Does your dog deserve the best food possible? Many pet owners want healthy, natural options for their furry friends. But the pet food aisle can feel like a maze! You see bags promising amazing health benefits, and it gets confusing fast. Choosing the right food is tough, especially when you want something nutritious but also convenient.
Air-dried dog food is gaining popularity. People like that it keeps more nutrients than highly processed kibble. However, knowing which brand is truly good, what ingredients matter most, and how to switch your dog over smoothly presents real challenges. You worry about fillers, low-quality meat, and whether your dog will even eat it!
This post cuts through the noise. We will explore what air-dried food really is, list the top benefits, and show you exactly how to read labels like a pro. By the end, you will feel confident picking the perfect air-dried meal for your dog’s happy life. Let’s dive into the world of gently prepared nutrition!
Top Air Dried Dog Food Recommendations
- Superfood complete Ingredients are cooked responsibly at low temperatures and air-dried for maximum nutritional value.
- Contains 87% Beef, Beef Heart, Beef liver, and Salmon, 13% seed, vegetables, fruit, minerals and vitamins. NO fillers, corn, wheat, soy, or byproduct.
- Contains Premium Ingredients chosen for nutrition to help support your dogs smooth digestion, healthy vitality, and joint health.*
- Ingredients are hand-selected to support your dogs skin and coat, digestion and immune function.*
- Does not require refrigeration, heat, or water. Simply measure the suggested serving size based on your dogs weight and activity level, pour it into their bowl and watch them enjoy! When youre done, seal the bag up tight.
- 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.
- HIGH PROTEIN, NUTRIENT DENSE: Featuring free-range Beef, Organs, Bone, and New Zealand Green Mussels, this grain-free dog food delivers nutrition with a mouth-watering taste for all dogs. Gentle air dried processing retains the goodness of the raw ingredients. This food offers stimulating crunchy texture small enough for puppy food but soft enough for senior dog food.
- GRAIN FREE RAW ALTERNATIVE: Gently air-dries raw ingredients for a nutritious, raw alternative dry dog food with a delicious jerky-like texture that dogs love. This process preserves the nutrition and flavor and is perfect for all life stages, from puppy food to senior dog snacks, with added vitamins and minerals. This formula is free from fillers commonly found in kibble.
- FRESH FOOD NUTRITION with SHELF STABILITY: This superfood blend of cold-washed Green Tripe, New Zealand Green Mussels, and Organic Kelp supports digestion, joint health, and healthy shiny coats. The air-dry process provides all the shelf stability of freeze dried dog treats and food with the nutritional benefits of fresh dog food.
- MEALS, TREATS, and FOOD TOPPERS: Serve as a complete balanced meal. Useful as a treat reward, or dog food toppers to provide texture stimulation with a supplement boost.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED: ZIWI sources only 100% free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished meats, and wild-caught seafoods, all from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Farmed without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants.
- HIGH PROTEIN, NUTRIENT DENSE: Featuring free-range Chicken, Organs, Bone, and New Zealand Green Mussels, this grain-free dog food delivers nutrition with a mouth-watering taste for all dogs. Gentle air dried processing retains the goodness of the raw ingredients. This food offers stimulating crunchy texture small enough for puppy food but soft enough for senior dog food.
- FRESH FOOD NUTRITION with SHELF STABILITY: This superfood blend of cold-washed Green Tripe, New Zealand Green Mussels, and Organic Kelp supports digestion, joint health, and healthy shiny coats. The air-dry process provides all the shelf stability of freeze dried dog treats and food with the nutritional benefits of fresh dog food.
- GRAIN FREE RAW ALTERNATIVE: Gently air-dries raw ingredients for a nutritious, raw alternative dry dog food with a delicious jerky-like texture that dogs love. This process preserves the nutrition and flavor and is perfect for all life stages, from puppy food to senior dog snacks, with added vitamins and minerals. This formula is free from fillers commonly found in kibble.
- MEALS, TREATS, and FOOD TOPPERS: Serve as a complete balanced meal. Useful as a treat reward, or dog food toppers to provide texture stimulation with a supplement boost.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED: ZIWI sources only 100% free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished meats, and wild-caught seafoods, all from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Farmed without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants.
