If you’re considering a raw or dehydrated dog food, you probably already know that these types of foods are considered the healthiest dog food option for a variety of reasons. They’re typically minimally processed, free from things like artificial preservatives, and can be easily turned into a dog’s complete and balanced diet by adding water.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to determine which one is best for your dog. So we decided to do some research and find the best dehydrated dog food for your pooch.
Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
Our Editor’s Best Dehydrated Dog Food Reviews
- MAKES 40 LBS OF FOOD: Just add warm water for a wholesome & delicious meal that rehydrates to 4x its weight. A 10 LB box makes 40 LBs of fresh food! Serve alone as a complete easy homemade meal, or use as a topper to dry food.
- HUMAN GRADE, FREE RANGE CHICKEN: This recipe is 100% human grade and made with wholesome ingredients like free range chicken, organic oats, carrots & bananas. Each recipe is produced in a human food facility where our whole food ingredients are gently dehydrated for maximum flavor, nutrient retention and digestion.
- SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: Complete & balanced nutrition for adult dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation).
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- CERTIFIED B CORPORATION – We meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to have a positive impact on our employees, communities and the environment.
- NUTRITIOUS - Canine nutrition you can see and smell; canine health is a base mix used to effortlessly create balanced, homemade meals for your dog; known to improve your dogs kidney and heart health.
- 100% HUMAN GRADE FOOD - dog food packed with real food including 9 dehydrated vegetables, crushed eggshells, and 6 organic grains without preservatives, dyes, chemicals, and fillers. Carrots, Potatoes, Celery, Green Beans, Beets, Broccoli and more.
- HOMEMADE EASY - Homemade dog food made easy; preparing canine health only takes minutes, simply rehydrate with hot water and add your own raw meat, top off with Dr. Harveys Fish Oil for Dogs and Dr. Harveys Kidney Health Supplement for a complete meal.
- FULL OF NUTRIENTS - Feeding your dog real, nutrient dense whole foods has been shown to improve your dogs digestion, increase energy, a shinier coat, less itchy skin, and less smelly stools.
- MAKES 66 MEALS - This 10 pound bag of dehydrated whole foods makes 66, one pound finished meals for your dog, just add water, and get a homemade nutritious meal in minutes with Biotin, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
- Raw Food Made Easy : Simply Raw combines the safety, easy prep and shelf stable convenience of kibble and canned food with the unsurpassed nutrition offered in real, fresh raw food. Just add water to make this 3 lb bag into over 18 lbs of raw whole food, ready to serve in minutes.
- Ingredients With Purpose : Simply Raw is made with only the freshest human grade ingredients. Every ingredient is chosen with care to support holistic health and provide functional benefits for lasting wellness : Freeze-dried raw beef muscle, organ meat, chicken bone broth, whole egg, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, OMEGA fatty acids, probiotics & prebiotics. Raw, whole food ingredients you can see.
- All Natural Nutrition : At Nature’s Diet, we believe in honest, transparent labels. We are proud of the wholesome, clean ingredients we use to make Simply Raw - unlike some other brands, we never put anything into our dog food that isn’t listed on the label. No fillers, no grains, no GMOs, no unnatural preservatives, no soy, no added flavorings or dyes. Just honest, raw, whole food nutrition. Key Product Features
- USA Sourced, Sustainable, Thoughtful : Made lovingly in small batches in the USA with regionally sourced ingredients & humanely raised meat. Real food for healthy dogs and a healthier planet.
- Safe Raw : Freeze-Drying is a natural food preservation process which removes moisture while maintaining the nutritional integrity of food. Freeze-Dried Raw is always free of pathogens, making it the safest way to feed a raw diet. Shelf stable, safe to handle & easy to store.
- Upgrade to Air Dried for More Nutrients: We slowly oven roast our food at a low temperature so each bite retains maximum nutrition and a crunchy texture bursting with flavor—a great alternative to highly-processed kibble.
- Real Beef is the #1 Ingredient: Single-protein, grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo-inspired recipe made with 96% beef to satisfy your pup’s carnivore cravings and a 4% blend of flaxseed, salmon oil, vitamins, & minerals to help support healthy joints and hips.
