We Tapped Pet Nutrition Experts To Find The 7 Best Freeze-Dried Dog Foods

Type: Limited-ingredient raw patties; grain-, gluten- and pea-free | Protein varieties available: Beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, turkey, beef and salmon, duck/turkey/goose, pork, beef/goat/lamb | Crude protein: 36% to 48% | Calories: 51 to 60 kcal/patty | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $2.60 | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Best for:

• Feeding nutrient-dense organ meats (source of vitamin A, B vitamins, magnesium)
• Dogs who can benefit from a diet free of grain, gluten and legume binders (like peas or lentils)
• Picky eaters and those with food sensitivities

Skip if:

• You have a large breed or multiple pups and want to feed them full standalone meals

Stella & Chewy’s is a renowned brand in the freeze-dried food space—and a frequent recommendation in our Forbes Vetted’s expert-backed dog food guides—so it’s no surprise it clinched the top spot. The Stella’s Super Beef variety of these freeze-dried patties contain an impressive 95% grass-fed beef protein, including nutrient-dense muscle meat, heart, liver, tripe and kidney, making up the first five ingredients. “These are important nutrient-dense ingredients full of vitamin A, magnesium and the whole B-vitamin complex,” notes Colorado-based holistic veterinarian Dr. Candice Akers. She vouches for Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried formulas for dogs with food sensitivities, too: “The brand is great at separating proteins. This means they don’t mix chicken livers into their beef recipes and vice versa.”

The Super Beef Dinner Patties formula, which is free from fillers, grains and preservatives, also contains added active probiotics, as well as antioxidants derived from organic fruits and vegetables. In fact, several customers credit these patties’ formulation for helping reduce their dog’s heavy shedding and producing smaller, firmer stools. The patties are available in a wide variety of proteins, including venison, rabbit and lamb, making this an ideal option for dogs with particular protein allergies.

Like with most high-quality freeze-dried dog food, an often-cited drawback of this option is its price, particularly among large-breed owners or those with multiple pups. Feeding your pup exclusively Stella & Chewy’s dinner patties can get quite expensive, which is why pet guardians like editorial director Brinda Ayer, who has a boxer mix named George, use it as a nutritious daily topper instead. “I take about half of a patty and crumble it up over George’s kibble, and he goes absolutely wild,” she says, adding that the dinner pucks also come in handy as crumbled high-value treats when she travels with her pup.

Related: In addition to Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried formulas, check out our guide to the best dry dog foods to see what other shelf-stable dry options our experts recommend.

Type: Morsel; single-animal protein, grain- and filler-free | Whole animal proteins: Beef; beef heart/liver/kidney/bone | Crude protein: 41% | Calories per cup: 243 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $2.39 to $2.48 ($1.86 with subscription) | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Best for:

• 100% traceable ingredient sourcing and humanely raised beef ingredients
• Easy measurement and handling, due to its scoopable pellet form
• Amino acids and minerals, thanks to whole-animal protein ingredients

Skip if:

• You have a giant breed and want a complete freeze-dried meal versus a mixer or topper

If you feed your large-breed dog a freeze-dried raw diet, you likely often run into the following challenges: There’s just not enough food per package to adequately feed your pup before you have to repurchase, and you end up with crushed pieces at the bottom of the bag. We like Open Farm’s freeze-dried morsels, which hold their shape well during transit, plus the food comes in extra-large 31.5-ounce (2-pound) bags; they’re more cost-effective at around $2.40 per ounce, or $1.86 per ounce if you subscribe.

Even more important, though, is this formula’s nutritional profile, which suits the needs of large breeds. For starters, this recipe consists of 95% whole-prey ingredients like beef meat, organs and bone—key to supplying the natural amino acids and minerals large pups need to maintain their muscle mass. Large and giant breeds are also prone to joint issues due to their size, and Open Farm’s formula addresses those particular needs with essential ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin (found in the ground beef bone), which help lubricate joints, support cartilage health and lower inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, another key joint-supporting ingredient, can be found in the recipe’s salmon oil, organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and pasture-raised beef, which tend to retain higher levels of these fatty acids than their grain-fed counterparts. And we’d be remiss not to mention Open Farm’s focus on transparency: You can type the lot code from the back of the specific bag directly into its website to see which family farm provided the ingredients.

