Last updated May 29, 2024
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The best freeze-dried cat food is made from top-quality ingredients, loaded with meat, light on carbs, and comes from a company with a reputation for safety and customer satisfaction. That’s why we’ve chosen Open Farm Harvest Chicken freeze-dried raw cat food as the best option on the market.
Read on to learn what makes freeze-dried cat food a nutritious choice and why Open Farm is our top pick. We’ve also included recommendations for other freeze-dried products for cats of all life stages with unique requirements.
At a Glance: Best Freeze Dried Cat Food To Buy
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Carnivore-appropriate nutritional composition
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Omega-3 fatty acids sourced from salmon oil
Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Made with rabbit, a species-appropriate protein source
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Many cats seem to love the flavor
Northwest Naturals Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Made with 98% animal ingredients
- Budget-friendly option
- Fairly low in carbohydrates
Instinct Raw Meals Kitten Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Enriched with DHA for brain and eye health
- Rich in animal-sourced protein and fat
- Concentrated source of calories to support growth
Feline Natural Chicken & Lamb Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Made with 99% meat and organs
- Doesn't contain bone
- Enriched with omega-3s from green-lipped mussel
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Pork Patties
- Made with pork as a single source of animal protein
- Mini patties are easy to portion and rehydrate
- Short list of ingredients makes the food easily digestible
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Salmon Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Small nuggets make it easy to customize your cat’s portion
- Simple recipe is easy for cats to digest
- Multi-protein formula appears to be popular with picky eaters
Wysong Archetype Raw Rabbit Formula Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Made with rabbit as a novel source of protein
- Carnivore-appropriate blend of muscle meat, organs, and bones
- Contains probiotics to support digestive and immune health
Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Economically priced under $3.00 per ounce
- Made with 89% animal ingredients
- Produce ingredients are certified organic
Ziwi Peak Mackerel & Lamb Air-Dried Raw Cat Food
- Crunchy alternative to freeze-dried raw food
- Made with 96% animal ingredients
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
What Is Freeze-Dried Cat Food?
Freeze-dried cat food undergoes the same process that’s used to make shelf-stable freeze-dried meals for camping or emergencies. The raw ingredients are cooled to an extremely low temperature—well below the freezing point of water—and then placed into a vacuum chamber. This process extracts moisture and destroys pathogenic bacteria, making the food extraordinarily safe and shelf-stable.
Freeze-dried food is bone-dry when you pour it out of the bag. To restore the food’s natural texture and make it a hydrating meal, pour warm water over the food and let it soak for a couple of minutes.
Though freeze-dried food is often a nutritious choice for cats, it is only as good as the fresh ingredients used in it—because, with the exception of water content, that’s all freeze-dried food is. The preservation process has very little bearing on the food’s nutritional value.
Diane Barrett, a food science and technology professor at the University of California, Davis, told Mother Jones magazine that after rehydrating, freeze-dried food is nutritionally similar to fresh food, calling the process “one of the best ways to preserve food”.
Freeze-drying leaves most nutrients intact, including vitamins, antioxidants, and, in the case of fruits and vegetables, phytochemicals (plant-produced chemicals). Freeze drying can result in the loss of Vitamins C, A, and E, so manufacturers may need to replace these vitamins through synthetic supplementation.
Why Trust Cats.com
Hours of research by multiple members of our team went into this review. After scouring the market for the newest and most popular freeze-dried cat foods, we selected the best products for testing. We chose freeze-dried cat foods made with carnivore-appropriate inclusions of muscle meat, organs, and bone with minimal carbohydrate content.
When making our selections, we paid particular attention to the brands’ recall history and reputation for safe manufacturing practices. We also considered what customers were saying about the brand overall, such as customer service and cat satisfaction.
Finally, we purchased the products at full retail price and tested them at home with our cats who offered their opinions on the food. Our human testers evaluated the food’s nutrient makeup and ingredients list to gauge each product’s overall quality.
