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Best Wet Dog Food UK Drool Worthy UKGuide for 2023

FAQs

What Are The Benefits Of Wet Dog Food Compared To Dry Dog Food?

Wet dog food has several benefits compared to dry dog food. It typically contains higher moisture content, which helps with hydration and can be especially beneficial for dogs who dont drink enough water.

Wet dog food is also easier to chew and digest, making it a great choice for dogs with dental or gum issues, senior dogs or those with a weaker appetite.

How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Dog Each Day?

How much dog food you should feed your dog depends on various factors, including weight, age, activity level, and individual nutritional needs. In fact, we have written a complete article on the subject [here].

Is Wet Dog Food Suitable For All Dog Breeds And Sizes?

Wet dog foods are suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Just make sure to choose a wet dog food specifically formulated for your dogs life stage (puppy, senior, or adult dogs) and consider any special dietary needs.

Are There Any Specific Wet Dog Food Options For Dogs With Allergies or Dietary Restrictions?

Absolutely! Many natural wet dog food brands offer options tailored for dogs with allergies or dietary restrictions. Look for limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic recipes ( we have included a couple above) made with novel proteins and grain-free options if your furry friend has a sensitive tummy or food allergies.

Can I Mix Wet Dog Food With Dry Dog Food?

You certainly can. Mixing wet and dry food can provide the best of both worlds the crunchiness of dry food for dental health and the added moisture of wet dog food for hydration. Just be sure to adjust the portions accordingly to avoid overfeeding.

How Do I Store Wet Dog Food After Opening The Tin or Pouch?

After opening a can or pouch of wet dog food, transfer any unused portion to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it should stay fresh for 3-5 days. You can also freeze unused portions for up to 3 months.

What Is The Shelf Life Of Wet Dog Foods?

Unopened wet dog food generally has a shelf life of 1-2 years. Though do check the best by date on the packaging to be sure.

Are Any Health Risks Associated With Feeding Wet Dog Food To My Dog?

When fed as part of a balanced diet, wet dog food is safe for healthy dogs. However, if your dog is sensitive to fats or has pancreatitis, for example, I would suggest speaking to a vet, who can advise if a prescription diet may be a better option.

Can Wet Dog Food Help With Weight Management For Overweight Dogs?

Wet dog food can be helpful for weight management since it often contains fewer calories per gram compared to dry food.

Additionally, the higher moisture content can make your dog feel fuller, helping to control their appetite. If your dog already eats wet dog food, you may want to consider cutting down portion sizes.

Can I Switch My Dog From Dry Food To Wet Food, And How Do I Transition?

Its okay to switch your dog from dry to wet dog food. To make the transition, start by gradually mixing the wet food with the dry food, increasing the wet dog food proportion over a week or two (start with 20% wet, 80% dry). This allows your dogs digestive system to adjust and reduces the risk of stomach upset.

How Do The Costs Of Feeding Wet Foods Compare To Those Of Dry Food?

Feeding wet dog food can be more expensive than dry dog food on a per-meal basis. However, its important to consider the many additional benefits that wet food can provide. This article has more information on Dry Dog food vs Wet Food.

How Do I Choose The Right Wet Food For My Dogs Life Stage (puppy, adult, senior)?

To ensure that you pick the appropriate wet dog food for your dogs life stage, search for products specially formulated for puppies, adults, or seniors. In the UK, regulations mandate that packaging displays these distinctions, and such foods are nutritionally balanced to meet your dogs age and activity level requirements.

Can Wet Dog Food Improve My Dogs Coat And Skin Health?

Wet food can indeed improve your dogs coat and skin health, as it often contains higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These essential nutrients support a healthy skin barrier and promote a glossy coat. You could always add an Omega supplement to their meal.

Are There Any Ethical Or Sustainable Wet Food Brands To Consider?

Absolutely, there are ethical and sustainable wet dog food brands available. We have included a few in this review. These companies use responsibly sourced ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging, or support animal welfare initiatives.

To find an ethical brand, research the companys values and practices or look for certifications such as B Corp, MSC, or ASC.

Which Brands Of Wet Dog Food UK Are Most Recommended By Pet Nutrition Experts?

