When it comes to the question of whether dry or wet food is better for the dog, dog owners are often divided. Here you can read about the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of food and how to make the right decision.
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| FREEPIK |
There is always an eager discussion among dog owners whether wet food is not healthier, more species-appropriate, and better than dry food, or vice versa. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for the layman to know at first glance which feeding technique or even which brand is best for the individual dog. In principle, the rule is that the food is suitable as long as the quality is right, it is well tolerated by the dog and all the important nutrients are included. Food that meets the daily requirement of minerals and nutrients is called "complete feed". This can be both wet and dry food.
Production & composition of wet and dry feed
The wet feed has a residual moisture content of 75 to 80 percent. In contrast, water is removed from dry food during the manufacturing process to make it more durable, among other things. Dried food has a residual moisture content of only about three to eleven, a maximum of 14 percent.
Advantages and disadvantages of dry food for dogs
Dry food has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of dry food for dogs
Dry food has the following advantages over wet food:
- Cost: Because of its higher energy content, dogs need less dry food than wet food to meet their daily requirements for minerals and nutrients. Therefore, dry food is, by and large, less expensive.
- Shelf life and long shelf life: Due to the manufacturing process, dry food has a longer shelf life. By the way, dry food should be stored in a dry, cool place. Incorrect storage can lead to the formation of mold and food mites.
- The firm structure of dry food can encourage chewing and, depending on its consistency and size, can be used as a preventive against tartar formation.
- Especially finicky dogs who do not want to eat at a first go can be well supported with dry food. It can be left in the bowl for a longer period, allowing the dog to manage its ration.
- A part of the daily ration of dry food can also be taken along as a treat on the way.
Dry food is especially great for large, healthy dogs because the small volume of food puts less strain on the gastrointestinal tract. Dogs prone to gastric distress are often prescribed a particularly high-energy dry food, of which they only need a smaller amount of food.
Disadvantages of dry food for dogs
Dry food has the following disadvantages compared to wet food:
- Dogs also need to drink a lot, which can be a challenge for dogs that are lazy about drinking.
- Dry foods, unlike wet foods, tend to be less appealing to many a fussy dog, as they are often less palatable. But there are also dry foods that are given a tasty touch by the gentle drying process and higher fat content.
Unlike wet food, natural or synthetic preservatives and antioxidants must be added to dry food. The shelf life of the sensitive fats would otherwise be in danger. In addition, infestation with pests would proceed more easily
Advantages and disadvantages of wet food for dogs
Wet food has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of wet food for dogs
Wet food has the following advantages over dry food:
- The high moisture content makes wet food good for dogs that drink less.
- Wet food offers an advantage for senior dogs who can no longer chew as well.
- Picky dogs love the significantly higher protein content and appetizing meaty smell of wet food.
- Food mite allergy sufferers and dogs prone to constipation can be helped by switching to wet food.
Disadvantages of wet food for dogs
Wet food has the following disadvantages compared to dry food:
- Once in the bowl, it must be eaten quickly or it will dry out or flies will settle on the food. It cannot stay in the bowl for long, especially in summer.
- To meet the dog's daily energy needs, the pet owner must buy significantly more kilos of wet food than dry. For small dogs, feeding wet food is usually still financially affordable. For larger animals, feeding wet food exclusively can quickly become a burden on the wallet.
- Wet food usually generates more packaging waste than dry food, because you need more of it and the portions are packed in small bags or cans.
Digestibility of wet and dry food for dogs
An important seal of approval when it comes to food is digestibility. Because, of course, a dog should get along well with its food and not develop any digestive problems as a result. With your dog, you can check this by the frequency of defecation. In general, it can be said that dogs that are fed exclusively with wet food defecate more frequently, simply because of the higher water content of the food.
Time and time again, we hear that wet food is the worse choice because it can lead to bloating and soft feces. This is increasingly due to the gelling agent used in wet food, but cannot be generalized in this way.
If a dog with intestinal problems reacts to wet food, you can try to switch to dry food. Sometimes the amount of carbohydrates in dry food is also higher than in wet food or the type of protein differs from the conventional product. As a result, dry food is better tolerated by some dogs, but in principle, this does not have to say anything about the quality of the wet food. For dogs prone to constipation, however, wet food is the better choice.