Canned. Dry. Raw. Fresh. Kibble. Lightly cooked. Freeze dried.
How do you choose the best type of dog food when grocery stores stock dozens of shelves worth, big box pet food stores abound, and specialty natural pet food stores like The Healthy Animal Healing Center in Pembroke, MA are gaining popularity?
Commercial dog food has been around a long time. Kibble was first introduced in 1860 and canned food debuted in 1920. There were few brands, flavors, and types to choose from.
Today, it's a whole new ballgame!
In this blog, I'll break down what all the new buzz words mean so you can choose the type of food that’s best for your dog. Let’s dive in!
Why all the varieties and manufacturing methods?
From grain-free and raw diets to freeze-dried and air-dried foods, the choices seem endless for pet owners today. There are a few reasons for this:
The growing body of scientific research on pet nutrition has revealed the importance of high-quality, bioavailable nutrients in helping our animals live healthier, longer lives
People perceive their pets as part of the family and are motivated to provide them with food that mirrors the health-conscious choices they make for themselves
Pet food manufacturers have recognized the potential profit in meeting this demand and have responded by diversifying their offerings and incorporating trends like organic, gluten-free, and limited-ingredient diets
The good news is the variety of quality available food benefits our pups, but it’s also confusing for pet parents to navigate so many options.
Keep reading to get the information you need to make an informed decision for your doggo.
What are the methods of making dog food?
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of dog food, how they’re made, and their pros and cons.
Extrusion (Kibble)
Extrusion is the most common method for making dry kibble. Ingredients are mixed into a dough, which is then subjected to high heat and pressure before being shaped and dried. While this process extends shelf life and makes kibble convenient and affordable, the high temperatures can degrade heat-sensitive nutrients, particularly certain vitamins and proteins. Many kibble manufacturers compensate for this by adding synthetic vitamins and minerals after processing.
Pros: Cheap and convenient, shelf stable
Cons: The high cooking heat and the high processing means that most of the bioavailable nutrients have been cooked out, leaving your dog’s belly full but not actually feeding the body. We do NOT recommend commercial kibble.
Canning (Wet Food)
Canned dog food is made by mixing ingredients and then sealing them in cans before cooking them at high temperatures to sterilize the contents. The process involves less cooking time compared to kibble, which helps retain more moisture and preserves certain nutrients, particularly fats and proteins. Canned food tends to have higher protein content and is often more palatable to dogs due to its texture and moisture content. However, the high-heat sterilization process can still degrade some vitamins.
Pros: Palatability, shelf stable
Cons: High heat, highly processed, nutrient degradation
Baking
Baked dog food is made by cooking ingredients at moderate temperatures. This method can enhance flavor and texture while preserving more nutrients than high-heat methods like extrusion. However, some heat-sensitive nutrients, such as vitamins B and C, may still degrade. Baked dog food tends to be more digestible than traditional kibble but doesn't retain as many nutrients as raw or freeze-dried food.
Pros: Convenience, shelf stable
Cons: Although better than kibble, you still run the risk of feeding food that contains fewer nutrients than other methods.
Cold-Pressed
Cold-pressed dog food is created by pressing ingredients at low temperatures without using steam or high heat. This method helps retain essential nutrients like natural oils, vitamins, and antioxidants that might degrade under higher temperatures. Cold-pressed food also tends to be more digestible and retains a higher level of nutrient bioavailability compared to extruded food.
Pros: Less degradation of heat-sensitive nutrients, more digestible than kibble, fewer additives, relatively long shelf life compared to raw or fresh food
Cons: Higher cost, less available
Air-Dried
Air-dried dog food is made through a slow, gentle dehydration process using low heat. This method retains much of the nutritional content of raw ingredients while reducing moisture, making it shelf-stable and safe without requiring preservatives. Air-dried food is highly digestible, nutrient-dense, and offers many of the benefits of raw feeding with the convenience of dry food.
Pros: Most nutrients preserved, highly digestible, convenience for those who like the idea of feeding raw but aren’t quite ready to just yet
Cons: Higher cost, less available
Freeze-Dried
Freeze-drying involves freezing food and then removing moisture through sublimation, which preserves nearly all of the original nutrients. This method results in food that closely resembles raw in terms of nutritional quality and digestibility but with a much longer shelf life. Freeze-dried food retains essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, making it a high-quality option for pet owners seeking a raw-like diet.
Pros: Nutrient retention, shelf stability, convenience
Cons: Higher cost, rehydration required which slows down the prep time
Lightly Cooked
Lightly cooked dog food involves gently cooking ingredients at low temperatures to kill harmful bacteria while maintaining as many of the nutrients as possible. It’s often seen as a middle ground between raw and fully cooked food like kibble or canned food. This type of food is typically made with whole, human-grade ingredients and cooked just enough to be safe without significant nutrient loss.
