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Related Articles: Wet Cat Food, Cat Food for Indoor Cats, Best Dry Cat Food, Grain-Free Cat Food, Best Cat Food, Sensitive Stomach Cat Food, Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Food, Hypoallergenic Cat Food, Urinary Cat Food, Organic Cat Food, Senior Cat Food, Cheap Cat Food, Diabetic Cat Food, High-Protein Cat Food, High-Fiber Cat Food, Vegan Cat Food, Limited Ingredient Cat Food
What is the Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
- Best Overall Freeze-Dried Cat Food: Surf & Turf Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Made with a blend of humanely raised grass-fed beef, and wild-caught salmon, paired with functional ingredients - Best Natural Freeze-Dried Cat Food: Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw Bird
Freeze-dried cat food featuring human-grade ingredients and different flavors and textures. - Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food with Superfoods: Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Toppers
Delicious freeze-dried cat food topper with human-grade meat and superfoods. - Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Digestive Health: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels
Affordable and protein-rich formula boosted with probiotics to improve digestion. - Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Immunity Support: Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Ultra high-protein, freeze-dried food enriched with probiotics for immunity support. - Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Weight Control: Feline Natural Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Food
A grain-free, high-protein, and low-carbohydrate formula that supports weight control. - Best Freeze-Dried Cat Food for Allergic Cats: Vital Essentials Vital Cat Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties
A limited ingredient, freeze-dried food in the form of delicious rabbit patties.
- High-quality meats raised without antibiotics or added hormones
- Increased nutrient density with added protein and fat to support healthy growth
- Vitamin A and Taurine to support vision and healthy heart function
- Supports healthy digestion with prebiotics such as dried chicory root and natural sources of fiber such as pumpkin
- Made with non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and including functional ingredients like dandelion greens and cranberries
- Get 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20
What is Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Freeze-dried food cat food is a novel type of pet food type – a raw food product that has not been subdued to traditional heat cooking or pasteurization.
Freeze-dried cat food can be sold on its own as a complete & balanced raw meal, topper, or cat treats. It can also be used to coat regular kibble, thus making it more enticing.
Freeze-dried food is increasingly gaining popularity among pet parents as the most nutritious and healthy food option for cats.
Are Freeze-Dried Food Good for Cats?
Yes, freeze-dried food cat food is good.
Freeze-dried cat food is complete and balanced – contains all essential macros (proteins and fats), as well as micronutrients (antioxidants, fatty acids, amino acids, taurine).
Freeze-dried foods have no space for fillers or added flavors and chemicals harmful to your cat’s health.
What is the Difference Between Air-Dried and Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Air-drying and freeze-drying are both preservation techniques that have the same goal – to remove moisture from the food, thus increasing its shelf life. However, they do the removal differently.
Air-drying (also known as dehydration) uses hot air to remove the water content. It is usually done on a conveyor in which the product is sprayed with hot air. Once air-dried, the product looks pretty much like it originally did (it is just a little bit wrinkled).
Freeze-drying uses a process called sublimation. First, the raw meal is frozen and then placed in a vacuum chamber where sublimation occurs. Sublimation refers to the process of extracting ice and transforming it directly into vapor.
Air-dried and freeze-dried food differ on several levels, including:
- Appearance. Air-dried raw meals have a wrinkled appearance as the water is lost unequally from different parts of the food. Freeze-dried meals have a smoother and more well-defined appearance.
- Texture. Air-dried cat food is denser and does not have any crunch to it. On the other hand, frozen food has a very light texture and is crunchy. Your cat will surely love the crunch with each bite and nib.
- Nutrition. Freeze-dried food retains the integrity of the raw ingredients better than air-dried food. This is because the heat applied during the air-drying process can disintegrate some of the nutrients.
- Shelf Life. The shelf life of food depends directly on its moisture content. Since freeze-dried food has lesser water content, it has a longer shelf life.
The Best Freeze-dried Cat Food Reviewed
Given a large number of benefits of freeze-dried food for your cat, you may be considering it for your cat as well. We have curated a list of the best freeze-dried raw food available in the market.
Summary: This nutritious combination of proteins is formulated for growing kittens, thanks to a blend of humanely grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, paired with functional ingredients like dried chicory root and pumpkin to support healthy digestion. Get 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all ages
Price: $6.75 per pound (based on a 4lb variant)
Pros
- 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20
- High-quality meats raised without antibiotics or added hormones
- Increased nutrient density with added protein and fat to support healthy growth
- Supports healthy digestion with prebiotics such as dried chicory root and natural sources of fiber such as pumpkin
- Made with non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and including functional ingredients like dandelion greens and cranberries
Cons
- No significant cons
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Humanely raised grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Pet owners are delighted with this recipe and have given it a high rating. They stated that their kitten’s health has improved a lot with this recipe and they eat it without hesitation.
Summary: Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw Bird is a human-grade cat food made with several carefully selected and high-quality ingredients. To ensure maximum nutrient density, they are freeze-dried. The recipe is available in three texture options – ground and smooth. The same freeze-dried line comes in two additional flavors (Other Birds and Cow).
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all ages
Price: $1.25-1.93/meal
Pros
- Nutrient-dense, high-protein formula
- AAFCO-approved recipe
- Mess-free and practical raw meal
- Customizable subscription plans
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- No significant cons
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, green beans, peas, chicken hearts, kale, taurine, vitamins & minerals
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Canola oil
Review: Pet owners are delighted with this recipe. They are happy they can provide their cats with the goodness of a raw diet without the typical mess that comes with this food type.
