The Differences between Air Dried and Raw Dog Food

The dog food market is full of conjecture about which style and medium of dog food is best for our furry friends. We sit in a rarer position of ‘air-dried dog food’ instead of conventional raw dog food options and dry meals. Let’s talk about the difference between the two disciplines.

What is Air-Dried Dog Food?

Air-dried dog food is a form of dog food that is prepared gently without a cooking step. We have a full-length article on this, but here are the top line highlights of how we make air-dried dog food:

•    High-quality raw meat arrives at our factory in Yorkshire.
•    Our skilled production team processes the meat according to our products' shape, size, and recipe.
•    The team then places the meat into our bespoke drying units.
•    The meat is subjected to low heat, humidity and consistent air circulation over an elongated duration. 
•    Our top team monitor the active water level of the products. When this AW aspect hits the desired level, it stops microorganisms and other nasties from breeding in the food.

After that, the food is ‘air-dried’ and ready to be packed; our expert fulfilment team then sends it out.

Why do we go to this extreme measure to break the mould of dog food production? For the love of our pets and the convenience of our human customers. Our air-dried dog food has all the nutritional benefits of a raw dog food diet without the issues of storage or potential contamination issues.

It is worth noting that we take the same measures to prepare all of our food, including dog treats and cat food!

What is Raw Dog Food?

There are so many raw dog food brands out there it is impossible to define all of them in a single sentence. If trying to condense it, a raw dog food diet is when a canine eats uncooked and minimally processed meats. However, even that is up for discussion as some brands add nutrients throughout preparation.

Storage and Shelf Life

Where to store raw dog food? One of the most significant differences between the two product types is the storage needs. Raw dog food must be placed in the fridge or freezer immediately after purchase. This can take up precious space, especially if you don’t have a large freezer.

While all brands and products vary, raw dog food's shelf life is often relatively short. Especially once opening the pack. Again, once you’ve defrosted to serve your dog, there’s a time limit on how long the food will be fresh and/or acceptable to give.

The vast majority of air-dried food brands, like ours, do not require refrigeration. The products can be stored in any cool and dark place. Most cupboards will be suitable for storage.

In addition, our air-dried food has a year-long shelf life from the point of being made. Once opened, it doesn’t need to be stored differently and will remain fresh for around eight weeks if preserved optimally.

Preparation of Dog Food

Preparing and serving raw dog food can be quite an ordeal. It involves taking meat out of the freezer well ahead of time and isolating it from the dogs (and living entities in the household) while it thaws. Raw dog food and babies in the same household can present a few hazards.

Of course, you may need to consult your trusty raw dog food calculator to determine the correct amount to defrost, feed, etc.

Air-dried dog food doesn’t have the same caveats. Instead, you place the food in the dog bowl and let your pooch devour it.

Safety and Hygiene

Raw dog food can present severe risks to owners and even the dogs. Parasites and pathogens can linger on the food, usually killed off during the processing or cooking. These can include Salmonella and E. coli, which can be very harmful.

The juices from thawing meat can quickly spread when handling or moving the food around. Worktops, surfaces and other food could be contaminated with the disease-causing bacteria. Many raw dog food brands advise owners not to allow their dogs to lick them or others after they’ve had raw food.

The spread of such bacteria is enough to prompt some brands to suggest that households with young children, older adults and those with underlying health conditions should not buy raw dog food. It is safe to say that raw dog food benefits have some considerable drawbacks.

Air-dried dog food has been treated to prevent bacteria from growing or causing threats. This is a real benefit for this type of food, as it still contains all the nutrients of raw food without potential health issues.

Other Types of Dog Food

But this isn’t it! There are a lot of other disciplines, like dry food (often called kibble), freeze-dried and more. We at the Innocent Hound specialise in Air-Dried and champion this discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions All About Dog Food

Is air-dried dog food considered raw?
You will often see the term ‘air-dried dog food’. Our food arrives to us raw, and we have no cooking procedure. By definition, it could be referred to as raw dog food. However, we often refer to it as air-dried as it has gone through this process.

Is air-dried dog food safe for puppies?
Yes, puppies can eat our food as long as they are eight weeks or over.

Does air-dried dog food require refrigeration?
No! It is one of the best selling points of air-dried food!