Choosing the right wet dog food can be challenging due to the abundance of options at the supermarket. Just like you prioritize nutritious food for your family, you want to provide healthy dog food for your canine companion. The market offers a wide range of top-notch choices, including limited ingredient recipes, options for puppies and senior dogs, as well as organic dog food. To determine the best wet dog food for your furry friend, consider their age, size, activity level, and medical history. To ensure your dog receives the necessary nutrients for their life stage, we have compiled a list of some of the healthiest wet dog foods available.
The best wet dog food
The task of finding the best wet dog food from the numerous options available can be quite overwhelming. To simplify the process, you should assess your dog’s age, size, activity level, and any medical conditions to determine the most crucial factors. After narrowing down the options, you can select either organic, pouch, canned, or a subscription service to ensure the freshest meals for your furry friend.
Best for adult dogs: Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe
The advantages or benefits
- Excellent ingredients
- Cheaper than some other natural options
- Easy to find
- Few recalls against the company
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- Large cans may be slightly inconvenient if you have a smaller dog
The ingredient list of Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Wet Dog Food always begins with protein. There are six flavors to choose from, including one that combines protein sources. All recipes in this line are corn, wheat, and soy-free. This line of Blue Buffalo dog food also offers a variety of formulas tailored to your dog’s age and health requirements. For instance, there are specific recipes for different sized dogs, weight management, puppies, and senior dogs. Additionally, this wet dog food is available in different styles such as pate or chunks.
Best natural: Natural Balance LID
Advantages
- Very simple ingredient list
- Made from high-quality stuff
- Easy on pretty much any dog’s digestive system
- Lots of flavor options
Cons must be carefully considered before making a decision.
- Expensive
Natural Balance offers LID (Limited Ingredient Diets) Wet Dog Food in six flavors. Each flavor contains a single protein source as the main ingredient. Buffalo and venison are less common flavors that provide an alternative to the more widely used beef and chicken, which are also known allergens. The protein sources are accompanied by complementary carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes or brown rice. Each recipe of limited ingredient dog food aims to promote healthy digestion and reduce exposure to allergenic ingredients.
Best for small dogs: Hill’s Science Diet
Advantages
- Easy to use packaging
- Solid ingredients
- Simple flavors
- Easy to store
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- Not suitable for big dogs
Hills Science Diet Wet Dog Food, which is wet dog food for small dogs, is packaged in convenient trays that can be easily opened and served. These trays are suitable for breeds weighing less than 30 pounds. However, the tiniest breeds may require only a portion of a tray per meal. The trays are available in chicken or beef flavors and have a stew-like consistency. The small, tender pieces of food are easier for small jaws to chew. Additionally, the food contains Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat.
Best dog food delivery service: The Farmer’s Dog
There are advantages or positive aspects of the situation.
- Totally natural ingredients
- Regular delivery means no running out of food
- Excellent nutrition
- Very fresh
- Lots of options tailored to your specific dog
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- Needs to be refrigerated
The Farmer’s Dog provides dog food delivery that is made with high-quality ingredients and is customized to meet the individual needs of each dog. When you join their service, you are required to fill out a profile which includes details about your dog’s size, age, and any dietary restrictions. Based on the information provided, the meal plan options are then personalized. The options available vary in price, starting from $3 to $12 per day. The meals are conveniently packaged in eco-friendly packets, which are preportioned and can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator until ready to serve to your dog.
Best budget: Pedigree Homestyle Meals
Advantages
- Very affordable
- Large cans
- Solid ingredient list
- Available in bulk
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- Not as fresh or natural as others
Pedigree Homestyle Meals Adult Wet Dog Food is a canned wet dog food that consists of chunk-style meat mixed in gravy. It is available in prime rib or chicken flavors and can be paired with Pedigree’s dry mixes for added variety. The distinct flavor and high protein content of the food come from a combination of real meat and meat byproduct chunks mixed with vegetables. However, the inclusion of meat byproducts is also the reason for the lower price. Although they are less costly than meat, the recipe may need to be supplemented with nutrients to compensate for any deficiencies.
Best wet dog food for large-breed puppies: Royal Canin
According to our experts, puppies require slightly more protein, fat, and calories compared to adult dogs. Additionally, puppy formulas have specific restrictions on calcium content due to puppies’ inability to regulate calcium absorption. This is particularly crucial for young large-breed dogs as they are susceptible to developing orthopedic problems, as stated by Stockman.
The Royal Canin large-breed puppy formula is designed to provide the necessary nutrition for large-breed growing puppies aged 2–15 months, as advised by AAFCO. It contains protein-rich ingredients like chicken, pork byproducts, chicken liver, and pork plasma. Additionally, it is enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA), which are essential for brain development. The formula also includes antioxidants to support a healthy immune and digestive system. Each 13-ounce can of this formula provides 320 calories.
Best wet dog food for adult small breeds: Rachael Ray
Small dogs, due to their high metabolism, need a greater amount of protein, fats, and nutrients per calorie in comparison to large-breed dogs. Rachael Ray’s Hearty Recipes variety pack comprises an average of 33 calories per ounce and includes chicken and beef chunks in gravy made with broth. Additionally, the recipes from this brand exclude certain ingredients such as corn, soy, and wheat, which can commonly trigger allergic reactions in dogs.
How to shop for the best wet dog food
According to our experts, when selecting wet dog food, it is important to consider your dog’s individual preferences, as well as their life stage and breed size. Laflamme and Stockman also highlight some additional factors to consider while shopping for dog food.
