All pet parents always want the best for their fur babies. One of the main concerns of pet owners is providing a healthy diet for their dogs. Freeze-dried raw meat is an ideal food for canines. However, fur parents are sometimes too busy to prepare this healthy meal. Hence, the alternative you can get is the best freeze-dried dog treats.
These treats do not require refrigeration to stay fresh for an extended period. So, if you’re looking for a convenient yet healthy dog snack, then try freeze-dried dog food treats. These dog foods will guarantee the satisfaction of your fur babies.
What are Freeze-Dried Dog Treats?
Freeze-dried dog food can either be from raw or cooked ingredients. Water and other liquids were removed from these ingredients. The processing of dehydrated dog treats follows an unusual way that they hold nutrients better than other pet food. Some dog foods are over-processed that they lack the nutrients your pups need.
This type of dog food is rich in flavor and doesn’t lose its taste even while in storage. Since it is already dehydrated, it has an amazingly long shelf-life. It is a fact that bacteria and microorganisms that make our food rot easily thrive in moisture. Hence, by removing water from the dog treats do not rot quickly.
What Are the Common Freeze-Fried Ingredients?
The most common ingredients that manufacturers use in freeze-drying are meat, poultry, and vegetables. This process does not use a lot of chemicals, so you know that you got safe and healthy pet food. Freeze-drying does not have any significant effect on the texture, taste, and smell of the meat. Hence, it can be a healthy and savory motivator while training your pup.
Freeze-dried dog treats recipes are enticing to pets since they came from premium meats. It is also the best in-between meal canine snack, instead of the bland kibbles you usually find in pet stores. Just don’t forget to add water to the treats before giving them to your pups.
How to Choose Freeze-Dried Dog Treats?
Choosing the best dog treats entails a lot of essential factors. Since it is a food that your pooch will eat, utmost care and consideration are crucial. Below are some of the factors you might need to consider.
Ingredients
Since most free-dried foods are made from natural ingredients, you can be sure that it is safe for your fur baby. If you’re feeding your dogs with freeze-dried food as a complete meal, then make sure that it has the much-needed nutrients. Always check the label to ensure that it contains the right ingredients. You don’t want your lovable pet to end up having digestive problems. Ask for the professional help of your veterinarian if you have doubts when choosing what’s best for your pup.
You might also want to check the process location of the product. Some countries have safety issues when it comes to dog foods. For your peace of mind, look for products made and processed in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or Western Europe. These areas have strict standards and regulations on pet food ingredients.
Allergies
Most freeze-dried foods are grain-free, but you will find some that are not. So if your furball is sensitive or allergic to grains, make sure that it is not present in the product you are choosing. Also, try to avoid any pet food with artificial colors, flavors, and additives. These ingredients are not necessary and may only cause irritation or food allergy to your pooch.
Finally, do not choose low-quality, freeze-dried economy products. More so often, manufacturers of these cheap treats use low-quality packaging that can affect the condition of the food. If the packaging is air-tight, moisture seeps in where bacteria can grow. It is an unhealthy and unsafe condition for your dog’s sensitive digestion.
Flavor
The palatability of your dog’s food is very crucial. Manufacturers spend a lot of money on research to get the right flavor and texture of their dog treats. Professional animal technicians also conduct palatable studies and tests to come up with the right taste.
If your fur baby doesn’t like the taste of the food you are giving, then it doesn’t serve its purpose. The most important consideration for a dog treat is that your dog must like it. You don’t need the healthiest product if your pooch doesn’t want to even look at it.
Smell
Dogs are attracted to food not only because of its taste but also due to its smell and texture. Canines particularly love the food aroma. Their sense of smell plays a crucial role in what they perceive as tasty.
We all know that dogs have a supreme sense of smell. It is one of their most notable characters. This sense of smell is ten to 100,000 times more powerful than our human noses. Hence, this is the first sense that dogs use when eating their food. The smell of the food is frequently directly related to its taste. So if your dogs smell something terrible, it is more likely that it will taste bad for them, too.
