Best Freeze Dried Dog Food 2025: An Easier Way to Feed Raw

Dog food has come a long way in recent years. Now, pet owners and their dogs no longer have to settle for bags of dry kibble that lack flavour or any significant nutritional value. Find out if one of the best freeze-dried dog foods is right for your dog.

Freeze-dried dog foods have now become a leading pet food preference because of the food’s wholesome nutritional benefits and the robust flavour that is akin to a wild canine’s natural diet.

With the best freeze-dried dog food, you enjoy the ease of use and long shelf life that makes it comparable to dry dog foods, but also retains the raw and natural nutrients of a raw dog food diet. Best of all, most pups love freeze-dried foods.

What is Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food?

Is it raw? Is it cooked? Is it healthy? While premium freeze-dried dog foods are relatively new compared to the most common food formats like kibble or canned dog food, these dry raw dog diets are quickly growing in popularity. 

Riding the coattails of the raw dog food trend, good freeze-dried dog food is considered to be a less messy and easier-to-feed alternative. Using the same principles as fresh raw dog food, the best freeze-dried food offers raw nutrition in a dry, shelf-stable format.

Like raw, freeze-dried dog food is meat-rich, low-carb, and loaded with nutrients from natural food ingredients.

How is the Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food Made?

Freeze-drying dog food is a multi-step process. It starts with fresh raw ingredients that are either chopped or ground together to create a complete diet. The ingredients are frozen solid before they are put into a vacuum chamber that evaporates the solid water(ice).

The freeze-drying process uses pressure and low heat (not enough to cook anything) to allow the solid water to change into a vapour that can be removed from the food ingredients.

A secondary drying process removes residual liquid water molecules, leaving a product with as little as 3% moisture.

The food can either be left as a loose mixture or pressed into pellets or pucks for easy portioning and packaging.

What are the Benefits of Freeze Dried Dog Food?

So what's all the fuss about? Freeze-dried dog food is considered to be one of the healthiest dog diets, but what's so good about it? Freeze drying has many benefits and just a few cons. Let's start by breaking down the top benefits of the best freeze-dried dog food in Canada:

• • Unlike cooked foods, freeze-dried food retains all of its nutrients, similar to a fresh raw diet.
  • Formulated similarly to fresh raw dog food, unnecessary carbs and fillers are excluded.
  • Freeze-dried diets are calorie and nutrient-dense.
  • As a dry food format, freeze-dried food is compact and shelf-stable, making storage easy.
  • Freeze-dried dog meals can be made to order; no defrosting. Or make in large batches by portioning and freezing for future use.
  • The travel-friendly format makes it easy to feed raw on the go. 

Freeze-dried is a preferred feeding format for pet parents who are looking for a raw diet that is easier to feed, store, and portion. 

Now that you know how great freeze-dried dog food is, the cons are limited but may be deal breakers for some. Freeze-dried is rarely going to be the cheapest option, and finding the best freeze-dried diet that fits into a budget may be a bit more challenging, but not impossible. 

There will also be less variety in freeze-dried dog diets. With fewer options for puppies and seniors, and for specific health conditions, like you might find in many kibble diets. Most freeze-dried dog diets are classified as either adult dog food or all life stages. 

10 Best Freeze-Dried Dog Foods 

While freeze-dried dog food is a newer category, it's quickly growing in popularity, leading to a wider variety of formulas and styles to choose from.

The style of diet you choose may depend on how you plan to feed it. Freeze-dried dog food can be fed as a complete diet, as a side dish, or even as a meal topper for any other diet type. 

To help you choose the best freeze-dried dog diet for your pooch, we did a quick breakdown of each of our favourite brands. Are you ready to have Fido wagging his tail in anticipation of his dinner? If so, check out these freeze-dried dog food brands.

1. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried

Vital Essentials is one of the most recognized freeze-dried raw pet food brands, known for its limited-ingredient, high-protein recipes made in the USA. Each formula mimics the whole prey diet that wild canines thrive on, emphasizing meat, organs, and bone, and is free from fillers, grains, or artificial additives.

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food is crafted from 96% raw animal protein, gently freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and flavour. It’s a perfect choice for dog owners who want to give their dogs the benefits of raw food without the mess or hassle of thawing.

Use it as a complete meal or as a topper to boost your dog’s daily nutrition. Choose the recipe that your dog will love:

• • Vital Essentials Soft Nibs - Quick rehydrating nibs for a full meal or meal topper.
  • Vital Essentials Crunchy Nibs - Crunchy nibs feed just like kibble.
  • Vital Essentials Patties - Rehydratable patties for feeding larger or multiple dogs.
  • Vital Essentials Protein Mix-Ins - Food topper for adding flavour and nutrients to any diet.

