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Meta Title: Freeze Dried Dog Food: Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend – Raw, Grain-Free Goodness
Meta Description: Discover Dr. Marty’s freeze dried dog food – a premium raw, grain-free diet ideal for allergy-prone dogs. Learn about its ingredients, benefits, and how it compares to other diets.
Freeze Dried Dog Food: Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend Goodness
Dogs thrive on diets that mirror their ancestral needs, and freeze dried dog food delivers raw, nutrient-packed meals in a convenient form. In this in-depth guide we’ll explore what makes freeze-dried diets special and why Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend formula stands out. We’ll cover the science of freeze-drying, benefits like high protein, minimal processing, and grain-free ingredients, and explain how Dr. Marty’s recipes—developed by a vet—can support everything from allergies to overall wellness. By the end, you’ll see why many consider this one of the best raw dog foods, and how it can become a healthy staple for your pet.
What Is Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
Freeze-dried dog food is a minimally processed raw diet. Fresh meats, organs, fruits and vegetables are first frozen and then placed under a vacuum; the ice sublimates directly into vapor, removing moisture without cooking the ingredients. This low-temperature process preserves flavor, texture and nearly all nutrients. Unlike kibble (which is cooked at high heat) or dehydrated food, freeze-drying keeps the composition of the meat intact.
Key points about freeze-dried pet food:
- Nutrient Retention: Because no heat is used, vitamins and enzymes remain intact. Freeze-dried diets retain more of the raw nutritional profile than cooked foods.
- Shelf-Stable Raw: Freeze-dried food is lightweight and shelf-stable without refrigeration, yet it is technically still raw. Your dog eats meat in its natural state, with only water removed.
- Composition: A freeze-dried recipe typically lists high-quality meats (muscle and organ) as the majority of ingredients, plus whole fruits, veggies and seeds for vitamins and fiber.
- No Grains by Default: Most freeze-dried recipes omit grains and starches. The high protein from meats provides energy, so extra carbs aren’t needed. This makes freeze-dried meals inherently grain-free dog food diets.
In short, freeze dried dog food offers the convenience of kibble with nutrition closer to a raw meal. It’s raw nutrition, without the waste or spoilage of unfrozen raw meats.
Benefits of Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Freeze-dried diets have become popular because they combine raw diet advantages with practicality. Some major benefits include:
- High-Quality Ingredients: Most freeze-dried foods use real meats (and sometimes organs) as top ingredients. This means your dog is essentially eating pieces of real beef, chicken, turkey, etc., not grains or by-products.
- Nutrient-Dense, Digestible Meals: Because the food is raw and minimally processed, nutrients like amino acids, vitamins and omega-3s remain at high levels. Many dogs digest and absorb freeze-dried formulas more easily than highly processed kibble.
- Better Taste/Palatability: Dogs often prefer the meaty flavor and aroma of freeze-dried food. As one pet blogger notes, dogs “really like freeze-dried foods and often prefer them over kibble,” due to the natural, full flavor.
- Extended Shelf Life: Without moisture, freeze-dried meals are shelf-stable and safe for long-term storage. This means no refrigeration needed and a product that stays fresh for months.
- Natural Preservation: Removing water naturally preserves the food. Many brands add only gentle preservatives (like mixed tocopherols/Vitamin E), avoiding artificial chemicals.
- Convenience: It’s easy to serve—just add water to rehydrate or serve dry. It travels well for camping or trips, taking up little space in your pantry.
Veterinarian and pet nutrition experts note that freeze-dried diets “offer the benefits of raw feeding without the inconvenience and potential health risks associated with handling raw meat”. High protein, minimal processing, and no common fillers means these foods are often better for sensitive dogs. In fact, a leading market report points out that consumer demand is growing for “high-quality, shelf-stable, nutrient-preserving food solutions,” especially raw-inspired diets with no additives. Freeze-dried fits this trend perfectly.
Freeze-dried diets at a glance: Raw ingredients are flash-frozen and dehydrated under low heat, preserving nutrients. The result is a lightweight kibble-like food that is actually raw, with 60–90% meat (including organ meats) plus fruits/veggies. Because it’s mainly protein, most formulas are grain-free by design.
PetMD lists the pros of freeze-dried food as extended shelf life, integrity of ingredients, nutrient density, and digestibility. (The cons are mainly cost and the need to handle raw meat safely.) For many owners, these pros outweigh the cons. Freeze-dried allows dogs to eat closer to a natural diet of raw meat, organs and produce, while giving owners easy handling and storage.
