While consumers are getting a lot more conscious about making sure their dogs’ diets meet all of their nutritional needs, the popularity of wet and tinned dog food hasn’t declined. In fact, more pet owners are buying wet dog food than before.
So why do people love wet dog food so much? What different options are available and what does it typically cost to feed a wet food diet?
Let’s find out!
Why wet dog food is popular
There is a wide range of good-quality wet dog foods, such as Symply, Forthglade, Natures Menu, Lily’s Kitchen and Butchers, that ensure your dogs can meet all of their nutritional requirements.
Available in tins, cartons and trays, it’s an easy to feed, tasty and versatile option.
Historically, it was believed that feeding a wet food diet led to a higher risk of tooth decay. However, that hasn’t really stood up to any scrutiny and is thought to be little more than a myth.
However, what is provable is that quality wet dog food has a higher moisture content than both raw food and dry kibble, meaning that keeping your dog hydrated is much easier.
There is a wide range of different wet food formulas to suit the needs of different dogs with different nutritional needs. However, in general, wet food typically has as much protein as quality dry kibble, but with fewer carbs, which can make it a better choice for small dogs, fussy dogs, those with gluten sensitivities, and overweight dogs.
Another benefit of wet dog food is that, compared to raw food, it’s much easier to store and keeps for a longer time, as well as being easier to transport.
Important things to consider
Wet food is much softer than a dried kibble, so it can be a much better option for dogs with missing teeth, poorly aligned jaws or smaller mouths.
But, aside from the practical benefits, the nutritional benefits of a wet food diet will largely depend on what type of food you’re choosing and for what dog. There are many different kinds of formulas, which can include organic foods, grain-free goods, lite ranges, foods with specific animal proteins, foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs and so on.
Forthglade alone, there are ranges that include grain-free puppy foods, foods with turkey and vegetables, foods for adult dogs, foods for senior dogs, a small dog range, wheat-free foods, and much more.
Wet food contains less protein by volume, which does mean that the portion sizes will be much larger than when compared to a kibble for example. The increase in food volume can therefore have in impact on the stool size. It is not uncommon for wet fed dogs to either poo more often or do bigger poos when they do go.
If you are considering a wet diet for a puppy or a large breed dog, it is important to consider the following. Puppies generally require a much larger percentage of their overall bodyweight in food each day, while larger dogs have a proportionally stomach to smaller or standard sized dogs. In order to meet their nutritional requirements, you do need fairly substantial portion sizes of wet food and, as a result, sometimes, these dogs will feel full before their nutritional needs are met. If you have any concerns as to whether this may be the case, we recommend that you speak with your vet.
Price ranges
Having a healthy and happy pet is of course your number one priority. However, there’s no denying that price matters as well.
So, how much can you expect to spend on wet dog food?
The answer, naturally, depends largely on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to invest in quality. It also depends on the size and age of your dog.
- From Butchers, a Traditional Recipe 12 pack (150g servings) costs £7.49
- From Forthglade, their average pack costs £1.30 for 395g
- Symply’s standard 395g tray costs approximately £1.75
- While a 400g tin of Lily’s Kitchen costs £2.65
As with everything, there are cheaper and more expensive alternatives. However, when you compare the kinds of ingredients and the nutritional quality, the difference in price is easily explained. So while we all want to make sure we get a cost-effective meal for our dogs, consideration also needs to be given to the nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy.
If you need a specific food for a particular dietary need; such as renal care for example, you may also pay a little more. Foods for senior dogs, for puppies, and for those with sensitive stomachs are also likely to carry a premium as they have to go the extra mile to make sure the meals meet any additional dietary needs.
Should you put your dog on a wet dog food diet?
Tinned or wet dog food remains a good option for a wide variety of dogs at different life stages and with different health considerations. There are number of great benefits to choosing a wet dog food diet for your pet; it’s not surprising that it is one of the more popular choices in the UK.
If you’d like to discuss your dog’s diet and what foods may be suitable, why not pop in store and have a chat with one of our helpful members of staff. Or find out more here. We’re always on hand and happy to help.