Rehydrate or Not? A Guide to Serving Freeze-Dried Food for Pets
We get asked all the time: “Should I rehydrate Ernie’s freeze-dried treats?”
The answer? It’s totally up to you! Freeze-dried snacks are ready to serve straight out of the pack — crunchy, protein-packed, and mess-free. But sometimes, adding a splash of moisture can turn them into a next-level pet meal!
Let’s dive into how (and why) to rehydrate freeze-dried pet food for puppies, seniors, cats, and everyone in between.
🌟 Reasons to Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Treats
Think of rehydration as your secret pet-hack:
Gentler for Sensitive Teeth: Older pets or puppies/kittens might prefer softer textures.
Hydration Boost: Perfect for pets who forget to drink enough water (we’re looking at you, cats!).
Digestion Support: Moist snacks are easier on tummies, especially during weaning.
Flavour Explosion: The aroma of rehydrated meat is irresistible to picky eaters!
🥄 How to Rehydrate Freeze-Dried Pet Food: Step-by-Step
What You’ll Need:
Ernie’s Bites freeze-dried treats/toppers
Warm (not hot) water, bone broth, or goat’s milk
A small bowl
Steps:
Break it Up: Crumble larger pieces or treats into smaller bits.
Add Liquid: Pour twice the volume of warm liquid over the freeze-dried bits (e.g., 1 part treats to 2 parts liquid).
Let it Soak: Wait 2–5 minutes. Watch the magic happen as they plump up!
Mix & Serve: Stir well and check temp. Serve as a topper, standalone meal, or yummy licks for enrichment.
Pro Tip: Use bone broth (pet-safe, low-sodium) for extra nutrients and pizzazz!
🧑🍳 Creative Ways to Serve Rehydrated Ernie’s Bites
Lick Mats: Spread rehydrated mush on a silicone mat and freeze for a cooling summer treat.
Kong Stuffers: Mix with kibble and seal inside a Kong for playtime snacks.
Gravy for Kibble: Pour rehydrated broth-meat mix over dry biscuits.
Cat Smoothie: Blend into a “meat milkshake” for fussy felines.
🚫 Safety First: Avoid These Mistakes
Don’t leave rehydrated food out for more than 2 hours (bacteria love moisture!).
Never use boiling water — it can destroy nutrients.
Stick to pet-safe liquids (no onion broth, salty stocks, or dairy unless tolerated).
🌈 Made for Tassie’s Best (Including Kittens!)
Kittens and puppies adore Ernie’s Bites rehydrated into soft, nibble-sized bites. Just ensure the pieces are small and the texture is mushy enough for teeny teeth!
👉 Explore Our Single-Ingredient Freeze-Dried Range
Got a rehydration success story? Tag us @ErniesBites — we’d love to see your pet’s happy mealtime face! 😻