Air-dried dog food hit the marketplace in the early 2000s. Since then, more pet parents have preferred a more natural, less-processed food for their dogs. It’s no surprise that of all the products pet parents spend money on, pet food tops the list. Air-dried dog food represents a significant portion of overall spending on pets.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet parents in the United States spent $67.3 billion on pet food in 2023. The trend toward high-quality, natural, and specialty diets like air-dried food for dogs contributes to this growth in spending.

So, how do you know if air-dried food is right for your dog? In this article, we’ll tell you how air-dried food is made, why all brands aren’t created equal, and what to look for when purchasing air-dried food for your dogs. 

The best way to explain air-dried dog food is to tell you what it isn’t. Unlike traditional kibble, which became popular after World War II, air-dried food isn’t:

• Heated at a very high temperature
• Sprayed with ‘something’ to make it more sensory receptive to dogs
• Extruded like cereal bits 

Air-dried dog food is:

• Gently dried at low temperatures
• Lightweight and shelf-stable
• Has the moisture removed while retaining nutritional content
• Naturally appealing to a dog’s sense of smell and taste

However, not all air-dried dog foods are the same. Just as some soups claim to taste ‘just like Grandma’s homemade,’ they often fall short. The same holds for the best air-dried dog food.

Dogs deserve the same high-quality, fresh ingredients people enjoy. This is the basic tenet and the root of all we do at Elevate Pet Provisions. Premium dog food should be affordable and easy to feed. 

Our food requires:

• No refrigeration
• No prep (unless you choose to add water)
• No hassle 
• No wondering what the ingredients are

Elevate Pet Provisions uses 100 percent US ingredients, starting with real protein. We work with small farms and ranchers instead of big commercial farming or ranching practices. We know our ingredients and feel 100 percent confident feeding them to our dogs and yours.

We are transparent in sharing that our air-dried nutritional profile is 93 percent intact. This means your dog gets pure energy from our 100 percent human-grade formula. 

• Easy to digest 
• Stable 
• Veterinarian-approved 
• Made with 8-9 ingredients 
• Shelf stable
• Locks in flavor and nutrients

Compared to frozen or raw food, Elevate Pet Provisions is more cost-efficient, less of a hassle, and more convenient.

Willy Wonka had secrets, but at Elevate Pet Provisions, we know pet parents value transparency. Here’s how our air-dried dog food is made:

1. Own the Production Facility and Supply Chain: We own a state-of-the-art USDA-certified facility in Lincoln, Montana.
2. Cultivate Relationships: We work with 100 percent U.S. small farms and ranchers.
3. Make Magic: Using the beef and organ meat, the mixture is placed onto sheet trays and loaded into drying chambers at our USDA-certified facility. 
4. Wait for the Goodness:  Protein is dried at controlled temperatures and humidity levels.  
5. The Best Ingredients: We combine human-grade, grass-fed finished beef and beef organs with organic produce. 
6. Product Packaging: The tasty product is packaged in food-grade pouches and sealed to prevent contamination and maintain freshness.

Famed poet Maya Angelou once wrote, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”

We know that the right dog food helps dogs live their best life. Proper nutrition is important for your dog’s health and overall well-being. Here’s a series of questions to answer to determine if air-dried food is right for your dog:

When selecting air-dried dog food, your first step should be to read the ingredients list and find out where the ingredients are sourced. Avoid products that list meat meal or animal by-products. 

Things like “100 percent free-range chicken” or “human-grade beef from local farms” are indicators of trustworthy proteins. Ensure the products are sourced and manufactured in the United States. Is the protein secured from local farms using high standards of animal husbandry? What about sustainable farming practices?

Are healthy fats like cod liver oil included? Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which offer many health benefits. These include anti-inflammatory effects, skin and coat health, and cognitive function. 

Caloric density is important when buying air-dried dog food because it is nutrient-dense. You’ll likely be feeding less and much differently than you do kibble.

Find a brand that offers a sensitive stomach formula if your dog has a sensitive tummy. Air-dried tends to last longer, as this premium dog food has higher quality ingredients. 

What protein profiles are available? If your dog doesn’t like fish, you won’t want to purchase air-dried food with a fish profile. Consider beef or chicken.

What do pet parent reviews say? A dog food review can be very helpful. Check out what people say on Amazon, the company’s website, and social media.