This article was previously written by Mallory Crusta and has since been updated with newly reviewed products.
Top Picks Explained
The world of cat food is constantly changing, so our recommendations reflect the current market. That said, we still love the products Mallory talks about in this video.
The 10 Best Freeze-Dried Cat Foods
Open Farm is our top pick for the best freeze-dried raw cat food. It features humanely and sustainably sourced ingredients, including 98% chicken muscle meat, organs, and bone, in a simple, easily digestible formula for cats of all life stages.
While Open Farm is our top recommendation, it’s not the perfect pick for every cat. We’ve categorized our choices according to different price ranges, life stages, and special needs to help you choose the best freeze-dried raw food for your individual cat.
#1 Overall Best: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 47% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 149
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.75 per day
What sets Open Farm freeze-dried raw cat food apart from the competition is the brand’s focus on humanely raised and sustainably sourced ingredients. Open Farm promises 100% traceable ingredients as well – simply scan the lot code from the product package to find out where every ingredient in your cat’s food comes from.
This freeze-dried recipe features nearly 50% dry matter crude protein from a single animal-based source: chicken. It includes fresh muscle meat, organ meat, chicken necks, and ground bone to provide a species-appropriate foundation for balanced nutrition. The food also contains salmon oil as an animal source of omega-3 fatty acids which support your cat’s skin and coat while helping fight inflammation.
With its high protein and fat content paired with low carbohydrate content, this formula checks all the boxes for carnivore-appropriate nutrition. Where it falls flat is the moisture content, but that’s typical of freeze-dried foods. To ensure your cat gets the most out of Open Farm freeze-dried foods, rehydrate the product with water or bone broth prior to feeding.
Ingredients
Chicken with Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Dandelion Greens, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin) Taurine, Organic Cranberries, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite) Salt, Salmon Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, Magnesium Sulfate, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken with Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Neck, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Carnivore-appropriate nutritional composition
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Omega-3 fatty acids sourced from salmon oil
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Should be rehydrated prior to feeding
- Can be expensive as a staple diet
#2 Runner Up: Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 44% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 132
- Typical Cost Per Day: $5.47 per day
Stella & Chewy’s is a well-regarded brand and a leader in freeze-dried pet food, offering a wide variety of recipes with multiple proteins. Their rabbit recipe stands out as a particularly cat-appropriate choice. Unlike other common protein sources like salmon, beef, chicken, and lamb, rabbit meat comes from an animal your cat might kill and eat on their own.
Also Read: The Best Rabbit Cat Food
Like many freeze-dried foods, this recipe features a mix of muscle meat, bones, and organs. The meat ingredients are supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health and immune support.
Though the food doesn’t contain the fruits and vegetables sometimes found in freeze-dried foods, Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried rabbit food contains olive oil as its primary fat source. Customer reviews indicate that these rabbit morsels are both nutritious and delicious—cats seem to love this food.
Ingredients
Rabbit With Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Ediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Rabbit with Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with rabbit, a species-appropriate protein source
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Doesn’t contain any fruits or vegetables
- Made by a reputable company
What We Didn’t Like:
- Relies on plant-sourced fat
- One of the most expensive freeze-dried cat foods on the market
#3 Budget Pick: Northwest Naturals Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 45% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 134
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.00 per day
This Oregon-based company has been selling raw and freeze-dried pet food since 2004. With the exception of lamb, all of the company’s ingredients are sourced from the United States. All Northwest Naturals products are made in a company-owned facility in Portland, Oregon.
This freeze-dried raw cat food is 98% animal tissue and bone, including turkey muscle meat, necks, heart, and liver. It also contains eggs as a species-appropriate source of animal protein. Salmon oil and fish oil are the primary sources of fat, both of which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Though this product isn’t as widely distributed or well-known as some of the others on this list, it appears to be a hit with both human and feline consumers. It’s one of the lowest-priced freeze-dried foods on the market. The pieces are a little less uniform than some products but they still crumble easily and rehydrate quickly.
