bowls of gently cooked food

Learn About Gently Cooked Foods for Your Pet

You may have recently heard about "lightly cooked" pet food options. At Mud Bay, we are happy to offer gently cooked food choices--without needing you to take quizzes, join, subscribe, or make a minimum purchase.

Gently Cooked for Maximum Benefits


dog reaching to eat from bowl on counter


1. Enhanced Digestibility

The light cooking process makes proteins and starches easier to digest, which is especially beneficial for pets with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues. Studies have shown that dogs fed gently cooked food had higher apparent digestibility levels compared to other types of diets. 


hand cutting up some meat while cat watches


2. Improved Nutrient Retention

Cooking at lower temperatures helps preserve delicate nutrients such as amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and certain vitamins that may degrade in high-heat processing. Gently cooked methods--such as sous-vide or steaming--retain more of these nutrients due to the lower cooking temperatures and shorter cooking times. 


cats eating


3. Reduced Risk of Bacteria

By gently cooking ingredients, pathogenic bacteria are effectively destroyed, making the food safer to handle and feed. Low-temperature cooking to around 160°F (71°C) is sufficient to inactivate these pathogens while preserving food quality.

person preparing food bowl while dog watches


4. Better Taste & Palatability

Some pets may find gently cooked meals more appetizing than other food forms, often leading to better meal engagement and reduced food refusal. Palatability is influenced by factors such as aroma, texture, and moisture content—all of which are typically more appealing in gently cooked foods.


We are working on bringing more Gently Cooked food options for Cats!

dog and cat
dog looking up at bowl of food
person holding food bowl and cat
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