moist and meaty dog food reviews
Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Review (2024)
Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Review
For pet parents to take the call if the reputed dog food they are feeding their pets is safe and nutritious or not, is a tough one indeed. There have been cases when some of the biggest brands have come under the radar due to their recalls or cases of pets falling sick. Nestles Purina PetCare being one of those brands. Purina has been around for over a century now, which is more than most dog food companies can claim. Also, the sheer market size and resource of the company enables them to conduct strict quality checks and ensure responsible sourcing of ingredients, which is vital to the well-being of your pets.
Purina Company Overview
Purina Moist & Meaty Dog food is a wet dog food brand and is one of Purinas eight product lines. The lines differ by the target market and dog food offering but are otherwise manufactured at the same facilities that are dotted across the US. Purina states that their product recipes are formulated along with professional nutritionists and vets who know what the best and healthiest food options are, for your pets.
About sourcing, Purina states that it sources its ingredients from suppliers who go through their rigorous requirements and the companys high safety standards. The company conducts quality checks per day. Additionally,Purina Moist & Meaty Dog has never had any recalls .
Ingredients Found in Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food
Heres a breakdown of the ingredients that go into Purina Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese:
- Beef by-products (meat that is left after the primary cuts are taken away)
- Soy flour (contains about 51% protein, by-product from processing soybean)
- Soy grits (toasted and broken soy beans, rich is low biological protein)
- High fructose corn syrup (corn-based sugar mixture, considered unhealthy for dogs)
- Water (no food value, added moisture)
- Wheat flour (highly-refined form of wheat milling, provides only moderate nutrition)
- Corn syrup (glucose-rich, high calorie, not of much nutritional value)
- Beef (high source of protein)
Although the brand has been in operation for over 100 years now, dominates an impressive market shares, and sources its ingredients from trusted suppliers, the issue lies in the ingredients its using in the recipes that dont make for the healthiest food choice for our canine friends. Surely, it must make for a tasty treat though, as claimed by the brand but if its okay to be served on a daily basis to pets is a call that pet parents should take independently.
Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Product Line
- Burger with Cheddar Cheese Flavor
- Steak Flavor
- Rise & Shine Awaken Bacon and Egg Flavor
- Chopped Burger
4 Varieties of Moist & Meaty Dry Dog Food
Purina Moist & Meaty Review
Ralston Purina began as an animal feed company in the 1890s. In 1898, Purina Chow was introduced as the first commercially produced pet food. Over the next 50 years, the company entered the international market and opened manufacturing facilities in various countries. The company continued to introduce other products and expand its business interests. There were several ownership changes throughout the years.
Nestl acquired Ralston Purina in 2001 for $10.3 billion to become Nestl Purina PetCare Company, one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world.
Nestl is a multinational company that owns a wide range of brands ranging from pet food to cosmetics and health devices. Nestle is known for its candy portfolio but also owns Perrier, Carnation, Lean Cuisine, Haagen-Dazs, Alpo, Fancy Feast and Purina.
In its annual report, Nestle Purina Pet Care reported annual sales for 2022 as US$19.38 billion.
IS PURINA MOIST & MEATY A GOOD DOG FOOD?
With a score of 1.4/10, Purina Moist & Meaty is considered a very high risk dog food according to our evaluation criteria. All recipes score 0/10 for ingredient safety.
This is a line of soft dog food with 6 recipes. Soft or wet dog foods are traditionally lower in carbohydrates and are moderate to high in protein. However, Moist & Meaty has exceptionally high average carbohydrates of 55% as calculated on a dry matter basis, with average protein of 27%, much lower than expected.
Purina Moist & Meaty has quality and safety issues that havent been raised previously in these reviews. What is especially concerning is the use of high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. Sugar is found in pet food to increase the palatability or as a preservative or humectant. It is a low quality ingredient that can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. High amounts can lead to leaky gut and inflammation.
This high carbohydrate level is to be expected when these foods have high fructose corn syrup AND corn syrup as the 4th and 7th ingredients. When totaled by weight, the soy, wheat and corn syrups surpass the amount of animal protein named as the first ingredient. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. Excessive carbohydrates are an indicator of low quality foods as they are used to keep costs down. Large amounts of starch and sugar can increase insulin levels, cause obesity and negatively impact gut balance.
