Dogs need good attention especially when it comes to food. A well-fed dog is always a happy dog. Dog food can be classified into wet or dry dog food, and this comprehensive guide we will be focusing our attention on wet dog food. Most of the wet dog food in the market contain 70-80 % of moisture on the total weight while kibble makes up some small portions of that food. Wet dog foods are considered a healthy option since they are low in carbs, have more fiber and higher in protein quality.
To help users avoid buying junk and only get the best healthiest wet dog food, this guide features some of the important things to look out for as well as listing down some of the finest wet dog foods you can count on.
Choosing The Best Quality Wet Dog Food
Here are crucial things to check out for when looking for good quality wet dog food.
Calorie Content
It is mandatory for every dog food manufacturer to display the content on the can or package and checking out the ingredients will help you understand what you are getting for your dog. Calories are accumulated energy in form of body fat. So, when you see the calorie value on the package, it represents the amount of metabolized energy which is always released when the dog has digested the food. So, be sure to get higher calorie content dog foods which will help your dog become stronger and jovial all day long.
Gluten Free
Like humans, you have to watch the amount of carbs that you are feeding to your dog. Gluten is always abundant in grain based dog food and this can sometimes be hard for the dog’s digestive system to handle. It is therefore always important to feed the dog with limited small portions of gain based meals and be sure to rotate the diet to ensure it is well balanced and that the dog is getting all the necessary carbs.
Dog’s Preference Vs. Nutritional Value
Getting highly nutritious dog food is very important but one should also consider whether the dog will love the food or not. Even for us humans, the sweetest foods that we love aren’t always the most nutritious. It is therefore important to consider the dog’s preference. You may also try to mix the dog food to ensure that the dog is not only loving the mean but get all the necessary nutrients that are necessary for healthy growth and strength.
Size of The Food Package
When buying dog food, it is always important to keep in mind the fact that these foods can go bad. Wet dog food are always air-tight to remain fresh inside the can, but once opened, most of them should be consumed within 2 to 3 days. This is because of oxidation and moisture which can make it ferment or go bad making it unhealthy for the dog to east. It is therefore important to get a package that your dog will eat fast before it goes bad.
Best Healthiest Wet Dog Food 2021
After hours of research and digging through the web for the best wet dog food, here are some that we handpicked.
9. Holistic Select Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Dog Food
Price: Modestly priced.
Special Ingredients: Grain Free, Premium real beef protein, Fruits & Veggies.
Size: 13 ounces.
Wellness pet food company has a good reputation for making high quality pet foods and Holistic being their subsidiary, you can expect nothing less. This dog meal is made from all natural real beef protein and has some additional fruits and veggies to boost the fiber in the meal. It is manufactured without any grain hence it is gluten free and maintains good health of the dog.
If you are looking for a high quality real beef based wet dog meal that is gluten free and high in fiber, then this is a good starter package for your dog.
Pros and Cons
- It is gluten free and high in fiber.
- It is made from high quality real beef protein.
- The moisture content is less than most in the market.
8. Nature’s Recipe Wet Dog Food
Price: Highly priced.
Special Ingredients: Real chicken, Carrots, Brown Rice.
Size: 2.75 oz.
Nature’s Recipe is yet another top pet food brand that is trusted an loved by many dog owners. This wet dog food is made from real chicken and has an additional brown rice and carrots. There are no grains, artificial preservatives or flavors used in the making of this wet dog food. The carrots and brown rice adds a good amount of carbohydrates to the dog’s diet making it energetic and strong.
If your dog has always cherished the taste of chicken then this is a good gluten free recipe that has a good amount of carbohydrates.
Pros and Cons
- It is high in energy.
- The recipe is high in fiber.
- It is pricier than most in the market.
7. Merrick Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Canned Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced.
Special Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Fruits & Vegetables.
Size: 12.7 oz.
Manufactured with love in the US, this Merrick Whole Earth wet dog food is a highly nutritious chicken & Turkey wet dog food that offers a good balance for every dog out there. Being a grain/gluten free recipe, it is a good wet dog food for dogs that have sensitive stomachs. It also has some additional fruits and vegetable additives which increases the fiber content while maintaining a low carbs ratio.
The dog food can be served as a complete or mixed with kibble.
Pros and Cons
- It is low in carbohydrates.
- The wet dog food is high in proteins and is gluten free.
- It only seems to be perfect for those who love a pate texture.
6. Purina ALPO Chop House Wet Dog Food
Price: Low price tag.
Special Ingredients: Real Chicken Or Beef, Savory Gravy flavoring.
Size: 13.2 Oz.
Purina is a subsidiary of the world’s renowned Nestle, and following in the footsteps of the mother company, this pet food manufacturer promises to give your dog a happier and healthier life. This ALPO chop house wet dog food has a nutritious formula that combines average amounts of fiber with high quality proteins sourced from chicken and beef. It also has a good balance of carbohydrates with an additional savory gravy for a better taste that avoids dog intolerance.
Anyone looking for a good tasting wet dog food that is rich in both fiber and protein should consider this affordable option.
Pros and Cons
- It has a good taste.
