Switching a dog with allergies, most especially with skin issues, to a fresh food diet most times will bring about improvement to both allergies and excessive itchiness. With each dog being unique, some needing additional supplements, you should always consult with your veterinarian at the first sign of an allergy to address your dog’s individual needs and underlying health conditions ruled out. However, most dog owners see positive results when switching to an air-dried dog food.
When it comes down to dog foods, there are numerous choices that you can make for your puppy. In this review, we’re going to discuss the best air-dried dog food and explain how this dog food is produced, its nutritional advantage compared to wet and dry dog food, and how air-dried dog food products are best for dogs with allergies.
Food allergies are common in dogs and may result in digestive issues, as well as skin flare-ups. Helping your dog heal means improving their nutrition. With so many dogs today suffering from food allergies, also known as “cutaneous adverse food reactions,” let’s share some tips on improving nutrition to help your dog heal with dehydrated dog foods that are high quality.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
Advantages of Air-Dried Dog Food
- Minimizes the damage to proteins, nutrients, enzymes, and vitamins
- Preserves nutritional value
- Enhances digestibility
- Shelf-stable and safe
- Healthy ingredients
- Fresh meat
- Vegetables and fruit
- No controversial ingredients
- No added hormones and steroids
- Features no unnamed protein sources
- Crafted with the correct ratio of macronutrients
- By-products in the form of organ meats
- No over-processing of ingredients
- Air-dried can be used as a meal topper to kibble
- Free-range and pasture-raised meat options
- Preparation time is significantly faster
- More accessible to digest
Besides having tons of nutritional benefits, air-dried dog foods preserve most of the nutrients found in each ingredient when compared to normal dry dog food. We’ve looked over tons of reviews, scoured the market, and compiled a comprehensive air-dried dog food buying guide with our 5 top picks to save you time and money.
- Pros
- Features whole-prey diet: featuring 96% real meat, organs, and New Zealand green mussels.
- Crafted by a slow & gentle air-drying process that locks in the nutrition
- Grain-free with low carb and limited ingredients
- Crafted for all life stages and all dog breeds
- It contains 100% free-range, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught seafood
- Offers New Zealand Green Mussels contain chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 for joint health & skin health
- Features no hormones, antibiotics, or growth hormones
- Cons
- It may cost more than regular kibble but is well worth it because it features the superfoods blend.
Ziwi Peak air-dried dog food is formulated using the cleanest ingredients and is formulated for all life stages. Air-dried dog food is twice as dense as regular kibble, so you don’t need to feed the same amount as regular kibble. When providing air-dried dog food, you need to feed half as much of what you’re used to.
Ziwi Peak air-dried dog food is a great alternative to dry kibble if you notice that your dog has allergies. The Ziwi Peak daily dog lamb cuisine dog food is by far the most popular amongst dog owners. Here’s the take on this human-grade, air-dried formulated dog food.
Features
- High-protein (free-range lamb) & nutrient-dense
- Human-grade dog food
- Over 3,200 positive ratings
- Grain-free with limited ingredients (no grains, rice, soy, or potatoes)
- Affordable
- Part of a Peak Prey formulated recipe by KIWI dog food
- Pros
- Complete source of grass-fed lamb from NZ
- Jerky style can be used as a treat or meal.
- Features concentrated bioavailable source of protein and amino acids.
- Features 90% real meat, naturally occurring vitamins, and amino acids
- Added pumpkin allows for optimal digestive health.
- Meets AAFCO nutritional levels for all life stages except for the growth of large-sized breeds. (70 lbs. or more)
- Cons
- It may be pricey for multi-pet households.
With natural and wholesome first ingredients like air-dried lamb, cod, lamb liver, lamb heart, and lamb kidney with pumpkin, you know that this is a quality dog food brand with numerous formulas for all dogs, even the fussiest of eaters.
We like Natural Pet Max Meat Holistic Grain-Free Air-Dried because it uses free-range New Zealand lamb and wild-caught cod. It’s gently air-dried, meaning all the nutrients have not been destroyed, and it’s also grain-free and does not add soy, wheat, oats, corn, or grain. Only Natural Pet has become one of the most popular air-dried dog food brands.
Features
- Gently air-dried to preserve all nutrients.
- Features a few delicious free-range formulas crafted in New Zealand
- For all life stages
- Balanced and complete
- Paleo-inspired high-meat high protein diet for dogs
- Crafted with human-quality ingredients
- High-quality New Zealand free-range proteins
- Veterinarian/ holistically formulated.