While this formula’s availability in bulk bags and its complete and balanced nutrition make it one of the more affordable freeze-dried options for large-breed dog owners, you might still find it expensive to use as a full standalone meal, especially if your pup is over 70 pounds or so. In that case, consider first using this option as a daily mixer or topper to add raw nutrition to standard dry kibble.

Type: Bite-size pellets; grain-free | Whole animal proteins: Chicken, beef liver/spleen/kidney, cod | Crude protein: 38% | Calories per cup: 220 kcal | Life stage: Puppy | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $2.28 | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Best for:

• A formula that specifically supports puppy growth, complete with nutrients like DHA, calcium and phosphorous
• Perfectly sized pieces that are easy to rehydrate
• Picky eaters and puppies transitioning to solid meals

Skip if:

• You have a giant-breed puppy and are on a budget

When it comes to feeding puppies optimally, it’s not just a matter of feeding them smaller portions of adult food. “For puppies, especially large-breed puppies, the food needs to be formulated for growth or all life stages because calories, calcium and phosphorus are especially important during development,” says certified pet nutritionist Dani Dominguez. 

Our pick, Instinct FreshDried Raw Meals For Puppies, fits the bill; its appropriate amounts of calcium and phosphorus support safe bone growth and prevent developmental orthopedic issues in puppies, especially in large and giant breeds. Plus, the formula is calorie-dense at 220 kcal per cup and rich in crude protein—thanks to the recipe’s cage-free chicken and organ meats—to support puppies’ high metabolism and rapid growth. It also includes salmon oil and cod, which provide a natural source of DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that supports healthy brain and eye development. 

Type: Chunks; grain-free, limited-ingredient | Whole animal proteins: Beef, beef liver/kidney | Crude protein: 37% | Calories per cup: 246 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $1.94 | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Best for:

• Its vet-formulated recipe that is filler-free and 95% animal protein
• Added nutrients like antioxidants, prebiotics and fiber
• Enticing picky eaters, especially when used as a mixer

Skip if:

• You want a more accessibly priced option to feed as a standalone meal 

If your dog turns their nose up at regular kibble, Ultimate Pet Nutrition’s Nutra Complete might be worth considering. Formulated by veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter, this food was developed with the intent of tapping into a meal naturally enticing to dogs: one that's rich, aromatic and high in animal protein.

The formula consists of 95% ranch-raised beef, organs and bone, which lends it the savory flavor that many pet users report attracts their picky eaters. The remaining 5% ditches synthetic additives for a blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients like blueberries, cranberries and pumpkin seeds. The formula also incorporates chicory root, ginger and added fiber to help with smooth digestion—a plus for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

In addition to noting their picky dogs’ increased appetite at mealtime, many also report improvements in their pets’ overall energy, digestion and stool production. The main drawback (as with many of the picks in our guide) is its retail price, which is why some tend to use this food as a high-value topper on their pets’ standard kibble—particularly if their dog is a large or giant breed.

Type: Chunks; grain-free | Whole animal proteins: Turkey, turkey hearts, salmon, turkey liver | Crude protein: 26% | Calories per cup: 284 kcal | Life stage: Senior | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $2.50 | AAFCO-compliant: Yes (for adult maintenance)  

Best for:

• A soft, mash-like texture after rehydration that’s ideal for seniors’ teeth
• Nutrients to support aging joints and skin and coat health
• Dogs with dental issues or those prone to weight gain

Skip if:

• You need a quick-feeding option (rehydration takes 15 minutes)

Dogs’ nutritional needs significantly shift as they age, notes Dominguez. “For senior dogs, I would consider digestion, hydration, dental health, weight changes and any medical conditions before switching [to freeze-dried dog food],” she says. If you determine that freeze-dried food is appropriate for your pup, this formula addresses these needs, with chunks that turn into an aromatic, mash-like meal after rehydration.

Vaid-Sidhu recommends feeding senior dogs highly digestible proteins to help maintain weight as they age, like lean poultry, fish and organ meat. Sojos’ particular recipe uses both turkey and salmon as the primary protein sources, to help support lean muscles in older dogs without the excess fat commonly found in other proteins. Plus, the salmon provides a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can aid in soothing joint inflammation and maintaining cognitive health. This formula is also a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which help support aging pups’ mobility and flexibility.

