Hey there, feline foodies! Chip’s mama here, and Chip got his paws on some new Open Farm freeze-dried raw food. So, let’s dish about it!
What is Open Farm?
We have been giving Chip, and his sister Biskit, Open Farm for over a year now, and they love it! We can confidently recommend this brand as a great option for pet parents who are looking for a healthier option for their dogs and cats.
Open Farm is a pet food brand that was founded in 2013, based in Canada. They have a mission to create healthy and sustainable pet food, and that is definitely noticed when it comes to this new freeze-dried raw food! They source their ingredients from high-quality and humane sources, such as Certified Humane farms and fisheries, to ensure that their products are not only healthy but also ethical.
What’s neat is that they have a QR code on their products, in which you can literally trace where your cat or dog’s food came from, and they are very open about the ingredients they use!
They have a traceability program that allows pet owners to enter the lot code of their product and see the sources of each ingredient. This gives pet owners peace of mind knowing that they are feeding their pets quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced.
Open Farm offers a variety of products including dry kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried raw food. They have treats for dogs, but do not have treats for cats yet! They also have a line of bone broths which can be used to hydrate their freeze-dried food or as a topper for their kibble. This is something we regularly use for our cats.
We feed our kitties multiple types of food, and other brands, but we love to give our cats Open Farm regularly because I know I can trust the ingredients, source of protein, and both Chip and Biskit gobble it all up, each time!
What is Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food?
First things first, for those who are new to the world of freeze-dried raw food, let me break it down for you!
Freeze-dried raw food is essentially just that – raw food that’s been freeze-dried. This process helps preserve the nutrients and keeps the food fresh without the need for any artificial preservatives.
It looks a lot like dry kibble, but it’s definitely different from your average bag of cat kibble!
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Based on our experience, freeze-dried raw cat food appears to offer a handful of benefits over regular dry kibble.
One of the most significant advantages is that it is a more wholesome and natural option for cats, simply by definition!
Freeze-dried raw food is made by taking fresh, raw ingredients and then freeze-drying them, which preserves the nutrients and flavors without using any artificial preservatives. This process means that the food is minimally processed and contains high levels of essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Another benefit of freeze-dried raw cat food is that it has less filler and carbohydrates compared to regular dry kibble.
Dry kibble is typically made with more fillers and carbohydrates, which can be less healthy for cats in large amounts. Not that it is absolutely terrible (take a look at YOUR own diet…!).
In contrast, freeze-dried raw food is made mostly from meat and other natural ingredients, making it more beneficial for a cat’s overall health. Just think, animals are natural predators and are historically used to eating rabbits, birds, and mice.
Another advantage of freeze-dried raw food is that it can help cats maintain a healthy weight. Because it is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, freeze-dried raw food can help cats feel fuller for longer periods, reducing the need for frequent snacking. This can be especially beneficial for indoor cats who may be more prone to weight gain due to a sedentary lifestyle. We’ve seen this with one of our own cats, Biskit, right before we switched to a healthier diet!
Overall, freeze-dried raw cat food can be a great option for pet owners who want to provide their cats with a more wholesome and natural diet. While it may be more expensive than regular dry kibble, the benefits it offers in terms of overall health and well-being make it a worthwhile investment for many pet owners.
The Difference Between Dry Kibble and Freeze-Dried Raw Food
Now, you might be wondering how freeze-dried raw food is different from regular dry kibble. Well, for starters, freeze-dried raw food typically has more wholesome, healthy proteins, and fewer fillers and carbohydrates than kibble.
This is because the freeze-drying process allows for the retention of the food’s natural nutrients, rather than relying on added fillers to bulk up the product.
Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw food is no exception to this rule. Their recipes are made with high-quality ingredients like salmon, cod, chicken, and sweet potato. Plus, they don’t add any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. It’s definitely a step up from your run-of-the-mill cat food.
Is Freeze-Dried Raw Food More Expensive Than Dry Kibble?
Freeze-dried raw cat food is generally more expensive than dry kibble due to the higher quality of ingredients used.
Why? Well, freeze-drying requires more steps and is a more time-consuming process than simply producing dry kibble. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, freeze-dried raw cat food typically contains more wholesome and healthy protein sources, which are often more expensive than the fillers and carbohydrates used in dry kibble.
The added cost of using high-quality protein sources and the additional steps required in the freeze-drying process results in a more expensive end product.
Depending on the brand and ingredients, freeze-dried raw cat food can cost anywhere from two to three times the price of dry kibble.
However, many dog and cat owners believe that the benefits of feeding their pets a healthier and more natural diet outweigh the added cost!
How to Feed A Cat Freeze-Dried Raw Food
Now, feeding your cat freeze-dried raw food is a bit different than feeding them kibble. The main key is that you will need to add some moisture back into the food before serving it.
We almost always use Open Farm’s bone broth (which, by the way, my feline friends go crazy for). However, water will do just fine! I like using bone broth because provides added nutrients! It does cost more than simply adding water, however.
Nevertheless, just mix one part water or bone broth to two parts freeze-dried raw food, let it soak for a few minutes, and voila! You’ve got a tasty and nutritious meal for your cat.
Tips for Using Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food
One thing to note, is that it is not recommended to just leave freeze-dried raw food out all day like you can do with dry kibble. Since it’s more wholesome and nutrient-dense, it needs to be eaten relatively soon after it’s been rehydrated.
Therefore, be sure to serve it to your cat and then put away any leftovers after a couple of hours, or throw out any unused food.
Summary
All in all, Chip is a big fan of Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw food (and their other products, too). It may be a bit more expensive than your average bag of cat food, but the quality and health benefits are worth it, in my opinion. And, of course, I always recommend checking with your vet before making any major changes to your cat’s diet.
So, if you’re looking to switch up your feline friend’s mealtime routine, give Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw food a try. Your cat (and their taste buds) will thank you for it!
For a full list of products that Chip has tried, check out his Amazon Storefront, here!: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chipthemanx
