is dry dog food cheaper than wet
Dry Dog Food vs. Wet Dog Food: Which Is Better?
The number of dog food products on the market can make it very confusing for you to choose a diet that is appropriate for your pet. Not only are there tons of different brands and ingredients, but even the most basic choice of wet versus dry dog food can be overwhelming.
Its important to always consult your veterinarian for more specific recommendations that best fit your dogs lifestyle, but this article will go over the main differences between dry and wet dog food.
What's the Difference Between Wet and Dry Dog Food?
Both dry dog food and wet dog food can provide nutritionally balanced diets, but the major difference is in the way they are processed.
How Is Wet Dog Food Processed?
Wet food starts with grinding the protein sources, or meat ingredients. Then a gravy that contains vitamins, minerals, and grains is added. Once those are mixed, the food is cooked and sterilized to produce the canned product.
As a result, wet food has a much higher moisture content than dry food. You can see the percentage of maximum moisture on the label, under the Guaranteed Analysis section. A dry food might have around 10% moisture (max.) while a wet food might have something like 78% moisture (max.).
How Is Dry Dog Food Processed?
Dry food contains very similar ingredients, but instead of adding gravy and canning the product, the meat mixture is pulverized in order to create a consistent dough that can be cooked.
Once cooked, the dough is extruded through specifically shaped holes to form kibble. The kibble undergoes a drying process, and then is sprayed with fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals and packaged before the fats and oils can spoil.
Some dry dog food diets also add live probiotics to aid in digestive and immune health.
Is Wet or Dry Food Better for Dogs?
Both types of dog food are good choices, but each has their own benefits and drawbacks depending on the nutritional needs of your pet.
Benefits of Wet Dog Food Compared to Dry Dog Food
Wet dog food, or canned food, sometimes provides benefits that dry food doesnt offer, such as:
Higher moisture content: Wet food may be a good choice if your dog doesnt drink as much as they should, or if they have a medical condition that could benefit from proper hydration. One example would be a dog with a history of urinary or kidney disease.
Palatability: Canned dog food is often more aromatic and flavorful when compared to dry food. This may entice sick or older dogs to eat if their appetite is decreased.
Satiety: Wet dog food tends to create a longer-lasting feeling of being full. Increased satiety is useful in weight management, especially in dogs that seem to have a never-ending appetite.
Easier to chew: Dogs that have dental disease or other oral abnormalities may find wet food easier to chew than dry food.
Benefits of Dry Dog Food Compared to Wet Dog Food
Dry dog food, or kibble, often offers certain benefits that wet food doesnt provide, such as:
Dental health benefits: Dry food encourages dogs to chew their food, which aids in preventing tartar buildup and secondary periodontal disease.
Convenience: Compared to wet food, dry diets are much easier to pre-portion, and they wont spoil if left out all day. This can be beneficial for dogs that are grazers.
Financially feasible: Depending on the brand of food, dry diets may be less expensive to purchase and store long-term.
Food enrichment: Kibble is easier to integrate into food puzzles and slow feeders that may improve a dogs quality of life through cognitive stimulation.
What Dry Dog Food Do Veterinarians Recommend?
The most commonly recommended dry dog food brands, by veterinarians, are the same as for wet food: Royal Canin, Science Diet, and Purina Pro Plan. Here are a few dry dog food options for puppy, adult, and senior life stages:
Guide to Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food
Mixing wet and dry dog food is another option that may provide the best of both worlds. However, it is very important to ensure you are still providing the properdaily feeding amountto prevent overfeeding.
The best way to do this is to have your local vet calculate your furry friends daily calorie requirements for maintenance. Then you can calculate how much dry and wet food your dog should have each day to reach that number of caloriesand dont forget to factor in any calories from treats.
Featured image: iStock.com/NickyLloyd
WRITTEN BY
Heather Hoffmann, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Heather Hoffmann is a 2018 graduate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a certificate in...
Is it cheaper to make your own dog food? What you need to consider before making the switch
Nothing is more comforting than a home-cooked meal, so why should humans get to have all the fun? If youve been looking into all the facts regardinghomemade dog food, you need to consider each crucial factor before you transition your dog from a store-bought to a home-cooked diet. You might have been wondering whether you can actually create a healthier, more personalized concoction for your dog. And the answer is yes. Yes, you can assemble your very own dog food at home, saving you trips to the store in lieu of healthier, fresher food. But is making dog food cheaper than buying it? Lets find out about preparing dog food at home and how costs compare.
How do you make your own dog food?
Before making a choice as to whether making your own dog foodis cheaper than buying it, its important to know what ingredients and supplies are needed to make dog food. Whats great about homemade dog food is that it can be personalized just to you and your dogs needs. So, while exact ingredients will vary, dog food made at home typically contains some combination of cooked protein, vegetables, and whole grains.
