Why Cold-Pressed Dog Food For Your Dog
Why Cold-Pressed Dog Food Is the Superior Choice for Your Dog’s Meals (Plus Topper Ideas and Kibble Transition Tips)
As dog parents, we all want the best for our furry family members. If you're exploring better nutrition beyond traditional kibble, cold-pressed food stands out as an excellent option. I have reviewed many cold pressed varieties in the UK and Wilsons stands out as the best quality and value for money (not an ad just my opinion). Pair it with nutrient-dense toppers like lamb tripe, chicken necks, and pumpkin puree, and you can elevate your dog's meals dramatically. Here’s a complete guide, including easy home toppers and what to expect when your dog detoxes from kibble.
Why Cold-Pressed Is the Best Processing Method for Dog Food
Traditional kibble undergoes high-heat extrusion (often 120–150°C or higher), which expands the food into those familiar crunchy, often brown or coloured, pieces. This process destroys or damages many heat-sensitive nutrients, natural enzymes, beneficial oils, and flavors. The result? Lower digestibility, nutrient loss, and sometimes less appealing food for picky eaters. The nutrient loss is not documented, just the original ingredients listed.
Wilsons Cold Pressed here 🐶
Cold-pressed dog food uses gentle, low-temperature processing (typically under 40–50°C) combined with pressure to form the pellets. This method preserves far more of the natural goodness needed:
🐶Superior nutrient retention — Vitamins, enzymes, and omega fatty acids stay intact.
🐶Better digestibility — The food breaks down quickly in the stomach without swelling, which is gentler on the gut and can reduce issues like bloating or poor stool quality.
🐶Natural palatability — Dogs often love the taste and aroma because real ingredients shine through—no need for heavy artificial enhancers.
🐶Gut and overall health support — almost all owners report shinier coats, better energy, firmer stools, and fewer allergy or digestive problems after switching.
It serves as a practical middle ground: more nutritious than standard kibble, safer and more convenient than raw for many households, and suitable for dogs of all ages and life stages. If your dog has sensitivities or you want to move toward fresher feeding without the full raw commitment, cold-pressed is often the smartest upgrade.
We use Wilsons Cold Pressed, flavour options although the meat options contain taurine, essential for digestion and reduces anxiety. Taurine is currently not added to the fish option: Wilsons Cold Pressed Varieties
Star Meal Toppers for added protein and teeth cleaning: Lamb Tripe and Chicken Necks
Boost nutrition even more, add high-quality toppers to your cold-pressed base.
Lamb tripe (especially green tripe) is a true superfood. "Green" means it’s unbleached and retains its natural digestive contents. It’s packed with live probiotics and digestive enzymes (including amylase, which helps dogs break down food more efficiently).
A near-perfect calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
Balanced omegas and essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Benefits include improved gut health and digestion, stronger immunity, healthier skin and coat, better muscle tone, and relief from gastrointestinal upsets. It’s often low-allergen and highly palatable—even for fussy dogs.
We use raw Lamb tripe and just add a portion to the meal, with the Cold Pressed. Easily stored in an air tight container in the fridge. Portions size suited to your dogs size, breed and activity level. We feed this once a month. We open the Chub and we feed until it is finished, storing in an airtight container in the fridge Frozen True Paws Green Tripe and then as a dental boost also still great for skin and coat health while being high in protein and low in fat Dried Lamb Tripe Meal Topper
Chicken necks (ideally raw or properly prepared) provide natural edible bone, cartilage, and meat. They deliver:
Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
High-quality protein. Calcium and phosphorus in the right balance for strong bones and teeth. Chewing them offers excellent dental benefits by scraping plaque and providing mental stimulation. They support skin/coat health and overall musculoskeletal wellness.
Important safety notes: Always supervise your dog when feeding raw necks to prevent choking (choose size-appropriate pieces). For raw poultry consider freezing for a few weeks to reduce bacterial risk. Some dogs do better with dehydrated or gently cooked versions.
Pumpkin Puree: A Simple, Powerful Addition
As mentioned in previous blogs, plain pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin no salt) is one of the most versatile and beneficial toppers. Its high soluble and insoluble fiber content helps regulate digestion—firming up diarrhea by absorbing excess water and easing constipation by adding gentle bulk. It acts as a prebiotic to support beneficial gut bacteria.
Additional perks include:
🐶Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E → supporting immune function, vision, skin/coat health, and reducing inflammation.
🐶Potassium and other minerals → for heart and muscle function.
🐶Low calorie and high water content → aiding weight management and hydration.
Start with 1–4 tablespoons per meal (depending on your dog’s size) mixed into their cold-pressed food. It’s bland, soothing for upset tummies, and dogs usually love the taste. Its even so magical that including it in yoir dogs food stops them eating their own poo and makes their poop less palatable to others!
Detoxing from Kibble: What to Expect and How to Support Your Dog
Switching from highly processed kibble to cold-pressed (or fresher Raw) food often triggers a natural detoxification process. Kibble commonly contains artificial preservatives (like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin—linked to potential long-term health concerns), grain fillers (corn, wheat, soy) that can contribute to inflammation or allergies in sensitive dogs, low-quality by-products, rendered fats, synthetic additives, and sometimes contaminants. High-heat processing also reduces nutrient bioavailability.
When the body gets higher-quality nutrition, the liver and kidneys work harder to eliminate built-up toxins. The gut microbiome also shifts. Common (usually temporary) detox signs include:
🐶Loose stools, diarrhea, gas, or mucus in poop.
These symptoms typically peak in the first 1–2 weeks and resolve within a few weeks as the body clears out and adjusts. Long-term, most dogs show smaller/firmer stools, brighter coats, more energy, and fewer issues.
How to make the transition smoother:
🐶Add pumpkin puree and probiotics.
🐶Ensure plenty of fresh water and monitor hydration, add bone broth to the meal if you dont think they are drinking enough.
🐶Keep portions appropriate to avoid digestive overload. Cold pressed is REAL food so its got a naturally higher calorie content.
🐶If stool symptoms are prolonged, or your dog seems unwell, contact your vet for a consultation.
Final Thoughts:
Cold-pressed food, enhanced with toppers like lamb tripe, chicken necks, pumpkin and probiotics can transform your dog’s health from the inside out. Adding simple fridge and cupboard items keeps meals exciting and nutritious without breaking the bank. The initial transition period is a sign that positive changes are happening—hang in there, and the rewards (better vitality, fewer vet visits, happier mealtimes) are well worth it.
Every dog is unique.
Walks With Bear
Carly 🐶
#dognutrition #dogsdiet #dogsarefamily #dogs #dogsfood #amazonassociate #amazingproducts #walkswithbear
Thanks Carly- This is excellent Canine dietary advice. We love Wilsons Salmon Cold Pressed here and add different elements to keep her gut healthy and her excited in her dinner. Yes to raw bones and raw meat, but must try some of that Pumpkin Puree you are recommending. The CC always give good my dog good output and much less of it! Would love to hear your thoughts on supplementing for stiff joints- thanks for sharing such great well-informed info.
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