Is Canned Dog Food Better Than Kibble

Benefits Of Wet Dog Food: Meaty Moist And Appetizing

Benefits of wet dog food at a glance:

• Most dogs love the taste, including picky eaters.
• Its more easily digested.
• Its high moisture content can help keep a dog hydrated.

Canned dog food tends to be more palatable to dogs because it is made primarily of protein and fat, with few carbohydrates. The palatability and digestibility of canned food may also make it the right choice for finicky eaters or dogs with certain illnesses.

The downside of canned food is its soft, smooth texture, which doesnt give your pooch an opportunity to do the crunching that can help clean their teeth. And smaller dogs that often eat canned food have more crowded teeth, providing areas where plaque and tartar can easily accumulate.

Nonetheless, some pet nutritionists believe that canned food can be healthier than dry. And with its high moisture content, canned food can help keep a dog hydrated, benefiting the urinary tract.

While the meat-based protein in canned dog food is more expensive, for smaller breeds that eat less it may be a cost-effective option.

Remember, canned food is perishable and can only be left opened and out of the refrigerator for a short time. Therefore, any food left in your dogs bowl for more than one to two hours should be discarded.

What To Look For In A Quality Wet Dog Food

An excellent wet dog food can help keep your dogs proper fiber content up because the moisture required to process the food helps in digestion. It should have an adequate protein and fat balance to give your dog energy all day and help build muscle.

Omega fatty acids, especially those from natural sources like fish, can help keep the skin and coat healthy and shiny. Things like glucosamine promote healthy joints and bones. Whole fruits or veggies can provide valuable prebiotic materials and vitamins for immune system support and proper digestion.

For sensitive dogs, single sources of protein are better than multiple sources. Make sure the protein source is a whole, animal source and not a by-product meal or from legume sources, which can impede the production of taurine and cause issues.

Help For Dogs With Dietary Problems

Have an overweight dog that needs to lose weight?

The moisture content of canned dog food can make the same amount of nutrients occupy more volume. So, your dieting dog can feel fuller faster.

And what about older dogs?

Seniors are frequently afflicted with chronic dental problems that can make chewing dry kibble difficult even painful. So, canned dog food can be the perfect solution.

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Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Grain

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Is a brand that offers your pet some exotic flavors like bison and venison that they may not get elsewhere. These foods are high in protein, as are other ingredients like lamb fish and beef. Beef is the first ingredient, and it contains no meat byproducts or harmful chemical preservatives. Its fortified with vitamins and antioxidants and contains prebiotic fiber from potatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and more. Probiotics are also in the food as well as omega fats.

The downside of Taste of the Wild is that its only available in large chunks, and there is no pate available, which some of our dogs like better. So, we had some dogs not wanting to eat it because its not pate and others that didnt seem to like the flavor.

• Only available in big chunks no pate is available
• Some dogs dont like it

The Content Is What Matters Not The Variety

The ingredients list on the packaging is more important in terms of choosing the right food for your dog than the actual variety. After all, nutrition plays a significant role in canine health. Your dog needs a high-quality food that provides everything it needs to meet its requirements and ensure healthy development. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer as to exactly what ingredients are needed. Every dog is different, therefore every dog needs different food. Individual factors like age, weight, activity level and state of health should definitely be considered when it comes to looking for the best food. In principle, a food made up of around 70% premium meat and approximately 30% vegetables as well as high-quality fats and oils is recommended for healthy adult dogs. Too much grain, preservatives, artificial flavour enhancers or even sweeteners like sugar have no place in a dog’s diet. So before you choose a variety of food, you’re best off first taking a look at the label.

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Less Protein Means More Carbohydrates

Aside from the binder consideration, something has to fill the void that the lower protein percentage of dry dog food creates. So, there are automatically more carbohydrates in dry dog food because there’s less protein.

Fat is the only other variable and you generally don’t see a lot of difference in fat in pet foods, unless you are comparing diet foods and regular foods. Even so, the difference is not as much as when comparing protein and carbohydrate levels. This is where you can see a real difference in the quality of dog foods.

Higher quality foods generally will have more protein than carbohydrates, as protein is more expensive.

Feeding The Same Food Day After Day Limits Nutrition

Imagine eating corn, rancid fat and chicken wings every meal of your life, with the same mix of cheap vitamins and minerals added. Its a lot like eating the same breakfast cereal for every day. Nutritionists urge people to eat a variety of foods, both for improved nutrition and also to prevent allergies. Its no surprise that dogs need variety too. Ever wonder why your dog has a food allergy? Skin problems from allergies and food sensitivities in dogs are at epidemic levels.

