Both freeze-dried and dehydrated pet treats are a growing trend worldwide on how pet treats are made, but what is it and how is it different from each other?

Today we learn about these two popular processing methods for pet treats used worldwide.

Freeze-Dried Treats

• What is freeze drying: Freeze-drying is a process to freeze food and remove moisture through a vacuum process called sublimation.
• Nutritional Value: Maintains over 97% of nutrients because the process is gentler on the food.
• Shelf Life: Long shelf life without the need for preservatives.
• Texture: Light and crunchy, which many pets love.
• Rehydration: Easily rehydrated by adding water, many pets enjoy them as-is.
• Cost: Costly process and could be 5x more than dehydrated treats.

Dehydrated Treats

• What is dehydration: Dehydration removes moisture by heating the food at low temperatures for an extended period.
• Nutritional Value: ~40% of nutrients can be lost due to the heat used in the process.
• Shelf Life: Long shelf life, but may require some preservatives depending on the product as it still retains moisture.
• Texture: Chewier and denser compared to freeze-dried treats.
• Rehydration: Often rehydrated by soaking in water, but can be given as-is for a chewy treat.
• Cost: Cheaper than freeze-dried products as the method used can be widely replicated.

Key Differences

• Nutrient Retention: Freeze-dried treats typically retain more nutrients than dehydrated treats due to the lack of heat in the process.
• Texture: Freeze-dried treats are usually lighter and crunchier, while dehydrated treats are denser and chewier.
• Rehydration: Both can be rehydrated, but freeze-dried treats rehydrate faster and more thoroughly.
• Cost: Freeze-dried treats are more expensive due to the process involved.

Which is Better?

It depends on your pet's preference and nutritional needs. Freeze-dried treats are excellent for nutrient retention and are often more palatable, while dehydrated treats can provide a longer-lasting chew that some pets might enjoy. Both are great options, so it might be worth trying both to see which your pet prefers!

Nibbles and Paws focuses on creating the highest quality freeze-dried treats for both cats and dogs using Australian sourced protein made locally right here.