If there’s one pet delicacy that dog’s absolutely love, it is some ready-to-eat fresh pet meals. And for pet parents this comes doubly convenient since their dog’s meals contain all the essential nutrition and it takes them minimal efforts for meal prep.
But if there’s one question that I am often asked by pet parents, it is ‘Can you freeze fresh pet dog food?’
I am sure as a dog owner you’d also have faced this question. After all, freezing dog food is a common practice to extend the shelf life of your furry friend’s favorite meals while also ensuring they get high protein dog food.
Now, a short answer is: Yes, you can absolutely freeze fresh pet dog food just like you freeze homemade dog meals.
However, it isn’t that straightforward either. That’s because you’ve to keep in mind some safety, hygiene, and storage essentials so that your dog gets the best and safest meals.
Read on, as I’ve detailed everything you’ll ever need to know about how can fresh pet dog food be frozen safely along with my own pet expert insights.
Can you freeze fresh pet dog food or not?
Let me start by answering the billion dollar question here, i.e., whether or not can you freeze freshpet dog food.
As I said earlier, you can freeze fresh pet meals very conveniently. In fact, these are just like your regular frozen fresh dog food where freezing helps prevent the food from going bad for long periods.
You see, most of the freshly made dog meals retain both taste and nutrition if you freeze them right. And the same thing goes for fresh pet meals too since their ingredients resemble the same.
How?
Well, if you go through fresh pet’s ingredients list, you’ll find that it’s mostly made of meat, vegetables, and grains. Also, you won’t find any preservatives or artificial additives in their food.
And that makes the freezing process very similar to the food that you cook from scratch for your four legged buddy.
How can you freeze fresh pet dog food safely?
So far you’ve already got the answer to your top query about can fresh pet dog food be frozen. But like all things, the devil lies in the details.
Yes, you can freeze your pet’s favorite meals for weeks or even months. However, you have to do it the right way or you could end up with a stale or tasteless meal for your best buddy.
You get the best dog dresses for your pet, pamper them with their favorite toys and treats, and are probably the most loved pet parent. And you definitely don’t want to settle for a meal that tastes bad or could potentially get your dog sick.
So, here’s how you can go about freezing dog food and storing it for months:
Step 1. Pre-portion the food to your dog’s meal sizes
The first step in freezing fresh pet is dividing the food into your dog’s regular portion sizes. And this will depend on how old your dog is and how much they weigh.
For instance, let’s say your dog is 9 months old and weighs about 8 pounds. In this case, I suggest you make portions of 3/4 cup each.
Now, this portion size might seem a bit extra if you go by the standard portion for a 9 month old dog.
But it makes sense for growing dogs since you’ll be storing this food for 2-3 months. That’s because not only will your pet grow during this time but so will their portion sizes.
Step 2. Use tupperware or a similar container for storing
When it comes to freezing food safely for months, there’s nothing better than tupperware’s freezer mate boxes. After all, these airtight containers have a long-standing reputation of withstanding freezing temperatures and keeping food safe.
But that said, you can also go for similar airtight and freezer-safe containers for freezing fresh pet meals.
Moreover, you can even use freezer-safe bags; all you’ve got to do here is remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Step 3. Label the container or bag with dates
Having pre-portioned the meals, you might want to freeze the food right away thinking you’ll remember when exactly you stored it. And while there’s nothing wrong with it, I suggest you label the food containers with the date of freezing.
You see, it is very much possible for us to forget when we put the food in the freezer. And although fresh pet meals can be edible for 3-6 months from when you froze them, it is likely you bring it out way beyond that period.
As such, putting a date makes sure you are feeding safe food to your dog.
Step 4. Freeze the meals
This is the most crucial step in freezing dog food as you want to retain both freshness and taste. And the best way to do so is to place the fresh pet meal containers in the coldest part of the freezer.
For instance, our regular residential refrigerators have the lowest temperature of zero degrees fahrenheit. However, this temperature is usually at the very end or bottom of the freezer.
So, take my advice and clear that area of your freezer up as it’s perfect for freezing your dog’s meals.
How to thaw frozen fresh pet dog meals?
Once you’ve frozen your dog’s favorite meals safely, serving it is a simple process. So much so that take it out of the freezer, thaw it, and you’ve got the meal of the champions for your pet.
But thawing can be tricky too, just like the freezing process.
How?
Well, when thawing frozen food for our own consumption, we usually take it out of the freezer, leave it at room temperature for some time or microwave it straight away.
Nevertheless, this is something I don’t suggest for thawing fresh pet meals or any other dog food.
Instead, I advise pet parents to thaw it in the refrigerator itself. Herein, you’ll take the containers out of the freezer and put them in the refrigerator overnight.
Although this is a slow thawing method, it preserves both texture and nutrients. On the other hand, counter thawing or thawing dog food at room temperature often leads to bacterial growth.
