Air-dried dog food
Air-dried dog food is made by gently drying raw meat and other ingredients at a low temperature, without the high-heat cooking process used to make standard kibble. It sits somewhere between raw frozen and dry kibble in practice — meat content is typically higher than a standard dry food, and unlike raw frozen it does not need a freezer, but it usually costs more per kilogram than either.
How air-drying differs from making kibble
Standard dry kibble is cooked at high temperature and pressure, a process called extrusion, which shapes the familiar pellet and makes it shelf-stable but also alters some of the raw ingredients' original nutritional profile in the process. Air-drying instead removes moisture slowly at a low temperature, without the same intense cooking, which proponents argue keeps more of the meat closer to its raw state while still making it safe and stable to store without refrigeration.
The result looks and feels quite different from kibble — usually softer, denser pieces rather than a light, crunchy pellet — and the meat content declared on the label is often notably higher than in a typical dry food, though as with any food, checking the actual percentage on the label matters more than the format alone.
Storage and practicality compared with other formats
One of the practical appeals of air-dried food is that it does not need a freezer the way raw frozen food does, making it easier to store, transport and travel with, while still offering some of the appeal raw feeders associate with minimally processed food. It typically has a longer shelf life than raw frozen once opened, though it should still be kept in a cool, dry place and used within the timeframe stated on the pack.
Portioning is generally straightforward, similar to weighing out kibble, though because it is more calorie-dense than standard dry food, the amount by weight is often smaller than an owner switching from kibble might expect, so checking the feeding guide on the specific product matters more than assuming it works the same way as what you fed before.
Cost and where it fits in a range
Air-dried food generally sits at the pricier end of the market, reflecting the higher meat content and the gentler, more involved processing method compared with mass-produced kibble. It is worth weighing that cost against what actually matters for your dog, rather than assuming a pricier format is automatically the right choice.
For dogs who do well on it, air-dried can be a genuinely convenient middle ground between the storage demands of raw frozen and the more processed nature of standard kibble, but a complete, well-formulated food in any of these formats can meet a dog's nutritional needs when chosen appropriately for their life stage.
Switching to it from another format
Introduce any new format gradually over a week or so, mixing it with what your dog currently eats rather than switching in one go, since a sudden change in format as well as recipe can unsettle digestion regardless of how suitable the new food is overall.
If your dog has a known digestive sensitivity, or you are switching primarily for a specific health reason, it is worth discussing the change with your vet first rather than assuming any particular format will automatically suit your dog better than what they are already eating.
This format, in stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Nutriment Freeze Dried Raw Food Beef
A 225g freeze-dried complete dog food with beef, stored in the cupboard rather than the freezer
£12.95
Nutriment Freeze Dried Raw Food Lamb
Complete freeze-dried raw lamb food for dogs — no freezer needed, high in protein and fat
£12.95
Natures Menu Complete Freeze Dried Food 80 20 Turkey
Complete freeze-dried turkey dog food with 80% turkey in two pack sizes
From£6.14
Nutriment Freeze Dried Raw Food Chicken
Freeze-dried raw chicken dog food, stored in a cupboard rather than a freezer
£12.95
Nutriment Freeze Dried Topper Chicken
A 95% chicken freeze-dried topper with turmeric and ginger, no freezer needed
£4.29
Natures Menu Complete Freeze Dried Food 80 20 Lamb
Complete freeze-dried lamb food in 120g or 250g for adult dogs with 80% lamb
From£5.99
Natures Menu Raw Freeze Dried Beef
Complete 625G freeze-dried beef nuggets for adult dogs with 80% beef
£24.99
Natures Menu Raw Freeze Dried Toppers Chicken
A 40G freeze-dried chicken topper to sprinkle over your dog's usual food, 39% protein
£2.49
Natures Menu Raw Freeze Dried Chicken
Complete 625G freeze-dried chicken nuggets for adult dogs with 80% chicken
£24.99
Bella & Duke Adult Working Dog Duck
A complete raw meal for adult working dogs, made with duck and grass-fed beef plus vegetables. Frozen 500g tub.
£3.50
Bella & Duke Superfoods Working Dog Fish
A complete raw meal for puppies, adults and seniors: MSC fish and grass-fed beef with veg, turmeric and ginger. Frozen 500g tub.
£3.75
Bella & Duke Raw Basics Working Dog Turkey
Frozen raw turkey dog food from Bella & Duke's Raw Basics working dog line, for dogs of all ages. 454g pack.
£2.39
Common questions
- Is air-dried dog food the same as raw food?
- Not exactly. Air-dried food starts from similar raw ingredients but is gently dried at a low temperature rather than kept frozen and raw, which changes its texture, shelf life and storage needs compared with genuinely raw frozen food, while avoiding the higher-heat cooking used for standard kibble.
- Does air-dried dog food need to be kept in the freezer?
- No, that is one of its main practical advantages over raw frozen food. It should still be stored in a cool, dry place as directed on the pack, but it does not require freezer space the way raw frozen food does.
- Is air-dried dog food more expensive than kibble?
- Generally yes, reflecting its higher meat content and gentler processing method compared with mass-produced kibble. Whether that cost is worthwhile depends on your dog's needs and your budget rather than there being one right answer for every owner.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.