I N C E P T I O N A I

Top 7 Raw, Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Dog Foods in Canada for 2025 — Expert-Reviewed High-Protein Options That Preserve Nutrients and Prioritize Safety

This category covers raw, freeze-dried and dehydrated dog foods: high-protein formats designed to preserve nutrients and mimic ancestral diets while offering modern convenience. Canadian consumers are increasingly drawn to these formats for their nutrient density, perceived digestibility and the ability to provide minimally processed protein sources without the daily hassle of preparing fresh raw meals. Rising interest centers on convenient, shelf-stable versions of raw feeding, clear food-safety assurances from manufacturers, and novel proteins that address allergies and sustainability concerns. Retail and online availability across Canada, plus clear labeling and third-party testing, are major purchase drivers for pet owners seeking both performance and peace of mind.

1
BEST FREEZE DRIED COMPLETE MEALS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Surf & Turf

Open Farm
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm's Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Surf & Turf distinguishes itself in the freeze-dried complete meals category through farm-to-bowl traceability and an ethical sourcing focus, combining beef with sustainable seafood to boost omega-3 content and dietary variety. Positioned at a premium price point similar to Stella & Chewy's, Open Farm's transparency and sustainability credentials are its technical and ethical differentiators for buyers prioritizing provenance and environmental impact over lowest cost.

4.5
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  • Dual-protein delight

  • Ethical sourcing pride

  • Dual-protein delight

  • Ethical sourcing pride

Review Summary

88%

"Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Surf & Turf is lauded for ethical sourcing, diverse protein blend, and good acceptance by picky dogs; a minority of customers cite higher cost and occasional availability or shipping issues."

  • Ocean-meets-meadow zing

  • Blend of responsibly sourced land and ocean proteins for varied nutrition.

  • Ocean-meets-meadow zing

  • Blend of responsibly sourced land and ocean proteins for varied nutrition.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Increased Safety & Security

Open Farm's Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Surf & Turf distinguishes itself in the freeze-dried complete meals category through farm-to-bowl traceability and an ethical sourcing focus, combining beef with sustainable seafood to boost omega-3 content and dietary variety. Positioned at a premium price point similar to Stella & Chewy's, Open Farm's transparency and sustainability credentials are its technical and ethical differentiators for buyers prioritizing provenance and environmental impact over lowest cost.

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$40-140 CAD

2
BEST DEHYDRATED COMPLETE MEALS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw

Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw ranks among the leaders for traceability and ethical sourcing, using humanely raised chicken and transparent supply chains to justify its premium positioning in the dehydrated/freeze-dried category. Compared to the others, Open Farm emphasizes provenance and sustainability as a technical advantage that resonates with conscious buyers, and while its price sits at the higher end, the brand’s farm-to-bowl transparency can represent tangible value for owners who prioritize sourcing over marginal cost savings.

4.6
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  • Ethically sourced

  • Freeze-dried fresh

  • Ethically sourced

  • Freeze-dried fresh

Review Summary

92%

"Customers generally praise Open Farm for ingredient transparency and dogs' enthusiasm for the freeze-dried raw chicken, with many noting improved digestion and coat. Main negatives are the premium price and occasional shipping or packaging issues."

  • Farm-to-bowl charm

  • Freeze-dried chicken recipe that locks in nutrients and flavor.

  • Farm-to-bowl charm

  • Freeze-dried chicken recipe that locks in nutrients and flavor.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Open Farm Harvest Chicken Freeze Dried Raw ranks among the leaders for traceability and ethical sourcing, using humanely raised chicken and transparent supply chains to justify its premium positioning in the dehydrated/freeze-dried category. Compared to the others, Open Farm emphasizes provenance and sustainability as a technical advantage that resonates with conscious buyers, and while its price sits at the higher end, the brand’s farm-to-bowl transparency can represent tangible value for owners who prioritize sourcing over marginal cost savings.

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$90-160 CAD

3
BEST RAW FROZEN MINCED AND PATTIES FOR DOGS

Tollden Farms Raw Beef & Vegetable Patties

Tollden Farms
🏠 Local Product

Tollden Farms Raw Beef & Vegetable Patties stand out for their farm-to-freezer traceability and inclusion of blended vegetables, giving a middle ground between pure meat mince and complete dinners by adding natural fiber and micronutrient variety. Compared with the pure-meat and premium mixed dinners on this list, Tollden’s technical advantage is its pre-mixed vegetable inclusion that can improve stool quality and digestive tolerance, though that convenience can carry a modest price premium.

