Is air dried dog food healthier

Best Air-Dried Dog Food USA 2023 (Tried and Tested)

Key Points

• We tried and tested some of the best air-dried dog food brands in the USA
• Air drying involves removing moisture from the food to protect nutrients and enhance flavour
• Its a cheaper and more convenient way to feed dogs compared to fresh or frozen meals
• Our current top pick is Sundays For Dogs (Save 35% on your first order)

Have you considered switching your dog to an air-dried dog food diet?

If youre looking to make a change to your pets food, you may want to consider air-dried dog foods as a higher-quality alternative to store-bought kibble.

Its a convenient way of ensuring your dog is getting a balanced and complete diet, avoiding some of the additives and nasties you might find in traditional dry food.

Air-dried dog foods are easy to store in your cupboard, so you wont have to sacrifice vital freezer space to store your pups fresh meals.

The good news for American dog owners is that theres no shortage of air-dried dog food options that offer a complete and balanced diet if youre thinking of giving this type of dog food a try.

In this article, well take a look at how air-dried dog food works as well as pick out some companies who have created balanced and complete meals for American dogs.

Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. The content of our articles does not constitute veterinary advice. Its always best to speak with your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before making any changes to your pet's diet or feeding routine.

How Is Air-Dried Dog Food Made?

Sundays For Dogs is our current top pick for the best air-dried dog food (Photo: hellobark.com)

Theres been a big shift over the past decade towards healthier dog food rather than traditional kibble thats been sat on the supermarket shelves for long periods.

It can often be confusing trying to figure out all the different types of dog food. For example, theres air-dried dog food, freeze-dried dog food, raw dog food and dehydrated dog food. For the purposes of this article, were talking about air-dried dog food, but what is it?

Air-dried dog food means that all the moisture is removed from the ingredients in your dogs meals by evaporation but enough moisture remains to make the food tasty for your pup.

Unlike some dry dog food brands that cook your dogs meals in big batches, air-dried dog food is typically dehydrated in small batches so its a gentle way of preparing your canines food. Additionally, it allows all the nutritional goodness and flavour to remain while destroying germs.

Things To Consider When Looking For Air-Dried Dog Food

A dog owner picks out some food for a Dachshund (Photo: Adobe Stock)

So youve decided to ditch regular dry dog food and give air-dried dog food a try but you want to know what to look for. Here are some considerations:

Locally sourced We like it when air dried food companies source their ingredients from local producers or at the very least, from farmers based in the same country.

Ingredients If youre making a change to your dogs diet from traditional kibble to air-dried dog food, you want to make sure your dog is eating high quality ingredients.

Vet approved You can get peace of mind when you see veterinarians and animal nutritionists have played a key role in the formulation of your dogs air dried food recipes.

Feeding guidelines Having clear and concise feeding guidelines that are tailored to your pup to ensure you can get their portions just right.

Price While you should expect to pay a little more than traditional dry dog food bought at your local supermarket, the price of air dried food shouldnt be extortionate either!

Delivery Do they offer reliable deliveries to your door? Is it a quick turnaround? Can you change the delivery frequency?

Sustainable approach Its great when you can feed your dog healthier food and help the planet too. We like dog food companies who have a sustainable approach to their business!

Best Air-Dried Dog Food USA Three Of The Best

Editor's note: Be sure to check the latest information shown on the official website of any product you're considering purchasing, as details may change from time to time and therefore may differ from what's shown on this page.

So, now weve covered some of the key things to look out for in air-dried dog food, its time to check out some of our top picks available in the USA at the moment.

