Wet vs. Dry Dog Food: Which is Best for My Dog?

It goes without saying that a dog’s diet is absolutely central to its overall health. Just like us, our dogs need a combination of exercise and good-quality nutrition if they’re going to live a long and healthy life. 

But sometimes the landscape of dog food can feel overwhelming and confusing, with dozens of brands competing for your attention and offering an array of flavors and shapes. 

One area with which you might need help is the form of food you give your dog at mealtimes. “Should I feed my dog wet or dry food?”, you might be wondering. It’s a great question: is wet or dry food better for dogs? Don’t worry - other pet parents all over the world have wondered exactly the same thing. And we’re here to give you some answers!

To help you make the right choice for your dog, we'll explore the pros and cons of wet food and dry dog food, plus advise you on what you need to consider before committing to one type of food.

The short answer: A mix of wet food and dry kibble is usually best — it tastes great and helps keep your dog's teeth clean!

Really, the answer to the question ‘Wet or dry dog food?’ depends on your pup’s specific dietary needs, preferences, and other factors. Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS, one of Wag!'s veterinary consultants, also has some advice on choosing the right dog food:

Still not sure how to choose the right type of food for your dog? Here are a few things to consider when it’s a toss-up between wet and dry dog food.

Your dog's age

Your pup’s life stage will determine whether wet or dry dog food is best for them. For example, young puppies who are teething may prefer wet food to dry kibble because it’s easier on their teeth.

Be sure to choose a food that's appropriate for your dog's age — check the packaging to ensure the food meets AAFCO's nutrient profiles for growth (puppies), maintenance (adults), or all life stages.

Your dog's weight

Does your dog need to lose a little weight? That’s OK. If it does, you might want to feed it more kibble than wet food. Why? Because wet food tends to be higher in fat, which could contribute to unwelcome weight gain. Conversely, of course, if you’re worried that your pup is too thin, wet dog food might be the way to go. (Do make sure you’re addressing any serious weight concerns with a vet though.)

If your dog does need to get down to a healthier weight, read our guide to the best dog food for weight management here.

Related: Best Dog Food for Weight Management

Your dog's size

Smaller breeds like Pomeranians have tinier teeth than big dog breeds, so they'll need a food that's formulated especially for them. Look for food brands that offer products made especially for small breeds — a few examples include Wag!-recommended Halo, Open Farm, and Merrick.

Your dog's activity level

High-energy breeds, working dogs, and canine athletes have special nutritional needs. Typically, because they’re likely to have a faster metabolism than the average dog, they'll be in particular need of a diet that's rich in protein from high-quality meat sources. Be sure to look for added supplements and probiotics to keep your pup as healthy as possible.

Your dog's dental health

The state of your dog's teeth will also affect whether wet, dry, or a combination of wet and dry dog food is best for your furry friend. Senior dogs with tooth pain or dental disease will likely prefer wet food to dry. That said, dry food also helps remove plaque and tartar from your dog's teeth.

It may be a good idea to feed your pup a mix of mostly wet food with a small amount of kibble — the wet food can soften the dry food, making it easier to eat. If it's still not soft enough, consider sprinkling some water on the kibble before feeding. More water in your dog’s system is never a bad thing.

Your dog's overall health history

A high-quality diet is essential for keeping your pup in tip-top shape. Consider your dog's current health status along with their medical history when choosing a food. For example, dogs with chronic illnesses like kidney disease may benefit from a prescription diet that includes both wet and dry options, like Farmina VetLife.

If your dog has a history of low appetite, wet dog food — or a combination of wet and dry, as we’ll explore later — may be the holy grail.

Allergies or sensitivities

If your dog is allergic to popular protein sources or sensitive to certain ingredients like grain, finding the right food can be a lot trickier. However, the dog food industry is now extremely good at catering to these particular requirements. You'll find a range of limited-ingredient wet and dry foods with novel protein sources on the market. Dogs with sensitivities also tend to be picky eaters, and wet dog food tends to be more palatable..