Dr. Marty’s Freeze-Dried Dog Food: Brand & Philosophy
Dr. Marty’s pet foods are the brainchild of veterinarian Dr. Martin Goldstein, a well-known “dog doctor” with 45+ years of experience. His guiding philosophy is that “true health is possible through real food, just as nature intended”. Dr. Marty’s formulas, including Nature’s Blend, are made only with premium, human-grade ingredients—no artificial preservatives, colors or fillers of any kind.
Key highlights of Dr. Marty’s approach:
- Vet-Developed & All-Natural: Every recipe is crafted by a vet nutritionist for maximum nutritional value. The company promises “only real food ingredients containing high nutritional value, and zero added artificial preservatives or filler ingredients”.
- Made in North America: All foods are produced in the USA (or Canada) under strict quality standards. Brands note that their products meet AAFCO guidelines for a balanced diet and use high-quality sourcing.
- Nutrient-Dense Freeze-Drying: Dr. Marty’s dog foods use a gentle freeze-drying method. This “premium freeze-dried raw food is changing the game” by offering lightweight, shelf-stable nutrition. The process preserves flavor and nutrients, so each bite delivers vitamins and minerals as if it were raw from the butcher.
- Family of Formulas: The Nature’s Blend line includes tailored recipes (see below) for all ages and needs. They’re focused on real meats (and organs), plus beneficial superfoods.
Dog food review sites note that Dr. Marty’s line is extremely well-regarded. For example, DogFoodAdvisor gave all seven Nature’s Blend recipes a 5-star rating, highlighting the quality of ingredients. The brand’s Essential Wellness formula alone is a balanced mix of turkey, beef, salmon, duck, plus organ meats and whole fruits/vegetables. These choices reflect Dr. Marty’s commitment to “feed your dog the very best” as stated on his site.
Alt: Bag of Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend freeze-dried raw dog food (premium Turkey & Beef recipe).
Overall, Dr. Marty’s philosophy is about combining the best of raw feeding with science-backed nutrition. As one reviewer summarized, his mission is “to change the way we understand animal nutrition and care,” offering pets “high-quality, nutrient-dense, all-natural food that is lightweight, easy to store, and super convenient for pet parents”. Many dog owners find that this commitment to real ingredients and freeze-drying yields noticeable benefits in their pets (more energy, healthier coat and digestion, etc.).
Nature’s Blend Nutritional Profile & Ingredients
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend freeze-dried dog food is formulated to be a complete, balanced diet. Let’s look at what’s inside and why it’s so nourishing:
- Premium Meat First: The first ingredients are real meats. For example, the Essentials formula starts with turkey (a lean, protein-rich meat) as the #1 ingredient. Other top meats include beef, salmon, duck, and high-quality organ meats like beef liver and turkey heart. In total, 81% of Nature’s Blend is pure animal-sourced protein.
- Balanced Fats: Whole foods like salmon, flaxseed and egg contribute healthy fats (omega-3s and 6s) important for brain and skin health. On a dry-matter basis, Nature’s Blend is about 37–39% protein and ~28–29% fat, giving a rich energy source.
- Vitamins & Minerals from Nature: Along with muscle and organ meats, there are nutritious fruits and veggies. Typical ingredients include sweet potatoes, blueberries, kale, carrots, apples, pumpkin, spinach and cranberries. These provide fiber, antioxidants, vitamins (A, C, E) and minerals naturally.
- Superfood Seeds: Seeds like flaxseed, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed are included as natural sources of fiber, healthy fats and micronutrients. They also help support coat and skin health.
- No Grain, No Fillers: True to its grain-free profile, Nature’s Blend contains no grains or fillers. The formula’s starch comes from whole veggies (sweet potato, peas), not corn, wheat, or soy. In fact, Bully Max’s freeze-dried recipes—an example of the genre—proudly list “NO corn, wheat, or soy” among their features.
- Minimal Additives: Dr. Marty adds only essential nutrients (like taurine, calcium, vitamin D) to meet AAFCO standards if needed. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Natural mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) are used to preserve the fats.
In summary, each scoop of Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried dog food is a nutrient-rich blend. A quick nutritional breakdown (from DogFoodAdvisor’s analysis) of the Essential Wellness recipe is: ~37% protein (guaranteed), 28% fat, and about 4% fiber. It also lists abundant vitamins (A, E, B-complex) and minerals. This dense nutrition comes from real food sources, not synthetics.
