How to feed freeze dried cat food? It’s a common question that many pet owners ask. Freeze-drying is the process of removing water from food to preserve it; this can be done with or without vacuum packing, depending on what kind of food it is.
As well as being an easy way to store leftovers, freeze-dried foods are good for traveling and hiking because they don’t take up much space in your backpack or suitcase. The best part about these kinds of foods is that they last indefinitely!
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What is freeze dried cat food?
Freeze dried cat food is typically small pieces of meat or fish that have been freeze dried. Since these foods are shelf-stable, they do not require refrigeration.
Many cats prefer the taste and texture of freeze dried cat food compared to wet canned food because it has a very strong odour and appeal.
How to feed freeze dried cat food?
Feeding freeze dried cat food is simple. You need to follow these three easy steps: pour the water into an appropriate container, place the freeze dried cat food in there, and wait for it to rehydrate. It’s that easy!
But keep in mind that you can not leave food out of water for more than ten minutes. If it is left out, the pieces will start to dry up and spoil.
Freeze-dried cat food can be fed or rehydrated with warm water to make it into a portion of wet cat food. Freezing the dry food will help keep the aroma locked in, making it more appealing for finicky cats. Rehydrate by adding warm water (start with 1-2 teaspoons and gradually increase) until you reach a consistency that your cat enjoys.
Do not use boiling water as it may damage the ingredients in the food.
Add a few drops of oil, broth or gravy to increase moisture and improve palatability.
Freeze dried cat food can be fed on its own or rehydrated with water, so it becomes wet canned food.
Although cats can eat freeze-dried cat food independently, it may not provide your cat with enough moisture or nutrition. Therefore, it is recommended that you feed your cat at least half of the diet in wet canned food.
Also Read: The 7 Best Dry Cat Food Without Chicken
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
There are many benefits to feeding your cat freeze dried food. Many cats prefer the taste and texture of freeze-dried cat food because it has a very strong odour that is hard to resist.
Cats are drawn to meat due to their natural, instinctual preference, making freeze-dried foods an easy way for them to get proper nutrition.
To help your cat transition to freeze-dried food, you should introduce the food gradually over two weeks.
Each day add a little more of the food with their normal meals until they are only eating the freeze-dried cat food. In addition, if you have multiple cats in your home, you should make sure that they are all gradually introduced to the new food.
How Do You Prepare Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Many companies offer freeze-dried cat foods on the market. When choosing one of these products, you should be aware of a few things to ensure that your cat is getting proper nutrition.
When looking at the label, make sure that you understand what specific ingredients are used in the food and review their benefits for cats. Ingredients should be easily recognizable, and the food should not contain any added colours.
Make sure that the first ingredient is a type of meat, poultry, or fish product to ensure that your cat will get the proper nutrition they need.
Before feeding your cat any freeze-dried food, you should check with your veterinarian to ensure it is safe to consume. While most cats are fine to eat, some instances where the food can cause nausea or other stomach issues.
Remember that if you are feeding your cat freeze dried cat food, you should split their daily caloric intake into two separate meals. Cats need to eat small meals throughout the day to maintain proper metabolism and avoid obesity.
5 Best Freeze-Dried Cat Foods
Here is a list of the five best freeze-dried cat foods currently on the market:
1. Halo Spot’s Stew Poultry Platter Recipe
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Highlights
Made in the USA with all-natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives (For example, no added hormones or antibiotics)
Fortified with vitamins and minerals and Vitamins A & D to support healthy skin and coat for cats of all ages
Grain and gluten-free
It makes a great everyday meal as well as a tasty between-meal treat for your feline friend
Low-calorie food option
Includes real pumpkin to support digestive health
Cats love the taste of Halo Spot’s Stew Powder Blends
Things to Consider
Freeze-dried cat foods can be expensive, but the cost is worth it if your cat is suffering from a dietary or allergy issue
You may want to decrease some of their other food portions once you transition them over
Sample buyer review
“I have an older male cat with a weight problem, and he loves this food. He also has a sensitive stomach, but this doesn’t bother him like other foods. I like that it has pumpkin because it helps with weight control, and my cat has no digestive problems at all since switching to this food.”
2. Halo Spot’s Stew Tongol Tuna Stew
Highlights
Made in the USA with all-natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives (For example, no added hormones or antibiotics)
Combines real tuna with pumpkin to support digestive health and weight management
Grain and gluten-free
It makes a great everyday meal as well as a tasty between-meal treat for your feline friend
Cats love the taste of Halo Spot’s Stew Powder Blends – especially the Tongol Tuna Stew
Things to Consider
Freeze dried cat foods can be expensive, but the cost is worth it if your cat is suffering from a dietary or allergy issue
Sample buyer review
“My cats love this food. I like that it contains tuna and pumpkin, as these ingredients will help with hairballs and weight management. It’s a great source of protein, and they can’t seem to get enough!”