- NUTRIENT RICH: Air drying naturally retains more vitamins and minerals due to its minimal processing, helping your dog to digest.
- 90% TURKEY RECIPE: Turkey makes up 90% of our recipe- no rendered meals or pea proteins ñ so your dogs get the essential amino acids they need from high quality pieces of meat you can see.
- THE FLAVOR DOGS LOVE: Our air-dried process locks delicious flavor into tender-jerky style bites without the use of fillers or artificial preservatives. Let your dog taste the difference.
- CONVENIENCE: As easy and convenient as kibble. Experience the benefits of fresh dog food with the convenience of dry. Easy to store, scoop, and serve without handling raw food. Our Air Dried is like kibble, but better!
- 100% HUMAN GRADE: Following quality standards made for people food.
- NUTRIENT RICH: Air drying naturally retains more vitamins and minerals due to its minimal processing, helping your dog to digest.
- 90% CHICKEN RECIPE: Chicken makes up 90% of our recipe- no rendered meals or pea proteins ñ so your dogs get the essential amino acids they need from high quality pieces of meat you can see.
- THE FLAVOR DOGS LOVE: Our air-dried process locks delicious flavor into tender-jerky style bites without the use of fillers or artificial preservatives. Let your dog taste the difference.
- CONVENIENCE: As easy and convenient as kibble. Experience the benefits of fresh dog food with the convenience of dry. Easy to store, scoop, and serve without handling raw food. Our Air Dried is like kibble, but better!
- 100% HUMAN GRADE: Following quality standards made for people food.
- THE ART OF SLOW AIR-DRYING - Our gentle, low-temperature air-drying process preserves the natural nutrients, flavors, and aromas of real ingredients, ensuring your pup experiences peak freshness & mouthwatering taste with every bite.
- REAL CHICKEN, BEEF, OR SALMON IS THE #1 INGREDIENT - Our delicious recipes provide your pup the hearty, protein-packed nutrition they crave for optimal health & happiness.
- NUTRITION YOU CAN SEE - Each bite is full of delicious, real superfoods you can see like carrots, pumpkin, & blueberries to support your pup’s healthy lifestyle.
- GRAIN FREE & NUTRIENT DENSE WITH NO FILLERS - Enjoy peace of mind with a grain-free, filler-free formula that emphasizes real, nutritious ingredients, helping your pup thrive.
- A TASTE THEY’LL BEG FOR - Tender meaty bites packed with flavor and a proven hit with picky eaters, turning every feeding into a joyful, tail-wagging experience.
- THE ART OF SLOW AIR-DRYING - Our gentle, low-temperature air-drying process preserves the natural nutrients, flavors, and aromas of real ingredients, ensuring your pup experiences peak freshness & mouthwatering taste with every bite.
- REAL CHICKEN, BEEF, OR SALMON IS THE #1 INGREDIENT - Our delicious recipes provide your pup the hearty, protein-packed nutrition they crave for optimal health & happiness.
- NUTRITION YOU CAN SEE - Each bite is full of delicious, real superfoods you can see like carrots, pumpkin, & blueberries to support your pup’s healthy lifestyle.
- GRAIN FREE & NUTRIENT DENSE WITH NO FILLERS - Enjoy peace of mind with a grain-free, filler-free formula that emphasizes real, nutritious ingredients, helping your pup thrive.
- A TASTE THEY’LL BEG FOR - Tender meaty bites packed with flavor and a proven hit with picky eaters, turning every feeding into a joyful, tail-wagging experience.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Air-Dried Dog Food
Air-dried dog food is a rising star in the pet food world. It offers a great balance: it keeps more of the good stuff from raw food but is safe and easy to store like kibble. This guide helps you pick the best option for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, keep these main features in mind:
- **High Meat Content:** Good air-dried food should list real meat (like chicken, beef, or fish) as the very first ingredient. Look for 80% or more meat ingredients.
- **Minimal Processing:** The drying process should be gentle. This keeps nutrients intact.
