10 Best Wet Dog Foods

There isn’t a simple Yes or No answer to this question because there are numerous factors to consider. The most important thing is that you provide your dog with a nutritionally balanced diet appropriate for his life stage. Whether you choose wet dog food, dry food, or another food is up to you.

While you can certainly choose whatever type of diet you like, there are certain advantages to feeding your dog wet food. Wet dog food tends to be lower in carbohydrates than the average dry food. It also tends to be higher in protein and much higher in moisture. High carbohydrate intake has been associated with unhealthy weight gain in dogs, so wet food may be a better option than dry for overweight or obese dogs. Additionally, the higher water content is beneficial for your dog’s hydration.

Another potential benefit of wet food is that it comes in a wide variety of flavors and textures. If you have a picky eater, your dog may find a chunky wet food with gravy more palatable than a bowl of dry dog food. Wet food can also be a good option for older dogs and dogs with dental issues who have a hard time eating dry food.

If a canned food diet isn’t within your budget, you might consider adding a small amount to your dog’s dry food diet or feeding it every other day. Your dog can benefit from the added protein and moisture even if it isn’t his staple diet.

Feeding recommendations for dogs differ depending on the dog’s life stage and size. It only makes sense that large breeds will require more food than small breeds, but there’s more to consider than just the volume of food you offer. Different recipes have different calorie content, so the recommended feeding amount may not be the same between two dog food formulas.

As a general recommendation, you should feed your dog about 1 ounce of wet food per pound of bodyweight daily. Again, however, because calorie content varies from one recipe to another, it’s really best to follow the feeding recommendations on the product label. Choose a recipe appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy or adult dog) and feed according to your dog’s body weight.

If you’re feeding your dog a mixture of wet food and dry food, you may need to adjust the amount you’re feeding. Follow the feeding recommendations for each product, making alterations according to how much of each product you’re offering. To simplify things, consider feeding a 50/50 ratio of wet to dry food so you can just cut the feeding recommendation for each in half.

There’s no simple answer to the question of wet dog food versus dry dog food. In many ways, it really comes down to a matter of preference for you as a dog owner.

Both wet dog food and dry dog food have a generous shelf-life as long as the containers remain unopened. Dry dog food generally lasts 12 to 18 months while canned food can last two years or more. There are differences, however, in how the products are preserved which may be worth considering. Wet dog food doesn’t require added preservatives because the canning process creates an airtight seal. Dry food, on the other hand, generally does require preservatives to achieve that 12-month shelf life.

Once a can of wet food is opened, it can only be left out for up to 4 hours and can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Dry dog food can be left out most of the day with little risk to your dog.

Aside from the convenience factor, wet dog food generally tends to be more expensive than dry food, at least for higher-quality products. This is partially due to the fact that canned food often contains higher levels of animal protein with fewer fillers than dry food. The extrusion process through which dry dog food is made requires starches and other binders which are often plant-based.

Though wet dog food can be pricey, it comes with the benefit of providing your dog with added moisture to support his hydration. You can certainly add water or broth to your dog’s dry food, but you get to skip the extra step with wet food. Wet dog food also comes in a wide variety of textures from pate to chunks in gravy, so there are plenty of options to suit picky eaters.

All in all, it’s really your choice as a dog owner what kind of food you feed your dog. When making your decision, however, try to find a balance between what’s convenient and affordable for you and what’s nutritious and appealing for your dog.

Wet dog food can last for months, even years at a time as long as it is unopened. Once the product has been opened and exposed to air, however, it’s best to use it within 24 hours. If your dog can’t finish the food in one or two meals, however, the leftover food can safely be refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.

Once you’ve opened a can of wet dog food and spooned it into your dog’s bowl, you can leave it out for up to 4 hours. Any unused canned food should immediately be refrigerated, ideally in an airtight container. If your dog doesn’t eat all the food within that time, it should be removed and discarded.

After being opened, wet dog food needs to be refrigerated. Canned dog food is no different than food for human consumption in that it carries the potential for food-borne illness if not stored properly.

Unlike dry dog food, canned food can be made without the use of added preservatives because the canning process creates a protective air-tight seal. Once the seal is broken and the product is exposed to air, however, refrigeration is required to keep the product fresh. It’s generally best to use wet dog food without 24 hours of opening it, but it can safely be refrigerated for three to five days.

Again, the refrigeration rule only applies to opened cans of wet food. Unopened cans of wet dog food can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry, dark location for up to 2 years.