Which Is Better Dry Or Wet Dog Food? The Pros And Cons

When it comes to mealtime, pet owners are confused about whether they should give their canines wet food or kibble, as they don’t know which one is more nutritious and suited to dogs’ tastes.

So which is better dry or wet dog food? This article will make a clear comparison between these two kinds of dog food and present the pros and cons of each.

After this post, I’m sure you will have a perfect choice for your furry friend. Keep scrolling down for further info!

What Is Wet Dog Food?

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Wet or canned dog food seems no stranger to many pet owners.

As its name suggests, this type of food has a high level of water content, so the food’s moisture can support the pooch’s hydration.

Food Ingredients

The main component of wet dog food is meat. It could derive from chicken, beef, goat, etc. In other words, wet food supplies a rich source of true proteins from animal meat.

Apart from that, the addition of water, vitamins, additives, or artificial flavor enhancers should not be excluded.

Some products even contain substances, like carrageenan, which will likely cause harm to your canine’s health if consumed in large amounts.

All the wet food ingredients will be mixed and made into a processed, pre-cooked stew before being packed into a sanitized container (typically a can).

Food Benefits

Wet food is made of animal meat, so its proteins are real, giving your puppies more nutrients.

In addition, thanks to higher water content, the food still retains its moisture and ensures good hydration.

When eating it, your dog might have no difficulty swallowing, which facilitates digestion. In addition, wet food has fewer carbs, supporting your dog’s weight loss.

The food is also carefully airtight and processed into a can, which reduces the need for synthetic preservatives and lowers the risk of bacteria from the air outside.

Recommended Brands

Following are top wet food brands recommended by professional vets.

  • The Hill Science diet surely leaves a strong impression on your mind right from its name. Indeed, this brand provides numerous science-based food products suitable for nearly every canine, regardless of age and health conditions.
  • The Royal Canine is another reputable brand that has some specific canned foods to support dogs with health problems like allergies or upset stomachs. However, its price is higher than average.
  • The Purina Pro Plan affirms to produce foods with true meat and always emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet full of essential nutrients.
  • The Wellness Core is confident that its wet foods contain no carrageenan or grain. As such, their products will surely please canines with sensitive stomachs.

What Is Dry Dog Food?

Dry dog food, or kibble, is usually crafted to contain nearly all macronutrients, minerals, and vitamins vital for your pooch’s development.

As its name implies, this kind of food comes in a dry form with little to no moisture content.

Food Ingredients

Kibble is primarily made up of grains, legumes, and vegetables.

It is also a source of proteins by containing small amounts of meat; however, it does not provide as many proteins as wet food.

Kibble is pretty dry because the food’s water and moisture have all been removed during production.

Due to this, manufacturers add additives and flavor enhancers to the recipe with the purpose of improving its taste.

Food Benefits

The biggest benefit that dry food brings is convenience. Indeed, the foods have been sliced into several pieces before being dried and reshaped into small-sized shapes.

So, when purchasing kibble, all you have to do is open the pack, pour these small pieces into the bowl, and let your dog enjoy them.

It is also cleaner than wet food, as it does not contain water, so the cleaning seems easier when you accidentally drop it on the floor.

Given the health advantages, dry kibble helps cleanse the teeth well.

Its rough texture and crunchiness do a great service of removing tartar and plaque from your four-legged companion’s teeth, leading to pearly whites.

Recommended Brands

  • The first name in this list is Redbarn. This brand ensures that it uses no carrageenan and grains in all dry food products, so you don’t need to worry about the allergy problem.
  • Wellness Complete is another manufacturer that has grown in popularity over the past few years. It is famous for modern packaging, and the nutritional value of each product is highly valued by experts.
  • The Nature’s Logic brand offers your dog a wide variety of kibbles. They could tailor to the needs of nearly every pooch, irrespective of age, size, and health requirements.

What Is The Difference Between Wet And Dry Dog Food?

When you open the can of wet food, you will see several tiny meat slices surrounded by water.

However, kibble only contains numerous small-sized food pieces without any water. The reason is that all water has been removed from the food in the manufacturing procedure.

And this leads to another key difference, shown in their benefits.

With a high amount of water content, canned or wet food provides more hydration and aids your furry friend’s digestive system like bladder stones and kidneys, while kibble cannot do so.

Given the maintenance, kibble could be stored longer than wet food at room temperature.

When you open the can of wet food and just let it outside, it can go bad quickly after a few hours.

Finally, when it comes to cleaning, wet food might take more time and effort because it contains water, which will stain the floor if accidentally dropped.

On the other hand, to kibble, you only need to pick up the pieces and throw them into the bin.

Which Is Better Dry Or Wet Dog Food?

Whether choosing solely dry, wet food, or mixing both depends on your dog’s preferences and health.

For instance, suppose you are very busy; kibble might be a great choice because of its convenience. 

However, if you have ample time and want to feed it with a nutrient-rich diet, wet food is the top priority as a source of digestible proteins.

Moreover, kibble might pop up first if you are exploring a food product that facilitates your pup’s teeth cleansing.

