10.28.2025

Choosing the right food for your dog can feel overwhelming. From freeze-dried raw blends to crunchy kibble to air-dried jerky-style meals, pet parents have more options than ever. But which one is actually best for your dog’s health, happiness, and mealtime excitement? 🤔

In this guide, we’re breaking down the real differences between the three most popular food formats: air-dried, freeze-dried, and kibble. Plus, we’ll show you why The Good List from Farmland Traditions is a standout choice for dogs who deserve better.

What Is Air-Dried Dog Food?

Air-dried food is gently dehydrated at low temperatures over an extended period. This slow, controlled process removes moisture while locking in nutrients, taste, and natural aroma – without the need for high heat, artificial preservatives, or additives.

✨ Pros:

• • Gently dried at low temperatures to preserve nutrients and flavor
  • High percentage of whole, raw ingredients (such as protein, fruits, and vegetables)
  • Scoop-and-serve convenience, no prep or rehydration needed

✨ Cons:

• • Higher cost compared to traditional kibble
  • Lower moisture content than fresh or wet food
  • Nutrient-dense, requires careful portion control

What Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?

Freeze-dried food is frozen and placed in a vacuum chamber, where moisture is evaporated without passing through the liquid state. This preserves the nutritional profile but results in a light, crumbly texture that typically requires rehydration before feeding.

✨ Pros:

• • Retains high nutrients and flavor
  • Raw-style feeding with easy storage
  • Long shelf life (before rehydration) due to the freeze drying process 

✨ Cons:

• • Must be rehydrated with water, broth, or kefir and is often crumbly or messy before rehydration
  • Extremely lower moisture content than fresh or wet food
  • Higher cost compared to traditional kibble

What Is Kibble?

Kibble is the most widely available format but also the most processed. It’s made using a high-heat extrusion process that cooks ingredients quickly to form uniform dry pellets. While convenient and budget-friendly, the tradeoff is often reduced nutritional integrity and added fillers.

✨ Pros:

• • Affordable and easy to store
  • Widely available

✨ Cons:

• • Lower meat content, more fillers
  • Often contains grains, by-products, and artificial preservatives
  • High-heat processing can destroy nutrients
  • Not ideal for picky eaters or sensitive dogs

💙 Why Farmland Traditions Is a Standout Choice

Farmland Traditions offers clean, limited-ingredient air-dried dog food and treats you can feel great about. All of our dog food and treats are air-dried for 9 to 12 hours to keep the nutrients closer to its natural state while creating that irresistible chewy texture dogs crave.

Try Our Best-Sellers:

• The Good List Air-Dried Food – 90% protein + 10% superfoods + bone broth
• Dogs Love Jerky – Soft, savory jerky patties with 95% real meat
• Tiny Loves – Only 2 calories each, made with real bone broth and perfect for training or treating

All Farmland Traditions Products Are:

• Made in the USA 🇺🇸
• Grain-free, corn-free, soy-free
• Free from artificial preservatives or additives
• Sourced and crafted with care

Our Top Pick For Air-Dried Dog Food 👉 The Good List

• 90% premium animal protein (beef, chicken, lamb, venison, salmon)
• 10% superfoods like pumpkin, sweet potato, kale, blueberries
• Real meat + bone broth for digestion
• Great for picky eaters, senior dogs, and sensitive stomachs
• Versatile: serve it as a meal, topper, mix-in, treat, or trainer
• Naturally soft, jerky-like texture dogs go wild for 🐶
• Small morsels easily served on-the-go
• No fillers, grains, glycerin, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or junk
• No refrigeration required
• Supports digestion, healthy skin & coat, and immune health
• Made in the USA in our family-owned Southern California kitchen

😋 Ready to Upgrade Mealtime?

Skip the kibble. Skip the freezer. Choose a premium, gently air-dried option your dog will love at first bite.

➡️ Shop The Good List on Amazon
➡️ Explore More Farmland Traditions Treats

Your pup deserves food as loyal as they are. 💕