7 Best Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
With lots of brands to choose from, you might think that getting the perfect food for your dog is a significant problem. To make it easier, we listed some of the best and safest freeze-dried treats for your fur baby.
1. Stewart Pro-Treat Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
This treat is one of the best rewards you can give your pup. Pet trainers prefer this product for its savory meat bits. Aside from it, it has a food aroma that dogs cannot resist and contains many nutrients. The dog food has an appropriate size for young pups.
The food is high in protein, making it an ideal food for active pets. It contains low fat; hence it can also be given to older pooches. Further, its single ingredient makes it suitable for canines who have food sensitivities and allergies. And, if you happen to have a picky eater, you can crumble it over kibble for a more enticing meal.
Although this dog treat is a bit pricey, it is made of 100% pure beef liver; thus, it is worth its price. It does not contain any MSG, preservatives, or additives, and its ingredients come from the US and New Zealand.
2. Halo Liv-a-Littles Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Pet Treats
This product only uses whole meat and does not include any meat meals. Aside from its palatable taste, it gives your pup enough protein that it needs for the day. You can offer this freeze-dried chicken treats whole or crumbled over other food during mealtime.
The Halo treat comes from the finest ingredients that are low in calories and easily digestible. It is a perfect food for dogs of any age. And if you have pets with sensitive stomachs, you don’t have anything to worry about since it is grain-free. It does not contain any wheat, molasses, sugar, and tapioca.
Some pet owners might find the package a bit small, weighing only a little over 60 grams. However, this package size makes it portable, and the jar is easy to close, keeping the food last longer.
3. PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
The PureBites treat has an enticing aroma and savors that dogs will genuinely love. It is rich in nutrients since all the raw food’s characteristics remain sealed in each food piece.
This product is made in the US using a delicate freeze-drying process wherein only water is removed. So, if your pet has health issues like diabetes, overweight, or gastrointestinal problems, then this raw treat is perfect. It is natural, pure without any preservatives, and very easy to digest. Each piece contains only three calories on average and very rich in protein.
Even if this dog food only contains a single ingredient, you can be sure that it is safe for canines who have allergies. It only has a pure human-grade chicken breast that dogs of any age just love to nibble.
4. Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Toppers
This raw chicken meal mixer has tons of nutrients without compromising its delectable flavor. It also contains probiotics and antioxidants that are ideal for fur balls with sensitive stomachs. You can also have your peace of mind knowing that Stella & Chewy’s products come straightly from the company’s US kitchen.
The freeze-dried dog treat offers the best alternative for raw food that dogs naturally crave since it has 95% cage-free chicken, organs, and bone. Further, it contains 100% organic fruits and vegetables, offering the best benefits of raw foods. You can serve these freeze-dried nuggets as a complete meal or as mixers for dry kibbles.
This treat costs more than other products. However, its all-natural high-protein ingredients can quickly compensate for its price. Pet owners will gladly spend more knowing that their fur babies can get the healthiest and safest food available.
5. PureBites Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
This single-ingredient dog treat locks in the aroma, texture, and freshness of pure grade beef liver. This characteristic makes it an easy favorite of dogs at any age. Each meal piece contains only five calories each; hence, it is ideal for dogs who have diabetes and weight problems.
Since it only contains one ingredient, which is pure beef liver, it is also a perfect meal for pooches with allergies and gastrointestinal disorders. Your fur babies will enjoy its pure flavor with no added preservatives. You can also guarantee its freshness and safety with its 100% USDA-inspected, grain-free, and hypo-allergenic whole meats.
If your pets do not like this food, you can break the meats into smaller pieces and mix them with your pup’s favorite meal.
6. Life Essentials Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat & Dog Treats
Fur babies will love the simple yet savory taste of this cat and dog treats from Life Essentials. It uses only a USDA-approved white breast meat chicken; hence, it is safe and very nutritious. Moreover, it does not have any additives, chemicals, or preservatives.