- **Whole Food Ingredients:** You want to see recognizable vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats, not just mystery meals or fillers.
- **Complete and Balanced:** Make sure the bag states it meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or all life stages).
Important Ingredients: What to Seek Out
The ingredients list tells the whole story. A quality air-dried food prioritizes simple, whole components.
Protein Sources
The best protein sources are named clearly. For example, “deboned turkey” is much better than “poultry by-product.” Healthy fats, like those from salmon or flaxseed, are also crucial for a shiny coat and brain health.
Carbohydrates and Fillers
Air-dried foods often use fewer starchy carbs than traditional kibble. If carbs are present, they should be healthy sources like sweet potatoes, lentils, or peas. Avoid foods loaded with corn, wheat, or soy, as these offer less nutritional bang for your buck.
Additives and Preservatives
Check the label carefully. High-quality brands use natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E). Artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT) should not be present.
Factors That Affect Food Quality
The quality of air-dried food depends heavily on how it is made and what goes into it.
Improving Quality
A slow, low-temperature air-drying process significantly improves quality. This method removes moisture without cooking away essential vitamins and enzymes. Foods made in facilities with high safety standards also rate higher.
Reducing Quality
If a food uses low-grade meat scraps or adds excessive amounts of cheap fillers to bulk up the recipe, the quality drops. Over-processing, using high heat during drying, or including artificial ingredients also lowers the overall nutritional value.
User Experience and Use Cases
Air-dried food offers great flexibility for dog owners.
Ease of Use
One huge benefit is convenience. You can serve it dry, just like kibble. Many owners also like that they can rehydrate it with water or broth to create a softer, more appealing meal, which is great for senior dogs or those with sensitive teeth.
Best Use Cases
- **Transitioning:** It works well for transitioning dogs from raw diets to kibble, as it retains a higher nutrient profile than baked food.
- **Toppers:** You can crumble a small amount over standard kibble to boost flavor and nutrition.
- **Travel:** Since the food is lightweight and shelf-stable (no refrigeration needed until opened, and sometimes not even then), it is perfect for camping trips or long car rides.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Air-Dried Dog Food
Q: What exactly is air-dried dog food?
A: Air-dried food is made by gently removing moisture from raw or lightly cooked ingredients using warm air. This keeps the food shelf-stable while preserving more nutrients than traditional high-heat cooking methods.
Q: Is air-dried food the same as freeze-dried food?
A: No. Freeze-drying uses a vacuum and very low temperatures to remove almost all moisture. Air-drying uses warmer air over a longer time. Air-dried food is usually denser and often softer than freeze-dried.
Q: How long does air-dried food last after opening?
A: Most brands recommend using the food within 6 to 8 weeks after opening, though you should always check the specific packaging instructions. Store it in a cool, dry place.
Q: Do I have to add water to air-dried dog food?
A: Not necessarily. You can feed it dry, like kibble. However, adding water softens the texture and can help with hydration, which some dogs prefer.
Q: Is air-dried food safe for my puppy?
A: Many high-quality air-dried foods are formulated for all life stages, including growing puppies. Always confirm the bag states it is “complete and balanced” for puppies.
Q: Does air-drying kill bacteria like salmonella?
A: Yes. The gentle cooking or heating process used in air-drying is usually enough to eliminate harmful pathogens, making it safer than feeding truly raw diets.
Q: Is air-dried food more expensive than regular kibble?
A: Generally, yes. Because it uses higher quality ingredients and a more careful manufacturing process, air-dried food costs more than standard extruded kibble.
Q: Can I mix air-dried food with my dog’s current kibble?
A: Yes, this is a very common practice. You can use the air-dried food as a healthy topper to increase palatability and nutrition.
Q: Are the carbohydrates low in air-dried formulas?
A: They tend to be lower than in heavily processed kibble, but carbohydrate levels vary widely by brand. Look for recipes that use nutrient-dense sources like sweet potatoes instead of grains.
Q: What is the best way to store unopened bags?
A: Keep the bag sealed tightly in a cool, dark pantry. Avoid storing it near the oven or in direct sunlight, as heat and light can degrade the healthy fats over time.