Which Is Better For Your Dog: Dry Dog Food or Wet Dog Food?
What is better for your dog wet or dry food?
The large variety of dog food items on the market can make it difficult to select a diet that is right for your pet. Not only are there a plethora of brands and ingredients to choose from, but even the most fundamental question of wet vs. dry dog food can be confusing.
Although you should always visit your veterinarian for more precise suggestions tailored to your dog’s lifestyle, this article will cover the key distinctions between dry and wet dog food. Ten best Dog Food Brands
What’s the Difference Between Dry and Wet Dog Food?
Wet food appears to be better for dogs in general. If he had to choose, Dr. Gary Richter, veterinarian and inventor of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, says he’d go with wet canned food. Dr. Richter explains, “It contains fewer carbohydrates than [dry] kibble.” “Dogs evolved to avoid the [approximately] 60% carbs contained in dry food, therefore fewer carbohydrates are healthier for them.” They can cause weight gain, digestive disorders, and immune system issues.”
When it comes to wet and dry food, however, Dr. Micah Youello, a partner doctor with Heart + Paw in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, says there is no significant benefit. Dr. Youello states, “Both are generally balanced nutrition and are appropriate for dogs to eat.” When in doubt, check with your vet to discuss the options. Your dog’s breed and medical history will help determine the best food (or combination) for your dog.
Both dry and wet dog food can provide nutritionally balanced diets for your dog, but the manner they’re processed makes a big difference.
How Is Wet Dog Food Processed?
Grinding the protein sources, or meat ingredients, is the first step in making wet food. After that, a gravy with vitamins, minerals, and grains is added. After that, the food is cooked and sterilized in order to make the canned product.
As a result, wet food contains far more moisture than dry food. On the label, under the Guaranteed Analysis section, you can find the percentage of maximum moisture. A dry food may contain up to 10% moisture (maximum), but a wet food may have up to 78 percent moisture (max.).
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 kibble diets also add live probiotics to aid in digestive and immune health.
Benefits of Wet Dog Food Compared to Dry Dog Food
Wet dog food, or “canned food,” sometimes provides benefits that dry food doesn’t offer, such as:
- Higher moisture content: Wet food may be a good choice if your dog doesn’t 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.
Benefits of Dry Dog Food Compared to Wet Dog Food
Dry dog food, or “kibble,” often offers certain benefits that wet food doesn’t provide, such as:
- Dental health benefits: Dry food encourages dogs to chew their food, which aids in preventing tartar buildup and secondary periodontal disease.
- Convenience: Compared to wet food, dry diets are much easier to pre-portion, and they won’t spoil if left out all day. This can be beneficial for dogs that are grazers.
- Financially feasible: Depending on the brand of food, dry diets may be less expensive to purchase and store long-term.
- Food enrichment: Kibble is easier to integrate into food puzzles and slow feeders that may improve a dog’s quality of life through cognitive stimulation.
Guide to Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
Another alternative is to mix dry and wet dog food to get the best of both worlds. However, to avoid overfeeding, make sure you’re still giving the right amount of food on a daily basis.
The easiest method to achieve this is to have your pet’s daily calorie requirements for maintenance calculated by your local veterinarian. Then you can figure out how much dry and wet food your dog needs on a daily basis to accomplish that calorie goal—don’t forget to account for any calories from treats.