Pet parents with senior dogs frequently report that Sojos’ formula helped their pets regain enthusiasm for mealtime and that they have noticed visible improvements in mobility and alertness; others praise the food’s soft consistency. Just keep in mind the 15-minute preparation time (especially if you have a particularly impatient pup).

Related: Check out other expert-backed options to support your aging dog in our guide to the best dog food for seniors.

Type: Chunks of varying sizes; single-ingredient or blends, filler- and wheat-free | Whole animal proteins: Varies (beef, chicken, lamb, salmon) | Crude protein: 50% to 74% | Calories per ounce: 105 to 118 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $3.90 to $4.33 | AAFCO-compliant: Yes (intermittent and supplemental feeding only)  

Best for:

• Positive-reinforcement training for all life stages
• Pups with food allergies or sensitive stomachs
• Administering liquid medicine

Skip if:

• You want larger-sized pouches for training larger breeds or multiple pups  

Freeze-dried treats are a great way to introduce your dog to this type of food while still staying within a budget, but they also make excellent training treats. “I’ve had great success using freeze-dried treats with both my own dogs and many of my training clients because they’re typically high-value, minimally processed and easy to carry and bring with us,” says certified dog trainer Nicole Ellis.

Her favorite freeze-dried treat overall is this line from Bocce’s Bakery. “I love the variety of protein options, and each bag naturally contains a mix of larger and smaller pieces so I can use the tiny pieces for rapid-fire training or the larger ones as bigger rewards,” she says. Free from unnecessary starches or artificial preservatives, the brand’s small-batch treat options include limited-ingredient and single-protein recipes—including beef liver, lamb and chicken—made from real, raw meat. Those who have dogs with skin issues also report that the short ingredient lists make it easy to avoid allergy triggers.

Because these treats are gently freeze-dried rather than baked at high temperatures, they retain their natural aroma and flavor. This helps with both training and tricky tasks like administering medication. “I squirt her liquid medicine on them and my senior dog gobbles them up,” says Ellis. “My dogs stay excited for them, making them an excellent high-value reward for training.” 

Expert tip: If your pup has allergies to more commonly available proteins like beef, Ellis recommends checking out Green Juju’s rare-protein offerings, which include rabbit and duck. “They’re made with whole-food ingredients rather than just muscle meat, making them an excellent high-value reward,” she says, adding that they also make great food toppers.

Type: Bite-size nuggets; single-protein, grain- and filler-free | Whole animal proteins: Chicken (ground chicken bone, liver, heart), beef (liver, kidney, spleen) | Crude protein: 36% | Calories per cup: 183 to 191 kcal | Life stage: Adult | Breed size: All | Price per ounce: $3.56 |AAFCO-compliant: Yes (for adult maintenance)

Best for:

• Its convenient (and flexible) delivery schedule
• Novel protein options
• Bundling freeze-dried and frozen raw options

Skip if:

• You have a puppy (as it’s formulated for adult dogs only)

Fresh and raw dog food delivery services can help take the guesswork out of meal planning, but they also often require you to clear out half of your freezer space for those meals. We Feed Raw solves this problem by offering both shelf-stable, freeze-dried raw nuggets and frozen raw recipes. Plus, the brand is already a favorite among the dog owners on our staff, earning the top spot in our guide to the best raw dog foods.

Formulated by an animal nutritionist, these nuggets are made with 85% human-grade meat and organs, as well as 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables and added vitamins. Managing editor Emmy Favilla, our in-house pet expert and a dog owner herself, has tested this food and reports great results. “Both my young adult dog and my picky geriatric dog enjoyed We Feed Raw and had zero digestive issues when I was feeding it to them," she says.

While the freeze-dried recipes currently only come in chicken and beef, you can bundle your pantry order with the brand’s classic frozen raw patties, which offer more variety. “The brand also carries more novel proteins, which is especially appealing since my dog has allergies to chicken and turkey,” says Favilla. Whether you use them as a standalone dinner or a daily bowl mixer, these nuggets arrive on a flexible schedule that keeps your kitchen stocked without taking up as much fridge space as raw-only subscription options.

Related: Browse our tested guide to the best dog food delivery services for more convenient fresh, dehydrated and dry options.