Ingredients
Turkey Necks, Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Egg, Dulse Powder, Dried Kelp, Gelatin, Ground Flaxseed, Psyllium Husk Powder, Salmon Oil, Inulin, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (as preservative), Fish Oil, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamin Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey Neck, Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Egg, Gelatin, Salmon Oil, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Budget-friendly choice
- Contains 98% turkey meat, organs, and bone
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not currently sold on Chewy
#4 Best for Kittens: Instinct Raw Meals Kitten Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 39% Min
- Age Range: Kittens
- Calories Per Ounce: 132
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.01 per day
This freeze-dried recipe from Instinct features about 41.5% protein and 39% fat, both measured as dry matter. It is formulated to support healthy growth in kittens. The combination of cod and salmon oil also ensures plenty of DHA for cognitive and retinal development.
Overall, this is a nutrient- and energy-dense option for growing kittens. It’s a little higher in carbohydrates than some recipes on this list, but the food is free from plant protein concentrates and hard-to-digest peas and legumes.
While it’s notable that Instinct is one of the only pet food manufacturers to offer a kitten-specific freeze-dried formula, it only comes in a single flavor. This multi-protein formula may not be appropriate for kittens with food allergies, given that it contains chicken, beef, and fish.
Ingredients
Chicken, Beef Liver, Beef Spleen, Beef Kidney, Cod, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Montmorillonite Clay, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Carrots, Apples, Butternut Squash, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Chicory Root, Salt, Taurine, Yeast Culture, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols, Blueberries, Spinach, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Beef Liver, Beef Spleen, Beef Kidney, Cod, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of kittens
- Enriched with DHA for brain and eye health
- Rich in animal-sourced protein and fat
- Concentrated source of calories to support growth
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only available in one flavor
- May not be appropriate for kittens with food allergies
#5 Best For Seniors: Feline Natural Chicken & Lamb Feast Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: New Zealand
- Guaranteed Protein: 48% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 139
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.95 per day
This freeze-dried food is made by Feline Natural, a New Zealand brand founded in 2006 and known for its freeze-dried products. The food features cage-free chicken and grass-fed, free-range lamb. It contains an array of animal parts, including chicken muscle meat, lamb heart, lamb kidney, lamb liver, and even lamb blood.
Unlike the other products on this list, this food is made without ground bone which may reduce the phosphorus content. Maintaining a healthy calcium to phosphorus ratio is important for all cats, but excess phosphorus can be particularly problematic for older cats who are prone to kidney disease. This recipe contains about 1.5% phosphorus and 1.9% calcium.
This recipe relies on flaxseed flakes as a binder and green-lipped mussels provide joint-supporting nutrients and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Overall, it’s rich in protein and fat with fairly low carbohydrate content.
Ingredients
Chicken, Lamb Heart, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Liver, Lamb Blood, Flaxseed Flakes, New Zealand Green Mussel, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Lamb Heart, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Liver, Lamb Blood, New Zealand Green Mussel
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in animal protein
- Uses a range of muscle meat, organs, and blood
- Supplemented with green-lipped mussel
- Manufactured according to stringent New Zealand safety regulations
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Contains multiple protein sources and may not be appropriate for cats with food sensitivities or allergies
#6 Best Patties: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Pork Patties
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 45% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 137
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.40 per day
Vital Essentials mini patties are easy to portion (about 1 patty per day per 6 pounds of body weight) and can be broken up to rehydrate in warm water or broth. The per-ounce cost varies depending on the primary ingredient, but more common proteins like chicken, turkey, and pork are very cost-effective—under $3.00 per ounce.
This Vital Essentials freeze-dried cat food is a single-protein recipe featuring pork muscle meat and pork organs with herring oil as a species-appropriate source of animal-based fat. With such a short list of ingredients, this recipe is highly digestible for cats. Vital Essentials also offers novel protein formulas featuring duck and rabbit for cats with food allergies.