1) Sundays For Dogs

Where To Buy: www.sundaysfordogs.com

Sundays For Dogs (Photo: hellobark.com)

If youre looking for air-dried dog food for your dog, we think Sundays For Dogs should be your first stop. They offer American dogs the chance to eat gently air-dried food that is comprised of human-grade ingredients and created by vets (one of their co-founders is a vet!). While Sundays For Dogs food has a treat-like texture, their website explains that they only use natural ingredients. Sundays offer a beef recipe, chicken recipe and turkey recipe and they all contain 90% meat. Sunday For Dogs can offer a tailored feeding guide based upon key details that you provide bout your canine companion. Once you receive your first Sundays For Dogs delivery, feeding your dog their food couldnt be easier. You sign up to their subscription plan and receive regular deliveries to remove the hassle of having to pick up dog food during your weekly shop. You can store Sundays food in the cupboard rather than taking up space in your fridge or freezer. My dogs enjoyed eating Sundays For Dogs as a tasty topper to their normal fresh dog meals so it passed the taste test in my house!

You can get 35% off your first Sundays For Dogs order and free shipping when you use coupon code HELLOBARK at the checkout. Click here to get started.

2) A Pup Aboves Whole Food Cubies

Website: apupabove.com

A Pup Above whole food cubies (Photo: hellobark.com)

A Pup Aboves Whole Food Cubies is another excellent air dried food for pet owners to consider. This dog food company have established a reputation as a market leader for the sous-vide frozen meals. However, A Pup Above can also cater to pet owners who prefer to feed air dried dog food. They slowly air dry their sous-vide frozen meals before dicing them into cubes for your dog to munch. They choose each ingredient in your dogs recipes with purpose and their website gives you a detailed explanation as to why each ingredient was chosen (a great detail). You can feel good that your dog is eating human grade ingredients, including non-GMO veggies, superfoods such as flaxseed, thyme and parsley and salmon oil to promote healthy skin and coat. A Pup Above offer four different recipes Beef, Chicken, Pork and Turkey. Their Whole Food Cubies contain 70% protein, which is more than a lot of their fresh dog food rivals.

3) Ziwi Peak

Where To Buy: www.chewy.com

Alaskan Klee Kai with Ziwi air-dried dog food (Photo: hellobark.com)

Ziwi Peak are another leading provider of air-dried dog food in the USA. Theyre a well established brand that offer simple but high quality meals. Ziwi Peaks food contains fresh meat, organs, bones and green mussels. They use a twin-stage air-drying process to naturally preserve all the ingredients and eliminate pathogenic bacteria. You wont find added carbohydrates or fillers in their food and there are no added hormones, antibiotics or growth promotants. Ziwi Peak offer a number of different recipes, including Chicken, Beef, Mackerel & Lamb, Lamb, Tripe & Lamb and Venison. Theyve also got a vast air-dried treat range. A 1lb bag costs around $30.

4) Zeal Canada

Where To Buy: www.chewy.com

Zeal Canadas gently air dried dog food (Photo: Zeal Canada)

Zeal Canada say that theyre looking to provide dog owners with the nutrition of raw but the simplicity of dry. They source high quality ingredients and use the traditional method of natural air drying to preserve all the nutritional goodness of the food as well as the tasty flavours. Zeal Canadas website explains that their air-dried dog food is clean, easy to use and to store. So you can enjoy the benefit of raw without the hassle. They have three different recipes: Turkey, Salmon & Turkey and Beef. You can get a 14oz bag for around $22 and save an additional 5% if you subscribe on Chewy.com.

Anything Else To Consider?

Sundays For Dogs (Photo: hellobark.com)

You should speak to your veterinarian before you decide to make a change to your dogs diet.

Your vet will have experience of your dogs history and whether altering their diet is a good idea.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can also contact the brands listed in this article for more information about their air-dried dog food.

Some of the companies, such as Sundays For Dogs, provide detailed guidelines on how to transition to their food over the space of a couple of weeks.

Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. Our articles and the products featured in them are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems for you and/or your pet. It's always best to consult your vet regarding any health issues your pet may have.

Our Final Verdict Wrapping Up

Sundays For Dogs (Photo: hellobark.com)

Weve reached the end of our feature on the best air-dried dog food USA.

Our current top pick is Sundays For Dogs based upon our positive experience feeding our dogs their tasty beef recipe.

They provide complete and balanced meals comprised of clean ingredients, while their recipe has been formulated by a vet.

We liked the simplicity of their packaging and its easy to store in the cupboard with a resealable bag.

