Does your dog’s dinner bowl leave you scratching your head? You want to give your furry friend the best nutrition, but the pet food aisle feels like a maze. Raw food sounds ideal, packed with the goodness dogs naturally crave. However, the thought of handling raw meat daily can be messy and frankly, a little scary for many busy pet parents.
This is where freeze-dried raw dog food steps in, promising the benefits of raw without the hassle. But even this category presents its own puzzles. How do you know which brand truly preserves the nutrients? Are they all the same? Navigating labels, understanding ingredient sourcing, and ensuring a complete diet can quickly turn excitement into confusion.
Don’t worry! We are breaking down everything you need to know about freeze-dried raw. By the end of this guide, you will confidently understand the process, spot the best ingredients, and choose a food that keeps your dog thriving. Get ready to transform mealtime from a chore into a source of pure canine joy.
Top Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Recommendations
- Includes One 21 oz Resealable Tub: Stewart Freeze Dried Beef Liver irresistible dog treats are perfect for training, rewarding, or enhancing your dog’s meals with high-protein, single-ingredient nutrition with up to 475 treats per tub for a 3 month supply
- The Original Freeze-Dried Dog Treats Since 1973: Our treats are made in the USA with trusted ingredients; Freeze dried in small batches in our Dayton, Ohio facility using USDA-certified beef liver sourced from reputable US suppliers
- Professional Trainer-Preferred: Our freeze-dried treats have been trusted by professional trainers for decades and were recognized by CNN Underscored as a top dog treat in December 2024
- Single Ingredient and Versatile: Made with 100 percent beef liver, these natural dog treats are grain free, gluten free, soy free, and corn free; great for training, food toppers, or dogs with food sensitivities to add variety and raw nutrition
- Raw Nutrition Without the Mess: We gently freeze dry raw beef liver to lock in nutrients and flavor, then package it in a resealable tub to keep treats fresh and tasty; Cats love these and they are safe as a healthy cat treat for your feline friends
- 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.
- EXCEPTIONAL FOR PICKY EATERS – Consistently entices even the most finicky dogs to eat when other foods fail – our freeze-dried raw patties deliver irresistible taste that transforms mealtime for selective dogs.
- VERSATILE SERVING OPTIONS – Perfect as complete meals, crumbled food toppers, or high-value training treats – ideal for puppies and adult dogs with options to serve dry or rehydrated with water.
- 95% GRASS-FED BEEF & ORGANS – Premium freeze-dried raw nutrition with whole-prey approach delivers muscle-building protein, enhanced digestibility, and natural nutrients that support coat, skin, and overall health.
- BALANCED NUTRITION FOR ALL LIFE STAGES – Complete and balanced diet for growing puppies and adult dogs with probiotics for digestive health and omega fatty acids for skin and coat – free from grains, gluten, fillers, and artificial preservatives.
- MADE IN USA WITH PREMIUM INGREDIENTS – Small-batch production with 100% organic fruits and vegetables, responsibly-sourced ingredients, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors – trusted by thousands of pet parents.
- Made with High-Quality Ingredients – Each bag is crafted with real meat, nutrient-rich organ meats, fruits, vegetables, and seeds, providing a variety of ingredients in every serving. Made proudly in the USA.
- Freeze-Dried for Convenience – Freeze-drying helps maintain the natural taste and nutrients of raw ingredients while making it easy to store and prepare, with no refrigeration needed.
- Serve as a Meal or a Topper – Use as your dog’s complete meal or sprinkle over their usual food for added variety and taste. If using as a topper, reduce the amount of their current food to avoid overfeeding.
- No Fillers or Artificial Preservatives – Formulated without grains, cereals, or unnecessary fillers, and contains no artificial preservatives.
- Bite-Sized and Easy to Serve – The pieces are conveniently sized for dogs of all breeds and sizes, making mealtime quick and easy for you while providing a meal your dog will look forward to.
- UPGRADE FROM KIBBLE TO FREEZE-DRIED RAW: 3x more real meat & nutrient-rich organs than Instinct Original Kibble, delivering high-quality animal protein for strong, lean muscles
- MINIMALLY PROCESSED: Never cooked and less processed than kibble to preserve ingredient integrity, nutrients, and deliver complete, balanced nutrition
- POWER OF RAW: Feeding raw supports healthy digestion, lean muscles, strong bones, and vibrant skin & coat
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Made with 85% meat & organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins & minerals; free from grain, corn, wheat, soy, legumes, artificial colors & preservatives.
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for a wholesome, complete diet
- 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.
- FREEZE DRIED RAW MEAT: Kibble in the Raw locks in the nutrients and flavor of raw meat through our freeze-dried process. Unlike traditional kibble, it delivers optimized nutrition and digestibility without high-heat cooking and overprocessing.
- EASY SCOOP AND SERVE: Skip the prep and mess! Kibble in the Raw is ready to serve straight from the bag, offering the convenience of dry dog food with the nutrition of a raw diet. No preparation or hydration necessary.
- BEEF RECIPE: Made with 100% freeze dried raw protein and grass-fed beef, this recipe delivers protein-rich nutrition to help maintain muscle health and support sustained energy. Packed with flavor, it’s a meal your pup will love with every bite!
- ONLY REAL WHOLE FOODS: We use organic apples, sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, and kale—no synthetic vitamins or minerals. Our minimally processed recipes preserve natural nutrients to help support healthy digestion and overall wellness.
