One of the questions we often get asked is, “Should I give my pet wet food or dry food?” and we’re here to settle that! This article will dive into the pros and cons of both dry food diets and wet food diets, helping you to determine once and for all which of the two your pet should be munching on! 

Keep in mind, not all wet foods and dry foods may provide your pet with the necessary nutrition they require. Always check the ingredients and nutritional value of the pet food you’re looking to purchase, to ensure that it is the healthiest option for your pet. Of course, at Pet Haus, we supply only the best high end pet food brands! 

Wet food Pros:

The Taste.

Wet food is undeniably tastier to our cats and dogs when compared to dry food. Especially the brands that come with gravy or those that contain real chunks of meat and vegetables. Cats and dogs are more drawn to foods that bring out their carnivore instincts, which is why wet food is more appealing to them, since it almost looks like actual meat. Wet food is much easier to chew, especially for older pets, and young puppies and kittens

The Options.

Wet food comes in varieties, for example, Applaws has a variety of cat and dog wet food for any picky eaters who prefer specific flavors. Some brands also offer wet food alternatives to their dry food flavors. For cats or dogs that have to be eating specific foods for health reasons, for maintenance, or those simply on breed specific diets, there are also wet food options available for them as well. It also caters to all pet life stages, offering food for puppies & kittens to even senior cats & dogs.

The Health Benefits. 

Wet food helps to maintain your pets hydration levels, as it is high in water content. Wet food also contains a much higher protein content than dry food normally would. High protein diets are very beneficial for your pet’s overall health. Wet food is also lower in carbohydrates, which helps reduce the risk of pet obesity. In fact, your pet actually may lose weight while on a wet food diet. Wet food is also less processed compared to dry food, and contains far fewer preservatives and additives. 

Wet food Cons:

The Convenience.

Wet food is a lot messier to serve up, as it tends to splatter or drip when opening a packet or can and pouring it into your pets bowl. Once opened, storage is limited, meaning you can only store it in your fridge, with proper covering, for two days at most before it becomes hard or stale. If your pet decides that they’re not hungry at the moment of serving their food, and they choose to ignore it, or only eat half of it, the food sitting out can start to smell bad, making for an unpleasant environment. Some picky eaters may even just lick up the sauce or gravy surrounding the meat, not getting enough nutrients. Wet food is also more expensive than dry food. Some brands cost more per can than compared to a large bag of dry pet food. 

The Environmental Impact.

The waste accumulated from wet food cans or plastic sachets tend to generate more pollution than a single bag of dry pet food. Especially since single packs of wet food are thrown out almost daily, creating much more waste. 

The Health Disadvantages. 

Wet food could potentially create a lot of tartar buildup on your pet's teeth, making them quite dirty and unhealthy, as a result, they will require more frequent cleaning and scaling from your local vet. You might even find that their teeth may need removal if they are too far damaged from being on an exclusively wet food diet. For older pets, they may need wet food as it’s easier for them to chew, however, the higher protein content in wet food may be damaging to their kidneys. If not given in moderation, wet food also contains a higher fat content, which can create further health risks for pets who suffer from pancreatic issues. BPA (Bisphenol A) is also found in canned food, and can negatively affect your pet’s health. Wet food may also loosen your pet's stool, if you notice that it’s too loose it may be the indication of an underlying health issue. 

Dry Food Pros:

The Convenience.

Dry food is much cheaper per bag than wet food of the same amount would be. Dry food brands like Arden Grange, Happy Cat & Happy Dog are all high quality dry food brands available at reasonable prices, which makes it more convenient to buy in bulk. Storing dry food is a lot easier compared to wet food since it does not require refrigeration, and large quantities can be stored in large food containers. Dry food is also less messy when it comes to being served or consumed by your pet. Dry food does not splatter or solidify on a surface, making it much easier to clean up. Dry food has a much longer shelf life compared to some wet food brands, and is less likely to go stale if stored correctly. It is also more widely available and easier to find in pet shops. 

The Options.

Dry food is available to all life stages. Brands like Royal Canin cater to your pets from even the youngest age, with their starter diets, which also cater to lactating mothers, all the way to senior cats and dogs with their aging diets, which are lower in protein to protect their kidneys and provide the necessary nutrients for your elder pets to thrive. Dry food also caters to maintenance diets and health diets, with even veterinary brands offering medicated versions of dry food. Dry food brands also cater to specific dietary requirements, such as single source protein, grain free and hypoallergenic. 

The Health Benefits.

Dry food is very beneficial for your pet’s dental health as chewing on dry food helps to fight off tartar or plaque. 

Additional Benefits

Slow feeders are more effective with dry food kibbles, which helps to combat weight gain and prevent bloat for dogs. Dry kibble can also double for training treats while training your dog to do commands or during walks. 

Dry Food Cons:

The Taste.

Dry food may not be as rich in flavor as wet food is when in comparison, which is why you’ll often find your cat or dog more likely to choose a bowl of wet food to devour rather than dry kibble. 

The Health Disadvantages.

Dry food tends to create a harder stool, but sometimes can lead to constipation for your pet. Some brands, such as Taste of The Wild, contain natural probiotics to help your dog’s digestive system. In order for dry food to last as long as it does, it contains preservatives, which could lead to allergic reactions or developments. Some dry food brands are also higher in carbohydrates, resulting in your pet gaining weight excessively, which then leads to pet obesity. 

Conclusion:

Health Benefits:

Between the two types of food, both have their benefits, but overall the healthier option would be wet food. Wet food is higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and has much less preservatives than dry food. 

Winner: Wet Food

Taste:

Comparing the two, there’s absolutely no denying that cats and dogs prefer wet food to taste, it is much more rich in flavor and easier for them to consume and digest.

Winner: Wet Food

Convenience:

Storage and price play a big role in convenience when it comes to choosing the type of food for your pet. Dry food is much easier to store, lasts longer, easier to clean and costs much less than wet food.

Winner: Dry Food

Options:

Both food types are not lacking in options. More often than not you’ll find a wet food counterpart to whichever dry food you’re feeding your cat or dogs, some brands, like Lily’s Kitchen, has a wider selection of wet food options compared to their dry food options, whereas brands like Arden Grange has more dry food options compared to their wet food diets.

Winner: Dry Food & Wet Food

Overall:

Though wet food definitely wins when it comes to advantages over dry food, the decision is purely up to you as a pet parent and which advantages you’d prefer. Always remember to consult your vet on what diet is best suited for your pet, and remember, if you can’t decide; you can always mix them! Dry food and wet food mixed together makes for a wonderfully tasty and nutritious meal for your little ones! Give it a try!