Pet Food Processing Scale

Not all pet foods are created the same. One of the biggest differences between them is how much they’re processed. The more processing food goes through, the more it can affect nutrition and overall quality. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of pet food, starting with the least processed and moving toward the most heavily processed.

Raw

Raw food is the least processed option, made with fresh meat, bones, organs, vegetables, and fruits. It’s served uncooked, which helps preserve natural enzymes, vitamins, and amino acids. Many dog owners choose raw diets for their high nutrient availability and resemblance to a dog’s ancestral diet.

Gently Cooked

Gently cooked food is lightly prepared at low temperatures, just enough to eliminate harmful pathogens while maintaining most of the food’s natural nutrients. It’s a middle ground between raw and cooked diets, offering safety without heavy processing.

Freeze-Dried

Freeze-dried food starts as raw and is preserved by removing moisture under extremely low temperatures. This process locks in nutrients and flavour while giving the convenience of shelf stability. Owners usually add water before feeding to rehydrate the food.

Air-Dried

Air-dried food uses low heat and airflow to remove moisture slowly. This process helps preserve more nutrients compared to high-heat methods. The result is a shelf-stable food that retains much of its flavour, making it appealing to dogs.

Dehydrated

Dehydrated food is also moisture-removed but uses higher temperatures than freeze-drying and air-drying. It’s still considered less processed than baked, canned, and kibble options, but heat-sensitive nutrients may be lost. Like freeze-dried foods, dehydrated meals are often rehydrated before feeding.

Baked

Baked foods are made by slowly cooking ingredients at moderate heat. This method is less intense than extrusion (kibble), but it still subjects the food to heat that can reduce nutrient levels and create toxic by-products. Baked food often has a crunchier texture similar to kibble.

Canned

Canned pet food is cooked at high temperatures during the canning process to ensure shelf stability and safety. While it’s higher in moisture, the high heat can destroy heat-sensitive vitamins, requiring synthetic nutrients to be added back.

Kibble

Kibble is the most ultra-processed pet food. Ingredients are pushed through an extruder at very high heat and pressure before being dried and sprayed with fats and flavours. Synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back, due to the intense processing and significant reduction in nutrients.

Conclusion

Pet foods exist on a scale, from minimally processed raw diets to ultra-processed kibble. Each option has pros and cons, depending on your dog’s health needs, your budget, and convenience. Understanding where your dog’s food falls on this processing scale can help you make the most informed choice for their long-term health.