But variety can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, right?

Not really. In the short run, maybe thats true. Nutritionally-deprived animals have sick guts. In fact, intestinal upset when switching foods is a sign your dog needs more variety. Once good nutrition has healed a dogs gut, your dog can eat different foods every meal just as people do. Just switch foods gradually over several weeks while your dogs gut heals.

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The Benefits Of Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food, or often times referred to as canned dog food, is a great source of things you don’t often get as much of in dry. This includes:

• Greater water content: Wet dog food is particularly valuable for hydration. If your dog doesn’t drink enough or you live in a dry, hot climate, a wet dog food can keep your dog properly hydrated, according to PetMD. Even so, you should still make sure fresh water is readily available for your pup.
• Helping dogs who have trouble chewing: Dogs can have issues chewing hard kibble for a variety of reasons, such as loss of teeth, misaligned jaws, or even a uniquely small mouth. In these cases, a canned dog food may be much easier for them to manage.
• The smell: Older dogs lose some sense of smell, and therefore might not eat their dry food with the same gusto or interest that they used to. Wet foods such as Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Beef and Barley Entree have a richer scent and flavor that could spur an increase in appetite.
• Satiety: The higher moisture content in canned food often helps a dog feel full. This may be useful in a weight management program for those dogs who appear to have an endless appetite.

Which Dog Food Option Is Closer To The Ideal Doggy Diet Kibble Or Canned

Now we know that our dogs need a good source of protein and a range of all those very important nutritional elements like fat and vitamins and amino acids. So, in the debate of kibble vs canned food, which one is closer to this ideal doggy diet?

The big reveal isits a tie! Theres consensus in the world of doggy nutrition that both kibble and canned food can offer up about the same balance of protein and other nutritional elements.

Of course, not all kibble and canned food is created equal. Some brands offer less protein or protein from sources that have a lower biological value. Others provide more nutrients or a wider range of nutrients. So, its still a good idea to take a look at the nutritional content of whichever kind of food you buy for your pup.

But, the kibble vs canned food debate is not over! Lets take a look at why some Dog Owners would choose one over the other.

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Blue Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food

BLUE Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food comes with actual deboned chicken to offer your pooch all the essential protein and amino acids he requires for his day to day nourishment and growth. It also contains premium quality whole grains such as brown rice and barley. These are primary carbohydrate sources included in this reputable canned dog food option that provide your canine friend with an optimal amount of energy for everyday activities. Blue Homestyle recipe dog food also contains whole carrots and sweet potatoes topped with blueberries and cranberries. It includes no chicken or poultry by-product, corn, wheat or soy and also lacks any form of man-made flavor, color or preservatives.

Is Canned Food Good For My Dog

Trying to determine the best food for your dog can be stressful for doggie parents. Canned food , kibble, gently air dried, raw, dehydrated, semi moist so many choices. Each comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Any type of dog food can be good for a dog as long as it is high in protein, contains good quality ingredients, is low on fillers and preservatives, and meets the nutritional profiles set out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Animal proteins should always be in the top few ingredients in the ingredient list.

So, yes, canned food can absolutely be a healthy option for your adult dog or puppy. When selecting a wet food, look for the phrase complete and balanced on the label. This means the food can be eaten everyday and meets the nutrient profiles, or passed a AAFCO feeding trial.

For a product to meet one of the AAFCO nutrient profiles, it must contain every nutrient listed in the profile at the recommended level, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Also make sure you buy a wet food that is best for your dogs age. Puppies should be fed puppy specific food or one marked as being for all stages of growth. For puppies, you need a wet food that contains a minimum of 22.5 percent crude protein and 8.5 percent crude fat.

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Whats Good About Dry Food

Dry dog food is generally what most owners favor as it is usually more convenient, but there are also many health benefits to dry food that do wonders for your dog. A big plus to feeding your dog a dry diet is that it can support their dental health. The texture of dry kibble encourages your dog to chew before they swallow, which improves their digestion and also helps to clean their teeth. All Eukanuba adult and senior diets use an S-shaped kibble that can help provide a brushing effect. Our adult and senior dry diets are also coated in sodium hexametaphosphate, which helps bind calcium in your dog’s saliva to help slow the formation of tartar between meals.

Wet Food Provides Comfort During Dental Pain

We often think of dental problems as striking elderly dogs, but the truth is, periodontal disease strikes 85% of dogs by the time they turn 5 years old. During treatment and recovery, a switch to a softer canned diet helps afflicted dogs eat in comfort. Meanwhile, discover more about the prevention and treatment of canine dental problems.

