Dogs have been a man’s best friend for centuries. They are lovable, kind, and loyal to their owners. Because of this, we always want what is best for our little fur babies. Unsurprisingly, you want to learn whether wet dog food is good for dogs. So, what is the answer to this question, and how do we go about the information after learning it?

In summary, wet dog food is indeed good for dogs. This is because it is not as processed as dry dog food, making it an excellent choice to add to your dog’s diet. 

In addition, wet dog food provides your canine with ample hydration. It is also suitable for managing weight because it has fewer carbohydrates, which can help dogs with weight problems.

Now that we have the initial answer, we will explain why wet dog food is good for your dog in more detail below. This article might be helpful if you are switching your dog’s eating habits from dry food to wet food or simply want to manage its weight.

Do Dogs Benefit From Eating Wet Dog Food?

 

Yes, dogs benefit greatly from eating wet dog food. There are many benefits to eating wet dog food compared to the things mentioned above. Here is a list of them below for reference:

 

1. Wet Dog Food Helps Maintain Body Weight

 

If your dog is overweight, we recommend eating wet dog food to maintain a healthy weight. Dry dog food typically contains more calories and can be challenging to digest. 

Plus, it can cause issues with weight management in the long run. In other news, wet dog food makes your dog feel fuller while consuming fewer calories. It is also easier to manage how much your dog takes, as dry food is not as easy, especially if you have a gravity feeder that allows your dog to eat whenever they want. 

 

2. Wet Dog Food Is More Flavorful

 

Dry dog food has minimal flavors that your dog can enjoy. However, wet dog food is perfect for giving your dog various options. 

Of course, you can alternatively feed your dog human food like chicken or beef, but these do not provide the nutrients your dog needs for its everyday life. Wet dog food is perfect for older dogs or dogs that have lost their appetite due to illness or other reasons. 

 

3. Wet Dog Food Helps Keep Your Dog Hydrated

 

It is no secret that wet dog food contains more moisture than dry kibble. Because of this, your dog will be more hydrated. Doing so puts much less strain on many of their organs, including their kidneys and urinary tract health. 

 

4. Wet Dog Food Is Better For Digestion

 

Suppose your dog has a sensitive stomach. In that case, consider investing in wet dog food as it is much easier to digest than dry food. Many wet dog foods mimic a natural diet due to their high meat content. On top of this, many wet dog foods do not contain any or a lot of grain, making it much easier for your dog to ingest said food. 

 

Is It Okay For Dogs To Only Eat Wet Food?

 

Yes, it is perfectly safe for your dog to eat only wet food, especially since it is formulated to provide a complete, balanced diet. Still, it is always essential to consult your veterinarian before changing your animal’s diet. Also, make sure to invest time and research on how to switch from an all-kibble diet to an all-wet food diet. 

 

How Many Times A Day Should A Dog Eat Wet Food?

 

When feeding your dog, always check the guidelines before administering a specific amount of food daily. You must also determine your dog’s weight beforehand. 

However, to ensure your dog gets the full amount, you must feed it twice daily. Some dog owners may only be able to feed their dogs once a day. If that is the case, ensure that your dog eats all its food to prevent it from going to waste. 

For dogs who only eat a small amount of food, feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening is imperative. That way, you know the exact amount of food your dog is ingesting, and they are not overeating. 

 

Do Dogs Need Water If They Eat Wet Food?

 

It is imperative to ensure your dog has water, even if it has an all-wet diet. This will guarantee that your dog is getting enough hydration. However, suppose your dog is an extremely picky eater. 

In that case, you can incorporate more water into their food so they get enough hydration. This is because although wet dog food contains a lot of hydration, it is not enough to hydrate their entire bodies. 

One quick thing to note is that dogs eating an all-wet diet may not intake as much water as a dog eating all (or mostly) kibble. So, if this is the case for your dog, fear not, as this is normal behavior. 

 

Will Eating All Wet Food Make My Dog Fat?

 

Some people might be concerned that because wet dog food has a higher fat intake, it will cause your dog to become fat. On the contrary, it will not make your dog fat unless you give them low-quality wet dog food or provide them more than what their bodies can intake. Also, having wet dog food offers way fewer calories than dry kibble. 

