Are you interested in cold-pressed dog food? We’ve carefully examined the best brands and present our top recommendation to you. Additionally, we’ve compiled an XXL guide on the topic of cold-pressed dog food.
Our Top Picks
[table id=13 cache_table_output=false /]
How we test 🐶
We’ve consulted with veterinarians and experts in dog food to inquire about the key points to consider in good cold-pressed dog food.
Subsequently, we began inspecting the individual varieties, immediately eliminating products with poor compositions, ingredients, or insufficient components.
Then, we examined the composition closely. Not only was the meat content essential to us, but also its quality. Additionally, we paid attention to additives such as vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates. We also scrutinized the labeling and identified the best cold-pressed dog food varieties.
After comparing all the essential points, three types of dog food remained. We purchased them and subjected them to even closer scrutiny in practical tests.
Who is this test for?
This test is suitable for all dog owners who want to provide their dog with excellent food. We’ve thoroughly surveyed the market and focused on the cold-pressed varieties of food.
The selection of cold-pressed food brands isn’t as vast, and that’s precisely why we conducted this test for you.
How we selected
There are countless varieties of dog food on the market nowadays, making it challenging to keep track. Especially for newcomers as dog owners, who are unfamiliar with the various types of food, assistance is needed.
With this test, we’ve provided support for all dog owners who are looking for excellent cold-pressed dog food.
What does cold-pressed mean?
Dog food can be manufactured using various methods. Cold-pressed dog food is produced using a method called cold pressing. In this process, additional heat is completely avoided.
Before dog food can be made and cold-pressed, all ingredients must be freed from moisture. This process takes some time because only when dried can they be further processed. After all the ingredients are dried, the next step occurs.
The ingredients are ground, then placed in a large drum. Now, the cold-pressing process can begin. Due to the high pressure generated by rotating the drum, the ingredients are pressed into the drum wall. A roller is required for this process, which builds up high pressure as the drum moves.
No additional heat is used during this process. With this method, the ingredients are compacted so that they stick together. The typical pellets, known from cold-pressed dog food, are formed from the sticky mass.
Important Advantages
Cold-pressed dog food is produced without the addition of heat. Although some warmth is generated during the cold-pressing process, no additional heat is applied.
Thus, the manufacturing process is much gentler compared to normal dog food, where the raw materials are partially destroyed by the heat. With the cold-pressing process, the dog food remains close to nature. All essential vitamins and nutrients are partially preserved and are directly given to the dog through feeding.
With normal food, you have to provide vitamins in supplement form, which is usually unnecessary with cold-pressed dog food.
Alternatives to this method:
In addition to the cold pressing method, there are also dog foods that are manufactured using the extrusion process. This method is also considered particularly gentle and is now used in many food sectors. This preserves flavors and nutrients.
During extrusion, steam is used. This results in much higher temperatures during the production of the food compared to the cold pressing method. A fundamental requirement for the ingredients of this process is that they must be easily digestible.
The individual ingredients are moved and kneaded in a tube. They must form a solid dough, which is then pressed through a nozzle at 248°F (120°C). This requires very high pressure.
After the food leaves the nozzle, the final step follows. Now the dog food only needs to be processed by hot air drying. The food is ready for packaging.
What ingredients should be included?
Just like with all other types of dog food, the individual ingredients play the most important role. Dogs need a protein-rich diet.
Thus, the dog should not only be provided with fresh meat, but also with offal, which contains a lot of muscle meat, which is good for the dog’s muscles.
Dogs with intolerances can also rely on fish as a source of protein. However, all types of food should avoid grains and artificial additives.
Vegetables, fruits, and healthy oils are important to provide the dog with all the essential nutrients. These ingredients should definitely be included in cold-pressed dog food.
The differences
Regular dog food usually contains only small amounts of meat. The rest is filled with grains. Grains are a cheap filler that many manufacturers use in dog food.
Mostly, by-products are also included in dog food, which can consist of claws, skin, and hair. These ingredients are not suitable for the healthy nutrition of a dog. They only ensure that the dog food can be offered at a low price.
Regular dog food is predominantly heat-treated. This results in a large portion of the vitamins being lost. In the cold pressing process, heat is avoided, thus preserving vitamins and nutrients to a large extent. In addition, heat treatment ensures that the meat remains chewy.
In the cold pressing process, temperatures of up to 122°F (50°C) are mostly reached. In regular dog food, temperatures of up to 392°F (200°C) are used during heat treatment.
Differences compared to “BARFING”
“BARFING” is also a good way to provide the dog with the right food.
However, “BARFING” has the problem of shelf life. The dog food should only be stored for a few days.
Furthermore, “BARFING” can also lead to deficiencies if some nutrients are neglected. This cannot happen with cold-pressed dog food.
What else should you pay attention to?
As with all other types of food, you should ensure that there is always an adequate supply of fresh drinking water available.
If your dog does not take in sufficient fluids independently, cold-pressed dog food can be easily enriched with water. Please note that with cold-pressed dry food, the food does not swell like with other dry foods. Instead, it tends to break down into a mush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cold-pressed dog food?
In the list above, we have selected the currently best recommendations. This list is constantly updated. Here you can find grain-free varieties as well as hypoallergenic food for allergy sufferers or sensitive dogs.
What are the advantages of cold-pressed dog food?
Cold-pressed dog food is produced without the addition of heat. Thus, the manufacturing process is much gentler than with normal dog food. With the cold-pressing process, the dog food remains close to nature.
How do I store cold-pressed dog food?
You can store cold-pressed dry food in the same way as other types of dry food.
What should you look for in cold-pressed dog food?
Just like with other types of food, you should first pay attention to high-quality ingredients. Additionally, gentle food processing is very important.
Who is this test for?
This test is suitable for all dog owners who want to provide their dog with excellent food. We have thoroughly surveyed the market and focused on cold-pressed varieties of food.
