Dehydrated dog food offers something many dog owners want: a shelf-stable meal made without conventional kibble extrusion. But “dehydrated” only describes how the water came out. It does not tell you how much meat is in the bag, how much of the food is starch, whether the recipe is complete and balanced, or what it costs to actually feed. We wanted to find out what is the best dehydrated dog food in Canada.

So, we did the math. We took 38 dehydrated and air-dried complete-meal recipes sold at Moonlight Natural Pet Store from CaniSource Grand Cru, The Honest Kitchen, Jay’s, RAWZ, Smack, The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. and Ziwi Peak. We converted every guaranteed analysis to a dry-matter basis, calculated carbohydrates, flagged which foods rely on whole foods rather than a synthetic vitamin and mineral premix, and priced each one per 1,000 calories. We ended up comparing 38 recipes and ranking 36 of the best dehydrated and air-dried dog foods in Canada that had nutritional-adequacy statements.

The spread surprised even us. Carbohydrates ranged from 3.5% to almost 50% of the food’s dry matter. Feeding the same dog for a day ranged from about $3 to more than $22, depending on the recipe.

The Best Dehydrated Dog Foods in Canada at a Glance

Best For	Our Pick	Why We Chose It
Best Dehydrated Dog Food Brand Overall	Smack Pet Food	Smack Prairie Harvest Pork ranks #1 in our study and Very Berry Chicken ties for #2. Smack is the only Canadian brand with no synthetic vitamin and mineral premix: its recipes are 75-80% fresh meat, organs and bone and 20-25% organic fruits and vegetables. Note that two Smack recipes (Caribbean-Salmon Fusion and Rockin’ Rockfish) do not have an AAFCO statement, similar to most raw frozen brands.
Best Lowest-Carb Dehydrated Dog Food Brand	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Pet Food	Ziwi describes its recipes as 96% meat, organs, bone and New Zealand green mussel, and every Air-Dried recipe calculates at just 3.5% carbs DMB, the lowest we measured. Its top three recipes tie for #4; Ziwi adds a vitamin and mineral premix, which keeps it just behind Smack and NZ Woof.
Best Synthetic-Free Air-Dried Import	The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Woof	Woof Beef ties for #2 in our study (50.5% protein, 11.7% carbs DMB). NZ Natural adds no vitamin and mineral premix; its only added vitamin is vitamin E, used as a preservative. All three recipes cover all life stages, including large-breed growth.
Best Soft & Moist Dehydrated Food Made in Canada	Jay’s Raw Dehydrated Soft & Moist	Soft, 30%-moisture pieces suit seniors and picky eaters. Jay’s Beef has the lowest carbs of any Canadian food (9.3% DMB) with 47.1% protein DMB, at $10.83 per 1,000 kcal. Overall, the brand has high protein and lower carbs on a dry-matter basis.
Best Dehydrated Dog Food Brand for Dogs with Chewing Issues	The Honest Kitchen Wholemade Limited Ingredient	Adding water produces a soft meal that does not require the dog to chew hard pieces. This is a complete food with a short ingredient list; it contains protein alongside ground legumes, root vegetables or quinoa, so its softer texture earns this category rather than a claim that it is the most meat-rich recipe.
Best Dehydrated Dog Food Brand by Value	CaniSource Grand Cru	The lowest feeding cost in our study, $4.10-$4.35 per 1,000 kcal in the 10 kg bag (Pork & Lamb is lowest and has the most protein in the line).
Best Dehydrated Food for Puppies (Including Large Breeds)	Smack Very Berry Chicken	Whole-food, made in Canada, and formulated to meet AAFCO profiles for all life stages, including growth of large-size dogs. It has 43% protein and 15.4% carbs DMB at $10.33 per 1,000 kcal.

DMB = dry-matter basis: the nutrient as a share of the food with the water taken out. It is the fairest way to compare a 4%-moisture air-dried food with a 30%-moisture soft-and-moist food.

Shop the best dehydrated dog food in Canada, with Canada-wide shipping and Metro Vancouver delivery.

Best Dehydrated Dog Food in Canada: Why Smack Ranks #1

Smack Prairie Harvest Pork scores highest in our study and Smack Very Berry Chicken ties for second with NZ Natural Woof Beef. Smack is the only Canadian brand in our study that reaches nutritional adequacy without a synthetic vitamin and mineral premix, using fresh Manitoba meat, organs and bone with organic produce. Prairie Harvest Pork has 51.1% protein and 15.3% carbohydrate on a dry-matter basis.