2. Primal Canine Freeze Dried

Primal Canine Freeze Dried was developed as an act of devotion between a man and his dog. Primal founder Matt Koss began making raw food when his dog, Luna, faced early kidney issues, and the results inspired a brand.

Following the BARF diet, Primal Freeze-Dried is designed to feed dogs the way their bodies are built to be fed - fresh, raw, real food ingredients.

Primal Freeze Dried Foods are the perfect choice for those looking for an easier way to feed raw. You’ll find a range of single-protein and specialty formulas, all made with premium ingredients for a complete raw diet that’s as close to nature as possible.

Explore Primal Freeze-Dried options:

• • Primal Freeze Dried Nuggets - Perfectly portioned, rehydratable nuggets.
  • Primal Kibble in the Raw - Kibble-style freeze-dried, just scoop and serve.

3. Stella & Chewy Freeze-Dried Dog Foods

Stella & Chewy’s is a pioneer in the world of raw feeding, offering responsibly sourced, minimally processed recipes made from cage-free, grass-fed, and wild-caught ingredients.

The brand has quickly become one of the most popular frozen-dried dog foods. Made from 95% meat, organs, and bone, plus nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. They can be fed as a complete meal or rehydrated with water, bone broth, or goat’s milk for extra flavour and hydration.

Each balanced food variety contains no artificial additives, preservatives, antibiotics, colours, flavours, or hormones. Optimized for rotational feeding, Stella & Chewy's Freeze Dried recipes are offered in a wide range of proteins.

Shop Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried feeding choices:

• • Stella & Chewy's Dinner Patties - Easy-portioned complete diets.
  • Stella & Chewy's Meal Mixers - Perfect for topping kibble.
  • Stella & Chewy's Magic Dinner Dust - A powdered topper for picky eaters.
  • Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Kibble - Oven-baked kibble with a freeze-dried coating.

4. Open Farm Freeze-Dried

With their goal focused on crafting ethical and sustainable pet food, Open Farm uses humanely sourced and sustainably farmed ingredients to offer you a dog diet that you can feel good about. Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Foods lock in the nutrition and flavour of fresh raw ingredients in easy-to-feed morsels.

The protein-rich diets are made from 85% meat, bone, and organs, and organic fruits, veggies, salmon oil, and botanicals to maximize nutrition for dogs of all life stages. Every ingredient can be traced back to its source using Open Farm’s transparency code, letting you see exactly where your dog’s food comes from.

Use Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Recipes as a tasty meal topper, or rehydrate and feed as a complete and balanced diet.

Open Farm Freeze Dried is offered in two formats:

• • Open Farm Freeze-Dried Nuggets - Versatile bite-sized pieces for complete feeding or meal topping.
  • Open Farm Freeze-Dried Patties - Dinner Patties are easily portioned for full meals.

5. Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Foods

Instinct has long been recognized as one of the most trusted names in raw nutrition. Instinct raw freeze-dried dog foods focus on giving your pet a natural and raw food diet that is as close to nature as possible.

Every batch is minimally processed to preserve natural enzymes, amino acids, and nutrients that support digestion, energy, and overall vitality. The recipes are all completely free of fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives.

Whether you’re transitioning to raw feeding or looking for a shelf-stable alternative, Instinct’s freeze-dried options make it easy to give your dog the benefits of raw in a form that fits your lifestyle. All Instinct recipes are crafted in the USA and tested for safety, combining convenience with authentic raw feeding benefits.

Choose from two lines of complete freeze-dried dog diets to best suit your dog's nutritional needs:

• • Instinct Raw Longevity - Life stage-specific formulas.
  • Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Meals - All life stage formulas.

Instinct also offers ways to add raw nutrition to your dog’s current diet:

• • Instinct Raw Boost Mixers -Solution-based formulas for common health problems.
  • Instinct Raw Boost Kibble - Helps introduce raw nutrition into a premium kibble.

6. K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Foods

Made in New Zealand from local, grass-fed meats and sustainable ingredients, K9 Natural Freeze-Dried Dog Food offers high-quality, species-appropriate nutrition for dogs of all ages and sizes. Each premium, real-food ingredient is carefully selected to support the unique needs of dogs.

Their recipes are also grain-free, gluten-free, and filler-free, relying on natural superfood ingredients like green-lipped mussels, kelp, and pumpkin to support joint, coat, and digestive health.

Check out the types of freeze-dried recipes from K9 Natural:

• • K9 Naturals Freeze-Dried Feasts - Complete meat and superfood-rich meals.
  • K9 Natural Tripe Boosters - Tripe-based toppers to help boost digestion and add flavour.