- Safely Made in the USA with only all-natural ingredients from around the globe, with added vitamins and minerals - entirely free from fillers, and preservatives. Get the digestibility of raw or freeze dried dog foods with the safety and convenience of dry dog food.
- Vet Recommended Complete Nutrition for All Life Stages: Our healthy dog food is vet recommended, AAFCO Compliant, and made in an SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified facility so you can rest assured that your pup is getting a safe, nutritious meal.
- For Pet Parents, By Pet Parents: All dogs deserve the very best - that’s why as a small business Pawstruck only makes natural & healthy recipes that we proudly feed our own dogs, using the strictest of quality standards.
- GRAIN FREE BASE MIX: This fruit & veggie base mix recipe is made with dehydrated ingredients and allows for versatile, easy home cooking or raw feeding.
- GREAT FOR RAW FEEDERS & HOME COOKERS: Tired of chopping up veggies? This recipe does all the prep work by creating a healthy base for your own creations. Simply add your own meat or fish to make the perfect meal. Suitable for adult & senior dogs.
- ADD YOUR OWN PROTEIN: This recipe is designed to be mixed with meat or fish, based on your dog’s protein restrictions or preference.
- HUMAN GRADE: Unlike most pet food, this recipe is 100% human grade – made with human grade ingredients & produced in a human food facility. That means higher quality ingredients & more safety standards, just like you'd expect from your own food.
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- COMPLETE AND BALANCED NUTRITION FOR YOUR DOG: Our human-grade dog food features grains and high-quality proteins like wild caught salmon and ranch raised beef, to ensure your dogs receive comlete and balanced meals. Just add warm water to make meals that rehydrate to 40 lbs
- TIME-SAVING HOMEMADE MEALS: Preparing meals for your dog is a breeze! Simply add warm water and wait three minutes for a tasty, homemade meal packed with wild caught salmon, ranch raised beef, and bone broth
- SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES AND ADULT DOGS: This versatile recipe suits dogs of all lifestages, breeds, and sizes, meeting their nutritional needs. Perfect for large breed puppies and nursing mothers, every meal supports healthy growth
- NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY: We prioritize your pet's health by saying no to feed grade ingredients, meat meals, and artificial preservatives. Our human grade dog food is crafted to provide only the best nutrition without compromise
- ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS CHOICE: As a certified B Corporation, The Honest Kitchen is dedicated to sustainable practices. Feeding your dogs our high quality food helps the environment and supports ethical standards
- GRAIN FREE, RANCH RAISED BEEF: The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Beef dog food is high in protein made with real whole food ingredients like ranch raised beef & kale, which are gently dehydrated for maximum nutrient retention & easy digestion.
- SUITABLE FOR PUPPIES & ADULT DOGS: Complete & Balanced nutrition for adult dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes, including large breed puppies, as well as adult mothers (gestation/lactation).
- EASY HOMEMADE: Just add warm water for a wholesome & delicious meal. Serve alone as a complete meal for maximum nutrition, or use as a topper to their dry food.
- HUMAN GRADE: Unlike most pet food, this recipe is 100% human grade – made with human grade ingredients & produced in a human food facility. That means higher quality ingredients & more safety standards, just like you'd expect from your own food.
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- Ultimate Skin & Coat Support: This recipe is chock full of ingredients to support your pup’s skin and coat health, including vitamin E — an antioxidant that helps prevent the skin from free radical damage
- Helps Reduce Swelling & Inflammation: Pineapple and pineapple stems, which are natural sources of bromelain, help reduce swelling and inflammation
- Helps with Itching: Biotin improves keratin structure, helping to relieve itches, strengthen nails and prevent a thinning coat
- High in Healthy Fats: Ingredients such as omega 3s, omega 6s and linoleic acid from coconut flour help provide a shiny, healthy coat
- A Healthy & Tasty Meal Mixer, Supplement or Snack: Made with wild-caught salmon and grass-fed lamb, this all-natural, freeze-dried raw recipe is a convenient way to add the power, nutrition and taste of raw to your dog’s diet
- WHOLE GRAIN BASE MIX: This base mix recipe is made with dehydrated ingredients and allows for versatile, easy home cooking or raw feeding.