Summary: A freeze-dried food made with cage-free chicken and human-grade superfoods such as carrots, pumpkin, apples, and blueberries. The food is made without grains, fillers, and by-products and is very high in proteins and healthy omega-fatty acids. Salmon oil promotes skin and coat health and fruits and veggies are rich in antioxidants. In addition to the chicken recipe, it comes in a farm-raised rabbit flavor. The food can be used as a treat or topper.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $2.99 per ounce
Pros
- Health-boosting freeze-dried food
- Delicious chicken and turkey recipe
- Fortified with multiple superfoods
- Made with non-GMO fruits and veggies
- Soft and easily chewable food chunks
Cons
- Not a complete and balanced meal
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, turkey liver, turkey heart, pumpkin seeds, carrots, apples, butternut squash, ground flaxseed, salmon oil, rosemary extract, blueberries, dried chicory root, dried kelp, and broccoli
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 2,927 global ratings, this chicken dinner food has an average rating of 4.4/ 5 stars. Customers claim that it is very effective for their cat’s health, even for the picky eaters.
Summary: A chicken-flavored freeze-dried cat food for a balanced raw meal. This cat food formula contains probiotics that improve digestion and gut health. It contains 98% protein content derived from cage-free chicken. The food is boosted with antioxidants and taurine for improved immunity and stamina. It comes in several flavors, including chicken, duck, rabbit, turkey, salmon & chicken, and salmon & cod.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $2.87 per ounce
Pros
- Made with a single-source animal protein
- Grain and gluten-free formula
- With probiotics for improved digestion
- Supports the cat’s overall health
- Affordable and made in the USA
Cons
- The food pieces are a bit hard
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, dried Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bacillus coagulans fermentation products, taurine, vitamins, and minerals
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 6,043 global ratings, this product has an average rating of 4.3/5 stars. Customers claim that their cats love the flavor and enjoy their meals.
Summary: A protein-rich freeze-dried food inspired by your cat’s natural diet needs. This delicious, grain-free chicken and salmon recipe ensure complete and balanced nutrition and can be used as a main meal or as a topper. It contains an added probiotic strain that supports healthy digestion and boosts the cat’s immune system. The formula is also available in a turkey and duck recipe.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $3.24 per ounce
Pros
- Grain-free, ultra protein-rich formula
- Delicious chicken and salmon recipe
- 98% of nutrients derived from meat
- Features added probiotics and prebiotics
- Available in two different flavors
Cons
- The food pieces are relatively big
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, chicken necks, chicken liver, chicken hearts, salmon, flaxseed, salmon oil, spinach, inulin, dried kelp, dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, taurine, vitamins, and minerals
- Not-So-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 1,041 global ratings, this product has an average rating of 4.1/5 stars. Pet parents claim that this is a high-quality food that their cats love.
Summary: This is a grain-free raw freeze-dried cat food made with grass-fed, free-range meat and sustainably caught fish. The formula is complete and balanced for cats of all breeds and life stages. It is very rich in animal-sourced proteins and low in carbohydrates thus supporting weight control. The food can be used as a raw meal or sprinkled on top of the cat’s regular dry or wet food.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $4.19 per ounce
Pros
- With grass-fed lamb and salmon
- Gluten and grain-free food formula
- Enriched with superfoods
- High protein, low-carb for weight control
- No fillers, legumes, and GMO ingredients
Cons
- Highly priced compared to the quantity
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Lamb heart, lamb kidney, lamb liver, lamb blood, salmon, flaxseed flakes, New Zealand green mussels, dried kelp, taurine, and vitamin E supplements
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 848 global ratings, this product has an average rating of 4.2/5. Customers love the ingredient quality and health benefits for their cats.
Summary: Freeze-dried dinner patties made with raw rabbit meat and organs mixed with naturally preserved herring oil. Rabbit meat is a healthy source of lean proteins and supports healthy weight control. Plus, it is not a common allergen thus being perfect for cats with skin and food allergies. It is free from fillers, by-products, preservatives, colors, and flavorings.
Type: Freeze-dried cat food
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $3.43 per ounce
Pros
- Grain-free, limited ingredient formula
- Made with farm-raised rabbit
- Suitable for cats with skin allergies
- No fillers, by-products, and preservatives
- Made and packaged in the USA
Cons
- Often out of stock due to high demand
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Rabbit meat, rabbit liver, rabbit heart, rabbit kidney, herring oil, vitamin E, iron, amino acid complex
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 299 global ratings, this product has an average rating of 4.6/5. Customers claim that even the pickiest eater cats love this flavor.
- Easy-to-clean, food-grade stainless steel bowl
- Smart app control and 1080P HD Camera
- Built-in advanced microphone and speaker
- Motion detection, smart notifications, and indicators
- Use the code Vets15 for 15% off
Do You Have to Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Yes, you may need to rehydrate freeze-dried cat food using a little amount of broth or warm water before serving it to your cat.
This is only applicable if the food comes in big chunks that may be difficult for your cat to swallow. If the food comes in small bites, you might not need to rehydrate it.
How Long Can You Leave Out Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Once out of the fridge and unpacked, most freeze-dried cat foods tend to stay fresh between two and four hours. However, the duration can vary from brand to brand (read the information on the package or brand’s website for more information).
The shelf life of freeze-dried food is an average of 2 years from packaging. However, there is some evidence that it can be shelf-stable for up to 20 years if unopened.
How Do You Feed Cats Freeze-Dried Food?
Here are some tips for feeding your cat freeze-dried food:
- If the raw meat pieces are large, break them down into smaller pieces for easy feeding
- If the food is very dry for your cat, mix it with other food or use it as a food topper.
- If you want to rehydrate the food, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Then add some warm water and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
However, the specifics vary depending on the brand. Every brand comes with feeding instructions and preferred dosage. Refer to the back of the package for the details.