Smack says Prairie Harvest Pork is 80% bone-in Manitoba pork and organs and 20% organic fruits, vegetables and other ingredients, and it carries an AAFCO statement for all life stages, including growth of large-size dogs. In the 2.5 kg bag it costs $14.34 per 1,000 kcal. Very Berry Chicken (43.0% protein, 15.4% carbs DMB) is the better value at $10.33.

Trade-offs: Smack’s fruit and vegetables put its carbs well above Ziwi Peak Air-Dried (about 15% vs 3.5% DMB). If the lowest carbs matter most to you, Ziwi is the pick.

Best Lowest-Carb Dehydrated Dog Food Brand: Ziwi Peak Air-Dried

Three Ziwi Peak Air-Dried recipes tie for the lowest carbs in our study: Venison, Mackerel & Lamb, and Tripe & Lamb. Each calculates at 3.5% carbohydrate and 51.2% protein on a dry-matter basis. Ziwi says these recipes are about 96% meat, organs, bone and New Zealand green mussel. Its ingredient list also includes lecithin, parsley, apple pomace, chicory inulin, kelp, and added vitamins and minerals.

Of these, we pick Mackerel & Lamb because it costs much less to feed than the other two. In the 4 kg bag it works out to $16.67 per 1,000 kcal, compared with $18.37 for Tripe & Lamb (1 kg) and $27.95 for Venison (1 kg).

Trade-offs: Ziwi adds a vitamin and mineral premix, so it is not a whole-food-only recipe, which keeps it just behind Smack and NZ Woof in our ranking. It is also one of the most expensive dog food brands in this study and on the market. Ziwi feeds as “scoop and serve”, with no water needed. We still suggest adding water, as we do for kibble, because extra moisture can support hydration and urinary health if your dog will accept it.

10 Best Dehydrated Dog Food Recipes by Formulation

Ranked by our ingredient-quality and nutrition score: fresh proteins, synthetic-free formulation, chelated minerals and prebiotics, plus protein and carbohydrate on a dry-matter basis. Tied scores share a rank (=). Smack Caribbean-Salmon Fusion and Rockin’ Rockfish are not ranked because Smack’s website has no AAFCO statement for them, but they publish just 2.0% and 2.5% carbohydrate, the lowest of any food we looked at.

Rank	Dehydrated Dog Food	Protein Source	Carb DMB	Protein DMB	Whole-Food Based	Carbs From	AAFCO / Life Stage
1	Smack Prairie Harvest Pork	Pork, liver, heart, bone, kidney	15.3%	51.1%	Yes	Pumpkin, kale, apple, blueberry, cranberry	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
2=	New Zealand Woof Beef	Beef, heart, tripe, liver, kidney, mussel	11.7%	50.5%	Yes	Kale, broccoli, carrots, apples, flaxseed, honey	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
2=	Smack Very Berry Chicken	Chicken, gizzard, liver	15.4%	43.0%	Yes	Pumpkin, apple, spinach, berries, quinoa	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
4=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb	Mackerel, lamb, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	51.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
4=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Venison	Venison, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	51.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
4=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Tripe & Lamb	Lamb tripe, lamb, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	51.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
7	Smack Lip Smacking Lamb	Lamb, bone, kidney, lung, spleen, liver, tripe, heart	18.0%	41.7%	Yes	Pumpkin, kale, berries, apple, quinoa	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
8	New Zealand Woof Venison	Venison, lamb, tripe, organs, mussel	10.7%	43.5%	Yes	Kale, broccoli, carrots, apples, flaxseed, honey	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
9=	New Zealand Woof Chicken	Chicken with bone, heart, lamb tripe, gizzard, liver, mussel	16.0%	46.2%	Yes	Kale, broccoli, carrots, apples, flaxseed, honey	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
9=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb	Lamb, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	44.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All life stages incl. large-breed growth
9=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Chicken	Chicken, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	44.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All except large-breed puppies
9=	Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Beef	Beef, organs, bone, mussel	3.5%	44.2%	No	Apple pomace, chicory	All except large-breed puppies

9 Best Dehydrated Dog Foods Made in Canada

Prefer a Canadian-made food? Here is how the Canadian recipes ranked using the same method. Smack and Jay’s lead.

