Choosing the right dog food is no easy task. These days, it’s not as simple as kibble or wet food. New categories like raw, freeze-dried, and fresh food for dogs are dominating the pet market. All fresh dog food brands claim to be the best for your pup – but how do you know for sure? 

What is fresh food for dogs?

Fresh food for dogs has a complex definition. There’s no legal definition for what qualifies as “fresh” in the pet food industry. So any brand can label itself as a “fresh dog food company”.

Most of the time, fresh dog food companies use better ingredients or gentler production methods. But since there is no regulation for the term “fresh”, some businesses get away with marketing their food as a healthier alternative when it isn’t. 

In this article, we’ll review what pet parents need to know to find the best fresh food for dogs. Sadly, you can’t trust a product just because it has “fresh” in the name. 

Do fresh dog food brands use fresh ingredients?

You might assume that fresh dog food brands use ingredients that are just that: fresh. But “fresh” can also apply to the storage and serving of the food. 

A product might be presented as fresh food for dogs because it needs to be refrigerated or frozen. But that doesn’t mean the food has 100% fresh ingredients. 

Often, the recipe includes some fresh foods, along with supplements and artificial ingredients. This allows companies to market their product as fresh food for dogs without committing to the cost and quality of using only fresh ingredients. 

On one hand, fresh dog food brands are offering a slightly healthier product. But it’s not healthy enough to warrant the price difference compared to traditional dog food. It’s very deceptive. 

You can distinguish the good fresh dog food brands from the bad ones just by looking at the full ingredient list. Real meat should always be the first ingredient. You should be able to recognize every ingredient. 

Sundays is a fresh dog food company that actually uses whole ingredients. Each recipe is 100% human-grade and contains more than 80% real meat. Sundays for Dogs is basically human food for dogs. There’s nothing to hide – check the full ingredient list to see for yourself. 

Cooking Methods

Most fresh dog food brands bypass the traditional dry kibble diet. This is because the production method for dry dog food is harsh on the ingredients. 

Kibble is made using a process called “hot extrusion”. Once the ingredients are combined, the food is put under extreme heat and pressure that results in dry, crunchy pellets of kibble. 

Hot extrusion severely diminishes the integrity of the ingredients. Most of the natural vitamins, minerals, and flavor profiles are cooked out. To supplement what’s lost, they add artificial flavors and synthetic ingredients to balance the nutritional value. 

Fresh dog food brands usually opt for gentler cooking methods like air-drying or freeze-drying to get the most out of each ingredient. Although, this isn’t always the case. 

Some fresh dog food companies cook their recipes at slightly lower temperatures than kibble or wet food. Even lower heat can cut an ingredient’s nutrient profile in half. Just check the ingredient label. If there are added vitamins, minerals, or synthetic ingredients, your dog isn’t getting truly “fresh” food.  

Sundays air-dries their fresh food for dogs. This process slowly cooks any bacteria while preserving the natural nutrients, flavor, and moisture of each ingredient. That’s why dogs go nuts for Sundays – it has more natural flavor than traditional pet food. 

Why is fresh food for dogs so expensive?

When you buy human food for dogs, the cost is going to be more than your average bag of kibble. Trustworthy fresh dog food brands are more expensive because they use higher-quality ingredients. If you want your dog to eat a better-than-average diet, odds are you’ll be paying more for the quality. 

Be wary of fresh dog food companies that charge high prices for refrigerated or frozen meals. Just because the presentation is fresh doesn’t mean the ingredients are fully fresh. Always check the ingredient list and nutrition label. 

If companies aren’t exclusively using fresh ingredients, then why are their products so expensive? Great question. Dog food that requires refrigeration is far more expensive to ship.

The type of food ships with ice packs and insulated packaging. This is a far more costly shipping method. Some fresh dog food brands sacrifice their ingredient quality to pay for this high-maintenance shipping. 

One reason Sundays is air-dried is so we can spend our money on what matters: ingredients. Air-drying makes our food shelf-stable without removing the natural benefits of fresh ingredients. After all, our dog's health is dependent on the food they eat, not the presentation.

What to Look For in Fresh Dog Food Companies

There’s so much to consider when researching fresh dog food brands. We’ll save you the trouble of remembering everything in this article. Here’s a checklist of things that separate the good fresh dog food companies from the bad. 

1. Scan the nutrition label for sketchy ingredients. Any artificial flavors, synthetic vitamins, or minerals are a red flag. If you’re paying more for fresh ingredients, make sure you’re getting them. 
2. No matter what, dog food should always be AAFCO-approved. If the food isn’t AAFCO-approved, your dog isn’t getting a complete and balanced meal. Incomplete nutrition can lead to dogs developing health issues. Consult your vet if you have any questions about this. 
3. If the food requires refrigeration, you’ll pay a higher price for shipping. Plus, this means you’ll dedicate more time to defrosting, prepping, and cleaning your dog’s meals. 
4. Look into how they cook the food. Fresh dog food brands that are transparent about their manufacturing process are the ones to trust. Harsh cooking methods can destroy the nutrients of fresh ingredients. 
5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you can’t find the information you need, reach out to the company’s customer service team. Fresh food for dogs might be a big expense for you. You deserve to know everything about the product for the price.