Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food?

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It’s easy to spoil dogs with food because they love it so much! That cute wag of a tail (or butt for some breeds) is enough for you to give them an extra helping. And when you think about how much they love to eat, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overbuying. So, this raises the question: can you freeze dry dog food when you have too much?

Yes, You Can Freeze Dry Dog Food

Freeze drying is a great way to keep your dog’s meals delicious and nutritious for years. By freeze-drying, you’re able to lock in all the essential nutrients your dog needs to keep healthy.

It’s also an economical solution when it comes to dog ownership. It gives you the option of buying in bulk, which helps you save a lot on food cost. Or you can also prepare your own. Some professionals recommend dog owners prepare their own furry baby’s food. Because if done right, dog food is healthier and tastier. This is going to be a lot of work; there’s no denying that. But it’s going to be all worth it when you see how happy and healthy your fur baby becomes.

Can You Freeze Dry Dog Kibble?

You can freeze-dry virtually almost anything (except food that’s high in fat). So technically speaking, you can freeze dry dog kibble. However, not many are going for this because kibble is already dry. It has almost zero moisture, so freeze-drying it won’t make much difference.

However, making it extra dry can help increase shelf life and lock in flavor. It’s a great way to stock up on kibble, and just use it when buying dog food becomes a challenge.

What Else Can You Freeze Dry As Dog Food?

• Pumpkin
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Apples
• Sweet potatoes
• Corn
• Chicken
• Lean cuts of pork
• Beef liver
• Lamb liver

You definitely want to avoid high-fat food products like bacon and fatty cuts of beef. These don’t freeze-dry well and won’t have a long shelf life.

How Do You Freeze Dry Dog Food?

Freeze drying dog food is easy and almost the same way as you would with any food. Doing this is a breeze if you have a freeze dryer at home.

To freeze dry dog food:

1. Prepare and cook your dog food the way you usually do.
   1. If you’re going to freeze dry kibble, there is no need for any special preparation.
   2. For treats like chicken, liver, and pork, you can either freeze dry them raw or cooked. Either way, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
2. Line the freeze dryer tray with parchment paper to prevent food from sticking.
3. Layer the dog food on the tray, keeping the pile no higher than the top of the tray. For sliced meats, give them ample space so that the
4. Place the trays in the freezer. This step helps shorten the freeze-drying time in your freeze dryer.
5. Once the dog food is frozen, place the tray inside the freeze dryer.
6. Turn on the freeze dryer and let it do its work.

How To Freeze Dry Dog Food Without A Freeze Dryer

You can still freeze-dry dog food even if you don’t have a freeze dryer handy. All you need is a cooler and a good amount of dry ice. This is a great option if you only have time, space, and capacity to freeze-dry dog food in small batches.

1. Prepare your dog food as you would above.
2. Place them inside zip lock bags. Don’t seal the bags to give room for the gas to escape. Carefully lay them down flat on the bottom of your cooler. If you’re freeze-drying dog treats, provide enough spacing, so they don’t stick together.
3. Cover the plastic bags with dry ice.
4. If you have a Styrofoam cooler, you can drill holes on the lid. If not, keep the lid open or at least provide a gap for the gas to escape.
5. Leave it for 24 hours and your dog food is now freeze-dried.

How Do You Store Freeze Dried Dog Food?

When you store freeze-dried dog food, you have to consider three things: heat, moisture, light, and air. Your container and the place where you store it should keep the freeze-dried dog food from these four elements.

One way is to store them in Mylar bags, with a vacuum seal. Adding in an oxygen absorber will help keep the freeze-dried dog food longer.

The place should be free from moisture and humidity. Moisture harbors bacteria and can ruin any good batch of freeze-dried dog food. The room temperature should also not exceed 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can’t keep the light out, then make sure the Mylar bag or container is dark in color.

How Do You Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

When it’s meal time, it’s time to rehydrate your freeze-dried dog food! To do this:

1. Add a portion of dog food in the container. How much will depend on the size of your dog and what kind of dog food you’re going to give.
2. Add enough warm water to cover the dog food, but not too much that it’s floating.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes, and it’s ready to eat!

Do You Need To Rehydrate Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Treats?

There’s no need to rehydrate or reconstitute raw freeze-dried dog treats. The dogs love the flavor and enjoy the crunchy texture. Be prepared because your furry baby won’t be able to get enough of this freeze-dried treat.

Can You Freeze Dry Dog Food?

The answer is a loud resounding yes. It’s a great way to store and stock up on dog food that your furry buddy will love. It’s economical because you can buy in bulk and choose your own ingredients.

Another good thing about preparing and freeze-drying your own dog food is it’s healthier. You can prepare the dog food according to the nutritional needs of your fur baby.

Ever tried freeze-drying dog food or gave your dog one? Share your story with us in the comment section!