- GREAT FOR RAW FEEDERS & HOME COOKERS: Tired of chopping up veggies? This recipe does all the prep work by creating a healthy base for your own creations. Simply add your own meat or fish to make the perfect meal. Suitable for adult & senior dogs.
- ADD YOUR OWN PROTEIN: This recipe is designed to be mixed with meat or fish, based on your dog’s protein restrictions or preference.
- HUMAN GRADE: Unlike most pet food, this recipe is 100% human grade – made with human grade ingredients & produced in a human food facility. That means higher quality ingredients & more safety standards, just like you'd expect from your own food.
- WE SAY NO TO: This recipe contains no preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy.
- Freeze Dried Nourishment for Your Pup - Solid Gold dog freeze dried food Meal Topper is frozen fresh with real protein, superfoods, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and more to treat your canine companion.
- Made with Real Ingredients - Have your pup help themselves to real beef protein, organ meat, healthy pumpkin, cranberries, carrots, and seaweed meal in every mouthwatering bite of this freeze dried dog food for small dogs.
- Powered by nutrientboost - This dehydrated dog food has a blend of FOS prebiotic and natural protein to nourish your dog's digestive health, immune system function, gut microflora balance, and nutrient absorption for your pet.
- Digestive & Immune Support - Unlike other freeze dried dog food bulk options out there, this recipe features high-quality ingredients that support digestion and the immune system for pets.
- Easy to Give & Great for Picky Eaters - Whether you're using this dog food raw freeze dried as an additive to give their wet or dry food a boost or feeding this as a treat, this freeze dried puppy food recipe tastes good and is easy to add.
Best Dehydrated Dog Food Buying Guide
Before choosing the best dehydrated dog food you should consider following options:
1. Meats: Meats are the most important ingredients in dehydrated dog food. Meats contain protein, which is essential for muscle growth and overall health.
Red meats such as beef, lamb and venison are higher in protein than white meats such as chicken and turkey.
Dehydrated dog foods that are higher in protein are generally more expensive, but they may be worth the extra cost. Look for dog foods with 20 to 25 percent protein.
2. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates, such as rice, potatoes and grain, are an important source of energy for your dog. Look for a product that has between 20 and 30 percent carbohydrates.
3. Fats: Fats are an important source of energy and essential fatty acids for your dog. Too much fat may cause weight gain and other problems, so look for a product that has less than 10 percent fat.
4. Vitamins and minerals: Look for a product that contains vitamins and minerals, since your dog can’t synthesize these nutrients.
In addition to the essential vitamins and minerals, your dog needs, look for additives such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which aid in joint health.
What else you should know about dehydrated dog food
1. What are the benefits of dehydrated dog food?
There are many benefits to dehydrated dog food, including that it is often more nutrient-rich than other types of dog food, it is easy to store and transport, and it can be less expensive than other types of dog food. Additionally, dehydrated dog food can be easy to prepare and can be tailored to meet a dog’s specific dietary needs.
2. What are the best brands of dehydrated dog food?
There are many brands of dehydrated dog food on the market, but some of the best include The Honest Kitchen, Sojos, and Stella & Chewy’s.
3. How do I choose the right dehydrated dog food for my pet?
When choosing the right dehydrated dog food for your pet, you should consider your pet’s age, activity level, and health condition. For example, puppies and senior dogs may need a different formula than adult dogs.
4. How do I prepare dehydrated dog food?
Dehydrated dog food can be bought pre-made or you can make it at home. To make it at home, you will need a dehydrator. First, cook the food that you want to dehydrate. Once it is cooked, spread it out in a thin layer on the dehydrator tray. Set the dehydrator to the correct temperature and let it run until the food is completely dehydrated.
5. What are the possible risks associated with feeding my dog dehydrated food?
The possible risks associated with feeding a dog dehydrated food are choking, blockages, and gastrointestinal issues.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best dehydrated dog food. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best dehydrated dog food will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.