Don’t be surprised to find a fridge or freezer in the pet food aisle of your local grocery store. Refrigerated dog food has become increasingly popular over the past few years. 

Some brands claim their pet food is healthier just because it’s stored in the fridge or freezer. But is refrigerated dog food truly better for your pup? The truth may surprise you. 

What is refrigerated dog food?

The concept of refrigerated dog food is right there in the name. It’s any dog food recipe that has to be stored in the fridge or freezer before serving it to your pup. Some brands call it like to market it as fresh or frozen raw dog food.

Most dry pet foods are cooked under extreme heat and pressure. That means any natural vitamins, minerals, and flavors from the ingredients get cooked out. Hence, most kibble recipes have synthetic supplements and artificial flavors.

That’s why frozen dog food is a more appealing option for some pet parents. It hasn’t been fully cooked (or cooked at all), so most of the ingredients maintain their nutrient profile. It’s definitely an improved product, but not quite perfect for dog parents with large breeds, multiple pups, or little fridge space. 

Is refrigerated dog food better than kibble?

Many dog parents choose refrigerated or frozen raw dog food because it’s marketed as a healthier alternative for pups. In some cases, this is true. Refrigerated dog food can be more nutritious and natural than a bowl of kibble. 

Unfortunately, some brands market their recipes as fresh or frozen dog food when they’re not that different from a can of wet food. Frozen dog food can be a healthier option. It’s all dependent on the ingredients and cooking methods each brand uses. 

For example, there’s proof that common dog food ingredients offer little nutritional value for pups and can do long-term harm to their health. Avoid any recipes with the following ingredients: 

• Corn
• Soy
• Peas or legumes
• Potatoes
• Lentils
• Meat meals or meat by-products

Just because it’s refrigerated does NOT mean it’s good for your dog. For instance, a popular refrigerated dog food brand uses these ingredients along with artificial flavoring and synthetic supplements. 

So, is refrigerated dog food better than kibble? It depends on the ingredients and nutrient profile. A veterinarian from the University of Auburn said it best: 

“Fresh pet foods, home-cooked diets and raw diets are at a much greater risk of being nutritionally imbalanced or having bacterial or parasite contamination, all of which could be very detrimental to the pet. It depends every time on how the diet was formulated and how it was made.”

If the recipe is giving your pup access to fresher whole foods, then yes, refrigerated dog food is better than kibble. But storing your pup’s meals in the fridge isn’t the only way to give them a healthier, whole food diet. 

A New Take on Shelf-Stable Fresh Dog Food

If you want more whole foods in your pup’s diet, refrigerated and frozen raw dog food aren’t the only options. Brands like Sundays offer 100% human-grade fresh dog food without taking up space in your fridge or freezer. 

Each Sundays’ recipe begins with real, whole food ingredients. Real meat is always the first ingredient. Enhanced nutrition is supported by fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains. The result is an AAFCO-approved complete and balanced fresh food for dogs. 

But shouldn’t such fresh ingredients require refrigeration? That’s what makes Sundays such a game-changer. Our food is slowly air-dried at lower temperatures. This gentle cooking process removes any bacteria from raw foods while preserving the natural taste and nutrients of each ingredient. 

While air-dried dog food tastes better to your pup, it’s also just as easy to serve as kibble. Air-drying allows our human-grade dog food to be shelf-stable. Just store it in a cool, dry place and serve when your pup is ready to eat. Scoop, serve, store – it’s that simple. 

Save yourself the fridge space and choose Sundays’ food for dogs instead of refrigerated recipes. It’s better for your pup, easier for you, and delivered right to your door. To get started, just take our personalized feeding quiz. You’ll save 20% on every automatic reorder when you subscribe to Sundays for Dogs.