Last Bit Of Advice When Choosing Wet Or Dry Dog Food
There isnt a straight answer to which food will be the best option for your dog, and ultimately, the answer to which type of dog food is the best will be up to you to decide. But, keep in mind that the food you choose should fulfill your dogs nutritional requirements. If your dog has health issues, hes an older dog, a fussy eater, or extremely active will all play a role in your final decision.
Also, remember that you can mix both dry and wet food together as an occasional treat.
Wet Vs Dry Dog Food: Which Is Right For Your Pet
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Dog food seems like such a simple thing, but all of the choices available can be overwhelming when deciding what your pal should eat. One of the comparisons you’ll confront starting out is wet vs. dry dog food.
First, consider your dog’s overall health, age, and behavioral needs. Both types of food are good choices, but it’s important to look at the benefits of each to decide which is right for your dog.
Why Canned Dog Foodcan Be Better Than Kibble
In many ways, canned dog food can be superior to kibble. They typically contain more meat protein than their dry counterparts.
And theyre made with fewer carbohydrates, too.1
Plus, due to their air-tight packaging, canned dog foods contain no synthetic preservatives. So, fats and oils sealed inside cans dont easily become rancid.
And no artificial flavorings and colorings.
With cans, meat ingredients are closer to their natural state. So, canned products are more palatable and more appetizing.
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What’s Wrong With Preservatives In Dog Food
But what’s the problem with preservatives? For one thing, many preservatives in cheaper pet foods are not naturally derived.
They’re non-foods that would never naturally occur in your pet’s diet. Most provide no other nutritional benefit to your pet’s food other than making it last a long time on the shelf.
Most of the time, a long shelf-life isn’t even a real convenience for you. Generally, you probably buy dog food and use it up within, at most, a few months. This benefit is for the pet food manufacturer and the pet store, instead.
They can have the same food stored in their warehouses, back rooms, and shelves for sometimes years before having to check for expiration dates and refresh their stock. Business-wise, the longer the shelf-life, the less money is lost through expired products that cannot be sold.
Other than providing no real benefit to you or your dog, preservatives may actually harm your pet. Some common preservatives, such as nitrates or nitrites, are known carcinogens.
There are other options out there. Choose foods with natural preservatives whenever possible, or go the no-preservative route with canned foods.
How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Dog
Determining how much wet food to feed your dog is a processNOT a one-and-done decision.
Since the size and activity level of every dog is unique
And because every wet food contains a different number of calories per can
Its best to start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the label. Then, adjust that amount up or down to keep your dog at her ideal weight.
Heres an example:
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Canned Food May Lower Bloat Risk
One other thing I didnt mention is the risk of bloat. Bloat is a serious, often deadly condition. It can happen in any breed but is more common in large, deep-cheste dogs.
Your dogs stomach fills with gas and twists, blocking off whatevers inside. Gases build up, putting pressure on your dogs organs. It can cut off return blood flow to the heart. This can make your dog go into shock very quickly.
One risk factor for bloat is feeding kibble. But a study at Purdue University showed that dogs on a mainly kibble diet had a far lower risk of bloat when table food or canned food was added to their diets. For large breed dogs, the risk was 59% less, and 28% less for giant breeds.
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Whats Good About Wet Food
Although dry food might be a more popular choice, some owners will choose to feed their dog a wet diet to better please fussy eaters and give their dog an added hydration boost. As wet food has a rich, meaty aroma, picky dogs can be more enticed to eat their meals. In the case of those pets that may not be getting enough water throughout the day, wet food can provide them with additional hydration because of its high moisture content.
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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 .