If youre looking to give air-dried dog food a try for the first time, Sundays For Dogs are a great option.

Having said that, A Pup Above is a great alternative if you prefer to have more selection in terms of recipes, and the other options on our list are also solid choices.

New customers can get 35% off their first Sundays For Dogs order and free shipping by using coupon code HELLOBARK at checkout. Click here to sign up now.

6 Best Air-Dried Dog Foods in 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Air-dried dog food hasnt been around on the market for all that long, but it deserves more attention than its been given. Often over-shadowed by freeze-dried or dehydrated dog food, air-dried dog food is often overlooked but can stand its ground as a natural, raw diet alternative with its many health benefits and convenience. It closely mimics a raw diet but is free from the risk of harmful pathogens and time-consuming preparation. It is made from high-quality, fresh ingredients and undergoes a heat-free process that removes most of its moisture.

If this air-dried dog food sounds like something youd want to feed your dog, keep reading as we discuss air-dried dog food in more detail and help you choose the right option for your furry friend. Weve listed the best air-dried dog foods below to help you on your search for a more nutritious, premium dog food.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 6 Best Air-Dried Dog Foods

1. Zeal Canada Gently Air-Dried Dog Food Best Overall

If youre looking for a tasty, nutritious air-dried food for your dog, consider our pick for the best overall air-dried dog food,Zeal Canada Gently Turkey Recipe. This option is loaded with real turkey and is high in both protein and fat, making this recipe excellent for active, performance, or working dogs but not overweight, inactive dogs.

It is a grain-free range, as with many air-dried options, which works well for dogs with sensitivities to the ingredient, although its not absolutely necessary to exclude it from a healthy dogs diet as it provides them with many benefits. Fillers, antibiotics, preservatives, and additives are also excluded from this recipe.

Due to the high-quality turkey, your pup should be able to digest this nutritionally complete and balanced food easily.

Pros

• High in protein
• High-quality ingredients
• Tasty
• Great for active dogs
• Free from controversial ingredients

Cons

• No grain-inclusive options
• Not ideal for overweight dogs

2. Addiction Perfect Summer Brushtail Dog Food Best Value

We loveAddiction Perfect Summer Raw Alternative Dog Foodbecause its the best air-dried dog food for the money. Although well-priced, it contains everything your dog needs and can be fed to all types of dogs. It has a lower fat content than our previous option, making it suitable for overweight dogs. However, remember to follow the feeding guidelines to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight.

If your dog struggles to digest common meat protein due to allergies or sensitivities, transitioning them onto this recipe may do them wonders. Brushtail is a novel protein, and your dogs body probably hasnt built up an intolerance to it and is less likely to have an allergic reaction from it.

Youll also find many fruits and vegetables in this recipe, such as apples, basil, blueberries, mangos, cranberries, spinach, and so much more. These ingredients add flavor to your dogs food but also provides them with the nutrients they need and promotes immune health, as well as good digestion from the fiber. Although it has been gently air-dried, it does need to be served with warm water.

Pros

• Packed with fruits and vegetables
• Uses novel protein
• Suitable for most types of dogs
• Digestible
• Affordable

Cons

• Needs to be served with warm water

3. Ziwi Peak Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food Premium Choice

Ziwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food is one of our favorite air-dried dog foods, which is why its our premium choice. Its one of the most popular air-dried recipes on the marketand for a good reason.

Its high in protein and fat, with a crude protein content of 38%. A whopping 96% of the recipe is made up of free-range beef, bones, and organs to create lean muscles in your dog and provide them with the energy they need. It also includes New Zealand green mussels, which are a great source of zinc, iron, selenium, and a variety of vitamins.

Carbs and fillers are excluded in this limited-ingredient diet with the aim to only give your dog the ingredients that benefit them without the unnecessary extras that often cause allergic reactions in their bodies. Because its air-dried, no preservatives are necessary. You can feed this tasty raw alternative to your dog as a meal or a topper, which will stretch it out and save you money. Unfortunately, Ziwi currently only has grain-free air-dried options.