Pros: Nutrient retention without being raw, easy digestion and nutrient absorption, minimal processing with fewer additives, human-grade ingredients
Cons: Higher cost, requires refrigeration or freezing, longer prep time for thawing
Raw
A raw diet, often referred to as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, is based on feeding dogs uncooked ingredients, including raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables. The idea behind raw feeding is to give a dog what it is biologically engineered to eat. They have sharp teeth, short gastrointestinal tracts, and share 99% of their DNA with their wolf ancestors. Feeding a raw diet includes raw meat, bones, organs, and some fruits and vegetables.
Pros: The most species appropriate diet for dogs, full nutrient retention, improved gut health, dental benefits, better skin and coat health, better energy and muscle development
Cons: Higher cost, less convenience, must be formulated carefully by a reputable manufacturer or under the advice of a holistic veterinarian or canine nutritionist to ensure the proper nutritional balance.
How do I choose the best type of dog food preparation method?
It really boils down to three factors:
How important it is to you to feed your dog quality food
Your budget
How much inconvenience you’re willing to tolerate
If you think about those things in that order, the choice becomes easier. Because you’ve read this far, I don’t think you’re the kind of pet parent who’s just looking for the cheapest, easiest option. Hooray for you!
If feeding your dog the best quality diet is very important to you, you’ve got room in your budget for high-quality food, and you’re willing to deal with the minor inconveniences of a fresh food diet, then we recommend a raw diet. Check out our blog post for everything you need to know!
We understand that feeding raw isn’t for everyone. If you’re committed to quality but aren’t quite ready to feed raw, then air dried, freeze dried, and lightly cooked options might be perfect for you.
What ingredients should I look for, regardless of the type I choose?
When choosing a high-quality dog food—whether it’s air-dried, freeze-dried, raw, or lightly cooked—there are several key things to look for. These factors ensure that your dog is getting optimal nutrition, regardless of the cooking method. Here are some key elements to consider:
High-Quality Protein Sources
Named Animal Proteins: Look for specific, identifiable sources of animal protein like "chicken," "beef," "lamb," or "salmon," rather than vague terms like "meat" or "meat by-products." High-quality proteins should be the primary ingredient, ensuring your dog gets the essential amino acids for muscle development and energy.
Single or Limited Protein Sources: For dogs with food sensitivities, single-protein or limited-ingredient foods can help reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions.
Whole, Real Ingredients
Whole Foods Over Fillers: High-quality dog foods should prioritize whole foods such as real meats, vegetables, and fruits, rather than relying on fillers like corn, wheat, or soy. Note: Dogs don’t need carbohydrates! Starchy veggies like sweet potatoes sound nutritious, but they’re just fillers. Dogs don’t need them..
Visible Ingredients: For air-dried or freeze-dried foods, you should be able to see the pieces of real meat, vegetables, and other whole ingredients, ensuring minimal processing
Balanced Nutrient Profile
Buy from reputable companies. Do your research or rely on experts with experience in canine nutrition like holistic veterinarians, canine nutritionists, or the experts at The Healthy Animal Healing Center.
Organic and Non-GMO Ingredients
Organic Certification: Some pet foods use organic ingredients, which means they are free from pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and GMOs.
Non-GMO Ingredients: Choosing foods with non-GMO ingredients ensures that the fo
od is made from sources that haven’t been genetically modified, appealing to those who prioritize natural sourcing.
Transparency from the Manufacturer
Clear Ingredient Sourcing: Look for brands that are transparent about where their ingredients come from. High-quality manufacturers often source meat from pasture-raised, free-range, or wild-caught animals and include this information on their labels.
Manufacturing Practices: Some brands provide details about how their food is processed.
Appropriate for Your Dog’s Specific Needs
Life Stage and Health Considerations: Take into consideration your pup’s stage of life and feed the food is formulated for your puppy, adult, or senior.
Is investing in more expensive dog food worth it?
If the dog food you’re considering meets the criteria above, then you’re going to provide food – whether air-dried, freeze-dried, raw, or lightly cooked – that is going to support all your dog’s overall health in the best way possible.
In our 30+ experience in the dog nutrition space, we’ve seen that translate into lower vet bills, longer lived dogs, and happier, healthier pups. That makes for grateful, happy pet parents!
You have to be practical, of course. We would never recommend purchasing foods that will overstretch your budget or your stress levels! There are many options that will fit you and your pup’s needs.
We welcome you into The Healthy Animal Healing Center in Pembroke, MA to chat about the best foods for your dog and cat, or reach out to us via Instagram or Facebook. We’re happy to help!
RESOURCES
Dr. Karen Becker, Holistic Veterinarian
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