Kibble, Air Aried, Freeze Dried - What's The Difference?
With so many dog food options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, what’s the difference between kibble, air-dried, and freeze dried, and which one should you choose?
Kibble, air dried, and freeze dried products each offer distinct advantages, and the optimal choice depends on your dog’s individual nutritional needs, preferences, and your lifestyle.
Black Hawk’s Adult Dry Foods (kibble) and the Air Dried range are formulated as complete and balanced diets, suitable for daily feeding for adult dogs. In contrast, the Black Hawk Freeze Dried range is intended for supplemental use only - ideal as a topper, treat, or training reward.
These formats differ in texture and mouthfeel, and dogs can have individual preferences.
Generally, air-dried and freeze-dried products are more aromatic and softer, making them highly appealing to dogs and particularly effective for fussy eaters or used as high-value rewards during training.
As a complete meal, air-dried food is typically more nutrient- and energy-dense than kibble, allowing for smaller portion sizes to meet your dog’s daily requirements. This is beneficial for dogs with smaller appetites, though some may not feel as full on smaller air-dried servings alone.
Ingredient composition also varies. Air-dried and freeze-dried products often feature simpler ingredient lists, focusing on high-quality, whole-food inclusions.
In contrast, kibble technology allows for greater ingredient diversity, making it easier to include specific functional ingredients such as prebiotics, joint support nutrients, or added fibre for digestive health.
From a cost perspective, freeze-dried products are generally the most expensive due to their longer, more complex preparation process, followed by air-dried, with kibble being the most budget-friendly option.
| Feature | Black Hawk Dry Foods (Kibble) | Black Hawk Air Dried | Black Hawk Freeze Dried |
| Processing Method | Cooked and extruded | Gently air dried at low temperatures | Frozen and moisture removed via sublimation |
| Palatability | Moderate in dogs | High in dogs | High in dogs |
| Shelf Life | Long | Long | Very long |
| Texture | Hard and crunchy | Chewy, jerky-like | Soft, light, crunchy and crumbly |
| Complete & balanced diet | Yes | Yes | No |
| Uses | Complete diet, mixed feeding | Complete diet, mixed feeding, training reward, treat, topper | Training reward, treat, topper |
| Approx. Costs | $ | $$ | $$$ |
When Do I Feed Air-Dried to My Dog?
Black Hawk Air Dried food is a versatile, nutritious option that fits easily into your dog’s routine - whether you’re feeding it every day or just using it to mix things up.
As a Complete Meal
Black Hawk Air-dried is a complete and balanced food for adult dogs, so you can serve it as your dog’s main diet. Its high meat content and gentle processing make it ideal for dogs who need a high-protein, easily digestible diet that’s full of natural flavour.
As a Meal Topper, Treat or Training Reward
Air-dried pieces are small, soft, and perfect for training or rewarding good behaviour. It also works beautifully as a meal topper. Simply sprinkle a little over your dog’s regular kibble to boost taste. This is especially helpful for fussy eaters or dogs who need a little extra encouragement at mealtime.
What About puppies?
For puppies, Black Hawk Air Dried can be used as a topper or training reward. However, it is not formulated as a complete and balanced diet for puppies and should not be used as such. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Why? Because complete and balanced diets are carefully formulated to provide all essential nutrients for the life stage it’s intended. If too many calories come from treats, your puppy could miss out on important nutrients or consume the inappropriate balance of nutrients.
| Life Stage | Complete & Balanced Diet | Meal Topper | Training Reward | Mixed Feeding (e.g., with kibble) |
| Puppy | No | Yes – keep air-dried to 10% of daily calories | Yes – keep air-dried to 10% of daily calories | No |
| Adult | Yes | Yes – keep topper to 10% of daily calories | Yes – keep treats to 10% of daily calories | Yes* |
| Mature | Yes | Yes – keep topper to 10% of daily calories | Yes – keep treats to 10% of daily calories | Yes* |
*When mixing two complete and balanced foods, replace the same proportion of each – see below.
Mixed Feeding
Mixed Feeding is combining different formats of complete and balanced foods.
Each food’s feeding guide is designed to give your dog everything they need when fed alone. So, if you replace part of one food with the same proportion of another (e.g., swap ¼ of the kibble for ¼ of the air-dried food’s recommended daily amount), your dog still gets a balanced diet.
| Mixed | Kibble | Air-Dried |
| ¼ Swap | ¾ of daily kibble amount | ¼ of daily air-dried amount |
| ½ Swap | ½ of daily kibble amount | ½ of daily air-dried amount |
| ¾ Swap | ¼ of daily kibble amount | ¾ of daily air-dried amount |
Tip: Use each product’s feeding guide to find the daily amount, then apply the same proportion for each food.
When Should You Rehydrate Freeze Dried Treats?
Freeze dried treats are a convenient and tasty option for dogs. They’re lightweight, easy to store, and packed with natural flavour. Most dogs love them straight out of the pack, but did you know you can also rehydrate them? Adding a little warm water can completely change the texture and aroma, making them even more appealing for some dogs.
Why Would You Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Treats?
Freeze-dried treats are made by removing moisture from fresh ingredients through a gentle process that locks in nutrients and flavour. This means they’re naturally dry and crunchy when you open the pack.
Here are a few reasons you might want to rehydrate them:
- For older dogs or those with dental issues. Softer treats are easier to chew and gentler on sensitive teeth or gums.
- To boost aroma and palatability. Adding warm water releases the natural scent of the meat, making the treat even more tempting, perfect for fussy eaters.
- To add a little hydration. While treats aren’t a major source of water, rehydrating can provide a small extra boost.
- For enrichment. Rehydrated treats may be easier to fit into food puzzle toys for a longer-lasting activity.
How to Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Treats
It’s simple and quick:
- 1. Place the treats in a small bowl. Use only the amount you plan to feed right away.
- Add warm (not boiling) water.
- Wait a few minutes. The treats will soak up the water and soften.
Note: Some ingredients soften faster than others - e.g., chicken breast will rehydrate more easily than beef liver. - Serve immediately. Don’t leave rehydrated treats sitting out for long, as moisture can encourage spoilage.
Dry vs. Rehydrated?
Both options are yummy and nutritious, here's some benefits and suggestions for both:
| Dry Treats | Rehydrated Treats |
| Convenient and mess-free | Softer texture for easy chewing |
| Great for training on the go | More aromatic and appealing |
| Stay fresh longer when left out | Adds a little hydration |
| Ideal for dogs that like crunch | Best for older dogs or fussy eaters |
Things to Consider
Storage: Once rehydrated, treats should be eaten right away. Don’t store leftovers.
Portion control: Whether dry or rehydrated, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. This helps maintain a balanced diet and healthy weight.
Mess factor: Rehydrated treats can be a little messy, so they’re best served in a bowl or on a mat.
The 10% Treat Rule
Regardless of the type of treats, they should always make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
Why is this important? Complete and balanced diets are carefully formulated to provide all the nutrients your dog needs. If too many calories come from treats, even healthy ones, your dog could miss out on essential nutrients or gain excess weight.
Black Hawk Freeze Dried treats are versatile, you can serve them dry for convenience or rehydrate them for extra aroma and softness. Whether you’re rewarding good behaviour, training, or just treating your dog, Black Hawk Freeze-Dried treats are made from 100% Australian ingredients with no artificial preservatives, colours, or flavours - just a single ingredient with moisture removed - so you can feel good about every bite.
