Standing in front of the freezer aisle wondering whether "fresh" really beats "frozen" is a moment almost every raw feeder has had. At ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, we make both ranges the exact same way, using the same ingredients, sourced and prepared to the same standard. This guide breaks down the real differences between fresh vs frozen raw dog food, so you can choose what suits your household best.
What does "fresh" really mean for dog food?
We are conditioned to think "fresh is best," and to an extent that is true. But freshness is about more than how long a product has sat on a shelf. It also comes down to how far the product travelled and how heavily it was processed. Processing methods like cooking, canning, salting, and pasteurisation all reduce nutritional value, so less processing is generally better.
Freezing is one of the gentlest processing methods available, especially when it is done quickly, which is exactly how we handle both our fresh and frozen ranges. If you are also weighing up other preservation methods, our guide on raw vs freeze-dried covers how freeze-dried dog food compares to genuinely fresh or frozen raw.
This distinction matters more than most raw feeders realise. A product labelled "fresh" that has travelled for days or sat in variable temperatures may actually retain fewer nutrients than a well-handled frozen product. It's the handling, not just the label, that determines nutritional quality.
Think about a delivery heading to a home in regional Victoria versus one heading to an apartment in inner Sydney. Both need to arrive in good condition, but the regional delivery spends longer in transit. This is exactly why chilled courier logistics and packaging matter as much as the ingredients themselves, and it is also why some households find frozen more reliable simply because it has a wider safety margin if a delivery is delayed by a day.
How is ardam's fresh raw dog food made?
We make fresh-to-order every week and don't carry excess stock. Once orders are tallied, we take delivery of the ingredients needed for that week's production. Meats come direct from source, and fruit and vegetables are hand-picked weekly. Everything is prepared in a temperature-controlled facility, vacuum sealed, and sent out via chilled courier, arriving on your doorstep within a couple of days.
- Made fresh to order every week, no held stock
- 100% Australian ingredients, no long-haul imports
- No additives or preservatives added to extend shelf life
How is the frozen range different from fresh?
It isn't, really. Our frozen range uses the exact same fresh meats and produce, prepared in the exact same way. The only difference is that we freeze it before you have to, which can arguably make it even fresher by the time it reaches your dog's bowl.
Does freezing reduce nutritional value in dog food?
Freezing is widely recognised as one of the processing methods with the least impact on nutrition. There is very little protein denaturation compared with cooking or other heat treatments. Water-soluble vitamins like the B-vitamins and vitamin C are retained with little loss, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are even more stable through freezing. For more detail on how freezing affects nutrient retention, see this overview from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
One thing worth understanding is why freezing works so well compared to other preservation methods. Freezing halts microbial activity and slows the enzymatic reactions that break food down over time, but it does this without applying heat, so proteins keep their natural structure. Cooking, by contrast, actively changes protein structure and can reduce the availability of certain heat-sensitive nutrients. That is the core reason a well-handled frozen raw meal can retain more of its original nutrient profile than a cooked commercial diet, even one labelled "fresh" on the packaging.
Which should I choose, fresh or frozen?
Both ranges meet the same high standard, so the choice often comes down to convenience. Frozen gives you more flexibility with delivery timing and longer storage, while fresh suits households that go through meals quickly. Many ardam customers in Sydney and across Australia mix both depending on their routine.
A common pattern we see is customers keeping a frozen base stock in the chest freezer for the weeks life gets busy, while topping up with fresh deliveries when their schedule is more predictable. Multi-dog households in particular often lean towards frozen simply because of the volume involved and the convenience of buying in bulk less often. Single-dog households, or those with limited freezer space in a smaller apartment, sometimes prefer the smaller footprint of a fresh weekly delivery.
Not sure which range fits your dog? Take our raw feeding quiz, see our guide to how the ardam meal planner works for a breakdown of how portions are calculated, or try a sample pack to compare both options for yourself. You might also enjoy our guide on kibble vs raw dog food.
When to talk to your vet
Most dogs move between fresh and frozen ardam meals without any issue, since the recipes themselves do not change. If your dog has a diagnosed digestive condition, is on a specific vet-prescribed diet, or has shown sensitivity to temperature changes in food in the past, it is worth asking your vet whether one format suits their situation better than the other, particularly around thawing and serving temperature.
What does the science say about freezing and food safety?
Beyond nutrition, freezing also plays an important role in food safety. Rapid freezing slows microbial growth and helps preserve the quality of raw ingredients during transport and storage. The USDA's guidance on freezing and food safety confirms that freezing is one of the most reliable ways to maintain both safety and nutrient quality in perishable foods, which is exactly why we lean on it so heavily across both our fresh and frozen ranges.
For Australian households managing busy schedules, having both options available means raw feeding fits around your life rather than the other way around. Whether you order fresh weekly or keep a frozen stock on hand, the nutritional outcome for your dog is effectively the same.
FAQ: Fresh vs frozen raw dog food
Is frozen raw dog food less nutritious than fresh?
Not at all. Freezing retains nutrients better than most other processing methods, including cooking.
Does ardam use preservatives in either range?
No. Neither range includes preservatives or additives, just real, fresh Australian ingredients.
How quickly is the fresh range delivered?
Fresh meals are made to order and delivered chilled within days of ordering.
Should I freeze fresh meals if I'm not using them right away?
Yes, freeze fresh meals a few days after delivery to maintain quality and safety.
Are there mix options exclusive to the frozen range?
Our frozen range currently features our Complete mixes, with more options added regularly.
Can I switch between fresh and frozen without upsetting my dog's stomach?
Yes, since both ranges use identical ingredients and recipes, most dogs transition between them without any issues.
How long can I keep frozen raw dog food in the freezer?
Frozen meals typically keep well for several months in a standard home freezer, though always check the specific use-by guidance on your pack.
What's the best way to thaw frozen raw dog food?
Thaw meals slowly in the fridge over twenty-four hours rather than at room temperature, which helps maintain food safety and quality.
Want nutrition and convenience without compromise? Explore our full raw food range from ardam, formerly CDK9 Raw, and choose fresh or frozen based on what works for your household.
If you want long storage life, stock the frozen raw dog food range. If you want daily convenience, pull from the complete raw mixes and thaw as you go.
