How To Freeze Dry Apple Pie Filling
Jul 6, 2023
Ever wonder what those tiny, delicate fish swimming are in your favorite river? Those are minnows and are primarily used as bait. But interestingly enough, humans can eat them. They’re also great pet food when they’re freeze-dried. So, if you’re looking for a different kind of treat for your four-legged companion, this may be a good one to give.
Freeze-dried minnows are light, airy, crunchy fish treats. Since the fish are so small, companies manufacture these whole. Yes, you’ll get the heads, tails, guts, eyes, and everything.
The freeze-drying process locks in all the natural goodness of minnows. Unlike dehydration, freeze-drying removes the fish’s moisture through freezing and sublimation. Sublimation is where ice (solid water) transforms straight to vapor (gas state of water). This preserves the fish almost close to its fresh counterpart.
If you’re worried of the fishy smell, don’t worry. Freeze-dried minnows do have that fishy smell, but they’re not overpowering. The scent is enough to entice your pet’s appetite and make them want more.
Fresh minnows, even if you take care of them in your tank, aren’t 100% safe to eat for your cats. This is because they may harbor parasites that can transfer to your cat after eating.
Freeze-dried minnows, on the other hand, are good for cats. This is because companies process this fish to eliminate any parasites. Once the minnows are treated and freeze-dried, they’re safe to give to your cats. The fish is also rich in:
All of these are part of the nutrients your cats need to live a long and healthy life.
Yes, they are! If you want your dog to have a shiny, healthy coat, then an occasional minnow treat can be an excellent addition to its diet. It’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes thick, healthy hair. It also helps prevent and reduce joint inflammation, giving your dog more years of running around and doing fun zoomies.
If you want to buy freeze-dried minnows, here are some brands you could check.
This minnow dog treat is popular because the bag contains pure minnow goodness. You don’t get any fillers or byproducts like kibbles or processed dog food. Also, since the minnows are small and bite-sized, it’s easy for you to do portion control.
Many like it for their pets because it’s a step away from the usual veggie, chicken, and meat. You may think it’s pretty gross because all the innards are there, but dogs love them.
It is on the expensive side, though. A small 1 oz bag costs $9.49, so it’s a judgment call if you’ll buy this regularly for your dog.
If there are minnows for dogs, you can buy freeze-dried minnows for cats. Cats are crazy not only about the smell, but that satisfying crunch. With the fish being bite size, the treat’s perfect for cats who can’t eat big food. And since they’re freeze-dried, you won’t get that strong, fishy smell on your hands.
Just like the freeze-dried minnows for dogs, these ones are pretty expensive. A half-ounce bag costs $6.49, so you might want to give this as an occasional treat for exceptional behavior.
Pet owners who gave their dogs these ProteinBites Minnow treats for dogs are very satisfied. The treat was able to help give dogs a shiny, soft coat that owners longed for.
Since the company uses wild-caught minnow, these are more expensive than Vital Essentials. A 1.25oz bag costs $11.99, but that didn’t stop loving pet owners to buy minnow treats for dogs.
If you want to motivate your dog to do something, this is a good treat to reinforce them. For example, one dog owner was having a hard time getting her dog to drink water while traveling. So, she put a couple of the freeze-dried minnows in a water bowl, and the dog gladly drank just to get them.
Just like the previous brands, this is expensive. For a 2oz bag, you’ll be paying $18.95, which is close to two bags of Vital Essentials freeze-dried minnows dog treat.
You’ll get a pure, intense pet treat when you buy freeze-dried minnows. Since we’re dealing with a small, freeze-dried fish, adding fillers, additives, and artificial flavorings is nearly impossible. We recommend using commercially available minnows treats because they’re treated against contaminants and parasites. If you’re going to freeze-dry your minnows, you’ll risk contaminating your trays and spreading the parasite.
Because of the nature of the fish and the process involved in freezing dry them, expect the treat to be expensive. It’s a good thing because you won’t be tempted to give your pet too much of this. There will be picky ones who will turn up their noses when you give them fish and give you the stinky eye. But some pets can’t get enough of this and will come running like mad when they hear you getting the bag. It’s always good to cycle and limit treats so your pet can have a variety of food for a balanced diet.
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