Practicality is an essential quality of responsible pet owners, and this is especially true when it comes to buying and storing pet food. While buying pet food in bulk reduces the hassle of frequent trips to the grocery or pet store, pets may not be able to finish the food by the time it expires. This can make pet owners wonder, “Can you freeze dry dog food?”
The short answer is yes — you can freeze dry dog food to minimize food wastage and extend its shelf life. Read on to learn more about how this can be done.
Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food?
Yes, freeze drying dog food is possible. In fact, it is regarded as one of the best methods for preserving the vitamins and minerals in dog food for extended periods of time. Vacuum pressure is used in the process of freeze-drying to take the moisture out of fresh food. This results in a product that’s dry, crisp, and largely unchanged in terms of size and shape.
Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food Healthy?
In comparison to other techniques like heating or dehydrating pet food, freeze-drying preserves a greater portion of the nutritional value of the pet food’s raw components. The nutrients naturally present remain intact even after the ingredients are freeze-dried.
How to Store Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Learning how to freeze dry dog food and store it is simple. For storage, you will need the right containers and a cool, dry space in your home. Follow the tips below to preserve the maximum amount of nutrition and freshness for dry dog food.
Leave it in its original packaging
Leave the dog food in its original bag and place it in another container as opposed to transferring the contents. Doing so will add a second barrier to keep air and moisture out. Additionally, retaining the original container ensures that you have the expiration date and manufacturer information in case there’s an issue with the food.
Use Airtight Containers
If you choose to take it out of its original packaging, it is imperative to store dry dog food in an airtight container before freezing.
Ziploc bags are an excellent option. For a longer-term solution and to reduce the use of plastic, glass containers are even better. Either way, dry dog food will stay fresh if kept these sealed containers.
Before using air-tight containers for freezing dry dog food, make sure they are properly cleaned by washing them in hot, soapy water. Rinse carefully and dry it completely before placing the dog food inside.
Label Your Containers
Make sure you label the dog food containers to prevent confusion with other food items you may have stored in the same area. So, when the time comes to use it, you can immediately identify which container to grab.
How Long Does Freeze-Dried Dog Food Last?
Sealed, unopened freeze-dried dog food can last for up to a year, although you need to check the expiration or “best by” date on the packaging. But once you open the packaging, it should be consumed within 1 month to prevent it from going bad.
How to Prepare Freeze-Dried Dog Food
It’s simple — rehydrate the freeze-dried dog food in clean water to make it soft enough for your furry friend. Alternatively, you can add bone broth (soup made from beef marrow bones and vegetables) for a collagen boost. It’s also fine to feed your dog the freeze-dried food as-is if they like it that way.
Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food Brands
While you can freeze dry dog food yourself, there are also many options for freeze-dried dog foods on the market. Consider the following brands for your pet:
1. Primal Pet Foods
This brand of freeze-dried dog food nuggets offers a variety of formulations, such as chicken, duck, lamb, and pork. These nuggets are made with quality protein and they’re perfect for picky eaters.
2. Open Farm
Open Farm combines organic fruits and vegetables with a high-protein freeze-dried recipe. No rendered beef or poultry meals are present, and 100% of the ingredients can be tracked. Choose from Surf & Turf, Grass-Fed Beef, Homestead Turkey, and more.
3. Nulo
If you prefer a grain-free alternative for your pets, then this is the freeze-dried option to choose. Nulo ensures that majority of the protein in their products comes from animal sources. There are no artificial preservatives or coloring in this dog food.
4. Stella and Chewy’s
Freeze-dried patties are a great way to feed your pet. This formula is made from free-range chickens, grass-fed beef, grass-fed lamb, as well as organic fruits and vegetables, offering most of the advantages of a raw diet.
5. Bravo Pet Foods
Bravo comes with no artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Their beef, pork, and turkey dinner recipes are rich in vitamins and minerals. Bravo is a family-owned company based in the US.
Summary
Freezing dry dog food is a convenient process that involves minimal preparation. Pet owners can store unopened dog food for up to a year. It’s a practical solution for those who want to buy and store their pet’s food in bulk without worrying food going bad quickly. Overall, it’s a great solution for pets and pet parents alike.
If you’re considering freeze drying for your pet food business, we would love to discuss your requirements. You may reach Empire Freezing & Drying at 973-649-9800 or info@empiredrying.com to inquire for more details.
