If you want freeze-dried dog food vs kibble with more than just meat, this guide comes down to 5 picks: Loyal Saints, Open Farm, Primal, Stella & Chewy’s, and Instinct.
I’d look at 4 things first:
- Protein base: meat, organs, and bone
- Plant add-ins: berries, greens, seeds, pumpkin, mushrooms, algae
- Gut and immune support: probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, antioxidants
- AAFCO life-stage fit: puppy, adult, or all life stages
Here’s the short version: Loyal Saints leans into whole-food botanicals and all-life-stages feeding. Open Farm and Stella & Chewy’s stay very meat-heavy. Primal adds probiotics but is for adult dogs only. Instinct keeps a shorter plant list and separates adult from puppy needs.
I Tested The Most Popular Freeze-Dried Dog Foods (Here's My Winner)
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Quick Comparison
Freeze-Dried Dog Food with Plant-Based Boosters: Brand Comparison
| Brand | Protein Focus | Plant Add-Ins | Gut/Immune Support | AAFCO Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal Saints | Whole-muscle meat + organs | Tart cherry, flaxseed, chia, pumpkin, shiitake, chlorella, berries | Beta-glucans, antioxidants, fiber | All life stages |
| Open Farm | 95% meat, organs, bone | Squash, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, kale, seeds | Inulin, selenium yeast, turmeric | Mostly all life stages |
| Primal | High protein, high fat meat-first recipes | Organic squash, kale, carrots, apples, seeds, berries | 4 probiotic strains, clay, antioxidants | Adult maintenance |
| Stella & Chewy’s | 95% meat, organs, bone | Organic cranberries, spinach, broccoli, beets, carrots, squash, blueberries | 4 probiotic strains, taurine, omega-3s | Mostly all life stages |
| Instinct | 85% meat and organs | Pumpkin seeds, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, squash, blueberries, spinach | Inulin, beta-carotene, antioxidants | Adult recipes + puppy recipe |
My takeaway: if you’re comparing these foods, don’t stop at the front label. Check the meat percentage, plant list, probiotic details, and the AAFCO statement. That tells you how the food is meant to be used and which dog it may suit best.
1. Loyal Saints Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Loyal Saints makes small-batch freeze-dried raw dog food in the American Midwest using human-grade ingredients.
The brand blends whole-animal protein with plant add-ins that support immune function and digestion. The result is a formula built around meat first, with a smart mix of extras.
Protein Base
Loyal Saints follows a "nose-to-tail" approach with three protein options: Beef, Chicken, and a Turkey + Salmon blend. Each recipe pairs whole-muscle meat with organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney to provide a complete amino acid profile. Beef heart adds a natural source of CoQ10, while chicken gives dogs a leaner protein choice [2][1].
Plant-Based Boosters
Each recipe also includes superfoods alongside the meat base. Tart cherry provides compounds linked to anti-inflammatory support, which may help with muscle recovery. Flaxseed and chia seeds add plant-based omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health. Pumpkin brings soluble fiber, which helps support digestion and can firm up stools [2][1].
Immune Support Features
For immune support, Loyal Saints uses shiitake mushrooms and chlorella. Shiitake mushrooms contain beta-glucans that help modulate immune system activity. Chlorella, a nutrient-dense algae, adds micronutrients and antioxidants. The recipes also include an antioxidant blend of blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and oranges for cellular defense support. Beef liver adds a concentrated source of vitamin A and B12 [2].
AAFCO Life-Stage Rating
All Loyal Saints formulas are AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, including puppies, adults, and seniors. The brand meets that standard with whole-food ingredients instead of a synthetic vitamin and mineral premix [4].
For puppies, that all-life-stages rating matters. It means the food meets stricter growth standards, including specific calcium and phosphorus balances [3].
That mix of meat, organ meat, and botanicals sets the baseline for the formulas that come next.
2. Open Farm Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw recipes are made with 95% humanely raised meat, organs, and bone, plus 5% organic produce [5][6].
Protein Base
Open Farm sells five single-protein recipes: Harvest Chicken, Grass-Fed Beef, Pasture-Raised Lamb, Homestead Turkey, and Farmer's Table Pork [5][6][10]. The meat comes from G.A.P.-certified farms and is sourced without antibiotics or added hormones [5][6][8].
This is a meat-heavy line, and it also runs high in fat.
Plant-Based Boosters
The produce mix changes from one recipe to the next. Harvest Chicken includes butternut squash, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, and kale [8][11]. Grass-Fed Beef includes carrots, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds [6][8][11].
These ingredients add fiber and antioxidants, which feed into the gut and immune support features below.
Immune Support Features
Dried chicory root provides prebiotic inulin to help support gut bacteria. Selenium yeast helps support immune function, and turmeric adds antioxidant activity [10][11].
AAFCO Life-Stage Rating
Most recipes meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth for large-breed puppies. RawMix Front Range is the exception [5][6][7][9].