- GENTLE ON DIGESTION: Primal freeze dried dog food is crafted without fillers or common allergens and includes added probiotics to support digestive health, leading to smaller, firmer stools.
- EXCEPTIONAL FOR PICKY EATERS -- Consistently entices even the most finicky dogs to eat when other foods fail -- our freeze-dried raw patties deliver irresistible taste that transforms mealtime for selective dogs.
- VERSATILE SERVING OPTIONS -- Perfect as complete meals, crumbled food toppers, or high-value training treats -- ideal for puppies and adult dogs with options to serve dry or rehydrated with water.
- 95% GRASS-FED LAMB & ORGANS -- Premium freeze-dried raw nutrition with whole-prey approach delivers muscle-building protein, enhanced digestibility, and natural nutrients that support coat, skin, and overall health.
- BALANCED NUTRITION FOR ALL LIFE STAGES -- Complete and balanced diet for growing puppies and adult dogs with probiotics for digestive health and omega fatty acids from pumpkin and fenugreek seeds for skin and coat -- free from grains, gluten, fillers, and artificial preservatives.
- MADE IN USA WITH PREMIUM INGREDIENTS -- Small-batch production with 100% organic fruits and vegetables, responsibly-sourced ingredients, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors -- trusted by thousands of pet parents.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Decoding Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Freeze-dried raw dog food offers a fantastic middle ground between the convenience of kibble and the nutritional benefits of a raw diet. This guide helps you choose the best option for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features. They tell you a lot about the product’s value.
- Ingredient Transparency: Look for brands that list exactly what ingredients they use and where they source them. You want to see whole foods, not vague terms.
- Protein Percentage: High-quality freeze-dried food should have a high percentage of animal protein (usually 40% or higher). This is crucial for strong muscles.
- Inclusion of Organs and Bone: A complete raw diet includes muscle meat, organs (like liver), and ground bone. Ensure the label reflects this balance.
- No Fillers or Artificial Additives: Avoid foods listing corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors and preservatives. These add no real value.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients determine the food’s quality. Think of this as the fuel for your dog’s body.
Primary Protein Sources
The best foods start with named meat sources. Chicken, beef, turkey, or fish are excellent choices. Single-source protein diets are great if your dog has allergies.
Nutrient Boosters
Good brands include beneficial extras. Look for added probiotics for gut health and omega fatty acids (like fish oil) for skin and coat shine. Fruits and vegetables offer necessary vitamins, but they should not be the main ingredient.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all freeze-drying processes are the same. How the food is made significantly affects its final quality.
Quality Enhancers
- Sourcing: Locally sourced, humanely raised meats generally indicate higher quality control.
- Minimal Processing: The freeze-drying process itself should preserve nutrients well. Look for brands that flash-freeze ingredients before drying.
Quality Reducers
- High Carbohydrate Load: If the ingredients list shows lots of potatoes, peas, or rice near the top, the product leans more toward a grain-inclusive kibble style, which reduces the raw benefit.
- Excessive Rendering: If fats are heavily processed or rendered before being added back, nutrients can be lost.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the food impacts your overall experience with the product.
Convenience Factor
Freeze-dried food is incredibly light and shelf-stable. You only need water to rehydrate it, making it perfect for travel, camping, or storing for emergencies. You simply measure the required amount and add warm water.
Feeding Methods
Most owners use this food in three main ways:
- As a Complete Meal: Rehydrate the required serving size as directed on the bag.
- As a Topper: Sprinkle a small amount over existing kibble to boost nutrition and palatability (making the food tastier).
- As Training Treats: Break the dry pieces into very small crumbs to use as high-value rewards during training sessions.
When rehydrating, ensure the food has fully absorbed the water before serving. This prevents your dog from drinking too much water too quickly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Q: What is the difference between freeze-dried and air-dried food?
A: Freeze-drying removes moisture using a vacuum and cold temperatures, which keeps nutrients largely intact. Air-drying uses gentle heat over a longer period, which can slightly degrade some heat-sensitive vitamins.
Q: Do I have to refrigerate freeze-dried dog food?
A: No. Once opened, the sealed bag remains shelf-stable if stored in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration is unnecessary until you add water.
Q: Is freeze-dried raw food truly “raw”?
A: Yes. The ingredients start raw, and the freeze-drying process preserves the nutritional profile of raw food without the risks associated with bacteria in fresh raw meat.
Q: How much water should I add when rehydrating?
A: Follow the specific ratios listed on the product bag. Usually, it is one part food to one or two parts water, depending on the brand’s density.
Q: Can I feed this food dry, without water?
A: While some people use it dry as treats, it is not recommended for daily meals. Adding water aids digestion and ensures your dog stays hydrated.
Q: Is this type of food expensive compared to kibble?
A: Generally, yes. Because it uses higher quality ingredients and a specialized drying process, the cost per serving is usually higher than standard dry kibble.
Q: How long does rehydrated food last in the bowl?
A: Treat it like fresh leftovers. Once rehydrated, it should be consumed within a few hours, or discarded if left out too long at room temperature.
Q: Is this food good for puppies?
A: Many formulas are excellent for puppies because they support rapid growth with high-quality protein and necessary fats, but always check the bag to ensure it meets AAFCO growth standards.
Q: How do I transition my dog to this new food?
A: 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 until they are eating 100% freeze-dried raw.
Q: Are there any known risks with this type of preparation?
A: The primary risk is overfeeding because the food is so dense in nutrients. Always measure carefully according to your dog’s ideal weight and activity level.