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Air-dried dog food is made by slowly removing moisture from raw ingredients through a low-temperature air-drying process. This technique helps preserve nutrients while naturally preventing bacteria growth, eliminating the need for artificial preservatives. Unlike dehydrated food, air-dried food does not require rehydration before serving.
How does air-dried food differ from normal dry food (kibble)?
What are the pros and cons of air-dried dog food?
Pros:
✔ More Nutrient-Dense – Retains more vitamins, minerals, and natural enzymes than kibble.
✔ Less Processed – Uses gentle air-drying instead of high-heat extrusion.
✔ No Artificial Preservatives – Naturally preserved with no fillers.
✔ High in Protein & Healthy Fats – Often contains more meat than kibble.
✔ Soft & Palatable – Easier to chew than hard kibble, great for picky eaters.
Cons:
✘ Expensive – Costs more than traditional kibble due to high-quality ingredients and processing.
✘ Shorter Shelf Life Once Opened – More prone to moisture absorption than kibble.
✘ Can Be Greasy – Higher fat content may make it slightly oily to the touch.
✘ Less Crunchy – Doesn’t provide the same teeth-cleaning benefits as kibble.
What are the best air-dried dog foods?
If you’re looking for the best air-dried dog food to feed your pet, see our list below. These top-rated picks have been chosen by the Dog Food Advisor team, which is made up of researchers, pet nutritionists and veterinarians, to help you make an informed choice when selecting a food for your dog.
Best Air-Dried Dog Food February 2025
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Best Air-Dried Dog Food
Pawstruck Air Dried Beef
Pawstruck Air Dried Beef is made with 96% beef and packed with salmon oil, vitamins, and minerals to support hip and joint health, also free of artificial preservatives.
The brand uses a slow-cooked process to retain natural nutrition and is made in the USA with real, wholesome ingredients. They are free from grain, soy, and gluten, non-GMO, and contains no harmful additives.
Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39.8% protein, 28.4% fat and 23.8% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Read our review of the full Pawstruck Air Dried Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Slowly cooked to lock in flavor and nutrition
- Flaxseed and salmon oil to support to support healthy joints
- No by-products or fillers
Main Ingredients Beef, beef lung, beef liver, dicalcium phosphate, flaxseed Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 39.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at pawstruck.com"Air-dried premium dog food beef flavour. My dog absolutely loves it."
We also highly recommend
Redbarn Air-Dried Fish Recipe
Made with high-quality, simple ingredients, Redbarn uses a slow-cooking process to retain the food’s nutritional value — we love the fact it uses plenty of ocean-fish-based omega fatty acids to benefit young Beagle pups’ growth.
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Best Grain-Free Air-Dried Food
Open Farm Air-Dried Pollock & Lamb
The Air-dried Pollock and Lamb recipe is gently air-dried and infused with bone broth, which is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin. It is free from grains, legumes, and glycerin.
Open Farm is a premium brand dedicated to providing high-quality nutrition for dogs, utilizing sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 48.8% protein, 18.3% fat and 24.9% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Air Dried Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Transparency on ingredient quality and sourcing
- Strongly committed to animal welfare
- Non-GMO fruits and vegetables
Main Ingredients Pollock, ocean whitefish, lamb, lamb liver, sweet potatoes Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 48.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at openfarm.com"They are loving the Open Farms lamb and pollock! "
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Best Air-Dried Food for Small Breeds
The Pets Table Air-Dried Beef and Berries
The Pets Table Air-Dried Beef and Berries is an excellent option for all small breeds because it is nutrient dense which is ideal for their smaller stomachs. It is made from a single source of animal protein and cooked at lower temperatures to retain healthy proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants. This product contains no added fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31.3% protein, 31.3% fat and 29.5% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 100%.
Please note: If your dog is susceptible to weight gain this range would not be an ideal choice due to the high fat-to-protein ratio.
Read our review of the full The Pets Table Air-Dried Dog Food range here
Things we like
- Beef with 10 essential amino acids
- Review by board certified vet nutritionist
- Single-protein
Main Ingredients Beef, eggs, carrots, dried apples, vegetable glycerin Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 31.3% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at thepetstable.com"The Pets Table air-dried option makes it affordable and convenient to provide my dogs with the nutrition they need."
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Best Air-Dried Food for Large Breeds
Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Chicken
Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete Chicken is ideal for large breeds. It is made with high-quality whole-food ingredients, including fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants to help improve disease resistance. The significant protein content supports large breed dogs in retaining lean muscle mass.
Badlands recipes are gently air-dried to retain nutrients and are free of preservatives and fillers.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44.7% protein, 25.9% fat and 21.4% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Read our review of the full Badlands Ranch Dog Food (Air-Dried) range here
Things we like
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Free from wheat, soy, corn and dairy
- Humanely-raised chicken
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken heart, chicken gizzards, chicken liver, salmon Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 44.7% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For All Adult Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at badlandsranch.com"My 10 month Corso has had stomach issues with other foods. Since i switched to Badlands Ranch food, he has not had any stomach issues and seems very happy with the nutritional switch. "
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
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