What is Cold-Pressed Dog Food?
Cold-Pressed Dry Dog Food is made using a gentler, low-temperature cooking process to preserve the natural nutrients of the ingredients that are used. Unlike traditional extruded kibble, which is processed at high temperatures (around 140°C) to steam and bind the ingredients, cold-pressed dog food is prepared at a lower temperature (between 40-65°C). This preserves the essential vitamins, minerals, and natural flavours, resulting in a more digestible and nutritious meal for dogs.
Here at Sabre Pet Food, we stock natural, high-quality, grain-free cold-pressed dog food from multiple brands such as Alpha Spirit, DARF, Primal Spirit, and YDOLO.
Benefits of Cold-Pressed Dog Food
· Better Digestion: Unlike extruded kibble, which expands in a dog’s stomach, cold-pressed food breaks down naturally, reducing bloating and digestive discomfort
· Higher Nutritional Value: The lower cooking temperatures preserve essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that end up becoming destroyed in high-heat processing
· Improved Taste and Aroma: Since fewer artificial additives are used, the natural flavours of the ingredients remain intact, making the food more appealing to dogs
· Enhanced Coat and Skin Health: Cold-pressed food maintains natural fats and oils, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support a shiny coat and healthy skin
· Suitable for All Life Stages: The softer texture makes it a great choice for puppies, senior dogs, and those with dental issues
· Fewer artificial additives: Cold-pressed food retains nutrients naturally
Cold-Pressed Dog Food vs. Extruded Kibble
When comparing the two, several key distinctions stand out:
· Processing Temperature and Nutrients Retention: Extruded kibble is cooked at a high temperature (above 120 degrees) which depletes natural nutrients and requires synthetic fortification. However, cold-pressed food is processed at a lower temperature
(around 50-60 degrees), preserving more of the natural goodness
· Digestibility and Gut Health: Extruded Kibble expands in the stomach, potentially causing bloating and discomfort whereas cold-pressed food breaks down naturally, making digestion easier, particularly for dogs with sensitive stomachs
· Ingredients and Fillers: Extruded Kibble often contains fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, which may contribute to allergies and inflammation. Cold-pressed food focuses on high-quality protein, vegetables, and natural oils with minimal artificial additives
· Retention of Essential Fats and Oils: Extruded Kibble uses high heat which degrades healthy fats, requiring synthetic supplementation. Cold-pressed food preserves natural fats, supporting skin, coat, and joint health
· Taste and Palatability: Extruded Kibble often lacks natural aromas and tastes of fresh ingredients but cold-pressed food retains natural flavours, making it more enticing to picky eaters
· Environmental and Ethical Considerations: Extruded Kibble requires more energy and resources due to high-heat processing but cold-pressed food: Uses less energy and often contains sustainable protein sources such as insect protein and grass-fed meat
Why are Pet Owners Making the Switch?
More and more pet owners are switching from extruded kibbled to cold-pressed due to its nutritional qualities, natural formulations, increased health benefits, digestibility, and ingredient compositions.
The key reasons for this include:
- Higher nutrient retention due to lower cooking temperatures
- Easier digestion that reduces bloating and stomach discomfort
- Minimal fillers and artificial additives, leading to better skin, coat health, and energy levels
- Preserved natural fats and oils for joint and brain health
- Greater palatability, making it an excellent choice for fussy eaters
- Environmentally friendly and sustainable ingredients
Conclusion
Cold-pressed dog food offers a closer-to-nature diet while maintaining the convenience of kibble. It provides superior nutrition, better digestion, and an improved eating experience for dogs of all ages. As more pet owners prioritize health-conscious and sustainable feeding options, cold-pressed dog food is becoming an increasingly popular choice.