If you spend any time on social media, you’ll probably notice that more and more dog foods are describing themselves as “raw”, “raw coated”, “raw boosted” or even “raw and dry.”

What Is Raw Dog Food?

Raw dog food is food that is fed in its natural, uncooked state.

The ingredients have not been cooked or exposed to high-temperature manufacturing processes, such as extrusion or baking, which significantly alter the natural structure of the food.

Raw foods are typically preserved through freezing or freeze-drying rather than cooking. Freeze-drying removes moisture at very low temperatures, keeping the food uncooked. However, it is still a processing method. Because of this, the nutrients may not remain identical to fresh raw ingredients, and some — particularly certain vitamins and fats — may experience minor losses due to oxidation and processing.

Is Freeze-Dried the Closest Dry Alternative to Raw?

When looking for a dry product that stays closest to raw feeding, freeze-dried food is generally considered the nearest option.

This is because freeze-drying removes moisture from raw ingredients at very low temperatures under vacuum pressure, rather than cooking the food. As the ingredients are not exposed to the high temperatures used in kibble production, the proteins and fats remain structurally closer to their natural state.

In contrast, most traditional dry dog foods are produced using extrusion, where ingredients are ground, mixed with starches and other components, and then cooked under high heat and pressure before being dried into kibble shapes. This manufacturing process significantly alters the structure of the ingredients.

Because freeze-dried foods begin with raw ingredients that have not been cooked, they are often viewed as the closest dry alternative to feeding frozen raw food. However, it is still important to remember that freeze-drying is a processing method, and the finished product is not identical to fresh raw ingredients.

What About Dry Dog Food (Extruded Kibble)?

Most dry dog foods are produced using a manufacturing process called extrusion.

In this process, ingredients such as meat meals, grains or legumes, fats and additives are ground into a fine powder and mixed together to form a dough.

This mixture is then pushed through an extruder machine under very high heat and pressure, where it is cooked and shaped into the familiar kibble pieces. After this stage, the kibble is dried and often sprayed with fats, flavourings, and added vitamins and minerals to help replace nutrients that may have been reduced during the manufacturing process.

Because of the number of processing steps involved and the intensity of the heat and pressure used, extruded kibble is generally considered an ultra-processed food.

While many dry foods are formulated to meet nutritional guidelines, the heavy processing can significantly alter the natural structure of proteins and fats, and some naturally occurring nutrients may be reduced during cooking. For this reason, manufacturers typically add synthetic vitamins and minerals to balance the final product.

Dry food can be convenient and shelf-stable, but it is important for owners to understand that it is a highly processed form of nutrition, and it may not provide the same level of natural nutrient complexity found in less processed diets.

What Is Cold-Pressed Dog Food?

Cold-pressed dog food is another form of dry dog food, but it is produced using a different manufacturing process to traditional kibble.

Instead of being cooked under the very high heat and pressure used in extrusion, the ingredients are ground, mixed together and pressed into pellets at lower temperatures.

Because of this gentler manufacturing method, cold-pressed foods may retain more of their original nutrients compared with traditional kibble. However, it is still a processed food, as the ingredients are ground, mixed and formed into pellets during production.

Like other dry foods, many cold-pressed diets also rely on added vitamins and minerals to ensure the final product meets nutritional guidelines.

Cold-pressed foods are often marketed as a less processed alternative to traditional kibble, but it is important to understand that they are still a manufactured dry food, rather than a fresh or raw diet.

So, to Summarise

• Raw food – fresh ingredients fed uncooked and usually preserved by freezing.
  • Freeze-dried raw – raw ingredients with the moisture removed at very low temperatures.
  • Cold-pressed food – ingredients ground and pressed into pellets at lower temperatures.
  • Extruded kibble – ingredients cooked at high temperatures and pressure to form dry biscuits.

When a dry food describes itself as “raw coated”, “raw boosted” or “raw inspired”, it usually means that a small amount of raw ingredient has been added to a food that has still been cooked during manufacturing. While these foods may contain some raw components, the finished product itself is not truly raw.

Thinking About Switching to Raw?

If you are considering moving your dog onto a raw diet, it’s important to remember that not all foods described as “raw” are actually raw. Understanding how different foods are manufactured can help you make more informed decisions about what you are feeding your dog.

For many owners, feeding raw can feel confusing at first, especially with so many different products on the market all using similar language. Taking the time to understand the differences between raw, freeze-dried, cold-pressed and extruded foods can make it much easier to choose a diet that aligns with your dog’s needs and your own feeding preferences.

If you’re curious about raw feeding or want to learn more, feel free to pop into the shop or get in touch. I’m always happy to talk through the options and help you find a feeding approach that works for both you and your dog.

Disclaimer

Although I continually study Dog Nutrition, I am not a qualified Nutritionist. The advice that I give is based on my own personal experience and what I have learnt. However, if in doubt, please contact your vet or a qualified Dog Nutritionist.