Let us break down what we mean below:

 

• Giving low-quality food: These foods contain many fillers and fats, which can cause your dog to become overweight. 

 

• Giving your dog more than it can take: Too much food will make it obese. That is why it is essential to know how much to give your dog and base its diet on its body weight. 

 

Is Wet Dog Food Better For Older Dogs?

 

Older dogs need specific diets for many reasons, and having wet dog food is no exception. Wet dog food is innately better for them because it is easier to swallow and chew. On top of this, wet dog food has a strong aroma, so if your older dog has a hard time smelling things, they may be able to smell this food, encouraging them to go to it and eat it.  

Another perk wet food has with Senior dogs is that it is easier for them to digest. If your older dog is having difficulty eating as it is, then considering wet food might be the way to go. 

It is imperative to ensure that whatever is provided for them is made of high-quality ingredients. Make sure you choose the right wet food that also meets your dog’s specific needs.

 

Can A Puppy Eat Wet Dog Food?

 

Wet dog food is an excellent option for your puppy, especially if you are weaning them off their mother’s milk. If you eventually give your puppy dry food, the best option is to give them wet food first, then add some kibble at a time. However, this does not need to be considered if you provide your dog with an all-wet diet. 

Still, you must ensure that puppies receive food specifically formulated for them and in the proper amount. Because of their growing bodies, puppies generally have more feeding requirements than adults.

 

Can You Heat Up Wet Dog Food?

 

Yes, you can indeed heat wet dog food. However, it is essential to note that it should not be overheated if you provide your dog with this option. This means it should be lukewarm or slightly warm instead of making it extremely hot. 

On top of this, it is wise to stir the wet dog food well before feeding the food to your dog to avoid any hot spots it may have. Alternatively, you can allow the food to sit for a few minutes on the counter while occasionally stirring it to ensure there are no issues beforehand. 

It is also important to note that heating your dog’s food is unnecessary, so if you want to save yourself the trouble, simply do not do this. After all, your dog will not know the difference unless you heat it and show them in the first place.

 

Can You Mix Wet And Dry Dog Food?

 

You can mix wet and dry dog food. Many dog owners will provide multiple flavors and textures to add to your animal’s diet to ensure they are not receiving the same thing for the rest of their lives. Also, if you wish to save money and give your dog the benefits of wet food, you can do both. 

 

Myths And Truths About Dogs Eating Wet Dog Food

 

Some myths people believe are true when your dog eats wet dog food. Nevertheless, we are here to set anything that might confuse straight!

 

Myth 1: Too Much Wet Dog Food Causes More Poop

 

There is not enough evidence that supports wet dog food causes your dog to poop more. If your dog is still getting used to the food change, it might be causing them to poop more often while their stomachs still get used to said food. Other reasons your dog might be pooping more is because of a recent change or stressful situation your dog has recently gone through. 

 

Myth 2: Wet Dog Food Causes Runny Poop

 

This myth can be valid for a few reasons:

 

• Reason 1: The switch from kibble to wet food was extremely fast. This is because your dog has not had a chance to adapt to the new food. Like many things in life, switching to something should take time. Depending on how your dog’s body reacts to said food, we recommend taking 7 to 10 days to make the switch. 

 

• Reason 2: The wet food brand you invested in has many fillers, like corn. Make sure you invest in a brand that has bioavailable ingredients in them. 

 

• Reason 3: If your dog does not eat all their food relatively quickly, it might be left out for too long, causing it to become unhealthy over a few hours. Bacteria build-up can occur, bugs can go inside food, etc. 

 

• Reason 4: Sometimes, it might not be because of the wet food. More often than not, the diarrhea might be due to something unexplained, like stress, food poisoning, eating something harmful, a change of environment, or something else.  

Final Word

 

To summarize everything, wet dog food is an excellent choice for your dog for many reasons! We hope we have answered some of the questions you might have had. If you have more questions regarding dogs, specifically small ones, we recommend looking at our other articles for more information. We wish you the best in switching your dog’s diet for a better one!