Rank	Canadian Dehydrated Dog Food	Made In	Carb DMB	Protein DMB	Whole-Food Based	Cost / 1,000 kcal
1	Smack Prairie Harvest Pork	Winnipeg, MB	15.3%	51.1%	Yes	$14.34
2	Smack Very Berry Chicken	Winnipeg, MB	15.4%	43.0%	Yes	$10.33
3	Smack Lip Smacking Lamb	Winnipeg, MB	18.0%	41.7%	Yes	$13.20
4	Smack Chunky Chicken	Winnipeg, MB	25.1%	37.6%	Yes	$11.20
5	Jay’s Soft & Moist Beef	Calgary, AB	9.3%	47.1%	No	$10.83
6	Jay’s Soft & Moist Chicken & Beef Organ	Calgary, AB	15.0%	45.7%	No	$10.16
7	Jay’s Soft & Moist Lamb	Calgary, AB	14.3%	40.0%	No	$12.49
8	CaniSource Grand Cru Turkey	Quebec	38.0%	33.7%	No	$5.72
9	CaniSource Grand Cru Pork & Lamb	Quebec	39.1%	34.8%	No	$4.10

Smack is the only Canadian brand in our study with no synthetic vitamin and mineral premix. It balances its recipes with organs, bone and produce. Its Prairie Harvest Pork, Very Berry Chicken, Chunky Chicken and Lip Smacking Lamb carry an AAFCO “all life stages, including growth of large-size dogs” statement. Smack’s Caribbean-Salmon Fusion and Rockin’ Rockfish are described as balanced to traditional raw-feeding standards rather than AAFCO, so they are not included in our rankings.

Shop Smack Pet Food or Jay’s Soft & Moist Pet Food in Vancouver.

Two Dehydrated Foods Can Cost the Same per Bag but Very Different Amounts to Feed

Price per bag is misleading with dehydrated food. Some recipes rehydrate to four times their weight and others are fed as is, and Jay’s is 30% water before you start. So, we compared cost per 1,000 calories, which is what your dog eats, using the largest bag of each recipe at Moonlight’s current prices.

CaniSource Fish 10 kg ($195.95) vs Honest Kitchen LI Fish 10 lb ($199.95) cost almost the same per bag, but $4.14 vs $10.70 per 1,000 kcal.

We also show cost per pound of protein.

Dehydrated Dog Food (largest bag)	Price / lb	Cost / 1,000 kcal	Cost / lb of Protein	Approx. Cost / Day*
CaniSource Grand Cru Pork & Lamb (10 kg)	$8.93	$4.10	$27.90	$3.28
CaniSource Grand Cru Fish (10 kg)	$8.89	$4.14	$31.70	$3.31
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey (10 lb)	$14.89	$7.65	$51.40	$6.12
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef (10 lb)	$16.89	$8.33	$54.50	$6.67
Jay’s Soft & Moist Chicken & Beef Organ (3 kg)	$18.44	$10.16	$57.60	$8.13
Smack Very Berry Chicken (2.5 kg)	$25.39	$10.33	$63.50	$8.26
Jay’s Soft & Moist Beef (3 kg)	$19.65	$10.83	$59.50	$8.66

*Daily cost assumes about 800 kcal a day, roughly what a moderately active 30 lb adult dog needs. Your dog’s needs will vary with weight, age and activity. Prices are Moonlight’s Vancouver listings and may change.

What the value numbers tell you

• CaniSource Grand Cru is the clear budget pick. At $4.10 to $4.35 per 1,000 kcal in the 10 kg bag, it costs about half as much to feed as almost anything else here. It also delivers the cheapest protein, about $28 to $33 per pound. However, you get more legumes and grains in exchange, which might explain the lower cost.
• Jay’s and Smack Very Berry Chicken are the best value among the high-protein, low-carb foods, at about $10 to $11 per 1,000 kcal.

