{"id":14523,"date":"2024-09-24T10:43:19","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T17:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=14523"},"modified":"2025-12-18T06:07:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:07:29","slug":"is-wet-dog-food-good-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/is-wet-dog-food-good-for-dogs","title":{"rendered":"Is Wet Dog Food Good for Dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As more pet parents look for ways to make mealtime tastier, hydrating, and tailored to their dog\u2019s needs, wet dog food has become an attractive option in many modern feeding routines. But with so many choices on the shelf, it can be hard to know what kind of wet food is the right fit for your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article breaks down the pros, cons, and key considerations of wet food so you can make an informed decision about what goes in your dog\u2019s bowl. Read on to learn whether wet food could be a smart addition to your dog\u2019s diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of wet dog food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are some benefits to canned dog food or the kind that comes in pouches. Here are a few of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taste<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the biggest benefit to wet pet foods is that pets seem to like the taste better. This might be because it smells more strongly, but it could also be that it tastes stronger as well. Additionally, the palatability of the food encourages those picky eaters<\/a> to eat at mealtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Softness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wet food is chewy and softer than kibble, and that may make a difference with respect to your dog\u2019s ability to chew it. Older dogs with fewer teeth may have an easier time eating canned food as compared to dry food. That translates into health benefits when you consider that a dog who is missing teeth may not eat as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easier to Administer Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever had to give your dog oral medication<\/a> or even something like a supplement, such as a probiotic, you know it can be tricky. But, in the case of canned dog food, it\u2019s much easier to slip a pill into the food, and your dog will likely gulp it down without ever even knowing it was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helps with Hydration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wet dog food has higher water content, which means it can help your buddy stay adequately hydrated<\/a>. While there is not enough water in the wet food to replace his water bowl, it helps add to what he\u2019s getting from other sources. This higher moisture content is even more important for active dogs and senior dogs for better health and wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Similar to Natural Diets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From a nutritional standpoint, there are few differences between wet and dry food with respect to protein and fat content. However, there is a significant difference when it comes to carbohydrates. Dry dog food has a much higher carbohydrate content than wet dog food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers looking into the palatability of cat food <\/a>suggest that cats might prefer wet foods because they can more strongly taste the amino acids that make the food more similar to their natural diets. The same may be true for dogs. The ability to taste the amino acids more strongly is related to the lower carbohydrate content in wet pet food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawbacks of Wet Dog Food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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While there are some positive aspects of feeding wet pet food, there are drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because wet food is soft, it doesn\u2019t help chip away at the tartar buildup on your dog\u2019s teeth in the same way that kibble might. However, it\u2019s important to know that even kibble doesn\u2019t do the job well. It might help with scraping tartar off teeth, but not where it really counts\u2013the gumline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shorter shelf life once opened<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because of the way dry food is made and packaged and the preservatives it contains, it has a very long shelf-life. Canned food, once opened, requires refrigeration, and even then, it doesn\u2019t last very long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carrageenan factor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrageenan<\/a> is a plant-based product of Irish moss, an edible seaweed. It is an additive that helps loaf-like wet pet food hold its shape. Test results<\/a> of food-grade carrageenan carried at least 5 percent degraded carrageenan. Degraded carrageenan is a known carcinogen. It\u2019s even used to<\/a> induce<\/em> inflammation in animal studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers found<\/a> that it can trigger your dog\u2019s body to produce a molecule called Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, or TNF-\u237a. This molecule stimulates inflammation and causes cell death, which promotes cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers also found<\/a> that your dog\u2019s digestive process can convert carrageenans to dangerous poligeenan. Poligeenan can then cause problems related to chronic inflammation, like irritable bowel disease (IBD), for both dogs and cats. This type of additive is used in wet dog food but is not usually added to dry food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased Palatability and Obesity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For overweight animals, the increased palatability of wet dog food could make them eat more. This may increase any problems related to obesity and associated health issues like diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelf life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any leftovers go in the fridge. If the dog doesn\u2019t eat it promptly, you have to throw it out. That makes them more wasteful and costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, because wet dog food doesn\u2019t have the preservatives found in dry dog food, it can more easily go rancid. Don\u2019t leave any wet food in your dog\u2019s bowl to gather bacteria, and wash his bowl after every feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet food vs. dry food: What’s the difference?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shelf life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purina was the first company to produce dry dog and cat kibble in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Shelf life is arguably the longest benefit of using dry food in your dog\u2019s diet vs. wet food. It does not spoil rapidly. That means a kibble diet can be bought in bulk, and it is less expensive per calorie to feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storage<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dry kibble has a lower volume and weight than canned dog food<\/a>, which makes it easier to store. Additionally, refrigeration is not required after opening, like with wet puppy food. Both of those factors make it more convenient for dog owners than canned food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Enrichment Opportunities<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another benefit of dry kibble is that it can be combined with bowls designed to slow your dog’s chew speed. These devices can offer mental stimulation for your dog<\/a>. Wet food may be more difficult to spread about a slow feeder bowl, but many can be used on lick mats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picky Eaters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got a picky eater on your hands, it can be difficult to get them to eat dry food. Studies do show<\/a> that both adult dogs and cats like to mix it up when it comes to their food. Just like with humans, they want some variety, so just feeding dry dog food all the time gets boring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moisture content<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dry dog food is highly processed<\/a> and cooked at extreme temperatures. Dogs that eat dry food may need to drink a lot more water than they would on wet or fresh food to supplement their hydration. Pet parents sometimes add moisture to dry food by mixing water or gravy\/broth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality Ingredients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there is the question of the quality of the ingredients in dry kibble<\/a>. While the percentages do meet the requirements for pet food, manufacturers may be using lower-quality food products (\u201cfeed grade\u201d), like fillers and meat by-products, like chicken beaks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How and when to switch your dog to wet food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before making significant changes to your dog\u2019s diet\u2014especially if your dog has health conditions or special nutritional needs\u2014talk to your veterinarian. In addition to veterinary guidance, here are a few transition tips to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n