09/17/2026
A groundbreaking study just published in the Journal of Animal Science compared identical dog food recipes processed five different ways.
The results blew up one of the biggest marketing myths in the pet industry:
1. "Freeze-Dried Raw" isn’t raw.
Commercial freeze-drying isn’t just freezing food in cold air. To make it shelf-stable, large commercial brands run it through high-pressure pasteurization, then blast it with heat (up to 165°F for 10 hours, followed by another 8 hours of heat drying). That’s not fresh—that’s cooked until the natural food structure breaks down.
2. Fat & Energy Absorption Tanked.
Because of that heavy processing, freeze-dried food ranked dead last in fat digestibility and had the lowest usable energy of all formats tested. You pay a premium for "raw" convenience, but your dog absorbs significantly less from it.
3. High-Heat Pouches Failed on Protein.
Canned and high-heat pouch foods had the lowest protein digestibility. Undigested protein passes straight into the colon, fermenting into foul-smelling gas and feeding bad gut bacteria.
The takeaway:
True nutrient bioavailability comes from fresh, minimally processed whole foods. Real raw doesn't sit on a dry retail shelf for two years. Keep the cold chain intact, protect the food matrix, and feed for your dog’s biological health—not a manufacturer's shelf life.
Watch the full breakdown from Dr. Karen Becker here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLjffUW7JXc
