pet supplies

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food Review - The $35 Raw Diet My Dog Thrives On

★★★★½4.5(8,500 reviews)

By MikeUpdated 2026-06-18

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Vital Essentials

$34.99

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⭐ Our Verdict

Best freeze-dried raw dog food for convenience. Raw diet benefits without the hassle of thawing frozen raw. Kibble is cheaper but less nutritious. Worth the premium for health benefits.

✅ Pros

✓Single-source protein (just beef, no fillers)
✓Freeze-dried raw retains nutrients better than kibble
✓Noticeably shinier coat after 1 month
✓Less poop volume (more digestible than kibble)
✓Convenient - just scoop and serve (no thawing)

⚠️ Cons

✗$35 per 14oz bag is expensive ($5/lb vs $2/lb kibble)
✗Not a complete diet - add vegetables separately
✗Rehydrating takes 3-5 minutes (skip if lazy)
✗Strong smell that some owners dislike

The Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw transformed my Lab"s coat. After 1 month, his dull, flaky coat became shiny and soft. Less poop volume (less filler = less waste). More energy on walks.

Freeze-Dried Raw vs Kibble vs Frozen Raw

Freeze-dried raw: convenient, nutritious, $5/lb. Kibble: cheapest ($2/lb), most processed, least nutritious. Frozen raw: most natural, requires thawing, $4/lb. Freeze-dried is the sweet spot of convenience and nutrition.

Cost Breakdown

$35 per 14oz bag. A 70lb dog eats ~3 bags/month = $105/month. Kibble: $40/month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Freeze-dried vs raw frozen?▼

Both nutritionally similar. Freeze-dried: convenient, shelf-stable, $5/lb. Frozen: requires freezer, needs thawing, $4/lb. For travel and convenience: freeze-dried. For home feeding: frozen.