This recipe could be improved by including ground bone as a more accurate reflection of a natural feline diet. However, if you’re looking for a lower phosphorus recipe for older cats, it could be a good choice.
Ingredients
Pork, Pork Liver, Pork Spleen, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex.
Ingredients We Liked: Pork, Pork Liver, Pork Spleen, Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with pork as a single source of animal protein
- Mini patties are easy to portion and rehydrate
- Short list of ingredients makes the food easily digestible
What We Didn’t Like:
- Cost varies significantly among the recipes available
#7 Best for Picky Eaters: Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Salmon Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 46% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 127
- Typical Cost Per Day: $5.17 per day
If you’re having trouble transitioning your picky eater onto a freeze-dried diet, familiar flavors like chicken and salmon could help. Nulo’s Freestyle line of freeze-dried cat food includes two multi-protein formulas: Chicken & Salmon and Turkey & Duck. Both are protein-packed and appear to be popular among finicky felines.
Like many recipes on this list, Nulo’s freeze-dried food consists primarily of muscle meat, organs, and bone. In this case, there’s also whole salmon and salmon oil to provide plenty of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
With its short list of ingredients, this Nulo formula is highly digestible for most cats. It comes in small, dry nuggets like Open Farm’s recipe which makes it easy to measure or weigh out your cat’s daily portion. Simply crush the nuggets to speed up the rehydration process.
Ingredients
Chicken, Salmon, Chicken Necks, Chicken Liver, Chicken Hearts, Ground Flaxseed, Spinach, Salmon Oil, Cranberries, Coconut Oil, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (as preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Salmon, Chicken Necks, Chicken Liver, Chicken Hearts, Salmon Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with 98% chicken, salmon, organs, and bone
- Small nuggets make it easy to customize your cat’s portion
- Simple recipe is easy for cats to digest
- Multi-protein formula appears to be popular with picky eaters
What We Didn’t Like:
- May not be appropriate for cats with food allergies
#8 Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Wysong Archetype Raw Rabbit Formula Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 48% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: Not Available
- Typical Cost Per Day: Not Available
Wysong dates back to 1979 and employs pet health doctorate professionals to formulate “ancestrally-inspired” food for dogs and cats. The company calls Archetype “the original raw dog and cat food diet.” Like several other Wysong formulas, Archetype is nutritionally complete and balanced for both dogs and cats.
The food is made primarily with rabbit. After rabbit comes a long list of what the company calls nutraceuticals. These ingredients include probiotics to support smooth digestion along with prebiotics to promote healthy gut microflora.
Despite its long ingredient list, Archetype is fundamentally a meat-based product which makes it easily digestible for most cats. It’s also low in fiber which may benefit cats with digestive issues. For cats with allergies to common proteins, it may also be a hypoallergenic choice.
Ingredients
Rabbit, Natural Flavor, Taurine, Organic Blueberry, Organic Barley Grass, Chia Seeds, Broccoli Sprouts, Carrots, Plums, Whey, Sea Salt, Dried Kelp, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Yeast Culture, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid [Source of Vitamin C], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Lactis Fermentation Product.
Ingredients We Liked: Rabbit
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with rabbit as a novel source of protein
- Carnivore-appropriate blend of muscle meat, organs, and bones
- Contains probiotics to support digestive and immune health
- Low fiber content may be a benefit for some cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Rabbit recipe is significantly more expensive than chicken
#9 Best Multi-Protein: Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 36% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 139
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.63 per day
Primal freeze-dried foods are prepared in nuggets that can be crumbled into a bowl and rehydrated with water or broth to make sure enough moisture is included in your cat’s diet. Though Primal also offers single-protein recipes, this multi-protein formula contains a flavorful blend of beef organs, beef bone, and whole salmon.
