Are you in a constant debate with yourself on what kind of food is the best for your dog? Are you constantly switching from dry kibble to wet, canned food? Well, today the topic we’re dissecting is just that, dry kibble vs canned dog food.
Stick throughout the whole article to find out the difference between these two foods.
Dry Dog Food VS Wet Dog Food, What Is The Difference?
My dog loves her dry kibble. She enjoys every last bit of it on daily basis and would totally choose kibble over any other type of food. I can’t say the same thing about the canned food though. One smell of the wet food and she’s out.
And it’s not that she’s a picky eater, I’ve noticed that with many of my friend’s dogs. Why is this? Is it because dry kibble is crunchy and dogs love to crunch with their teeth? What is the actual difference? Let’s see.
Dry Dog Food
Dry food aka kibble is mostly made from meats, cereals, veggies, vitamins, and minerals. The process of making dry food is called extruding. This process is also used in making human food like pasta, breakfast cereal, and even chewing gum.
The first part of making dry kibble is gathering and grinding all the ingredients and making a big, mushy dough out of them. The second part is the extruding of the ingredients by a machine called an expander(hot water machine that cooks the ingredients) and there it’s off to cutting the kibble with special knives made for that purpose. [Source]
The next part is drying and baking the kibble so it has that crunchy kibble taste that I’m sure that your dog just adores. The last part is coating the kibble with extra flavors, minerals, and vitamins for more nutrition.
Pros Of Dry Food For Dogs
- Dry dog food helps with your dog’s dental health. I would warmly recommend making kibble a regular part of your dog’s life. It’s one of the best food options along with raw diets that also have great dental benefits.
- Kibble has all the nutritional requirements for a healthy diet and has lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein sources that are amazing for balanced nutrition.
- Dry food has a long shelf life so you don’t have to worry about giving your dog spoiled food.
Cons Of Dry Food For Dogs
- Your dog’s kibble might consist of highly processed ingredients so pick your food brands wisely.
- It can cause stomach pains or constipation so control your dog’s dry food intake.
- Kibble may contain artificial colors and other chemicals that are bad not just for dogs but for humans as well.
[Related Article: The 13 Best Human Food For Your Lovely Dog You Must Know!!]
Wet Dog Food
I may come off a little opinionated on this topic, and it’s maybe on a more personal note but I am going to try to be less biased on this one. Wet dog food can either be canned or can come in pouches and trays.
Either way, it’s made the same, from meat(or something legally called meat but it’s actually the waste of the meat), or fish. Sometimes the manufacturers add in some veggies, grains, or cereals in the food but it’s still like 90% meat.
The meat arrives in a fresh or frozen state in the factory and then it’s finely minced/chopped and then mixed with other ingredients like vitamins, minerals, fruits, veggies, cereal, and grains.
The next part is packaging the wet food, sealing it shut, and lastly, cooking it. The food is cooked under a controlled temperature so it can have a long shelf life.[Source]
Pros of Wet Food For Dogs
- Wet food is lower in carbohydrates and much higher in protein and fats. Carbohydrates are promoters of weight gaining and it’s a major benefit that your dog stays at a healthy weight.[Source]
- It can help maintain hydration because there is actually water in it.
- The obvious pro is the chewing part. If you have a dog with dental issues and they can’t chew hard food, then this is the solution for you. Wet food is much, much softer than kibble.
Cons Of Wet Food For Dogs
- Allowing your dog to eat only wet food can lead to some tartar buildup in your dog’s teeth, especially if you don’t brush their teeth often.
- Unlike the dry kibble that can cause constipation, too much wet food can cause diarrhea or throw up.
- It’s far more expensive than kibble so if you’re on a budget, you might wanna stick to your kibble and occasionally treat your pup with wet food.
[Related Article: How Is Dog Food Made(Dry vs Wet Food)]
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Feed My Dog Wet And Dry Food
Yes. You can mix up a tad of wet food in your dog’s kibble to moisten it up a little bit. Plus, your dog will enjoy its food more this way.
Is Wet Food Healthier Than Dry Food
Both wet and dry food have their pros and cons, and there is no actual proof that wet food is better. There is a big debate amongst professionals on which one is healthier amongst those two.
Is It Okay To Feed Dog Wet Food Only
You can put your dog on a wet food-only diet with no problem, especially if your dog is not drinking enough water or has some urinary issues. However, feeding your dog wet food only can cause some tartar buildup in your dog’s teeth.
What Is The Easiest Meat For Dogs To Digest
Chicken all the way. If you want to make your stomach-sensitive dog some homemade cooked food, then just boil some chicken and add in some boiled rice and veggies. You can even add in some fresh food like blueberries or raw carrots.
What Is The Easiest Protein For Dogs To Digest
The easiest digestive protein for dogs is eggs. You can simply make scrambled eggs and mix them up with their meal or if your dog is on a raw diet just break a couple of raw eggs and let them enjoy.
