FREE DELIVERY for orders from $35.

Ultimate Crash Course On Freeze-Dried Pet Food

Have you ever wondered why freeze-dried pet food is so popular amongst pawrents even though it comes with a seemingly hefty price tag? Well, that’s because it provides immense value to customers and their precious pets (e.g. first-rate nutrition, convenience), which justifies the cost.

By reading this article, you’ll learn about the freeze-drying process, the pros and cons of freeze-dried pet food, how to choose the best freeze-dried pet food brand, and the 3 ways to serve freeze-dried food.

Let’s jump right into it now.



What is the freeze-drying process?

Freeze-dried pet food is produced by getting rid of moisture from the food in a freeze dryer. The ingredients stay frozen throughout the whole process to maximise their freshness and are not exposed to heat.

Simply put, the freeze-drying process is as follows:

1. The whole ingredients are frozen such that the water turns into ice.

2. Afterwards, in the vacuum chamber, the coldness and pressure turn the ice directly into water vapour (the process is called sublimation).

3. The vapour then condenses onto a freezing coil in solid ice form. 

The freeze-drying process is remarkable because it provides a dry raw diet that maximises the nutritional goodness of whole food ingredients. As a result, the freeze-drying process results in almost no nutrient loss, which means that freeze-dried pet foods are raw and ultra-nutritious.

raw meat

You may be wondering: does the freeze-drying process do enough to kill bacteria since the foods are still raw? Is freeze-dried pet food safe?

The answer is high-quality freeze-dried pet food brands are generally safe. Certain freeze-dried raw pet foods go through high-pressure processing (HPP), a pasteurization process used to reduce quantities of bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. However, you should consult your vet if your pet has a special medical condition.


What are the pros and cons of freeze-dried pet food?


Ultra-nutritious

The closest alternative to a completely raw diet, freeze-dried pet food locks in the combination of essential nutrients and mouth-watering goodness in fresh, bite-sized portions. 

Health benefits of freeze-dried pet food:

— Exceptionally suitable for pets with sensitive stomachs, as many freeze-dried pet foods are free from grains and glutens.

— Healthier skin and coat as well as whiter teeth, helping your pet to look and feel pawsome.

— Enhanced digestion and immune system.

— Stronger bones which are absolutely critical for pets with active lifestyles.


Convenient

Many freeze-dried pet food brands don’t require refrigeration before opening. However, some brands recommend putting them in a fridge after opening them. The simple solution would be to read the recommended storage guidelines written in the food packaging.

In addition, freeze-dried pet foods have a super long shelf life.  A standard brand can usually last at least a year, while others can even last for a few years. This helps to give you peace of mind because the food you buy in bulk can be easily stored for a long time without expiring, which resolves your storage woes.


Premium price

Some freeze-dried pet food brands are costly. This is because freeze-drying equipment is expensive, and the freeze-drying process is laborious too. But we passionately believe that the superb nutritional value of freeze-dried pet foods makes them a value-for-money option. After all, why not invest more in your beloved furbaby’s health and nutrition?



How to choose the freeze-dried pet food brand that’s right for you?


Complete vs complementary

Freeze-dried pet food is available as complete foods or complementary foods. As both types of pet foods provide a different level of nutrition, you need to understand the differences between the two to make a good decision.

Complete foods- provide complete and balanced nutrition and can thus be served as the bulk of your pet’s meals.

Complementary foods (e.g. treats)-  supplement your pet’s nutrition and are great for jazzing up mealtimes by increasing food variety.


The best ingredients

Generally speaking, top-notch freeze-dried pet foods are pawsome because they’re made of nutritious ingredients that optimise pet nutrition. We recommend choosing freeze-dried food with the following traits:

— Made primarily of fresh meat (meat, poultry or fish), organ meats like liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, spleen & bone.

— The animal proteins should be free-range. This is because opting for cage-free options minimises animal cruelty and provides health benefits (e.g. free-range meat has more healthy fats).

— Organic ingredients are ideal because this reduces your furbaby’s exposure to potentially harmful artificial chemicals (e.g. chemical fertilisers & pesticides).

— Grain and gluten-free to reduce the risk of allergies.

— Contain fruits and vegetables to help your pet have a balanced diet.



How to feed freeze-dried pet food?

dog with freeze-dried snacks

Feeding Dry

Just pour the freeze-dried pellets into your pet’s food bowl, and they’re ready to eat! It’s so convenient!

Rehydrate

Add a little water to the freeze-dried pellets and let them soak for a few minutes to give them a soft texture. This boosts your pet’s hydration.

Mixing with Kibbles

Simply add your desired number of freeze-dried pellets as toppers to the kibbles.


Introducing Kelly & Co’s Freeze-Dried Cat/Dog Food 


Kelly & Co's freeze-dried raw series meets your cat and dog’s need for real food. All its recipes contain no artificial ingredients at all— e.g. NO hormones, NO fillers & NO preservatives. Hence, they retain 100% of their original nutritional value, supercharging your pets’ nutrition.


Why Kelly & Co’s?

—Delivers freshness:  freeze-drying process locks in whole foods’ aroma, texture & flavour

—Safe: dangerous germs are eliminated while preserving ingredients’ nutritional goodness

—Premium ingredients: only the freshest, human-grade ingredients are used

—Sustainably-sourced: all animal proteins are grass-fed, cage-free, wild-caught, or farm-raised


Kelly & Co's Freezed-Dried Raw Dinner with Mixed Fruits and Vegetables

Kelly & Co's Freeze-Dried Formulas are made with the freshest, human-grade ingredients. This freeze-dried raw meal provides complete and balanced nutrients for pets.

—Comes with certified organic fruits and vegetables

—Grain and gluten-free to reduce the risk of allergies

—Natural with added vitamins and minerals


Shop now


 Kelly & Co’s Freeze-Dried Treats 

 Pamper your precious pet with Kelly & Co’s single-protein raw pet treats! The healthy multi-vitamin treats are the ultimate reward for pets of all life stages, including pets with special nutritional needs.

—Made 100% of meat which is completely free from artificial ingredients. This mono protein, grain and gluten-free recipe is hypoallergenic.

—100% pure and rich in nutrients (e.g. high in protein & low calories)


Shop now

Written by Jolene

Jolene
Jolene is a writer who adores animals. That is why she derives deep satisfaction from researching and writing about animal-related topics.