We all know there are quite a few of dog food brands out there on the market today, but how do you choose just one brand of wet or dry to feed your dog? The simple answer is to contact your vet and ask him or her, they usually have a few options in regards to wet and dry foods. If you’re like me and have a dog that is really picky or gets bored of their food very quickly, read below for some pros and cons of feeding wet and dry dog food!
Pros of Wet Food:
No More Picky Eaters.
Some dogs generally get bored of eating the same dry food every day; wet food is way more appealing to them so chances are high that they won’t get bored of eating it regularly.It’s Easier to Eat and Digest.
Wet Food is fairly easier then dry dog food to eat and digest. It’s a go to for dogs with missing teeth and limited kidney function because it is about 75% water.Lasts a Long Time.
Wet dog food lasts quite a while depending on the brand; this is a good idea to have around in case of emergencies as it is a lot easier to have on hand rather than a big bag of dry food.
-Food Topper.
You can even use wet food as a food topper to normal dry kibble to make the food more interesting. If you feed regular dry food to your dog when you are traveling it’s a good idea to have a couple cans of wet food on hand to mix into the dry food to entice your dog to eat during your trip.
Cons of Wet Food:
It Can Be Expensive.
Wet food prices range between $0.64 and $6.00 a can; this can get to be quite expensive if you have a larger dog that requires multiple cans at every feeding to ensure they are getting enough food.Dental Issues.
Dogs that eat only wet food are more prone to dental issues; since wet food is soft there is nothing to munch on to remove tartar and plaque on their teeth.Less Calories Makes it Harder to Keep Weight On.
Just because wet dog food has fewer calories than dry food does not mean it is healthier, because wet food has a 75% water content it makes it harder for some dogs to keep on weight. Some vets and animal nutritionists do not recommend that you only feed wet food.Must Be Refrigerated.
Another downside to feeding wet food is unlike dry food any leftovers must be refrigerated and used within 1 to 2 days.
Pros of Dry Food:
Less Expensive.
One of the biggest pros of dry dog food is the price, it is less expensive than wet food and more people tend to lean towards dry food because of this.More Food, Less Water.
Dry Food is made up of about 10% water, compared to wet food which is made up of 75% of water.Helps Keep Teeth Clean.
Dry food is crunchy, this aids in the removal of plaque on the teeth and in the long run saves you money as you won’t be at the vet for dental cleanings as much.Does not need to be refrigerated.
Unlike wet dog food, there is no need to refrigerate dry dog food.
Cons Of Dry Food:
Grains and By- Products.
Dry food is known to have grains and by-products to preserve the kibble; this is a fact that doesn’t sit well with some. Grains
allow the price of the food to be kept low as they are used as fillers in dry food.Picky Eaters
Another big con to dry food is that the food is less appealing to some dogs and after a while of eating the same dry food they will get bored of it and become a picky eater. This can cost you more money if you have to change up their food all the time until you find something they like and hopefully will continue to eat.
Third Category:
- Semi Wet Dog Food
Semi Wet Dog food is what I feed my dog, it is a happy medium between dry and wet food. This food is not hard or soft but leans towards more of what I would describe as “chewy.” A box of 12 pouches ranges between about $3.00 to $9.00 dollars. There are many flavors and brands to choose from and other than being a little picky sometimes, my dog seems to enjoy the food.
I am not a veterinarian or animal nutritionist, I am just sharing the facts I have found while doing my own research on dog food. Every dog is different and I recommend you do your own research and talk to your vet about what to feed your dog.
Comment below which side you’re on! Wet or Dry?