4.4
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  • Beef + veg mix

  • Fiber-rich formula

  • Beef + veg mix

  • Fiber-rich formula

Review Summary

87%

"Commonly praised for good beef taste with added vegetables and solid value for patties; many report their dogs eat it enthusiastically. Some buyers report occasional issues with freezer-burn or shipping delays."

  • Garden-fresh tang

  • Beef blended with dog-safe vegetables to add fibre and micronutrients.

  • Garden-fresh tang

  • Beef blended with dog-safe vegetables to add fibre and micronutrients.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Tollden Farms Raw Beef & Vegetable Patties stand out for their farm-to-freezer traceability and inclusion of blended vegetables, giving a middle ground between pure meat mince and complete dinners by adding natural fiber and micronutrient variety. Compared with the pure-meat and premium mixed dinners on this list, Tollden’s technical advantage is its pre-mixed vegetable inclusion that can improve stool quality and digestive tolerance, though that convenience can carry a modest price premium.

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$45-90 CAD

4
BEST FREEZE DRIED TOPPERS AND MIXERS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm's Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers emphasize ethically sourced ingredients and traceable supply chains, pairing premium proteins with transparency that appeals to buyers focused on provenance and animal welfare. They command premium pricing but offer advantages like human-grade ingredient standards and verifiable sourcing compared with mainstream brands, positioning them for owners willing to pay more for sustainability and traceability. While more expensive than Instinct or PureBites, Open Farm competes by prioritizing ingredient origin and responsible sourcing over being the lowest-cost option.

4.3
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  • Transparent sourcing

  • Whole-muscle bite

  • Transparent sourcing

  • Whole-muscle bite

Review Summary

83%

"Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers get strong marks for ethical sourcing and transparency, with many owners reporting enthusiastic eating, but several buyers cite the high cost and occasional packaging or texture complaints. Overall it’s seen as a high-quality, boutique topper for picky or raw-fed dogs."

  • Guilt-free crunch

  • Traceable, humanely raised single-source proteins for transparency.

  • Guilt-free crunch

  • Traceable, humanely raised single-source proteins for transparency.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Open Farm's Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers emphasize ethically sourced ingredients and traceable supply chains, pairing premium proteins with transparency that appeals to buyers focused on provenance and animal welfare. They command premium pricing but offer advantages like human-grade ingredient standards and verifiable sourcing compared with mainstream brands, positioning them for owners willing to pay more for sustainability and traceability. While more expensive than Instinct or PureBites, Open Farm competes by prioritizing ingredient origin and responsible sourcing over being the lowest-cost option.

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$20-60 CAD

5
BEST DEHYDRATED TOPPERS AND MIXERS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey

Open Farm Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw turkey is positioned as a traceable, ethically sourced topper engineered for picky dogs and those needing novel proteins; its premium sourcing and raw freeze-dry process command a higher retail price but deliver superior transparency and digestibility compared with commodity proteins. For households managing allergies or rotating proteins, it provides a technical advantage over common beef and chicken options on this list.

4.5
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  • Ethically sourced

  • Farm-to-bowl brag

  • Ethically sourced

  • Farm-to-bowl brag

Review Summary

87%

"Shoppers praise the ethically sourced, high-quality turkey that dogs enjoy as a topper or mixer, though many call out the high cost and occasional reseal/freshness issues with the packaging."

  • Raw nutrition boost

  • Single-ingredient freeze-dried raw turkey that preserves raw nutrition.

  • Raw nutrition boost

  • Single-ingredient freeze-dried raw turkey that preserves raw nutrition.

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw turkey is positioned as a traceable, ethically sourced topper engineered for picky dogs and those needing novel proteins; its premium sourcing and raw freeze-dry process command a higher retail price but deliver superior transparency and digestibility compared with commodity proteins. For households managing allergies or rotating proteins, it provides a technical advantage over common beef and chicken options on this list.

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$20-40 CAD

6
BEST FREEZE DRIED AND DEHYDRATED TREATS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Turkey Treats

Open Farm
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Turkey Treats are a market leader for buyers prioritizing transparent sourcing and higher-welfare protein, pairing freeze-dried nutrient retention with traceable ingredient provenance that justifies a premium price. Compared to simpler single-ingredient or dehydrated liver products here, Open Farm commands a technical and ethical advantage—its farming transparency and supply-chain certifications appeal to eco- and health-conscious pet owners, though at a higher per-treat cost. For the targeted use case of freeze-dried and dehydrated dog treats, Open Farm is the premium choice when ethical sourcing and raw nutrition are top priorities.

