Is Wet Or Dry Food Better For Sick Dogs
You should feed your sick dog wet food for several reasons. Your dog will need more nutrients to make up for any vitamins or minerals lost through vomit or diarrhea. Additionally, a sick dog may lose its appetite. Offering your pet some wet food will be far more tempting and appealing than a bowl of dry kibble. Therefore, try feeding your sick dog wet food.
Is Canned Food Bad For Your Pet’s Teeth
Some studies have shown that dry kibble, particularly dental varieties with added calcium carbonate, can reduce surface plaque on dog teeth. However, while dry dog food may be slightly better for your pet’s teeth than wet food, no food alone provides enough benefit to adequately prevent plaque build-up, bad breath, or dog dental diseases, such as periodontal disease.
Blood Tests Dont Lieand Hoochs Numbers Shifted Drastically In Just The First 6 Weeks We Made These Diet And Lifestyle Changes
He noticeably had more energy, was suffering less from inflammation, was shedding less with a more luxurious coat, and for the first time EVER he had zero bloating! NO GAS for the first time in his entire life! The best news though, was that those stage 4 kidney disease blood levels he had at his yearly checkup had climbed back up to to midrange stage 1 kidney disease blood levels! The extra time and energy invested in making his food and the other small changes we made to his lifestyle have given us more quality time with our beloved Hooch which is more than we could have ever hoped for!
If youve made our Easy Homemade Dog Food for your pup I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours. Want to be a part of our online community outside of the blog? Its easy!! All you have to do is follow @THISMESSISOURS on , , , , or to see cooking demos, and peeks into our day to day life.
- Prep Time:30
790 grams cooked organic brown rice
700 grams ground lean beef, cooked through, fat drained
4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced small
207 grams carrots, shredded or thinly sliced
14 grams minced curly parsley
22 grams of olive or safflower oil
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The Most Important Thing When It Comes To Dog Food
…is not the wet vs dry debate. Ultimately, you have to make the right decision for your dogs health and for what you can comfortably afford. What is far more important than wet vs dry, is the nutritional content. What is on the food label? What are the ingredients?
Given that Australias pet food industry is largely unregulated, concerns have been raised multiple times regarding what exactly is in our dogs food.
In the cons for wet and dry food, I noted the use of sulphites.
Thiamine deficiency can occur when dogs and cats are fed on a diet containing sulphite preservatives. Thiamine deficiency causes severe neurological symptoms and can be fatal. – ASPCA
Therefore, it is better to keep a weather eye on the ingredients list of any dog food that is sold in Australia before making a purchase.
If you are particularly worried about this, we have written a full guide on the best dog food on the market for your pup.
Wet Dog Food: Pros And Cons
Puppies can be really difficult to feed as they are rather picky. The biggest advantage of wet dog food is that it is more palatable for dogs because of its consistency and smell. This is in addition to being less processed which makes it retain the proteins in their natural state. This can be a big plus point if you, as a buyer, prefer to opt for mostly organic products.
As the name suggests, this type of dog food contains a higher content of water which also makes it more hydrating to help meet the hydration needs of your puppy. So even if your puppy does not drink enough water or is getting dehydrated, opting for wet dog food could be very helpful. Now, we are not saying that only consuming wet dog food will be wholly efficient to meet your puppys water needs, so please do not consider wet dog food as an alternative for clean drinking water.
The other advantage of wet dog food is that they are more friendly for dogs that have food allergies and sensitivities. Vegetarian wet dog food formulas, for example, are the best for very sensitive puppies.
But, aside from all the good things wet dog food has to offer, there are also some bad.
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What Are The Advantages Of Dry Food
Due to the high energy content, dog owners only need to use small quantities of dry food to meet their dog’s needs and make sure they are full. Hence, dry food is the cheaper option. Proponents also stress that lower quantities also make it a more environmentally-friendly choice, since it uses less packaging.
A further argument in favour of dry food is that it is clean and convenient. It doesn’t have mushy spills and even if a little bit ends up outside the food bowl, it is easy to sweep up or vacuum it away. In addition, odourless dry food is easier to take away on holidays, since dogs only need smaller quantities and it’s easier to stock up on it in advance.
