Is dehydrated dog food better than kibble?

When it comes to your dog’s nutritional needs, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best food for any dog depends on their individual health needs and preferences. One type of food that you may have heard about is dehydrated dog food, which is quickly becoming a popular option for many pet owners. In this blog post, we will be discussing whether dehydrated dog food is better than kibble and the benefits that it offers. We will also be looking at some of the potential drawbacks associated with this type of food, so that you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your pup. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or an experienced pet parent, this post can help you decide whether dehydrated dog food is the right choice for your pup or if you should stick with kibble.

Dehydrated dog food pros

Dehydrated dog food is minimally processed. Though it can’t be described as “raw” due to the low heat applied during the air-drying process, it’s never exposed to as high a temperature as kibble is, meaning it retains more of its nutrients.

When rehydrated, it’s similar to wet food or home-cooked food, which most dogs find more palatable than kibble.

You’ll usually find nothing but meats, vegetables and whole grains in dehydrated food, whereas kibble is more likely to contain filler ingredients.

Dehydrated dog food cons

There’s a better chance of dehydrated food containing pathogens because it isn’t exposed to high heat during processing. Quality brands are pasteurized for safety, but you must be careful who you buy from.

When rehydrated, it can be messy to feed, whereas kibble creates little to no mess.

Dehydrated food is considerably more expensive than kibble. In fact, the cost can be prohibitive, especially if you have a large dog or more than one dog.

This complete and balanced food is a heart-healthy option for any adult dog because it contains a mixture of turkey, vegetables, and whole grains.

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For this vegetable-based mixture to be a complete meal, meat and oil must be added. It’s an excellent option for those who want to prepare their own dog food but need some assistance.

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This is a fantastic protein-rich option with about 95% whole meat that is especially great for dogs who are active. Although it is balanced and complete, you can also feed it kibble as a topping.

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What is air-dried / dehydrated pet food?

Simply put, air-drying is the process of removing water using low heat.

The device is known as a dehydrator, and it is available in a variety of sizes, including those that fit in kitchen cabinets and large commercial units that can fit entire buildings.

Due to its capacity to safeguard heat-sensitive nutrients, air-drying has grown in popularity over time. Additionally, it works well to eliminate potential bacteria and stop the growth of yeast and mould.

The vital nutrients that keep our pets healthy and energized are retained by air-drying, whether it’s for a complete diet or a healthy snack.

Alright, we think you get it. Let’s now examine the variations between kibble and air-dried diets:

In the image above, a bowl of air-dried pet food is shown. It looks very different from kibble if you slightly zoom in. And there’s a good reason for that.

It’s because of the vastly different manufacturing methods.

Normal kibble is manufactured in a process called “extrusion”. The extrusion process is like this:

Many ingredients are processed/cooked even before reaching the factory (e.g. Meat-meals). That means that plenty of nutrients are already reduced or gone;

The processed ingredients are then heated again with steam to several hundred degrees, and put under high pressure until it forms an even paste.

This paste is then cut into even shapes and put in a high-temperature drying oven.

Finally, the product gets packaged in bags and leaves the factory.

As you can see, extrusion is very efficient at producing a lot of food quickly, but it has a price. Due to the numerous heating/cooking cycles, high temperatures, and pressure, it destroys many of the essential nutrients your pet needs.

The high temperatures reduce the levels of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, which significantly reduces the food’s overall nutritional value.

There are still nutrients present, but they come from a variety of artificial preservatives, vitamin supplements, and other sources. This is to “balance” out the lost nutrients.

Another issue is that extruders used to make commercial pet food frequently cannot handle using a lot of fresh ingredients. Because of the excessive moisture content, manufacturers must use highly processed and rendered ingredients, like meat meals. These ingredients’ nutritional value is significantly lower than that of their fresh counterparts.

In the video below, you can find out more about how kibble is made:

Vitamin C, E, B-1, B-6, B-9, antioxidants and Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids are all very sensitive to heat. These vitamins are often destroyed under high-temperatures, which is the case with a normal kibble.

In contrast, air-drying uses much lower temperatures.

The ingredients are dried without compromising the food’s natural nutrients and enzymes. Because of this, ingredient lists on air-dried pet food products are usually short.

Because of the low temperatures, air dried pet food is thought to be just as nutrient-dense as raw foods, barf diets, and home-cooked meals because the ingredients retain their fresh-state nutritional value.

In conclusion, feeding your dog or cat air-dried food gives them the same nutrition as a raw diet while making it more convenient to handle, like kibble.

Fresh ingredients that support the health of your pet, like whole chicken, spinach, pumpkin, and papaya, can be included much more frequently when food is air-dried.

On our online pet store, you can learn more about feeding fresh if you’re interested.

FAQ

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog?

• Kale. This vitamin-packed leafy green is loaded with vitamins A, E, and C.
• Carrots. Crunchy and naturally sweet, carrots are loved by most dogs.
• Pumpkin. …
• Sweet Potatoes. …
• Fish. …
• Nori (dried seaweed) …
• Chia seeds. …
• Quinoa.

Why do vets prefer kibble?

Simply put, a lot of well-known companies pay veterinarians to promote their products, so they generally recommend kibble. And instead of letting that thaw, natural diet sit on their counter, it’s more practical for a person to grab some dry kibble, put it in a bowl, and let their dog eat that.

Does dehydrated dog food lose nutrients?

Dehydrating food has been a method of preserving it and ensuring its safety for thousands of years. Low-temperature water removal assists in maintaining the original nutritional value of ingredients during the dehydration of dog food.

What dehydrated foods are good for dogs?

• Chicken (8-12 hours)
• Lean beef (7-9 hours)
• Turkey (8-10 hours)
• Duck (6-8 hours)
• Organ meat such as hearts, liver or kidneys (10-12 hours)
• Salmon (8-10 hours)