How We Compared and Ranked Canada’s Best Dehydrated Dog Foods

Every food first had to be sold as a complete meal with a nutritional-adequacy statement (AAFCO or equivalent). Base mixes, which need you to add your own protein, and The Honest Kitchen’s baked Whole Food Clusters were excluded, as were Smack Caribbean-Salmon Fusion and Rockin’ Rockfish, which have no AAFCO statement. Then we scored each recipe on:

1. Ingredient quality. We give the most credit to recipes made mainly from fresh animal proteins, and to synthetic-free recipes that reach nutritional adequacy through meat, organs, bone and produce rather than a synthetic vitamin and mineral premix. A supplemented food is not inadequate. But premixes have been over-supplemented in the past, as with the vitamin D recalls, and that is a risk we would rather avoid. Where a premix is used, we give some credit for chelated minerals, and we credit added prebiotics or probiotics.
2. Protein (dry-matter basis). More protein scores higher. We also check that fat does not exceed protein.
3. Carbohydrate (dry-matter basis). Fewer carbs score higher. Dogs can digest carbohydrates, but when we compare complete foods, we prefer those that get their nutrition from animal foods rather than starch.

How we calculated carbohydrates

Pet food labels don’t list carbohydrates, so we calculated them by difference: 100 − protein − fat − moisture − fiber − ash, then converted to dry matter. We used the guaranteed analysis printed by each manufacturer: minimum protein and fat, and maximum moisture, fiber and ash.

A note on plant protein. The protein on a pet food label is crude protein, calculated from total nitrogen. It counts protein from peas, lentils, chickpeas, lupine and quinoa the same as protein from meat. So, a recipe with legumes high on its ingredient list can show a respectable Protein DMB even though less of that protein comes from animals. Where a recipe gets its carbs from legumes or quinoa, read its Protein DMB as an upper limit for animal protein, not a measure of it.

Ash (the mineral content) is the tricky one. The Honest Kitchen, Smack and NZ Natural don’t publish it. For those recipes we used the average of every ash value the other manufacturers publish (8.15%). That keeps the comparison consistent, and we will update the figures as brands publish actual values. RAWZ publishes only a typical (average) ash value, so we used that.

Because guaranteed analyses are minimums and maximums rather than lab averages, treat every figure here as a close estimate, not a laboratory result.

What we recorded but didn’t score

• Processing method and temperature. We note what each brand discloses, but a temperature on its own doesn’t prove one finished food is better than another.
• Price. Cost has its own section below. We didn’t let price move a food up or down the nutrition ranking.
• AAFCO or life-stage statements. Where we couldn’t find one, we say so in the tables.

What Is Dehydrated Dog Food?

Dehydration removes moisture so that food becomes shelf stable. When we talk about dehydrated dog food, we mean foods dried with low humidity, gentle heat and circulating air: air-drying, dehydrators or low-temperature ovens. Freeze-drying also removes moisture, but it works differently (see below).

Ziwi Peak, The Honest Kitchen and CaniSource Grand Cru all use some form of low heat. The exact techniques vary from company to company, and some manufacturers raise the temperature briefly at the end of drying. The basics stay the same: gentle heat, moving air and low humidity, at temperatures far below those used to extrude kibble.

Dehydrated vs. Air-Dried vs. Freeze-Dried Dog Food

	Dehydrated	Air-Dried	Freeze-Dried
How moisture is removed	Warm, circulating air in a dehydrator or low oven	Warm air circulated slowly, often in stages	Frozen, then moisture removed under vacuum, with little or no heat
Is it cooked?	Drying heat, or sometimes cooked first	Usually uses heat over long periods to remove moisture, though some brands market it as raw	Not cooked by the process, but ingredients may be cooked first depending on brands.
Texture and serving	Often a powder or flakes. Usually add warm water	Jerky-like pieces or chunks. Usually fed as is	Light, crumbly nuggets. Fed dry or rehydrated
Examples in this study	The Honest Kitchen	Ziwi Peak, NZ Natural Woof, RAWZ, Jay’s, Smack, Canisource Grand Cru	Not included. See our freeze-dried raw food

Is Dehydrated Dog Food Raw?

Not technically, even though you will often see “raw dehydrated” or “dehydrated raw” on the bag. To remove the water, manufacturers apply low heat and air circulation for hours. Without that, the food would spoil. The temperatures are far lower than in kibble extrusion, but heat is applied, so we think of dehydrated food as lightly cooked.

The Honest Kitchen is upfront about this. It says its meats, fish and eggs are gently cooked before dehydration and are “not considered raw”. Smack and Jay’s describe their low-temperature process as raw dehydration. If a truly raw diet matters to you, look at frozen raw or freeze-dried food.

Does “Low Temperature” Tell You How a Food Was Made?

