Best Pet Food Types – Wet vs. Dry

You can walk right into a pet store and find yourself realizing there’s no lack of options. Bags of kibble find their way onto the shelf beside cans, trays and pouches that are all advertised as ideal for your dog or cat. So, how do you decide?

The reality is, there is no best option for every single pet by default. Both wet and dry food are fine as a balance in the feeding regime. The nutritional quality of the food, your pet's individual needs and what is realistic for you are far more important.

Let’s break down the differences so you can make the choice with a little more confidence.

What’s the Main Difference?

The most obvious difference is moisture.

Commonly known as kibble, dry food tends to have very little water and is prepared for ease of storage and serving. Wet food contains a much higher percentage of water, making it softer and providing a good option for those pets that prefer foods that are more moist.

But the nutritional value is not just dependent on food being wet or dry. Instead of evaluating a food just by its format, always look at the complete nutritional information and feeding guidance.

Wet Food: Where It Can Fit

Wet food is just more appealing to some dogs. Its more pungent odor and softer nature can add excitement to the mealtime for especially selective eaters.

The high water content also adds to a pet's total daily fluid intake. This could be a good option for pets that don’t drink well by themselves.

However, there are some practical things to remember. After opening, wet food usually requires refrigeration and should be used according to the directions of the manufacturer. It's often more messy to dish up and the price per serve may also be higher, depending on the product.

Portion sizes matter, too. Wet and dry foods are also very different when it comes to moisture content and calorie density, which means that it can be misleading to try to compare them by volume.

Dry Food: Why Do Many Pet Parents Feed it

The one great advantage of Dry food is convenience.

But it is easy to measure, store, transport and serve. For a household with multiple animals, that can take one of the tasks of keeping up a regular pet feeding routine just much easier. In addition, it also has a longer refrigerator life than opened.

Kibble is also suitable for food puzzles and portion-controlled feeding! While some pets benefit from the texture and crunch, don't be fooled into thinking rub-of-it-on an ordinary dry food equals proper dental care.

When looking at different options, detailed on our pet food collection, this is a great place to browse products built for daily feeding.

Which One Is More Nutritious?

Now this is where things can get a little tricky.

Just because wet food has a higher moisture content doesn’t mean it is necessarily healthier, nor does the fact that dry food could contain concentrated nutrients make it automatically better. Ultimately, the right comparison depends on the particular formula.

Review the ingredient details, any nutritional adequacy statement if required, feeding instructions and any specific dietary advice your veterinarian has given.

Depending on your pet's size, activity level and health needs — all can affect what makes the most sense.

Rather than asking which format wins, ask a more useful question: Does this particular food provide appropriate nutrition for my pet?

What About Picky Eaters?

Some pets really could care less what is in their bowl. Others will scrutinize it like a restaurant critic.

Wet food may be a better choice because of its odor and texture especially if your pet constantly refuses dry food. Other pets can be quite picky, prefering kibble, and might eat it once a day with joy.

Or you could get creative and mix the two, as long as the foods are suitable for your pet and portions have been modified accordingly. Over time this will simply be overfeeding, because the wet food needs to be taken off of a full serving of kibble.

If you have the sorts of dogs which require an extra dietary resource away from their conventional dishes, do they really want a supplement? Is A Dog Multivitamin Something Your Dog Really Needs? Our Guide explains what to think about before adding one to a dog’s routine.

Wet or Dry Food for Different Life Stages

As your pet ages their requirements may vary, so the food that you choose to give them at various stages in life will also need to change.

Puppies and kittens

Growing pets need food formulated for their developmental stage. Feeding guidance should be based on their age, size, and expected growth.

Adult Pet

A complete adult formula can be your base for normal feedings. Portioning depends on a few factors, mainly activity level and body condition.

Senior pets 

Older dogs and cats may have special nutritional or dietary needs. Talk to your vet about the best food for senior pets if your back-in-paw seems unwell or if there is a noticeable change in appetite, weight and behaviour.

The goal is to match the formula to the pet, not simply choose wet or dry based on age alone.

Can You Mix Wet and Dry Food?

Yes, many pet parents combine them.

With a mixed feeding plan, you get to enjoy the convenience of kibble mixed in with the texture and moisture-boosting benefits of wet food. At the same time, it may also offer variety to pets that like new textures.

If your pet has a sensitive stomach, make gradual changes. Some animals may get an upset stomach when their food is changed abruptly.

Things to Check Before Buying

Ahead of throwing a brand new bag, can or pouch into your cart, have a look:

• Is it formulated for your pet’s specific species?
• And is this appropriate for their stage in life?
• Does it make up for a complete and balanced diet where necessary?
• Are the feeding instructions clear?
• Does the format fit your pet?
• Will you be able to keep it safe once open?
• Ingredient analysis:Does the serving size fit your pet calorie requirements for the day?
• Recommended dietary requirements by your veterinarian

If your pet suffers from allergies, chronic digestive problems, kidney disease, urinary problems or another diagnosed condition be sure to check with your veterinarian before making a major dietary change.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Perhaps the simplest one of these mistakes is oftentimes overfeeding. Even when feeding an appropriate main food, additional calories may come from treats and toppers, table scraps, and supplements.

Another common mistake is changing foods very quickly. This gradual transition can help some pets adjust to the change if you are switching from one formula to another.

Lastly, do not go by marketing claims or packaging alone when choosing food – Examine the actual greatest nutritional info as well as nourishing directions.

FAQs

Wet food vs dry food, which is better?

Neither is universally better. Both can be appropriate as long the food is nutritionally adequate for your pet and given in an appropriate amount.

Is my pet allowed to eat wet and dry food?

Some pets do well eating both. Just ensure total serving sizes are adjusted so you aren’t unintentionally overfeeding.

Is wet food good for hydration?

As wet food is much higher in moisture than dry food, they can help to contribute to the overall water intake for your pet. There should still be available fresh drinking water.

Does kibble clean my pets teeth?

Kibble is not a substitute for appropriate dental care. Brushing teeth, using dental products and getting your pet seen by a vet when recommended is still useful.

How do I know which food is right for my pet?

Begin with the species, life stage, nutritional needs and feeding requirements of your furry friend. Your veterinarian will help you select the proper formula if your pet has medical condition or special dietary requirements.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to pick between wet or dry food 100% of the time. There may be one that suits your pet's needs and your lifestyle better than the other or a blend works great for another family.

To find more daily pet-care alternatives and information, try Petlary, and explore products designed to fit naturally into your pet’s routine.