Question 1

What is Dehydrated Dog Food?

Accepted Answer

Dehydrated dog food is  a healthy, minimally processed dietary option for dogs of ALL ages that  has rich flavors and high nutritional content - meaning your good boy  (or girl!) gets the most out of the ingredients. Dehydrated food  combines the best of all worlds. The convenience of dry food and many of  the nutritional values and benefits of raw (without the germ concerns  and mess). Plus it's lightweight and dogs LOVE the taste.
Dehydration is a  process that removes moisture from ingredients while maintaining the  nutrients and positive qualities of those ingredients. Removing the  water from ingredients creates a lightweight, nutrient-rich, healthy  alternative to ‘cooked’ kibbles and dry foods.
Drying food only  minimally affects the nutritional values of ingredients, especially in  comparison to dry kibbles and highly-processed canned dog foods. As  kibble cooks (sometimes at temperatures over 500 degrees), it kills many essential nutrients,  enzymes, and proteins found in the original ingredients. The  dehydration process is gentle, effective, and ideal for keeping the  prime nutritional value of the ingredients. This process ensures your  pup is happy, healthy, and strong.

Question 2

How do you mix dehydrated dog food?

Accepted Answer

Just mix warm water  with the corresponding food and stir. You can find the mixing  ratios/amounts on the feeding guide of the dog food bag - it’s usually  on the back!
Next, let it sit for  2-3 minutes so that the water can re-hydrate all of the ingredients. This  allows for all the nutrients, flavors, and aromas to reach their  optimal state ensuring your doggo will love the taste and the benefits.  Once it re-hydrates, you can feed it to your pup!
Mixing your dehydrated food at home is easy! Now, let’s explore the process of making dehydrated dog food.

Question 3

How is Dehydrated Dog Food Made?

Accepted Answer

Dehydrated dog food is  made using a very gentle, low-heat, drying method. This process helps  to retain essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals found naturally in  the ingredients.
The process of  dehydrating the ingredients mimics the natural preservation process  found in nature, the sun! Food dehydration is a process that has been  used for thousands of years to make food last longer and remain safe.
With the dehydration  of dog food, the low-temperature removal of water helps to keep the  original nutritional value of ingredients intact. At the same time, the  removal of moisture reduces the likelihood of growth of any pathogens or  microorganisms that are dangerous to dogs and are often associated with  raw food diets.
Is dehydrated dog food safe?
Out of all types of  dog food, dehydrated dog food is one of the safest options available.  The dehydration process removes moisture from the ingredients helping it  to last longer, especially in comparison to raw food. What this means  for you is a longer shelf life without the need for a plethora of  preservatives that are found in kibble.
Couple the long shelf life with healthier and tastier ingredients, and you’ve got a food that is extremely safe for your dog.
How Long Does Dehydrated Dog Food Last?
Dehydrated dog food,  dependent on the brand and product line, typically has a shelf life  ranging from 12 months to 2 years. It is important to verify by brand  how long their food can stay on your shelf and still be safe for your  pup.
Once mixed with water,  leftovers from dehydrated food can typically stay good for your pup for  2-3 days in the fridge. When reusing leftovers it is best to add some  more warm water, enough to improve the taste and aroma for your  four-legged friend.

Question 4

What are the Benefits of Dehydrated Dog Food? Is It Healthy?