How Fussy Is Your Dog
There is no denying that wet food is ultimately more appealing to most dogs. In terms of texture and mouth-feel, it is far more appetising all around. It mimics real food, with distinct juiciness. If your dog has been socialised to eating human scraps and wet food, youll have a tough time transitioning them to dry food now. If you have a puppy on your hands and are wondering the best course of action, you have more room for experimentation as to what they truly like.
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Formulas For Dry Dog Feed
Dry dog food, consisting of crisp, dry kibble pieces, provides a number of advantages. For starters, its a convenient option. The fact that it is sold in greater portions than wet food implies that it will require fewer journeys to the shop and may result in cost savings. As a bonus, it keeps for a longer period of time without spoiling. Also, it does not require refrigeration once you open it. You can keep it out for longer periods of time.
Cons Of Dry Food For Puppy
- Very active dogs need ample protein. If you choose a dry dog food for your pup, make sure the amount of protein is adequate if your dog is exceptionally active. Wet foods are generally higher in protein, but you can find dry dog foods such as Red Mills Engage and Leader Supreme with all the protein a hard working dog needs.
- Dry dog food can be difficult for dogs with dental problems to chew. It is more of a concern for senior dogs. Younger dogs should have good, strong teeth, so it isnt an issue in deciding between wet or dry food for a puppy.
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Feeding Your Dog Wet Dog Food
Wet dog food is the more savory of the options. Wet dog foods contain more moisture, so if your dog lives in a dry and hot climate, it is an excellent option for additional hydration!
Furthermore, the advantages of wet dog food include:
- It has a powerful scent. Some dogs, especially older ones, have a limited sense of smell, so they are more inclined to eat food that is full of scents they love.
- It is soft. Dogs with missing teeth, weaker jaws, and smaller mouths may have difficulty eating dry dog food, whereas wet dog food is easy for them to chew.
- Its nutrients and minerals are more balanced than dry dog foods. Most wet dog foods do not tend to be as carb-heavy as dry dog food which is good for dogs on a diet or for breeds that are not supposed to eat too many carbs.
One of the main drawbacks of wet dog foods is the shelf-life.
Once a container of wet dog food is open, it cannot remain exposed for too long. If your dog cannot finish their food, you must put the leftovers in a container and refrigerate them to prevent spoiling.
Additionally, wet dog food can be messier. Dogs tend to get it caught in their whiskers and fur and stuck on their noses.
Wet dog food is also more expensive than dry dog food, and it does not feature the dental benefits associated with dry dog food.
Pros Of Wet Food For Puppy
- Puppies will show a lot of enthusiasm for wet dog food. It has a stronger scent than dry. If your pup is easily distracted from their bowl at mealtime, wet food should hold their attention. You are not likely to see any leftovers.
- Wet puppy food offers your dog more hydration. If your dog is extremely active and not drinking much water, wet food can increase their moisture intake.
- If your pup seems insatiable and is always actively looking for more food, or gaining weight by eating too much, wet food might help. Dogs feel fuller after a meal of wet food because of the higher moisture content.
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Benefits For Your Dogs Teeth
Dry dog food is the clear winner when it comes to your dogs dental hygiene. Because of its dry form your dog will instinctively chew the food which in turn helps to remove plaque and tartar and also aids in stimulating the gums. You can also find Kibble thats been specially designed to help remove excess plaque and tartar from your dogs teeth like ROYAL CANIN Canine Dental Dry.
However, you shouldnt solely rely only on Kibble alone if you want to manage the overall health of your dogs teeth. If you want cleaner teeth, you will have to clean their teeth with a brush and dog toothpaste.
On the flip side, feeding older dogs dry Kibble who already have dental issues could cause discomfort, and in extreme cases, the pain from eating could put them off their food completely. If this is the case with your older dog, I recommend that you opt for wet food rather than the harder dry dog food.
The Truth About Dog Foodand Dental Health
Now, I know it looks like Ive forgotten to mention how kibble can be better for your dogs teeth than canned food.
But my own professional background makes that silly rumor difficult to accept.
Find out for yourself. Be sure to read Dry Dog Food and the Myth of Cleaner Teeth to learn the surprising truth.
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What Are The Differences Between Wet And Dry Food
The fundamental difference between wet and dry food is primarily the different water content. Whilst dry food has a moisture content of just 3 to 12%, this is between 60 to 84% for wet food. This huge difference affects the shelf life of the food, since dry food can be kept for significantly longer than wet food, which in comparison goes off sooner.