- Pros
- Monthly deals & bonus buys
- Gently air-dried to preserve all nutrients that work for dogs with sensitivities.
- High-quality air-dried raw human-grade ingredients with no cheap fillers.
- Features a completely balanced turkey & organ food with added vitamins
- It's good as a substitute for any raw or frozen diet.
- High-protein ingredients
- No damage to proteins, sensitive ingredients, enzymes & vitamins
- Numerous ingredients
- No recalls ever
- Cons
- It may be slightly more expensive.
The Real Meat Company features 90% dehydrated beef and free-range nutrients that are lightly air-dried. It’s also grain-free and gluten-free and contains no antibiotics, no fillers, no coloring, and no additives. The brand is a United States brand with good reviews from satisfied customers. The products are packed and sourced either in the United States, New Zealand, or Australia. Real Meat air-dried dog food has become popular due to the fact their food can preserve nutrients and doesn’t cause allergies in your dog.
We like the Real Meat brand because the meat products are sourced in free-range farms and contain no growth hormones or antibiotics. The fish is wild fish caught from the ocean. Real Meat Air-Dried Dog Food also features a wide range of air-dried dog and cat treats just as nutritious.
Features
- Free-range, grain-free & gluten-free
- Complete balanced turkey, venison, and organ food with added vitamins and minerals
- Features 90% of nutritious air-dried free-range turkey, venison, and organs
- All-natural air-dried ingredients
- Suitable as a sole diet or mixed with any other food for an extra tasty meal
- Pros
- Formulas for both cats & dogs
- All dog food formulas are nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards.
- Nutritionally complete & balanced according to AAFCO standards
- All animal protein comes from animal-sourced ingredients
- Numerous recipes available in beef, salmon & turkey jerky-like pieces
- Offers gently air-dried and freeze-dried formula combinations from 1lbs to 8.8lbs.
- Biologically appropriate dog food with a palatable natural taste that dogs enjoy
- All ingredients are preserved through a gentle, low-temperature dehydration process.
- It works for all life stages and suitable for dogs with sensitivities and allergies.
- Cons
- It may be costlier than kibble but worth it.
Zeal Air-Dried Food, Canadian Jerky Company LTD, is based out of British Columbia and crafts gently air-dried dog food recipes with premium ingredients. The salmon recipe is a complete and balanced wholesome diet for dogs crafted with 96% wild salmon.
The natural air drying process is used to preserve all the nutrients and flavors. This is done with an artisanal technique that naturally evaporates the moisture by gently circulating air, reducing its volume while concentrating the nutrition.
We like this air-dried food for dogs because it features raw air-dried nutrition that features 96% protein with low-fat content. Zeal also uses locally sourced wild salmon. Here’s the take with Zeal air-dried dog food:
Features
- The website has a comprehensive transitional feeding guide for dogs trying this formula for the first time.
- Concentrated and balanced nutrition that is gently air-dried
- Crafted with high-quality premium ingredients
- Grain-free for all life stages
- No recalls
- Pros
- Features 70% raw protein
- Added farm-grown produce
- Added flaxseed that is rich in omega-3's to support skin & coat health
- Available in 4 flavors
- 100% grain-free
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional levels for maintenance
- Over 1,300 positive ratings
- Cons
- Some dogs may not like the taste.
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Bowl Boosters features 70% air-dried chicken pieces with added omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. This is also grain-free, with deboned turkey and deboned chicken as the first two ingredients. Well, PetLLC owns Sojos as well as Wellness, Eagle Pack, and Holistic Select. Sojos specializes in dehydrated, freeze-dried, and air-dried raw dog food.
The Wellness brand has been around for a while and is considered a good dog food brand. We like this brand because they partner with Best Friends Animal Rescue and provide dog food for all their rescues. Wellness also features a vast array of different formulas. Here’s the take with this recipe:
Features
- Reputable & trusted brand in the pet industry.
- Easy way of adding flavorful protein to meals as a mix or a topper
- Protein-rich & grain-free formula
- Priced well
- Gently air-fried chicken & turkey pieces
How is Air-Dried Dog Food Made?
Feeding your puppy a healthy diet means so much more than choosing a more expensive dog food formula. The key here is to understand the many pet food options and why some may be better suited for your dog and meet the Association of American Feed Control Operations (AAFCO).