The next formula changes the plant mix again while keeping a raw-first approach.
3. Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Dog Food
Primal makes eight freeze-dried recipes built around named meats, organs, and ground bone [12][13][14][15]. The big theme across the line is its shared organic produce blend, which is where much of the immune-support focus comes from.
Protein Base
The macros shift from recipe to recipe. Turkey & Sardine is the highest in protein, with 54% minimum crude protein and 23% fat, while Beef has 42% protein and 32% fat [12][13].
Across the full line, the dry matter averages come out to 52.3% protein and 29.5% fat, with an estimated carbohydrate level of 10.2% [16]. That puts these nuggets firmly in the high-protein, meat-first camp. This formulation highlights the freeze-dried dog food benefits for nutrient preservation and overall health.
Plant-Based Boosters
Each recipe uses the same organic produce mix, which makes side-by-side comparison pretty simple. That blend includes:
- Squash, kale, carrots, apples, parsley, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, broccoli, blueberries, and cranberries [12][13][14]
Because the produce blend stays the same, the main differences between recipes come from the animal proteins and fat levels, not the plant ingredients.
Immune Support Features
Kale and broccoli both provide sulforaphane, a natural compound with antioxidant compounds [16]. Blueberries and cranberries add more antioxidant support, and organic coconut oil contributes medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) [12][16].
Primal also includes a probiotic blend with four strains - Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, and Bifidobacterium animalis - at a guaranteed minimum of 100 million CFU/kg [12][13][14]. For digestive health support, the recipes also use montmorillonite clay, which may help bind toxins and control diarrhea [16].
AAFCO Life-Stage Rating
Primal is labeled for adult maintenance only. That means it isn't a fit for puppies, pregnant dogs, or nursing mothers [16].
That sets up a useful comparison with the next recipe's plant mix.
4. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
After the bigger produce-heavy blends above, Stella & Chewy's takes a tighter approach to freeze-dried dog food. The plant portion stays small and focused, mostly there to supply micronutrients and immune support.
Protein Base
Most Dinner Patties are made with 95% meat, organs, and bone [18][19]. Protein options include grass-fed beef, cage-free chicken and turkey, lamb, duck, venison, rabbit, and wild-caught salmon [19]. On a dry matter basis, the line runs from 38% to 50% protein, 30% to 38% fat, and 8% to 12% carbs [18].
In most recipes, the first ingredients are meat, liver, and gizzard [20].
Plant-Based Boosters
Plant ingredients account for 5% of the formula, and all of them are certified organic. That mix includes cranberries, spinach, broccoli, beets, carrots, squash, and blueberries [19][20]. The recipes are also pea-free, lentil-free, and potato-free [22][21].
Immune Support Features
That organic produce layer adds antioxidants and phytonutrients from blueberries, cranberries, spinach, broccoli, and carrots, including beta-carotene from carrots [22][20].
The recipes also include a four-strain probiotic blend - Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bacillus coagulans - with a minimum guarantee of 50 million CFU per ounce [20]. You’ll also find added taurine for heart health and omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation support [19][20].
AAFCO Life-Stage Rating
Most Dinner Patties meet AAFCO standards for all life stages. Simply Venison is the exception, as it does not meet the growth standard for large-breed puppies [20][18].
Next up is a formula with a different plant mix and probiotic setup.
5. Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Meals for Dogs
Instinct keeps the focus where many dog owners want it: on meat first. Its recipes use 85% meat and organs and 15% non-GMO fruits and vegetables, which means the formula leans hard into animal-based nutrition while keeping the plant side fairly tight and purposeful [24][25]. That organ mix includes beef liver, kidney, spleen, and heart.
Protein Base
The protein lineup includes grass-fed beef, cage-free chicken, grass-fed lamb, and wild-caught Alaskan pollock [24][25][26]. Across the line, Instinct averages 41.6% protein on a dry matter basis, which is above average for freeze-dried food [26].
A couple of numbers help show the range:
- The Beef Recipe guarantees a minimum of 36.0% crude protein and 29.0% crude fat as fed [25]
- The puppy formula reaches 42.9% protein on a dry matter basis [26]
Plant-Based Boosters
The plant ingredients are shorter in number, but they still do a job. Instinct includes pumpkin seeds, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, blueberries, and spinach [24][25][26]. Ground flaxseed and pumpkin seeds add essential fatty acids that support skin, coat, and immune health [26].
Immune Support Features
Chicory root adds inulin, a prebiotic that helps support healthy gut bacteria [26]. Carrots and sweet potatoes bring beta-carotene, while blueberries and cranberries add antioxidant support [23][26]. Put together, this gives Instinct a clean point of comparison for the ingredient review that comes next.
AAFCO Life-Stage Rating
Most adult recipes are labeled for maintenance, while the puppy recipe is made for growth [25][26][27]. That matters. A puppy and an adult dog don’t need the same nutrient profile, so it’s smart to match the recipe to your dog’s life stage for complete and balanced nutrition [25][26].
