Dogs eat whatever we put in their bowl—whether it’s fresh, recognizable food or the canine equivalent of fast junk food. Thirty years ago, owners typically chose between just two options: kibble or canned food. Today, the pet food market has exploded with fresh, raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, dehydrated, and specialized diets, leaving many people overwhelmed and unsure of what’s best. One useful way to evaluate a dog food is by looking at its level of processing. While ingredient quality, sourcing, and overall formulation matter just as much, less processed foods generally retain more natural nutrients, enzymes, and healthy fats that support digestion, energy, immune function, and overall well-being. To help owners make the best choice for their pets, here’s a simple guide that ranks dog food types from most processed to least processed.

ULTRA-PROCESSED

Extruded Kibble – Ingredients are mixed into a dough, forced through an extruder where it is cooked under very high heat and pressure, dried, then coated with fats and flavors.
Pros: Convenient, inexpensive, long shelf life.
Cons: Many nutrients are destroyed, synthetic vitamins and minerals must be added, often uses lower quality ingredients.
Brands we recommend: We do not recommend any ultra-processed kibble.

Canned – Ingredients are cooked at high heat under pressure to sterilize them, then sealed in airtight cans.
Pros: Very long shelf life, higher moisture content, many dogs enjoy the texture and taste.
Cons: Often includes many additives and gums; some nutrients are lost in processing.
Recommended brand: Nature’s Logic is the only brand that does not contain synthetic vitamins or minerals and no carrageenan or gums.

MODERATELY PROCESSED

Oven-Baked Kibble – High-quality ingredients are mixed and cooked at lower temperatures than extruded kibble.
Pros: Convenient, shelf stable, retains more nutrition (including live enzymes and probiotics) from whole food ingredients.
Cons: Typically contains a higher percentage of carbohydrates.
Brands we recommend: Nature’s Logic and Carna4 are the only brands that do not contain synthetic vitamins or minerals.

Hybrid Dry (Cold-Pressed + Slow-Roast + Dehydrated) – Whole food ingredients are cold pressed into pieces, roasted at low heat, then dehydrated to remove moisture.
Pros: Shelf stable, human grade, retains most nutrients from whole food ingredients.
Cons: Some synthetic vitamins and minerals are added.
Brands we recommend: Honest Kitchen Clusters.

Dehydrated – Moisture from whole-food ingredients is slowly removed by low heat.
Pros: Shelf stable, easier to digest and absorb nutrients, base mixes allow you to add your own protein.
Cons: Must be rehydrated before feeding.
Brands we recommend: Honest Kitchen, Dr. Harvey’s.

Air-Dried – Moisture is removed from whole food ingredients using warm air over several hours at lower temperatures than typical dehydrated food.
Pros: Shelf stable, higher retention of heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals, jerky-like texture many dogs love.
Cons: More expensive than many other dry options.
Brands we recommend: ZIWI, The Real Meat Company, Open Farm.

Hybrid Kibble + Freeze-Dried Raw – Kibble base combined with freeze-dried raw pieces or a raw coating.
Pros: Shelf stable, offers some nutritional benefits of raw while being more affordable.
Cons: The kibble portion is still processed.
Recommended brands: Open Farm Raw Mix.

MINIMALLY PROCESSED

Gently Cooked – Low-temperature cooking (typically sous vide or light steam) to preserve nutrients, then frozen.
Pros: Easier to digest, high moisture, retains more nutrients from raw ingredients.
Cons: Requires freezer space, usually the most expensive; many brands still use fillers, lower quality ingredients, and synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Recommended brands: Open Farm, Raised Right, SmallBatch.

Freeze-Dried Raw – Raw ingredients are frozen, then moisture is removed under vacuum (freeze-drying).
Pros: Very close to raw nutrition with natural nutrients intact; lightweight; long shelf life; often more digestible than raw for many dogs.
Cons: Higher price point than many other formats.
Recommended brands: Steve’s Real Food, SmallBatch, Raw Dynamic, Green JuJu, Vital Essentials, The Simple Food Project.

LEAST PROCESSED

Raw Frozen – Raw meat or fish, organs, bones, and other whole food ingredients are ground, blended, and frozen into patties, nuggets, or pellets.
Pros: Nutrients remain intact and unchanged by heat; closest to a dog’s natural ancestral diet while still maintaining safety and balance.
Cons: Requires freezer space.
Recommended brands: Steve's, SmallBatch, Raw Dynamic, Green JuJu, Oma's Pride.

If your dog’s meals come exclusively from the most processed end of the spectrum, even shifting one step toward less processing can support better health and long-term wellness.