Also, once thawed, you should serve this food within 3-4 days as frozen fresh dog food only remains edible only for this time.
What are the benefits of freezing dog food?
Now that you know how can you freeze fresh pet dog food and thaw it for your dog’s consumption, you might wonder if it is worth the time.
After all, from preparing multiple meal portions to storing and freezing them, it’s a lengthy and time-consuming process. Not to mention, the refrigerator thawing process itself takes a lot of time.
But let me tell you that if you’re someone who has time and patience, there are various ways you can benefit by freezing dog food, including:
1. Increased shelf life
Did you know that freezing your dog’s meals can extend its shelf life by at least 3 months?
In fact, store it right and you can have meals for your four-legged buddy for the next 6 months.
And this is an excellent way to reduce food waste and reduce the frequency of your trips to the store.
2. Convenient meal preps
Let’s admit it: Preparing meals for your dog from scratch every time is far more time taking than batch preparing their meals and freezing them.
Yes, a batch-prep will take longer than a single meal preparation for sure. But then, you can have ready-to-eat meal portions for your dog for months.
In short, frozen fresh dog food is far more convenient in the long run.
3. Uncompromised nutrition and taste
One of the biggest fears of pet parents is that freezing dog meals can lead to deterioration in taste and nutrition.
Nonetheless, that’s not the case if you store and thaw the food correctly. For instance, freeze the food in an air-tight freezer-safe tupperware, thaw it in the refrigerator itself, and there’s no chance it will lose its nutrition and flavor.
Also, if you’re boarding your dog for the first time, this is the best way to ensure they get homely meals at the boarding facility.
4. Cost-efficiency
You’ll agree when I say that bulk buying dog food is always more affordable than buying fewer meals. Moreover, there are always great offers and discounts on bulk orders, both at e-commerce platforms and stores.
Meaning, you stand to save a lot of money when buying fresh pet or other dog food in bulk and freezing them off.
What should you keep in mind when freezing dog meals?
When freezing your dog’s meals, it is essential you remember a few things to avoid the food from getting stale or wasted.
Overall, here are a few important factors you should consider:
1. Packaging materials and method
For starters, your packing materials or containers should always be air-tight and freezer safe. This is key to preventing the food from getting frosty or being exposed to germs and bacteria.
Also, you should always keep these containers in the coldest part of the freezer and not freeze them for more than 6 months.
2. Portion sizes
Talking about portion size, each frozen meal should contain a single-meal portion as this prevents food wastage.
At the same time, if your dog is in the growth stage and you plan to freeze their food for a few months, I suggest you make slightly larger portions.
3. Thaw method and time
Lasly, thawing is something that you should never do at room temperature since it makes the food susceptible to bacterial growth.
So, let the food thaw in the refrigerator overnight (or longer if needed). This will keep the food safe and retain its nutrition and taste.
Frequently asked questions about frozen fresh dog food
Can you freeze fresh pet dog food safely?
Yes, absolutely.
You can freeze fresh pet dog meals, keeping them safe to consume for at least next 6 months. All you’ve got to do is keep them in freezer-grade bags or containers and you’re good to go.
Easy, isn’t it?
How long can you freeze freshpet dog food?
You can freeze fresh pet dog meals for anywhere between 3-6 months. This is just like freezing and storing homemade dog food since both have similar ingredients.
How long does fresh pet food last after opening?
Once you’ve thawed the frozen food or opened the container, it’s safe to feed your dog for the next 3-4 days. However, you should keep the food in the refrigerator all this while and never feed it beyond this period.
Can you freeze canned dog food?
No, you should not freeze canned dog food.
You see, canned food is designed to survive for months at room temperature. And freezing it will change its texture and reduce its taste.
Worse, freezing can reduce the nutritional value of the food and lead to mold development.
Can you freeze wet dog food?
No, wet dog food should never be frozen as it will reduce its nutritional value and even lead to bacterial growth.
Can you freeze fresh dog food?
Yes, you can freeze fresh homemade dog food. And the process to do so is the same as freezing fresh pet dog meals.
Is freeze dried dog food process the same as freezing regular dog food?
No, freeze dried dog food process is different from freezing your dog’s food at home and the former requires an industrial procedure. Herein, raw dog dog ingredients are first frozen and then their moisture is removed through a process called sublimation.
The final product here is a shelf-stable and lightweight mela that retains most of its original nutrition.
Conclusion
By now, you know a lot more than whether or not can you freeze fresh pet dog food. And I am confident that you can now freeze and thaw your dog’s meals safely, ensuring your best buddy gets healthy and delicious meals every time.
Got more questions or need help sourcing the best food for your dog?
You can get in touch with us!
At Dawg Team Apparel USA, we’ve got top-of-the-line dog meals designed to fulfill your dog’s nutritional needs while also satisfying their taste buds.
So, browse through our range of dog meals and get the one that your pet loves the most.