At some point, every pet owner faces the same question about what food to feed their fur baby. Countless types of pet food flood the market, from simple kibble to gourmet, organic recipes. However, before you decide what to buy your dog or cat, you need to decide if wet or dry pet food is the way to go.
Before you decide, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of both types of food.
The Pros and Cons of Dry Pet Food
Dry food contains meat and other ingredients mixed together and crushed to form a dough. After the dough cooks, but before it hardens, it gets pushed through holes in certain shapes to form kibble.
After forming kibble, the food gets put through a drying process. Then manufacturers add a variety of oils, fats, and vitamins to the food, which is then sealed tightly to keep it fresh. There are many types of dry food available, including some for specific health needs. Depending on the product, some may contain additional ingredients like probiotics or certain vitamins and minerals.
The Benefits of Dry Food for Your Pet
There are several benefits of dry food that your pet won’t get from wet food.
- Helps with Dental Health — When your pet chews dry food it reduces the buildup of tartar on their teeth and promotes healthy gums. Therefore, eating dry food regularly can help decrease your pet’s risk of periodontal disease.
- Budget-Friendly — Choosing dry food is a better way to go if you’re on a budget. It’s more cost-effective because it has a longer shelf-life, and you can buy it in bulk. If you have multiple pets or large dogs, dry food is a much more affordable option.
- Convenient — If your pet tends to graze, dry food is a much easier choice for daily feedings. You can leave dry food out throughout the day, unlike wet food. It’s also much faster to prepare and serve your dog or cat.
The Drawbacks of Dry Food
There are also several disadvantages of feeding your pet dry food instead of wet food.
- Low Water Intake — Since dry food is, well, dry, it doesn’t have a very high moisture content. This quality isn’t necessarily bad, it just means it’s even more essential that your dog or cat has regular access to fresh water. If your pet eats dry food, they could be more susceptible to dehydration if you don’t stay on top of filling their water bowl.
- Unappealing to Certain Pets — If your dog or cat tends to be on the picky side when it comes to their food, you may discover they don’t care for dry kibble. Dry pet foods typically have a less intense flavor and scent, which could make them unappealing to pets with reduced appetites or particular taste buds.
- Possible Fillers — Some dry food brands add fillers and various ingredients to beef up their product (just without the beef). The problem is, that some of these additives can be trouble for sensitive pets with specific dietary needs or certain allergies. However, not all dry foods contain fillers, so look over labels with an eagle’s eye when choosing the best one for your pet.
The Pros and Cons of Wet Pet Food
To make wet pet food, manufacturers grind up the meat or protein and then add a special gravy. The gravy includes grains, vitamins, and minerals. After mixing, they cook and sterilize the food before it goes into cans.
The Benefits of Wet Pet Food
Your dog or cat may prefer wet pet food over dry food because of the following benefits it offers.
- More Moisture — Wet food has a significantly higher moisture content than dry food (roughly 78% compared to 10%). If your furry friend struggles to drink enough water, your vet might recommend switching to wet food. Another possibility is if your pet has an illness or condition that requires them to increase their water intake (like frequent UTIs).
- Appealing to More Pets— Canned pet food wins the prize for more flavor and tempting aromas, at least for most pets. If you have a picky eater on your hands, or your pet has a decreased appetite due to illness or old age, wet food may offer a solution.
- Easier to Eat — Wet food is easier to chew. Therefore, the softer texture is a good pick if your pet has sensitive teeth or is recovering from dental work.
- Increased Satiety — Pets that eat wet food often experience a longer period of satiety, or feeling full. If your pet loves to eat or is on a weight-loss program to counteract obesity, wet food might help them stay on track.
The Downsides of Giving Your Pet Wet Food
Although canned food may seem like it’s the better option with a more robust flavor profile and increased satiety, it still has a few disadvantages.
- Doesn’t Last as Long — Wet food might help your pet feel full longer, but it doesn’t last very long once opened. Once you open a can or pouch of wet food, it typically needs to be eaten within 24 hours. Furthermore, you can’t leave it in your pet’s dish for an extended period. Therefore, if your pet tends to graze, wet food isn’t a good option.
- Costs More — Pet owners pay more for wet food than dry food. Plus, because of the shorter shelf-life, it’s not a viable option to purchase canned food in bulk.
- Potential Increased Risk of Dental Problems — Chewing wet food doesn’t give your dog or cat the same oral benefits as chewing dry food. Therefore, if your pet eats wet food exclusively, they’re more susceptible to tartar and plaque buildup. Unless you plan to ramp up your pet’s dental care extensively, this is a vital point to consider.
Can You Give Your Pet Wet and Dry Food?
One possibility is that the best meal for your pet is a combination of wet and dry food. If you decide to mix things up, consult with your vet on the appropriate amount of food to give your pet each day.
The proper serving size will be slightly different than what’s on the packaging since you’re combining two different foods. (It’s also important to factor in how many treats you give your pet - treats should be no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.)
Get creative and incorporate both foods into interactive toys. For example, a combo of wet and dry is a great addition to a toy like the Rolly Cannoli. Or, spread your pet’s favorite wet food onto a licking mat for an engaging snack.
Choosing the Best Kind of Food for Your Pet
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) lays out a set of standards for pet foods to meet essential nutritional values for various stages of life. Many dry and wet foods meet these guidelines, however, it’s also important to consider your pet’s unique needs and behaviors. Think about your pet’s age, any health problems, breed, how active they are, and their eating habits.
Look for foods that don’t contain a lot of artificial ingredients and fillers. Review all of the above pros and cons to determine which food is the best fit for your pet. It’s also wise to discuss your pet’s diet with your vet so you can work together on what is best for your furry friend.
The overall goal should be choosing a complete and balanced food that meets all of your pet’s nutritional needs, is in your budget, and your pet enjoys eating. For more information about taking the best care of your pet, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog.