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Why You Should Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food (and How)

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Freeze-dried food has become a favorite for many pet owners. It’s convenient, nutrient-dense, and shelf-stable, making it easy to feed your dog a high-quality raw diet without the need for freezer space or thawing preparation. But there’s one important step that many people overlook: rehydration.

If your dog’s primary diet is freeze-dried, adding water is absolutely required. Here’s why rehydration matters and how to do it properly.

Why Rehydration is Essential

The freeze-drying process removes the moisture from raw food, creating a shelf-stable product. This leads to a convenient, versatile diet that’s great for travel, use as a topper, and an everyday meal.

Even though freeze-dried food is convenient, feeding it dry can be harmful. Here’s why:

Digestive health: Freeze-dried food has extremely little moisture content. If you serve it without rehydrating, it pulls water from your dog’s body for digestion, which can lead to dehydration. Over time, this can cause constipation, digestive discomfort, or, in extreme cases, intestinal blockages.
Palatability: Rehydrated food restores its natural texture and brings out the aroma, making it more appealing. Dogs are more likely to eat their meals happily and completely.
Nutrient absorption: Moisture helps your dog digest and absorb the nutrients in the food properly, ensuring they get all the benefits of a raw diet.

In short, rehydration is not optional; it’s necessary for your dog’s health and enjoyment. Freeze-dried foods should always be rehydrated for cats, too!

How to Properly Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Rehydrating freeze-dried food is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here’s how:

Measure out the food: Use a measuring cup to scoop your pet’s portion for the meal, and place the food in a clean dish.
Rehydrate: Add ¾ cup of warm water per every 1 cup of food. Stir to ensure even hydration. Let the liquid absorb into the food for 5-10 mins. You can also use raw goat milk or bone broth to rehydrate. Tip: Crumbling the freeze-dried nuggets absorbs the liquid more easily and speeds up rehydration.
Serve: Once the freeze-dried food has rehydrated and reached the desired texture, serve it to your pet!

When Feeding Dry is Okay

While full meals should always be rehydrated, it’s okay to offer a few dry nuggets as occasional treats or training rewards. Just remember that large amounts of dry food without water can lead to dehydration and digestive issues.

Try Freeze-Dried Today

Freeze-dried raw dog food offers convenience, nutrition, and flexibility, but only if it’s prepared correctly. Rehydration ensures your dog’s meal is safe, digestible, and delicious. Steve’s Real Food freeze-dried recipes are made with high-quality ingredients and carefully balanced nutrition, then freeze-dried to lock in the benefits of raw food without the need for a freezer.

Find a local pet store near you or purchase Steve’s Real Food online.