Nutrition is one of the biggest factors in keeping your pet not only happy and healthy but strong enough to endure the roughest days of play and overcome some of the most challenging aspects of a small dog’s anatomy. Bolstering weak points and fortifying strong ones all come from drawing the strength your pet gets from its food. To that end, you will have a perfect idea of what will keep your little friend in peak condition for years to come!

For most owners, the biggest allure to purchasing wet dog food is the sense of pride and fulfillment that you aren’t letting your adorable friend settle for dry kibble but knowing that they are getting the full spectrum of enjoyment from their meals, just like we do. The taste, the nutritional value, and the satisfaction are all spectrums that dry foods can emulate, but none can replicate.

Given that information, one must know: What is the best small dog wet food, and why? For those pressed for time, here is a short list; however, we will delve a bit deeper into each one below!

 

• Hill’s Science Diet Premium Nutrition
• Nutro So Simple Meal Complement
• Nature’s Recipe grain-free chicken recipe
• Purina Beneful
• Blue Buffalo Delights Natural
• CESAR SUNRISE
• Wellness CORE Natural grain-free
• Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Soft Natural

 

What Is The Best Small Dog Wet Food?

 

The best wet dog foods for small dogs boil down to three very basic concepts: taste, nutritional value, and accessibility (as far as digestion and the overall ability to consume it in the first place). These three come together in perfect harmony to make your small dog’s mealtime something to look forward to and perhaps even something that can culminate in an even stronger bond between your family and your pet.

 

1. Hill’s Science Diet Small & Mini Breeds Premium Nutrition

 

First up, we have Hill’s Science diet for small and mini breeds. This diet offers not only a choice between beef or chicken but both medleys are complemented with blends of vegetables to help build a strong immune system and combat digestive issues that can lead to complications down the road from poor vitamin intake or an unbalanced diet. Poor vitamin intake or an unbalanced diet can lead to either malnutrition or obesity, both of which can be much more significant in smaller breeds.

2. Nutro So Simple Meal Complement Adult Wet Dog Food

 

The concept behind Nutro So Simple is fascinating. It was built for people who don’t want to subscribe entirely to the idea that their dog should have an entirely wet food-based diet. This makes sense because, without the challenge of chewing through kibbles, your dog would only have toys and bones to rely on, which can prove problematic depending on your dog’s size.

Capitalizing on that understanding, Nutro So offers a solution with its Meal Topper brand of wet food, which is meant to be poured over dry food to make it not only taste better but also offer additional protein and nutrition to help keep your dog fuller and maintain good digestive health.

3. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Chicken Recipe

 

In today’s modern age, much of what we purchase as consumers just so happens to contain excessive amounts of fillers and other byproducts that either go against our personal beliefs and needs or offer little beyond bulk fluff, and Nature’s Recipe subscribes to the belief that even a dog isn’t fit to endure such treatment.

Creating their unique solution to this problem, they’ve created a brand of wet dog food that is gentle enough to be eaten by smaller breed dogs but robust enough to offer fantastic flavors like beef, chicken, venison, and duck without the typical grain filler that most brands rely on to cut costs.

4. Purina Beneful Small Breed Wet Dog Food Variety Pack

 

Very few brands have the international recognition that Purina has over the pet market. Covering a wide array of pets, with sizes both big and small accounted for, it only makes sense that they secure the market with a special breed of wet dog food catered specifically for smaller breeds. This guarantees that their nutritional needs are met, and people with loyalty to their brand have an option that fits both their family and their lives.

The “IncrediBites” blend features three different flavors: beef, salmon, and chicken. These flavors are sure to leave your little dog salivating in anticipation of the flavor ride they are about to go on. However, they won’t be able to overindulge to the point that they make themselves sick, either, with each can being perfectly portioned for specific weight groups.

5. Blue Buffalo Delights Natural Adult Small Breed Wet Dog Food

 

Blue Buffalo might very well be a new name to some, but they have a very “No-Nonsense” approach to wet dog food. They believe that a dog should eat only the choicest of cuts, culminating in their New York Strip flavor and Filet Mignon options. This allows your small dog to reap the reward of being a good boy or girl in true opulence.

Assuming your dog has a slightly different pallet, Blue Buffalo also offers complete balanced meals that come in chicken and prime rib flavors. This ensures that taste is not an afterthought for your beloved pet’s meals and that it is just as important as their nutritional needs.

6. CESAR SUNRISE Adult Wet Dog Food

 

Yet another elegant wet dog food for the prestige fluffy friend in your life, Cesar offers a highly diverse array of flavors, including turkey, beef, chicken and liver, porterhouse, and even grilled chicken. It also has the additional benefit of being made without grain fillers and is specifically designed to promote good gut health. These solid, authentic, meat-focused dishes will leave your pooch howling for more.

