Cold-Pressed Dog Food Gains Popularity for Its Nutritional Benefits

Cold-pressed dog food first gained popularity in Germany and the Netherlands in the early 2000s. It provided a shelf-stable alternative that simulates the benefits of a raw diet, eliminating the need for freezer storage or extensive preparation. By the mid-2010s, this format began to attract attention in other parts of Europe. Unlike traditional dog kibble, which is produced through high-temperature extrusion that can deplete nutrients, cold-pressed dog food is made by mixing ingredients with water and then pressing them into pellets at much lower temperatures (typically between 104°F and 149°F). This method helps retain the nutritional value of the ingredients, and the pellets dissolve more easily in a dog’s digestive system.

Pet Age reached out to companies like Nextrition and The Honest Kitchen to explore their cold-pressed recipes, development processes, and insights.

Nextrition defines cold-pressed similarly to its European origins, emphasizing that ingredients are mixed with cold water and pressed without heat. This method creates dry, shelf-stable nuggets that are up to 30% more nutrient-dense than conventional kibble, allowing for smaller feeding portions. The cold-pressing technique ensures the food reaches temperatures of only 100-110°F for a short time, preserving essential nutrients and making digestion easier. Dogs fed kibble often regurgitate their food, which remains shaped and bloated, indicating delayed digestion.

The Honest Kitchen employs a proprietary method called MADEHONEST to create their Clusters. This process includes cold-pressing, slow roasting, and gentle dehydration, allowing for minimal processing while retaining the integrity and nutrition of whole food ingredients. Each recipe is designed with carefully considered elements such as human-grade meat, vegetables, and probiotics, ensuring complete nutrition for dogs.

To guarantee safety, Nextrition developed a low-temperature pasteurization process akin to sous vide cooking, eliminating harmful pathogens without degrading nutrients. They test every batch through third-party labs before distribution. Similarly, The Honest Kitchen adheres to stringent human food standards in sourcing and production, ensuring quality and safety across all their products.

Pet owners report various benefits from feeding their dogs cold-pressed food. Common feedback includes improvements in digestion, firmer stools, reduced gas, and better overall vitality. Owners of picky eaters have noted that their dogs show a preference for cold-pressed options over other formats. Additionally, many pet parents appreciate the energy levels and coat health experienced by their pets when switched to brands like Nextrition and The Honest Kitchen.

The cost of feeding cold-pressed food varies. For instance, a typical 30-pound dog on Nextrition's diet may cost around $5.22 per day. In contrast, The Honest Kitchen's Clusters range from approximately $1.20 to $3.00 daily, depending on the recipe and portion sizes, which may be smaller due to the nutrient density compared to traditional kibble.