There are also significant fluctuations between wet and dry food regarding calorie content. With dry food, dogs consume lots of calories in small quantities. In contrast, dogs must eat twice or three times as much wet food in order to reach the same calorific value. The question of which food is better for dogs’ teeth is also debatable. One side argues that the hard consistency of dry food cleans the teeth, whilst the other claims that dry food stays too firmly stuck to the teeth, which can lead to dental problems.
How Is Dry Dog Food Processed
Dry food contains very similar ingredients, but instead of adding gravy and canning the product, the meat mixture is pulverized in order to create a consistent dough that can be cooked.
Once cooked, the dough is extruded through specifically shaped holes to form kibble. The kibble undergoes a drying process, and then is sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals and packaged before the fats and oils can spoil.
Some dry dog food diets also add live probiotics to aid in digestive and immune health.
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Cons Of Wet Food For Puppy
- Wet food is more likely to stick to your dogs teeth. Daily toothbrushing is important for dogs that eat wet food to prevent tartar from building up and causing tooth decay and gum disease.
- Storage can be a hassle with wet dog food. Tins generally hold more than one serving, so they need to be covered and refrigerated to avoid spoiling. The tins need to be washed out well before they go in the recycling.
- If your pup is a messy eater, it is easier to sweep up dry kibble than wet dog food. Those enthusiastic little eaters can make a big mess!
Final Thoughts On Dry Dog Food Vs Wet Dog Food
Every dog food should contain the base amount of nutrients that your dog needs to survive, but some options are more healthy or nutrient-rich for specific breeds.
Whether wet or dry, you should choose the foods that will best meet your dogs nutritional needs.
If you have any questions about which food is best for your dogs nutritional needs, you should talk to your veterinarian.
Your vet will consider factors like your dogs breed, age, weight, health, and activity levels for determining which food will get your dog the most nutrients he needs to live a happy and healthy life.
Happy eating!
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Wet Vs Dry Dog Food: Advantages & Disadvantages
Picking out dog food can be a fairly complicated venture. With so many different benefits and flavors, it can be hard to decide which type of dog food is right for your pup. Then theres the whole conversation of dry dog food vs. wet dog food, and the balance between the two. Heres everything you need to know about wet and dry dog food next time youre shopping for a delicious meal for your pup.
Supplementing Your Dog’s Dry Food With Canned Food
If you are currently feeding your pet a straight dry diet, I hope I’ve already convinced you to include canned at least on a part-time basis. There are countless benefits of canned dog food!
Your dog’s diet should include a variety of different foods, so including wet food, even if you continue to feed kibble primarily, will benefit your pet.
This way, your canine will have the benefits of both kibble and canned diets and fewer of the cons associated with either feeding method. Check out What Should I Feed My Dog for more tips to help you find the best diet for your dog.
If you are shopping dog food in Canada find yourself wondering, is there tax on dog food in Canada, the answer is yes. All dog food must be taxed.
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We Arent The Only People That Have Converted To Making Homemade Dog Food And Are Loving The Results Check Out The Links Below For More Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love
Easy Crockpot Dog Food from Damn Delicious || This simple homemade dog food recipe combines ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, and peas in the slow cooker so you can set it and forget it!
Homemade Dog Food Recipe from College Housewife || Elizabeths sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascals sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!
DIY Homemade Dog Food from Damn Delicious||Chungahs dog Butters battle with stomach issues led her to start making dog food at home. This recipe is easy to make and super good for your pups too! It combines a delicious blend of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains and is made of ingredients like ground chicken, brown rice, shredded zucchini, spinach, carrots, and peas.
How Much And When Should You Feed Your Dog
This will vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 lbs your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
For our 80 lb Hooch, that means 2 meals a day each containing 4 cups of food. It is important to note that, dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed several small meals throughout the dayrather than just one or two large meals, so you may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on accordingly to keep your pup comfy!
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Is Wet Or Dry Food Better For Overweight Dogs
If you are struggling to manage your canine companions weight, consider switching from dry food to wet food. Wet food has a higher water content than dry food, meaning that each portion will fill your dogs stomach faster, without the unwanted calories.
If they love to eat, they can eat more wet food than they would dry food without it sitting on their belly.