7. Bixbi Rawbble Freeze Dried Dog Foods 

Bixbi Rawbble Freeze-Dried Dog Food offers numerous premium recipes containing balanced proteins, vegetables, and oils. The food undergoes an optimum freeze-dried process that locks in the vitamins, nutrients, flavour, and freshness. 

The formulas are calorie and nutrient-dense, offering 98% meat, bone, organs, and pumpkin. Other superfoods like coconut and salmon oil ensure balanced nutrition and skin and coat support for dogs. 

Feed Bixbi foods as a complete meal by rehydrating the food with water, or put a few bites on top of your furry friend’s food to entice a picky eater and add a little raw nutrition. You can even use the foods as a treat for training.

8. NZ Natural Pet Food Co. - Woof

WOOF by The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. brings together locally sourced, free-range meats and organic produce to create recipes rich in nutrition and taste.  Each WOOF recipe contains 90% meat, organs, and bone, plus functional ingredients like green-lipped mussel, manuka honey, and kelp for natural joint and immune support.

Available in convenient bite-sized pieces, WOOF can be fed as a complete diet, meal topper, or treat. Like K9 Natural, it’s proudly made in New Zealand with no grains, fillers, or artificial additives.

9. Acana Bone Broth Infused Freeze Dried Patties for Dogs

We might be a little biased, but we love a good Canadian brand. Acana offers Bone Broth Infused Freeze-Dried Patties for dogs, which are formulated without preservatives. The protein-rich recipe is made using human-grade freeze-dried meats, vegetables, and fruits, along with organ meats and bone for a complete diet. 

The whole prey formula uses an optimal balance of 90% meat, cartilage, and organ and 10% fresh organic vegetables and fruits. Nutrient-dense bone broth is added to support your dog's joints and connective tissues and improve skin and coat. 

Find this premium dog food diet in two formats, patties or content morsels, making it easier to portion out this food for dogs of all sizes. Acana Bone Broth Infused Freeze Dried Morsels can also be used as a meal topper. Just add a small scoop of morsels to any meal. 

10. Big Air Pets Freeze Dried Food

Big Air Pets is a Canadian brand focused on high-quality, single-protein, limited-ingredient diets for dogs. Their freeze-dried raw recipes are made from 100% Canadian-sourced meat, organs, and bone, with no grains, fillers, or preservatives.

Each recipe is formulated to support muscle health, digestion, and energy, using only fresh, human-grade ingredients. Big Air Pets’ freeze-dried meals can be served as-is for convenience or rehydrated with warm water for a hearty, raw-style meal.

With locally made quality and carefully selected ingredients, Big Air Pets delivers simple, clean nutrition, perfect for Canadian pet parents looking to feed fresh without the fuss.

Still haven't found the right food? Check out our full selection of freeze-dried dog food in Canada to help find the best formula for your pup.

Freeze Dried Dog Food FAQs

There is more to feeding freeze-dried dog food than just picking a high-quality formula. To help you prepare for this new dog food journey, we put together a list of the most asked questions about the best freeze-dried dog food. 

What is the Best Freeze-dried Dog Food?

It's hard to pick the best freeze-dried dog food because different dogs have different nutritional needs. The best freeze-dried dog food for your dog is a food that helps them thrive. Primal and Vital Essentials are some of the most popular brands.

What is the Difference Between Freeze Dried and Dehydrated Dog Foods?

The key difference between freeze-drying and dehydrating dog food is the temperature and time it takes to remove moisture from the food. Dehydrated foods use low heat to evaporate the water, while freeze-drying uses cold and pressure to remove moisture.

Is Freeze Dried Dog Food Healthy? 

Yes! Feeding the best freeze-dried dog food is like feeding your canine companion a diet of fresh foods. The freeze-drying process locks in all of the nutrients and flavours of raw foods. Also, the freeze-dried process lets you store the food for an extended period without worrying about losing its nutritional value. 

How Long Can You Leave Out Freeze Dried Dog Food?

Once rehydrated, freeze-dried dog food should be treated similarly to raw meat. It should be fed right away and never left out for more than 15-20 minutes, max. Uneaten portions can be refrigerated, but like raw meat, should be discarded if not used in 2-3 days. 

Do You Have to Refrigerate Freeze Dried Dog Food?

Before rehydration, freeze dried dog food is designed to be shelf-stable, so no refrigeration is needed until the food has been rehydrated. After that,  it should be treated like raw meat, using common-sense safe handling practices to prepare and store.

How Long Does Freeze Dried Dog Food Last?

Always check the expiration date on the package of freeze-dried dog food to ensure freshness. Most popular freeze-dried foods will last from 12 to 18 months, though once the package is opened, the food can get stale if not properly stored in a sealable package in a cool, dry area.