Measured as dry matter, this formula contains about 38% protein and 32% fat. The total carb content is a little higher than some options on this list but much lower than the average dry cat food. Nearly all the plant ingredients on the list are organic.
In addition to being a popular choice among picky cats, Primal freeze-dried food is economically priced. It averages under $3.00 per ounce for common proteins like beef, fish, and chicken. The novel proteins, rabbit and venison, are understandably more expensive.
Ingredients
Beef Hearts, Ground Beef Bones, Beef Livers, Salmon, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Apples, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Broccoli, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Rosemary Extract, Taurine, Organic Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.
Ingredients We Liked: Beef Hearts, Ground Beef Bones, Beef Livers, Salmon, Fish Oil, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Flavorful blend of multiple proteins
- Economically priced under $3.00 per ounce
- Made with 89% animal ingredients
- Produce ingredients are certified organic
What We Didn’t Like:
- Higher in carbs than some options on this list
#10 Best for Dry Food Lovers: Ziwi Peak Mackerel & Lamb Air-Dried Raw Cat Food
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
- Made In: New Zealand
- Guaranteed Protein: 44% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 129
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.84 per day
Some cats simply prefer the crunchy texture of dry food over soft, moist food. If you want to give your cat the nutritional benefits of a raw diet but freeze-dried food just doesn’t appeal to them, this air-dried recipe from Ziwi Peak could be a good compromise.
Though still technically raw, Ziwi Peak’s air-dried cat food has had most of the moisture removed, making it shelf-stable. This gives the food a texture that lands somewhere between crunchy kibble and chewy jerky treats. The food can be fed as-is without rehydration, though you should still follow safe food handling practices as with any raw food.
Made with 96% whole mackerel, lamb, and organs, this recipe contains over 51% protein measured as dry matter. It’s packed with healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids from New Zealand green mussels. Because it’s a multi-protein formula, it may also be an appealing option for picky eaters.
Ingredients
Whole Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lamb Bone, Lecithin, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Dried Apple Pomace, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex), Lamb Cartilage, Dried Organic Kelp, Salt, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), DL-Methionine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine.
Ingredients We Liked: Whole Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Lung, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Spleen, Lamb Bone
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Crunchy alternative to freeze-dried raw food
- Made with 96% animal ingredients
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Works well as a complete meal or food topper
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very low in moisture, not designed to be rehydrated
What to Consider When Shopping for Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried food is a convenient choice for those who like the idea of feeding their cat a fresh or raw diet but want to minimize the hassle of safe food storage. Because it’s energy-dense and typically meat-focused, freeze-dried food can be a nutritious choice for cats.
Nutritional benefits aside, this food does have a few shortcomings. The rehydration process takes a couple of minutes, which may be more than you want to commit to feline food preparation. Because freeze-drying is energy-intensive, slow, and costly, freeze-dried cat food is also one of the more costly varieties you can buy.
When shopping for cat food, it’s important to keep your cat’s unique nutritional needs in mind. Here’s what to look for in a high-quality freeze-dried cat food:
Meat-Focused Formulation
It may not be necessary to avoid plant ingredients entirely, but the best freeze-dried cat food features a carnivore-appropriate blend of muscle meat, organs, and bone. Carbohydrates shouldn’t make up more than 10% of the food on a dry matter basis.
If your cat suffers from food allergies, freeze-dried food may be a good choice. It’s typically limited in ingredients and many brands offer single-protein recipes.
High-Quality Ingredients
Like any other food, freeze-dried cat food should be made from only the finest ingredients available. Ideally, this means fresh, human-grade ingredients that are handled and processed according to human food processing standards.
Avoid foods with ingredients that could cause harm over time. These include additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Fortunately, freeze-dried foods appeal to a health-conscious consumer group and seldom contain these ingredients.