Veterinarians and pet nutrition experts may have varying opinions on which wet dog food brands are the best. Brand and products featured in this round-up review are certainly great options.

What Is The Difference Between Grain-Free And Grain-Inclusive Wet Food?

Grain-free wet food excludes grains such as wheat, corn, and rice, while grain-inclusive options contain these ingredients. Some dogs may benefit from a grain-free diet due to allergies or sensitivities, while others may do well on grain-inclusive food.

What Are The Advantages Of Purchasing The Best Wet Dog Food From A Local Pet Shop Compared To Online Shopping?

Purchasing wet dog food from a local pet shop offers several advantages, such as supporting local businesses and avoiding shipping delays or potential damage during transit.

On the other hand, online shopping may provide a broader selection, lower prices, and the convenience of having the food delivered to your doorstep.

Can You Get Vegan Wet Dog Foods?

The 10 Best Wet Dog Foods

How long does wet dog food last?

Wet dog food usually lasts for 2 to 5 years unopened, but check the expiration date to be sure. Fresh and frozen wet dog foods last for less time, so check package directions for guidance on proper storage and use. Once opened, wet dog food will last in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Is wet dog food better than dry dog food?

Wet dog food can be better than dry dog food, but it will depend largely on what kind of food you choose and your dog's specific needs. Generally speaking, wet dog foods can be better for dogs because they have a higher moisture content. They often contain more protein and fewer carbs, and they may have fewer preservatives than dry dog kibble. Wet dog food is also more palatable and easier to chew than dry dog food, so it is often the best choice for senior dogs, picky eaters and dogs with dental issues. Of course, dog food ingredients and processing routines vary, so a high-quality dry kibble may wind up being better for your dog than a lower quality wet one. Talk to your vet about whether feeding wet dog food, dry dog food or a mix of both might be best for your pup.

What is the best way to store wet dog food?

The best way to store shelf-stable wet dog food before it is opened is in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Frozen or fresh wet dog food needs to be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Once open, store wet dog food tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food

In an ideal world, all dog food would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. Weve compiled expert advice to help you narrow down your options.

What Makes a Dog Food Good?

Most people feed their dogs dry kibble or canned wet food. These processed foods might not be appealing to us, but they contain all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy. Quality commercial dog foods are highly regulated and have undergone rigorous testing by veterinary specialists. So what exactly is in these dog foods?

Dogs, unlike cats, are not strict carnivores. While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers, but can be a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dogs digestive system.

Dog Food Nutrition

The best dog food for your canine companion should meet his nutritional needs. While most commercial dog food brands are specially formulated with at least the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, it is important to remember that not every dog has exactly the same nutritional needs.

Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an all life stages food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs and puppies.

Dog Food Myths and Misinformation

There are plenty of dog food myths and misinformation about dog nutrition on the Internet. You can sort through it by following one simple rule: check your sources. Many well-meaning individuals make claims about dog nutrition without backing them up with scientific evidence. As you do research, always check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a veterinarian, canine nutritionist, or scientific study. It never hurts to be skeptical, either. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many people have questions about grain-inclusive orgrain-free dog food, pea-free dog food, or dog foods containing animal byproducts. If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy caused by grains, you may choose a grain-free diet under the guidance of your veterinarian. For most dogs, grains are actually a source of wholesome nutrients. Quality animal byproducts are also nutritious. These include organ meats and entrails, which often contain more nutrients than the muscle meat consumed by humans. Regulated byproducts do not include hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. As with any pet-related inquiry, feel free to discuss your concerns about your dogs food with your veterinarian.

How to Read a Dog Food Label

One way to decipher a good dog food from a bad dog food is to read the label. This is easier said than done, as labels can be hard to read, both due to the small print and just plain awkwardness of handling big bags of dog food in the store! But labels can also be misleading, as the Merck Veterinary Manual explains. Dog food labels are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to tell you eight key pieces of information, and individual states may also have their own labeling requirements:

• Product name
• Net weight of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Guaranteed analysis
• List of ingredients
• Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
• Statement of nutritional adequacy
• Feeding guidelines

Product Name

The product name alone tells you a lot about whats inside the can or bag. The term beef means that beef must make up at least 70 percent of the entire product. The terms beef dinner, beef entre, or beef platter, on the other hand, only require that beef makes up at least 10 percent of the entire product. With beef only requires that 3 percent of the total product be beef, and beef flavor simply implies that there is enough beef in the product to flavor it (less than 3 percent). The same holds true for other named ingredients like chicken.