Pros

• Very high in protein
• Similar nutrition to a raw diet
• Can be eaten as a meal or topper
• Nutrient-dense
• Limited ingredients

Cons

• No grain-inclusive options
• Very high fat content

4. Grandma Maes Country Naturals RawTernative Air-Dried Dog Food Best for Puppies

We want the best for our pups, and thats why we recommendGrandma Maes Country Naturals RawTernative Air Dried Dog Food, which has a generous amount of protein and fat to fuel and develop growing puppies. Lamb and lamb organs make up the first three ingredients in this recipe which contributes to the crude protein content of 30%.

This air-dried raw alternative is suitable for all ages and breeds and maintains the nutritional value and taste of the ingredients due to its air-drying process. It can be served straight from the bag and doesnt require water or preparation. The kibble-like chunks are moist and natural and contain prebiotics for good gut health, as well as vitamins and minerals. You can serve this food as a meal, treat, or topper.

Pros

• Versatile
• Suitable for adult dogs and puppies
• High in protein
• Nutrient-dense
• Moist and tasty
• Contains prebiotics

Cons

• High fat content isnt ideal for inactive dogs

5. Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice UnKibble

Spot & Tango has three UnKibble recipes that are made with fresh, whole ingredients and real meat. Spot & Tango have never had any of their products recalled, and they personalize your dogs food according to their age, breed, weight, and needs. Each scoop of UnKibble will be created to meet your dogs nutritional needs, and theyll adjust your puppys formula as they grow. Each recipe is suitable for puppies and adult dogs and meets the AAFCO standards.

TheirSpot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe contains only a few ingredients, but the right ones, including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, apples, kale, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds. They have a variety of vitamins and minerals packed into their recipes, as well as fish oil to give your dogs coat its shine back. This product is pricier than many of our other options, but its crafted with care and personalized to your dog. The recipes are only available on subscription, so you wont find them in your local pet store.

Pros

• Fresh, whole ingredients are used
• Created with the help of vets
• Customized recipes according to your dogs needs
• Suitable for puppies and adult dogs

Cons

• Pricey
• Its a subscription-based service only

6. Only Natural Pet MaxMeat Holistic Air-Dried Dry Dog Food

Our final option isOnly Natural Pet MaxMeat Holistic Grain-Free Air Dried Dry Dog Food, which uses high-quality, free-range real chicken from New Zealand as its main ingredient. The next few ingredients are a variety of chicken organs which are high in protein and contain vitamin B, essential fatty acids, and iron.

The formula has recently undergone a slight formula change that some customers arent happy about. The price is also quite high, but this food can be used as a topper. Many dog owners use it as a topper to provide their dogs with extra nutrition and flavor over their kibble while making it last longer. But other customers are happy to pay the high price to feed their dog a meal they dont think can be matched in quality.

Due to the flavor, many picky eaters cannot turn their noses up at this food, and the crunchy texture is also appealing. It can be eaten like kibble and doesnt require any preparation time.

Pros

• High-quality chicken
• High in protein
• Versatile
• Tasty and crunchy

Cons

• Expensive
• Recent slight formula change

Buyers Guide: How to Pick the Best Air-Dried Dog Foods

Air-dried dog food is a relatively new type of dog food on the market, and with that comes many questions. A common one is whether air-dried food is healthy for your dog. The answer is simpleyes! In fact, air-dried dog food is one of the healthiest premium options to choose from. Well discuss the reasons why below and tackle a few other questions you probably want to be answered before buying this food.

What Is Air-Dried Food?

The answer is in the name. Air-dried food goes through an air-drying process which causes a certain amount of moisture to evaporate from the ingredients. The process involves only small batches of food, and the preservation occurs naturally. Because high temperatures arent used, the nutritional value in heat-sensitive ingredients isnt lost. And, because it hasnt been dehydrated, the kibble-like food doesnt require water or broth and can be eaten from the bag.