There arent any whole food sources like fruits and vegetables to provide naturally occurring nutrients so vitamins and minerals are added in synthetic form, something seen in all recipes in the Purina brand. This usually reflects poor quality or overly processed ingredients. Vitamin and mineral excesses, especially vitamin D and copper, can also result from added vitamin premixes, so its preferable that most or all vitamins and minerals come from real foods.
Its also worth noting that the line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and its usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral.
Soybean oil is an inflammatory seed oil that is highly processed and may contain trans fats. Studies show that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Another quality concern is the use of plant protein in one recipe, the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein.
All recipes in the Moist & Meaty line scores 0/10 for ingredient safety. Soft foods are moderately processed but still involve several stages of heating that destroy nutrients. Processed foods are also linked to higher mortality rates in many species.
All recipes have ingredients known to have high pesticide or herbicide residues, and some that are known to be genetically modified (GMO). These are important safety concerns, especially when they appear in the top 5 on the ingredient list, meaning theyre included in higher amounts. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers post a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. GMO foods have limited safety studies and they lack nutrients compared to non GMO foods.
All recipes contain menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K that is not required in dog food. It may be linked to immune system dysfunction, oxidative damage to cells, liver toxicity, and allergic reactions. Each recipe also includes ethoxyquin an artificial preservative that has been shown to have toxic effects and links to cancer.
All recipes have as many as 4 added colors and dyes that may be linked to health issues. They are often used to hide the grey color of rendered ingredients, and to make them look more appealing to consumers. These recipes use natural flavor which is often made of animal digest or MSG, both low quality ingredients with limited safety studies.
All recipes have ingredient splitting. Thats the practice of splitting ingredients into subcategories (like soy flour and soy grits, or high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup) to make them appear lower on the list. This can also move more desirable protein ingredients higher.
Its worth noting that when dog food labels say with Real Chicken or with Cheddar Cheese AAFCO requires those with ingredients to be only 3% of the products weight.
Another AAFCO rule is that a product does not need to have a huge amount of an ingredient which only provides flavor. A flavor designation in a product name (or elsewhere on a label) may be used as long as a listed ingredient provides the flavor This flavor rule would apply to Moist & Meaty recipes labeled Steak Flavor and Bacon & Egg Flavor. In other words, its only flavor and doesnt necessarily mean theres steak or bacon & egg in the food.
Purina doesnt state the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their recipes. While this is true of most companies, its a concern because AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.
11 Best Moist Dog Foods 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
When choosing dog food for your canine pal, youll find there are many different brands on the market. Should you feed your dog dry kibble, or is moist food the best option? If moist food is the best option, then how do you determine which is the best and healthiest for your dog breed?
Well answer those questions in the section below our list of the best moist dog food this year. First, you can examine our reviews of our favorite brands.
A Quick Look at Our Winners (2024)
The 11 Best Moist Dog Foods
1. The Farmers Dog Moist Dog Food Best Overall
Owners looking to improve their dogs nutrition with moist food will find The Farmers Dog Moist dog food the best overall choice. With The Farmers Dog, you can offer your dog wholesome food without all the unnecessary additives and fillers found in traditional kibbles and other commercial dog foods. The Farmers Dog Moist Dog Food comes in beef, chicken, and turkey flavors, so you can find one your pup loves. You can feel good about feeding your furry family member high-quality foodsince its made in the United States with carefully sourced human-grade ingredients and meets USDA and AAFCO standards for quality and safety. This foods moist texture makes it easy for dogs to chew and digest, and many owners have reported improvements in their dogs coats and overall health after switching to this brand. It always contains real meat as its first ingredient and main source of protein, which helps provide energy for active pups. Plus, it is packed with vegetables and fortified with vitamins and minerals for optimal nutrition.
Since The Farmers Dog is not available in stores, its a perfect choice if youre looking for a subscription-only delivery service that offers pre-portioned meals. The company provides prompt shipment with delivery notifications and uses environmentally friendly packaging. The food is tailor-made and precisely formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionistsspecifically to meet your dogs needs. Customizable plans with flexible shipments and delivery are available, and it is easy to cancel your subscription if necessary.
- Subscription setup is easy
- Fast shipment with delivery notifications
- Securely packed and delivered
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Labeled and preportioned for each dog
- Veterinary nutritionist-formulated
- No unnecessary preservatives or fillers
- Expensive, especially for multiple dogs
- Takes up lots of fridge/freezer
2. Nutro Premium Loaf Canned Dog Food Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 8.5% |
| Fat content: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 454 kcal per can |
Nutro Grain-Free Premium Loaf Slow Cooked Canned Dog Food is our top pick for the money. The food contains vitamins and minerals that help with digestion and has an 8.5% protein content. It also contains fish and slow-cooked chicken, which are flavors that most dogs love.
