Freeze-Dried Cod

Freeze-dried cod is cod with the water removed at very low temperature. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say it seems prudent to assume all freeze-dried meat pet foods are raw unless proven otherwise, and a study they describe cultured viable bacteria from all forms of raw cat food, including freeze-dried. For a cat with a medical condition, or a household with people at higher risk of infection, ask your veterinarian.

Source: sites.tufts.edu

Freeze-dried cod adds lean white fish protein in a light, shelf-stable form. Freeze-drying keeps most of the fish's nutrition while removing the water, so the protein is concentrated. Some dry foods coat or mix in freeze-dried pieces for taste and texture. Cod also brings trace minerals such as iodine and selenium.

Usually, yes. Freeze-drying removes water but is not a cooking step. Tufts veterinary nutritionists report that freeze-dried cat foods in one study were all confirmed to be raw by their makers, even though only a small minority said so on the label. Their advice is to assume freeze-dried meat pet food is raw until proven otherwise.

Source: sites.tufts.edu

Both are cod, but they are processed differently. Deboned cod is fresh fish with the bones removed, so it is mostly water and is cooked along with the rest of a kibble. Freeze-dried cod has had its water removed at very low temperature and is usually raw. Pettings scores both 5 out of 5 but lists them as separate label names.

Pettings gives freeze-dried cod 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score looks at the ingredient by itself. Each food's page shows how that food scores overall.