Does your dog deserve the best nutrition possible? Many dog owners want to feed their furry friends a raw diet. However, preparing raw food takes a lot of time and can sometimes feel messy. You worry about balancing nutrients correctly for your active pup.
This is where freeze-dried raw dog food steps in as a game-changer. It offers the goodness of raw food without the hassle. But, the market is flooded with brands. How do you know which one truly meets your dog’s needs? Choosing the right one can feel confusing and overwhelming.
This article cuts through the noise. We will explore exactly what makes freeze-dried raw food so beneficial. You will learn what ingredients to look for and how to spot the best options for your dog’s health. Get ready to confidently choose the perfect freeze-dried meal that will have your dog thriving.
Top Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Recommendations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- PREMIUM BLEND - Nutra Complete Chicken Recipe is veterinarian-developed with 95% cage-free chicken & 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 CHICKEN - Premium, cage-free chicken and organs make up 95% of Nutra Complete. Our chicken 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Freeze-dried raw dog food offers a great way to give your dog the benefits of a raw diet without the hassle or safety concerns of handling raw meat. This guide helps you choose the best option for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at these important features. They tell you a lot about the food’s quality and how good it is for your dog.
1. Ingredient Transparency
- Clear Sourcing: The best brands clearly state where their meat, organs, and vegetables come from. Look for phrases like “humanely raised” or “free-range.”
- Simple Lists: A good freeze-dried food has a short ingredient list. You should recognize almost every item.
2. Protein Content
Dogs are carnivores. High protein is essential. Aim for foods where meat, poultry, or fish is the first ingredient, making up a large percentage of the total weight.
3. Nutritional Completeness
Make sure the food is “complete and balanced.” This means it has all the necessary vitamins and minerals your dog needs. Some foods are only meant as toppers, not complete meals.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The quality of the materials directly affects your dog’s health. Freeze-drying preserves the nutrients found in the raw ingredients.
Meat Sources
The primary ingredient should be whole meat (like chicken, beef, or salmon). Avoid foods heavy on fillers or by-products.
Organs and Bone
Raw diets include nutrient-dense organs (like liver and kidney) and ground bone for natural calcium. These provide essential vitamins that muscle meat lacks.
Fruits and Vegetables
Look for added superfoods like cranberries, spinach, or pumpkin. These add antioxidants and fiber. They should be present in small, beneficial amounts, not as the main ingredient.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all freeze-dried foods are made equal. A few differences can greatly change the food’s value.
Factors That Improve Quality (The Good Stuff)
- Minimal Processing: The freeze-drying process itself is gentle. It removes water but keeps most nutrients intact.
- No Added Fillers: High-quality foods skip added grains (like corn or wheat), artificial colors, and synthetic preservatives.
- Probiotics and Enzymes: Some top brands include beneficial bacteria that support healthy digestion.
Factors That Reduce Quality (Watch Outs)
If you see many processed ingredients, the quality goes down. Some lower-quality foods add starches or sugars to help the food hold its shape. These ingredients offer little nutritional value to a dog.
User Experience and Use Cases
Freeze-dried food is super flexible. Understanding how others use it can help you decide if it fits your lifestyle.
Ease of Use
This food is incredibly convenient. You simply scoop the desired amount and add water, broth, or milk replacer. It rehydrates quickly, usually in minutes. This makes feeding time fast and easy.
Use Cases
- Complete Meal Replacement: For daily feeding, especially for picky eaters who love the taste of raw food.
- Travel Food: Since it is lightweight and shelf-stable, it is perfect for camping, road trips, or visiting friends. No refrigeration is needed before opening!
- Meal Topper/Mix-In: Many owners sprinkle a small amount over their dog’s regular kibble. This boosts flavor and adds raw nutrition easily.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I feed freeze-dried raw food?
A: You usually mix the dry food with warm water or broth. The water softens it and brings back the texture of fresh raw food. Follow the bag’s instructions for the right ratio.
Q: Is freeze-dried food truly raw?
A: Yes, the ingredients are raw when they enter the freeze-dryer. The low-temperature process kills pathogens without cooking the food, keeping nutrients safe.
Q: Does this food need to be kept in the refrigerator?
A: No, not until you add water. Before opening, you store it in a cool, dry pantry. Once you add liquid, you must refrigerate any leftovers.
Q: Is freeze-dried food expensive?
A: It is usually more expensive per pound than dry kibble. However, because it is lightweight, a bag lasts a long time. Compare cost per serving, not just the bag price.
Q: Can I feed this to my puppy?
A: Many formulas are suitable for all life stages, including puppies. Always check the label to ensure it meets the AAFCO standards for growth.
Q: What does “complete and balanced” mean?
A: It means the food meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for your dog’s life stage.
Q: How long does it take to rehydrate?
A: Most brands rehydrate in about 5 to 10 minutes. Stirring helps speed up the process.
Q: Is the texture appealing to dogs?
A: Yes, most dogs love the taste and texture once it is moistened. The strong smell of real meat makes it very attractive.
Q: Are there any risks with freeze-dried raw food?
A: The main benefit is that the freeze-drying process greatly reduces bacteria risks found in fresh raw meat. Always follow safe handling and rehydration instructions.
Q: Can I use this food as a training treat?
A: Absolutely. You can crumble the small pieces or use them as high-value rewards during training sessions.