Some pet owners even reported that the food smells excellent as well. Unfortunately, it isnt suited for dogs with chicken allergies, so be careful when feeding it to your dog for the first time. However, if youre searching for a recipe that fits almost any budget, this is the best moist dog food for you.
- Affordable
- Helps with digestion
- Contains fish and slowed cooked chicken
- Smells great
- Dogs love the taste
- Not suited for dogs with chicken allergies
3. Purina Beyond Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, liver |
| Protein content: | 8% |
| Fat content: | 6% |
| Calories: | 445 kcal per can |
Another of our favorites is Purina Beyond Chicken, Carrot, & Pea Canned Dog Food for its balanced nutrition. The moist food provides complete nutrition for your pet and contains no by-products. It also has 8% protein, which is a decent amount. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient, but it also contains plenty of carrots and peas for added vitamins and minerals.
The recipe has no artificial flavors or additives, making it a solid choice to feed your pet. However, some pet parents reported the liquid in the cans as being inconsistent, and others said it didnt have enough gravy.
- Provides complete nutrition
- Contains no by-products
- No artificial flavors
- No additives
- Liquid is inconsistent
- Has very little gravy
4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Hearty Recipes
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, beef, chicken broth, beef broth |
| Protein content: | 9% |
| Fat content: | 2% |
| Calories: | 1054 to 1140 kcal/kg |
Another good moist dog food is Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Recipes Variety Pack for its filler-free content. Its a good source of protein with its 9% content, and chicken is listed as the first ingredient. The recipe does not include artificial ingredients, and its a healthy choice for your pup.
Some pet parents reported the pieces were too small. Since it comes in plastic containers, it isnt good for the environment. However, we feel that this is one of the best moist dog foods on the market today.
- Free of fillers
- Contains no artificial ingredients
- Made with real meat
- Good source of protein
- Comes in plastic containers
- Pieces of meat are small
5. Purina Puppy Chow Wet Puppy Food
| Main ingredients: | Real beef, Real chicken, Meat by-products |
| Protein content: | 11% |
| Fat content: | 5% |
| Calories: | 184 to 195 kcal per can |
Purina Puppy Chow Classic Wet Puppy Food has an excellent protein content and promotes immune support. The recipe has 11% protein, which is perfect for growing puppies. In addition, it promotes immune support and contains protein-rich beef and chicken.
Youll also find vitamin E for healthy skin and fur, but some pet owners reported the food as clumpy and having a horrible smell. Others said it caused stomach upset in their puppies, so be careful when giving it to your furry friend for the first time.
- Good protein content
- Promotes immune support
- Contains beef and chicken
- Contains Vitamin E for healthy skin
- Clumpy and smells bad
- May cause stomach upset
6. Royal Canin Weight Care Canned Food
| Main ingredients: | Pork by-products, pork liver, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 7.5% |
| Fat content: | 1.1% |
| Calories: | 263 kcal per can |
Our next choice for the best moist dog foods goes to Royal Canin Canine Care Canned Dog Food for promoting weight loss, and dogs seem to enjoy the taste. The food has been known to cause stomach upset, and some mentioned that the servings are just too big for some breeds.
- Promotes weight loss
- Dogs enjoy the taste
- Can cause stomach upset
- Servings may be too big for some breeds
7. Canidae All Life Stages Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 9% |
| Fat content: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 504 kcal per can |
Canidae All Life Stages Canned Dog Food uses real chicken, which is the first ingredient listed. It has a protein content of 9%, which is one of the best on our list. The recipe contains plenty of moisture to keep your dog happy as it eats, and its made with high-quality ingredients.
However, the food may not be suitable for all dogs because of its grain and chicken content, as some dogs have allergies to chicken and grains. A few customers mentioned that Canidae had an unpleasant aroma.
- Real chicken used
- Contains plenty of moisture
- Protein-rich
- High-quality ingredients
- Not suitable for dogs with chicken or grain allergies
- Bad smell
8. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 7.5% |
| Fat content: | 6.5% |
| Calories: | 396 kcal per can |
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Canned Dog Food is high in protein, with 7.5% protein content, and it contains amino acids that are healthy for your pup. The food contains natural ingredients and promotes joint health and mobility, which all dogs need on a daily basis to be healthy. The first ingredient in the food is chicken, which makes it a solid choice for your pet, in our opinion.
