In today’s health-conscious world, more pet owners are seeking natural, minimally processed food options for their furry friends too. Enter cold pressed dog food; a relatively new category of pet nutrition designed to maximize nutritional integrity. But what exactly is cold pressing and is this feeding solution right for your pup? Let’s take a closer look.
The Concept of Cold Pressing
The people at Nextrition explain that cold pressed dog foods are made using a unique manufacturing process that avoids high heat exposure. Instead of baking or extruding at high temperatures like most conventional kibbles, the ingredients are:
- Gently air-dried to remove moisture.
- Cold pressed into dense biscuit-like pieces.
- Broken into smaller bite-sized pieces.
This cold process is designed to preserve more of the natural nutrients found in the raw ingredients before they get degraded by intense heating.
Potential Benefits
By keeping processing temperatures below 120°F, proponents of cold pressed dog food claim the gentle cold pressing method provides several benefits over standard extruded kibble, including:
Enhanced Nutrient Retention
Cold pressing may help retain higher levels of heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamins, antioxidants and omega fatty acids that are often diminished or destroyed during high-heat extrusion.
Improved Digestibility
Some experts believe the minimal processing of cold pressed foods increases the bioavailability and digestibility of proteins and other nutrients for maximum absorption.
No Synthetic Additives
Most quality cold pressed dog food contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or synthetic supplements. Simple, whole-food ingredients provide nutrition instead.
Increased Shelf Life
Another advantage of cold pressed dog foods is their extended shelf life compared to many conventional kibbles. Since the ingredients are dehydrated and compacted under pressure instead of heat-extruded, they don’t require as many preservatives to prevent spoilage. The minimal processing helps the food retain its freshness for longer periods when properly stored in sealed packaging. This shelf stability makes cold pressed options convenient for stocking up and suitable for camping trips or travel where refrigeration isn’t available.
Is It Healthier?
Proponents of cold pressed dog food contend that besides preserving more natural nutrients, the cold pressing process creates a superior texture more akin to a dog’s diet in the wild. The firm, baked texture is closer to gnawing on a fresh kill versus ultra-processed kibble.
Critics counter that while some heat-sensitive nutrients are diminished during the extruding process for kibble, they are added back in afterwards via synthetic vitamin premixes. So the final nutrient levels even out.
Making the Choice
So how do you decide if cold pressed dog food is right for your canine companion? Here are some factors to consider:
Your Dog’s Health
For dogs with chronic conditions related to inflammation, allergies or issues metabolizing nutrients efficiently, a minimally processed cold pressed option may be beneficial and worth exploring.
Quality Ingredients
Regardless of whether it’s cold pressed, extruded or baked, always scrutinize the ingredient quality. The best cold pressed dog food prioritizes whole, single-source protein and carb ingredients.
Age/Breed/Lifestyle
Puppies, pregnant/nursing dogs, active sporting breeds and senior dogs may benefit more from the added nutrient availability in cold pressed foods versus couch potatoes.
Dental Benefits
On the plus side, the firm, crunchy texture of cold pressed dog foods may provide superior dental benefits through natural abrasion compared to soft processed kibble.
Transition Patience
If switching from kibble, remember to introduce new cold pressed foods very gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset as your pup acclimates.
Conclusion
The choice ultimately comes down to your individual pet’s specific needs, your personal preferences, and what works best for your budget and lifestyle. For some dogs, the advantages of cold pressed foods make it a worthwhile investment in natural nutrition.