As a pet parent, the different dog food options to choose from can be overwhelming. Between different brands, styles, and dietary needs, it can feel almost impossible to narrow down and identify the best food option for your furry friend.
One of the biggest questions we are asked about doggy nutrition is, which is unsurprisingly, one of the hardest ones to answer—wet or dry dog food? Both wet and dry dog foods are viable options depending on a variety of factors. There are a wide variety of considerations to take into account when making the decision between wet vs. dry dog food.
The Benefits of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food is a solid, crunchy option sometimes made through a process where ingredients are mixed, cooked, shaped into kibble, and dried. There are a few different ways that dog food companies dry their dog food – many will extrude their kibble at high heat and pressure. Bil-Jac, on the other hand, perfectly prepares their food in small batches, slowly cooking their ingredients at controlled temperatures to help protect the key nutrients dogs need for a complete and balanced diet.
Regardless of the method, dry dog food offers a few noteworthy perks for your favorite furry friend.
Dry dog food is easy and convenient
One great part about dry dog food is that it’s convenient to have on hand and won’t spoil for a long time when properly stored. Whether you keep it in the bag or a separate container, dry dog food is easy to buy and store. The ability to scoop out individual servings based on your dog’s weight also makes it easy to properly portion out food according to the bag’s directions.
Dry dog food is budget-friendly
Compared to some wet dog food options, dry food offers more servings per bag, which means you get more bang for your buck. Not only that, but its longer shelf life reduces the risk of having to toss spoiled food.
Dry dog food is a good option for grazers
Another advantage of dry dog food vs. wet dog food is that dry dog food is still okay to eat even after it sits out in a food bowl for a while. Dogs have different eating behaviors, so for dogs that are prone to eating small amounts throughout the day, dry dog food will provide them with a more accommodating source of nutrition. That’s a big plus if your precious pooch is prone to not finishing their food all at once.
Dry Dog Food Considerations
Dry dog lacks moisture content
Unlike wet dog food, dry dog food has a significantly lower moisture content. This isn’t a problem so long as you can ensure your dog drinks enough water to stay properly hydrated.
Dry dog food may not be as palatable
Some furry friends may not find dry food as appealing as wet food, which can be an issue if you have a picky eater. Luckily, Bil-Jac makes a dry dog food specifically for even the pickiest of pooches.
Key Takeaway for Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food may be the best option for your dog if you’re looking for a convenient, shelf-stable option that is cost-effective and will enable them to graze when they feel like it.
The Benefits of Wet Dog Food
While dry dog food has its benefits, wet dog food also has a few distinct advantages worth taking into consideration. While wet food is also generally referred to as canned dog food, these tasty meals can come in all sorts of refrigerated or shelf-safe containers. No matter the packaging, wet food is going to retain enough moisture to offer some benefits that dry food doesn’t.
Wet dog food offers extra hydration
As you may expect, wet dog food is going to have higher water content than the dry food. This added water will help hydrate your best friend, which is valuable during dry, hot climates, or if your dog tends to not drink enough water on occasion. As such, wet dog food can serve as an additional source of water to keep your buddy healthy.
Wet dog food provides a sense of fullness
If your dog is struggling with weight issues, wet dog food may be the right option for you. Wet dog food can help your dog feel full sooner than dry dog food because of its higher moisture content. This wet dog food benefit means that you can potentially use it to assist with weight management if your best friend is driven by the need to feed.
Wet food has an irresistible smell
While quality dry dog food can smell great to the average dog, some canine companions need something a little stronger to get their taste buds tingling. A dog’s sense of smell can weaken over time, which may stop them from being quite as interested in their food. A freshly opened container of wet dog food vs. dry dog food will typically have a more intense scent, making it an enticing treat for any precious pooches with weaker senses of smell.
Wet Dog Food Considerations
Wet dog food may cost more
Depending on what brand you get, wet dog food can sometimes be more expensive per serving than dry food, which is important to keep in mind if you’re on a budget or have multiple four-legged friends.
Wet dog food isn’t as easy to store
Unlike opening a big bag of dry dog food that’ll last you a month, you’ll need to store open cans of wet dog food in the refrigerator and use them within a few days. This can be less convenient and potentially lead to food waste if your pup is a slow eater.
Key Takeaway for Wet Dog Food
Wet dog food is a great option for pet parents that have a picky eater or a particular pooch who needs a little more convincing at mealtime. Wet dog food can help address concerns like hydration, weight management, and lack of appetite.
Should I Feed My Wet or Dry Dog Food?
It all depends on your best friend. Every dog is different, so there are a few different factors to consider when determining whether wet vs. dry dog food is better for your furry friend.
Size
The size of your dog can dictate not only how much they eat, but also how easy it is for them to eat certain types of food. Smaller mouths may need a smaller kibble or a wet dog food. Meanwhile, dry food may be more feasible for dogs who need larger meals to support their dietary needs.
Age
As your dog gets older, they may need softer meals to make it easier to chew. Some dry foods, like Bil-Jac Senior dog food formulas, are made to be easy-to-chew options. In addition, dry dog food may be better if your furry friend needs to maintain a healthy weight in their later years.
Preference
Your dog should love what they eat. Some dogs may show a preference for wet or dry dog food, while others may not care. You may also have a picky eater who needs something really delicious to pique their interest such as Bil-Jac Picky No More Dry Food or Pate Platters Wet Food.
Overall Key Takeaway
Make sure to consider your dog’s size, age, and food preferences before committing to a specific type of dog food.
Keep Your Furry Friend’s Tail Wagging for More
While some people may choose between dry and wet dog food, there’s also another solution – Why not use both? Some pet parents alternate dry and wet foods for different meals, while others may top a bowl of dry food with a delicious wet food like one of our Bil-Jac Chunky Stews. Using both types of dog food can help your furry friend get the best of both worlds.
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