Note that just like commercially-produced dog food, homemadedog foodmust have certain nutrients in order for your dog to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Popular, nutrient-dense proteins often used in homemade dog foods are ground lean beef, turkey, and lentils.
- Among the vegetables you might use are broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
- And some of the whole grains that are commonly found in dog food made at home are brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.
- Fruits, herbs, and healthy fats should also be added in moderation in dog food.
No matter what foods you cook together to make meals for your dog, there are a few health and safety guidelines you should keep in mind. Dogs have different nutritional requirements than humans do. But similar to humans, junk foods are also unhealthy for dogs and should not be fed to them. It is important that your dog is only ever fed unseasoned, thoroughly-cooked, boneless meats. Many spices that are fine for humans can be dangerous or even deadly to dogs. The same goes for a variety of other human foods, so before throwing any random ingredient into home-cooked dog food, do your research as to whether it is safe for dogs to consume. Bones might splinter inside of a dog, causing internal injury. Uncooked or undercooked meats may carry bacteria or viruses that can cause illness.
If you want to obtain more facts in relation to dog food concerns, do check out our guide regarding your dogs tolerance for spicy food just so youre better informed before chucking that chili his way.
How do the costs of homemade and commercial dog food compare?
There is a wide range of costs associated with both home-cooked and mass-produced dog foods, largely based on quality. A 40-pound bag of dry kibble could run you $15, while that same sized bag of high-quality food could cost closer to $75. Wet dog food costs more, with the cheapest single-serving cans costing less than $1 and higher-end cans costing up to $3 each. However, this is excluding the cost of bones, treats, dental sticks, vitamin supplements, and other types of food you might give your dog throughout the day.
And the price of homemade dog food is also dependent on where you shop, as well as if you buy organic or not. But, generally, you can get the cost of it down to lower than $2 a day, which is far beneath the cost of feeding your dog a mixture of high-quality wet and dry foods.
How do I decide whether to make the switch to homemade dog food or not?
As with any choice, you should weigh the pros and cons of each option. Commercial dog foods are required by law to meet certain nutrition standards, so when you purchase commercial dog food, you know your dog is getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients they need.
Conversely, commercial dog food often contains preservatives and fillers that arent needed in freshly-prepared dog food. Plus, if your dog has health conditions, they may need particular combinations of nutrients or ingredients that just cant be found in a commercial product. And if your dog has allergies to any common dog food ingredients, it might be easier for you to make dog food for them. But before making a decision, consult with your veterinarian as to your pets health and what types of homemade dog food, if any, are suitable to feed them.
Keeping your dog healthy doesnt have to be frustrating. It is possible to feed them nutritious, delicious, home-cooked meals at a fraction of the price of commercially-made foods. Enjoy experimenting with the many recipes you can use if you go that route!
Editors' Recommendations
Wet vs. Dry Dog Food
Nutritional Content
Adult dogs benefit from a low-carb diet that is high in animal proteins and fats, such as beef liver, turkey meal, and/or chicken fat. Ingredient quality varies significantly by dog food brand, with some manufacturers using good meals or fats, and others using questionably-sourced animal byproducts.[1]
Wet dog food is generally more nutritious, low-carb, and low-calorie, when compared to dry dog food. Canned food tends to have almost two times as much animal fat and protein, both of which are good for a dog's health. And an ounce of dry dog food contains nearly four times as many calories as an ounce of wet food around 97 calories and 25 calories, respectively.[2]
Canned food comes with a few other additional benefits: High moisture content 74-82% compared to dry food's 10-12% makes dogs feel "fuller." The canning process also preserves flavor and means wet dog food is subject to canned food regulations that set processing standards and limit the use of preservatives, artificial flavoring, and artificial coloring.
For one veterinarian's take on fresh food vs. dry food vs. wet or canned food, watch the video below.
Convenience and Freshness
Dry food is much more convenient than wet food. A resealable bag or container of kibble can be kept for months, or until the product expires; similarly, kibble remains edible in a bowl for hours on end. Significant cleanup following dry dog food feeding is rarely required. Wet food, in contrast, cannot be left in a bowl for hours on end, and it can be messier. Keeping it can be trickier, too, especially when containers do not come with a resealable top. Canned food must be refrigerated after opening and needs to be used within a few days of the first serving.
Health Effects of Wet vs. Dry Dog Food
Just as every human is slightly different, so, too, is every dog. What works for the health of one animal may not work as well or at all for another.