Balanced Bone Content
Bone is a natural component of a wild feline diet and it’s a species-appropriate source of essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. All cats require minerals in their diet, but balance is important. High levels of dietary minerals—indicated, in part, by high ash content—can contribute to certain health problems in predisposed cats.
For example, cats with chronic kidney disease may require a reduced phosphorus diet. Other minerals like calcium and magnesium may contribute to the formation of urinary stones in some cats. Get your vet’s approval before switching your cat to freeze-dried cat food to ensure you select an appropriate product.
Brand History of Safety and Quality
Because freeze-dried cat food is technically raw, pathogen contamination is a serious concern. Recalls of freeze-dried pet food frequently involve positive test results for Salmonella. Always check a brand’s recall history before feeding its products to your cat and follow safe food handling practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best freeze-dried cat food?
The best freeze-dried cat food is made primarily from raw animal ingredients including muscle meat, organs, and bone. It contains at least 40% crude protein and 20% crude fat with less than 10% carbohydrates, all measured as dry matter.
Is freeze-dried food healthy for cats?
Yes. When made from high-quality, animal-sourced ingredients in a species-appropriate nutrient ratio, freeze-dried food is very healthy for cats. Freeze-dried food offers pet owners a convenient alternative to fresh or frozen raw cat food.
Is air-dried or freeze-dried better for cats?
Freeze-dried cat food has moisture removed while the product is still frozen while the air-drying process removes moisture through evaporation. The two are nutritionally similar but air-dried food will be more akin to kibble in texture and consistency. It’s generally designed to be fed as-is while freeze-dried food can be rehydrated before feeding.
What are your thoughts on Meatmates freeze dried cat food?
Hey Ruby, I hadn’t heard of Meat Mates cat food before, but it looks outstanding—similar to the Northwest Naturals food mentioned here. I’d definitely consider giving it a try. Thanks for commenting!
I just discovered a freeze-dried raw cat food called “Vital Essentials.”
It was recommended by Susan Thixton and seems to be considered high-quality food.
Is there some reason this brand was not included on your ‘best’ list?
Is this list sponsored?
Thank you. ; )
Hello there! No, this list was not sponsored. While we didn’t include Vital Essentials in this particular list, we do recommend it in several other articles. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Vital Essentials and adding to the conversation.
Best,
Mallory
Good to know. I will look for those articles. Wanting to learn more about this brand Thank you! ; )
I bought Dr. Marty’s freeze dried cat food after listening to his speech. My Gracie got diarrhea so I decided to do more research myself on freeze dried food and found this:
The Food and Drug Administration, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the ASPCA, and the American Animal Hospital Association all warn of raw food’s dangers. Listeria and Salmonella to name just two. It’s sad it is created and a miserable thing that it’s promoted promoted by cats.com, I trusted you, I don’t think I do now.
Hi Sandra, your concerns about raw food are valid. Any raw product has the potential to contain food-borne pathogens, so it’s important to store and handle them with the same care you’d use for any raw food. To ensure safety, trustworthy raw pet food manufacturers engage in strict quality control measures and many test each batch before selling it. That said, the risks are still there so it’s up to the individual cat owner to decide what’s right for them and their cat. Thanks for your input!
How and where do I find anyone that sell these products and ship to Sweden? I have spent hours searching (amazon, Google, online pet shops…). Can anyone give me a helping link?
Hello! Unfortunately, I’m not sure about any of the brands mentioned in this review, but I did find a company called MUSH that offers freeze-dried raw cat food and is sold in Sweden. Here’s a link to their site: https://www.mushbarf.com/sv/
Hello!! Nice to meet you :))
I’m a newbie cat owner and only just recently adopted a 2 year old stray cat. She’s a playful little fluffball that. However, it’s been 2 months now, but I’m still new to all this and how to keep my kitty healthy. I was hoping i could ask you for advice.
