Wet or dry dog food: which is best for your pet?
Dog food – it would seem that it could be easier. But when you start to think about what kind of food is best for your four-legged friend, all kinds of options make your head spin. At first, you will face a dilemma: what to choose – wet or dry dog food?
The decision should be made primarily based on your dog’s general health, age and behavioral needs, and your lifestyle. Both types of food are good choices, but one of them may be better for your pet.
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Benefits of Wet Dog Food
Wet food, or canned food as it is often called, is an excellent source of everything that cannot be obtained in such quantities in dry food. This includes food:
contains more water. Water is an essential nutrient for dogs, helping to maintain hydration and many bodily functions. According to PetMD, if your dog doesn’t drink enough water, or if you live in a dry, hot climate, wet dog food will help your pet stay hydrated. However, you still need to make sure that your dog always has access to fresh water.
Useful for dogs with chewing problems: Dogs can have problems chewing hard kibbles for a variety of reasons, such as loss of teeth, misaligned jaws, or even unusually small mouths. In these cases, wet food is much better for them.
has a richer smell: older dogs lose their sense of smell to some extent and, therefore, cannot absorb dry food with the same pleasure or interest as before. Wet foods often have a richer smell and taste, which can help increase appetite.
More Diversified: Wet foods have the widest range of flavors, textures, and shapes that can add variety to a pet’s menu. Moist foods can be helpful for finicky dogs, as well as when the pet is overweight or transitioning to a new type of food.
Benefits of dry dog food
Dry dog food is rich in nutrients and is valued for:
Convenience: Do not worry about measured portions of dry food: just give a little time to pets that prefer slow absorption of food so that they have time to eat their food.
Cost-Effective: Buying large bags of dry dog food is cheaper than wet dog food.
Extra cleaning of teeth: Some dog foods are specifically formulated to reduce plaque and tartar buildup, as the kibbles are designed to remove plaque from a dog’s teeth.
educational element: dry food is easier to use in puzzle toys to keep your dog entertained while you are at work, as well as to control portions of voracious pets. Since your dog does not have to hunt to get his dinner, the mental stimulation associated with getting food from puzzle toys can be a rewarding and interesting activity for him.
Benefits of mixed nutrition
The third option is to use both wet and dry food. You can mix foods in the same bowl, offer dry food in the morning and wet food in the evening (or vice versa), or give out wet food as a reward for impeccable behavior. Just make sure that mixing these foods does not increase your dog’s calorie intake, especially if he has a weight management plan in place.
Watch a video about the benefits of wet food and how to add a nice variety to your dog’s menu.
Remember to avoid mixing products from different brands, especially if your dog is on a special diet food. Hill’s foods are specifically formulated to meet your pet’s needs, and by mixing different brands you can upset the exact balance of nutrients.
Consult with a veterinarian
If you have concerns about your dog’s health or whether to feed him dry or wet food, consult your veterinarian.
Regardless of which food you choose, make sure you follow these guidelines when changing your dog’s food so that the transition from one food to another is as smooth as possible. Let your pet show you which food he prefers.
When you first introduce your dog to a new diet, you need to track his eating habits to see what food stimulates his appetite. Just don’t change your food too quickly or too often as this can upset your dog’s digestive system. Also, make sure you choose a balanced diet that meets your dog’s nutritional needs and health status.
