Our furry friends love canned food. Fortunately, there are now high-quality wet foods that can provide numerous benefits to our pets. If you don't yet know the advantages of canned food, today we explain the 10 benefits of wet food for dogs.
What are the benefits of wet food for dogs?
Dry food, for its price and convenience, remains the most popular option for feeding our four-legged friends. However, including a percentage of canned food in their daily diet can offer many benefits. Below we explain all the advantages of wet food for dogs.
1. It has more animal-origin protein
Dogs are carnivores. Therefore, animal-origin protein should be the main ingredient. In general, wet food contains more meat than dry kibbles. However, the labels of dry food can sometimes be misleading, suggesting more protein than they actually contain.
This is because dry foods have much less moisture than canned food. Therefore, protein percentages appear higher in kibbles, as they are calculated on dehydrated ingredients.
2. It includes fewer carbohydrates
Dry food needs to include more carbohydrates than wet food to achieve a firm and compact appearance. Carbohydrates act as binders and are necessary to hold the kibbles together. In particular, it is the gluten in wheat and other cereals that makes kibbles more compact.
3. It needs fewer preservatives
Unlike dry food, wet foods are naturally preserved through the canning process. Moreover, wet food is fresher because the packaging is consumed very quickly. After opening, bags of dry kibbles need to remain in good condition for weeks. Therefore, dry food requires more preservatives in its composition than canned food.
4. It is fresher
Have you noticed the interest your furry friend shows when you open a new bag of food? This is because being fresher, it tastes and smells much better. Wet food can offer us that freshness practically every day. While a bag of dry food stays open for weeks, a can of dog food is consumed immediately or within a few days.
5. It offers greater palatability
Wet food tastes better as it is fresher and more natural than dry food. The high palatability of canned food is due to its high content of animal-origin protein and the freshness of all its ingredients. As canned food is made with more meat and fewer carbohydrates, it does not need to include artificial aromas or flavours.
6. It contains better ingredients
In addition to containing more meat and fewer carbohydrates than dry food, wet dog food is formulated with fresher and better-quality ingredients. This is why canned foods are generally more expensive than dry foods. Fresh ingredients not only make the food taste better, but are also more beneficial for health as they contain more naturally sourced nutrients.
7. It is easier to digest
Canned dog food is easier to chew and digest than dry kibbles. Its soft texture and high water content make wet food an ideal option for dogs with digestive problems, stomach sensitivity, or recovering from illness.
8. It helps control weight
The moisture content of canned foods helps our pets feel full. Furthermore, wet food has more protein than dry food. As proteins take longer to digest than carbohydrates, our pets will feel satisfied for longer after eating wet foods.
9. It reduces stomach bloating
Wet food does not absorb as much liquid in the stomach as kibbles, so dogs that include canned food in their diet are less prone to stomach bloating. Moreover, due to its texture and consistency, canned food is more digestible than dry food.
10. It prevents kidney disease
Many dogs don't like drinking water. Lack of hydration is a problem that can cause irreparable damage to vital organs. Feeding with canned food, due to its high moisture content, helps increase water intake quickly and easily. Therefore, diabetic dogs, which often have kidney problems, will have a better quality of life with a diet rich in wet foods.
The best option: mixing dry and wet food
Now that you know the benefits of wet food for dogs, you will understand that the best option for feeding your pet is to mix dry and wet food. A mixed diet offers you the advantages of both types of feeding.
It is also a good solution for dogs with dental problems and for those who need an extra incentive at mealtimes.
To compare both options, also check our article on dry food with fresh meat vs. wet food.
If you have a cat, wet food is also highly recommended during the cold months: especially for cats suffering from arthritis or joint discomfort in winter, the soft texture makes it easier to eat and provides the extra hydration they need.
