Freeze-dried dog treats, from our kitchen

Freeze-dried dog treats are treats that have been frozen and then had almost all of their water removed, so they are light, crisp or crumbly, and sit in a bag without a fridge. They are popular for training, travel and anyone who wants a treat that does not need refrigerating. Below is how freeze drying works, how it differs from air drying, and how to serve the treats.

What freeze drying is

In freeze drying, food is frozen solid, then the pressure around it is lowered and a little gentle heat is added. The ice turns straight into vapor without melting first, and the vapor is carried away. According to University of Minnesota Extension, this is the process of sublimation, and it leaves a dry food that keeps its shape.

For a treat, that means the piece looks much like it did before drying and weighs very little. It is not cooked by the process. Whether a freeze-dried treat is raw or cooked depends on whether the maker cooked the ingredient first, so read the label.

Freeze dried or air dried

Air drying removes water with moving air over time instead of freezing. The result is usually denser and chewier. Freeze-dried pieces are lighter and break apart more easily. We use both methods in Modified Monthly, depending on the treat, so a box can have both textures.

Those are general differences, and individual treats vary by maker.

Raw freeze-dried treats need care

Some freeze-dried treats are made from raw ingredients. VCA Animal Hospitals says to be wary of freeze-dried or dehydrated raw treats because they carry a risk of bacterial contamination, which can affect the dog and also other pets and people through saliva and feces (VCA, Dog Treats). The FDA publishes handling guidance for raw pet food too (FDA, raw pet food diets). Wash your hands after handing out treats, and ask your vet before bringing any raw treat into a home with a baby or someone who has been told to avoid raw foods.

How to serve them

• Break them small. A fingernail-sized piece is enough for most rewards.
• Count them. VCA's general rule is that treats are no more than about 10 percent of daily calories, with the rest from complete and balanced food. Freeze-dried pieces are light, so a pile is more food than its weight suggests. Your vet can set the target.
• Supervise. Have fresh water available, and pick a piece size that suits your dog's size and chewing habits.
• Try new ones in a small piece first, one at a time.

Storage

Check the label of the bag you have for storage and use-by directions. As a general habit, keep the bag sealed between uses in a cool, dry place, because dry treats can soften if left open. Treat contents in Modified Monthly change each month, so follow the directions printed on each bag.

For training and the car

Freeze-dried pieces do not leak and do not need ice, so they ride well in a jacket pocket or the glove box, and they break small for training. That is why our co-pilots get them in the car, at the trailhead and at the vet parking lot. Keep treats out of the sun and away from heat.

Where the box fits

Modified Monthly is a monthly box of our own treats, mostly single ingredient, freeze dried or air dried, with a new theme and lineup each month. Some treats have a non-meat base such as Greek yogurt or cheddar. You name the proteins your dog loves and the ones to skip. Read more about single ingredient dog treats, see the dog box, or see how it works. To buy one treat at a time, shop all our treats.