When People Find Out We Make Our Own Dog Food At Home They Always Ask Us What About A Raw Diet So Lets Get That Out Of The Way First
There are LOTS of thoughts and theories on feeding your dog a raw diet especially a dog that is living with kidney disease. Our vet however, was personally opposed to feeding a raw diet due to the fact that dogs, just like us, are very susceptible to food poisoning. Besides that, a raw diet can be tricky to get just right! You run the risk of giving your dog a horrible belly ache by mixing a raw diet with cooked treats, so if you decided to go raw it is important to have both raw meals and raw treats planned for your pup at all times. NO MIXING the two! Since raw and cooked foods digest at different rates any combination of the two can wreak serious havoc on your pups gut which can lead to some pretty unpleasant situations for you if you get my drift.
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Wet Or Dry Dog Food: Which Is Better
by Judith | Oct 20, 2021 | Health and Wellness
Is wet or dry dog food better for your dog? It will depend on your particular dog and their health and nutrition requirements, and also the pros and cons of these different food types.
Dry Food Advantages
There are a few things to consider when purchasing dry food for your dog.
The advantages of dry dog food are clear. Kibble is easy to measure out: food can be accurately and easily portioned to keep diets consistent. Kibble is easy to store. Dry food rarely goes bad as long as it is used within the expiration date. It can be purchased in bulk and stored for relatively long periods. This means little waste, which often means good savings. Dry foods are also less expensive than wet foods in general.
Another advantage of a dry kibble is that some of these foods are designed to help clean the dogs teeth as they eat.
Dry Dog Food Disadvantages
A big drawback to dry food is that they reduce the amount of fat content and increase the carbohydrate content to make kibble keep its shape. If your dog is very active, they may require higher fat than a dry dog food can provide. Some breeds of dogs may have a hard time breaking up kibble due to dental problems or facial structure making it more difficult for them to eat dry dog food. Also, as protein and fat content in dry foods rise, so do the prices, which negates one of the major benefits of dry food: the relative inexpensiveness.
Wet Dog Food Advantages
Wet Dog Food Disadvantages
Best Wet Dog Food: Overall Winner
Looking for a high-quality, science-backed wet dog food that you can feel good about serving your pup? Open Farm is a clear standout. The well-loved pet food brand takes care to ensure its only using the best ingredients, ethically sourced from family farms. Open Farms Rustic Stews are 100 percent human-grade and great for finicky eaters. The grass-fed beef recipe features certified-humane beef raised without antibiotics, non-GMO pumpkin, and superfoods like coconut oil and turmeric. Serve it as a complete and balanced meal, or as a topper!
Highlights
- Packed with hearty ground beef, nutrient-rich veggies, and superfoods
- Single-protein option
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- No antibiotics or added growth hormones
- The BPA-free cartons are easy to seal and store in the fridge
- Recyclable packaging
This affordable wet dog food is an ideal option for topping or mixing with dry kibble thanks to its added gravy and chunky cuts of meat. The tasty flavor is also a favorite among picky dogs and pet parents trying to ensure a balanced diet.
Highlights
- The balanced formula is highly digestible and easy on the stomach
- Includes optimal levels of oils for a healthy coat
- Formulated and packaged in the United States
Things to Consider
- Chunky formula may be hard for some dogs to chew
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The Pros And Cons Of Wet Food For Dogs
Jenna Stregowski, RVT has worked in veterinary medicine for more than two decades. Her veterinary experience ranges from routine wellness care and preventive medicine to emergency and specialty care, where she has performed duties ranging from specialized nursing to clinical administration. Jenna has been writing about pet care for over 10 years, including for publications like DVM 360 and DogTime.
Proper nutrition is essential for all dogs, and choosing the right food can be an overwhelming task. In addition to the hundreds of commercial dog food brands to choose from, you also need to decide if you want to feed your dog dry food or wet food.
Many dog owners choose dry food for price and convenience. However, more and more owners are feeding wet food for its potential health benefits. This article will look at the advantages of feeding wet food vs dry food?
