Ensuring your dog gets the proper nutrition is vital for its health and a great responsibility for pet parents. The dog food market has grown exponentially over the years. Maybe you’re getting a little overwhelmed by the amount of choices available. 

Debating on whether wet dog food is the right choice can be a daunting task for dog owners. But, don’t worry! We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll break it down to whether wet food is beneficial for your dog and how it compares to dry dog food, wet food benefits and tips, the cons of wet dog food compared to dry dog food,  and more. 

Moreover, we’ve included our top choices for wet dog food as well, so be sure to stick around for that! 

What’s The Difference Between Wet And Dry Food?

Both wet and dry food offer nutritionally balanced meals. Their distinction lies in the way they are processed.

How Wet Dog Food Is Processed 

Wet dog food production involves grinding meat ingredients and introducing a gravy blend with vitamins, minerals, and grains. After mixing, the wet food is cooked, sterilized, and packed as the canned dog food you see on supermarket shelves. 

This results in wet dog food having a high moisture content compared to dry dog food which might be around 78%, compared to dry food, which is around 10%.  

How Dry Dog Food Is Processed

On the other hand, dry dog food shares similar ingredients, but instead of a gravy and canning process, the meat mixture is mashed to form a consistent dough. This dough is then cooked, extruded into kibble shapes, and dried. 

The dry kibble is then sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals to enhance essential nutrients and to prevent spoilage. Some dry food formulas even incorporate live probiotics for digestive and immune health support. 

Benefits Of Wet Dog Food 

Here are the reasons why many pet parents think that wet food is a good and healthy nutrition choice for their dog. 

Variety

Wet food comes in a variety of flavors, textures, and forms that can suit your dog’s preference compared to dry dog food, which tends to only come in the form of dry kibble. This makes meal times a lot more interesting as your dog can enjoy a more exciting dining experience that’s sure to tickle its taste buds.  

Easier To Chew

There is a popular myth among many pet parents that wet food will give your dog dental issues, such as tartar buildup, as it is not using its teeth to chew food. This results in many owners being afraid of giving canned dog food to their dogs.  

However, many vets agree that feeding wet food to your dog will have no such effects on their dental health. In fact, both older dogs with dental disease and young puppies with developing teeth and sensitive stomachs may find it difficult to chew on dry food, so the soft texture of wet food benefits them, ensuring your dog’s diet contains all the nutrients they need without any hindrance. 

Can Be More Healthy

Wet food tends to have fewer carbohydrates and more protein and fat compared to dry dog food. Since a high carbohydrate intake can result in obesity in your dog, wet food promotes weight management and weight loss for obese dogs. 

Additionally, wet food is a great source of calories for high-energy dogs who jump about and play all day. It supports your dog’s growth and active lifestyle. However, ensure you take precautions when letting your dog play out in the yard. A good wireless fence will make sure your dog is safe during outdoor playtime.  

Adds Hydration

Many dogs don’t drink enough water, but wet food can aid hydration due to its much higher moisture content compared to dry dog food.

Boosting your dog’s water consumption eases the strain on vital organs like the kidneys and the urinary tract. Dogs with kidney issues, especially those with diabetes, are often advised to have more water content in their diet. It’s essential to consult your vet before considering wet food diets for your dog, especially if there are specific health concerns. 

Tempts Picky Eaters

Because wet food is easy to choose and even comes in different flavors and textures, it’s an excellent choice for dogs who are fussy eaters. Wet food also gives off a rich, meaty aroma, which will tempt your dog’s sense of smell and turn your dog from a fussy eater to a well-behaved pet. 

Lower Calorie Density

Wet food has a higher water content compared to dry dog food, meaning that all the calories are diluted in the food. However, as the saying goes, too much of anything is bad. While you may be tempted to feed your dog more wet food, be sure to watch the portion sizes to avoid health issues. 

It’s A Great Mixer

If your dog seems uninterested in dry food, switching to a wet food diet could be a good choice. When altering your dog’s diet or moving from dry food to wet food, it’s advisable to introduce the changes gradually. 

This gradual approach helps prevent sudden digestive issues that could impact your dog’s health and allows it to adapt slowly to new textures and smells. Some dog owners prefer mixing wet and dry foods, offering their dogs a variety of flavors during meals.

Recommended Wet Foods For Dogs

Here are our top choices for wet dog food: 

Chicken and Quinoa Fresh Food for Dogs and Puppies

Made up of chicken bone meal, chicken liver, chicken breast, eggs, brown rice, quinoa, spinach, carrot, black bean, chia seeds, coconut oil, beetroot, and fresh mint, it ensures a balanced mix of vitamins, carbs, proteins, and fats with each preparation.

Lamb and Pumpkin Fresh Food for Dogs and Puppies

Made with real whole food ingredients like lamb liver, chicken breast, bone meal, whole eggs, fresh mint leaves, quinoa, brown rice, pumpkin, coconut oil, spinach, bone broth, and beetroot, this meal is power-packed with protein, minerals, and vitamins made for maximum nutrient retention and digestion. 

Veggies and Sweet Potato Fresh Food for Dogs and Puppies 

A blend of ingredients like paneer, yellow lentils, pumpkin, peas, flaxseed, chia seeds, quinoa, sweet potato, spinach, carrots, cumin,  applesauce, mint fresh leaves, fennel seeds, and hemp seeds. It ensures a balanced mix of vitamins, carbs, proteins, and fats in each preparation. 

Buff & Berry Fresh Food for Dogs and Puppies 

Made with real whole food ingredients like buff meat, buff liver, black beans, carrot, pumpkin, spinach, mixed berries, coconut oil, sunflower seed, and chia seed, and cooked in buff stock, this meal is power-packed with protein, minerals, and vitamins made for maximum nutrient retention and digestion.

FAQs 

Can I Give My Dog Wet Food Everyday? 

Yes, you can! If your dog enjoys it, there’s no harm in feeding your dog wet food every day. However, ensure that you do so in moderate portions. 

What’s The Healthiest Food To Feed Your Dog?

Cooked, unseasoned chicken, fish, eggs, and veggies like cooked pumpkin, spinach, and carrot are all super foods for your dog. 

What Food Makes Dogs Sleepy?

Unseasoned turkey meat is known to make your dog mellow and drowsy due to the amino acid L-tryptophan present in it. 

What Meat Should Dogs Not Eat? 

Fried and fatty food like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, and fried chicken can upset your dog’s stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. 

Conclusion

While there are many benefits of feeding wet food to your dog, relying completely on it for your dog’s nutrition may not be the way to go. Opt for mixing both wet and dry food into your dog’s meals to get the best of both worlds and ensure healthy nutrition.