Raw vs Kibble: Which Has a Smaller Carbon Footprint?

Kristina Voltin
Mar 31
5 min read

Raw Food: Uses whole ingredients but requires energy-intensive refrigeration and production.
Freeze-Dried Raw Food: Retains raw food benefits with lower transport and storage energy needs.
Kibble: Utilizes by-products and shelf-stable packaging but involves heavy processing and water use.

Quick Comparison

Factor	Raw Food	Freeze-Dried Raw Food	Kibble
Energy Use (Production)	High	Moderate	High
Refrigeration Needed	Yes	No	No
Water Usage	Low	Low	High
Packaging Impact	High (thick plastic)	Moderate (lightweight)	High (complex materials)
Waste Generation	Minimal	Minimal	Higher

Conclusion: Freeze-dried raw food strikes a balance between sustainability and nutrition, offering lower transport/storage emissions while retaining nutrients. Kibble and traditional raw food have higher environmental costs due to processing and refrigeration.

The Environmental Effects of Pet Food | What's The Most ...

Ingredient Sources and Impact

The environmental footprint of dog food starts with how its ingredients are obtained and processed. These steps play a big role in determining the overall environmental impact of each type of dog food.

Raw Meat Production Impact

Raw dog food is made with whole ingredients, focusing on high-protein sources. These ingredients are typically sourced from traditional animal farming, which has a noticeable environmental impact. Some farming methods, like rotational grazing, can help ease these effects to a degree.

Kibble Components and By-Products

Kibble often includes by-products from the food industry, repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste. It also incorporates other agricultural ingredients to meet nutritional needs. However, turning these by-products into shelf-stable kibble requires significant processing, which adds to its environmental footprint.

Loyal Saints, for example, uses methods to lower environmental impact while keeping their freeze-dried raw products highly nutritious. Raw food relies on directly sourced, whole ingredients, whereas kibble depends on by-products that need more extensive processing.

Production Methods

The way raw and kibble foods are made varies greatly, which also affects their environmental impact. These differences highlight how resources are used and waste is managed in each process.

Freeze-Drying vs. Extrusion

Freeze-drying, commonly used for raw food, works by freezing the food and lowering the pressure to remove moisture. This method operates at low temperatures, preserving nutrients but taking longer to complete. On the other hand, extrusion - used for kibble - works faster but involves more steps, such as pre-processing ingredients and using high, sustained heat.

Resource Use and Waste

The amount of water and waste generated also separates these two methods. Extrusion consumes more water, largely for cleaning equipment and cooling systems. Freeze-drying, in contrast, uses less water, mainly for preparing ingredients and routine sanitization.

Freeze-drying creates very little waste thanks to precise portioning and the ability to preserve food effectively. Extrusion, however, produces more waste due to inconsistencies during cooking and shaping. Additionally, waste from freeze-dried food is easier to compost, while kibble production waste often requires more complicated disposal solutions.

Packaging and Shipping

Packaging and shipping play a key role in the carbon footprint of different dog food formats.

Package Materials

The type of packaging used for dog food can have varying environmental effects. Kibble typically comes in multi-layer bags made of plastic, paper, and metallic elements. While these materials help keep the food fresh, they make recycling more difficult.

Traditional frozen raw food is stored in thick plastic containers to ensure safety. On the other hand, freeze-dried raw food uses lighter packaging materials. Since it doesn’t need freezing, its packaging has a smaller environmental impact.

Shipping Requirements

Shipping needs also contribute to the overall carbon footprint. Traditional raw food requires refrigeration throughout transport and storage, which consumes more energy. Kibble, however, can be shipped and stored at room temperature, using less energy.

Freeze-dried raw food offers a middle ground. It retains the benefits of raw food but doesn’t need refrigeration, making it easier on energy use during transport and storage.

Shipping Factor	Traditional Raw	Freeze-Dried Raw	Kibble
Temperature Control	Needs constant refrigeration	Stable at room temperature	Stable at room temperature
Energy Usage	High (refrigeration required)	Low	Low
Storage Requirements	Refrigerated storage	Shelf-stable	Shelf-stable

This table highlights how refrigeration demands for traditional raw food increase energy use, while freeze-dried raw food and kibble avoid these challenges by being stable at room temperature.

Carbon Footprint Results

Full Production Cycle Analysis

Let’s take a closer look at the full production cycle and its carbon impact. Producing traditional raw food requires significant energy, particularly for production and refrigeration. On the other hand, kibble involves an extrusion process, which uses high temperatures and pressure, adding to its carbon footprint. Freeze-dried raw food, while needing more energy upfront for freeze-drying, has the advantage of being stored and transported at room temperature, which helps reduce its overall environmental impact.

Impact Comparison Data

A comparison of key factors - such as production energy, storage, transport, packaging, and water usage - highlights differences between dog food types. Kibble production has lower emissions during manufacturing but requires more water-intensive processes. Freeze-dried raw food, despite its higher energy use during production, benefits from easier storage and transport, which helps balance out its overall footprint.

This analysis builds on earlier findings, giving a clearer picture of how different formats impact the environment based on their distinct production and storage needs.

Choosing Earth-Friendly Dog Food

Steps to Reduce Environmental Impact

To lower your dog's food-related carbon footprint, opt for whole, natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced and require little processing. This choice not only cuts down on production emissions but also reduces the environmental toll of transporting and manufacturing the food.

Freeze-dried dog food is another great option. It can be stored at room temperature and skips the energy-heavy extrusion process used for kibble, which helps lower emissions. Look for products with recyclable, minimal packaging and accurate portioning to cut down on waste. If you have the storage space, buying in bulk can also help reduce packaging waste.

One standout example of these practices is Loyal Saints, a brand committed to eco-conscious dog food production.

Loyal Saints' Eco-Friendly Approach

Loyal Saints exemplifies how dog food companies can balance nutrition with environmental responsibility. They use human-grade, whole ingredients to deliver balanced nutrition while keeping energy use low. By including nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables alongside premium proteins, they avoid artificial additives and fillers entirely.

"At Loyal Saints, we believe that healthy ingredients lead to happy, vibrant lives for our beloved pets." – Loyal Saints

Their freeze-drying method preserves nutrients and flavor while allowing the food to be stored at room temperature, cutting energy use during transport and storage.

Customers have noted that eco-friendly food like this doesn’t just help the planet - it also benefits their pets. Thomas, a satisfied customer, shared:

"So worth it. Rather spend on high quality food than on health care."

Loyal Saints’ dedication to quality shines through in their perfect 5.0/5 star rating from 48 reviews. Customers frequently highlight the convenience of their storage options, correctly portioned servings, and smaller bag sizes that help maintain freshness and reduce waste.

Conclusion: Raw vs. Kibble Impact

Freeze-dried raw food stands out as an option that combines the benefits of raw nutrition with the convenience of kibble. It retains nutrients and flavor while being easy to store and transport, thanks to its compact packaging.

These practical features have struck a chord with pet owners, as seen in their feedback.

"Finally a nutrition-packed food for Toby without all the added gunk! He loves it and it shows in his coat. The small bags of freeze-dried food are so much more convenient to store, too." - Wanda W.

Loyal Saints highlights its commitment to quality by using human-grade, whole ingredients without additives or fillers. Their minimal processing ensures the food retains nutrients pets need.

Tony Eiguesse shares:

"I'd rather spend $200 a month on my picky eater and have them happy for years than a couple thousand on vet bills. This food rocks!"

Freeze-dried raw food provides a sensible choice for pet owners who care about reducing their environmental impact while keeping their pets healthy and satisfied.