4.7
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  • Human-grade turkey

  • Raw nutrition intact

  • Human-grade turkey

  • Raw nutrition intact

Review Summary

90%

"Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Turkey Treats receive frequent praise from repeat buyers for high-quality sourcing, transparency, and dogs' strong preference, though some mention the treats can be pricey and brittle. Overall long-term reviewers report excellent ingredient quality and reliable acceptance by picky dogs."

  • Farm-fresh fiesta

  • Made from ethically raised turkey and freeze-dried to lock in raw nutrition.

  • Farm-fresh fiesta

  • Made from ethically raised turkey and freeze-dried to lock in raw nutrition.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Turkey Treats are a market leader for buyers prioritizing transparent sourcing and higher-welfare protein, pairing freeze-dried nutrient retention with traceable ingredient provenance that justifies a premium price. Compared to simpler single-ingredient or dehydrated liver products here, Open Farm commands a technical and ethical advantage—its farming transparency and supply-chain certifications appeal to eco- and health-conscious pet owners, though at a higher per-treat cost. For the targeted use case of freeze-dried and dehydrated dog treats, Open Farm is the premium choice when ethical sourcing and raw nutrition are top priorities.

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$18-35 CAD

7
BEST FREEZE DRIED AND DEHYDRATED NOVEL PROTEIN FORMULAS FOR DOGS

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Venison Recipe

Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Venison Recipe
🏠 Local Product

Open Farm's freeze-dried venison stands out for its transparent, ethically sourced venison and clean ingredient profile, making it a top choice for owners seeking a true novel protein for dogs with sensitivities. Compared with other options on this list, it balances premium sourcing and competitive pricing, offering sustainability and traceability benefits that are technically strong yet typically more affordable than ultra-premium air-dried formulas like Ziwi Peak.

4.5
Show More Freeze Dried and Dehydrated Novel Protein Formulas for Dogs
  • Grass-fed venison

  • Freeze-dried raw

  • Grass-fed venison

  • Freeze-dried raw

Review Summary

88%

"Shoppers praise the high-quality ingredients and strong palatability of Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Venison, reporting dogs adapt quickly and owners appreciate transparent sourcing; common downsides are the premium price and occasional packaging/crumb concerns. Overall users find it effective for rotation or limited-ingredient diets and as a topper or full meal."

  • Wild-flavor wink

  • Freeze-dried venison delivers a novel single animal protein for dogs with sensitivities.

  • Wild-flavor wink

  • Freeze-dried venison delivers a novel single animal protein for dogs with sensitivities.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Open Farm's freeze-dried venison stands out for its transparent, ethically sourced venison and clean ingredient profile, making it a top choice for owners seeking a true novel protein for dogs with sensitivities. Compared with other options on this list, it balances premium sourcing and competitive pricing, offering sustainability and traceability benefits that are technically strong yet typically more affordable than ultra-premium air-dried formulas like Ziwi Peak.

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$35-60 CAD

What Science Says About Raw, Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated Dog Food

A growing body of research and industry reviews examines how processing affects nutrient retention, digestibility and food-safety risk. In general, low-heat processes and freeze-drying tend to preserve heat-sensitive vitamins, amino acids and flavor compounds better than high-heat extrusion. Dehydration concentrates nutrients by removing water and, when properly rehydrated, can deliver good digestibility for many dogs. Commercially produced raw and minimally processed diets that follow validated safety protocols show lower microbial risk than homemade raw diets. Veterinary nutritionists emphasize the importance of complete and balanced formulations and recommend consultation for puppies, senior dogs, pregnant animals and pets with health issues.

Freeze-drying generally retains more heat-sensitive vitamins and amino acids compared with high-heat extrusion, supporting a nutrient-dense final product.

Dehydration reduces water content and concentrates nutrients; proper rehydration improves palatability and digestibility for many dogs.

Commercial manufacturers using validated pathogen-control steps and routine testing can reduce bacterial risk compared with unregulated homemade raw feeding.

Some feeding trials and owner reports show improved coat condition and firmer stool in dogs switched to minimally processed, high-protein formats, though individual results vary.

Novel proteins such as duck, venison or insect can reduce exposure to common allergens, but long-term studies and complete nutrient profiling remain important considerations.

Veterinary guidance is recommended: choose diets that meet recognized nutrient standards (for example AAFCO or FEDIAF profiles) and consult a veterinarian for animals with special needs.

These high-protein raw, freeze-dried and dehydrated options reflect the top trends in Canada for 2025: nutrient preservation, convenience, safety transparency and novel protein choices. We hope this guide helped you find the right direction for your dog. If you want to narrow results by protein source, format, or safety certifications, use the search or filters to refine or expand your options.