Freeze-Dried Pet Treats Co-Packer Guide: Process, Cost, MOQ

# Freeze-Dried Pet Treats Co-Packer: What to Look For

Freeze-dried treats are one of the fastest-growing pet food categories. Nearly every new brand wants a freeze-dried line. But freeze-drying equipment is expensive and process-intensive, so choosing the right co-packer matters.

How freeze-drying works

Vacuum freeze-drying freezes ingredients at -30 to -40°C, then sublimates moisture under vacuum. Final moisture is typically below 5%, nutrient retention above 95%, and no preservatives are needed for 18+ months shelf life.

What to evaluate in a co-packer

1. Freeze-dryer chamber size and capacity

Equipment is measured by chamber capacity—common sizes are 100kg, 200kg, 500kg, 1000kg. New brands doing small runs should target factories with 100-200kg chambers; large chambers make small runs uneconomical.

2. In-house raw material processing

A quality freeze-dry factory should handle:

• Fresh meat receiving, washing, slicing
• Tray loading, pre-freezing
• Post-drying sifting, QC, packaging

If the factory only does the freeze-drying step and expects pre-cut ingredients, coordination costs rise.

3. Product categories they can run

| Product | Process Complexity |

|---------|------------------|

| Single-protein treats (chicken, duck, salmon) | Mature, lower barrier |

| Raw meat patties/kibble | Requires cold chain + stricter microbial control |

| Freeze-dried complete meals (rehydratable) | Needs R&D, highest barrier |

Cost breakdown

| Product | Yield Ratio | Est. Ex-Works Price |

|---------|------------|-------------------|

| Freeze-dried chicken cubes | ~3.5:1 | $11-17/kg |

| Freeze-dried salmon pieces | ~3:1 | $21-31/kg |

| Freeze-dried egg yolk | ~4:1 | $8-13/kg |

| Freeze-dried raw patties | ~3:1 | $17-25/kg |

Yield ratio means 3-4 kg fresh meat yields 1 kg finished product.

Common mistakes

1. **Assuming all freeze-drying is equal**: different curves produce different texture and rehydration

2. **Ignoring MOQ**: one chamber run starts at dozens of kg

3. **Comparing unit price only**: scrap rate and yield are the real cost difference

4. **Overlooking microbial control**: freeze-drying is not sterilization; raw material hygiene determines safety

If you need a co-packer that supports small-batch single-ingredient freeze-dried treats alongside fresh food and raw patties, Mixiaoqi pet food OEM/ODM can start with sample runs so you can test texture and rehydration first.

FAQ

**What is the MOQ for freeze-dried treat co-packing?**

Single-ingredient treats typically start at 50-100 kg depending on chamber size.

**What is the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated?**

Freeze-drying uses low-temperature vacuum for better nutrient retention and rehydration; dehydrated air-drying is cheaper but loses more nutrition.

**Do freeze-dried treats need preservatives?**

No. Moisture below 5% prevents microbial growth; sealed packaging gives long shelf life.