Wet Food vs Dry Food - Which is Better for my Pet

Wherever you live in the world as a pet owner, you will likely have considered the wet food vs dry food debate. But which really is best? If you review the facts in our article, you’ll see that there are various benefits to both. Read on to learn more about the relative merits of the different kind of pet foods either wet or dry.

wet food vs dry food for pets — It can be hard to decide on whether you choose wet food vs dry food for your pets, when you are a pet owner

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Wet Food vs Dry Food – Which is Better for My Pet

Pet food comes in many forms, often it generates a lively debate about wet food vs dry food. However, the majority of pet foods can be categorised into one of two categories: ‘wet food’ or ‘dry food’. Some cat and dog owners choose to feed their pets dry food simply because it is cheaper and has a longer expiry date. Other pet owners prefer to buy wet food because it is more filling and can help hydrate pets. But which option is truly healthier? This post compares the differences between both types of food.

Which has more protein?

Dogs and cats both need a lot of protein in their diet. Both dry foods and wet foods contain protein. However, wet food tends to have higher levels due to containing actual meat or fish.

Pet food labels can be misleading: while your average dry dog food claims to be 20% protein, wet dog food cans often claim to only be 9% protein. But this is only because wet food contains more water. If you eliminate the water content and compare the protein percentage of the solid matter, you’ll find that wet food is more protein-dense.

Which is better for my pet’s teeth – Wet Food vs Dry Food?

A major benefit of dry food is that it’s better for your pet’s teeth. Kibble has the same function as a toothbrush – as your dog or cat eats it, it helps remove plaque and tartar from their teeth. Wet food is more likely to get stuck in teeth and stain teeth. As a result, a diet of mostly dry food could lower your pet’s risk of dental issues.

For pets that already have dental issues, wet food may however be a better option, simply because it’s less likely to cause pain and discomfort while they’re eating it.

Which is better for sick and older pets?

persian cat — Mature pets can become sensitive to various foods – it’s worth weighing up the benefits of wet food vs dry foods for them

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Wet food is sometimes recommended to older and sick pets because of its higher moisture content, which could help to keep your pet hydrated. It is also more filling, and therefore better suited to pets with thyroid issues causing constant hunger. If your cat or dog is experiencing a reduced sense of smell or taste, they may also prefer wet food to dry food as it has a stronger flavor and aroma.

That said, the stronger smell and taste may also be off-putting to ill cats and dogs experiencing nausea: dry food may be a better option in these cases.

What do vets recommend?

A lot of pet owners put their trust in vets, and as a result many pet owners gravitate towards pet foods that claim to be ‘recommended by vets’. This is something you may see a lot on certain dry foods – particularly certain brands aimed at cats. Why do vets recommend dry food for cats? Sadly, it may be nothing more than good marketing towards vet clinics by dry food companies. Therefore you should take the ‘recommended by vets’ badge of approval with a pinch of salt.

It is often better to trust pet nutritionists and read their reviews online. These give you a good idea as to what’s really inside your pet’s food. Some nutritionists do recommend certain brands of dry food, but a lot of them also equally recommend certain brands of wet food. Therefore, there’s no real scientific general consensus as to whether wet food or dry food is better.

Which does my pet prefer?

Ultimately, what you feed your pet comes down to what they are willing to eat. A lot of fussy dogs and cats refuse to eat dry food unless starved. This is likely because the taste and smell of wet food is stronger, and so makes these foods more attractive.

It is rarer that pets reject wet food and only eat dry food. But there are instances of this happening, and in these cases there is no point in trying to force your pet to consume wet food.

The Verdict on Wet Food vs Dry Food: consider a mixture

So what do we think is the best when considering wet food vs dry food?

While it may be a diplomatic answer, the evidence seems to suggest that dry food and wet food are as good as each other – providing that you choose the right brands. Therefore, you can solely feed your pet either one. However, feeding your pet a mixture of wet food and dry food is likely to be the best solution, as it allows your pet to enjoy the health benefits of both foods.

Just make sure to read reviews of pet foods before you buy them to see if they are recommended by nutritionists (not vets). This can help you to choose the healthiest brands for your pet.