Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food may be advantageous due to various reasons.

A pooch has more than 1.700 taste buds and 20-160 cm2 of nose smell receptors. Thus, palatable taste and pleasant fragrance is important for dogs and may be good even for picky eaters.

Increased proteins quantity, water control, a nutrient richer content are dietary features of canned dog food. Ingredients are subject to lower degree of processing, thus maintaining wholesome elements.

Wet food is good for puppies and senior dogs, pregnant, nursing females, dogs with health concerns.

Here we collected our best picks for canned dog food.

Top 5

Wild Frontier Chicken Stew, Wet Dog Food is our top pick to satisfy every canine eater. Its juicy stewed meat loafs are attractive for vigorous hunters.

Chicken in vegetable gravy ensures the most of high-quality proteins made of the tastiest animal body parts. It helps a dog to be active and maintain physical condition.

Carbohydrates from grain free products and crude fats are enough for supporting growth. Allergic or gluten components (corn, wheat), as well as artificial preservatives and fillers are excluded. Minerals (zinc, cooper), vitamins (D3, B12), amino acids maintain strong immunity of a canine companion.

Offered in cans of 12.5 oz., Wild Frontier Chicken Stew may be supplied in 12 units packs and alternative turkey, lamb, beef flavours.  

Our runner-up for best canned dog food is Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Chicken.

This wet food for pooches is a perfectly balanced dish with animal proteins (chicken is the main ingredient). A precise feeding formula helps maintain skin, coat, joints of 1-6 years old dogs in a good condition.

Hill’s may be combined with a beef taste variant to obtain a perfect meat flavor. Carrots, potatoes, peas are high-quality carbs for energy and tasty gravy.

The packing includes 12 units of 12.8 oz. cans. “Beef and Vegetables” and a number of other flavors may be combined to make your pet’s meals versatile.

Purina ONE Adult Canned Food, Chicken & Duck is offered by a reliable manufacturer. This is a cost-efficient purchase, being awarded “Best affordable” nomination in our rating.

Efficient proteins from pure poultry meat provide enough building material for pet’s growth. Carbs, fats, amino and fatty acids, folic acid are included to support immunity and joints of an adult pooch.

The dish is cooked avoiding grain, poultry-by products, synthetic fillers.

Purina One is offered as a pate or stew dish to maintain water balance of a pup. Other attractive flavors are turkey, lamb, venison, beef; a variety pack is available for testing different tastes. It is supplied in 12 units set of 13 oz. cans.

Blue Freedom Natural Dog Food, Chicken is our choice for the best canned food for senior dogs.

We value it for its precise feeding formula for pooches older than 6 years old, understanding their demand in the pure protein and complex carbohydrates for energy, lean muscles and weight control.

Pure chicken is used without any poultry by-products in Blue Freedom. The variety of natural plants (carrots, pea, cranberries, blueberries) supplies multiple wholesome elements (vitamins C, A, K, Omega-3, antioxidants). Artificial flavors, preservatives, grains are excluded to avoid allergic reactions.

It may be used as a separate dish, mixed or sprinkled with dry dog food and supplied in 12.5 oz. (12 units’ pack).

We advise Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food, Poultry variety as the best food for small dogs for its nice taste and juicy bites-in-sauce consistency, which are loved by tiny breeds.

The best ingredients in the USA were selected to meet picky eaters’ expectations.

Poultry variety of duck, chicken, turkey is proposed to make the meal versatile. Besides, these pure meat bites provide protein for healthy muscles and energy supply for small vigorous animals.

Grain-free formula, as well as absence of artificial flavors and fillers, help avoid allergic reactions. Essential elements (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants) are fully supplied as advised by AAFCO nutrient profiles.

Cesar Gourmet is packed in 3.0 oz. trays, and is offered in a 24 units variety pack (4 different poultry tastes). Other sets offer beef, mignon, bacon and eggs flavors.

Best wet dog food brands

Purina

Purina ONE offers the best quality products. The tastiest ingredients are used for canned manufacture. Pure meat, veggies, grain-free formula with abundant nutrients and wholesome elements work for the healthy and active pets.

BLUE Freedom

BLUE is a family owned business that had been started by Airedale pet parents. Therefore, the manufacturer possessed excellent understanding of pups’ needs in feeding.

Nowadays the best specialists in nutrition provide well-balanced recipes for dog’s food. Only wholesome ingredients are used omitting products with artificial elements, glutens and meat by-products.

