Benefits of Flash Frozen Raw Dog Food

Boy, the title sure is a mouthful, but there are some good reasons why you should feed your dog wholesome (thawed) raw dog food. Puns aside, this article is filled with information about flash frozen raw dog food and its various benefits.

Did you know that flash freezing locks in the nutrients? In some cases the food may even have more nutritional value than fresh and raw food that travel for days or are placed in refrigerators before being sold. 

Flash freezing also takes away the need to add chemical preservatives to raw food.

If these reasons sound like music to your ears, we invite you to continue reading to find out more.

Photo by Amina Filkins from Pexels

What is flash frozen?

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, “flash-freeze” is defined as “to freeze something, especially food, quickly using very low temperatures, in a way that does not produce ice crystals”. 

Therefore, anything that has undergone the process of flash-freezing is categorised as flash frozen. 

The types of food that can be flash frozen are raw meat, berries, certain types of vegetables and also cooked food.

What is raw dog food?

Raw dog food is food that has not undergone the process of cooking prior to serving it to your pets, as opposed to food that has been cooked. The raw food can be preserved in a way that maintains its freshness and viability of nutrients. 

What is flash frozen raw dog food?

Flash frozen raw dog food refers to raw food meant for dogs, usually meat, that has been frozen using the flash-freezing method. 

Flash freezing process

A commercial blast freezer cools the air down to as low as -40 degrees Celsius and the frigid air is circulated around the meat. 

The fast drop in temperature and even air circulation will ensure that the cellular structure of meat is kept intact to preserve the taste, moisture and texture. 

Benefits of flash freezing raw food

Flash freezing solves many of the problems encountered while freezing with consumer refrigerators.

(1) No freezer burns

A common issue when freezing with consumer refrigerators is freezer burns. This tends to happen with food that has been kept frozen for a long time, exacerbated by improper wrapping or packaging. 

As a result, the food will experience discoloration, loss of flavour and moisture upon thawing.

This does not happen with flash frozen raw dog food. Flash freezing works via evenly circulated ultracold air and is often accompanied by vacuum packing so the food is not exposed to the external environment and can remain in storage for longer periods.

(2) Less destruction of meat cells

Consumer refrigerators freeze food slowly and the resulting ice crystals that form in the meat will be large and thus, cause more damage to the tissues. Ice crystals formed during flash-freezing are smaller and damage to the tissues minimized. 

(3) Less moisture loss

Muscle tissues in raw meat contain up to 75% water. The water expands when it freezes and becomes solid ice crystals. The sharp-edged crystals push into surrounding tissues, rupturing the cells and causing damage. When thawed, the water will “bleed” out and this results in loss of moisture, affecting the texture and taste of the meat.

Is flash frozen raw dog food a good option?

Yes, flash frozen raw dog food is a good option for your dog. Here’s why:

(1) Locked nutrients

Fresh food loses its nutrients during storage time. Flash freezing locks in the vitamins and minerals and with proper storage, the nutrients are better retained over time. In some cases, they may even have more nutritional value than fresh and raw food that travel for days or are placed in refrigerators before being sold.  

(2) Preservative-free

All fresh food starts to break down from the moment it is procured. Food producers add chemical preservatives to prolong shelf life. These additives are not natural and have been known to cause harmful effects to health. 

Freezing is the most natural way of preserving food, with no necessity for additives and preservatives. 

(3) Health benefits

Dogs have been eating raw since the very beginning of time. It is a biologically appropriate diet for canines, and is best suited for a dog’s digestive system. The nutrient content is high and the food is easily digestible for optimal health.

Benefits of eating raw food for dogs include:

• Reduced allergies
• Shinier coat and less shedding
• Strengthened immune system
• Increased energy
• Less smelly stool
• Better weight management
• Less inflammation
• Healthier digestion
• Better eye and ear health
• Improved overall health

(4) Produced under strict standards

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) is an internationally recognized management system in which food safety is addressed at every stage of a food production. 

Many manufacturers have committed to the HACCP principles in the production of their flash frozen raw dog food.  However, this is not mandatory so it is important that you check with the manufacturer or on the food packaging for ease of mind.   

How to serve flash frozen raw dog food?

Serving flash frozen raw dog food is easy. All you need to do is thaw and serve.

