Best Wet Food for Dogs

What to look for when choosing a wet food

When choosing wet food for your pooch, it's important to consider their specific nutritional needs as well as their personal preferences. Here are some key factors to look for when selecting the right wet food for your dog.

Moisture content and quality

Wet foods for dogs can have vastly different moisture contents, digestibility and ingredients so it can sometimes be like comparing apples to oranges. When it comes to comparing wet food for dogs, it definitely pays to do your research.

Of course, wet foods have a higher moisture (water) content than dry foods and this is not a bad thing - more water in the food can help to increase hydration levels which in turn is beneficial for urinary tract and kidney health. The flip side of this however is that high moisture content (typically 70% and higher in wet foods) means that wet foods are less energy and nutrient dense than dry food options (which are comparatively about 6-10% moisture).

High moisture content does mean that you need to feed a lot more by weight of most canned foods to meet your dog's nutritional needs, which makes them generally less economical, particularly for medium and large breeds.

High quality, scientifically based canned dog food formulas have proven high levels of digestibility, which means the nutrients in your dog's food are easily digested and utilised. Lower quality foods can have reduced levels of digestibility which can result in tummy upsets, gas production and soft or runny stools.

Although the ingredients listing alone doesn't provide sufficient information to determine the quality of a dog food, it can give you some hints as to its quality. Lower quality foods may use gelling agents such as guar gum or seaweed extracts to give their foods a more appealing texture; while gelling agents are generally considered to be safe they don't offer any nutritional benefits to your pet so many pet owners prefer to avoid them. Conversely, higher quality wet foods may contain added ingredients designed to support your dog's overall health and wellbeing such as green lipped mussel for joint function or fish oil for skin and coat health.

The takeaway message: moisture content varies greatly between different canned foods so it can be difficult to compare them nutritionally at face value.

Want to know more? Read more about ingredients in dog food and ingredients vs nutrients in pet foods.

Cost per feed

The high moisture content of canned foods can make them much less economical to feed, particularly for larger dogs. Calculating the cost per feed for wet foods is the best way to find the most economical option as moisture content, digestibility, nutrient density and feeding amount can vary significantly from product to product making a cost per kilogram comparison pointless.

Although some brands might appear more economical due to larger can size or lower price, you may be surprised to find that some high end brands actually offer better value for money.

The takeaway message: the high moisture content of wet foods makes them less economical than dry food.

Want to know more? Read about calculating cost per feed

High quality protein source

Dogs of all ages require high-quality, highly digestible nutrients to meet their needs. Premium diets use protein that is easily digested and assimilated into the body, meaning the maximum amount of protein is absorbed and transported to where it's needed as fast as possible. Look for wet food that lists a high-quality source of animal protein (such as chicken, turkey, beef, or fish) as the first ingredient.

Consider your dog's specific needs

When you're looking for a wet food for a dog, consider their specific needs to help narrow down the search. For instance if you have an older dog, a senior or mature formula will offer increased digestibility and added benefits such as joint health support. If your dog is a little on the heavy side or prone to weight gain, you may be better served by choosing a weight control recipe which is lower in fat and higher in fibre to promote feelings of satiety.

Some dogs may have special dietary requirements due to health conditions or sensitivities. Look for wet food that is highly digestible and easy to transition on to or which meets those dietary requirements. If your pup has specific dietary needs, consult with your veterinarian for specific recommendations.

The bottom line

Choosing the best wet food for your dog is not a simple process, but with a little research you can find an option that is not only cost effective but offers a whole host of benefits for your canine companion.