Cesar

Cesar dog food manufacturer offers delicious treats for every dog. Soft consistency of pate or loafs in sauce make dogs’ dishes palatable, water-balanced and wholesome.

Pure meat, no meal by-products are used to provide maximum building material for healthy development. All comprehensive nutrients are carefully kept in every serving of a convenient 3.0 oz. tray according to AAFCO recommendations.

Royal Canin

Royal Canin recipes are designed for individual dogs’ nutrition needs, varying for every breed, life stage, age or size. Unique human grade canned dog food is well-balanced, meeting all AAFCO nutrition requirements. Safe cooking processes as well as the best quality products are used in every bite of wet or dry food, which may be mixed to reach the optimal hydration of the canned food and oral care of the kibble.

Wild Frontier

Wild Frontier is a premium canned dog food designed to satisfy real canine instincts in hunting. A dog gets 99% proteins from the animal heart, liver, the tastiest kinds of meat and fish.

Pure meat loafs or chunks in gravy are carefully packed in cans. Grain free formula means using no soy, no wheat, no corn, but juicy vegetables like tomatoes, thus making a pet lean and vigorous.

Nutro

Nutro manufactures safe and reliable products for pets’ individual needs. Non-dubious names of ingredients free of GMO, as well as feeding instructions are listed on every pack. Every pet owner may use these healthy wet dog food, being sure that feeding of his companion is safe with Nutro.

Hill’s

Hill’s Science Diet is a number one brand recommended by veterinarians. It produces the reliable and well-balanced food for pets and provides the precise nutrition for each of them.

Many professionals and PhD had worked to get an exact formula for all canine breeds and ages. The ingredients are carefully examined to ensure high quality and a perfect taste. A company’s donation program supports shelters for animals all over the country.

Features to consider when buying top-quality wet dog food

Manufacturers of best canned dog food ensure excellent cooking methods of the fines products.

To provide sufficient nutrition and maintain all necessary elements for healthy pets, wet food for dogs is made by stewing meat or vegetables offered in gravy or pate.

Once being cooked, it is kept in hermetically preserved. No additional preparation prior to pet feeding is needed. Take it out of the fridge and warm it for some minutes to reach a room temperature.

Check the necessary details of the best of ready-made canned food below.

1. The first ingredient

The main ingredient provides palatability and flavor of the good canned dog food, which is very important for dog’s taste and smell buds. Moreover, it is responsible for protein supply.

The first component of the food must be clearly indicated on the food can:

• in the beginning of the list;
• naming its type without obscure meanings: poultry – turkey; fish – tune;
• indicating a body part from which it is cooked (liver, unboned chicken).

2. Nutrients

Comprehensive pet feeding demands well-balanced food including vitamins, minerals, amino and fatty acids, as well as protein, carbohydrates, fats in accordance to pets’ needs.

Make sure the ratio of the ingredients corresponds to your pooch’s age, life stage and health condition. Check, if a product complies with AAFCO recommendations.

3. Flavors and tastes

Producers offer a great choice of different tastes for the canned food. If your canine friend is a picky eater, try variety sets (chicken, salmon, beef, venison, pea, etc.) to define your dog’s favorite one.

4. Costs and packing

Wet food is a bit costly than other dogs’ dishes. However, there are some ways to reduce expenses. Usually dishes are offered in 13 oz. cans, with an option of 12 units’ bulk packs. There are also trays of 3.5 oz. offered in 24 units’ sets or more.

5. High-quality cans

The best wet dog food containers are recyclable and may be disposed in the corresponding trash bin.

Some cans are made to enable feeding your dog without using a bowl, or on the go. There are also resealable variants, so leftovers may be easily stored in the fridge.

Guide (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is canned dog food good for dogs?

Canned food is worth its money due to a number of reasons.

• Ready-to-eat dishes reduce your time of pup’s feeding.
• It is rich in high-quality proteins.
• Quantity of carbs, preservatives, allergic components and fillers is reduced.

Thus, we advise to consume this type of food in case you owe:

1. senior dogs, which are older than 8-9 years;
2. pregnant or nursing females;
3. dogs with physical troubles or health concerns (digestion problems, jaws troubles, defects, allergies);
4. middle or big breeds dogs, requiring special feeding plan due to peculiarities in joints development.

How much canned food should a dog eat daily?

Calculate your feeding amounts in compliance with producer’s and your vet’s recommendations. Generally, one meal equals 1.5 oz. for an average dog weighing 3.0-3.5 lb., which is 3 oz. daily.