Ingredients

The ingredient list on a dog food label will not tell you the quality of the ingredients or where they came from, and some manufacturers split up the ingredients to make the distribution more equal. For instance, different types of corn, such as flaked corn, ground corn, or kibbled corn, can be listed separately. This bumps corn down on the list of ingredients, even though the actual content of corn in the food is high. Meat is another tricky ingredient. Whole meats contain a large percentage of water weight, which means that the overall percentage of meat after processing is lower than it appears. Meat meal, on the other hand, sounds less appealing to people, but actually contains more meat than whole meats, as there is no water weight to throw off the calculation.

While the ingredient list might not tell you the quality of the ingredients, it does tell you what is in the food. This is especially important for dogs with special dietary needs or allergies and is also useful for owners who wish to feed their dogs specific sources of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

Complete and Balanced Dog Foods

One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement (Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. This isnt just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs (or cats). Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the guaranteed analysis. This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturers average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.

You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your dogs interests at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.

Best Dog Food for Small and Large Breeds

Small breed dogs and large breed dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require large-breed dog food with different balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on large-sized kibble and have their own nutritional requirements that can be accommodated with a small-breed dog food. Research your dogs breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you should be aware of.

Best Dog Food for Puppies

The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.

Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.

Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs, usually considered 7+, vary in their individual nutritional needs. Younger senior dogs may struggle with being overweight and older senior dogs may struggle with being underweight, which is why there is such a variety.

Choosing the best senior dog food may come down to what your dog finds palatable. Many older dogs prefer wet food while others may need their food warmed up to enhance the aromas. Ultimately, your vet can help choose the best dog food for an older pet.

Best Food for Dogs With Special Dietary Needs

Allergies, sensitive stomachs, and dietary restrictions affect dogs, as well as people. Feeding dogs with special dietary needs can be tricky. Your best course of action is to consult your veterinarian for advice about the dog food that best helps with their condition.

Best Dry Dog Food

The most widely available and affordable dog food is dry dog food. Dry dog food does not require refrigeration, which is its main advantage over wet dog food, as it contains approximately 90 percent dry matter and 10 percent water. This makes it easy to store. Dry dog food is made by combining and cooking ingredients like meat and grains. This process converts the starches in the food into an easily digested form, while also destroying toxins and flash sterilizing the ingredients. There are many different varieties of dry dog food on the shelves. The best dry food for your dog depends on your dogs dietary needs. In general, a higher quality dry dog food that contains the appropriate ingredients for your dogs life stage and breed is the best choice, but talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist about the healthiest choice for your pet.

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food, or canned dog food, is a perfectly viable alternative to dry dog food. While generally slightly more expensive, wet dog food is more palatable than dry food and can help stimulate the appetite of picky eaters. Wet dog food contains many of the same ingredients as dry dog food, but not in the same quantities. Wet food contains higher amounts of fresh meat, poultry, fish, and animal byproducts, along with more textured proteins derived from grains. Canned dog food has a long shelf life, however it must be refrigerated once opened. The best wet food for your dog, just as with dry dog food, depends on your dogs life stage, breed, and any special dietary needs or allergies. Talk to your vet about the wet dog food that he recommends for your pet.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Dog obesity is a growing concern in the veterinary community and has been linked to many health problems in dogs. Luckily for our pets, we are usually more disciplined about controlling their diets than we are about controlling our own. Knowing how much to feed your dog and what healthy dog weight looks like can be tricky. Many owners accidentally overfeed their pets, which is why it is important to take your dog in for regular checkups and to talk with your vet about appropriate portions. The guidelines on the back of the bag are just that guidelines. Some dogs may require more than the recommended amount, whereas others require much less. Activity level, time of year, nursing, illness, and more factors can all impact how much a dog needs to eat. Dog people will often advise that you should feed the dog thats in front of you instead of strictly adhering to dog food serving size guidelines that may or may not be exactly what your dog needs.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.