Many dog owners like the idea of feeding a meat-rich raw diet but do not want to store frozen food, thaw portions, or prepare fresh ingredients every day. Dr Marty freeze dried dog food offers a more convenient option by removing moisture from raw ingredients and packaging the food in lightweight, shelf-stable pieces.
The brand’s Nature’s Blend range includes formulas for adult dogs, puppies, seniors, small breeds, sensitive dogs, digestive support, and skin and coat support. The recipes are not identical, so owners should choose the formula that matches their dog’s life stage and nutritional needs.
At a Glance: Dr. Marty freeze-dried dog food is a meat-focused raw food that can be served dry, rehydrated, or used as a topper. Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness contains turkey, beef, salmon, duck, organs, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. It may appeal to picky dogs, but its price, rich formula, multiple proteins, and raw-food handling needs should be considered.
What Is Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food?
Freeze-drying removes moisture from food at low temperatures. The result is a dry, lightweight product that can be stored without freezing before it is opened.
Dr. Marty markets Nature’s Blend as freeze-dried raw food rather than cooked kibble. The pieces can be served directly from the bag or softened with warm water.
The current Nature’s Blend collection includes:
- Essential Wellness for adult dogs
- Small Breed with smaller pieces
- Active Vitality for dogs aged seven and older
- Healthy Growth for puppies
- Sensitivity Select with novel animal proteins
- Radiant Select for skin and coat support
- Healthy Digestion with fermented vegetables
- Premium Origin with lamb, venison, beef, and mackerel
Choose based on the exact formula, not only the brand name. A puppy, senior dog, and adult dog with food sensitivities may require very different nutrient levels and ingredients.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Ingredients
The original Essential Wellness recipe lists several animal proteins near the beginning of its ingredient list:
- Turkey
- Beef
- Salmon
- Duck
- Beef liver
- Turkey liver
- Turkey heart
It also includes flaxseed, sweet potato, egg, pea protein, apple, blueberry, carrot, cranberry, pumpkin seed, spinach, kelp, ginger, sunflower seed, broccoli, and kale.
This ingredient mix gives the recipe a strong meat aroma and varied protein profile. That may help with taste, but it can make the food unsuitable for a dog undergoing an elimination diet.
For example, a dog that reacts poorly after eating the formula has been exposed to turkey, beef, fish, duck, and egg. Identifying the exact trigger becomes difficult because several proteins were introduced together.
Dogs with confirmed food allergies may need a veterinarian-supervised diet containing one novel protein or hydrolyzed protein rather than a multi-protein food.
Potential Benefits of Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Strong Appeal for Picky Dogs
Freeze-dried meat and organ ingredients usually have a noticeable aroma. Adding warm water can release more scent and create a softer texture.
This may make Dr Marty dog food appealing to dogs that lose interest in plain kibble. However, no food is guaranteed to please every dog. Start with a small amount before purchasing several bags.
Convenient Raw-Style Feeding
Traditional raw feeding can require freezer space, thawing, careful portioning, and preparation. Freeze-dried food is lighter and easier to measure.
Nature’s Blend can be stored in a cool, dry place. The manufacturer states that an opened bag may remain usable for up to three months, depending on household heat and humidity, when the bag is fully sealed after each meal.
Flexible Serving Options
Nature’s Blend can be:
- Fed dry
- Rehydrated with warm water
- Mixed with another dog food
- Used as a meal topper
This flexibility lets owners use the product as a full meal or a smaller addition to an existing diet.
When using it as a topper, replace part of the dog’s regular food. Do not simply add a large serving on top of the normal meal, since this can increase daily calories and cause weight gain.
Smaller Portions Than Some Foods
Removing moisture makes freeze-dried food concentrated. A serving may look smaller than a bowl of canned food or some types of kibble.
Do not add more food simply because the bowl looks less full. Follow the package guide, monitor body condition, and adjust portions based on your veterinarian’s advice.