It tells you part of the story, but manufacturers describe their processes differently:

• Ziwi Peak says warm air circulates through its air-dried food. For its separate Steam & Dried range, it steams first, then air-dries, and says the exact temperatures are proprietary.
• The Honest Kitchen says proteins are gently cooked before dehydration.
• CaniSource Grand Cru describes slow, low-temperature dehydration.
• Smack and Jay’s describe low-temperature dehydration and air-drying.

A published temperature helps us understand a method. It does not, on its own, prove that one finished food is nutritionally better than another. So, we record the process and rank on what’s in the food.

Is Dehydrated Dog Food Good for Dogs? What the Research Shows

Research on dehydrated diets specifically is still thin. A 2025 crossover study in Comparative Clinical Pathology fed ten Beagles a dehydrated “natural” diet and a standard extruded kibble. On the dehydrated diet, dogs digested fiber and minerals better and had lower serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Their antioxidant and immune markers also looked more favourable. Stools were softer, with more volume and moisture, and overall dry-matter digestibility was lower.

That is a small, short study in one breed, so it points in an interesting direction rather than proving anything. For most dogs, what matters more is what we measured above: how much of the food comes from animal ingredients, how much is starch, and whether it is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage. For how kibble compares, see our best dog kibble rankings.

How Long Does Dehydrated Dog Food Last?

Unopened dehydrated dog food typically lasts about 1 to 2 years, depending on the brand. Ziwi Steam & Dried, for example, lists a 21-month shelf life. Each product will have an expiry date on the back of the food. Please make sure to store the food in a dry location to ensure that it stays fresh and does not go bad.

Rehydrated food should be treated like fresh food: refrigerate leftovers and use them conservatively within about 1-2 days.

How to Feed Dehydrated Dog Food

• Suggestions. The Honest Kitchen is mixed with warm water and left to stand for about 3 minutes. Ziwi Peak and NZ Natural are “scoop and serve” and can be fed as is but are better with water. Smack can be fed dry or with water. Jay’s Soft & Moist is fed as is.
• Feed by calories, not cups. Dehydrated food is calorie dense. Ziwi Air-Dried is 4,500 to 5,000 kcal per kg, so portions look small. Use the feeding guide on the bag as a starting point and adjust to your dog’s body condition.
• Make sure water is always available, especially if you choose to feed the foods dry.
• Switch gradually over 7 to 10 days. If your dog’s stool loosens, slow down. See our dog diarrhea guide.
• Use it as a topper. A spoonful of air-dried food on kibble is an affordable way to add more animal protein.

Can Puppies Eat Dehydrated Dog Food?

Yes, if the label says the food is complete and balanced for growth or all life stages. Large-breed puppies (70 lb or more as adults) need a food that specifically covers growth of large-size dogs, because calcium and energy must be carefully controlled. In this study:

• Covers large-breed growth: Smack Very Berry Chicken, Chunky Chicken, Lip Smacking Lamb and Prairie Harvest Pork, plus NZ Natural Woof (all three recipes) and Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Venison, Mackerel & Lamb, Tripe & Lamb and Lamb.
• All life stages but not large-breed growth: RAWZ and Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Chicken and Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Beef.
• Check the bag: Honest Kitchen statements vary by recipe and retailer, and some mention large adult dogs rather than large-breed puppies.

How the Leading Dehydrated Dog Food Brands Compare

Ziwi Peak (New Zealand)

Ziwi Air-Dried is the lowest-carb line we measured (3.5% DMB in every recipe), and it is complete for all life stages (except Chicken and Beef, which exclude large-breed puppies). It is also among the most expensive. Ziwi’s Steam & Dried line adds peas, lentils and quinoa, which lifts carbs to 11% to 13% DMB but brings the cost down to about $11.36 to $11.63 per 1,000 kcal. Part of the price reflects New Zealand sourcing: pasture-raised livestock, strict national biosecurity rules (e.g. New Zealand is free of BSE), and import costs.

Jay’s Soft & Moist (Canada)

A soft, 30%-moisture air-dried food made with organs and bone. Beef is the standout at 47.1% protein and 9.3% carbs DMB. The texture suits seniors and picky eaters. Jay’s uses coconut glycerine to keep the food soft, so it is not a whole-food-only recipe.

Smack Pet Food (Canada)

The only Canadian brand in our study without a synthetic vitamin and mineral premix. Smack recipes range from 37.6% to 51.6% protein DMB, and the fish recipes lead on protein, though they are not ranked because they have no AAFCO statement. Prairie Harvest Pork ranks #1 in our study and Very Berry Chicken ties for #2. A strong choice if a whole-food diet is your priority.