Ingredient and Benefit Comparison
The brand reviews above list the ingredients. This section shows how to judge them side by side.
Four things separate stronger formulas from weaker ones: protein source, plant ingredients, gut support, and life-stage fit.
Meat-first matters. That means a named animal protein leads the label. Stella & Chewy's is 95% meat, organs, and bone [20]. Loyal Saints builds its recipes around whole-muscle meat plus organ meats [2].
Whole-food plant ingredients can add targeted support. Organic berries, leafy greens, pumpkin, and seeds bring antioxidants and phytonutrients [20][29]. Primal uses certified organic produce throughout [17]. Loyal Saints adds shiitake mushrooms and chlorella for immune-modulating beta-glucans and anti-inflammatory support [2].
Gut support takes a closer look. Don’t stop at “live cultures” on the label. Look for named probiotic strains and guaranteed counts. Stella & Chewy's guarantees 50 million CFU per ounce [20]. Primal includes four distinct strains at a minimum of 100 million CFU/kg [17].
| Criterion | What to Look For | How the Compared Brands Tend to Differ |
|---|---|---|
| Meat-First Formula | Named protein plus organs in the first 5 ingredients [28] | Stella & Chewy's: 95% meat, organs, and bone [20]; Loyal Saints: whole-muscle meat plus organ meats [2] |
| Whole-Food Plant Additions | Organic berries, leafy greens, seeds, and vegetables [20][29] | Primal uses certified organic produce [17]; Loyal Saints adds shiitake mushrooms and chlorella [2] |
| Antioxidants & Gut Support | Specific probiotic strains with guaranteed CFU counts [20] | Stella & Chewy's: 50M CFU/oz [20]; Primal: 4 strains at 100M CFU/kg [17] |
| Life-Stage Fit | AAFCO statement for "Growth", "Maintenance", or "All Life Stages" [28] | Loyal Saints is AAFCO complete for all life stages [2]; Instinct is positioned for adult/senior dogs [30] |
Life-stage fit is just as important as the ingredient panel. Learn how to read dog food labels and check for an AAFCO statement that says "Growth", "Maintenance", or "All Life Stages" [28]. Loyal Saints is AAFCO complete for all life stages [2], while Instinct is positioned for adult/senior dogs [30].
One more thing: supplemental-only formulas are toppers, not complete meals [28]. That’s an easy detail to miss, and it can change how you use the product day to day.
Pros and Cons
Here’s the quick takeaway on how Loyal Saints stacks up beyond the ingredient list.
Loyal Saints brings broad whole-food support to the table, with a human-grade, all-natural formula made from 29 ingredients. It also includes a wide mix of botanicals tied to immune support. The catch is that those functional boosters appear lower on the ingredient panel, which points to lower inclusion levels [2].
Pros:
- Human-grade, all-natural formula
- Broad whole-food profile across 29 ingredients
- Immune-support botanicals included
Cons:
- Functional boosters sit low on the ingredient list
Conclusion
The big difference between these formulas comes down to the plant-based boosters mixed into a raw meat base to help support immunity. The strongest picks keep animal protein high while adding plant ingredients with a clear job to do, like mushrooms, algae, berries, leafy greens, seeds, and prebiotic fibers. In plain English: the goal is to get useful support from those add-ins without letting them crowd out the meat.
Choose the formula whose plant boosters line up with your dog’s needs and tolerance.
Before changing diets, check with your veterinarian, especially if your dog is a puppy, a senior, or has kidney disease or pancreatitis.
If you make the switch, follow a freeze-dried food transition guide over 10 days. Start with 25% new food, then increase it bit by bit to help cut down on digestive upset.
FAQs
How do I choose the right life-stage formula?
Check the label for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. This tells you if the food is made for your dog’s life stage, like growth, adult maintenance, or all life stages.
For large-breed puppies, look for a label that says growth or all life stages including large-size dogs. That part matters because calcium-to-phosphorus ratios can affect how big puppies develop.
If the package doesn’t say complete and balanced, then it isn’t a full diet. It’s just a supplement or topper.
Which plant boosters help immunity most?
For canine immunity, some of the most helpful plant-based boosters are:
- Blueberries for antioxidants
- Shiitake mushrooms for immune-modulating beta-glucans
- Carrots for beta-carotene and Vitamin A
- Chlorella for nutrient-dense detox support
- Strawberries for Vitamin C
The key is rotation. Using these boosters regularly, instead of leaning on just one, gives your dog a broader mix of nutritional support.
How can I switch foods without upsetting digestion?
Introduce new food slowly. Start by mixing a small amount into your dog’s current food, then increase the amount over several days. That slow shift can help prevent digestive upset.
It can also help to pick high-quality, limited-ingredient food. Some dogs do better when the food is softened first, so you may want to add warm water and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
If your dog still has issues, talk to your veterinarian.
