Best Air Dried Dog Food for Cocker Spaniels

Air-dried dog food has become popular among pet parents thanks to its nutrients, minimal processing, and convenience. It’s also a viable option for raw or traditional kibble diets.

I’ve worked in the pet industry for close to 20 years. In that time, my dogs have been offered hundreds of dog food samples. I’ve researched and been pitched by pet food brands who beg us to consider feeding their food. My Cocker Spaniels have sensitive stomachs, so I am extra cautious about what goes in their bowls.

If you want the nutrition of raw without the fuss or want more information about air-dried dog food, here’s our deep dive into how this innovative option can support your Cocker Spaniel’s well-being, health, and energy level.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.

What Is Air-Dried Dog Food?

Air-dried dog food is everything that kibble is not. It is gently dried at low temperatures and is lightweight and shelf-stable. The moisture is removed but the nutritional content is retained, and it contains zero preservatives or additives.

The food is shelf stable, so you don’t have to refrigerate or freeze it. The air-drying process involves slowly removing moisture from the ingredients at low temperatures over a longer period of time. This method helps preserve the nutrients and flavors while inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Unlike freeze-dried food, air-dried food has a softer texture that most dogs find more palatable and enjoyable. Of course, not all air-dried foods are made the same way.

Unlike dehydrated food, air drying exposes the food to a steady stream of warm air for a shorter period than dehydration. The moisture evaporates, resulting in drier, lighter food.

Why Consider Air-Dried Food For Your Dog

Aside from the quality and convenience, there are many reasons pet parents incorporate air-dried dog food into their dog’s diet.

• Preventing Food Sensitivities or Allergies: By rotating between different proteins or ingredients, this may minimize developing intolerances (which happened with my first Cocker Spaniel);
• Keeping Meals Interesting: I wouldn’t want to eat the same food day in, day out. Dogs are the same way. We know better, so we do better these days.
• Avoiding Picky Eating: Dogs who eat the same food over and over may become picky. Rotating food or introducing different flavors and textures may help.
• Digestive Health: To help improve your dog’s gut flora diversity and contribute to a healthy digestive system.
• Travel Solutions: For road trips, weekend adventures, and day excursions with your dog, air-dried dog food is a convenient option.
• Good for Coat: The high protein and nutrient content in most air-dried food for dogs helps promote a shiny coat.

What to Look For Dog Food That Is Air Dried

There are many brands of air-dried dog food on the market, but they are not all the same. This is what to look for when considering for air-dried food for your dog:

• Ingredient Check: What are the ingredients and where are they sourced? Any animal by-products? Are ingredients human grade? Organic?
• Healthy Fat Check: Do you see things like cod liver oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids on the label? DHA and EPA, which are omega-3s, offer many canine healthy benefits.
• Reviews: What are other pet parents saying about the food online? Read reviews.
• AAFCO: Does the food meet Association of American Feed Control standards?
• Sensitive stomach formula? Is there a formula for dogs who need a sensitive version?

Our Favorite Air-Dried Dog Food Selections

Throughout my career, my dogs have tried dozens of different dog foods. Here are the air-dried dog food selections that rank highest for Cocker Spaniels and why. We have trialed ten formulas over the years, and here are the six we use and recommend.

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Dog Food

When my first Cocker Spaniel, Brandy Noel, was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, we had a hard time with foods. Many of them upset her tummy or were too high in one ingredient or another. One of the air-dried dog food options we used in rotation was ZIWI Air-Dried beef.

It is available in various flavors, including chicken, lamb, mackerel and lamb, tripe and lamb, venison, and beef. Though she was sensitive to many ingredients, the beef seemed to work best for her. The food is ethically sourced from New Zealand and actually looks like real dog food and not like powder. ZIWI Peak’s grass-fed beef formula is made with pumpkin and is both steamed and dried.

Things We Love

• The first 10 ingredients are meat or organ meat (i.e., beef, beef tripe, beef, lung, beef spleen, etc.)
• Affordably priced for a high-protein, high-quality diet for dogs.
• The beef is free-range, grass-fed, and grass-finished and are not fed antibiotics.
• It contains no carbs or fillers, so dogs eat a grain-free, nutrient-dense formula.
• It contains no preservatives, sugars, or glycerines.
• Safe and easy to handle without any pathogen worries that come with feeding raw food.
• Convenient air-dried formula travels well, and we love it for road trips and vacations.
• Made for all life stages from puppyhood to adult.

Things to Consider

• Water is not required but pet parents are welcome to add it.
• Higher fat content at around 34.9%, which may not be suitable for dogs with pancreatitis or those who are overweight.
• Not all pet stores carry this food, but it is available online through Chewy and Amazon.

Pawstruck All Natural Air Dried Dog Food

I tried Pawstruck air-dried dog food in Sir Alvin’s first year of life. It is packed with 96 percent beef protein and a crunchy texture, which my Cocker Spaniel enjoyed. I appreciate the first three ingredients are beef, beef lung, and beef liver. Both grain and gluten-free, Pawstruck’s food is AAFCO compliant and recommended for all dogs.

It is made in the USA using an oven-roasted technique that minimally processes each bite. We like Pawstruck as a viable alternative to highly processed food. As a bonus, Pawstruck runs 3,500 tests a month at their facility to ensure safety and quality.

Things We Love

• This air-dried dog food is available in beef, chicken, or fish.
• It contains salmon oil, vitamins, and minerals for hip and joint support.
• There are no preservatives, byproducts, fillers, lentils, grains, gluten, or GMOs in the recipes.
• Pet parents can use this as a full meal, kibble topper, or high-value training treat.
• This food is made in a Safe Food Quality (SQF) certified plant, which isn’t required.
• Like most air-dried food, it transports easily and this formula doesn’t require water.
• The cost is affordable for most budgets.