Dental Health
A common concern when it comes to wet or canned dog food is how it affects canine dental health. Dry dog food proponents argue that wet dog food gets stuck in a dog's teeth, and that the crunchy-hardness of kibble helps to clean teeth naturally. Wet dog food proponents tend to say that it may be true that kibble scrapes away plaque, but that the starchy ingredients found in dry dog food cause additional plaque buildup, negating positives.
It is difficult to determine which camp is right, as this debate exists not only among dog owners, but also among veterinarians. Generally, vets and trainers recommend regular dental cleaning at home (brushing and/or dental chews) and deep cleaning with a vet once or twice a year.
There is a third group within this debate: those who believe in raw-feeding their dogs by giving them uncooked meats and bones. Raw-food proponents, who point to dogs' evolutionary history as evidence in support for raw-feeding, often report never needing to clean their dogs' teeth, as meaty bones do the work for them. There are pros and cons to raw-feeding, however, and many pet owners prefer the convenience and cost effectiveness of dry or canned foods.
Weight Control
Though numerous low-calorie/low-carb weight control dry foods exist, it is hard to beat the calorie and carb counts of wet dog food, primarily due to the high moisture content of canned food. However, some veterinarians will prescribe a particular type of dry food, depending on a dog's health issues, so if weight gain (or loss) is a concern, it is best to check with a vet before putting a dog on any particular diet. Sudden weight loss or gain may indicate another underlying health problem.
Is Grain-Free Food Better?
In recent years, the presence of wheat and cereal grains in dog foods, particularly dry varieties, has received a lot of negative press. In response, the pet food industry now produces many "grain-free" foods, both wet and dry. These foods are often marketed as being more "natural" or "organic" as well, with the implication being that dog foods with grain are unhealthy. Some have also expressed concern that dogs may suffer from wheat intolerance or allergies, similar to those found in humans.
Research, however, has not found grain-free foods to be better universally. Many grain-free products replace wheat or cereal grains with other types starches (e.g., potato or tapioca) that may or may not be healthier.[3] Food allergies in dogs are different from those found in humans, too. Grains, for instance, are rarely food allergens for dogs, while beef and dairy are some of the most common.[4]
Some dogs will benefit from a grain-free diet, or, even more so, from an owner figuring out which ingredient is causing digestive upset or other health issues (as it may not be the grain). When it comes to wet vs. dry dog food, wet food will almost always have fewer grains and more proteins.
Cost
Dry dog foods are much cheaper than canned dog foods.
Popular Dry vs. Canned Dog Food Cost Comparisons
Note: These are simplified conversions, as dry ounces are different from fluid ounces, and different dog foods have different daily feeding recommendations.
Government Regulation and Recalls
"There is no requirement that pet foods have pre-market approval by FDA. The Act does require that pet foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. Additionally, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with low acid canned food regulations." From the
FDA's pet food regulation policyThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the ingredients of pet food are "generally recognized as safe," but pet food is not as carefully regulated as human food. Some additives, food coloring, labeling, and ingredient lists are regulated, especially in wet canned foods, which are subject to additional canned food regulations. The FDA also regulates specific claims, particularly any related to health maintenance or concerns (e.g., "maintains urinary tract health" or "glucose control").
Even so, most dog foods include ingredients that require no pre-market approval, meaning the pet food industry is largely self-regulating. This lack of oversight means that hard-to-define or test terms, such as "organic," "natural," and "grain-free," may not mean much and may sometimes represent clever marketing efforts only.
Since 2007, pet food labeling has been regulated more closely, spurring a major increase in dog and cat food recalls. See also the 2007 pet food recalls that resulted after numerous animal deaths.
Choosing a Dog Food
Dogs are similar to humans, in that their dietary needs change depending on age, body type, activity level, and any existing health concerns (e.g., diabetes). Puppies that have been removed from their mother, for example, must be given wet dog food to accommodate weaker teeth, and preferably one specially formulated for early development.
Adult dogs are highly adaptable to a wide range of foods and will rarely have obvious negative reactions to a food, whether it is wet or dry. However, "no negative reaction" does not necessarily mean "healthy," and concerned pet owners will benefit from discussing their dog's diet with veterinarians and trainers.
Switching Dog Foods
Some dogs experience digestive problems when switching to a new food with very different ingredients. For this reason, veterinarians often recommend slowly introducing dogs to any new food, usually by mixing the new and old food together for a few days. If a dog has had a bad reaction to a food, though, the animal should be switched to a new food immediately, and severe reactions should be reported to a veterinarian as soon as possible.[5]
History of Dog Food
Manufactured wet and dry dog foods are relatively new pet products, preceded only by the dog biscuit, which was created in the mid-1800s. Canned dog food was not introduced to the American market until the 1920s, and kibble in its current form has only been manufactured and sold since the 1950s.[6][7] Prior to the development of these products, people usually fed their dogs table scraps, particularly meaty bones.