Real ingredients, lighter treats
We freeze dry our ingredients to turn them into lightweight treats that are easy to serve, portion and crumble over a meal.
Dogzilla starts with a single animal ingredient. Freeze drying removes water, giving each variety a dry texture while keeping the ingredient at the centre of the treat.
Our process begins with the animal ingredient itself. Here, a whole raw beef heart is shown before preparation. Next, it is cut into pieces and arranged on trays.
MEET OUR INGREDIENTS
From whole heart to tray-ready pieces
The whole ingredient is prepared in smaller pieces and spread over trays. This photograph shows our raw beef heart before the freeze-drying cycle.
The trays carry the ingredient through freezing and vacuum drying. The finished treats take their shape from these prepared pieces.
The same process, a different ingredient
Here, our raw salmon is arranged on trays in the freeze dryer. The photograph shows the ingredient before drying.
Each variety is prepared separately. Freezing, vacuum pressure and controlled heat then work together to remove water.
How freeze drying works
The key is sublimation: under low pressure, ice changes directly into water vapour without first becoming liquid.
- 01 / FREEZE
Start with frozen food
The ingredient is frozen so that the water inside it becomes ice.
- 02 / DRY UNDER VACUUM
Remove the water
A vacuum lowers the pressure in the chamber. Controlled heat supplies the energy for ice to leave the food as vapour; further drying removes remaining moisture.
- 03 / PACKAGE
Keep moisture out
We fill and label our Mylar bags by hand. Keeping the bag sealed helps protect the dry treats from moisture during storage.
Why we use this process
One ingredient at a time
We keep our recipes simple: the named animal ingredient, without fillers or added flavourings.
A texture for treats and toppers
The dry pieces can be offered as rewards, broken into smaller portions or crumbled over your pet’s usual food.
Less water, less weight
Removing moisture makes the finished treats lighter than the original ingredient. Each 120 g bag contains the dried product, rather than 120 g of fresh meat or fish.
Handcrafted in Ontario
We prepare our treats in small batches in Merlin, Ontario, and package them by hand.
A few common questions
Is freeze drying the same as hot-air dehydration?
Both methods remove water. Hot-air dehydration uses warm air to evaporate moisture; freeze drying begins with frozen food and uses a vacuum to remove ice through sublimation. Freeze drying still uses controlled heat during drying.
Does freeze drying keep every nutrient unchanged?
Nutrient retention varies with the ingredient, processing and storage. Removing water also changes how nutrients compare by weight. For general ingredient nutrition, visit Our Treats; we do not publish untested nutrient percentages for our finished products.
Does freeze drying cook raw ingredients?
Freeze drying is a drying process, not a cooking or sterilisation step. Raw ingredients remain raw. Wash your hands after handling treats and clean bowls and preparation surfaces.
How should I store the treats?
Keep the bag sealed in a cool, dry place. Once opened, use within four weeks and follow the instructions on your package.
Can these treats replace a meal?
Dogzilla treats are for intermittent or supplemental feeding alongside a complete and balanced diet. Offer suitable portions for your pet and supervise while feeding.
Learn more about the process from Utah State University Extension and Harvest Right. For handling guidance, see the FDA’s pet food and treat handling tips.
Explore the finished treats
Get to know our ingredients or browse current varieties in the shop.
OUR TREATS & NUTRITIONSHOP OUR TREATS