6 of the Best Freeze-Dried Dog Foods For the Raw Curious

From duck to lamb, BIXBI’s Rawbble line offers pups freeze-dried versions of all their favorite proteins. Its chicken recipe features 98 percent meat, bones, and organs for a clean intake of nutrients. But Dr. Perea notes that the meat base isn’t nearly as important as how it uniquely impacts the dogs themselves.

“Individual raw material qualities can vary so it is difficult to assess based on ingredient name alone. I would look to how the diet performs for the pet and measures such as protein digestibility if the manufacturer can supply this information,” she says. To its credit, BIXBI’s minimally processed Rawbble has been independently certified for 95 percent protein digestibility.

More than any specific dieting trend, Dr. Perea confirms that what is most impactful to a dog’s health is balance. The Orijen Freeze-dried Medallions seemingly took this stance to heart by opting for a slew of hearty ingredients, especially proteins. Its base includes two forms of poultry in turkey and chicken, as well as a duo of fish in herring and flounder. Not to mention, there are some eggs sprinkled in for some extra protein in case your pup needs to bulk up before the gym.

For pet parents who have already made the full-fledged switch to raw diets, freeze-dried options can still provide value — namely for travel. Dr. Perea tends to agree. “One of the main benefits of freeze-dried is that it provides a good alternative when traveling. It is much easier to transport and cold storage is not required,” she says. Little Hunter’s version packs tiny nuggets of 90 percent humanely sourced rabbit and 10 percent fresh fruits and veggies in what is essentially a stylized Ziplock bag. Ultimately, it’s as easy to ride or fly with as a bag of peanuts.

“When we discuss nutritional benefits or drawbacks, I would focus more on high-quality ingredients and the use of beneficial nutrients, like prebiotics or antioxidants, which have the biggest influence on things such as digestibility, urinary health, and overall well-being,” says Dr. Perea. Thanks to its team of veterinary nutritionists who devise each food’s formula, Get Joy has got this covered. Its freeze-dried beef recipe is particularly committed to improving gut health with minimal ingredients, including beef, beef liver, and quinoa.

Now, with all these different variations of freeze-dried food with alternating proteins, it would be fair to wonder which base is the best one for your pup. Dr. Perea advises pet parents not to fret over this dilemma because each of the big ones is equally beneficial. “Both beef and poultry are good sources of protein and essential amino acids. I don’t have a preference over one in general,” she says. Halo opts for beef and beef organs here with 100 percent of each coming from genuine animal sources and no artificial fillers.

While raw and freeze-dried alternatives have been gaining popularity in recent years, Smallbatch has been in the game for nearly two decades. The brand has been offering locally and responsibly sourced cleaner dog food options since 2005. Their freeze-dried turkey batch is ideal for pet parents who keep an eye on their dog’s diet as closely as their environmental footprint.