During the first month of adopting Ebi, my cat, I fed her Aatas tuna that she’s been eating since kitten (Fed by a neighbourhood cat uncle). But i decided to stop feeding her that when she kept begging for more food despite increased portions and gaining a slight belly, i assume it’s due to the high water content – leaving her unsatisfied. Not to mention the salt content.
So I tried transitioning her to organic food [Bom Bom] but that’s not working out either, she hates the food and has been eating way too little to be healthy. She does not drink water regularly either, so her stool is hard.
Now upon digging deeper, i came across freeze-dried meals for cats and your insightful articles. I’d like to avoid dry food at all cause because she already drinks little and i heard it increases chances of kidney failure.
While i recently decided to get some Stella and Chewy’s samples due to the positive remarks I’ve seen so far, I’m still extremely confused on what to actually go with.
S&C only scored a B- here on AllAboutCats. Then there’s Northwest Naturals that only ranked B+, which is the highest I’ve read off so far on your articles. Feline naturals also had B+ but in the “Best Freeze-Dried list”, doesn’t seemed well-ranked while Northwest Natural seem to have no flaw other than accessibility (which i do seem to have). And while S&C scored lowest of the bunch as a stand alone, it took the top position within the “Best” ranking list.
I’ve been rambling on but with these confusions, I was hoping I could get your advice on the best thing I could feed my lil floof for daily meals and/or what might be your grade A+ freeze-dried brand (if any).
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you could spare some time to help this dumb lost child :’) I look forward to hearing from you!
This is quite an amazing website, thank you for all these informative articles! I will try out some of them for my ragdoll.
One question, did you ever hear about fresh is best? Maybe you could also review it? Its also freeze dried cat food, my cat’s breeder recommended it and my cat loves it.
Hello David, thank you for your comment! I have run across Fresh is Best before; we’ll consider it for a future review. Your feedback and suggestion is much appreciated!
My breeder also uses Fresh is Best. She sent some bags with Lizzy when I got as a baby and I have kept her on it. Lizzy, my Ragdoll, will be two this July and she is doing great. I use Smalls for her wet food and FreshisBest for her freeze dried.
What about Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Feast freeze dried cat food?
I also am interested in Dr. Marty’s freeze dried raw cat food. I wonder though I thought raw meat was on your don’t feed your cat list?
Hi there! I’m not sure which list you’re referring to—properly-prepared raw cat food is generally a great choice, especially if it’s freeze-dried for safety. We plan to review Dr. Marty cat food in the very near future.
Hi, Great list, really helpful.
Two things seemed contradictory though and since I want to use one of these foods wanted to make sure I understood:
1) the rating & discussion re: carbs, and 2) the explanation for “not needing synthetic vitamins” (which was “bc bone was added”) (re: discussion of Dr Marty’s vs Smalls).
Re: #1 – carbs, Dr Marty’s is described as ‘relatively high’ in carbs (21% based on the graph), and that is listed as a “con.” But right above it in the Small’s rating, there is no mention of its carbs at all, and it’s not incl’d as a “con”, but the carbs for that food are shown as really high – the highest in the list – 31% dry matter(!). I was wondering if that was maybe a typo (the numbers in the graph)? Bc in the description it lists “not having any carb ingredients added” as a “pro” for that food (??).
Re: #2 – reason for not needing synthetic vitamins (a big plus to me so trying to understand it): for Smalls it says the synthetic vitamins aren’t needed bc of the “added bone” (“We appreciate the use of ground bone in this formula because it negates the need for synthetic mineral supplements”) — . But then for Dr Marty’s right below it, which also has no synthetic vitamins added, there is no bone added (and no mention of why there is no need for synthetic vitamins).
Do you know why, if there isn’t bone, there would be no need for synthetic vitamins in that food?
Also, it says that Dr Marty’s is relatively low in phosphorus for a freeze dried food; I was wondering if you knew the dry matter % number for the phosphorus (or a range?), and maybe the calcium number too? (I couldn’t find a nutritional analysis on the website or packaging; I can email them but was just wondering if you knew that one phosp number since it was mentioned as being pretty low.
