This article highlights the advantages of wet dog food over dry kibble, considering age and health conditions. The ideal wet dog food closely resembles natural ingredients, making it the superior choice.
Is wet food good for dogs?
Wet food is beneficial for dogs as it aids digestion and helps them stay hydrated with its high moisture level.
Wet dog food vs dry dog food
Each type of dog food, wet and dry, comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s crucial to provide your dog with the appropriate mixture of nutrients that meets its dietary requirements.
Wet pet food typically has a greater quantity of animal protein and lower levels of fats and carbohydrates in comparison to dry food. The production process for wet food involves grinding the meat components first, followed by the addition of a gravy containing minerals, grains, and vitamins. The blend is subsequently cooked, sterilized, and canned.
The ingredients used in dry food processing are relatively similar, but without the addition of gravy. The meat mixture is pulverized to form a consistent dough that can be cooked.
After being cooked, the dough is extruded through shaped holes to create kibbles. These kibbles are then dried and sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals before being immediately packaged. Additionally, certain types of dry dog food contain live probiotics for enhanced digestive and immune system functionality.
How to choose the best wet food for your pet?
Animal protein as first ingredient
Animal protein should be your top priority when purchasing wet dog food. Dogs are capable of digesting fats and proteins more efficiently than carbohydrates, while fiber is the slowest component to digest.
Make sure to check the label and identify the source of the protein, such as ‘venison’ or ‘beef’. Refrain from choosing products labelled simply as ‘meat’, as it is unclear which animal the protein is sourced from.
Grain free vs whole grains
If your dog does not have grain sensitivities, then choosing wet food that contains high-quality whole grains such as brown rice and barley would be a good option. Whole grain diets are recommended over grain-free diets since they provide carbohydrates that are essential for active dogs.
The FDA has warned about the possible association between canine dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that affects the heart’s ability to generate pressure for blood pumping, and grain-free diets. Consequently, it is advisable to steer clear of diets with substantial quantities of peas, lentils, legume seeds, or any of their derivatives as principal ingredients.
Nutritious vegetables
Your dog can receive essential minerals and vitamins from vegetables, which can help maintain its health. In addition, commonly used thickeners, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots, in many wet dog foods are nutritious vegetables.
No fillers
Compared to dry food, the likelihood of wet dog food containing fillers like rice or corn is minimal. Dog food that has a high filler content can result in bloating, diarrhea, and gas for dogs.
Additionally, fillers can lead to overweight pets as they consist of carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar levels and negative hormonal signals that adversely impact metabolism and result in weight gain over time.
Additives free
To protect your dog’s health, steer clear of feeding them food that includes harmful chemicals or artificial ingredients which serve the purpose of adding color, flavor, or preservative. These additives can pose a risk to your dog’s well-being.
Different texture or forms
To add variety to your dog’s meals, consider incorporating a mixture of textures in their food, like crunchy and soft.
- Minced
- Ground
- Bits or chunks
- Stew
- Pate
Bits and pieces are typically presented in a broth, gravy, or jelly consistency and have a greater moisture level as compared to pate or ground dog food.
How much wet dog food does a dog need?
To properly feed your dog, consider their calorie needs and offer 3 ounces of food per every 3 pounds of body weight throughout 2 to 3 small meals per day.
While food labels offer guidance on the appropriate serving size of wet dog food for your pet, it is important to consider factors like breed, size, temperament, activity level, and surroundings when determining their dietary needs.
The feeding schedule also varies depending on the age of your dog. Puppies need to be fed several times a day, whereas adult dogs can be fed once or twice a day.
It is advisable to seek advice from a veterinarian before altering your dog’s diet if you are uncertain.
Best wet dog food for puppies
It is advisable to provide wet food to puppies that have recently been weaned as it is easier to consume than dry food. To ensure the appropriate nutrition, it is crucial to purchase wet dog food that is specifically marked as ‘for puppy’ or carries the ‘Growth and Reproduction’ label of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
When searching for wet food for puppies, ensure that it contains a minimum of 22% protein and twice the amount of crude fat as adult dog food. It may also be beneficial to look for wet food options that include DHA as it can assist in the development of their heart, brain, and eyes.
Best wet dog food for adult dogs
To provide a nutritious diet for a fit adult canine, one can obtain canned dog food that bears the ‘complete and balanced’ label certified by AAFCO. This food will contain a blend of protein, carbohydrates (including fiber), healthy fats, essential vitamins, minerals as well as other harmless components.
For the wet dog food to be suitable, it needs to have a protein content of over 10%, a carbohydrate content of below 50%, and a fiber content ranging from 2 to 4.5%.
Best wet dog food for senior dogs
As compared to adult dogs, senior dogs generally require 20% fewer calories. In order to guarantee adequate nourishment, the diet of senior dogs should contain high levels of protein and fat, while having low levels of carbohydrates. Wet dog food is able to satisfy these dietary requirements.
Wet dog food that promotes joint health can be given to older dogs suffering from joint problems, in addition to including joint health supplements in their diet. The use of glucosamine supplements is especially beneficial for dogs with joint issues. To learn more, visit the Glucosamine for Dogs article.
How to switch dog food without getting your dog sick?
Abruptly changing your dog’s food can lead to gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. To avoid this, it is important to transition your dog gradually to a new diet over 5 to 7 days, by slowly increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the current food. This will enable your dog to adjust smoothly.
Below is a diet transition presented that is beneficial for dogs.
- Day 1: 75% old diet and 25% new diet
- Day 3: 50% old diet and 50% new diet
- Day 5: 25% old diet and 75% new diet
- Day 7: 100% new diet
Heating refrigerated wet dog food before serving is a good idea as dogs usually prefer warm meals.