But when you emphasize the importance of digestion, opt for wet food without hesitation.

So is wet dog food better than dry for dogs? Both foods have their own benefits and drawbacks.

Hence, it would be best to listen to your lovely companion and figure out what kind of food he loves most.

The Quick Rundown Of Wet Dog Food

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Here are some pros and cons of wet dog food that you should pay close attention to.

Pros

  • High water and moisture content are beneficial for your pooch’s digestive system. If your dog does not frequently drink water, it can benefit from extra hydration, particularly in hot weather.
  • The wet food is more delicious because the meat slices are still juicy when your dog chews and swallows them.
  • The food contains fresh meat, which is closer to the dog’s instinct and resembles what canine ancestors eat and feed day by day.
  • The canned dog food is lower in carbohydrates  (a greater amount of carbs is conducive to obesity or weight gain in dogs).
  • A picky eater may like it very much, especially for dogs that need encouragement to eat, like senior canines.
  • The food induces a long-lasting feeling of fullness in your pooch, which is helpful for weight management.
  • With higher moisture, wet dog food is easier to eat than kibble, and this is a perfect choice for puppies with dental problems like numbness, missing teeth, or jaw abnormalities.

Cons

  • Wet food is quite expensive, with fewer choices and variations.
  • It is inconvenient; you must spend a few minutes preparing the food and storing it in the fridge once opened.
  • By containing water, the food is more prone to being spoiled than kibble, so it is not an ideal option for puppies that like to graze.
  • The problem of tartar build-up in your dog’s mouth even becomes worse if its teeth do not clean well after consuming wet food.
  • Greater fat content is another issue, which renders much trouble for canines allergic to fatty foods or having background diseases related to pancreatitis.

The Quick Rundown Of Dry Dog Food

Dry food is not a bad choice for your furry friend; however, it still has some drawbacks you’d better watch out for.

Pros

  • Kibble is very convenient. To prepare a lavish meal for your four-legged companion, you just need to open the package and pour adequate food portions into the bowl.
  • The food is also easy to store, as it does not or contains very little water content.
  • Various kibble brands use food formulas available for nearly every dog with different breeds, life stages, and health conditions.
  • It’s travel-friendly and could be carried in a pouch or a pocket, and widely used as a training bait.
  • The dry food drives a simplified feeding habit that owners don’t need to take much time to prepare meals for their pets while ensuring sufficient nutrients.
  • Dental benefits can’t be excluded from this list. Its texture helps clean the tartar from your dog’s teeth properly, maximizing mouth hygiene.
  • When you drop the kibble package on the floor by accident, you don’t waste much effort cleaning the mess.

Cons

  • Some kibble manufacturers are dishonest with their advertising by printing false information about the nutritional value on the product’s package.
  • Many consumers report the issue of contamination and manufacturing errors.
  • The excess addition of additives, preservatives, binders, etc., to enhance the flavor is on a warning level.
  • If your canine is a picky eater, it might hate this food due to its dryness.

Is It Good To Combine Both Wet Food And Kibble To Feed Your Dog?

Absolutely yes.

Combining both wet food and kibble in a meal to feed your dog is a great idea, providing numerous merits.

This mixed diet will enhance the kibble’s flavor and keep its teeth clean after finishing the meal, thanks to the function of dry food.

Do vets recommend wet or dry food? They suggest both and propose this approach as a way of changing the food.

Your canine has a chance of enjoying a new taste, and it could be even addicted to this flavor after a few times.

Still, it would be best not to mix them arbitrarily but according to a proper ratio. If you add too much kibble, the taste of wet food and even nutritional value will likely be reduced.

How To Switch From Dry Food To Wet Food For Dogs?

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Suppose your pooch is a picky eater who gets accustomed to dry food; it will refuse other foods, so changing from kibble to wet food is pretty challenging.

This task seems less daunting if your pet does not particularly like any specific types of food.

However, every diet change should gradually occur over 4-5 days to avert the problem of stomach upset.

A straight swap is conducive to many digestive problems, such as bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does The Wet Food And Kibble Cost?

The price of wet dog food is more costly than kibble and varies with brands. Take the Purina brand, for example.

A pound of wet dog may cost you 2 dollars, while a kibble pound is only equivalent to 0.12 dollars.

How To Make Dry Dog Food Wet?

Below are 3 major methods of making kibble wet:

  • You can add water directly to the dry dog food, yet this approach could make its taste plain.
  • Another way is placing the kibble in a large bowl and pouring hot water into the bowl.
  • Microwaving the food is widely applied by many pet owners, but you must adjust the heat properly so as not to spoil the flavor.

The Bottom Line

Which is better dry or wet dog food? Both types of food have pros and cons; you’d better opt for one that tailors your canine’s needs. 

Many vets recommend alternating between the two types to diversify your dog’s diet. Always listen and care about its eating habits to determine your friends’ food preferences.

Author

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Hi I am Mitchell. Dog Growth is a blog about dog caring and training where I share my experiences to my community. Hope you enjoy it!

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