Wet vs Dry Dog Food Comparison

Dry food is arguably the more popular choice when choosing dog food, and not without reason. There are several benefits to choosing dry food for your dog, including: 

• A longer shelf life.
• Higher energy content so dogs can eat a small amount throughout the day.
• More affordable (depending on the brand), as you can buy more and store it for longer.
• Kibble is versatile and can be used in enrichment and puzzle toys if you are trying to watch your dog’s treat intake. 
• Easy to clean up, particularly when using dry food for puppies who can make a mess when eating. 

Dry food is also a good choice if your dog is a picky eater, as you can leave dry dog food out throughout the day without worrying about it spoiling. 

While dry may seem a good dog food choice, you need to know the cons of choosing dry dog food as well, such as:

• It is harder for some dogs to eat as kibble is not as soft as wet food. 
• Dry food doesn’t have a powerful aroma, so some dogs may not find it as appetising. 
• It may not fill your dog up since dry food is more concentrated. 

It's been said that dry food is better for your dog’s dental hygiene and health because it encourages chewing. However, multiple professionals in the veterinary community have debunked this as false. 

When your dog eats dry food, as with wet food, debris will undoubtedly remain on your dog’s teeth. As with humans, this debris can calcify and become tartar, which causes damage and decay to teeth. 

If you’re looking for food that is better for your dog’s dental health, choosing a food specifically formulated for canine dental hygiene, such as this ROYAL CANIN® Adult Dental Care Dry Dog Food, is far better. However, to truly care for your dog's teeth, nothing beats brushing them. You can view our range of dog dental products here. 

Every dog is different, not just in breed, but in preference and nutritional requirements. That’s why knowing if dry food suits your dog is important. Your dog may be more suited to dry food if: 

• They are picky eaters and would prefer to nibble throughout the day instead of set meals. 
• They are messy eaters, as dry food is much easier to clean up.
• If you have two or more dogs in your home, dry food is easier to buy in bulk and stores for longer.

As with dry food, wet dog food also has several benefits for your dog, including: 

• The scent of wet dog food is more appetising for dogs and may encourage them to eat more. 
• Wet food has a higher water content (up to 78% moisture), which can help fill up your dog while also helping to keeping them hydrated. 
• Soft dog food is easier for dogs to chew, so it is good for older dogs or dogs with dental or oral abnormalities. 

There are, of course, some cons to only choosing wet food for your dog as well, including: 

• Wet food is messier, which can be a hassle to clean up. 
• Wet food spoils if left uneaten and can quickly be contaminated by harmful bacteria.
• Wet food needs to be refrigerated once open to avoid spoiling. 
• You may need to feed your dog a bigger meal, as wet food cannot be left out during the day.

Other things that may influence your dog's food choice are weight, lifestyle, and age. As such, wet food is best suited for: 

• Older dogs are more prone to dental or oral conditions and may find dry food harder, or even painful, to eat. 
• Fussy eaters who prefer the smell and flavour of wet food. 
• Dogs who need help to control their weight. The water content in wet food makes your dog feel fuller and keeps them hydrated.