Whether you’re currently on the hunt trying to find lab puppies for sale or have adopted the perfect dog from your local shelter, you need to know how to feed your dog correctly. Dogs need a healthy diet just like people do, and the kind of food they eat will impact their well-being.
Some pet parents will stand by feeding their dogs wet food, while others advocate for the opposite. Even more dog owners even combine the two types. So what’s the best way to feed your dog: wet or dry food?
Wet food
Dog owners and their pets love wet food, but it tends to be more expensive than dry food. What makes wet dog food so special? What are the disadvantages of using it?
Wet food advantages
Wet food is generally a good choice for dogs with certain health conditions. It tends to have a higher protein content than dry dog foods, which is vital for young and active dogs.
Wet food, of course, has more moisture than dry food, which makes it a good choice for dogs that need that extra hydration. Also, if your dog needs to lose weight, the extra moisture easily tricks them into believing their meals are bigger than they are.
Wet food is also much easier for older dogs to eat if they have sensitive or missing teeth.
Wet food disadvantages
Once you open a cat of wet dog food, its shelf life is limited. You typically need to refrigerate them after opening, and they only last about a day once opened.
And while wet food is easier on dogs’ sensitive teeth, it can also make your dog’s teeth more susceptible to tooth decay in the long run. So you must be on top of your dog’s dental health if you decide to feed it wet food exclusively.
Dry food
Dry dog food is far more convenient for many dog owners, and dogs enjoy it plenty. So what are the pros and cons of feeding your dog dry food?
Dry food advantages
Dry kibble is much more affordable at the pet store and easier to portion out properly. In addition, it’s easy to store at home and on the go and has a longer shelf life. And since dry kibble massages your dog’s gums, it can help prevent tooth and gum problems down the line.
Dry food is easier to leave out for your dog if you can’t feed them several times a day. You can fill their bowl with a day’s worth of food or fill a slow-feeder without worrying about the kibble going bad.
Dry food disadvantages
Dry kibble has a lower fat and protein content than wet food, which isn’t ideal for young and active dogs. The lower nutritional content means that the food is more affordable, but your dog may not be getting the nutrients it needs.
Your dog might have difficulty chewing the hard kibble bits if it struggles with dental issues.
Wrap up
It can be challenging to find the best dog food for your pet. Unless your dog has specific dietary needs, giving it a healthy mix of both is good, especially as it grows.