Home Cooked Meals For Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Some dogs benefit from bland meals prepared at home. A simple dinner of cooked chicken and rice, without any seasoning, might help settle an upset stomach and diarrhea. These days, an increasing number of dog owners are turning to homemade diets for all of their dogs meals. This can be an excellent option for dogs with sensitive stomachs, as long as owners make sure they meet all of their pets nutritional needs. An easy way to do this is to check with your veterinarian to make sure the foods you are feeding your dog contain appropriate amounts of necessary nutrients. Another option is to use a website like balance IT®, created by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist Sean J. Delaney, DVM, MS, DACVN, to help vets and owners balance the nutrition in their pets homemade meals.
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Choosing The Best Dog Food
The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Which Is Better For Puppies Wet Or Dry Dog Food
Puppies need a diet that has double the amount of protein and fat that adult dog food. Their developing muscles and bodies have higher energy requirements.
Due to the higher protein content of wet food, young, energetic puppies can benefit from this diet type.
That said, dry dog foods also have a place where puppies are concerned, and kibble can be a great way to entertain young dogs when alone through food puzzles.
If you feed your puppy dry dog food, always opt for one with a smaller kibble size that your puppy can chew properly.
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Cons Of Mixing Wet And Dry Dog Food
Since wet food is more expensive than dry dog food, mixing the two adds an expense to mealtime in comparison with only feeding dry. It also requires refrigeration of the wet food after it is opened if not all of it is used in one meal. Plus, it can be smellier than dry food alone, creates more waste with the small cans and pouches that house the wet food, and may provide less dental benefits than a strictly dry food diet.
Finally, if a dog doesn’t finish the mixture of dry and wet food within a few hours, the dry kibble will get soggy and the wet food will get crusty and could spoil so it cannot be saved and, consequently, may create more waste.
There is no ‘best’ option when it comes to wet and dry food. Cost, storage, ease of feeding, medical issues, physical restrictions, accessibility of food types, pickiness of the individual dog and more may play into your decision as to whether you feed only wet or dry food or a mixture of both.
How To Avoid Bpa
You can check the Seeking Safer Packaging website. This group assesses major food companies use of BPA. Its not specific to pet food companies. But many of the major ones are owned by big food conglomerates. So, with a bit of detective work, you might find some information about your dogs canned food maker.
Unfortunately, theres no easy way to tell whether your dogs canned food contains BPA. Youll probably need to call the company, because most labels dont report this information. Sometimes the website will claim the product is BPA free.
But in that case, what are they using instead?
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Best Dog Food For Puppies
The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.
Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.
Benefits Of Dry Dog Food: Convenience Crunch And Cost
Benefits of dry dog food at a glance:
- It supports oral health by reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
- No refrigeration is required.
- It has a lower cost than canned food.
Dry kibble does have some advantages over canned foods, including distinct benefits for your dogs oral health. Crunchy kibble helps keep your dogs teeth healthy by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Thats why kibble eaters tend to have better breath than those who chow down exclusively on canned food. Dry food also provides the necessary chew and crunch dogs have craved since their primal pack days, when they used chewing and crunching as stress relief and a show of power.
Unlike canned food, kibble does not require refrigeration after opening and can be left out for free feeders. Its also easier to pack if you travel with your pet.
Cost is another area in which dry kibble has an advantage over canned food. Because canned food contains a higher percentage of water than dry foods , dry food is more economical to feed on a per-serving basis.
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Best Wet Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach
Trying to feed a dog with tummy troubles can be a learning curve you want to make sure your pup is eating and getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and active but you certainly dont want to see them getting sick or having irregular bowel movements. The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Canned Dog Food works to take triggering proteins and ingredients out of the equation without sacrificing a balanced diet and ample nutrition.
Highlights
- Packed with vitamins and oils to foster a healthy coat
Things to Consider
- Requires authorization from your veterinarian
Sample buyer review: After multiple visits to the veterinary hospital, and almost losing him to a stroke, the vet gave us a prescription for this food. He no longer licks his paws constantly and his fur is no longer discolored. Regardless of price, I will continue to use this food as it saves me money in the long run. And more importantly, hes healthy and happy!