Air Dried vs Kibble Which One Is Actually Better?
Share
Air Dried vs Kibble
Which One Is Actually Better?
Most Aussie dog owners feed kibble out of habit, not because they have compared it to anything else. Here is what the science actually says.
Air dried dog food wins on nutrition, digestibility, and ingredient quality. Kibble wins on upfront cost. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, low energy, a dull coat, or frequent gut issues - switching to air dried is almost always the first fix worth trying.
The pet food industry has run on kibble for 60 years. Not because it is the best option - but because it is the cheapest to make and easiest to market. In 2026, Aussie pet owners are asking harder questions. This is the honest answer.
How kibble is actually made
Kibble is produced through a process called extrusion. Ingredients - a mix of meats, grains, starches, and by-products - are ground into a paste, cooked at high pressure and extreme heat (often 200-300 degrees Celsius), forced through a die to create the familiar pellet shape, then sprayed with animal fats and synthetic vitamins to replace the nutrients destroyed by heat.
The whole process takes around 20 minutes. That speed is the point - it makes kibble extraordinarily cheap to produce at scale. But that extreme heat fundamentally changes the food. Natural proteins are denatured, heat-sensitive vitamins are destroyed, and the body has a harder time breaking down the heavily processed result.
To compensate, manufacturers add synthetic vitamins and minerals back in after cooking. So when you read a kibble label, many of those nutrients were not in the original ingredients - they were added back because the process destroyed them.
How air dried dog food is made
Air drying is fundamentally different. Raw whole ingredients - real meat, organs, and produce - are slowly dried at low temperatures (typically 60-80 degrees Celsius) using gently circulating air over 48-72 hours. Moisture evaporates, the food becomes shelf-stable, but the ingredients are never subjected to extreme heat or pressure.
The result looks and handles like kibble - you pour it from a bag, it stores at room temperature, no fridge needed. But nutritionally, it is far closer to raw food than anything you get out of a traditional kibble bag.
The nutrition difference - by the numbers
This is where the gap becomes impossible to ignore. Air dried food consistently outperforms kibble across every measurable nutritional marker.
| Category | Kibble | Air Dried (Prime100) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein digestibility | 65-75% | 90%+ | Air Dried |
| Nutrient source | Largely synthetic (added back post-cook) | Natural from whole ingredients | Air Dried |
| Meat content | 20-30% typically (with fillers) | High - single protein, no filler | Air Dried |
| Artificial preservatives | Common in many brands | None - shelf stable via moisture removal | Air Dried |
| Shelf stability | 12-18 months | 12+ months (sealed) | Tie |
| Convenience | Pour and serve | Pour and serve | Tie |
| Upfront cost | Lower per kg | Higher per kg | Kibble |
| Stool volume | Higher (more filler = more waste) | Smaller, firmer (more absorbed) | Air Dried |
| Coat and skin health | Variable | Improved in most dogs within weeks | Air Dried |
| Gut health | High starch = higher glycemic load | Low starch, easier to digest | Air Dried |
| Fussy eaters | Many dogs reject over time | High palatability - natural aroma intact | Air Dried |
Dogs eating Prime100 SPD air dried food - available at Celeste Pets with up to 30% OFF
What about cost? Is air dried worth it?
The honest answer is: yes, air dried costs more per bag. But the comparison most people make is wrong - they compare price per kilogram, not price per meal or the long-term cost of poor nutrition.
Because air dried food is significantly more digestible, your dog actually needs less of it per meal. The serving size is smaller because the body uses more of what it eats. And because you are not feeding filler, there is less waste going out the back end too.
A 20kg dog on premium kibble eats roughly 250-300g per day. The same dog on air dried food typically needs only 100-140g because more of the food is actually used by the body. Factor that into the price comparison before deciding air dried is too expensive.
Who should switch to air dried?
Air dried food is not the right fit for every situation, but there are clear cases where switching makes a significant difference.
Switch to air dried if your dog has:
- ✓A consistently dull, flaky, or dry coat that has not responded to supplements
- ✓Loose, frequent, or large volume stools (a sign of poor absorption)
- ✓Low energy or lethargy despite being otherwise healthy
- ✓Recurring skin irritation or itching not explained by fleas or environment
- ✓A fussy eating habit that has developed over time
- ✓A known or suspected food sensitivity to proteins in their current food
- ✓A senior dog who struggles to digest heavy starchy food
Kibble may still be the right call if:
- ✗Budget is genuinely the primary constraint and a quality kibble is the realistic option
- ✗Your dog is thriving - excellent coat, great digestion, healthy weight, high energy
- ✗You have multiple large breed dogs and the volume required makes air dried impractical
How to switch from kibble to air dried without upsetting your dog's stomach
Any food change done too fast will cause loose stools regardless of quality. Go slow and your dog's gut will adapt without issues.
Days 1-2: 25% air dried, 75% current kibble
Days 3-4: 50% air dried, 50% kibble
Days 5-6: 75% air dried, 25% kibble
Day 7+: 100% air dried
If you notice very loose stools, slow the transition down by an extra 2-3 days at each stage. Some dogs, especially those who have been on one food for years, need 10-14 days total.
Frequently asked questions
We are a team of Aussie pet owners who only stock what we would feed our own animals. We write about the topics that actually matter to real dog owners - not just what ranks well on Google.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Shop Australia's trusted pet store - fast delivery across AU, easy returns, every Prime100 variety in stock.
Shop Prime100 Now celestestore.com.au