Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What you need to know about dehydrated dog food

Loving pet parents are always looking for ways to improve their fur baby’s health, whether through diet, exercise, or any other means. In the last several years, we’ve seen the emergence of numerous dog diet trends, though the prevalence of fresh, dehydrated food looks promising. Many trustworthy brands are selling dehydrated and freeze-dried (technically, the cooking processes differ, so they’re not considered the same) meals for dogs, though not all pet parents know about the benefits of dehydrating food for your pet.

If you find yourself looking up questions like “Is dehydrated dog food good?” then this is the article for you! We’re going to go over what defines dehydrated dog food, its possible benefits and drawbacks, and why a pet parent might consider switching their pet to a dehydrated diet.

Recommended Videos

What is dehydrated dog food?

Simply put, dehydrated dog food is the result of cooking all the moisture out of an ingredient. To dehydrate something, all you need to do is bake it at a low temperature for a long time (hours to days) to get a chewy, jerky-like product. Although meat is a popular choice for dehydration, you can use anything from fruits and veggies to flavorful herbs. Depending on what you choose, your pup’s dehydrated snack can have a texture anywhere from chewy and tough to crunchy and crisp.

Commercial dog food brands have taken dehydration to the next level with pre-prepped meals and food. Instead of baked kibble pieces, dehydrated dog foods use fresh ingredients and zero preservatives — the dryness itself acts as a preservative — to create a nutritious, stewlike blend. When preparing this kind of meal for your pet, you’ll mix the dehydrated ingredients with water, let them sit, then serve!

Make sure to follow the directions on the box as closely as you can. Failing to do so might result in a nutritionally incomplete diet for your dog, which is not good for his long-term health. When executed correctly, though, a dehydrated-food diet can be an awesome switch for many pups and their families.

a brown french bulldog eats from a blue dog bowl
Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Is dehydrated dog food good for dogs?

Dehydrated dog food has many benefits, some of which traditional kibble doesn’t have. One is a lack of chemicals and preservatives, which often help keep kibble fresh longer.

Although there are fewer chemicals, there can be fewer nutrients as well — heating food in any way removes some of the vitamins and minerals. Still, dehydrated food is less processed than its kibble counterparts. A good rule of thumb is: The more processed a food is, the fewer of its original nutrients are probably present.

On their own, however, some dehydrated dog foods may not provide your dog with all the nutrients he needs. Always read the packaging carefully to note whether the manufacturer recommends adding supplements, wet food, or anything else to the meal. Many brands need only to be mixed with warm water, though you can occasionally substitute chicken stock for an extra nutritional boost as well.

Benefits of dehydrated dog food

In addition to fewer chemicals and more fresh ingredients, dehydrated dog food provides several benefits that pups and their parents will love.

Storage: Storing dehydrated food is a lot more forgiving, for starters. Dehydrated food that has been mixed with water can be kept covered in the fridge for up to three days, while unprepared food can be safely stored for one to two years, though you should confirm this via the packaging, as every brand can be different.

Convenience: Dehydrated dog food is also ideal for pet parents who’d rather purchase food less often or dedicate less space to storage. Although specific measurements will change recipe to recipe, you’ll get more than you think out of every purchase. For example, one pound of Sojos Complete Freeze-Dried Dehydrated Dog Food can make up to five pounds of prepared food.

a british bulldog eats out of a red food bowl

When to consider dehydrated dog food

Dehydrated dog food is sometimes recommended for pups with food allergies or a sensitive stomach. Amazon’s No. 1 bestseller for “dehydrated dog food,” The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain Free Beef Dog Food, uses high-quality produce and meat to make an easily digestible, nutritious meal.

One review from dog mom and veterinary professional m.badgley praises this food’s nutritional value and whole ingredients. Many reviewers also love having a grain-free option, which may make carbohydrate-based digestive issues less prevalent as well.

From nutritional gain to ease and convenience, pet parents have many reasons to be interested in dehydrated food for their dog. There’s been evidence of many positive changes resulting from this diet, and with the popularity of raw and dehydrated foods still growing, even more are sure to come. When in doubt, you can always ask your veterinarian for guidance — that’s what they’re here for, after all!

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
What people food is OK to give your dog? Read this first to find out
Here are the human snacks you want to stick with (and the ones to avoid)
Dog sniffing an apple held by a person

Your dog may have mastered the puppy eyes that make your heart melt, and with that comes the extreme guilt during dinnertime. Even though you might want to allocate table scraps for your dog, some food options are just not good for them. Despite this, there are still a variety of tasty people food dogs can eat as treats that you can share with your furry best friend. So, the next time they give you those irresistible orbs during your designated snack time, you can confidently toss them a treat for being so cute.
People food dogs can eat

There are quite a few people foods that are not only OK for your dog but can also be healthy for them. Just like humans, however, some dogs tend to be very picky, so finding the perfect treats for your own pup can be difficult. Luckily, there are a lot of food options for your dog to choose from. Some of these include:

Read more
Which dog has the best sense of smell? See if you can guess correctly
Bloodhound tracking in forest

Whether their heads are held high sniffing in the wind or buried under something mysteriously stinky on your morning walk, there’s no doubt a dog’s sense of smell is a key part of the way he navigates his world. It's actually important to let your dog sniff as you stroll along, as it can help his brain generate new pathways in learning.

In fact, a dog’s sense of smell is so powerful that it can be trained to detect food allergies, certain forms of cancer, and even bedbugs! Law enforcement agencies use dogs to track criminals, narcotics, and explosives, while search-and-rescue organizations use dogs to find missing persons.

Read more
Can dogs eat kale? What to know about feeding this ‘superfood’ for humans to pups
Why feeding dogs kale may not be the best idea
A couple in a whitewashed kitchen looking at a laptop as a husky jumps up

The wellness industry made kale happen in the 2010s, a seemingly impossible feat considering the leafy green vegetable leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. However, unlike some GOOP-driven wellness trends, kale has many health benefits for humans. Adding kale to smoothies, salads, and chip recipes nets people numerous nutrients, including folate, fiber, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K. The vegetable can boost bone and heart health and lower the risk of other diseases.

Kale has also become a part of homemade dog food diets. Naturally, you want your dog to have a long, happy life, and a nutritious diet is a pillar of canine health (humans, too!). Yet, "superfoods" for humans pose health risks for pets (nice to see you there, avocado). Can dogs eat kale? Should they? The answer might surprise you.
Can dogs eat kale?

Read more