Wondering which is the better dog food option between oven baked and extruded kibble? We’re going to answer that today! As dog owners, we want our dogs to be healthy, happy and active. Sounds like how we want our kids! Well, they are our fur babies after all and we want them to fed in a way that optimizes their health.
Today, there are two different ways that dog food kibble is made before it hits the store shelves. It is either extruded or oven baked. What is the difference? Is one better than the other? Hopefully your question on whether to choose extruded kibble or oven baked kibble dog food will be answered below!
Which is the better dog food: oven baked or extruded kibble?
Extruded Kibble: The process of extrusion uses high pressure, heat and a pre-mixed dough. Extrusion pushes the dough through a machine that shapes it and cooks it at the same time. Once it is cooled, the kibble is then sprayed with a coating of flavor and fat. It’s the more efficient and less expensive way to make dog food and has been around since the 1950’s.
With extruded kibble, dogs can experience bloat, or gastric torsion. This is because once consumed, the kibble expands before digestion. During this process, there tends to be a loss of vitamins in the foods used to create the kibble. So while the packaging states it contains certain foods (and it does) it may not retain all the vitamins and nutrients of that food.
Just because this is a process used does not mean it is bad for your pet. There are many pet foods out there that use this process.
- Purina www.purina.com
- Eukanuba www.eukanuba.com
- Hill’s Science Diet www.hillspet.com
Oven Baked Kibble: This is just what it is, oven baked. Similar to how you cook your food at home. Baking is a healthier option as it tends to retain the vitamins in the food where those vitamins are lost in the extrusion process. This is an option for those who would like a healthier meal for their pets, yet can not make their food from scratch. Oven baked food is easier for dogs to digest. You may already know that anything healthy tends to be a bit more expensive. Oven baked dry food is no exception. This option of dry dog food will cost you a bit more, but it won’t break the bank.
Some companies offering oven baked food:
- Flint River Ranch www.frrco.com
- Lotus Pet Foods www.lotuspetfoods.com
- AvoDerm www.avodermnatural.com
You have a choice as a dog owner what to feed your pets and everyone has their opinion on what is best. If the process in which your dog food is made is a factor for you, I am hoping I have answered at least some of your questions.
Have you switched dog food for your pet already? Did you find a difference in his activity or health? Post your experiences and opinions below on which process your prefer.