Feeding Guide for Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness
The manufacturer’s current guide provides these approximate daily amounts for Essential Wellness:
| Dog’s Weight | Daily Amount |
| 5 pounds | ½ cup |
| 10 pounds | ¾ cup |
| 20 pounds | 1½ cups |
| 30 pounds | 2 cups |
| 40 pounds | 2½ cups |
| 50 pounds | 2¾ cups |
| 60 pounds | 3¼ cups |
| 70 pounds | 3½ cups |
| 80 pounds | 4 cups |
| 90 pounds | 4½ cups |
These amounts are starting points. Activity level, age, metabolism, body condition, neuter status, treats, and health conditions can change how much an individual dog requires.
Use the feeding chart for the exact Nature’s Blend formula you purchase. Healthy Growth, Healthy Digestion, Radiant Select, and other recipes have different serving recommendations.
Expert tip: Weigh the daily serving in grams when possible. Measuring cups can produce inconsistent portions, especially when food pieces vary in size.
How to Rehydrate Dr. Marty Dog Food
The manufacturer recommends using a food-to-water ratio of two to one.
For example:
- Place one cup of Nature’s Blend in the bowl.
- Add half a cup of warm water.
- Allow the food to sit for three minutes.
- Mix it before serving.
Use warm water, not boiling water. The food can also be served dry when your dog prefers a crunchy texture.
Rehydrated food should not remain at room temperature for long periods. Refrigerate or safely discard leftovers and wash the bowl with soap and hot water after feeding.
The FDA recommends washing pet food bowls, scoops, and measuring tools after every use.
How to Transition Your Dog
Changing food suddenly can lead to loose stool, gas, vomiting, or refusal to eat.
Dr. Marty recommends a ten-day transition:
| Days | Current Food | Nature’s Blend |
| 1–3 | 75% | 25% |
| 4–6 | 50% | 50% |
| 7–9 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 10 | 0% | 100% |
Mix the foods evenly at each stage. Dogs with sensitive digestion may need a slower transition.
Do not dismiss persistent vomiting or diarrhea as a normal “detox.” Stop the transition and contact your veterinarian if symptoms are severe, contain blood, continue for more than a brief adjustment period, or occur with weakness, abdominal pain, dehydration, or appetite loss.
Possible Drawbacks
Higher Feeding Cost
Freeze-dried food is usually more expensive than standard kibble. This difference becomes more noticeable for medium and large dogs that require several cups per day.
Calculate the cost per day using your dog’s recommended amount. The price of one bag does not show how long it will last.
Using Nature’s Blend as a measured topper may be more affordable than feeding it as the entire diet.
Rich Formula
A meat-heavy recipe may contain more fat and calories than some dogs tolerate comfortably.
Dogs with pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes, digestive disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or another medical condition should receive veterinary guidance before changing to a rich freeze-dried food.
Raw-Food Safety Concerns
Freeze-drying does not equal cooking. Raw pet food can carry harmful bacteria, even when it looks and smells normal.
In an FDA study of 196 commercial raw pet-food samples, 15 tested positive for Salmonella and 32 tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The study was not limited to Dr. Marty products, but it demonstrates the broader food-safety risk associated with raw pet food.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after handling the food. Clean bowls, scoops, counters, and other surfaces that contact it. Keep the food away from human food preparation areas and prevent dogs from licking faces immediately after eating.
Households with young children, pregnant people, older adults, or immunocompromised family members should discuss raw-food risks with a veterinarian and physician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food Good for Dogs?
It may suit healthy dogs that tolerate its ingredients, protein variety, fat level, and calorie density. The best choice depends on life stage, body condition, medical history, and the nutritional adequacy statement on the exact package.
Does Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food Need Water?
No. It can be served dry. The manufacturer also recommends rehydrating it with warm water using two parts food to one part water and allowing it to sit for three minutes.
Can Dr. Marty Dog Food Be Used as a Topper?
Yes. Replace part of the existing meal with a measured serving of Nature’s Blend. Adding it without reducing the regular food may increase calories and contribute to weight gain.
Is Dr. Marty Freeze-Dried Dog Food Suitable for Puppies?
The brand offers Healthy Growth specifically for puppies. Do not assume the adult Essential Wellness recipe meets a growing puppy’s needs. Check the life-stage adequacy statement and consult your veterinarian.
How Long Does an Open Bag Last?
The manufacturer states that Nature’s Blend may last up to three months after opening, depending on heat and humidity. Store it in a cool, dry place and seal the bag completely after every use.
