Here at Closer Pets we understand that one of the toughest decisions to make as dog owner will be what to feed your furry family member. You want to make sure your providing a healthy, balanced diet, which delivers all the essential nurients your pet needs.
The decision between wet dog food and dry dog food has been going since they were both invented. Both types have their advocates and their critics and divide opinion over which is best.
If you’re trying to decide whether to use wet or dry food for a puppy or adopted dog, you’re in the right place.
Rather than tell you what to choose, we’re going to provide the advantages and disadvantages of each option. That way, you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you and your dog.
Advantages of dry dog food
Dry dog food, or kibble, is processed and often made up of wheat and other ingredients. It’s a little like human breakfast cereal that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Advantages of dry dog food include:
Better for teeth – Dry kibble is crunchy and can help reduce plaque on teeth and help remove debris from the mouth.
Better for breath – Dry dog food has no real odour, so your dog’s breath won’t smell quite so bad after eating. More of a benefit to us than the dog though!
Convenience – Dry dog food doesn’t need refrigeration, can be left out all day without degrading, dogs can graze and it’s very easy to portion.
Satisfaction – Dogs need to crunch and chew kibble. This scratches that instinctive itch they still have from when they were in the wild.
Balanced diet – Nutrients in dog food are from it being fortified. Good quality kibble is created to offer essential vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet.
Disadvantages of dry dog food
There are disadvantages to feeding your four legged friend just dry food. Be prepared to experiment a little until you find the perfect lunch for your pooch.
Disadvantages of dry dog food include:
Not always as satisfying as wet food – Let’s be honest, kibble isn’t the most interesting food, so won’t hit the sweet spot like wet food can.
Can contain wheat – Did you know dogs can be gluten intolerant just like humans? Some kibble is wheat-based, which can cause digestive issues in some dogs.
Will need lots of water – Eating just dry food provides no water, so your dog will need to always have water on hand to satisfy their thirst.
Advantages of wet dog food
Wet dog food often comes in tins or trays and will be made up of processed products made up primarily of protein and fat.
Advantages of wet dog food include:
Taste – Buy a good quality wet dog food and your canine companion will love you for it. There is a huge range of types of wet food, in gravy or jelly made up of different flavours.
Satiation – Wet dog foods can contain more protein which makes our friends feel fuller for longer. It’s also likely more satisfying to eat than kibble.
More water content – If your dog doesn’t drink as much as it should, feeding it food with lots of moisture can help with that.
Easier to eat – If you have an older dog with oral health issues, feeding them wet food helps them eat without causing them any discomfort.
Variety – If your dog is as fussy as ours, they will love one type of food for a week or two and then will want something different. There are lots of options with wet food for even the fussiest dog.
Disadvantages of wet dog food
There are downsides to wet dog food that we recommend bearing in mind.
Disadvantages of wet dog food include:
More expensive than kibble – Wet food is usually much more expensive than kibble. While our best friends definitely deserve it, that expense isn’t universally achievable.
Low meat content – Most processed dog foods will have a very low meat content made up of low quality meat. The label may show idealised images, but the reality may be very different.
Filler ingredients – Depending on the wet food you buy, you’ll see all kinds of random ingredients on the label. Make sure to select the food with the fewest of them.
Can spoil quickly – If your dog likes to graze rather than eat a larger meal, wet food isn’t ideal, especially in summer. You can’t leave a bowl of wet food out for long without it starting to smell!
Wet vs dry dog food
So, which do you think is best? Does there actually have to be a best?
In our opinion we think it works best for your pet to use a mixture of the two, wet food at mealtimes and a bowl of kibble to graze throughout the day. We recommend the using one of our automated dog feeders to help space out the amount of kibble your dog can eat in one sitting.
At the end of the day, your canine companion will express a preference one way or another.
It will be trial and error to begin with, so we would recommend buying a range of food types in small quantities and let your dog tell you which it prefers.
You will both be much happier that way!