When it comes to feeding the dog, there must be a balance between overfeeding and underfeeding. That also applies to wet and dry food. One of the main advantages of the best canned wet dog food is, like human food, it adds to the palatability of the food. If you have a dog that is picky with its food and sometimes resists feeding, wet food may do the trick. It is also suitable for seniors as the older adult dogs have issues chewing dry dog food like kibble. It is also easier on those dogs which have allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Article Summary
Reasons Why Wet Food is Good for Dogs
Additional moisture
Wet food has more moisture, of course, compared to dry dog food. It is also suitable for dogs that do not drink enough water and are prone to dehydration. It can also be good for those dogs that experience kidney problems. For those considering switching entirely to wet food, it can assist with health problems, but you would need to consult with the vet on how to transition dog food.
It is easier to chew
For the older adult dogs that cannot handle dry kibble because of their teeth, canned food is great because it is easier to go down and improves the appetite. Though dogs do not chew their food the same way as humans, the dog should still be able to crunch their food. If it is a challenge, the dog needs to be supported by feeding them wet food. Check out the best fresh dog food brands that offer nutritious wet pet meals.
Higher protein levels
One of the exciting things about wet foods is that they are formulated with higher levels of protein and less carbohydrate than dry kibble. It is because the meat content is higher in wet food than in kibble. Though not all wet food is made the same way, it would still be important to read the ingredients to confirm the protein content before settling on one canned dog food.
It is more palatable
Most canned food does not have synthetic preservatives but is made with natural ingredients. Dogs can sense this and find it more enjoyable to eat. That is because the real chunks of meat and vegetables make the food more appealing to the dog. Dogs have a more developed sense of smell [1] than people, so they can sense when the food is organic and has fewer preservatives. It probably attracts them more to canned food as well because the moisture helps to bring the aroma out.
How Much Wet food to Feed Your Dog
Giving a dog about 3 oz of wet food per three pounds of body weight would be advisable. That means a 30-pound dog must consume 1.8 pounds of wet food meal. That is also divided into two or more meals. The amount can be adjusted as needed to help maintain the dog’s ideal body condition. If you give the dog 10 oz. per 10 to 12 pounds of weight daily, divided into two meals that would still be within the recommendations. For dry food, a 10 oz. container replaces a cup of dry dog food. There are also age recommendations. If you give the puppy wet food, they need twice as much food per pound of weight as an adult dog. That could be due to the higher calorie requirements present in wet food compared to dry food. You also need to provide fresh water. This can be done in a clean container daily to ensure your dog stays healthy and happy. To save yourself the hassle of calculating these, try subscribing to any of today’s best dog food delivery service companies that provide balanced meals for your dog’s specific needs.
Tips for Giving Your Dog Wet Food
Decide if you want to mix the wet food and the dry dog food
Some dogs enjoy canned or wet food when it is mixed together with dry food. It is because both come with nutritional benefits. It is what is termed as topping. It can make the dry food that much more exciting for the dog as well. When you do this, the proportions have to be calculated to know how much to feed for calorie reasons.
Determine the right portion size
As stated before, a 30-pound dog would do with close to two pounds of wet food, and this is divided over two meals. If the dog is bigger, they can eat two cups of wet food daily. However, that is also dependent on the activities and health conditions. If the dog is not active or suffering from obesity, it would be pertinent to reduce that to one cup of wet food.
Fresh water
It is also a significant considering as the dog should always have access to fresh and clean water regardless of the food type they are eating. The water bowl should be kept clean throughout the day. Dogs usually do not like water that has already been sitting for a time as well.
FAQs
Is it okay to feed dogs wet food only?
The truth is it is entirely of the choice of dog owners if they want to feed them wet or dry dog food. The goal is to choose balanced food according to the dog’s age, size, and activity.
How much food should I feed my dog?
If the dog is between 26 and 50 pounds, they can be fed two cups of wet food. 50 to 75 pounds can be fed between two and two-thirds to three cups of wet food.
