Ok admit it. The real reason we give our dogs treats is the dopamine rush we get ourselves. Am I right?
There’s nothing quite like seeing my husky’s bright blue eyes light up, as she sits pretty and motionless, just waiting for her delectable morsel to be dispensed.
So What’s The Big Deal with Freeze Dried, Raw Treats?
First of all, lets define what exactly the freeze drying process is. When a food is freeze dried, first it’s flash frozen at an ultra-low temperature. Next, the moisture is removed via a vacuum process.Because bacteria and other microorganisms needwater to survive, freeze-dried foods are preserved in a safe way without the use of chemical preservatives or additives.
Raw freeze dried treats aren’t necessarily new (brands like Stewarts Pro-Treat have beenhave been around for many years), but they’ve only recently begun gaining major traction in the pet world. About 6 months back, I decided to look into why. Here’s 3 thingsI learned:
Reason #1: Less Ingredients = Less Fear &Guilt
Most freeze-dried raw treats contain an absolute minimum of ingredients. This is a huge point for dog owners worried about allergies, as every additional ingredient poses a risk. As mentioned above, the freeze drying process itself preserves the treat naturally, so added chemicals aren’t needed to create a long shelf life. (NASA has extensively used freeze-dried foods to feedastronautson space missions)
Do keep in mind, however, that not all freeze dried treats contain minimal ingredients, and not all freeze dried treats contain raw meat. Which brings us to my next finding…
Reason #2:Freeze Dried Raw Meat Packs More Nutrients
The overwhelming majority of dog treats on the market are dehydrated. Dehydration isn’t necessarily terrible, but it does use high heat that kills a lot of the nutrients that are present in raw meat.Raw meat leaves nutrients as unadulterated and potent as possible, the way the ancestors of dogs would have eaten in the wild.
While the thought of raw meat is a bit gross to humans, there’snothing more natural for dogs, whose digestive systems have developed over millennia to handle the raw meat (and even bones) that they would consume in the wild.(We’ve written more about the benefits of raw diets here and here.)
Reason #3: More Bang for TheBuck
Because the freeze drying process removes water, it also significantly reduces the weight and size of freeze dried treats. This results in more value for the consumer. For example, this 10 oz. pack of freeze dried beef liver actually contains 35 oz. of meat before the freeze drying process. Basically, your dog gets more protein packed into a smaller package.
Related: Best Dehydrated Dog Foods
When iHeartDogs decided to expand our line of products that raise moneyfor animal shelters, offering freeze dried treats was a no brainer for us. Because we believe in only selling products that we ourselves passionately use for our own dogs, we couldn’t be more proud of thenew Project Paws™ line of Freeze Dried Treats. Each pack sold provides 14 meals for dogs in shelters or rescues.
However, we care more about the healthof your dog than whether or not you buy our specific product. We encourage you to do your own research on freeze dried as we did. We trust you’ll agree with us on the benefits, and make the best choice for your dog!
More External Resources
PetGuide.com – 5 Benefits of Feeding Your Dog a Raw Diet
Pet360.com –Are Freeze Dried Dog Treats Safe?
BraveBeagle.com –Freeze-Dried Dog Treats: Are They Really Better for Your Dog?
FAQs
Freeze-dried and air-dried (or dehydrated) treats are popular because they offer some of the same nutritional benefits of raw products, in a cleaner, significantly more convenient format. The treats don't require refrigeration and avoid the mess frequently associated with raw products.
Why is freeze-dried food so popular? ›
Foods that can be freeze-dried
They are preferred over regular foods due to their light weight, long shelf life, portability, and ease of preparation ( 9 ). While plant-based foods are the most popular freeze-dried products, a wide range of foods can be preserved using this method.
When did freeze-dried food become popular? ›
In the 1950s–1960s, freeze drying began to be viewed as a multi-purpose tool for both pharmaceuticals and food processing.
Why is freeze-dried raw dog food so expensive? ›
One of the biggest drawbacks of freeze-dried dog food is its cost. It is significantly more expensive than other types of dog food, such as kibble, fresh, or canned food. This is because the freeze-drying process is more time-consuming and energy-intensive than other food preservation formats.
Is freeze-dried raw dog food as good as raw? ›
In conclusion, both freeze-dried and frozen raw dog food have their own advantages and considerations. Freeze-dried options offer convenience, longer shelf life, and concentrated nutrition. On the other hand, frozen raw dog food provides a closer-to-nature approach with a range of nutrients and enzymes.
What's up with freeze-dried candy? ›
The freeze-drying process removes moisture from your favorite candy, causing them to expand and get crunchy, all while maintaining and even enhancing their flavor! You may have even experienced freeze-dried sweets before without even knowing it!
What are the disadvantages of freeze-dried food? ›
Disadvantages:
- Water required for reconstitution (except for simple snacks)
- Slow process — average cycle is 24+ hours.
- Some dislike the dry, styrofoam texture.
- Not all foods can be freeze dried.
- Airtight containers are required for long-term storage.
- No space savings — the food's cellular structure is mostly retained.
This means that the water content is too low for anything to grow, making it safe for long-term storage. If stored at a constant cool temperature and packaged properly, most freeze-dried foods can last anywhere from 25 to 30 years.
What is the future of freeze-dried food? ›
The global Freeze Dried Foods Market Growth is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2021 and 2030. In 2021, the market was growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.
When did freeze-dried candy become popular? ›
Snack Industry Adoption: In the 1980s, snack companies began experimenting with freeze-drying to create a range of crunchy, lightweight snacks. Candy, in particular, became a popular choice for this innovative preservation method.
Compared to traditional dehydration techniques, which can extract as much as 92 or 96 percent of water content, freeze-drying gets out more than 99 percent of the water, which leaves a lighter product. It's also, as NASA found for its astronauts, easier to rehydrate. Just as important is what it leaves behind.
Do astronauts really eat freeze-dried food? ›
During the Gemini missions, astronauts began consuming freeze-dried food and powdered beverages, which they rehydrated with cold water prior to consumption. The Apollo Program continued to use freeze-dried food and powdered beverages, but with the luxury of hot water if desired.
Is freeze-dried food as healthy as fresh food? ›
Studies have shown that freeze-dried foods often retain over 90% of the original fresh food's nutrition, much more than other drying techniques (air-drying, heat-drying) which usually damage micronutrients and phytonutrients — as easily seen by the large changes in the food's colors.
Why did NASA create freeze-dried food? ›
Freeze-dried food is perfect for space since it is lightweight, resistant to spoilage, high in nutrition, easy to prepare, and loaded with flavor. Almost all foods can be freeze dried, giving astronauts an astonishing array of food items to choose from.
