Should I give my dog dry or wet food?
While many owners choose to feed their dog exclusively with kibble or wet food, others prefer to combine the two for a more varied diet.
But which of these diets is really adapted to the needs of dogs? Discover the advantages and disadvantages of kibble and wet food and get all the facts to make the right choice for your four-legged friend.
Advantages and disadvantages of kibbles
While kibble is advantageous for owners because it saves space, is more affordable and is clean, it is also very well suited to the primary needs of dogs.
Kibble is suitable for all dogs, because brands adapt their contents according to the dog's age, size, weight and health.
In addition, the quantities can easily be adapted to your doggie thanks to the measuring cup. Another advantage is that kibbles maintain the dog's teeth by chewing the dry food.
However, there are some disadvantages to dry food that are important to consider. Firstly, dry food is higher in carbohydrates and lower in water compared to wet food, which can be problematic for dogs with kidney problems or those who drink little.
In addition, unless of excellent quality or homemade, kibbles are less tasty than wet food, which can bore dogs after a while.
Kibble is therefore a good food for dogs that are properly hydrated. If you opt for dry food, you will be able to offer your dog very good quality meals at a reasonable cost. To ensure that your canine friend is satisfied, it is best to regularly alternate kibble flavors and feed him the best kibbles.
Advantages and disadvantages of wet food
While many choose wet food for their dog's meal, others point out its disadvantages. This can make it difficult to know whether or not wet food is really good for your dog.
Firstly, there are different forms of wet food available in various packagings, all of which are suitable for relatively long storage.
The main advantage of dog food is its high moisture content, which considerably helps to keep the dog hydrated in addition to his water bowl. Easy to chew, wet food is suitable for dogs that have eating difficulties, especially puppies.
Moreover, this type of food is much appreciated by dogs who will devour their bowl. The taste and smell of the food is more pronounced in wet food than in kibble.
However, these advantages are offset by a few drawbacks. Very often, the industrial wet food for sale is of questionable quality, which can be harmful in the long term to our favourite animal's health. The content is, in most cases, rich in cereals and gelatine and of poor nutritional quality.
As you can see, it is very important to check the composition of the food before giving it to your dog.
Wet food is a good alternative for dogs with special needs such as puppies or those with difficult taste. For other dogs, ideally, the food should not be given at every meal, but from time to time in order to vary the pleasures.
Opt for mixed feeding whenever possible
To keep your dog's appetite and health in check, we recommend alternating between kibble and wet food. Indeed, a mixed diet can only be beneficial for your dog.
Opt for kibbles for most meals to provide healthy nutrition and stronger teeth. From time to time, serve your dog wet food as a treat, to congratulate him or to keep him hydrated during hot weather.
There is no perfect diet for dogs as they are all different. Indeed, it remains important to adapt the diet to the specific needs of your four-legged friend and his particularities. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice.
As a web editor for several years, writing about animals and especially dogs is a real pleasure for me. I deeply love them and I am always eager to discover more about them. It is therefore a pleasure for me to share my knowledge and precious advice with you through articles on DogsPlanet.com.