- The recipe is very affordable than most in the market.
- It has more fats which are not very healthy in large portions.
5. Weruva Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Price: Modestly priced.
Special Ingredients: Salmon, Chicken, Pumpkin.
Size: 14 oz.
Weruva Grain-Free canned dog food is formulated using human grade ingredients which guarantees your dog one of the best quality foods. The formula of the recipe includes the use of sustainably sourced salmon fish, chicken and pumpkin for added fiber. It is minimally made and does not contain any trace of grain making it healthier and low in carbohydrates. This combination of ingredients also ensures that the dog gets high quality vitamins, minerals and antioxidants without any gluten in the diet.
Overall, this wet dog food offers a good mix that many dogs will love. It is definitely worth getting.
Pros and Cons
- The dog food is high in protein.
- It helps with digestion and cardiovascular functions, thanks to the addition of pumpkin
- Salmon isn’t the most nutritious choice.
4. Taste Of The Wild Wet Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced.
Special Ingredients: No-Grain, Real Meat.
Size: 13.2oz Case of 12.
Taste of The Wild is yet another company that is focused on producing high quality dog food. Their reputation spans several years and without any recall on their dog food products, it is a brand that you can trust with your dog food. This wet dog food is made of real meat stew and as you might have guessed, it has that real-meat flavor. It is suitable for puppies, young adults as well as senior adults.
Being grain and gluten free, this is a good choice for dogs that have sensitive stomachs.
Pros and Cons
- It is high in protein and tastes good.
- It is suitable for almost every dog, small or big.
- Could be much better with additional fibers.
3. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced.
Special Ingredients: Fish & Flax omega, Greens And Botanicals.
Size: 12.5 oz.
Wellness Core wet canned food is made with high nutrition in mind. It comes with a good balance of ingredients that guarantees better health and metabolic functions. Among the ingredients used includes Fish & Flax Omega blend, additional greens and botanicals which further adds some health benefits to the dog’s life.
If you are more health conscious and want to get your dog food that they will enjoy, then this is a good option for metabolic and health boosting.
Pros and Cons
- It is rich in Omega which helps in skin and coat.
- The additional fruits and greens are very appreciable.
- Some people have complained of receiving the food in dented cans.
2. Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food Variety Packs
Price: Modestly priced.
Special Ingredients: Grilled & roasted chicken, Duck & turkey.
Size: 24 X 3.5 oz trays.
The Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food is different than most of the dog foods that you will find in the market. It is made in cuisine of a variety of poultry meat which includes Turkey, grilled and oven roasted chicken as well as duck. The wet dog food comes in 24 trays which is also different from what you will get with other wet dog foods.
The dog food is aimed at giving all dogs, both small and big a healthy and high protein poultry-based diet. It is the ultimate choice for the dog that loves poultry as this brings all the cuisine flavors and taste that it loves.
Pros and Cons
- It is a blend of highly nutritious recipe.
- Conveniently packaged in trays for easy portioning.
- The poultry flavors isn’t good for every dog.
1. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Wet Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced.
Special Ingredients: Real meat with added vitamins.
Size: 6 packs of 8 oz.
This Rachel Ray Nutrish is the most loved wet dog food in the market. It features a recipe of real tasty beef morsels with some additional vitamins and healthy minerals. The dog food has no grain making it low in carbs and doesn’t also have any food preservatives or additional synthetics.
Most dogs seem to love the taste of the real meat that this recipe comes with and considering that this is human grade, you are getting one of the best quality foods out there. No other wet dog food comes close to it and it comes at a fairly low price.
Pros and Cons
- It has more positive reviews than any other wet dog food.
- It is economical to the quantity.
- The caramel food coloring used is unnecessary.
Final Verdict
Getting the right dog food is important, but with lots of them out there, it can sometimes be a daunting task. Listed above are some of the best quality wet dog foods that are loved by dogs for their high nutritional value and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are wet dog food better than dry food?
A: Wet dog foods always comes in air-tight cans and are well known to contain more protein, fiber and lower in carbs as compared to kibble or dry dog food. Besides been better in nutritional content, no synthetic preservatives are used in preserving them hence better for the dog.
Q: How much canned food should a dog eat daily?
A: Dog food rationing is very important to maintain good health of your dog while ensuring that it is getting all the necessary nutrients that the body needs. Depending on the size of your dog, vets recommend that the dog east 3 oz can per 3 – 3½ pounds of their body weight.
Q: Is it OK to feed dogs wet food only?
A: Wet dog foods have proven to be the ultimate nutritional diet. They have more meat protein, fiber while being low in gluten and carbs. Wet foods however tend to be more expensive and might get monotonous to feed the dog with canned food daily. The dog’s body will also take in certain amounts of nutrients daily and therefore it is always good to mix it with other dog food to maintain a balanced diet and keep the dog healthy.
Q: Is wet food bad for dogs teeth?
A: There isn’t any known negative effect of wet food on dog’s teech. Dry food is however known to be very good as it engages the dog in chewing hence keeping their teeth stronger. To get the benefits of both wet and dry food, be sure to rotate the two in the dog’s diet.
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