Why Freeze-Drying Outshines Traditional Air-Drying Methods

Introduction

Preserving pet food has been an essential part of the commercial pet food industry since the industrial revolution. Dry pet food has traditionally been made using a high heat extrusion process which requires a significant amount of starch to hold it together into kibble pieces. If you’ve made it to the Fresh Is Best website, you probably already know that starch ingredients are not species-appropriate for carnivorous dogs and cats.

While both methods serve the purpose of creating shelf-stability for convenience, freeze-drying offers distinct advantages over traditional air-dried dog food. In this blog, we’ll delve into the science behind each method and highlight why freeze-drying is often considered the superior choice for preserving cat food, dog food and treats.

Understanding the Methods: Freeze Drying vs. Air Drying

Freeze drying technology, also known as lyophilization, involves freezing the food and then reducing surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water within the food to sublimate directly from solid to gas. This process is conducted in a vacuum chamber at low temperatures.

Air drying, on the other hand, removes moisture from food by exposing it to hot, dry air, causing the water to evaporate. This method has been used for centuries and is still popular for certain fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Key Advantages of Freeze-Drying

1. Superior Nutritional Retention—Freeze dried dog foods and freeze-dried cat foods retain very close to all the raw nutrition in the ingredients. Freeze-drying preserves more of the food’s vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to air drying. Because the process uses low temperatures and avoids the cell-damaging effects of heat, sensitive nutrients remain largely intact. In contrast, the high temperatures involved in air dried dog food can degrade vitamins, especially vitamin C and B-vitamins, resulting in a less nutritious final product.
2. Better Flavor and Texture—Cats and Dogs tend to choose freeze dried meat-based food over air dried dog food and air-dried cat food due to the retention of aromatic compounds of raw meat in the freeze-drying process. Foods that are freeze dried tend to retain their original flavor, color, and texture to a much greater degree than air dried dog food. The gentle freeze-drying process minimizes flavor loss, while air dried dog food can lead to tougher, shrunken, and sometimes bland meals due to the breakdown of flavor compounds.
3. Longer Shelf Life and Superior Storage—Freeze dried cat food and freeze-dried dog food have an impressively long shelf life when properly packaged. This is because freeze drying removes up to 98-99% of the water content, leaving little opportunity for microbial growth or spoilage. Air dried dog food and air-dried cat food, with higher residual moisture, are more susceptible to deterioration and generally last only a few months.
4. Rapid and Full Rehydration—Freeze dried dog food and freeze-dried cat foods rehydrate quickly and completely, returning close to their original form, texture, and taste. Air dried foods often require longer soaking times and may never fully recover their original qualities, sometimes remaining chewy or tough.

When Is Air-Dried Dog Food Still Useful?

Despite its drawbacks, air drying remains practical and cost-effective where cost a greater concern than maximum quality or shelf life. For those feeding large dogs or multi-dog homes, Air Dried Dog food may be preferable. However, raw freeze-dried dog food or meal toppers can add significantly to pet nutrition without adding a lot of expense.

Conclusion

While both freeze dried cat food and air dried dog food have their places in the world of feeding carnivore companion animals, freeze dried pet food stands out for its ability to better retain nutrients, flavors, and textures, as well as providing an exceptionally long shelf life, and easy rehydration compared to air dried dog food. For those seeking the highest quality preserved foods for their dogs and cats, whether for the entire diet or on rotation with another food—freeze-drying is the clear winner. As technology makes freeze-drying more accessible, it is set to become the preservation method of choice for discerning pet parents.