These tasty bites are the best training treats for your dogs without any filler, grains, or unknown ingredients. It has low calories, with high protein content, making it one of the healthiest dog snacks. You do not need to put this product into the refrigerator even after opening. Just make sure that you store it in an airtight container away from moisture. Additionally, this freeze-dried chicken treat is perfect for all life stages of dogs and cats.
Although this meat treat can be a bit chunky for small puppies, you can easily break it into strips and pieces. This way, your tiny pups can easily chew the food without the risk of choking.
7. TruDog Boost Me Mighty Meaty Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Enhancer
If you need a real health boost for your dog, choose this mighty meaty beef raw dog food enhancer. It is an all-natural dog food that is an affordable alternative for raw meats. These treats come from premium cuts of USA-sourced beef meat, organs, bone, and blood. Further, it contains herring oil for a healthy digestive system.
This healthy treat is free of wheat, gluten, corn, soy, and grain. Therefore, it is safe for dogs with sensitive tummies and allergies. Its natural ingredients help keep your pets healthy, including its gum and teeth. Further, it also does not contain any of the following:
- Fillers
- Antibiotics
- Artificial flavors
- Artificial coloring
- Sugar
- Salt
- Hormones
Unlike some freeze-dried products, the TruDog Boost Me treats need to be consumed within 30 days after opening. You should store this treat in a cool, dry place to preserve its freshness.
Freeze-Dried Dog Treats – FAQ
Getting the best-tasting and healthiest food snack for your dog is always the priority of pet owners. But sometimes, misinformation about some food products may cause more harm than good. Below are a few questions and answers that might help you in choosing the perfect freeze-dried dog treats for your pet.
Dehydrated dog treats keep in the vitamins and nutrients of foods. Most of these foods come from organic ingredients. Additionally, these products do not contain grains and other components that can cause allergies to dogs. Some of these formulated treats are safe for puppies, older canines, pregnant, and lactating dogs.
Since these pet foods come from raw ingredients, pet parents consider this as the best alternative for a raw diet. The most common meat cuts for this meal are dried liver dog treats, necks, and other parts like tails. But if you still have second thoughts about this food product, you can consult with your veterinarian.
Halo Liv-A-Little and Stewart Pro-Treats are two of the tastiest treats you can use to spoil your dogs. If you are looking for freeze-dried chicken dog treats, then Halo is a perfect choice. Another trusted product you can get is the dog treat from Stella & Chewy. But, whatever brand you may choose, the most important thing is that your dog will like and eat it.
Looking for the perfect treat for your pup entails a lot of research and hard work. Freeze-dried treat is one of the best alternatives to wet and dry dog food.
Pet parents can be sure that they are serving their canine friends fresh and healthy snacks all the time. It is also an ideal food id you and your dog are always on the go since it is very convenient to pack and serve. Moreover, if you have don’t have enough time to prepare for your pet’s food, then this product will be the best homemade meal you can give your pooch.
Freeze-dried dog treat products can last from 15 to 18 months if they remain unopened. For open products, they can last up to one whole year on your shelf. All you have to do is to keep them in proper conditions away from humidity and direct sunlight.
All foods expire, even dog treats. Since freeze-dried dog treats are dehydrated, they have a very long shelf-life. However, just like everything else, it still has an expiration period, just like any other perishable product.
Finally, always remember to check the date on packages so as not to make a mistake of giving your dogs expired pet food.
Most dehydrated dog foods contain natural ingredients and nutrients remain sealed in the meal. Hence, no matter what brand you choose, you know that you are getting the healthiest snack you can find for your pup. But as a tip, look for foods that contain omega fatty acids.
So if your pet loves freeze-dried fish dog treats, then you are lucky.
Other ingredients you want to look for in your fur ball’s food, aside from salmon, flaxseed, and fish oils, are vegetable fats and fiber-rich fruits. You can choose cranberries, blueberries, spinach, and carrots. But remember to avoid any food that contains grapes and raisins.
No one can argue to the fact that every pet owner loves their dog. And, one way to show that love and care are to give your canine friend the best freeze-dried dog treats. Once your dog has tasted this nutritious and delectable snack, there is no turning back.