Things to Consider

• Some dogs may experience digestive upset, so be sure to slowly transition from the old diet.
• The newer formula features bigger pieces, which is one of the reasons we switched.

Solid Gold NutrientBoost Air Dried Meal or Topper

If you prefer to stay with your dog’s current diet, consider adding Solid Gold’s NutrientBoost Air Dried Meal Topper to their bowl. The semi-moist jerky-like texture is easy to chew, while the air drying process retains nutrients and flavor. Available in chicken or beef, most picky eaters devour this recipe. It can also be used as a high-value training treat (which I do to this day.)

You can feed this on its own as dog food, but it may get a bit costly. The first three ingredients in the beef formula include beef lung, beef, and beef liver, which I appreciate. If you plan to feed this to your Cocker Spaniel, the feeding chart suggests 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cups for dogs weighing 16 to 30 pounds daily.

Things We Love

• It has 4.8 stars on Chewy, and pet parents rave about how much their dog loves it.
• We continue to use it as a topper from time to time and as treats because it agrees with my dog’s tummy.
• Ideal for dogs of all sizes for protein support.
• It contains what Solid Gold calls “NutrientBoost,” a mixture of proteins, amino acids, and antibodies.
• Made in Canada
• It comes with a Solid Gold 100% satisfaction guarantee.
• Available in chicken or beef.

Things We Consider

• Served on its own, this food can be pricey for some pet parents.
• Only two varieties available at this time.

Open Farm Air Dried Grain and Legume Free Dog Food

We love the variety and traceability of the ingredients in Open Farm’s air-dried food for dogs. Available in pollock and lamb, chicken, or surf and turf, 100 percent of the ingredients in each formula are traceable. The formulas are infused with bone broth, making them tasty and nutritional. Open Farm received the Animal Welfare Certified seal, and all animals used in the processing are humanely raised and sustainably sourced.

We tried the Pollock (fish) and lamb recipe, which contains 90 percent wild-caught fish, lamb, and organs. The jerky-like texture enables it to be served as a meal or a topper. Free of grains, legumes, and glycerin, I appreciate that the first few ingredients are pure proteins.

buttons

Things We Love

• Open Farms air-dried recipes for dogs are made in the United States.
• They contain no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or flavors or preservatives.
• Available in three varieties.
• Open Farm includes bone broth in their air-drying process for meaty goodness and taste.
• Each variety is high in protein and low in carboyhydrates.
• A good weight management formula for dogs.

Things to Consider

• Pieces may be a bit larger for smaller dogs; consider breaking them up first.
• A bit on the pricey side, but many air-dried foods are premium and cost more.

The Pets Table Air-Dried Dog Food

Several of our Cocker Spaniel pals eat The Pets Table and are thriving. Developed with veterinary nutritionists, this food is made in the United States. Featuring two formulas, this premium air-dried dog food is from the same company that makes HelloFresh food for dogs. It is slowly baked at low temperatures to ensure the product retains its flavor and nutrients.

Each selection is free of corn, wheat, soy, and grains, so pet parents can feel good serving The Pets Table. Picky eaters tend to love this food, and our friends tell us their dogs actually whine and cry for their meal each time. This looks like real food and is formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

Things We Love

Note: These are actual quotations from several Cocker Spaniel parents who feed The Pets Table to their dogs:

• “It is available in Beef and Berries or Chicken and Sweet Potato, so I rotate my dog’s meals.”
• “I like that it firmed up my Cocker Spaniel’s stool within a few weeks of starting this diet.”
• “I like the high protein content which fills up my Cocker Spaniel.”
• “Because veterinary nutritionists helped develop this food, I feel safer giving it to my Cocker.”
• “Being made in the USA means a lot to me.”

Things to Consider

• The food has a crunchy texture, so be sure your dog likes that type of food.
• A bit on the pricey side, but it can be used as a topper on existing dog food.

Earth Animal Air-Dried

We first discovered Earth Animal’s Air-Dried food for dogs when a member of our Club Cocker Facebook group mentioned feeding it to her Cocker. Available in five flavor selections, Earth Animal’s protein is antibiotic-free, and their foods are made in the USA. It can be used as a full meal or a topper and is idea for things like puzzle toys and games for dogs.

Each recipe is grain-free, and contains no corn, wheat, soy, or peas. It does not require refrigeration and should be eaten within eight weeks of opening the bag for optimal freshness. Earth Animal is a certified B corp who also offers treats and chews for dogs and cats. On average, there are about eight cups of food in a 2-pound bag of food.

Things We Love

• A variety of formulas are available for all dogs’ needs and preferences.
• Easy-to-digest holistic formula to promote a healthy microbiome.
• High-quality ingredients that are traceable and trustworthy.
• Made in the USA in an SQF-certified facility

Things To Consider

• This food is on the pricey side, but you feed less than typical kibble.
• Some of the recipes include carbs such as oats or quinoa, just fyi.

Pro Tip: Discover your dog’s appropriate caloric intake with WSAVA.

Of note, we tried the Elevate Pet Provisions air-dried food for dogs in regular and sensitive formulas for my Cocker Spaniel, but it still upset his tummy, so we stopped feeding that brand. It may work for some dogs, but the texture and how our dog reacted to it is why we stopped feeding it. It was too rich for his digestive system.

Frequently Asked Questions