Air-dried dog food hasn’t been around on the market for all that long, but it deserves more attention than it’s 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 you’d 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. We’ve listed 6 of 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 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Zeal Canada Gently Air-Dried Dog Food
High in protein
High-quality ingredients
Tasty
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Best Value
Addiction Perfect Summer Dog Food
Packed with fruits and vegetables
Uses novel protein
Suitable for most types of dogs
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Premium Choice
Ziwi Peak Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food
Very high in protein
Similar nutrition to a raw diet
Can be eaten as a meal or topper
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Best for Puppies
Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals RawTernative Air-Dried Dog Food
Versatile
Suitable for adult dogs and puppies
High in protein
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Vet’s Choice
Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice UnKibble
Fresh, whole ingredients are used
Created with the help of vets
Customized recipes according to your dog’s needs
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The 6 Best Air-Dried Dog Foods
If you’re 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.
Main ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Bamboo Fiber
Protein content: 36%
Fat content: 22%
Moisture: 14%
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It is a grain-free range, as with many air-dried options, which works well for dogs with sensitivities to the ingredient, although it’s not absolutely necessary to exclude it from a healthy dog’s 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
We love Addiction Perfect Summer Raw Alternative Dog Food because it’s 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.
High in protein
High-quality ingredients
Tasty
Great for active dogs
Free from controversial ingredients
- High in protein
- High-quality ingredients
- Tasty
- Great for active dogs
- Free from controversial ingredients
No grain-inclusive options
Not ideal for overweight dogs
- No grain-inclusive options
- Not ideal for overweight dogs
Main ingredients: Brushtail, Potatoes, Carrots, Flaxseed
Protein content: 22%
Fat content: 12%
Moisture: 12%
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 dog’s body probably hasn’t built up an intolerance to it and is less likely to have an allergic reaction from it.
You’ll 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 dog’s 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
Ziwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food is one of our favorite air-dried dog foods, which is why it’s our premium choice. It’s one of the most popular air-dried recipes on the market – and for a good reason.
Packed with fruits and vegetables
Uses novel protein
Suitable for most types of dogs
Digestible
Affordable
- Packed with fruits and vegetables
- Uses novel protein
- Suitable for most types of dogs
- Digestible
- Affordable
Needs to be served with warm water
- Needs to be served with warm water
Main ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Kidney, Beef Tripe
Protein content: 38%
Fat content: 30%
Moisture: 14%
It’s high in protein and fat, with a crude protein content of 38%. 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 it’s 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
We want the best for our pups, and that’s why we recommend Grandma Mae’s 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%.
Very high in protein
Similar nutrition to a raw diet
Can be eaten as a meal or topper
Nutrient-dense
Limited ingredients
- Very high in protein
- Similar nutrition to a raw diet
- Can be eaten as a meal or topper
- Nutrient-dense
- Limited ingredients
No grain-inclusive options
Very high fat content
- No grain-inclusive options
- Very high fat content
Main ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Lung, Lamb Kidney, Vegetable Glycerin
Protein content: 30%
Fat content: 22%
Moisture: 19%
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 doesn’t 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 isn’t ideal for inactive dogs
5. Spot & Tango Chicken & Brown Rice UnKibble – Vet’s Choice
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Main ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots
Protein content: 26.58%
Fat content: 16.43%
Moisture: 3.96%
Spot & Tango has three UnKibble recipes that are made with fresh, whole ingredients and real meat. They’ve been created with the help of vets, who know your pet’s nutritional needs best. Spot & Tango have never had any of their products recalled, and they personalize your dog’s food according to their age, breed, weight, and needs. Each scoop of UnKibble will be created to meet your dog’s nutritional needs, and they’ll adjust your puppy’s formula as they grow. Each recipe is suitable for puppies and adult dogs and meets the AAFCO standards.
Versatile
Suitable for adult dogs and puppies
High in protein
Nutrient-dense
Moist and tasty
Contains prebiotics
- Versatile
- Suitable for adult dogs and puppies
- High in protein
- Nutrient-dense
- Moist and tasty
- Contains prebiotics
High fat content isn’t ideal for inactive dogs
- High fat content isn’t ideal for inactive dogs
Their Spot & 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 dog’s coat its shine back. This vet’s choice pick is pricier than many of our other options, but it’s crafted with care and personalized to your dog. The recipes are only available on subscription, so you won’t find them in your local pet store.
Pros
Fresh, whole ingredients are used
Created with the help of vets
Customized recipes according to your dog’s needs
Suitable for puppies and adult dogs
Cons
Pricey
It’s a subscription-based service only
- Only Natural Pet MaxMeat Holistic Air-Dried Dry Dog Food
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Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzard
Protein content: 35%
Fat content: 20%
Moisture: 15%
Our final option is Only 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.
Fresh, whole ingredients are used
Created with the help of vets
Customized recipes according to your dog’s needs
Suitable for puppies and adult dogs
- Fresh, whole ingredients are used
- Created with the help of vets
- Customized recipes according to your dog’s needs
- Suitable for puppies and adult dogs
Pricey
It’s a subscription-based service only
- Pricey
- It’s a subscription-based service only
Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzard
Protein content: 35%
Fat content: 20%
Moisture: 15%
The formula has recently undergone a slight formula change that some customers aren’t 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 don’t 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 doesn’t require any preparation time.
Pros
High-quality chicken
High in protein
Versatile
Tasty and crunchy
Cons
Expensive
Recent slight formula change
Buyer’s 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 simple—yes! In fact, air-dried dog food is one of the healthiest premium options to choose from. We’ll discuss the reasons why below and tackle a few other questions you probably want to be answered before buying this food.
High-quality chicken
High in protein
Versatile
Tasty and crunchy
- High-quality chicken
- High in protein
- Versatile
- Tasty and crunchy
Expensive
Recent slight formula change
- Expensive
- Recent slight formula change
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 aren’t used, the nutritional value in heat-sensitive ingredients isn’t lost. And, because it hasn’t been dehydrated, the kibble-like food doesn’t require water or broth and can be eaten from the bag.
Most air-dried foods don’t have a long list of ingredients because they’re 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 it’s 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 doesn’t crumble easily and doesn’t require water or broth to be mixed in with it for rehydration. It’s also generally more affordable than freeze-dried dog food but doesn’t 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 don’t 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. It’s also a great option to transition your dog onto if they were previously only eating commercial kibble because it’s 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 it’s 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 doesn’t 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.
It’s 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 doesn’t have any special storage requirements and can be stored the same way you stored your dog’s 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 dog’s 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. It’s 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 you’re 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 is Addiction Perfect Summer Raw Alternative Dog Food—we appreciate that they use a novel protein as their first ingredient. Our premium choice is Ziwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food for its limited ingredients, and we recommend Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals RawTernative Air Dried Dog Food for developing puppies. The Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe from Spot & Tango is customized to your dog’s needs, so you can’t go wrong with it.
Sources
Papa Petshop FOTP Good Dog People Isle of Dogs Grooming Hello Bark Pledge Care Hello Bark Sundays For Dogs
Featured Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock
- Papa Petshop
- FOTP
- Good Dog People
- Isle of Dogs Grooming
- Hello Bark
- Pledge Care
- Hello Bark
- Sundays For Dogs