Your dog's eating habits

When you’re asking ‘Wet or dry dog food?’, one question you need to step back and ask yourself is: does your dog finish all of their food in one sitting, or do they spend the whole day coming back to their bowl to nibble their kibble? If it’s the latter, a high-quality dry food may be the right choice. This is because dry kibble can stay fresh in the bowl all day, but wet dog food can't be left out longer than about two hours.

Your budget

Money might be one of the things you’re most concerned about. Looking after a dog is expensive, and pet parents can end up feeling guilty for trying to cut costs. We’re here to help. Some options are absolutely fine for your dog’s health, even if they’re a little bit cheaper.

If a combination of wet and dry dog food is out of your budget, try adding a food topper to your pup's dry kibble instead. Food toppers are super-tasty, packed with nutritious ingredients, and typically cheaper than most wet foods.

Availability of your dog's favorite food

Before you commit to a food, shop around at big-box pet stores or online retailers to ensure availability in your area. While low-quality food brands are available pretty much everywhere, high-quality foods tend to be harder to find.

Shelf life

Both wet and dry food tends to have a long shelf life — anywhere from 12 to 18 months on average. If you're purchasing wet food in large cans, you may need to refrigerate any remaining portions, which will reduce the shelf life significantly.

Thinking about an all-dry dog food diet? Dogs lived on just dry dog food for a long time, when it was the only variety of commercially available dog food out there, so a pup living on just dry food should be absolutely fine. But, here you can check out the pros and cons to make the best decision for your pup.

Pros of dry dog food

• Super convenient to find and feed
  
• Longer shelf life than wet food
• Typically cheaper than wet food
• Can be used in puzzle toys for mental stimulation
  
• Easy to store
• Helps clean your dog's teeth
  

Cons of dry dog food

• Low in moisture content
• Not as palatable as wet food
• Less aromatic than wet food
• May not entice picky eaters
• More likely than wet food to contain fillers and low-quality ingredients
  
• Typically contains more preservatives than wet food
• Dry food cooked at high temps may have less nutritional value
• Free-feeding dry food can lead to weight gain

Most pups go dog wild for wet food — but is it the right choice for your dog? Peep our pros and cons list to find out!

Pros of wet food

• Tastier than dry food
  
• Typically contains higher quality ingredients than dry food
  
• High moisture content keeps your pup hydrated
• Usually lower in carbs and fillers than dry food
  
• More likely to appeal to picky eaters
• Suitable for teething puppies and dogs with dental problems
  

Cons of wet food

• Typically more expensive than dry food
• Feeding wet food exclusively can harm your dog's dental health
• Leftover portions need to be refrigerated, which means a shorter shelf life

Thinking about giving your dog a double dose of nutritious goodness with both wet and dry dog food? We don’t blame you at all. This is what numerous pet parents choose to do, and with good reason. Here's a quick look at the pros and cons:

Pros of feeding both wet and dry dog food

• Helps protect your dog's teeth
• Maximum flavor and nutritional value
  
• Adds texture and variety to your pup's meals, which can appeal to picky eaters
• You should be able to tailor your dog’s meals more easily to its precise dietary requirements

Cons of feeding both wet and dry food

• More expensive than feeding one type of dog food exclusively
• More time-consuming
• Because wet food spoils more quickly, a combination of wet and dry dog food may create complications in terms of how to long to leave the food out
• Can be difficult to know exactly how much of each food to feed
• A combination approach can lead to weight gain

We've covered this topic in depth in our guide to how quickly dogs adapt to new food, but we'll recap some of the most important tips below!

• Avoid switching 100% of your dog's food in a single meal — this can cause upset stomach and other digestive issues.
• Over a period of 7 days, gradually mix more of the new food with the old food until your dog is fully adjusted.
• Monitor your dog for signs of allergic reactions, stomach upset, and other problems.
• After a few months on the new diet, assess your dog's skin and coat health to determine whether the new diet is working.