When it comes to choosing the quality food for your dog, air-dried options offer a fantastic alternative to kibble. Air-dried dog food preserves more nutrients because it is made by slowly drying raw ingredients using only air, without any heat. This process results in food that is much closer to a raw diet—what dogs are biologically designed to eat. Unlike kibble, most air-dried foods avoid highly processed ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, beans, and other fillers.
Air-dried food is versatile and convenient. It’s perfect for camping trips and for people to feed your dog while you’re away, or even as a healthy training treat. You can also hide pieces around the house or in a toy for your dog to sniff out, making it an excellent enrichment activity.
However, not all air-dried dog foods are created equal. Below, I’ve reviewed three popular brands: Bugsy Air Dried Raw, Eureka Pet Co, and ZiwiPeak. Let’s dive in!
Why it’s my favorite:
Human-Grade Ingredients: Made with ethically sourced, grass-fed beef from Australia.
Complete Meal: Can be fed as a standalone diet.
100% Natural: Contains zero synthetic vitamins or artificial ingredients.
High in Animal Protein: Excellent for supporting your dog’s biological needs.
Free From Grains and Starch: No gluten, no fillers—just wholesome goodness.
Bugsy Air Dried Raw stands out for its commitment to natural, high-quality ingredients, making it my top choice.
Eureka Pet Co is another great option and a significant upgrade from kibble.
Highlights:
Premium Ingredients: Includes wild game meats, grass-fed meats, green-lipped mussels, tripe, and eggs.
High Protein: Ideal for maintaining strong muscles and overall health.
Free From Grains, Starch, and Seed Oils: Focused on clean nutrition.
Drawback:
Contains synthetic vitamins. While synthetic vitamins can help meet nutritional standards, I prefer foods that rely on natural sources for vitamins and minerals.
That said, Eureka Pet Co is currently conducting nutritional testing to determine if these synthetic vitamins are necessary. This initiative shows a commitment to improving their already impressive formula and I’m looking forward to seeing what changes they make in the future.
ZiwiPeak is a popular choice, and for good reason.
Highlights:
High Protein Content: Packed with quality animal-based ingredients.
No Fillers: Free from grains, potatoes, glycerin, and rendered meats or meals.
Grass-Fed Ingredients: Ethically sourced meats.
Nutrient-Dense Additions: Includes offal, green-lipped mussels, and beef cartilage for added benefits.
While ZiwiPeak's ingredient quality is excellent, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t avoid synthetic vitamins entirely, however eliminating synthetic vitamins in your dog’s diet is a personal preference and I cannot stress enough that it is a FAR better choice than any kibble option.
My Final Thoughts
All three brands—Bugsy Air Dried Raw, Eureka Pet Co, and ZiwiPeak—are far superior to kibble. They offer high protein content and avoid fillers like legumes, rice, beans, wheat, corn, soy, and vegetable oils. However, I recommend being cautious with foods that include synthetic vitamins, especially synthetic forms of folate (B9), iron, and calcium. Over time, excessive synthetic vitamins can disrupt the balance of nutrients in your dog’s body, leading to deficiencies or imbalances (see linked study below for more information).
Dogs should receive their vitamins and minerals from real food, not synthetic additives. Supplementation should be purposeful and targeted, not a default part of every meal. If you’re looking for the best option, (in my opinion) Bugsy Air Dried Raw is my top recommendation for its clean, natural formula and nutrient-rich ingredients.
Uncovering the Hidden Dangers and Molecular Mechanisms of Excess Folate: A Narrative Review - PubMed
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