Premium Ingredients Example: “We don’t skimp. All of our freeze-dried dog food is designed with a blend of premium meats, such as beef, turkey, and duck, as well as a variety of fish… It also includes organ meats, like beef liver, which are rich in vitamins and minerals”. The formula even includes antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like sweet potato and blueberry.
By reading Dr. Marty’s labels (or DogFoodAdvisor’s analysis), you’ll see specific whole foods rather than vague “meat meal” terms. This transparency helps pet owners know exactly what their dogs are eating, which is a big plus for many.
Specialized Formulas: Grain-Free, Allergy & Age-Specific Diets
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend line offers multiple freeze-dried formulas to meet different needs. All are grain-free and raw-based, but they emphasize different proteins or add-ons:
- Essential Wellness (All Life Stages): The original formula with a mix of turkey, beef, salmon, and duck plus variety of fruits and veggies. Ideal as a complete diet for most adult dogs and puppies.
- Radiant Select (Skin & Coat): Includes omega-rich fish and flaxseed to support skin, coat and joint health. Great for dogs prone to dryness or mobility issues.
- Sensitivity Select (Food Sensitivities): Formulated without common allergens. It features premium poultry proteins (turkey, duck, goose, quail) and no beef, dairy, eggs or wheat, which are often problem foods. The label notes it contains ZERO beef, dairy, eggs or wheat. This makes it well-suited as one of the best dog foods for allergies; paired with Dr. Marty’s natural ingredients, it gives sensitive dogs a gentle diet.
- Active Vitality (Senior): Designed for senior dogs (7+ years) with maintenance of energy and lean muscle in mind. Contains added veggies like green beans and carrots for antioxidants, plus glucosamine sources.
- Healthy Growth (Puppy): Tailored for growing dogs with slightly higher fat and DHA for brain/eye development. Includes egg and pumpkin along with meats to support puppy growth.
- Small Breed: Smaller kibbles for small mouths but same freeze-dried raw recipe, ensuring tiny dogs also get raw nutrition.
- Premium Origin: A limited-ingredient variant using grass-fed beef and wild-caught salmon for those seeking only the most naturally raised proteins.
All these recipes share the core qualities: real whole meats and organs, fruits and veggies, and a freeze-dried process to preserve nutrients. They are explicitly grain-free dog food formulas – none contain corn, wheat, soy, or other fillers. In fact, freeze-dried diets by their nature often end up being hypoallergenic. For example, Stella & Chewy’s (a top freeze-dried brand) points out that “every freeze-dried raw formula is free of corn, wheat, soy, peas, lentils, potato and by-products—ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities”. Dr. Marty’s Sensitivity Select follows that concept by eliminating the most common allergens entirely.
Each specialty recipe still meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a complete diet, meaning you can feed Nature’s Blend as a stand-alone daily food. (DogFoodAdvisor confirms all recipes are labeled for “Maintenance” or “All Life Stages,” indicating AAFCO compliance.) This breadth of options means pet owners can find a formula that matches their dog’s age, breed or health concerns while sticking to the same high-quality raw diet.
Freeze-Dried vs. Other Diets
When choosing a dog food, it helps to compare freeze-dried to other types:
- Vs. Kibble (Dry): Kibble is manufactured by cooking ingredients at high heat and adding many carbohydrates. By contrast, freeze-dried food is raw and low-heat processed. Veterinarians note that freeze-dried diets retain enzymes and vitamins that kibble loses. Dogs often find freeze-dried far more palatable. However, freeze-dried usually costs more per ounce.
- Vs. Canned Food: Canned (wet) food can be high in animal protein and moisture, but it’s cooked and often contains grains or fillers. Freeze-dried has a longer shelf life (no spoilage) and no canning (heat) involved. Canned foods may have similar proteins but can include gums or salts for texture, whereas freeze-dried avoids artificial binders.
- Vs. Dehydrated Food: Both dehydrated and freeze-dried remove water, but dehydration uses heat, which can denature some nutrients. Freeze-drying is done at very low temperatures, so fewer vitamins are lost. Dehydrated food may shrink ingredients and affect flavor more than freeze-drying.
- Vs. Fresh or Raw (not freeze-dried): Fresh/raw diets (fresh frozen raw or home-prepared) have all the benefits of raw nutrition, but come with handling burdens (thawing, storing in fridge, short fridge life, risk of pathogens). Freeze-dried offers many of the raw diet perks (raw nutrition, less processed) without the risk of spoilage or the need for constant refrigeration. NutriSource sums it up: freeze-dried “offers the best of both worlds… minimally processed, nutrient-dense meaty bites, but in a format that is just as convenient as kibble”.