Accepted Answer

Dehydrated Dog Food vs Kibble
Most people are  extremely familiar with kibble but dehydrated might be completely new to  you! So let’s break down the differences between the two. There are  some very stark differences between kibble and dehydrated dog food, so let’s get to it!
Cooking Method
Kibble is made by  combining together wet and dry ingredients until they form a dough. That  dough is then cooked with high-temperature steam or water. The  ingredients are under extremely high pressure and temperatures during  this cooking process. Once ingredients pass through this process and are  molded into the desired kibble shape, the product goes through another  level of drying to remove all moisture.
This high-heat process  often alters the original state of ingredients leaving them less  nutritious and oftentimes even lacking vital nutrients like taurine.  Many of the essential amino acids and nutrients have to be synthetically  added after the cooking process is finished.
Dehydrated dog food is  made by taking real-food ingredients and gently cooking them at low  temperatures to remove moisture while retaining the nutritional benefits  and enzymes found naturally in the ingredients. The concept is similar  to that of making beef jerky or kale chips. The nutritional benefits  stay mostly the same while creating a more accessible and long-lasting  product.
Nutrient Makeup
Kibble is often found  to be full of more preservatives (due to the cooking process) than  dehydrated dog food. These preservatives don’t provide much value to  your dog’s health.
As was mentioned  before, the dehydration process gives the food a more natural and  nutrient-rich profile in comparison to kibble. Your dog receives more of  the natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in the original  ingredients with a dehydrated diet.
Price
When you compare the  price of kibble vs dehydrated dog food, kibble often is less expensive.  But just like with the food that you buy for yourself, lower-priced food  typically equates to processed food lower in nutritious ingredients and  benefits. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for with dog  food!
Raw vs Dehydrated Dog Food
Raw and dehydrated dog  foods have many similarities but also some major (and often-time  decision altering) differences. Each one has its respective positives  and accompanying downfalls for both you and your dog!
Preparation Process
Raw
With  raw food, the recipe makeup, grocery shopping, and subsequent  preparation all fall into your lap as the pup parent. For some people,  the comfort and peace of mind knowing they hand-picked and prepared each  ingredient in their dog’s food is worth the time spent making each  meal.
To prepare raw meals  for your dog you can expect to spend some time each week researching,  shopping, and preparing the meals. Many people are able to devote extra  time to meal creation for their pup, while others may not have enough  time to even make meals for themselves! ;)
As stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA- America's agency responsible  for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and  security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical devices), “Compared to other types of pet food, raw pet food is more likely to be  contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, such as Salmonella and  Listeria monocytogenes.” When working with raw foods, the likelihood of  food borne illnesses can cause problems not only for your dog but for  everyone in the home.
Bottom line, preparing raw food takes time and requires extra cautions to avoid any illnesses for yourself or your pup.
Dehydrated
The  preparation, or cooking method, for dehydrated dog food, utilizes many  of the same ingredients in raw food. Alternatively, the ingredients are  prepared in a safer and simpler way for you, the doggy parent.
Dehydrated dog food is  made by taking real-food ingredients and slowly, you guessed it,  dehydrating them until there is no moisture remaining. This process is  done at a low heat to retain the natural enzymes and nutrients found in  the natural ingredients.
As for your personal  preparation of dehydrated dog food, it’s quite simple. Just scoop the  correct amount of dehydrated mix, and then add the corresponding amount  of water and stir. After 2-3 minutes, you have a ready to eat meal for  your good boy or girl.
Nutrient Makeup
Raw diets and  dehydrated dog foods have similar nutrient profiles. Raw diets give you  the freedom to customize the exact ingredients dependent upon your dog’s  needs. So for example, you’ll see some raw diet recipes that contain  more meat than dehydrated food. Raw diets also give you the ability to  switch up ingredients so that your dog gets a variety of flavors and  options.
Dehydrated dog food  uses very similar ingredients as found in raw diets and retains most of  the nutrients because of the low-temperature dehydration process. The  nutritional value of both raw diets and dehydrated food is higher than  kibble in most cases!
Price
When you compare  prices, raw diets are most often more expensive than dehydrated dog  foods. A raw diet (especially per-prepared raw food) is often the most  expensive diet type on the spectrum of dog diets. With raw diets, health  benefits can become a money-saver in the long run.
Dehydrated dog food  falls about in the middle of the pricing spectrum for dog foods,  typically only slightly more expensive than the higher-end kibble  brands. Dehydrated dog food diets often help alleviate many of the  common health problems associated with kibble.
Is Dehydrated Dog Food the Same as a Raw Diet?
Dehydrated dog food  and raw diets are not the same but have many similarities. Raw diets  most often are prepared by you, at home, whereas dehydrated food is  purchased in already created mixes that just require the addition of  water for preparation.
Air Dried vs Freeze Dried vs Dehydrated Dog Food
In the realm of  freeze-dried vs air-dried vs dehydrated dog food, each one has some  similarities and helps your pup get a highly nutritious, easy to prepare  and delicious meal.
Air Dried Dog Food
Just  like it sounds, air-dried dog food take the ingredients and removes the  moisture through air drying. To ensure that all potentially harmful  illnesses or pathogens are killed off, many air-dried foods go through  multiple rounds of drying.
Air dried dog foods  are known for the gentle processing that helps the ingredients retain  their natural enzymes, nutrients, and vitamins. Most air-dried dog foods  are served as is, without adding any water or additional ingredients.
With freeze-dried dog food, all the moisture is removed from the ingredients while still keeping  the food frozen. The way it's frozen makes it so that the ingredients  never got above a frozen temperature, meaning the nutrients remain  mostly intact. The freeze-dried food product can have tendencies to  crumble but is still very nutrient-rich for your dog.
Dehydrated Dog Food
Dehydrated  dog food goes through minimal heat and pressure processing to remove  the moisture from the ingredients. The “cooking” is done at a very low  heat as to retain the natural enzymes, nutritional values, and vitamins  found in the original ingredients.
Dehydrated dog food is often made to be “re-hydrated” with water before serving to your dog. This re-hydration helps your dog to receive the necessary amount of water for daily intake as part of their meal times.

