What is the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food?

The difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food is that freeze-dried food is dehydrated at a very low temperature. Freeze-drying can help retain more of the nutrients, texture and flavor of the raw ingredients in cat food, while dehydration uses heat, which may reduce the nutrient content and affect flavor and texture. However, cats tend to enjoy both freeze-dried cat food and dehydrated kibble, and both can be good meal choices for your kitty.

What are the benefits of feeding my cat freeze-dried or dehydrated food?

The benefits of feeding your cat freeze-dried or dehydrated food include complete and balanced nutrition and easy storage. Freeze-dried cat foods can offer many of the benefits of a raw diet, including higher nutrient levels, easier digestion and a more palatable taste. Dehydrated cat foods can also be nutritious and highly digestible for your cat, and because they are processed with heat, they may be less likely to contain food-borne pathogens. Cats with sensitivities or trouble with digestion may especially benefit from these two types of minimally processed cat food.

Are freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food safer than raw?

Freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food are safer than raw, as their drying processes kill off many food-borne pathogens. Because freeze-dried cat food is not cooked or heat-pasteurized, however, some pathogens in the raw ingredients may survive. Dehydration may or may not kill off all food-borne bacteria and other pathogens. The efficacy of dehydration in killing pathogens will depend on the temperature used and the duration of heat exposure.

How do I store freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food?

Store freeze-dried and dehydrated cat food according to the package directions. Most freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are made to be shelf-stable, so they can be safely stored without refrigeration. Manufacturers usually recommend storing these cat foods well-sealed in a cool, dry place. Be sure to store any foods that have been reconstituted with water under proper refrigeration.

Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Cat Food - Page 3 (Free Shipping)

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Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Kitten Food, 9.5-oz bag

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars

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JAC Pet Nutrition Wild Alaskan Salmon Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 14-oz bag

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The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Chicken & Fish Grain-Free Cat Food, 2-lb box

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Boss Cat Complete & Balanced Raw Diet Turkey Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

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ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Beef Recipe Cat Food, 2.2-lb bag

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Stella & Chewy's Stella's Solutions Skin & Coat Duck & Salmon Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food, 7.5-oz...

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Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Duck Mini Nibs Entree Cat Food, 12-oz bag

Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars

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The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Meow Beef & Hoki Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz ba...

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ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food, 14-oz bag

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PureBites Salmon Freeze-Dried Topper for Cats, 2.4-oz bag

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ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Venison Recipe Cat Food, 14-oz bag

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Boss Cat Complete & Balanced Raw Diet Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars

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Dr. Tim's Flavor Booster Genuine Freeze-Dried Dog & Cat Food Topper, 3-oz bottle

Rated 3.7 out of 5 stars

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Bundle: Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food, 8-oz bag +...

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Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

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The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken Cat Food, 4-lb

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

79

$67.45 Chewy Price

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Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Chicken Entree Cat Food, 8-oz bag

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Purpose Carnivore Rabbit Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Raw Cat Food, 9-oz bag

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JAC Pet Nutrition Ranch Raised Beef Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 8-oz bag

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ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food, 2.2-lb bag

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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Dr. Tim's Beef Taurine Supplement Freeze-Dried Dog & Cat Food Topper, 12-oz bag

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PureBites Chicken Freeze-Dried Topper for Cats, 2.8-oz bag

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The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Dehydrated Cat Food, 10-oz, 4-lb bag, bundle of 2

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Purpose Carnivore Turkey Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Raw Cat Food, 9-oz bag

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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Grandma Lucy's Artisan Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 1-lb bag

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Whole Life Natures Remedy Recover Interim Stomach Distress Cat Food, 8-oz bag

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JAC Pet Nutrition Free Range Chicken Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 8-oz bag

Rated 3.2 out of 5 stars

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Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Cat Food

Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Kitten Food, 9.5-oz bag

JAC Pet Nutrition Wild Alaskan Salmon Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 14-oz bag

The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Chicken & Fish Grain-Free Cat Food, 2-lb box

Boss Cat Complete & Balanced Raw Diet Turkey Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Beef Recipe Cat Food, 2.2-lb bag

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ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food, 14-oz bag

Vital Essentials Duck Entree Cat Food Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food, 8-oz bag

PureBites Salmon Freeze-Dried Topper for Cats, 2.4-oz bag

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Venison Recipe Cat Food, 14-oz bag

Boss Cat Complete & Balanced Raw Diet Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

Dr. Tim's Flavor Booster Genuine Freeze-Dried Dog & Cat Food Topper, 3-oz bottle

Purpose Carnivore Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 9-oz bag

PureBites Turkey Freeze-Dried Topper for Cats, 9.2-oz bag

The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Grain-Free Chicken Cat Food, 4-lb

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Chicken Entree Cat Food, 8-oz bag

Purpose Carnivore Rabbit Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Raw Cat Food, 9-oz bag

JAC Pet Nutrition Ranch Raised Beef Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 8-oz bag

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food, 2.2-lb bag

Feline Natural Chicken Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 11-oz bag

JAC Pet Nutrition Air-Dried Chicken Superfood Crumbles Grain-Free Cat Food Topper, 4-oz bag

Dr. Tim's Beef Taurine Supplement Freeze-Dried Dog & Cat Food Topper, 12-oz bag

PureBites Chicken Freeze-Dried Topper for Cats, 2.8-oz bag

The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Dehydrated Cat Food, 10-oz, 4-lb bag, bundle of 2

Purpose Carnivore Turkey Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Raw Cat Food, 9-oz bag

Grandma Lucy's Artisan Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Food, 1-lb bag

Whole Life Natures Remedy Recover Interim Stomach Distress Cat Food, 8-oz bag

JAC Pet Nutrition Free Range Chicken Dehydrated Superfood Dog & Cat Meal Topper, 8-oz bag

Nature's Diet Ultimate Raw Duck Liver Coated Kibble with Whitefish Filet Inclusions Freeze-Drie...

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