Hello! Thank you for the observant and well-thought-out comment.
To answer your first question about bone, it turns out that I made a mistake when writing this review. In fact, Dr. Marty Nature’s Feast does contain bone just like other non-fortified raw foods. From their customer support team on Facebook: “we use a process of Freeze Dried Pasteurization to preserve the natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from whole food. The bone content is freshly ground bone with all the cartilage and synovial fluids for joint supplementation, the organic calcium and bone marrow for all the nutrients and minerals they provide.”
I will edit this article to acknowledge the presence of bone in Dr. Marty cat food.
Regarding the carbohydrate graphs in this article, these charts are based on the guaranteed analysis and may not be 100% accurate for that reason. To get accurate values, I sent Dr. Marty cat food in to an independent lab for analysis, and it is 21% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. I am also looking into the exact carbohydrate content of the Smalls cat food, because the value we’re seeing here doesn’t seem accurate given the food’s obvious lack of carbohydrate-heavy ingredients, so I think that the guaranteed analysis must be a bit off as well.
Finally, as for the phosphorus in the Dr. Marty cat food, the lab analysis found that the food has 1070 mg phosphorus per 100g of food.
Hope all of this helps to clear up some of those points of confusion. Thank you again for commenting!
Thank you very very much, so helpful – esp the calcium part (I couldn’t understand where it was coming from). And the phosphorus amount – thank you! And their answer about the bone is the first time I’ve heard anyone mention the value of the marrow for pets (I used to wonder about it bc when I cooked whole chickens I used to give my dog and now my cat some of the cooked marrow inside the bones and they seemed to love it, so it seemed like it had to have some nutritional value, but I wonder what exactly). I’m glad Dr Marty’s has bone bc I usually use egg shell calcium (bc of the lower phosphorus) but really does seem like some things could be missing vs the natural diet.
I bought Dr Marty’s food and I really like it (I use it along with other whole-foods-only vitamins foods).
Hi again Mallory (sorry! just one more question),
I was trying to convert this amount to % dry matter but I’m not sure I’m doing it right.
<< [For Dr. Marty's cat food] the lab analysis found that the food has 1070 mg phosphorus per 100g of food.
So would you happen to have the Phosphorus value for Dr Marty's cat food as % dry matter?
Hi Abby! Sorry about the late reply—I meant to reply to you last week, but it seems this slipped. I was told by Dr. Marty Pets that phosphorus makes up 1.01% of each serving of Nature’s Feast, and the AAFCO requires a minimum 0.5% per serving. Of course, this doesn’t seem to be calculated on a dry matter basis, and unfortunately, I’m not sure if this calculation was based on adding a certain amount of water…this makes things a bit more complicated. If we assume that the 1.01% is based on the food prior to rehydration, it looks like the food is about 1.06% phosphorus on a dry matter basis. I’ve contacted Dr. Marty again in hopes of getting a dry matter value directly from the source. Hope this helps!
Ok thank you very much.
(Sorry just saw this, again — I wish there was a way to get an alert for additional comments, but if there is I haven’t found it yet!)
What food is right for a 6 month old kitten?
You might appreciate our article on the best kitten food!
Hi Mallory, Suki my 6 year old diabetic cat who weighs over 13lbs, just can’t seem to loose the weight. I feed her High protein, low carb Tiki Cat Dark wet food & freeze-dried food, Is the fat % is a factor? What should I be most concerned with when it comes to her diet? Need some advice please.
Hi Helen, when trying to help your cat lose weight, how you feed her is a much bigger factor than what you feed her. The foods you’re giving her are both excellent for weight loss, so I would focus on calorie counting, frequent weigh-ins, and a generally very focused, controlled approach to her diet. This cat weight calculator may help you to determine how much Suki needs to eat each day to reach her target weight.