Baked vs extruded vs cold pressed dog food: what's the difference & what's best?

Choosing the right food for your dog is no small task, especially when it comes to selecting the right dry dog food. With so many types available - understanding the differences between baking, extruded and cold pressing can help you make an informed decision that best supports your dogs health.

In this guide, we'll break down the differences between baked, extruded and cold pressed dog food. We'll help you understand which methods preserves the most nutrients and why Forthglade's unique cooking methods set us apart in the pet food industry. If you're looking for top quality dry dog food options, check out our dry dog food range.

What Is Extruded Dog Food?

Extruded dog food is one of the most common methods used in commercial pet food production. This process involves forcing ingredients through a machine called an extruder, where they are subjected to both high heat and pressure. The extruder cooks the food at temperatures typically between 121°C to 149°C. 

While extrusion creates highly digestible kibble, the process can also break down some of the food’s natural nutrients, such as proteins and vitamins, due to the high heat. Additionally, the high pressure can cause some ingredients to lose their natural texture and flavour, which may not be ideal for all dogs. 

One of the key advantages of extrusion is the consistency and shelf stability it provides. However, the nutrient loss can make extruded food a less desirable option.

What is Cold Pressed Dog Food?

Cold-pressed dog food is a unique method of production that uses lower temperatures to preserve the natural nutrients and flavours of the ingredients. Instead of cooking the ingredients at high heat, cold pressing uses a slower, gentle process. This method helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients, ensuring that nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats are retained.

The lower temperatures used in cold pressing also help preserve the natural flavours of the food, which can make the kibble more appealing to picky eaters. Additionally, the gentle nature of the process helps retain the food's nutritional value, which is why many pet owners prefer this method.

Cold-pressed food is also easier to digest than other methods, making it an excellent option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. If you're looking for a nutrient-rich, highly digestible option for your dog, Forthglade's cold-pressed dry dog food offers a great choice.

What is Baked Dog Food?

Baked dog food is another alternative to the high-heat extrusion method. Unlike extrusion, baking involves cooking the food at lower temperatures, typically around 93°C. This slower, more gentle cooking process helps retain more of the natural flavours and nutrients in the ingredients compared to extrusion, where the intense heat can degrade valuable nutrients.

At Forthglade, we use a lightly baked method that balances the need for gentle cooking with the preservation of nutrients. This ensures that your dog gets a high-quality food that maintains its nutritional value, while also being more digestible and satisfying. If you're looking for a great baked food option, be sure to explore our range of lightly baked dog food.

Is Baked or Extruded Dog Food Better?

When comparing baked and extruded dog food, the key difference lies in the way the food is processed and how it retains its nutrients. As we mentioned earlier, extruded dog food undergoes a high-heat and high-pressure process that can cause nutrient loss, particularly when it comes to sensitive ingredients like vitamins and proteins. The high temperature used in extrusion also alters the natural texture and flavour of the food.

On the other hand, baked dog food is cooked at lower temperatures, which helps retain more of the food’s nutritional value. Baking also allows the food to retain more moisture, which can make the kibble softer and more palatable for dogs. Because of these factors, many pet owners prefer baked food for its ability to preserve nutrients while maintaining a natural, wholesome texture.

At Forthglade, we believe that our lightly baked method is the ideal way to deliver high-quality nutrition to dogs without compromising the integrity of the ingredients. This gentle cooking process ensures that your dog gets the best possible food without the nutrient loss associated with high-heat extrusion.

Is Cold Pressed Better Than Extruded Dog Food?>

Cold-pressed dog food stands out for its ability to preserve the most nutrients compared to extruded food. While extrusion uses high heat and pressure to cook the food, cold pressing uses a much gentler approach. By pressing the ingredients through a die at lower temperatures, cold pressing helps preserve natural flavours, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, making it an excellent choice for dogs who need highly nutritious food.

Cold-pressed food is also easier to digest than extruded kibble, which can benefit dogs with sensitive stomachs or gastrointestinal issues. The low cooking temperatures used in cold pressing help preserve the natural enzymes and nutrients, making it gentler on your dog’s digestive system.

Additionally, cold-pressed food is a great option for dogs prone to bloating. The gentle pressing process helps maintain a more consistent texture, which can reduce the likelihood of digestive discomfort.

Cold-pressed food can also be fed alongside raw food, wet food or as a complete dry food, giving you flexibility in your dog's diet. Forthglade’s cold-pressed dry dog food is a great option for any dog, especially those who have sensitive stomachs or require a high-nutrient diet.

Takeaway

Each method: extruded, baked, and cold-pressed offers its own benefits, but we believe that both lightly baked and cold-pressed food provide superior nutrition compared to extruded kibble.

At Forthglade, we are proud to offer both lightly baked dog food and cold-pressed dog food, both of which are carefully crafted to preserve nutrients, improve digestion, and provide your dog with the best possible nutrition. Whether you choose baked or cold-pressed, you can be confident that your dog is getting the highest quality food available.

Shop our dry dog food range today and provide your dog with the nutrition they deserve.