Is dry food alone good for dogs? A Step-by-Step Guide

Benefits of Wet Dog Food Compared to Dry Dog Food

Wet dog food, or “canned food,” sometimes provides benefits that dry food doesn’t offer, such as:

Higher moisture content: Wet food may be a good choice if your dog doesn’t drink as much as they should, or if they have a medical condition that could benefit from proper hydration. One example would be a dog with a history of urinary or kidney disease.

Palatability: Canned dog food is often more aromatic and flavorful when compared to dry food. This may entice sick or older dogs to eat if their appetite is decreased.

Satiety: Wet dog food tends to create a longer-lasting feeling of being “full.” Increased satiety is useful in weight management, especially in dogs that seem to have a never-ending appetite.

Easier to chew: Dogs that have dental disease or other oral abnormalities may find wet food easier to chew than dry food.

Why Canned Dog Food Can Be Better Than Kibble

In many ways, canned dog food can be superior to kibble. They typically contain more meat protein than their dry counterparts.

And they’re made with fewer carbohydrates, too.

Plus, due to their air-tight packaging, canned dog foods contain no synthetic preservatives. So, fats and oils sealed inside cans don’t easily become rancid.

And no artificial flavorings and colorings.

With cans, meat ingredients are closer to their natural state. So, canned products are more palatable — and more appetizing.

Is wet or dry food better for dogs?

Overall, wet food seems to be better for dogs. Dr. Gary Richter, veterinarian and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, says if he had to choose, he’d pick wet canned food. “It has fewer carbohydrates than [dry] kibble,” says Dr. Richter. “Fewer carbohydrates are healthier for dogs because evolutionarily, they dont want the [roughly] 60 percent carbohydrates found in dry food. They can lead to weight gain, digestive issues, and immune problems.”

However, Dr. Micah Youello, a partner doctor with Heart + Paw in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, believes there’s no significant benefit when it comes to wet and dry food. “Both are generally balanced nutrition and are fine for dogs to eat,” says Dr. Youello.

When in doubt, check with your vet to discuss the options. Your dog’s breed and medical history will help determine the best food (or combination) for your dog.

Aside from having fewer carbohydrates, wet food has hydrating properties. “Wet foods have more water content and would be healthier for those pets with kidney disease or urinary tract issues,” says Dr. Youello. He adds that wet food might taste better to picky eaters. This could be due to its high protein and fat content (two components essential to a healthy dog diet).

Wet food is also easier to consume for dogs with painful mouth or dental issues. Rather than chowing down on hard kibble, your dog can almost lap up wet food.

If your pet is always begging for more but needs some weight control, the high water content of wet food allows your dog to eat what feels like a larger portion but is actually providing the same number of calories as a small portion of dry food.

There are a few instances where dry food might be the best route for your pet. “Dry foods often have more fiber [and] bulk which can be good for many gastrointestinal diseases,” Dr. Youello says. “Dogs with chronic diarrhea, for example, may do better on a dry food formulated with more fiber. Similarly, dogs with diabetes mellitus generally do better on a dry food, as there’s usually more complex carbohydrates compared to a canned food.”

While dry food is also touted as a good option to keep your dog’s teeth clean, it’s not recommended to feed them dry food for this reason alone. There are many toys and treats on the market that tackle plaque and nothing will ever compare to cleaning your dog’s teeth yourself.

Nutrition 101: Wet or Dry Food — Which is Better For My Dog?

Not only are there a bajillion brands of dog food, but then there’s the type of dog food—dry vs. wet. How do you know which to pick? Generally speaking, wet food is better for dogs than dry food. Wet food has fewer carbohydrates, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and more water, which keeps dogs hydrated. As we’ve said time and again when discussing training techniques, breed standards and best dog parent practices, every pup is an individual. Before you change up any routine (food included), go over your options with your vet and use what you know about your dog’s health and personality to make decisions. Whether it’s wet or dry food, you want your dog’s nutrition to work for them.

Doggy diets matter the same way people diets matter: We are what we eat. According to The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, the most followed veterinarian on social media, and pet health leader Rodney Habib, the single most important factor when it comes to dog health is diet. A poor diet can lead to obesity, joint problems, gastrointestinal issues and much more. Rather than treating these ailments later in your dog’s life, be deliberate about your dog’s diet today to set them up for success tomorrow.

Dogs are carnivores with short gastrointestinal tracts. While they’ve evolved from wolves (who rarely eat carbohydrates) to domesticated animals who can handle some carbs, they actually lack the enzyme that digests carbohydrates. This means their diet should consist primarily of protein and fat. There have been some studies indicating grain-free diets are bad for dogs, but the truth is grain fillers are bad for dogs, not necessarily real whole grains like rice and quinoa.

In any case, Dr. Becker believes carbs shouldn’t take up more than 10 percent of your pup’s daily meals. She recommends a rough 50/50 ratio of protein to fat for a dog’s diet. Ideally, we should achieve this ratio exclusively through fresh, unprocessed foods.