The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Woof (New Zealand)

Air-dried meat-and-organ recipes. Woof Beef ties for #2 (11.7% carbs, 50.5% protein DMB), Woof Venison is #8 (10.7% carbs, 43.5% protein DMB) and Woof Chicken ties for #9 (16.0% carbs, 46.2% protein DMB). NZ Natural adds no vitamin and mineral premix; its only added vitamin is vitamin E, used as a preservative.

CaniSource Grand Cru (Canada)

The best value in this study, at about $4 per 1,000 kcal in the 10 kg bag. Its grain-free recipes use legumes, and the Surf & Turf and Red Meat recipes use rice, oats and barley, so carbs are high (38% to 45% DMB). Pork & Lamb has the most protein in the line. A good option for large dogs and multi-dog homes on a budget.

The Honest Kitchen (USA)

Human-grade, cooked-then-dehydrated foods that rehydrate into a soft, warm meal. They are easy to eat and easy to hide medication in. Protein ranges from 26% to 36% DMB, and carbs are among the highest in this study (29.8% to 49.6% DMB). The Honest Kitchen’s own published carb figures run higher still. Grain-Free Turkey offers the best balance in the line at $7.65 per 1,000 kcal. Their base mixes (Fruit & Veggie, Veggie Nut & Seed, Whole Grain Veggie & Fruit) are not complete meals. You add your own meat.

RAWZ Just for My Small Dog (USA)

Small-kibble-sized air-dried pieces with goat’s milk and green mussel, made for small mouths. RAWZ is synthetic-free, with no vitamin and mineral premix. Carbs are 25% to 33% DMB from sweet potato, and the 453 g bag makes it one of the most expensive foods here per calorie.

Dehydrated Dog Food FAQs

Do vets recommend dehydrated dog food?

Many veterinarians are comfortable with any food that is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage and made by a company with good quality control. Dehydrated food meets that bar when the label carries an AAFCO (or equivalent) statement. If your dog has a medical condition, such as kidney disease or pancreatitis, talk to your vet before switching. Fat and protein levels vary widely between these foods.

Is dehydrated dog food better than kibble?

It can be. Dehydrated food is processed at lower temperatures than extruded kibble, and the best recipes here contain far less starch than most kibble. Our kibble study uses a guideline of under 35% carbs DMB, and Ziwi Air-Dried is 3.5%. But some dehydrated foods carry as much starch as a good kibble. Compare on a dry matter basis, and see our kibble rankings.

Is dehydrated dog food the same as freeze-dried?

No. Dehydrated and air-dried foods use gentle heat and moving air to remove the moisture. Freeze-dried food is frozen and then dried under vacuum without cooking, so it stays raw unless ingredients were cooked first. Freeze-dried food usually costs more.

Can I feed dehydrated dog food without adding water?

It depends on the food. Air-dried foods like Ziwi Peak and NZ Natural are designed to be fed as is but we suggest with water. Powder or flake foods like The Honest Kitchen are meant to be rehydrated, and you should follow the instructions. Either way, make sure fresh water is always available.

What’s the best dehydrated dog food in Canada?

Based on our nutritional and ingredient comparisons, Smack is our pick for the best dehydrated dog food overall in Canada, led by Prairie Harvest Pork (51.1% protein, 15.3% carbs DMB), with Very Berry Chicken tied for second alongside NZ Natural Woof Beef. Ziwi Peak Air-Dried has the lowest carbs we measured (3.5% DMB) with up to 51.2% protein DMB but adds a premix and is among the most expensive foods in our study. Jay’s Soft & Moist is the best soft-texture option made in Canada, and CaniSource Grand Cru is the best value.

Where to Buy Dehydrated Dog Food in Vancouver

You can shop every food in this study in Moonlight Natural Pet Store’s dehydrated dog food selection. You can also visit us in Vancouver for local delivery, samples, or help choosing a food for your dog. If you’re weighing other formats, see our best raw dog food brands in Canada, best gently cooked dog food in Canada and best dog kibble studies.

This guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian, especially if your dog has a health condition.

References

1. Cecere, Bruno G. O., et al. “Dehydrated Natural Feed for Dogs: Influence on Digestibility, Immunity, and Antioxidant Response.” Comparative Clinical Pathology, vol. 34, no. 2, 2025, pp. 269–80, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-025-03639-0