However, there are a few things that food handlers need to keep in mind:

1. The meat should be served to your dogs only when it is completely thawed.  As such, you should plan ahead. One good tip is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight for  sufficient time to defrost.
2. Always thaw in the refrigerator and not at room temperature. This is to prevent harmful bacteria that may be present in the meat from multiplying. For the same reason, separate raw meat from cooked or ready-to-eat food to prevent cross-contamination. 
3. Remove the packaging right before serving in a clean dish. Wash the dish immediately with soap and water after your pet has finished its food.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and disinfect all surfaces that came into contact with the raw meat.

Do you need to cook flash frozen raw dog food?

Flash frozen raw dog food is ready-to-serve and does not require cooking. In fact, the whole idea of keeping it raw is so that the nutrients are retained, consistent with the principle of the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (“BARF”) diet. 

Benefits for pet parents

Flash frozen raw dog food is not only good for canines, but also has numerous benefits for you, such as:

(1) Time-saving and convenient

Pet parents who want to give their dogs a raw diet but lack the time to go to the market and prepare food daily, flash frozen raw dog food can be a good option. It saves you time and it is so easy. All you need to do is to thaw and serve. 

(2) Pre-portioned for easy feeding

Usually, the meat or food product is frozen in small portions so that these can be taken out individually when they need to be used. Some manufacturers package their products into cubes so as to allow for easy feeding. 

(3) Less exposure to harmful bacteria 

Raw meat can have potentially harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. If the food is contaminated, these harmful germs can transfer to your hands, other foods, utensils or surfaces when you prepare them. 

This risk is minimized when you stock up your freezer with flash frozen raw dog food.  The raw meat has been carefully chosen, prepared and stored in a way that makes it safe to serve to your dogs. 

(4) More time to spend with your furry pals

Instead of slogging in the kitchen to prepare meals for your pets, you can reach into the freezer and take out the portions needed for the next day.  The extra time saved means you have more for couch snuggling and belly rubs.  As pet owners are aware, bonding times are crucial and also play an important part of your dog’s health. 

Is flash frozen raw dog food good for the environment?

Yes, it is. When you make a conscious decision to buy flash frozen raw dog food, you are actually causing less pollution and helping to counter food wastage.

(1) Less pollution

Food processing requires energy and releases harmful gases into the air. The more extensive the processing is, the more detrimental it is to the environment.  

As flash frozen raw dog food requires minimal processing, its carbon footprint is naturally lesser.   

(2) Arrest food wastage

Food wastage is a global problem and one of the top contributors to food waste is fresh food.  

Due to short shelf life, a huge portion of fresh food does not even make it to the supermarket to be sold. Even those that make the cut may still end up in the trash when it ends up not being sold. It is estimated that approximately one-third of food worldwide ends up lost or wasted every year. 

Freezing food extends the freshness of food and can be a viable solution to food waste.

Where can I buy flash frozen raw dog food?

Flash frozen raw dog food can be purchased from physical or online shops.  

(1) Retail

Flash frozen raw dog food is available at many pet shops. There are a variety of brands, portion size, types and cuts of meat that you can choose from.

Bear in mind that the meat needs to be kept frozen on the trip to your home so be prepared with an insulated bag (also known as a cooler bag) and a couple of ice packs.

Should the meat become partially thawed before it reaches your home freezer, it should not be frozen again or its quality will be compromised. Instead, it needs to be placed into the refrigerator to continue thawing and to be served. 

(2) Online / Home Delivery

Buying from online pet food shops such as Petcubes.com is a great option that comes with many additional perks such as a massive selection, quick delivery and even free shipping if you buy over a certain amount.

You can also get tailored meal plan subscriptions for your furkids and have the food delivered to your doorstep without even stepping out of the house.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to choosing flash frozen raw dog food. It is convenient for the pet owners, it is nutritious for the dogs and even environmentally-friendly.  Are you ready to try it out for yourself and for your beloved pet?   

Reviewed by: 

Dr Francis is one of the top wildlife nutritionists in Asia. Originating from Montreal, Canada, he left at 21 to pursue his Masters and subsequently a PhD in wildlife nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. Instead of taking the path of common animal science to learn about farm animals, or through the veterinarian space and taking a certificate in nutrition, he took the road less travelled to dive deep into the world of animal ecology, metabolism and nutrition.