- Vs. Other Raw Foods (like Bully Max, Stella & Chewy’s): Many brands now offer freeze-dried raw foods. For example, Bully Max’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Toppers use real beef as the #1 ingredient and boast “NO corn, wheat, or soy”. This mirrors Dr. Marty’s grain-free approach. Both also highlight “no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives”. Different brands may use different proteins (e.g. rabbit, venison, etc.), but all freeze-dried leaders share a focus on whole meats and limited ingredients. Customer reviews often mention the strong similarities in nutrition and quality across these top brands.
In summary, if you compare nutrient retention and ingredient quality, high-end freeze-dried stands above most dry kibble. Compared to fresh raw, it’s much more user-friendly. Compared to competitors, Dr. Marty’s backs its claims with vet expertise and wide availability of life-stage formulas.
How to Use Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Food
Feeding freeze-dried food is flexible:
- Dry or Rehydrate: You can serve Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend dry (like a crunchy kibble) or add warm water (or broth) to create a moist meal. Dr. Marty’s own instructions note that you can “add as much or as little water as needed” to suit your dog’s preference.
- Meal or Topper: Use it as a complete meal on its own. Or sprinkle it on top of your dog’s existing food (wet or dry kibble) to boost nutrition and flavor. It’s often recommended as a topper for picky eaters or those on limited diets.
- Treat/Training Aid: Freeze-dried pieces can be broken into small chunks and used as high-value treats. Their intense meaty flavor makes them excellent training rewards.
- Portable & Travel-Friendly: Because it’s lightweight and shelf-stable, Dr. Marty’s bags are easy to carry on walks or trips. No need for refrigeration – just reseal the bag after opening to keep it fresh.
- Mix-and-Match: Some owners blend freeze-dried with other foods (a “hybrid” diet). For example, you might feed 70% vet kibble and 30% freeze-dried as a supplement. This adds raw nutrition while stretching the food budget.
Tips: Always follow the recommended feeding guidelines on the bag (usually based on weight/age). Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust as needed; freeze-dried foods tend to be more calorie-dense than kibble, so you’ll feed a smaller volume by weight. Introduce it gradually to prevent tummy upset—mix increasing amounts over a week.
The convenience is a big selling point: no thawing required, just scoop and serve. This ease leads many owners to call freeze-dried “the easiest way to feed them wholesome nutrition closest to what their ancestors ate in the wild”.
Grain-Free & Allergy-Friendly Advantages
One key perk of freeze-dried raw diets is allergy support. Many canine allergies are triggered by filler ingredients like grains or cheap proteins. Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend is effectively a limited-ingredient, grain-free dog food. It typically contains under a dozen whole-food components. The original formula (for example) has 7 to 9 ingredients; the Sensitivity Select even cuts out some common allergens entirely.
Why is this great for allergic dogs?
- No Common Allergens: As noted above, Dr. Marty’s Sensitivity formula has zero beef, dairy, eggs or wheat. It uses multiple poultry sources instead. The main formula also avoids corn, wheat and soy. Combined with fresh produce (instead of things like corn or potato), this means far fewer ingredients dogs typically react to.
- Single-Source Proteins: Some freeze-dried meals (including others in the market) even use a single meat type to avoid cross-reactivity. While Dr. Marty’s uses multiple meats, you could potentially choose the one that fits your dog’s history or the Sensitivity Select to eliminate specific issues.
- Wholesome Additives Only: Ingredients like sweet potato, apple, carrot are rarely allergens and add vitamins and fiber. Mixed tocopherols and kelp (seaweed) are used as preservatives and supplements, which are generally safe for sensitive pets.
Stella & Chewy’s, a leading freeze-dried brand, explicitly markets its recipes as “ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities”, since they drop all the usual suspects (corn, wheat, soy, peas, lentils, etc.). Dr. Marty’s formulas take a similar approach. Indeed, Dogster’s reviewer points out that switching to Dr. Marty’s real, whole-food diets has made even senior dogs more “playful and youthful,” suggesting health improvements likely tied to removing fillers.
In short, if your dog needs a best dog food for allergies, a grain-free freeze-dried raw diet is worth considering. The minimal ingredient list not only cuts allergens but also improves digestibility. Many pet parents report improved stools, brighter eyes/coats, and relief from itching after switching to high-quality raw diets like this.
