Cold Pressed vs Kibble Dog Food: Which is Better for Your Dog?

If you’ve been researching dog food lately, you’ve probably come across cold pressed dog food and wondered how it compares to regular kibble. Both are dry dog foods — but the way they’re made, and how your dog’s body processes them, is quite different. At Growing Paws, we stock both, so we’re not here to sell you one over the other. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your dog.

What is Kibble?

Kibble is made through a process called extrusion — ingredients are cooked at very high temperatures (often above 120°C) and forced through a machine to create those familiar bite-sized pieces. The high heat makes it shelf-stable and consistent, but it also breaks down some of the natural nutrients in the ingredients, which is why kibble manufacturers often add synthetic vitamins back in after processing.

What is Cold Pressed Dog Food?

Cold pressed dog food uses much lower temperatures (typically under 45°C) to gently press and bind ingredients together. This slower, gentler process preserves more of the natural nutrients, enzymes and proteins — meaning your dog gets more goodness from the food itself, rather than from added supplements.

Which is Better for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs?

Cold pressed food breaks down from the outside in, much more slowly and gently than kibble — which is kinder on the gut. This makes cold pressed particularly well-suited for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues, food intolerances or allergies, a history of bloating, and dogs transitioning away from raw feeding.

Is Cold Pressed Worth the Higher Price?

Cold pressed food tends to cost more per bag — but because your dog absorbs more from each serving, they typically need slightly less per meal. Our Cold Pressed 80/20 Beef Dog Food contains 80% beef with sweet potato, superfoods and a joint care blend — at £64.99 for 12kg.

So Which Should You Choose?

Choose kibble if your dog has no digestive issues and you want a reliable, cost-effective option. See our dry dog food range for all six recipes.

Choose cold pressed if your dog has a sensitive stomach or you want a raw feeding alternative. Browse our full cold pressed dog food range, including our specialist Turkey Gastro recipe for dogs with more significant digestive issues.

Still not sure? Get in touch — we’re happy to help you find the right food for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cold pressed dog food grain free? All five of our cold pressed recipes are grain free, using sweet potato and potato rather than wheat, barley or maize.

Can I mix cold pressed and kibble? Yes, though it’s better to use them separately as a complete meal rather than mixing long-term, as digestion rates differ.

Is cold pressed a good alternative to raw feeding? Yes — widely considered the closest convenient alternative. Our 80/20 Beef and 80/20 Duck are the most popular choices for raw feeders transitioning to a safer, more convenient format.

All recipes available in 2kg trial bags. Delivered throughout Northern Ireland from our base in Comber, Co. Down.