Cold-Pressed vs Kibble: What’s Better for Your Dog?
- Lara Moniz
- Oct 13
- 4 min read
When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your four-legged friend, the options can feel overwhelming. From raw to wet to grain-free, there are dozens of categories and countless brands. But one of the most important comparisons pet owners can make today is between cold-pressed dog food and traditional kibble.
These two dry food formats may look similar in shape and packaging, but they differ dramatically in how they are made, how they behave in your dog’s body, and the quality of nutrition they provide. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between cold-pressed dog food and kibble, explain the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which one is best for your dog.
What Is Kibble?
Kibble has been the standard dry dog food format for decades. It’s made using a process called extrusion, which involves mixing ingredients together and cooking them at extremely high temperatures (often above 120°C). The mixture is then forced through metal dies to form uniform shapes, dried, and often sprayed with oils or flavourings to enhance palatability.
While kibble is convenient and widely available, the extrusion process can degrade nutrients, destroy beneficial enzymes, and result in a food that is harder for some dogs to digest. Many kibble brands also use fillers, artificial preservatives, and low-quality meat meals to cut costs.
What Is Cold-Pressed Dog Food?
Cold-pressed dog food is a relatively newer innovation that uses a gentle, low-temperature pressing method to form dry food pellets. The ingredients are mixed and pressed at temperatures below 40°C. This protects the integrity of the vitamins, minerals, oils, and proteins found in the raw ingredients.
Because the food is not subjected to high heat, it retains more of its natural nutritional value and breaks down more easily in your dog’s stomach. This makes it particularly suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion, allergies, or food intolerances.
At Gentle Dog Food, we use cold-pressing not just because it's trendy, but because it was the only process that worked for our own dog Zenna, who suffered from chronic digestive problems.
Nutritional Comparison: Cold-Pressed vs Kibble
Category | Cold-Pressed Dog Food | Traditional Kibble |
Processing Temp | Low (<40°C) | High (120-150°C) |
Nutrient Retention | High | Low to Moderate |
Additives/Preservatives | Minimal or none | Common |
Enzymes & Oils | Preserved | Often destroyed |
Taste/Smell | Natural | Artificially enhanced |
Digestibility | Breaks down easily | May expand in stomach |
High-heat extrusion in kibble causes degradation of delicate nutrients, including:
Vitamins A, E, and B-complex
Omega-3 fatty acids
Natural enzymes for digestion
Probiotics
Cold-pressed food keeps these nutrients intact, allowing your dog to absorb more goodness from every bite.
How Cold-Pressed Behaves in the Stomach
One of the most critical differences lies in how each food behaves once inside your dog’s digestive system.
Cold-pressed food dissolves gradually and evenly, breaking down from the outside in. This mimics the natural digestive process and reduces the risk of bloating.
Kibble swells when exposed to moisture, expanding in the stomach and potentially causing discomfort, especially in dogs prone to bloating or sensitive digestion.
This makes cold-pressed dog food ideal for dogs with:
IBS or IBD
Food intolerances
Older dogs with slower digestion
Dogs recovering from illness or digestive upset
Ingredient Quality: What’s Inside Matters
Both kibble and cold-pressed foods can vary widely in ingredient quality, but cold-pressed foods tend to focus more on:
Whole foods (real meat, vegetables, herbs)
Limited ingredients (great for allergy-prone dogs)
No artificial additives (preservatives, colourants, or flavours)
Gentle Dog Food, for example, uses fresh, traceable ingredients and avoids wheat, soy, and dairy—common irritants found in lower-grade kibble brands.
Shelf Life and Storage
Both cold-pressed and kibble have long shelf lives if stored correctly. However, because cold-pressed food doesn’t rely on chemical preservatives, it’s best kept in a cool, dry, and dark place. Once opened, reseal the bag tightly to maintain freshness.
Cold-pressed food may feel slightly more oily or crumbly than kibble—this is normal and a result of its more natural, less processed texture.
Suitability for Different Life Stages and Needs
Cold-pressed dog food is highly versatile. It can be suitable for:
Puppies (due to its digestibility and nutrient retention)
Adult dogs (especially active or working breeds)
Senior dogs (easier on the stomach and joints)
Dogs with allergies or intolerances
Kibble is also widely used across all life stages, but often needs to be tailored to individual needs with additives or supplements.
If you feed kibble and notice:
Loose stools
Excessive scratching
Low energy
Smelly breath
…it might be time to explore a cold-pressed alternative.
Sustainability: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?
Cold-pressed dog food often has a smaller environmental footprint:
Lower energy consumption during processing
Less water use
Minimal chemical use
Often made in smaller, eco-conscious batches
Gentle Dog Food is produced using 100% hydroelectric power and packaged with recyclable materials, making it a smart choice for eco-conscious pet parents.
Price vs Value
Kibble is usually cheaper upfront. But with cold-pressed dog food, you often feed less because it's more nutrient-dense and digestible. That means:
Smaller portions
Less waste
Healthier dogs = fewer vet visits
Plus, you're paying for higher-quality ingredients, fewer fillers, and better long-term results.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
If your priority is:
Convenience and low cost → Kibble may suit you
Digestibility, nutrition, and natural ingredients → Cold-pressed is the winner
Many pet owners across Europe are making the switch from kibble to cold-pressed because they want to give their dogs better health, longer lives, and happier mealtimes.
Gentle Dog Food exists for exactly this reason. After seeing the difference cold-pressed food made for our own dog Zenna, we wanted to share it with dog lovers everywhere.
Make the Switch to Gentle Dog Food
Gentle Dog Food is one of Europe’s leading cold-pressed dog food brands, trusted by thousands of dog owners. We cold-press our food in small batches using high-quality ingredients, and we never cut corners with fillers or additives.
Benefits of switching to Gentle:
Loved by picky eaters
Easy to digest
Great for dogs with allergies or stomach issues
Delivered across Europe
Try a sample today and see the difference for yourself. Because your dog deserves food that’s as gentle as your love.
Still unsure? Read our Ultimate Guide to Cold-Pressed Dog Food to learn more about this healthy, natural feeding option.
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