Fresh food and dry food are the two most common options for feeding dogs, but they differ greatly in how they are prepared, stored, and consumed. Fresh meals are made from whole ingredients that are fit for human consumption and gently cooked to preserve nutrients, while dry food is a dry product that is preserved at high temperatures for long periods of time.
If you’re wondering which is better, the short answer is: fresh dog food is the healthiest and most palatable option for most dogs, while dry food is easy to use and inexpensive, but it may come at a health cost later in the form of chronic diseases and digestive and immune problems.
Fresh dog food is made from real meat, vegetables, and fruit, and sometimes whole grains, and is prepared in a way that preserves nutrients and makes the food safe to eat. These meals are gently cooked over low heat or carefully served raw, with the goal of preserving as many vitamins, minerals, and natural enzymes as possible.
Fresh food usually has a high moisture content, which helps keep your dog hydrated and protects their kidneys and urinary tract. Its whole ingredients also make it easier to digest, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs or older dogs. In addition, dogs enjoy the smell and taste of fresh food more than dry food, which helps solve the problem of loss of appetite in dogs that are picky eaters.
Dry dog food is the most common form of commercial dog food. It is made by mixing meat, grains, vegetables, and other ingredients into a paste, then cooking it at very high temperatures in a process called extrusion, resulting in dry pellets that can be stored for long periods of time.
In practical terms, many people prefer dry food because it is easy to store, does not need to be refrigerated, and can be purchased in large quantities at seemingly economical prices. However, these financial savings often come at a higher health cost in the long run as a result of harsh processing and poor-quality ingredients in many brands.
One of the most significant dangers of dry dog food is that it often contains by-products, fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives that are used to reduce production costs and extend shelf life. These ingredients include cheap grains, corn, barley, and soybean meal, as well as low-quality proteins that may come from sick animals or animals unfit for human consumption.
These industrial ingredients, dyes, and preservatives are linked to an increased risk of skin allergies, digestive disorders, and even some chronic diseases such as cancer and metabolic diseases, making reliance on dry food as a staple diet for dogs a risky choice in the long term.
Dried foods are exposed to high temperatures and intense pressure during processing, which destroys a large portion of the heat-sensitive vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids. To compensate for this loss, artificial supplements and flavor enhancers are added, but they do not fully replace the natural value found in fresh, minimally processed foods.
Nutritional studies indicate that highly processed foods, whether for humans or animals, are associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases, meaning that a diet based exclusively on dry food may contribute to a shorter lifespan for dogs and an increased likelihood of chronic diseases.
Most dry dog foods rely on grains and starchy carbohydrates such as corn, wheat, rice, and potatoes, and even grain-free varieties are often rich in legumes and other starches. This composition leads to frequent spikes in blood sugar, insulin, and other hormones, causing constant metabolic stress on the body.
This high-carbohydrate food contributes to obesity in dogs, increasing the risk of diabetes and metabolic disorders, whereas dogs naturally need food rich in protein and good fats, with a limited amount of starch compared to what commercial dry food provides.
Dry food is classified as a low-moisture product, as dry kibble contains very little water compared to fresh or raw food. Dogs do not always compensate for this deficiency by drinking enough water, exposing them to chronic dehydration without the owner easily noticing.
Chronic dehydration can lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, low energy, sunken eyes, dry nose and gums, and in advanced cases, it may increase the risk of urinary tract infections, kidney strain, and urinary and respiratory problems. In contrast, fresh, moisture-rich food more clearly supports kidney and urinary tract health.
Dry food is a suitable environment for the growth of certain types of bacteria and fungal toxins, and storage mites can also multiply in bags over time, especially if they are not stored in ideal conditions. These contaminants can lead to skin allergies, itching, hair loss, ear infections, and frequent digestive disorders.
In addition, independent analyses of some commercial dog foods have revealed alarming levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as residues of pesticides and industrial chemicals, raising concerns about the cumulative effect of these toxins in dogs over the years.
Once a bag of dry food is opened, the fat inside, along with the fat sprayed on the kibble during production, begins to deteriorate when exposed to air, light, and heat. Long-term consumption of rancid fats destroys fat-soluble vitamins, causing nutritional deficiencies that affect the skin, hair, and vital organs.
Oxidized fats are also linked to conditions such as malnutrition, hair loss, diarrhea, kidney and liver disease, fertility disorders, and even an increased risk of cancer and premature death, highlighting the dangers of relying entirely on dry food stored for long periods.
7. Digestive problems and bloating
A number of veterinarians link overfeeding dry food to cases of bloating, especially in large breeds with deep chests. Dry food can cause large amounts of gas to build up in the stomach, leading to distension and, in the worst cases, gastric torsion, a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate intervention.
The difficulty of digesting the high grains and starches in dry food also causes some dogs to suffer from uncomfortable gas, loose stools, and colon sensitivity, compared to the better response when switching to a diet based on high-quality fresh or raw food.
The optimal nutrition for dogs includes fresh foods made from ingredients that are as close to human-grade as possible, preferably from animals that have been fed a natural diet and raised in healthy environments. This type of nutrition is similar to what dogs have evolved to eat in the wild throughout history.
Good fresh or raw food is characterized by healthy fats, high moisture content, and a natural balance of protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, which supports immunity, muscle and joint health, and daily activity without burdening the dog’s body with processed sugars and starches.
By following a diet based on whole, minimally processed foods, your dog can benefit from a range of noticeable improvements in their health, behavior, and daily vitality. This type of nutrition includes fresh meat, organs, some suitable bones, and vegetables and fruits that are appropriate for dogs in calculated proportions.
Some of the most notable benefits of a high-quality fresh or raw diet include:
Soluky offers fresh meals made with real meat such as chicken, beef, and fish, along with nutritious vegetables and fruits such as carrots and peas. They are gently prepared in Riyadh kitchens without preservatives or artificial fillers.
What sets Soluky apart is that it is customized according to your dog’s age, weight, and activity level, with weekly refrigerated delivery that supports digestion, energy, and overall health.
Although dry food is not the best choice for your dog’s health, some breeders may be forced to use it for reasons related to budget, time, or ease of storage and travel. In this case, you may want to consider reducing your reliance on it rather than eliminating it altogether.
For example, you can:
Which is better for your pet’s health?
For pet owners, there is a wide range of imported and local dry food options available, and your awareness as a breeder is the first line of defense for your dog’s health. Hot weather increases the importance of good hydration and quality ingredients, making fresh or raw food that is appropriate for the local environment a healthier choice for your dog in the long term.
If your budget allows, it is preferable to base your dog’s diet on high-quality fresh food, with dry food as a backup option or a small part of the diet when needed, taking care to avoid the cheapest types that rely mainly on grains and cheap fillers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In all cases, yes; fresh food is less processed, higher in moisture, and richer in natural nutrients, making it better for digestion, skin and coat health, and immunity compared to highly processed dry food.
The most dangerous aspects of dry food are poor ingredients and by-products, high starch content, low moisture content, artificial additives and preservatives, as well as the potential for contamination and rancid fats, all of which may be linked to obesity, kidney and liver disease, allergies, and even cancer with long-term use.
Some breeders may take a hybrid approach, offering one meal of fresh food and one of dry food, or adding a portion of fresh food to the dry meal to improve its nutritional value, provided that good quality dry food is chosen and the change is made gradually to avoid digestive upset.
It is recommended to make the transition gradually by mixing a small amount of fresh food with dry food and then increasing the ratio over 7–10 days, while monitoring stool, energy, skin, and coat, and be sure to consult a veterinarian or animal nutritionist if there are chronic diseases or special conditions.
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