Most air-dried foods dont have a long list of ingredients because theyre nutritious enough on their own without having to add in vitamin supplements and artificial preservatives to compensate for that which was lost as with commercial kibble. Air-fried dog food can be used as a meal, treat, supplement, or topper.

Is Air-Dried Food the Same as Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Food

Air-fried dog food falls somewhere in the middle between dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food. Dehydrated food undergoes a similar process to air-dried food as its cooked at low heat, but all of its moisture is removed, making the food small and light. It generally requires moisture to be mixed in with it before being served. It has an average shelf-life.

Freeze-dried food also has all its moisture removed but undergoes a complex process that involves very low temperatures, freezing, and pressure. It loses minimal nutritional value and is as close to raw as you can get with a long shelf-life. It often also involves rehydration with broth or water but tends to be expensive and crumbles easily.

Because air-fried dog food still retains some of its moisture, it doesnt crumble easily and doesnt require water or broth to be mixed in with it for rehydration. Its also generally more affordable than freeze-dried dog food but doesnt have as long of a shelf-life, lasting around 18 months.

However, all three types of dog food are a great, healthier alternative to commercial kibble.

What Types of Dogs Do Best on Air-Dried Food?

Air-dried dog food best suits dog owners looking for natural, premium dog food who are on a budget. If you want to feed your dog a similar diet to the raw one but dont have enough time to prepare their food, consider this type of nutritious food.

Picky eaters may also do best on this type of dog food because the ingredients still contain some moisture from the fresh ingredients used, making it taste better. Its also a great option to transition your dog onto if they were previously only eating commercial kibble because its the most similar type to kibble in texture. Dogs with allergies will do well on this natural, high-quality, and preservative-free dog food because its free from many common allergens found in many commercial dog foods.

What Are the Advantages of Air-Dried Food?

We love air-dried dog food because of its many advantages. It beats many other types of dog food when it comes to nutrition, versatility, preparation, and storing.

Ease of Use

Air-fried dog food is the most similar natural dog food to commercial kibble in the sense that it doesnt require any preparation time and can be served to your dog as is, without needing broth or water mixed in with it or an allocated amount of time to soften before your dog can eat it. This takes less effort from you while still feeding your dog a nutritious diet.

Its not only easy to serve but to store. Many raw food alternatives need to be eaten within a period of time once water has been added to it, or it requires refrigeration to remain fresh for longer. Air-fried dog food doesnt have any special storage requirements and can be stored the same way you stored your dogs commercial kibble, leaving you with plenty of space in your refrigerator.

Versatility

Air-dried dog food can be used in a variety of ways. It can be eaten as a meal, topper, supplement, and treat. Using it as a topper will make it last much longer than in meal form, making it affordable to those on a budget while still adding all its benefits to your dogs meal, mixed with kibble.

Air-dried dog food comes in a variety of flavors across a range of brands, allowing you to feed your dog the flavor they love most.

Nutrition

Air-dried dog food is made without the use of heat to keep the ingredients from losing their nutritional value. Its one of the best alternative options to a raw diet because it provides your dog with almost the same enzymes, minerals, and vitamins found in fresh, raw food without the risk of pathogens that could make your dog ill, as well as its short shelf life.

Because this type of food is air-dried, it preserves naturally and is, therefore, free from preservatives and additives, and other controversial ingredients. Due to the high-quality ingredients used, your dog will be able to digest air-dried dog food easier than commercial kibble.

Conclusion

Air-dried dog food is loaded with nutrition and is an excellent raw alternative. If youre looking to feed your dog good food, consider our best overall option,Zeal Canada Gently Turkey Recipe, which is high in protein. Our best-valued option isAddiction Perfect Summer Raw Alternative Dog Foodwe appreciate that they use a novel protein as their first ingredient. Our premium choice isZiwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Foodfor its limited ingredients, and we recommendGrandma Maes Country Naturals RawTernative Air Dried Dog Foodfor developing puppies. TheChicken & Brown Rice Recipefrom Spot & Tango is customized to your dogs needs, so you cant go wrong with it.

Featured Image Credit: DegrooteStock, Shutterstock