors helps you pick a winner.
Quality Boosters:
- Freeze-Dried vs. Dehydrated: While both remove water, freeze-drying is often gentler, though it can be more expensive.
- Addition of Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria support a healthy gut microbiome.
- Limited Ingredient Diets (LID): These are great for dogs with sensitivities because they use fewer, simpler ingredients.
Quality Reducers:
- Artificial Additives: Colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT) reduce the natural quality.
- High Ash Content: This can sometimes indicate too many bone meals were used instead of muscle meat.
User Experience and Use Cases
Dehydrated food offers flexibility that kibble does not. Owners love how easy it is to use in various situations.
Convenience and Storage:
Because the water is removed, the food is lightweight and takes up very little space. You simply rehydrate it with warm water before serving. This makes storage simple and reduces trips to the pet store.
Best Use Cases:
- Travel: It is perfect for camping, road trips, or flying because it is light and shelf-stable.
- Topping Meals: You can use a small amount of rehydrated food as a healthy topper for less exciting kibble.
- Sensitive Stomachs: Because the ingredients are often less processed, many owners find this food easier for dogs with sensitive digestion.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Dehydrated Dog Food
Q: What is the difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried food?
A: Both remove water, but freeze-drying uses a vacuum to remove moisture at very low temperatures, which often preserves more nutrients than standard dehydration.
Q: Does dehydrated food need to be refrigerated after opening?
A: No, the dry, dehydrated product is shelf-stable. You only need to refrigerate leftovers once you have added water to it.
Q: How long does it take to rehydrate the food?
A: Most brands require about 10 to 20 minutes soaking in warm water. You should follow the specific instructions on the bag.
Q: Is dehydrated food as nutritious as fresh raw food?
A: It is often comparable because the ingredients start as fresh food, but the gentle drying process locks in most of the original nutritional value.
Q: Is this food suitable for puppies?
A: Yes, if the packaging clearly states it is formulated for “Puppy” or “All Life Stages.”
Q: Does the rehydrated food spoil quickly?
A: Once rehydrated, you should treat it like fresh leftovers. Feed it within an hour or two, or refrigerate it for up to three days.
Q: Will my dog like the taste?
A: Most dogs love it! The process concentrates the natural flavors of the meat and vegetables, making it very appealing.
Q: Is dehydrated dog food expensive?
A: It is generally more expensive per bag than dry kibble because of the high-quality ingredients and the careful drying process.
Q: Can I feed my dog dehydrated food without adding water?
A: It is strongly recommended that you add water. Feeding it completely dry can cause digestive upset or dehydration because the food will absorb moisture from your dog’s system.
Q: How do I transition my dog to this new food?
A: Always transition slowly over 7 to 10 days. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with their old food, gradually increasing the ratio each day.