It can be difficult for new dog owners to choose the right dog food for their new pets. With so many options on the market today, each one advertises all sorts of health benefits for our dogs. One of the key ways to narrow down these options is choosing between wet and dry dog food. While both provide essential nutrients and vitamins that keep your pup healthy, there are some differences between them that should be considered before making a decision about which one is best.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of both types of dog food. Knowing these differences between the two types of food is useful for dog owners of any experience level.
Pros and Cons of Dry Dog Food
Pros Of Dry Dog Food
Convenience: Dry dog food is convenient – it can be stored easily and most bags are resealable. Because the kibble can be scooped easily, it’s simple work to measure out accurate portions every time. This can make a difference especially if you’re a dog owner with multiple dogs or a Melbourne dog breeder feeding multiple puppies.
Affordability: Dry dog food is, pound for pound, one of the more affordable types of dog foods, making it ideal for those on a tight budget. It’s generally more cost-effective than wet foods, which often require additional supplements or ingredients to make them nutritionally complete.
Nutrition: Most dry dog foods are nutritionally balanced with the necessary vitamins and minerals that your pup needs to stay healthy. Kibble also tends to be more energy dense than wet dog food, and is often packed with the carbs and protein that a dog needs to grow. Many formulas have specialised blends tailored for different life stages or specific health concerns, making it easier to ensure that your pup gets all the nutrition they need.
Dental Health Benefits: Munching on dry dog food can help your dog preserve their teeth. It can be thought of as an easy way of brushing your dog’s teeth throughout the day. The hard texture of dry dog food not only helps remove plaque and tartar, dry kibble also is less likely to stick to a dog’s teeth, preventing the incidence of plaque buildup in the first place.
No Refrigeration Necessary: Unlike wet food, dry kibble does not require refrigeration after opening; you can keep an opened bag around without having to worry about spoilage or bacteria growth. We still recommend storing any opened bag in an airtight container, but it’s not a dealbreaker if the container isn’t airtight. This makes dry dog food ideal if you live in a location with frequent power outages or limited refrigerator space. It’s also great if you frequently travel with your dog.
Cons Of Dry Dog Food
High Carb Content: Dry dog food tends to be high in carbohydrates due to the grains used in its production; this can lead to weight gain if not monitored carefully as carbs are converted into energy more quickly than proteins and fats are digested by the body. For this reason, many people opt for grain-free formulas when possible.
Less Palatable: Kibble tends not to be as appetising as moistened canned formulas; this could be an issue if your dog is picky eater since they may turn their nose up at dry dog food. The high-heat cooking process for kibble not only removes most of the moisture from the food, but also a lot of the odour that makes it enticing to dogs.
Pros and Cons of Wet Dog Food
Pros of Wet Dog Food
Higher Protein Content: Wet dog food tends to have higher protein content than dry kibble. This can be especially beneficial for active dogs who need extra fuel for their activities. Additionally, some wet foods are formulated with higher-quality proteins that are more easily digestible and nutritious for your pet.
More Flavorful: Wet dog food tends to be more flavorful than kibble, which may make it easier for picky eaters to enjoy mealtime. Its texture also makes it more appealing, as dogs tend to prefer moist foods over crunchy ones.
Easier on Sensitive Teeth: Soft, moist food doesn’t require much chewing, which can be necessary for younger puppies who are teething, or senior dogs who have sensitive teeth or no teeth at all.
Hydration Benefits: Dehydrated kibble has very little moisture content compared to wet food, which contains up to 78% water in some cases. This means that feeding your pup wet food can help ensure they stay properly hydrated throughout the day – something that’s especially important for dogs who do not drink enough water on their own.
Cons of Wet Dog Food
Costlier: Since wet dog food is typically sold in cans or pouches rather than bags like dry kibble, it tends to cost significantly more per serving size. Packaging costs are passed on to consumers, as well as costs associated with other factors like added flavourings and preservatives used in the production process.
Messier & Short Shelf Life: Once opened, wet foods must either be used up within a few hours or stored in the refrigerator (depending on the brand) before they spoil – something that isn’t an issue with dry kibble since its shelf life is much longer (upwards of 6+ months). Additionally, because this type of food is typically messier than dry kibbles due its softer consistency, cleaning up after meals takes much more time and effort overall. This isn’t ideal if you have a busy schedule or you have a messy eater for a dog!
Potential Health Risks: Since canned foods have a high moisture content, there is a higher risk of bacterial contamination due to improper storage or handling (e.g., leaving an opened can out on the counter). This can lead to digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhoea, or more serious complications. While the risk is still relatively low with reputable dog food brands, it is never zero, and proper handling of dog food is always important to ensure that your dog eats clean, safe food.
Conclusion
Ultimately it’s up to you to decide what works best for your dog based on their individual needs. Both wet and dry dog food offer advantages and disadvantages depending on factors such as taste preferences, budget constraints and storage space – but rest assured that there is a good chance that you can find something that fits all your requirements.