- Check for the AAFCO label . AAFCO is a nonprofit group made up of volunteer experts that establish dietary recommendations for pet food in the U.S. While their goal is to promote the safety and nutritional quality of pet food, AAFCO doesn’t approve or regulate pet food formulas, though pet foods that include an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on their label have undergone thorough testing to ensure the formula meets AAFCO nutritional standards.
- Check the nutrient levels . Growing puppies and adult dogs require different percentages of nutrients. Here’s a general list of nutrients you should look for in the varying life stages:
- Puppy food should include a minimum of 22.5% protein and 8.5% fat on a dry matter basis (the true nutrient content of a food when 100% of the moisture content is removed), in addition to other important vitamins and nutrients, like DHA, calcium and phosphorus for bone and brain development, according to the AAFCO. Foods that are labeled as “growth,” “puppy food” and/or “all life stages” contain the minimum amount of nutrients for puppies
- Adult dogs require less protein and fat than puppies, but they can also eat food formulated for “all life stages”. Adult dog food should include 18% protein and 5.5% fat on a dry matter basis, according to AAFCO.
- Our experts recommend feeding overweight dogs therapeutic veterinary weight-loss diets. They’re typically higher in protein and fiber, which can help promote satiety or the sense of feeling full, Stockman says. Veterinary weight-loss diets may include salt as an ingredient to encourage dogs to drink more water, which also promotes fullness, according to Stockman. Lastly, veterinary-formulated diets typically are denser in essential nutrients per calorie, so dogs who eat less aren’t nutrient deficient, Stockman says.
- AAFCO doesn’t recommend specific nutrient values for senior dog foods, unlike puppy and adult dog food, our experts say. Therefore, senior diets can vary widely across recipes and brands. If you’re unsure of the most appropriate senior diet for your senior dog’s needs, talk with your veterinarian.
- Appropriate life stage : There are four categories of life stages for dogs based on their nutrient needs as they age: growth, all life stages, adult maintenance and lactation/gestation, according to AAFCO. Puppies should eat foods labeled as “growth” or “all life stages,” while adult dogs can eat foods that are labeled as “all life stages” or “adult maintenance.” “Adult dog food” is not appropriate for puppies because it contains less fat, protein and other nutrients than puppy-specific options which are essential for their growth and development. If your dog is pregnant or nursing, consult with your veterinarian for the most appropriate diet.
- Feed based on breed size . Our experts recommend feeding dogs based on their breed size to fulfill their specific growth patterns and health requirements. Large- and small-breed dogs have different growth patterns, calorie requirements and health concerns.
- Formula oversight . Recipes that are formulated under the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist will have the proper amount of nutrients based on your dog’s age and breed. If you’re unsure if your canine’s favorite dog food brand employs a full-time veterinary nutritionist, Stockman recommends calling the company — or check Pet Nutrition Alliance’s Dare To Ask database , which provides pet parents with objective information on pet food.
- Don’t be afraid of budget-friendly brands . Our experts say that quality doesn’t always correspond with price.
Unless your dog is gluten intolerant, there is no need to avoid grains in their food, according to Stockman. Lack of scientific evidence did not stop marketing tactics from promoting the false idea that grains are linked to cancer, diabetes, and obesity, Stockman explains. This led to the increased popularity of grain-free diets, sometimes compromising nutritional value and safety, he adds.
What to consider when shopping for the best wet dog food
When considering the best wet dog food for your dog, it is important to recognize that what may be suitable for one dog may not be the ideal choice for another dog. This is due to the fact that dogs have varied nutritional requirements based on the different phases they go through in life. The wet dog food that is appropriate for your puppy will not contain the necessary nutrients for him as he transitions into his senior years. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you select the most suitable dog food for your dog before purchasing pouches or canned dog food in bulk.
How old is your dog?
Puppy food is commonly formulated with extra nutrients such as DHA and additional calories, which are essential for supporting the growth rate and brain development of puppies. Nonetheless, if puppies are continuously fed puppy food, they may experience excessive weight gain.
Toy and small breeds weighing less than 30 pounds generally achieve full maturity at the age of nine to 12 months. Medium-sized dogs weighing between 30 and 80 pounds at full growth tend to reach their adult size within 12 to 16 months. On the other hand, large breeds typically require approximately 24 months to mature fully. Following this stage, they are prepared to transition to adult dog food.
Not every dog requires senior dog food. Dogs in their senior years with health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease may benefit from a modified diet. Senior dog food is typically lower in calories to aid in weight control. However, if your senior dog is maintaining a healthy weight and does not have any other health issues, an adult wet dog food should provide the necessary nutrition.
How big is your dog?
Dogs of different sizes have varying rates of calorie burning. Typically, large breeds burn calories at a rate of 20 calories per pound, while small breeds burn calories at a rate of 40 calories per pound. Therefore, dogs of different sizes and breeds require foods with different caloric densities. Foods with higher caloric density are beneficial for small breeds due to their faster metabolism.
How active is your dog?
Does your dog spend most of its time indoors, or does it prefer to be outside playing throughout the day? Older dogs or dogs that prefer napping over playing may require a specialized diet in order to maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, puppies and energetic dogs may require high-calorie food to compensate for their high rate of calorie burn.
Engage in a conversation with your veterinarian regarding the ideal weight for your dog. If your dog’s weight surpasses or falls under that range, you will promptly determine whether his food adequately fulfills his caloric requirements.
