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Dehydration vs. Freeze Drying, and The Making of Pet Treats
- chrisandtonya519
- Dec 27, 2024
- 4 min read
Feeding healthy, single-ingredient pet treats is a top priority for engaged pet owners seeking the best for their dogs and cats. Understanding the preservation methods commonly used in manufacturing, dehydration and freeze drying, is essential in both understanding how the treats are made, but also more about their nutritional value, flavour, and texture.
In this article, we'll delve into how these processes work, their benefits, and look at some outcomes using the same protein source.
Understanding Dehydration and Freeze Drying
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration is a traditional method of preserving food by removing moisture through mild heat.
In the context of pet treats, this process typically involves placing raw ingredients in a dehydrator or oven at low temperatures for several hours until the moisture content is reduced.
Key Points:
Utilizes mild heat to remove water
Preserves shape and texture
Generally more affordable and accessible than other preserving techniques such as freeze drying
What is Freeze Drying?
Freeze drying (lyophilization) is a more advanced preservation technique that involves freezing the ingredient and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water to sublimate directly from solid to gas.
This method is commonly used for high-quality pet treats to maintain nutrient integrity.
Key Points:
Involves freezing and vacuum processes
Better preserves nutrients and flavor
Typically more expensive and time-consuming than other preserving techniques such as dehydration
Benefits of Dehydration and Freeze Drying for Pet Treats
Nutrient Retention
Both methods aim to preserve the nutritional value of the ingredients. However, it is believed that freeze drying tends to retain more vitamins, minerals, and proteins compared to dehydration due to the lower temperatures used during processing.
Flavor and Palatability
Freeze-dried treats often have a more intense flavor and aroma, making them highly palatable for pets. Dehydrated treats, while still tasty, may have a slightly altered flavor profile due to the heat used in the process.
Shelf Life
Both methods significantly extend the shelf life of pet treats by removing moisture, which inhibits bacterial growth. Freeze-dried treats generally have a longer shelf life and require less packaging to maintain freshness.
Comparison Table: Dehydration vs. Freeze Drying
Feature | Dehydration | Freeze Drying |
Process | Use of mild heat to remove moisture | Use of very low temperatures (freezing and sublimation to remove moisture |
Nutrient Retention | Moderate - High | High |
Flavor | Good, with possible heat alteration | Strong, intense flavor |
Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher due to complex equipment |
Shelf Life | Extended, but shorter than freeze-dried | Longer shelf life |
Choosing the Right Method for Your Pet
When selecting single-ingredient treats, consider your pet's specific dietary needs and preferences. Novel proteins (such as venison, duck, or bison) can be processed using either method, but freeze drying may better preserve their unique flavors and nutritional profiles, making them more appealing and beneficial for your pet.
Considerations:
Budget: Dehydrated treats may be more cost-effective.
Nutritional Needs: Freeze-dried treats offer enhanced nutrient retention.
Pet Preferences: Some pets may prefer one texture over the other.
Real Life Example
At B&T Pets we manufacture a variety of treats, and have recently added a freeze drier to our kitchen. With our foundation in dehydration of novel proteins, we have been using the same protein sources to create even more unique pet treat options for pet owner's who value locally sourced ingredients, made using novel protein sources such as elk, venison, duck, seal, rabbit, etc.
As an example of the difference in product outcomes let's look at turkey liver. Turkey liver is densely packed with vital nutrients that help to support a variety of bodily functions:
High-Quality Protein: Essential for muscle development and repair.
Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin A, B12, and folate, which are crucial for vision, energy metabolism, and red blood cell formation.
Minerals: Contains iron, zinc, and selenium, supporting immune function and antioxidant defenses.
Essential Fatty Acids: Promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
But what happens when they are processed by either dehydration or freeze drying?
In this case the same protein was used, and the freeze drying and dehydrating were done simultaneously, taking approximately the same amount of time.
The freeze dried liver is puffy, full, with an airy crunch. While the dehydrated liver is much darker, crispy, and dense. Some pets prefer the light airy crunch over the dense crisp "leather"-like treat.
The choice of which treat is best for your pet, lies more with your pet then any other determining factor.
Some examples of freeze dried and dehydrated treats from B&T Pets:
Dehydrated Options
Freeze Dried Options
Stay tuned for future articles where we will work with some researchers at Fanshawe College to look closely at the retained nutritional value in treats that are either dehydrated or freeze dried from the same protein source. We are looking forward to providing some clarity on this topic, as in our opinion the jury is still out, and it depends on who is addressing the question.
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