Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food "Energetically Dead?"

I recently saw a post in a social media group claiming that freeze-dried dog food is “energetically dead” and lacks enzymes or life, making it an unsuitable option for dogs. That didn’t sound quite right to me, so I went down a research rabbit hole. In this article, I’m digging into freeze-dried dog food to see whether that claim is accurate — or completely off base.

Freeze-dried dog food is made from raw ingredients that are frozen and then slowly dried under low pressure to remove moisture without using high heat. This process preserves much of the food’s original nutrients while making it shelf-stable and convenient to store. Unlike fresh or frozen raw dog food, freeze-dried food contains little to no moisture and has a different texture, which means it doesn’t provide the same hydration or chewing experience as whole raw meals.

Nutritionally, the ingredients may be similar, but the key differences come down to water content, texture, and how the food is fed, not whether the food is “alive” or “dead.”

Read More: Freeze-Dried Food for Dogs, Pros and Cons, PetMD

One commonly cited benefit of feeding raw is the presence of naturally occurring enzymes that support digestion, gut health, and immune function. At the same time, one of the most frequent warnings about raw feeding is the potential presence of harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Setting aside the well-documented fact that dogs are better equipped to handle bacterial exposure due to their highly acidic stomachs and relatively short digestive tracts, I want to focus on the claim that freeze-drying destroys beneficial bacteria and enzymes.

According to information from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, freeze-drying does not sterilize food. In my research, I was unable to find evidence showing that freeze-drying specifically destroys beneficial bacteria or enzymes. In fact, some bacteria — including pathogenic ones — can survive in a dried state. As with any raw or minimally processed pet (or human) food, basic food safety practices, such as washing your hands after handling, are essential.

There’s no scientific evidence supporting claims that foods have an “electrical charge,” “life force,” or need to stimulate digestion by smell or texture in the mystical way described. Science reveals that canine digestion is driven by physiology, enzymes, and nutrient content — not metaphysical energy. However, once Traditional Chinese Medicine enters the chat, it becomes clear that “the science” isn’t complete.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and food energetics perspective, freeze-dried foods are generally considered more drying and neutral to cooling in nature due to the removal of moisture. This doesn’t make them “dead,” but it does mean they may not provide the same yin (fluids, moisture, grounding) support as fresh or gently cooked foods. In TCM-informed feeding, freeze-dried diets often benefit from being rehydrated with warm water or paired with moist, warming foods to support digestion and balance better.

The post suggests dogs need hard bones or resistance to stimulate brain activity and calmness. And I agree. Chewing bones provides mental and dental stimulation, while freeze-dried kibble-like pieces don’t offer this benefit — but that’s a texture issue, not a nutrition issue.

I feed a balanced raw diet to my dogs that’s primarily ground, so I still offer raw meaty bones and air-dried chews to satisfy my dogs’ chew drive. I also add a dental additive to their water to support dental health, as feeding ground raw isn’t sufficient. It’s not a surprise that feeding freeze-dried raw isn’t enough to support a dog’s dental health.

A dog’s gut reaction (itching, mucus, sticky poop) can have many causes — allergies, intolerances, infections, parasites, or sudden diet changes — and is not proven to be caused simply by freeze-dried food lacking “enzymes” or confusing the stomach. No peer-reviewed research supports the claim that freeze-dried food inherently causes these issues by sending “mixed acid/alkaline messages.” Those symptoms merit veterinary evaluation.

The claim usually goes something like this: meat needs an acidic environment, vegetables need an alkaline one, so feeding them together causes digestive chaos. That sounds logical on the surface — but it doesn’t reflect how digestion actually works.

A dog’s digestive system is not a single-step process.

In other words, the digestive system is designed to handle mixed meals, not get confused by them. There is no credible veterinary or nutritional evidence showing that feeding meat and vegetables together causes mucus, yeast, bloating, or chronic gut dysfunction.

Freeze-dried raw diets may help with:

Here are some popular options if you do choose freeze-dried raw food:

There are many more options available depending on your dog’s needs. Visit your local, independent pet store to discuss with the store manager or owner.

Freeze-drying does not destroy all enzymes. It preserves significantly more enzymatic activity than cooked or extruded kibble. While not identical to fresh prey, it is inaccurate to label freeze-dried food as biologically “dead.”

There is no evidence that freeze-dried food inherently confuses the gut, creates yeast, or causes chronic digestive issues. Those symptoms are multifactorial and may involve:

But those are texture and enrichment issues, not proof that the food is “dead.”

Freeze-dried pet food:

I don’t feed freeze-dried food regularly, but I do keep it on hand for those “life happens” moments — when I forget to thaw food, when someone else is feeding my dogs and feels nervous about raw, and it was also a convenient, nutritious option when I had cats.

After more than a decade working in the pet food space, this is the first time I’ve seen claims that freeze-dried food itself isn’t beneficial for dogs. That doesn’t mean every freeze-dried product is a good choice; quality still depends on ingredients, sourcing, and formulation — not on freeze-drying as a process being inherently harmful.

When someone speaks confidently online about dog nutrition, it’s important to pause and seek additional perspectives before making changes to your dog’s diet. Look at their sources (one dog’s experience isn’t a study), question how conclusions were drawn, and consider possible motivations behind the message. Two things can be true at once: freeze-dried dog food can be a beneficial option, and some lower-quality products may fall short in areas like ingredient quality or enzymatic support.

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