Premium air-dried and dehydrated dog food not only offers minimally processed ingredients but may have more than 70 percent raw protein than most pet foods, together with veggies, antioxidants, and fruits. The air-drying process also removes pathogenic bacteria, allowing for fewer pet food recalls, if any, than most conventional pet foods.
Differences Between Air-Dried vs. Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Freeze-dried is a gross consistency that needs to be rehydrated. Most contain a lot of added minerals and vitamins. That said, air-dried is better than freeze-dried. Air-dried dog food uses low temperatures to extract the moisture from the raw food.
The temperature usually used is around 140º F to 180º F. This process is similar to dehydration but uses no heat, thus minimizing damage to the ingredients. When fed an air-dried, your pup dog food diet is consuming all the benefits of a raw food diet.
During the air-dried process, all the moisture is removed via the evaporation process, bacteria, yeast, and mold are inhibited and destroyed. Air-dried dog food is easy to feed because it does not break up into numerous pieces that freeze-dried does and minimalizes feeding messes.
There are differences in air-dried, freeze-dried, and dehydrated dog food which are simple to understand. Air-dried dog food is in-between dehydrated and freeze-dried dog food. It means that all the moisture is removed from the ingredients through evaporation via the air-drying process.
With the continuous pet food recalls over the years, we’ve examined how dog foods are made close and their ingredients. Today many of us have switched to high-quality premium dog foods for our furry best friends, like air-dried. Also, air-dried dog food formulas feature high-quality protein-focused nutrition without the use of fillers.
Far from commercial dog food formulas processed at extremely high temperatures, air-dried dog food formulas allow for the dehydration of all the ingredients in small batches while preserving nutrients and flavor and destroying germs.
You’ll also find that many air-dried dog food brands will be crafted with digestive aids, including pumpkin and ginger, allowing for easier digestion. Fruits and veggies that are added are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.
Are Dogs Born with Food Allergies or Are They Developed?
Food allergies are common in dogs and may result in digestive issues, as well as skin flare-ups. Helping your dog heal means improving nutrition. Dogs suffer from allergies and may be allergic to plant particles, dog food ingredients, and even substances in the air. If any allergens are inhaled or absorbed through the skin, or gastrointestinal tract, histamine production is stimulated, and your dog may develop atopy or severe itching.
Dogs that are sensitive to airborne allergens or that have food allergies will display the following symptoms:
- Hair loss
- Severe itching
- Excessive licking
- Hair loss
- Scaling
- Sores
- Crusts
- Inflammation
- Frequent diarrhea
- Frequent skin infections
- Licking paws
- Frequent vomiting
- Chronic weight loss
- Gurgling belly sounds
- Food refusal
- Constant ear or skin infections
- Itchy, runny eyes
- Constant licking
There is a link between all dog food allergies and your dog’s immune system. With that in mind, you’ll have to select the best diet for your dog and make sure that the quality and type of dog food are beneficial, and most importantly, that all the dog food ingredients are USA sourced. This is where air-dried puppy food can potentially help your dog.
Here are the most common ingredients that dogs are allergic to.
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Soy
- Gluten
- Rabbit
- Dairy
What to Do If I Suspect My Dog Has a Food Allergy
Resolving food allergies in dogs takes time. It would help if you considered taking notes in a diary when you’re trying out the elimination diet to make a note of everything that your dog eats. You can also add any clinical signs that seem like excessive itchiness, gassiness, or diarrhea.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to work together with your vet to make sure that there are no underlying health issues and that you switch to a correct new diet gradually. With that said, food additives, coloring, and even preservatives can trigger off an allergic reaction in dogs.
By understanding that each dog is different and working together with your veterinarian, and switching over to an air-dried dog food diet, you’ll eventually get rid of your dog’s allergies.
With that said, a healthy dog food diet with an air-dried dog food may help to limit food allergies because it’s free of additives, preservatives, and dyes. Air-dried also offers natural food ingredients and no common ingredients that trigger allergies like chicken, soy, lamb, gluten, rabbit, or even dairy.
As usual, combining good lifestyle choices with regular exercise, plenty of mental stimulation, pet vacays, and adventure hikes together with dog playdates keeps your furry best friend happy and healthy. Maintaining a home free of stress and allowing for a dog-positive home environment benefits not only your furry best friend but your entire family.
Conclusion for the Best Air-Dried Dog Foods
Many dog owners are looking into air-dried dog and puppy foods because their current dog has allergies. However, there are many other benefits to consider when switching to dehydrated dog food like the increased amount of nutrients, fresher ingredients, and overall better dog food. We’ve listed some of the best air-dried dog foods on the market today to help you make an easy choice!
