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Dehydrated dog food is made by gently removing moisture from fresh ingredients at low temperatures, preserving nutrients while extending shelf life. It typically requires rehydration with water before feeding.
What’s the difference between dehydrated dog food and dry food (kibble)?
What are the pros and cons of dehydrated dog food?
Pros:
✔ More Nutrient-Dense – Preserves vitamins, minerals, and natural flavors better than kibble.
✔ Less Processed – Uses minimal processing, often with whole-food ingredients.
✔ Lighter & Easier to Store – Lighter than fresh or raw food but still high-quality.
✔ Long Shelf Life – Doesn’t spoil quickly like fresh or frozen food.
✔ Better Digestibility – Gentle processing makes it easier on sensitive stomachs.
Cons:
✘ More Expensive – Costs more than kibble due to higher-quality ingredients.
✘ Requires Preparation – Needs rehydration with water, which takes a few minutes.
✘ Less Convenient for Travel – Not as easy as grabbing a handful of kibble.
✘ Shorter Shelf Life Once Opened – More prone to moisture absorption than kibble.
What are the best dehydrated dog foods?
If you’re looking for the best dehydrated dog food for your pet, see our list, below. These recommendation are made by the Dog Food Advisor team of experts made up of researchers, vets and pet nutritionists.
Best Dehydrated Dog Food February 2025
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Best Dehydrated Dog Food
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey is made with cage-free turkey and includes dehydrated potatoes, lentils, and peas as the primary sources of carbohydrates and fiber.
The Honest Kitchen is a reputable brand that offers high-quality, human-grade foods, ensuring the best nutrition for pets.
Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31.5% protein, 19.5% fat and 41% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Things we like
- Human-grade ingredients
- Gently dehydrated, finely diced ingredients help support digestion
- non-GMO ingredients
Main Ingredients Dehydrated turkey, flaxseed, dehydrated potatoes, dehydrated spinach, dehydrated carrots Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 31.5% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at thehonestkitchen.com"I have been purchasing HK high quality products for around 16 years. I believe it’s the best of the best! HK used only “human” grade quality ingredients and has approval of the FDA to do so! They are much more than a pet food company. If you spend some time perusing their website you will see that they are a genuine, total pet caring company. From Read more about review stating Better than pet food!health care to training tips they do it all with sound professional quality."
We also highly recommend
A Pup Above Chicka Pupatouille
A Pup Above Whole Food Cubies are crunchy whole food "cubies". The gentle cooking technique, provides the flavor of fresh food with the convenience of dry food.
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Best Raw Dehydrated Dog Food
Addiction Homestyle Venison & Cranberry Dinner Raw Dehydrated Dog Food
Addiction Homestyle Venison & Cranberry Dinner is a raw, dehydrated dog food that serves as a great alternative for pet owners. The venison used in this formula is a rich and novel protein source, making it ideal for sensitive dogs that are allergic to chicken, beef, or lamb. Additionally, it is formulated with essential amino acids to promote healthier and shinier coats.
Addiction foods are made using only the safest ingredients and high-quality proteins.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 25% protein, 13.6% fat and 53.4% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Read our review of the full Addiction Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Things we like
- Nutrient packed superfoods
- Sustainably-sourced Venison
- Gently air-dried raw ingredients
Main Ingredients Venison, oats, potatoes, carrots, coconut oil Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 25% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This was my first raw feed of any kind, and I thought my bull terrier was going to eat the bowl. It smells good, and the texture is awesome..not gummy like another leading brand. Definitely buy again and others in this family."
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Best Dehydrated Dog Food for Small Breeds
CaniSource Grand Cru Grain Free Chicken and Duck
CaniSource Grand Cru Grain-Free Chicken and Duck is formulated to provide the benefits of a raw diet in an easy-to-serve, dehydrated kibble formula. It is an ideal kibble size for small dogs.
High-quality ingredients are easier to digest, making this recipe suitable for small dogs prone to digestive issues.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30.4% protein, 17.4% fat and 44.2% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Read our review of the full CaniSource Grand Cru Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Things we like
- Meats are carefully selected and sourced from HACCP-certified food plants
- Low temperature, slow dehydration process preserves nutrients of raw foods
- No by-products, meat meal or fishmeal
Main Ingredients Chicken, duck, lentils, chickpeas, green peas Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 30.4% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has been on this brand for a while now and he loves it. He always jumps up as soon as it is dinner time. He has many food allergies but this food hasn't given him any issues."
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Best Dehydrated Dog Food for Large Breeds
Ziwi Peak Tripe & Lamb
Ziwi Peak Tripe & Lamb is a diet that consists of fresh meat, organs, bones, and green mussels, providing a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health, which is especially needed by larger dogs.
Ziwi uses air-dried technology to preserve the nutrition from their naturally sourced ingredients, providing a safe alternative to raw dog food.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 51.2% protein, 27.9% fat and 12.9% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Read our review of the full Ziwi Peak Air Dried Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Things we like
- Natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives, additives, fillers, or grains
- Ethically sourced proteins
- Superfoods for added nutrition
Main Ingredients Lamb tripe, lamb lung, lamb heart, lamb, lamb liver Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 51.2% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our notoriously picky eater loves everything about this food. He chomps it doe eagerly as a meal or as a treat. He is a large breed puppy, so we are breathing a sigh of relief now that we found something he will without a doubt eat."
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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