Blue Buffalo has been reported as causing stomach upset in some dogs, and some pet parents complained that it smelled terrible.
- High in protein
- Contains amino acids
- Natural ingredients
- Promotes joint health and mobility
- Can cause stomach upset
- Contains too much liquid
- Smells bad
9. Pedigree Choice Cuts Adult Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Hickory smoked chicken flavor, Chicken, Meat by-products |
| Protein content: | 8% |
| Fat content: | 3% |
| Calories: | 76 to 90 kcal per pouch |
Pedigree Choice Cuts Adult Wet Dog Food has an 8% protein content and comes in three flavors. The pouches contain real meat, and the first ingredient is chicken. It is made in the United States and is an excellent source of balanced nutrition for your dog.
Some pet parents mentioned the food was too small for all breeds, and some dogs refused to eat it at all. However, with three flavors to choose from in the variety box, we feel its worth a try for pet parents everywhere.
- Comes in three flavors
- Contains real meat
- Made in the USA
- Balanced nutrition
- Food is too small
- Some dogs refused to eat
10. Cesar Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Dog Food Trays
| Main ingredients: | Beef, beef lung, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 9% |
| Fat content: | 4% |
| Calories: | 91 to 105 kcal per tray |
Number nine on the list goes to the Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack Dog Food Trays. Beef is listed as the first ingredient, and the food contains real meat and has a 9% protein content, which is essential as dogs need high-quality protein in their diets.
This wet food has been reported as being perfect for finicky eaters, but some dogs didnt seem to like the taste. It might not be suited for dogs with allergies to grains, and it is quite expensive.
- Contains real meat
- Perfect for fussy eaters
- Quite expensive
- Not for dogs with grain allergies
- Some dogs didnt like the taste
11. Eukanuba Adult Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Beef Liver, Tomato |
| Protein content: | 8% |
| Fat content: | 4% |
| Calories: | 52 kcal per can |
Last but not least is Eukanubas Adult Mixed Grill Canned Dog Food. This is an excellent choice of wet food, and it has 8% protein to support active or working dogs.
It may not be suitable for dogs with chicken or grain allergies, and some dogs have refused to eat the blend. In addition, pet owners have reported it as having a horrible smell and said that the food was primarily liquid with tiny chips of meat in it.
- Great for hydration
- Promotes strong muscles
- Perfect for active or working dogs
- Not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies
- Mostly liquid with chips of meat
- Some dogs would not eat
- Horrible smell
Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Moist Dog Food
Now, well examine the benefits of moist over dry food and a few other things you should know in the section below.
Benefits of Moist Dog Food Over Dry Food
There are quite a few good things to be said about moist dog food. Wet foods often dont require synthetic preservatives
- Wet foods contain more moisture
- Canned food lasts longer if unopened
- Meat ingredients are closer to their original state
- Easier for senior dogs and dogs with dental issues to eat
- Stronger smells for picky eaters
- Lower carbohydrate percentage
FAQs
How Long Does Wet Dog Food Last Once Open?
When you open a can of dog food, you should immediately refrigerate the unused portion. Then, make sure to add a cover or put the food in an airtight container. Even then, the food should be used within five days. Once youve passed the five-day mark, its best to throw the unused portion out.
How Long can Moist Food Stay in Your Dogs Bowl?
Unlike dry kibble, you cant leave wet food in a dogs bowl for long. Wet food can carry disease-causing bacteria that can be activated by sitting in the open at room temperature for very long. You can leave the food in your dogs bowl for only a maximum of four hours; after that, it needs to be put in the trash.
Can You Mix Wet and Dry Foods?
Its fine to mix wet and dry dog foods, and it might even help to whet your dogs appetite. However, you should only mix the same type of dog foods, so you dont risk upsetting your pups stomach.
Final Thoughts
Our overall pick for the best moist dog foods goes to The Farmers Dog moist dog food for its filler-free contents. Our top pick for the money is Nutro Grain-Free Premium Loaf Slow Cooked Canned Dog Food for its affordability. Our premium choice goes to Purina Beyond Chicken, Carrot, & Pea Canned Dog Food for its balanced nutrition.
Puppy Chow Classic Wet Puppy Food has excellent protein content and promotes immune support landing it at number four on our list. Finally, Royal Canin Canine Care Canned Dog Food for its promotion of weight loss.
We hope these reviews and the buyers guide help you find the best moist food to keep your pets happy for many years.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