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Questions About Air-Dried Dog Food
What is Air-Dried Dog Food?
Premium air-dried and dehydrated dog food not only offers minimally processed ingredients but may have more than 70 percent raw protein than most pet foods, together with veggies, antioxidants, and fruits. The air-drying process also removes pathogenic bacteria, allowing for fewer pet food recalls when compared to most conventional pet foods.
What Does Air-Dried Mean?
Unlike conventional pet foods cooked at high temperatures, the air-dried dog food process entails dehydrating all the ingredients in small batches while preserving nutrients and flavor and destroying germs.
What to Do If I Suspect My Dog Has a Food Allergy
Resolving food allergies in dogs takes time. You’ll need to get a diary while on the elimination diet and make a note of everything that your furry best friend eats. You can also add any clinical signs that seem like excessive itchiness, gassiness, or diarrhea.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to work together with your vet to make sure that there are no underlying health issues and that you switch to a correct new diet gradually. With that said, food additives, coloring, and even preservatives can trigger off an allergic reaction in dogs.
What Are the Benefits of Air Dried Dog Food?
Air-drying maintains all the goodness inside every ingredient and allows for optimal nutritional value from proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients in the over 70% raw, natural meat.
What dog foods are air-dried?
Air-dried dog foods feature minimally processed ingredients. Opting for human-grade and minimally processed diets together with some high-quality organic kibble can be beneficial for health, happiness, and longevity with fewer vet bills down the road. Some great air-dried dog food brands include the following:
- Sundays
- Ziwi Peak
- Real Meat
- Only Natural Pet
- Zeal Canada
- Sojos
- Stella and Chewy
- Honest Kitchen
Is air-dried dog food better?
Dehydrated or air-dried dog food is a convenient way to feed pets. They’re also easy to take along with you to dog shows or pet vacays because they don’t need to be kept frozen—this feeding method eliminates food-borne pathogens and locks in optimal nutrition and taste. Premium air-dried dog food formulas feature up to 70% more protein and added vegetables, fruits, and antioxidants.
With air-dried dog food, no harsh processing can damage the ingredients. It also features naturally-occurring enzymes and nutrients. For example, many pet parents say that feeding an air-dried dog food brand improves coat, skin, and behavior in pets.
What is the number #1 rated dog food?
Although it’s challenging to see which best food is best for your dog, choosing quality pet food that is free of GMOs and made with FDA-verified human-grade ingredients allows for a healthy, high-quality diet. Recipes should feature some of the following:
- Free of antibiotics
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- No growth hormones
- High protein, low carbs
- GMO-free
- Handled in accordance with FDA regulations
- Prepared in a human-food grade facility
- Features a selection of high-quality meats, fruits, and veggies in their recipes like broccoli, squash, blueberries
Do you add water to air-dried dog food?
Most air-dried dog food is served as is without having to add water. Air-dried formulas are complete and balanced dog food that provides all the needed nutrients for your dogs.
Is air-dried and freeze-dried the same?
Air-dried dog food is denser and has higher water content, whereas freeze-dried food tends to be crunchier and lighter in weight. Air-drying also offers the scoop and serve convenience, making it easy to take with you if you’re traveling with your pet.
On the other hand, freeze-drying tends to be popular because it preserves most nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and proteins.
Is air-dried meat good for dogs?
Yes! It’s wonderfully nutrient-dense and offers high-quality nutrition for all dog breeds. For example, Sundays for Dogs explains, “Air-dried dog food is the middle ground between dehydrated and freeze-dried.”
Sundays For Dogs adds, “Unlike conventional pet foods that are cooked at high temperatures, the air-dried dog food process entails dehydrating all the ingredients in small batches, all the while preserving nutrients and flavor and destroying germs.”
This will allow optimal absorption and digestion, resulting in a smaller poop. Your dog will also benefit from a shinier coat, clear eyes, and healthier teeth and gums.
Want to learn more about air-dried dog food? Check out the video below!
Dr. Chyrle Bonk received her veterinary degree from Oregon State University in 2010. She has been practicing in a mixed animal clinic in rural Idaho ever since at Clearwater Valley Veterinarian Clinic. When she’s not busy writing, treating animals, or working on her cattle ranch, she may be found somewhere in the Idaho wilderness with her husband and kids. Dr. Chyrle Bonk is a writer for We Love Doodles and verifies that the information we post is accurate the up to date! She is also an advisor and editor.
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