Fresh Dog Food vs Kibble: Why Your Dog Deserves Better Than Dry Biscuits

If you’re still scooping dry biscuits into your dog’s bowl and calling it a day, you’re not alone—but your pup might be missing out. Kibble (also known as dry dog food) has long been the go-to for convenience, but the tide is turning. Fresh dog meals are rapidly becoming the gold standard in canine nutrition—and for good reason.

Let’s dive into why fresh food is a better, healthier, tastier choice for your four-legged friend.

What Is Kibble, Really?

Kibble is the highly processed, dry food you find in bags at supermarkets and pet shops. It’s made by blending meat meals, grains, starches, fats, and synthetic vitamins into a dough, which is then cooked under high pressure and heat using a method called extrusion. The result? Uniform brown pellets with a shelf life of over a year.

Sounds a bit like processed cereal, doesn’t it? That’s because it is—for dogs.

The Case Against Kibble

1. High-Heat Processing Damages Nutrients

To make kibble shelf-stable, manufacturers use extreme heat and pressure—upwards of 120°C. This intense process can destroy essential nutrients and denature proteins. While synthetic vitamins are often added back in, they’re never quite the same as the natural nutrients found in fresh, whole foods.

2. Highly Processed Ingredients

Kibble often includes meat meal or animal derivatives—ultra-processed ingredients that are far removed from fresh meat. These can include a variety of parts from multiple animals, and you’ll rarely know exactly what you’re feeding your dog.

3. Mystery Fillers and Additives

Many dry dog foods are bulked out with low-cost fillers such as maize, wheat, and beet pulp. Not only are these ingredients difficult for dogs to digest, but they also offer very little nutritional value. Kibble may also contain artificial preservatives, colourings, and flavour enhancers to make it palatable.

4. Low Moisture Content

Kibble contains only about 10% moisture. Dogs, however, are designed to get a large portion of their water intake from their food. A diet based primarily on dry biscuits can lead to chronic dehydration, putting strain on the kidneys and urinary tract over time.

5. Long Shelf Life = Less Freshness

With a shelf life of 12 to 18 months, kibble may sit around for a long time before being eaten. During this time, fats in the food can oxidise, which not only impacts taste but may also affect your dog’s health. Fresh food, by contrast, is made in small batches and frozen to lock in goodness.

Why Fresh Dog Meals Come Out on Top

At Paws on Plates, we believe dogs deserve food that’s made with the same care and quality as our own meals. Here’s what makes our fresh dog food so special:

1. Real Ingredients, Not Guesswork

We use honest-to-goodness ingredients you’d recognise in your own kitchen: British beef, turkey, lamb, salmon, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, spinach, and antioxidant-rich superfoods. No mystery meat. No vague labels. Just wholesome food that’s naturally nourishing.

2. Gently Cooked to Preserve Nutrition

Our meals are gently steamed or simmered to preserve vitamins, minerals, and flavour. This low-temperature cooking ensures maximum nutrient retention without compromising food safety. Unlike kibble, which is cooked at high temperatures multiple times, our meals stay as close to nature as possible.

3. Naturally Moist and Delicious

Fresh food contains natural moisture, which supports hydration and healthy digestion. Many pet parents notice firmer poos, fewer tummy troubles, and happier pups within weeks of switching to fresh.

4. Custom-Portioned for Your Dog

No two dogs are alike—so why feed them all the same dry pellets? We portion every meal based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. Whether you’ve got a sprightly spaniel or a couch-loving bulldog, we’ve got them covered.

5. No Artificial Additives

Our recipes are free from artificial preservatives, flavours, or colours. We use rosemary extract as a natural preservative and stick to a short, clean ingredient list with nothing to hide.

But Isn’t Kibble Convenient?

Sure, kibble’s easy—but so is fresh food when it’s done right. Our meals arrive frozen in portioned, resealable containers that slot neatly into your freezer. Just thaw, serve, and watch your dog devour it.

And because our meals are delivered straight to your door, you’ll never run out or need a last-minute supermarket dash.

What Do Dogs Think?

Let’s be honest—dogs are picky in their own way. And time after time, our customers tell us their dogs go bonkers for our fresh meals. From the smell to the taste to the texture, it’s a sensory upgrade from dry, dusty kibble. Clean bowls, wagging tails, and excited mealtimes say it all.

Real Health Benefits You Can See

Since switching from kibble to fresh food, our customers have reported:

• Shinier coats

• Healthier skin

• Smaller, firmer poos

• Better energy levels

• Fewer tummy upsets

• Improved weight management

That’s because we’re feeding dogs the way nature intended: with real food, real nutrients, and real love.

Better for the Environment, Too

Fresh food means less waste. Our meals are precisely portioned to avoid overfeeding, and our freezer-friendly packaging is designed to maximise space and reduce spoilage. We’re working on sustainable packaging options to help protect the planet our pups love to explore.

Time to Say Goodbye to Kibble?

If you’re still relying on kibble because it’s familiar, we get it—but your dog’s health and happiness are worth the switch. With fresh food, you’ll know exactly what’s in their bowl, and you’ll see the difference it makes.

Because your dog doesn’t deserve “good enough.” They deserve fresh, balanced, lovingly cooked meals—every day.

Join the Fresh Food Movement

Toss the dry biscuits. Ditch the guessing games. And treat your dog to something better.

Create your dog’s personalised meal plan today at Paws on Plates. It’s fresh food made easy—with meals your dog will love and nutrition you can feel good about.

Need help getting started? Pop us an email at Sam@Pawsonplates.com—we’re always happy to chat all things dog food.