Allergy-friendly example: “Every freeze-dried raw formula is free of corn, wheat, soy… potato and by-products—ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities”. Dr. Marty’s Sensitivity Select specifically avoids problem foods (beef, dairy, eggs, wheat) to support sensitive dogs.
Real-World Benefits & Reviews
Owners who’ve switched to Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried diet often notice positive changes. One reviewer found her senior dog’s digestion improved and energy increased after moving to Nature’s Blend. Another pet parent noted the food’s flavor seemed irresistible and her pup’s coat became shinier. These anecdotal reports align with the nutritional profile: high protein, balanced fats, and whole-food ingredients typically give dogs more vitality and better digestion.
Professional reviewers echo this praise. Dog Food Advisor’s 5-star rating across all recipes is rare: it reflects “premium real food” and no questionable ingredients. The ingredient and nutrient analyses by experts confirm that Dr. Marty’s foods meet nutritional standards while focusing on raw, whole foods. In other words, veterinarians and pet nutritionists see Dr. Marty’s as a “tremendous” raw option with robust nutrition.
Pros and Cons (at a glance):
- Pros: Real meat ingredients, no artificial additives, freeze-drying retains nutrients, supports allergies/skin, convenient, enhances taste. Many dogs LOVE the flavor.
- Cons: Premium price (freeze-dried raw is costlier than kibble), smaller number of flavors (Nature’s Blend has one core recipe plus variants), and handling raw food requires good hygiene.
Overall, Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried diets rank among the top choices for health-conscious owners. They are often listed in “best dog food” roundups and recommended by holistic vets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is freeze-dried dog food?
A: It’s raw meat and produce that’s been flash-frozen and then dehydrated under low heat. This process removes water but keeps the food technically raw and nutrient-rich. Dogs eat pieces of real meat and veggies, not processed kibbles.
Q: How is Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend different from regular kibble?
A: Unlike kibble, Nature’s Blend is made from whole meats and other whole foods that are never cooked. It’s grain-free and has no synthetic additives. Kibble is cooked at high heat and often contains fillers; Dr. Marty’s is freeze-dried and uses premium animal proteins and organic ingredients.
Q: Is freeze-dried dog food good for dogs with allergies?
A: Yes, often. Freeze-dried diets usually have very few ingredients and eliminate grains and common allergens. Dr. Marty’s Sensitivity Select formula, for example, excludes beef, dairy, eggs and wheat. Many pet owners find that grain-free freeze-dried foods ease symptoms like itchy skin and digestive upset because they remove the usual triggers.
Q: How do I serve Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried food?
A: You can serve it dry (straight from the bag) or rehydrate it. Simply add a bit of warm water or broth to the food and let it sit a minute until it’s soft. You can also sprinkle it as a topper on your dog’s regular food. This flexibility makes it easy to customize meal texture and temperature to your dog’s liking.
Q: Can puppies eat this freeze-dried food?
A: Absolutely. Dr. Marty’s Healthy Growth recipe is designed for puppies with extra nutrients for development. Even the adult recipes are formulated to meet “All Life Stages” nutrient profiles. Always follow the feeding chart for your pup’s weight and age, and consult your vet when switching foods.
Q: Is freeze-dried food safe to handle?
A: The meat is raw, so it should be treated with clean hands like any raw meat. However, freeze-drying does reduce pathogens by removing water. Most brands (including Dr. Marty) recommend storing it and cleaning bowls as you would any pet food. Dogs are less likely to get sick from freeze-dried raw than humans, but hygiene is always a good practice.
Conclusion
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend freeze-dried dog food delivers on the promise of raw nutrition made easy. It combines whole, grain-free ingredients (real meats, organ meats, superfood fruits/veggies) with a low-heat process that locks in nutrients and taste. The brand’s vet-backed formulas have earned top reviews for quality, and owners praise the health improvements they see in their pets.
Whether your dog needs a holistic grain-free diet, support for allergies, or simply a more nutritious meal than standard kibble, Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried offerings are among the top contenders on the market. As one industry expert noted, freeze-dried raw foods are “designed to help dogs of all shapes and sizes live a happy, healthy life.” By feeding a diet close to nature’s design, pet parents are helping dogs thrive.
Is your dog already on a freeze-dried diet? Have you tried Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend? Share your experiences and join the conversation below – your insights could help fellow pet owners find the best raw dog food for their furry friends!