HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT COLD-PRESSED DOG FOOD?
Now’s the time to find out more.
“The process preserves the ingredient’s nutrients better...”
Most of us will have spotted the term cold-pressed on items when out shopping — a vitamin-packed fruit smoothie or a great olive oil. But are you familiar with cold-pressed dry dog food?
We caught up with Devonian dog food makers Forthglade to learn more about the benefits of feeding this increasingly popular food to our pets.
What exactly is cold-pressed?
Cold-pressed dog food is where bite-sized pieces of food are made by pressing the ingredients together under pressure for a short time at a low temperature.
Why is cold-pressed often referred to as being ‘more natural’ than other dry dog foods?
Extruded kibble is produced at high temperatures over a long time, which reduces the nutritional value of the ingredients and may result in the need to use additives to provide taste, colour, and preservatives. The gentler cold-pressing process preserves the ingredient’s nutrients better, which avoids the use of additives.
What are the main benefits of feeding cold-pressed natural dry dog food?
Forthglade’s cold-pressed natural dry dog food is made by taking lots of tasty ingredients and basically doing as little to them as possible during pressing. This unique process means that each bite-sized piece retains the natural flavour, aroma, and goodness of the ingredients. The recipes also include vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, and oils.
The short time and low temperature used during cold-pressing produces a heavier but softer kibble compared to an extruded variety. The cold-pressed kibble absorbs moisture and falls apart easier when consumed, which makes it easier for the dog to digest while also helping to maximise the absorption of the nutrients. This highly digestible dog food can also help to reduce the likelihood of a dog’s stomach bloating.
Is cold-pressed more expensive than standard dry dog food?
Obviously, this depends on the quality of the ‘standard’ food fed, but in principle it’s no more expensive than any other good quality diet. As cold-pressed is nutritionally denser a dog requires less per portion.
Is it easy to switch from a standard kibble diet to cold-pressed?
As with switching any dog’s diet, a change should be done gradually, introducing the new food to the original food bit by bit over a period of at least five days to avoid any unnecessary tummy upsets. It is also important to ensure that your dog has access to adequate fresh drinking water throughout the day.
What is the shelf life and how should it be stored?
Our cold-pressed has a shelf life of 18 months. It should be stored either in the bag or in a loose-lid container and kept in a cool, dry place.
Are your cold-pressed recipes suitable for puppies?
Absolutely. They are suitable for puppies from the ages of two months and upwards. The small pieces can also be mixed with a little warm water to soften them further for young pups, if required.