They also offer the option of utilizing these meals as entire products unto themselves or served as a topper over kibble, allowing a greater range of flexibility for pups of all weights and ages without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or satisfaction in every bite.

7. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food

 

Wellness offers a few different opportunities as far as wet dog food is concerned. First, the method by which the food itself is distributed is entirely up to you. Be it shredded, chunky, or a solid pate, the manner in which you present these meals to your pooch is entirely up to you.

Better still, you have a great range of flavors, from chicken and beef to turkey and lamb. Best of all, Wellness opts not solely to focus on gut health or a glossy coat but on a wonderful balance of vitamins and nutritional values that advocate for all needs across the board.

8. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Soft Natural Wet Small Dog Food

 

Bringing things full circle, we have Merrick Lil’ Plates, a grain-free wet food option that is fantastic for smaller dogs. Its keen emphasis on overall stomach health and supply of all the energy and nutritional supplements your dog needs to be extremely active on a daily basis makes it a must for competing pups or ones that will run laps in the yard until they make their tracks.

The unique choice in branding is also proudly displayed in the naming of their dishes, as well as how their decals and coloration are displayed. With flavors like Teeny Texas Steak Tips dinner and Tiny Thanksgiving Day Dinner, it’s relatively obvious that Merrick is indeed an American Company, and they take great pride in that fact.

 

Is Wet Food Better For Small Dogs?

 

Yes, wet food is a fantastic alternative for smaller dogs for a myriad of reasons. The first of them is that the amount of effort it takes for them to consume the food is far lowered. This makes it possible for dogs with dental issues or muscular problems to have a delicious meal without enduring pain for the effort. It also makes it a great alternative for dogs that are recovering, regardless of size or age.

Another reason someone might argue that wet food is “better” for smaller dogs is the lifestyle it promotes. If you offer your dog wet food, they are more often than not going to enjoy the flavors present more than dry kibble, and rationing it is often easier than breaking out a scooper to get a precise metric (think half a can as opposed to a quarter scoop for a visual on this).

 

Is It Okay To Give A Dog Wet Food Every Day?

 

Yes, the level of wet or dry ratio does not play a factor in whether or not it is safe for your dog to indulge in any of the delicacies listed on this list or on store shelves. The bigger concern lies within the nutritional value of the foods they eat and whether or not they contain additional byproducts that can be harmful to your pet, either on initial consumption or over a longer period of time.

It’s imperative to take a good look at the specifics of what any dog food contains and double-check whether or not any aspect of these ingredients contains something that your dog’s breed cannot handle or may cause complications when attempting to digest it. If you notice runny stool or vomiting, you may want to change brands or consult your vet.

 

How Much Wet Food Should A Small Dog Eat Per Day?

 

The exact quantity depends specifically on the dog’s size and weight and its age, but in most circumstances, your average dog should only have about half a can to one entire can a day. The only true flexibility in this metric is how active the dog is, as you want to measure its raw caloric intake as well, if possible.

If you aren’t sure how much food you should give your specific breed of dog, most cans of food have some kind of measurement on them that is broken down into different weight categories. However, you can always refer to your veterinarian if you want to make doubly sure of your pet’s dietary needs.

 

Pros And Cons Of Dogs Eating Wet Food

 

The pros of wet dog food include the understanding that you’ll often be giving them more choice ingredients. Most brands specialize in having direct chunks of meat in them, with beef and chicken being the primary ingredients. Additionally, due to the wet nature of the food, both small breeds and older dogs with poor dental health can easily eat the food, making it ideal for them.

Alternatively, some of the biggest cons associated with wet dog food involve the understanding that if your dog is particularly excited about the flavor, it may eat rather ravenously, making a mess or leaving significant remnants of its meal all over its face. The final issue is messy bowel movements if any of the meats or ingredients don’t agree with your dog’s stomach.

 

Can You Mix Wet And Dry Food Together?

 

Yes, you can most definitely mix wet and dry food together, and there are even a few brands on this list that are made specifically as “toppers” or wet food mixtures that can be placed directly on top of dry food to enhance the flavor and deliver a more well-balanced meal.

When you are attempting to mix wet and dry foods together, you’ll still want to be incredibly mindful of the precise portions you are giving your dog. However, it is very easy to overfeed them when dabbling in multiple kinds of food, especially when treats are added into the equation. Obesity can be fatal in smaller breeds.

 

Conclusion

 

Ultimately, the decision to give your small dog wet dog food is probably one for the better, as it is easier for them to eat, offers greater satisfaction in terms of raw flavor in most cases, and serves as an easy fire-and-forget choice that takes the guesswork out of meal portioning, making it one of the most simplistic ways to feed your dog.