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties: Chicken Recipe for Cats
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Highlights
Made with real freeze-dried raw meat, organs and bone (The diet your cat would naturally seek out in the wild)
Incorporates raw organic cage-free chicken
Grain and gluten free
It makes a great everyday meal as well as a tasty between-meal treat for your feline friend
100 percent complete and balanced dinner with freeze-dried raw food, organs, bone and veggies in every patty
Things to Consider
Freeze dried cat foods can be expensive, but the cost is worth it if your cat is suffering from a dietary or allergy issue
Sample buyer review
“I have two cats, and they both love this food. I broke up the patty into smaller pieces to mix with their dry food before adding water. They ate every bit! I’ll be buying this again.”
4. Halo Spot’s Stew Poultry Platter Recipe
Buy at Amazon
Highlights
Kosher cat food option – all-natural with no additives or preservatives, made in the USA (For example, no added hormones or antibiotics)
Fortified with vitamins and minerals and Vitamins A & D to support healthy skin and coat for cats of all ages
Grain and gluten free
It makes a great everyday meal as well as a tasty between-meal treat for your feline friend
Low calorie food option
90 percent meat/fish, 10 percent fruits and veggies
Cats love the taste of Halo Spot’s Stew Powder Blends
Things to Consider
Freeze dried cat foods can be expensive, but the cost is worth it if your cat is suffering from a dietary or allergy issue
Sample buyer review
“I have two cats, and they both love this food. I broke up the patty into smaller pieces to mix with their dry food before adding water. They ate every bit! I’ll be buying this again.”
5. Halo Spot’s Stew Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Recipe in Gravy
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Highlights
Made with real freeze-dried turkey and chicken (The diet your cat would naturally seek out in the wild)
Combines freeze-dried meat with pumpkin, yams, peas and sweet potatoes to make a complete & balanced diet
Free of grains, gluten, carrageenan, soy or other legumes
Grain free food option made in the USA with all-natural ingredients (No added hormones or antibiotics)
It makes a great everyday meal as well as a tasty between-meal treat for your feline friend
Combines real chicken and turkey with pumpkin, yams, peas and sweet potatoes to deliver a complete & balanced meal that cats love
Things to Consider
Freeze dried cat foods can be expensive, but the cost is worth it if your cat is suffering from a dietary or allergy issue
Sample buyer review
“My two picky cats loved this food. I used it as a topper with their dry food, and they gobbled it up. My vet is pleased with my boy’s weight loss and loves seeing him eat so much more now!”
What type of equipment do I need to feed freeze dried cat food?
A great way to serve your pet this type of food is with a tray. You can find them at most home goods stores or online. A regular, flat serving tray will not work because the pieces of freeze dried cat food are typically very small and will fall right through the cracks of a flat serving platter.
You can also use a shallow bowl or plate. The pieces of freeze dried cat food must not be broken up because they have a very strong odour and appeal to cats, so you do not want them releasing this smell by being broken up in the air.
What is the best way to store freeze dried cat food?
Freeze dried cat food is similar to regular kibble in that it should be kept in an airtight container. A plastic Tupperware works well because the lid typically closes tightly enough where there is no need for a lock or latch. You do not want your cat smelling this strong odour because it will make them even more curious to eat the freeze dried cat food.
What is the best way to feed freeze dried cat food?
Many pet owners use a plastic fork or spoon to serve their cats this type of food. You can also find serving utensils specifically made for this at home goods stores and online. These come in various shapes and sizes but typically resemble a miniature shovel with a handle and a very small scoop.
Is freeze-dried food good for your cat?
Freeze-dried food is very good for your cat because it is all-natural and helps fight off allergies. You can find this type of food at various retailers, including pet stores, but you can also purchase it online. This specific type of food has many benefits, which include:
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- Supports weight loss efforts
- It helps your cat get the nutrients they need
- Tastes great to cats
How long can you leave out freeze-dried cat food?
If you are serving this type of food during breakfast, lunch, or dinner time, it should be left out for 30 minutes. If you use this as a between-meal treat, it should only remain out for 10 minutes.
Conclusion
If you’re a cat owner, chances are you have some experience with dry food. But did you know that there is an alternative to feeding your feline friends? Freeze-dried pet food can be a great way for cats and their owners alike to enjoy the benefits of wet foods without having to worry about refrigeration.
Feeding your pet freeze dried cat food is a great option when you’re on the go. You can read up on how to feed it properly in our blog post here. If you want more information, please let me know in the comment below!
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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