3 oz. of wet food may be replaced by 1⁄4 cup of a dry dish. Remember this proportion when substituting or mixing two foods.

Can dogs eat only wet food?

Canned food provides all nutrients and necessary elements for your canine companion and does not require additional feeding.

However, additional teeth care may be needed. Adding some kibble to soft dishes, ensures gentle tooth brushing and gums massage, thus making oral cavity healthier.

Can dogs eat wet food every day?

An adequate serving quantity of wet food is sufficient for everyday feeding. A wide range of tastes and fragrances stimulate appetite and provide a variety of nutrients.

An important feature of the canned food is its wet consistency. This type of food ensures not only all necessary feeding elements, but also dog’s hydration and water balance, even for those pups who do not consume enough pure water.

Which food is better, wet or dry?

Feeding method should be chosen individually according to your pet’s needs and its taste preferences.

Both, hard and soft food are ready-made, cooked according to standardized processes, and preserve essential nutritional elements.

Here are some important differences between them.

1. Consistency. Hard particles of the kibble are good for oral cavity. Consuming dry food, a dog does not demand additional tooth care. Soft chunks of wet food are good for dogs who have problems with chewing (senior dogs, ill pups).

2. Hydration. Kibble consumers should be offered pure water additionally, unlike those who are fed with wet dishes.

3. Nutrients. Content description on each bag or can label provide you with the proportion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. However, it is rendered that wet food contain more pure proteins comparing to dry food. It is an important feature if pet’s weight control is needed.

4. Unhealthy additives. Being opened, wet food has a shorter expiration date, and should be kept in the fridge. That is why lower amount of preservatives is used for wet meals cooking. It is important for digestion sensitive dogs.

Should I mix wet and dry dog food?

If your dog does not require any special care and is healthy, so we may recommend combining both types of foods. Thus, you will reduce drawbacks and benefit from the best features of dry and wet dog foods:

• additional tooth care;
• cost reduction;
• weight control due to pure proteins of wet food;
• additional palatability;
• hydration control from the moist canned food.

How long does wet dog food last if it’s not opened?

Wet food shelf life makes usually 36 months if properly stored according to requirements. This is valid for canned food.

Sometimes, expiration date is shorter for dishes in trays or small containers (3.0-3.5 oz.), and makes 24 months from the date of production.

Should I leave food out for my dog in a bowl all day?

Wet food, which is kept during 4 hours in above 50°F temperature, should be disposed.

We advise not to leave unattended dog food, and to pick up a bowl with leftovers storing it in the fridge or trashing it.

Here are the reasons why:

• Wet food is exposed to microbes and bacteria, attracts insects and gets rotten.
• In case there are other pets or animals at home, they may swallow the food, which is not suitable for them.
• It is forbidden to leave the food for dogs with diabetic concerns.
• Scheduled feeding is preferable in terms of weight control, daily regime and toilet issues.

How long can I store wet dog food in an open can?

Usually manufactures recommend disposing the canned food within 4-7 days after opening, if it hasn’t been consumed.

Remember correct storage of leftovers during this period. A can should be kept in the refrigerator. The temperature should not exceed 40°F – 45°F. A can or container should be properly sealed, steering clear other fridge odors mix, and remaining palatable for a dog.

What is the best grain free wet dog food?

Dishes with grain free formula are the best wet food for dogs. Wheat, corn are undesirable due to gluten and starches, which are dangerous for the animals, subject to allergies or digestive disorders.

Pets, inclined to pure chicken, beef or meat with veggies, get more protein and sufficient carb supply for better metabolism and immunity.

We would recommend organic grain-free Dinners for Dogs by Newman’s. Being certified by United States Department of Agriculture, Newman’s ingredients origin and production comply with the strictest demands of USDA.

What is the quick list of the main ingredients for wet dog foods?

To ensure the best quality of the moist dog food products, read our list of “yes” and “no” ingredients.

“Yes” components:

1. Proteins form pure meat, made of indicated organs (liver, beef meat), over 7-9%.
2. Fiber, carbs from veggies or whole grains – 1%.
3. Crude fats – 4%.
4. Broth or pure water 82%.
5. Omega 3, 6 fatty oils (fish oils, flaxseeds).

“No” ingredients:

1. Artificial preservatives, colors, BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin.
2. Wheat gluten, corn starches.
3. Sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup).

What are the types of canned dog food?

The range of canned dog food offered by producers is great.