BONUS: Best food for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
We are all aware of how unpleasant indigestion can be. Although our dogs cannot communicate their pain, they exhibit digestive discomfort through diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. While it could be a sporadic event, if your dog is prone to frequent indigestion, it is advisable to look for the most suitable dog food for their sensitive stomach. Just like humans, certain dogs have a fragile digestive system.
The focus is on finding highly digestible food for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Addition of prebiotics and probiotics can also be helpful. There are various forms of food available, such as kibble, dry and wet food, and cold-pressed options. However, numerous brands, advertising campaigns, and viewpoints exist on how to assist such dogs, and owners must identify their dog’s specific needs and potential triggers. It’s also essential to recognize that certain ingredients might cause allergies, and consulting a veterinarian is recommended if there are concerns. Whenever trying a new type of food, it should be introduced gradually over a few days.
Best dog food for sensitive stomachs
Eukanuba Daily Care Sensitive Digestion
Type of food : Pellet | Flavour : Chicken | Sizes: 2.3kg or 12kg | RRP : From £18.17 for 2kg |
This kibble is created for canines who have occasional flatulence or loose stools and are prone to sensitive stomachs, using rice that is easy to digest. The food consists of a distinctive mix of stomach-friendly nutrients, prebiotics, and fiber that encourages proper digestion. In addition, the food is a rich source of Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to the skin and coat’s health.
Wheat- and gluten-free, this food also contains calcium for strong bones, and is rich in chicken to support lean muscles.
With the aid of its exclusive DentaDefense feature, the form of the kibble assists in maintaining clean and healthy teeth.
Nature’s Harvest Natural Complete Grain Free
This product is pate that comes in three different flavors: chicken/sweet potato, salmon/sweet potato, and lamb/sweet potato. It is available in a set of 10 trays with each tray weighing 395g. The recommended retail price for this product is £23.99.
Nature’s Harvest, a holder of a Royal Warrant, provides a complete range of wet, dry, mixer, and cold-pressed recipes that are 100% natural, hypoallergenic, and grain-free. These recipes are augmented with supplements that promote bone and joint health, and they also contain a prebiotic that facilitates the growth of beneficial gut flora.
This pate is ideal for picky canine diners who have allergies and delicate stomachs. It aims to enhance the overall well-being and temperament of your pooch by providing a dog food that is easy to chew and digestible, and doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, added soya or dairy, or colorings. The ingredients are softly steamed in small portions.
Arden Grange Sensitive
Pellet type available in 12kg sizes with white fish/potato flavours for an RRP of £59.99.
This recipe for dog food is perfect for dogs with sensitive skin or digestion issues, and is nutritionally complete. It does not include any grains or cereals and offers a wholesome and hypoallergenic diet for all dog breeds. Arden Grange’s superfood blend, which includes fruits and plant extracts, is also included. This blend contains citrus for immunity support and to reduce inflammation, dried fruit extracts for antioxidants and protection from free radicals, cranberries for urinary tract health, curcumin for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and black pepper to help absorb curcumin into the body.
Prebiotics, joint supplements, and yucca extract are all included in the recipe.
It is also offered in the form of a wet food.
Salubrious Cold Pressed
Food variety: Pellets | Flavours available: Chicken with grains, Lamb with grains | Available in: 12kg | Recommended retail price: £34.99 |
Dog food that is cold pressed undergoes gentle cooking at a temperature as low as 45ºC, effectively preventing the production of hazardous chemicals from scorching and preserving essential vitamins and minerals. According to the manufacturer, this process results in food that is easier for dogs to digest and promotes better health. This food is also kinder on the stomach, breaking down faster in the digestive system than extruded kibble, preventing bloating. Furthermore, it contains Yucca, which supports gut health. Finally, it is entirely free of acrylamide, a chemical that can lead to the development of cancer.
Due to its high nutrient density, feeding 25% less than traditional kibble is feasible. It closely resembles and enhances a raw diet, offering similar advantages.
Salubrious has an extra advantage of having a low carbon footprint as the cold-pressed pellets used to make their products need less energy compared to regular kibble. Additionally, the brand makes use of locally grown ingredients from Staffordshire instead of importing exotic fruits and vegetables.
Vet’s Kitchen Sensitive Care
Classification: Moist | Varieties: Fish and sweet potato or lamb and sweet potato | Dimensions: 395g, 10x 395g | Recommended Retail Price: Starting at £2.25 for 395g |
Potential allergens are minimized in this grain-free formula that is hypoallergenic and does not contain cereals, beef, soya, or dairy. Easily digestible ingredients and MOS prebiotics are included. The meal is made up of a single-source protein that accounts for 60% of each recipe.
The recipes have received the endorsement of veterinarians who utilized their practice experience and the most up-to-date nutritional research to develop them.
A bonus feature is that the packaging can be recycled entirely.
The dry food option is also accessible.
Percuro Hypoallergenic Dog Food
This food product comes in pellet form with a seafood flavor and is available in sizes of 2kg, 6kg, and 10kg. The starting price for the 2kg package is £19.99.
This dog food is advertised as both good for the environment and wholesome for your pet’s wellbeing. It is hypoallergenic and free of any livestock products, instead containing insect protein and plant-based ingredients that are both sustainable and eco-friendly. The protein used is not known to cause common allergies and includes prebiotics for aiding digestion. Additionally, it is enriched with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, derived from olive and algae oil, which promote healthy skin and coat.
This product gains its natural tranquilizing characteristics from the presence of hemp seed oil and dried chamomile. Additionally, green peas are added for their fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while dried chicory provides support for beneficial gut bacteria.
