Last Updated: 15/09/2026
Is Air Dried Dog Food Worth It?
Is air dried dog food good for dogs and worth the cost? Our vet covers nutrition, cost per feed, shelf life and how to switch your dog over.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
If you're eyeing off air-dried dog food and weighing up whether it's worth the extra spend over kibble, you're not alone, it's one of the most common questions we hear from pet parents looking to upgrade their dog's diet.
Not sure what air-dried food actually is or how it's made? Our air-dried vs freeze-dried dog food guide covers the basics. Here, we're going deeper into whether it's worth switching for your dog specifically.
Is air-dried dog food worth the cost?
Air-dried dog food is generally worth it for dogs who need highly digestible, minimally processed nutrition, and for owners who can absorb the higher cost per feed. It's not an automatic upgrade for every dog though - a healthy adult doing well on a quality kibble may not need it.
Air-dried food usually costs more per feed than kibble - generally due to the higher proportion of meat, high quality ingredients, and cost of processing. This cost may be worth it for:
- Versatility: This is one of the biggest benefits of air-dried food. Complete and balanced air-dried foods can be offered in a bowl like traditional kibble, used as a topper to boost palatability for fussy eaters, or used as high-value treats for training - the intense flavour and firm texture make them ideal for this.
- Gentle processing: The use of low heat to dry the food helps to preserve the nutrients and retain the enticing flavour of the raw ingredients, making air-dried food highly palatable and nutritiious. This is also why air-dried food is considered 'close-to-raw', and an excellent alternative to fully raw diets.
Make sure to compare cost per feed rather than cost per bag, as air-dried foods are generally more calorie dense than kibble and therefore have a smaller serving size. Once you account for this, some air-dried foods sit closer to premium kibble pricing than they first appear.
Our real cost of premium vs supermarket food guide walks through how to compare foods properly, and our pet feeding calculator will help you work out cost per feed.
Is air-dried dog food nutritionally complete?
Yes, reputable air-dried dog foods are formulated to meet AAFCO or FEDIAF complete and balanced standards for your dog's life stage, the same bar kibble and wet food are held to. Always check the pack for a life stage statement (puppy, adult, all life stages) rather than assuming - some air-dried products are sold as toppers or treats, not a complete diet, and feeding those alone can cause nutritional deficiencies.
Are air-dried foods safe to feed my dog?
By removing moisture, air drying significantly reduces the risk of pathogenic bacterial growth. Reputable manufacturers test each batch after manufacture to ensure it's safe and shelf stable.
Air-dried foods don't require refrigeration after opening. Store them in their original sealed packaging, away from direct sunlight and heat.
That said, air drying is not an equal substitute for cooking with heat in terms of bacterial and parasitic control. Handle air-dried foods carefully: store them away from other foods, and wash all utensils, bowls, surfaces, and hands thoroughly after use.
Is air-dried dog food good for puppies, seniors or dogs with allergies?
Air-dried food can suit puppies, seniors and dogs with allergies, provided you pick a product formulated for that life stage or need. For growing puppies, look for a puppy or all-life-stages formula with the right calorie density - our best dry puppy food guide covers what to check for.
For seniors, the higher calorie density of air-dried food can work against you if you are trying to manage your senior dogs weight. However, small amounts of air-dried food used as a topper can help to entice more fussy senior dogs to eat. See our senior dog food guide for more tips for this lifestage.
Air-dried foods that use novel proteins can help dogs with suspected food allergies, but air-dried food is not automatically hypoallergenic. Always work with your vet, and check out our dog food allergy and elimination diet guides for more information.
How do I transition my dog to air-dried food?
Switch gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing in increasing amounts of air-dried food alongside your dog's current diet to avoid an upset tummy. Start around 25% air-dried to 75% current food, then increase the ratio every couple of days if your dog's stools stay normal.
Our guide to introducing a new food has the full step-by-step if your dog has a sensitive gut or you'd rather go slower.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon 14 Sep 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