Question 5

What Kind of Dogs Can Eat Dehydrated Dog Food?

Accepted Answer

No matter your dog's  shape, size, breed, or age, dehydrated dog food can be a very healthy  option. Most dogs, especially those who have been fed kibble diets their  whole life, will see vast improvements in their coat and skin, overall energy levels, and health when switching to dehydrated food.
As with switching to  any new food, it’s important to gradually introduce the new food to them  so their stomach can adapt and digest to the new ingredients.
Is Dehydrated Dog Food Good for Senior Dogs?
Dogs often start to  experience changes in their bodies, health, and overall well-being as  they age. It is important to make sure you are getting them the correct  nutrients and vitamins necessary for their aging bodies.
On that topic, many  senior dogs need extra levels of ingredients to help with joint pain  which is very common in older pups. Ingredients like glucosamine,  chondroitin, and MSM are important for helping your dog avoid joint  pain. These ingredients also work to strengthen their joints and  cartilage. Although many dog foods contain some of these ingredients, a  dog in their senior years often needs a dedicated joint supplement. (And on that note, you can start giving joint supplements to your pooch at an early age for preventative measures!)
Dehydrated dog food is  typically a great choice for senior dogs because it is nutrient-rich,  easy to chew (some dogs lose their teeth with age), and easy to digest.
Is Dehydrated Dog Food Good for Puppies?
Starting your puppy off on the right nutrition foot can pay huge dividends in the long run for their health and for your wallet!
Some dehydrated food  formulations are specific for puppies while others function for all  stages of life. The important thing is to make sure you are feeding the  correct amount to your pup. It's also important to be sure the food you  choose has the necessary nutrients, proteins, and vitamins for your puppy
Keep in mind, cheaper  dog foods often sacrifice essential nutrients for your sweet little pup.  So, be sure to find a dehydrated dog food that will cover all their  nutritional needs! Gotta keep them growing up healthy and strong.

Question 6

Do Dogs Like the Taste of Dehydrated Dog Food?

Accepted Answer

Most dogs, especially  those who are switching from kibble, will LOVE the taste of dehydrated  dog food. Dogs often enjoy “wet” foods more in comparison to dry. So,  dehydrated dog food naturally has a higher level of palatability for  dogs.
When you “re-hydrate” a  dehydrated dog food, the aromas and scents are often very pleasing to  dogs. These aromas help increase the taste and palatability for your  fluffy friend.
Not only that, but  dehydrated food maintains the natural flavors and tastes of the meats  and other ingredients in the food very well because of the minimal  processing. Instead of cooking the ingredients at high temperatures like  kibble, dehydrated foods maintain the natural flavors and nutrients of  ingredients through a low processing dehydration process. This process  helps your pup enjoy real meat flavors in a safe and simple way.
Is Dehydrated Dog Food Good for Picky Eaters?
Every dog is different. But, most picky dog eaters that try out dehydrated dog food will love the taste.
The dehydration  process helps maintain the natural flavors and tastes of the ingredients  making even the pickiest of pups love mealtime. Again, every dog is  different but generally, picky eaters will enjoy dehydrated dog food.
Should I Feed My Dog Dehydrated Dog Food?
Our simple answer is  yes. Most dogs will love dehydrated dog food and will see vast  improvements in their health when switching from kibble.
To answer this  question for yourself you need to decide what’s important to you in your  dog’s food. If you are looking for a highly nutritious, easy to  prepare, healthy dog food, then dehydrated dog food can be a great  option for your pup!
Dehydrated Dog Food Overview - A Healthy Option
Dehydrated dog food is  nutritious, convenient to make, and affordable for the nutritional  value your pup will get. It takes natural, real-food food ingredients  and dehydrates them in a natural way to help maintain the nutritional  integrity of the ingredients.
Dehydrated food can be  a great option for those who want the health benefits of raw diets  without the risks of food-borne illnesses, long prep times, and costly  grocery store trips.
And if you want to try out a similar alternative to dehydrated food, freeze dried meal toppers are a great option!