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Why Diet Matters For Dogs

Doggy diets matter the same way people diets matter: We are what we eat. According to The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, the most followed veterinarian on social media, and pet health leader Rodney Habib, the single most important factor when it comes to dog health is diet. A poor diet can lead to obesity, joint problems, gastrointestinal issues and much more. Rather than treating these ailments later in your dogs life, be deliberate about your dogs diet today to set them up for success tomorrow.

Dogs are carnivores with short gastrointestinal tracts. While theyve evolved from wolves to domesticated animals who can handle some carbs, they actually lack the enzyme that digests carbohydrates. This means their diet should consist primarily of protein and fat. There have been some studies indicating grain-free diets are bad for dogs, but the truth is grain fillers are bad for dogs, not necessarily real whole grains like rice and quinoa.

In any case, Dr. Becker believes carbs shouldnt take up more than 10 percent of your pups daily meals. She recommends a rough 50/50 ratio of protein to fat for a dogs diet. Ideally, we should achieve this ratio exclusively through fresh, unprocessed foods.

Benefits Of Wet Dog Food Compared To Dry Dog Food

Wet dog food, or canned food, sometimes provides benefits that dry food doesnt offer, such as:

• Higher moisture content: Wet food may be a good choice if your dog doesnt drink as much as they should, or if they have a medical condition that could benefit from proper hydration. One example would be a dog with a history of urinary or kidney disease.

• Palatability: Canned dog food is often more aromatic and flavorful when compared to dry food. This may entice sick or older dogs to eat if their appetite is decreased.

• Satiety: Wet dog food tends to create a longer-lasting feeling of being full. Increased satiety is useful in weight management, especially in dogs that seem to have a never-ending appetite.

• Easier to chew: Dogs that have dental disease or other oral abnormalities may find wet food easier to chew than dry food.

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Bpa In Canned Dog Food

There is one exception when it comes to canned food preservatives – BPA and BPS. These chemicals line most pet food cans, preventing the acidic contents from leaching metals from the can itself into the food over time.

In itself, this is a good thing. But BPA and BPS are known hormone disruptors and can have damaging effects on reproductive systems and the brain, also contributing to related side effects such as weight gain, and even major diseases and cancer.

Not all dog food cans contain BPA. Choose smaller cans. Some of these don’t require BPA in their lining. Or, choose those canned foods that are BPA-free. Make sure those cans don’t include BPS instead.

How Is Wet Dog Food Processed

Wet food starts with grinding the protein sources, or meat ingredients. Then a gravy that contains vitamins, minerals, and grains is added. Once those are mixed, the food is cooked and sterilized to produce the canned product.

As a result, wet food has a much higher moisture content than dry food. You can see the percentage of maximum moisture on the label, under the Guaranteed Analysis section. A dry food might have around 10% moisture while a wet food might have something like 78% moisture .

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Health Benefits Of Dry Food

There are a few instances where dry food might be the best route for your pet. Dry foods often have more fiber bulk which can be good for many gastrointestinal diseases, Dr. Youello says. Dogs with chronic diarrhea, for example, may do better on a dry food formulated with more fiber. Similarly, dogs with diabetes mellitus generally do better on a dry food, as theres usually more complex carbohydrates compared to a canned food.

While dry food is also touted as a good option to keep your dogs teeth clean, its not recommended to feed them dry food for this reason alone. There are many toys and treats on the market that tackle plaque and nothing will ever compare to cleaning your dogs teeth yourself.

Kibble Has A Longer Storage Life

Of course, unopened cans do have a longer storage life. Were talking about storage lifespan after the can or bag is opened. Thats where kibble wins. Once the bag is opened, proper storage is essential, because exposure to air will eventually make the fats turn rancid and the food will lose its nutrients. To maximize the kibbles shelf life, store the food, bag and all, in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Youll want to keep the food inside the original, opened bag because packaging is designed to maintain freshness.

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Dry Matter Basis Protein Calculator

Find these values on your pet food bag’s Guaranteed Analysis. Looking for another macronutrient? You can substitute ash, fat, or fibre in this equation to find these other actual values.

Crude Protein :

When compared using Dry Matter Basis, there is a difference of over 10% in protein content between the wet and dry food formulas of a single high-protein brand! THAT’s a big difference.

If you’re concerned about the protein content of your pet’s food, always calculate your dog food’s guaranteed analysis on a dry matter basis.

To learn more about the different types of dog food, check out Types of Dog food: A Helpful Breakdown.