• Pure meat (poultry, beef, pork) or fishes (salmon, tune);
• Meat with vegetable additives (tomatoes, pea) or whole grains (brown rice);
• Grain free components (excluding wheat gluten or corn starches);
• Organic food containing natural ingredients.

How is organic wet dog food made?

The term “organic” refers to both, the process of cooking and meat production.

An organic preparation process for the healthiest wet dog food means that all ingredients are mixed, processed, cooked or stewed under the necessary temperature. Then soft chunks of meat and vegetables with broth or gravy are poured in containers, keeping to all hygienic procedures. If needed, cans or trays may subject to high temperature impact to prolong their storage time. However, important nutrients should maintain their wholesome qualities.

Plant and meat components should also be organic. That means, no hormones, chemicals or growth modifiers were added for veggies, grains or animal feeding.

Meeting all these demands, a manufacturer may be certified by USDA.

Other wet food for dogs

Feeding small dogs requires a special nutrition formula. Royal Canin Puppy Loaf in Sauce is designed for puppies and small dogs up to 22 lb. in pure protein elements for quick development.

Chicken and loaf of pork heart are number 1 ingredients in the dish, providing tissues growth and energy support.

Additionally, carbohydrates, crude fats and vitamins (B1, C, D3, B12, E), folic acid, taurine, lutein are supplied for dog’s immune system and gastrointestinal tract development.

3.0 oz. trays and 5.8 oz. cans may be supplied in packs of 12 or 24; 13.0 oz.  cans are offered in 12 units sets.

Small trays of tasty Nutro dishes are thoroughly designed for the unique needs of pups.

Pure meat bites (chicken) are offered in gravy for consumption by small jaws and provide protein for lean muscles.

Carbs from sweet potatoes and peas, vitamins (B12, D), minerals, fats, fatty acids stimulate complex development of pet’s organs.

No artificial flavors, meat by-products, GMO are used to avoid allergic reactions.

Convenient trays of 3.5 oz. are offered in sets of 24 units. There are other tastes (beef, turkey, lamb), offered in 36 units sets.

Purina Pro Plan Turkey & Rice has a special weight control formula with high-quality proteins.

Pure turkey meat as the first ingredient and rice for the gravy provide more proteins and less carbs for reducing fat and maintaining muscles. 23 essential elements avoiding artificial flavors and fillers, support immunity and healthy development.

This food is designed for the pets who need dietary precautions, connected with overweight, health concerns, adult and senior dogs.

The dish is offered in 12 packs sets of 13 oz. cans and may be ordered in combination with dry food.

Newman’S Beef & Liver Dinner For Dogs is a safe natural product suitable for dogs in all life stages.

This food is certified organic, meaning all ingredients are thoroughly selected. No chemical, artificial additives, gluten products are used.

Beef is the main component providing protein. Other elements are vitamins (D3, B12), minerals, folic acid for healthy skin, coat, immunity.

Supplied in 12 oz. cans, it is offered in bulks of 12 units.

Wholesome beef liver and organic vegetables are the main ingredients of Natural Balance Wet Dog Food.

The main source of proteins is beef in broth. Carbohydrates are brown rice, carrots and potatoes cooked in tasty gravy.

Animal fats, vitamins (F, E, B12, D3), amino acids, minerals make efficient nutrition for dogs of all ages, breeds and life stages.

This product is packed in 12 oz. cans and supplied 12 units’ sets. Other size variants are 6 oz. cans, and flavor variants are lamb, chicken.

Blue Buffalo Wet Dog Food, Hunter’s Stew is a perfect dish for adult dogs. Its all-natural components are carefully selected.

The first ingredient is pure duck meat, a healthy source of proteins. Besides, chicken, turkey, salmon, are used for better flavor.

Veggies (potatoes, carrots, peas) make delicious gravy, rich in carbs for pet’s energy. Other essential elements are vitamins (A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B12), folic acid, minerals providing wholesome and water-balanced food. Avoiding meat by-product and chemical flavors and colors, a dish is safe for pets with sensitive digestion or allergies.

A product may be offered with various flavors and in 12.5 oz. cans (a pack of 12).

This dish provides a comprehensive nutrition for pups over 1 year old.

Organic chicken, stewed in broth, ensures protein supply. Carbs are supported by a grain-free formula, with natural carrots, peas and potatoes.

A dish is well-balanced including all essential elements, vitamins (A, C, E, B12), fibers, avoiding artificial chemicals, colors for healthy body development, energy and digestion).

The variety of tastes includes beef, turkey, venison, salmon dishes packed in 12.5 oz. cans.