Wet food or dry food? The best choice for your dog

Complete feed: Everything your dog needs in one food

Whether you go for wet or dry dog food, make sure it is a complete feed. This means that the nutrients, minerals, vitamins and energy supply of this food are already attuned to each other and to the respective stage of your dog's life. Complete feeds are always labelled as such. 

If it is a supplementary food, then you will need to take care of the appropriate composition for a balanced diet. Some supplements can be fed in support of complete feeds. For others, however, it is advisable not to put 'too much of a good thing' in the bowl, as excess can lead to physical discomfort. If you are unsure about the composition of supplementary feed, seek the advice of your vet.

For dogs that need hypoallergenic food, there are both wet and dry food options. If your dog generally has a sensitive digestive system, it is important to test which form of feeding he can cope better with. Puppy food is also available as wet and dry food – with an adapted nutrient content and, in the case of dry food, also in the appropriate kibble size.

Wet food – feeding advantages and disadvantages

One advantage of feeding dogs wet food is the automatic fluid intake. If you have a pet that is lazy about drinking, wet food can help regulate the water balance. In any case, fresh water must always be available, even with wet food!

One disadvantage of wet food is its packaging. The cans need more space for storage than dry food and need to be kept in the fridge for a few days after opening. Good to know: Aluminium cans can be completely recycled!

Older dogs with dental problems appreciate senior food that is easy to chew. On the downside, wet food offers no natural tooth wear, thus encouraging tartar build-up. 

Also good to know: Picky dogs often prefer wet food as it smells stronger than dry food. It is also often the better choice for dogs that are prone to obesity, as the energy concentration in dry food is often too high for them. 

Dry food – feeding advantages and disadvantages

Dry food is particularly practical: It is easy to store and take with you, is easy to portion, and can be used as dog treats during training.

But what is important to know is that dry food for dogs draws a lot of fluid from the dog's intestine, as digestion is the first point at which it can absorb liquid. To support your dog's water balance, it is advisable to soak the food in water 15 minutes before feeding. This also makes the food easier to digest. Even with this soaking step, your dog still needs to be given extra fresh water.  

You should also be careful if your furry friend has a tendency to be overweight, as the energy in dry food is more concentrated. Wet food may be the better choice here because it provides faster satiety due to its larger volume.

Dry food has a longer shelf life than wet food, usually up to 12 months from production. This has the advantage of allowing you to stock up. It is best to store dry food in a dark and dry place to prevent mould or mite infestation.