One of the reasons I post controversial subjects is because a lack of substantive information leads to confusion and a misguided conclusion. Today, I would like to address the major differences between a dehydrated and a freeze-dried raw meat diet. The outcome is quite similar but the process differs greatly in how the ending product’s nutritional balance has been affected.
Freeze-dried food for dogs
In retail stores you can find both types of dried versions. If the product has been freeze-dried it possesses significant advantages over a typical heat dried, dehydrated version. The big difference lies in the amount of heat that it takes to accomplish both methods. Dehydrating involves applying heat up to temperatures as high as 155 degrees F. Heating in excess of 118 degrees F will change the chemical structure and properties of the protein molecule. Thus, the major advantage of freeze-drying is the ability of removing the moisture without the application of high heat. The end product is actually much drier than the dehydrated product. In my research I have found that freeze-drying offers a better list of advantages than dehydration as listed below:
