Many dog owners wonder about the different feeding options for their dogs. One of the most popular topics is the comparison between raw food and dehydrated food, the latter claiming to offer the benefits of the former without the associated drawbacks.
In this article, I will guide you through the essential criteria to consider when evaluating whether dehydrated food can truly match the benefits of raw food for your dog.
Criterion 1: Protein content
One of the biggest advantages of raw food for dogs is its high protein content, essential for a dog's health and well-being. A quality raw diet can contain up to 80% protein, while dehydrated food often struggles to reach 35%. The benefits of raw feeding largely depend on this high protein content, and a dehydrated product with less protein cannot provide the same benefits.
Criterion 2: Sugar level
Sugar is a key factor in canine health, and raw food has the advantage of having a reduced sugar content, often less than 15%. This helps prevent inflammation, skin, and digestive issues. In contrast, dehydrated food can contain up to 50% sugar, far exceeding the limits for a healthy dog. Excess sugar can lead to various health issues, making dehydrated food less beneficial than a raw diet.
Criterion 3: Cooking and digestibility
One of the primary advantages of raw food is that it's uncooked (yes, really!), which preserves the presence of beneficial enzymes and good bacteria that aid digestion. In contrast, many dehydrated products undergo some form of cooking (even if it's at a low temperature, it's still cooked!), which alters their nutritional composition and reduces the nutritional benefits of raw food. In this respect, the closest thing to raw food is freeze-dried food, which is completely uncooked. But food labeled "raw dehydrated," even if its name or marketing suggests otherwise, most often involves at least some cooking.
Criterion 4: Water content
Raw food, with its 90% water content, promotes natural hydration in dogs and supports their kidney function. This aspect is neglected in dehydrated food, which doesn't provide the water necessary for optimal hydration. The lack of water in dehydrated food can impact your dog's long-term health.
In summary, while dehydrated food may seem like a convenient alternative to raw feeding, it doesn't quite match the latter's benefits. Some foods on the market come close, if you follow the criteria we've discussed, but most fall far short of providing the advantages of a raw diet. It's important to consider these criteria when choosing the best food for your dog.
If you'd like more information on the differences between kibble, raw food, and dehydrated raw food, and the impact of diet on your dog's health, I invite you to come and see my My YouTube channel has lots of informative videos on the subject. Here are a few that might interest you: All the benefits of raw food for dogs, and The difference between raw food and kibble for dogs.
Would you like to feed your dog raw food but think it seems complicated? I can help you with that. I 've been helping dog owners make the transition for years, and honestly, it's not complicated; you just need to be well-informed.
So, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments! I always really enjoy reading your comments and answering your questions!
Karine, agronomist
