Not all owners have the time and desire to prepare tasty and healthy food for their dogs on their own. Dry food is also not trusted by many. Canned dog food has become the optimal solution for caring owners. Manufacturers offer canned food, the composition and nutritional value of which is as close as possible to the natural diet, and sometimes even exceeds it.
A wet diet contains a significant amount of liquid, meat or fish, offal, vegetables or fruits, complexes of vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog's body. This food can be given to your pet constantly, alternating it with dry granules or natural products. Canned food is indispensable when traveling with your dog to the country or on a picnic, during long trips, when it is not possible to feed it natural food.
Wet food is sold in convenient containers - bags or cans, the volume of which is designed for one feeding. Canned food is available for dogs of different breeds and sizes, so it’s easy to choose the right product for both your Yorkie and Shepherd.
Benefits of canned diets
The dog's body requires nutritious and nutritious food, regardless of whether the owners have the time and opportunity to buy quality products and prepare food. Buying wet diets allows you to solve this problem and has a number of other advantages:
- provide complete nutrition and all the necessary substances for the dog’s body;
- has convenient packaging - you can take them with you to the dacha or on the road;
- a large selection of forms and tastes allows you to choose a diet in accordance with the needs and taste preferences of your pet;
- allow you to accurately calculate portion sizes depending on weight and breed;
- Holistic diets are prescribed for health problems or purchased as treats;
- Numerous positive reviews from veterinarians about the state of dog health when eating high-quality canned food.
For which breeds is it recommended to use only wet food?
Wolves extract the maximum nutrients from any food they eat; domestic mongrel dogs are already more demanding of their diet. And the digestive system of purebred animals often cannot cope with low-quality roughage - this is how diseases develop. One of the most sensitive breeds to the quality of nutrition is the Yorkie. The liver is minimally involved in the digestive process, so owners need to carefully choose their diet. The best solution would be wet food.
Other small breeds also often suffer from digestive disorders when consuming low-quality food. It is problematic to check the quality of natural products and prepare them correctly, so it is more profitable to buy the best wet food than to pay for frequent treatment at the veterinarian.
Types of wet food
Canned food is classified by form and purpose.
According to their shape, they are divided into pieces of meat in sauce, pates, jelly, minced meat, and stew. The quality does not depend on the form; food of different categories deserves the approval of veterinarians and is among the TOP preferences of buyers.
Depending on their purpose, canned food is divided into three categories:
- Delicatessen are dog treats made from meat with a minimum amount of offal and pieces of fruit. They are high in protein and fat, so it is not recommended to constantly feed your pet with them, not only for reasons of economy.
- Medicinal - a low-protein diet for animals with weight problems, diseases of the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract. They should be selected on the recommendation of a veterinarian.
- For regular consumption - - they contain meat, fish, offal, vegetables, grains, and are enriched with minerals and trace elements.
Classification by cost
Canned food is divided into four classes: economy class, premium class, super premium class and holistic.
Veterinarians do not recommend feeding animals of any breed with economy-class food. They are often made from low-quality by-products, waste from slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and contain preservatives, dyes, flavors, and chemical flavor enhancers.
Premium products are of higher quality and have a balanced composition. They contain a large proportion of meat products. There are also good therapeutic low-protein diets in this price category.
Super premium feed has a minimal content of chemical additives, so the shelf life is shorter. In this class, the quality of meat and fish is strictly controlled, and good complexes of minerals and vitamins are added.
Holistic is the highest price category, the food is as tasty and natural as possible.
Main selection criteria
How to determine that some canned foods are better than others? The main parameters can be considered:
- Balanced composition - since wet food is complete (that is, you don’t need to feed the dog anything else), it must contain all the necessary substances, including not only proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but also minerals for bones and fur and vitamins.
- The amount of meat (protein) - the larger it is, the more satisfying and tastier the canned food is for the animal.
- Price - if, with approximately the same other aspects, it is lower, then the product can be considered better than the rest.
Separately, it is worth noting another interesting fact: some manufacturers produce several series of canned food at once, marking them with subheadings. Each series has its own purpose - it could be a specific breed of dog, aimed at puppies, or the health characteristics of the pet.
When highlighting the best canned food for dogs further, we will focus exclusively on the “classic” varieties with chicken (or turkey, in their absence), suitable for most adult animals.
And, of course, we will pay attention to the cost and calculate it taking into account the weight of the food in the package, so that we can better see whether the purchase of these canned foods is really profitable. We will take the prices of the online pet store 24pet as a basis.
What to look for when choosing?
When choosing canned food, you cannot focus only on price. It is advisable to abandon economy class diets containing large amounts of chemical additives.
Among premium foods, you can choose and buy relatively inexpensively good diets with high ratings for constant feeding. If there is no need to save on keeping a dog, it is better to choose super premium.
Holistics are not often used for everyday feeding, especially for large and medium-sized dogs. Firstly, it is expensive, and secondly, most foods are treats.
You need to choose only food for dogs of the appropriate breeds. The composition of diets for Yorkies and other small breeds is very different from canned food of the same class for shepherd dogs or Great Danes. Large dogs require more minerals to build their skeletons, while Yorkies and other small breeds require higher caloric intake due to their small stomach size.
For older dogs
Foods for older dogs should be formulated to take into account the natural slowing of metabolism. If an older dog eats a food that is formulated for a younger dog, he is getting too many carbohydrates. Rapid weight gain leads to the development of heart failure, arthritis and, quite often, diabetes.
Rating of wet food for senior dogs:
- 1st place - Nature's Protection - food takes a leading position, since TM provides a choice of food for older dogs. The products belong to the super-premium class and enjoy a good reputation.
- 2nd place – Royal Canin – there is a wide selection of preventative and specialized feeds. By class, Royal Canin is premium, but is characterized by high quality.
- 3rd place – Hill’s – the range of food for senior dogs consists of only two items, but is complemented by an extensive line of preventive food. Hill's is a premium food with good taste and quality characteristics.
If an owner skimps on food for an older dog, they are unintentionally shortening the time available for the dog. Expensive food is not the only alternative; switching an elderly dog to a dietary, natural diet is a very common and successful practice.
Features of the best holistic diets
Hills Ideal Balance canned food, which took first place in the ranking, contains 10% meat ingredients and provides the dog's body with a sufficient amount of highly digestible animal proteins. There is a good medicinal low-protein line. No soy, preservatives, dyes.
Second place in the ranking is occupied by Barking Heads canned goods, containing up to 85% meat and fish ingredients, which ensures quick satiety. But due to the high concentration of fat, wet food could not take first position in the TOP.
Third place in the ranking goes to Belcando canned food, which contains up to 80% high-quality chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, and veal meat. It undergoes gentle processing, which preserves nutrients and vitamins. Available in cans and pouches. It is often recommended by veterinarians for the daily nutrition of Yorkies and other small dogs that require a high quality diet.
Super premium
The super premium class of feed differs from the previous one in composition and price. The main difference is the reduced concentration of meat - up to 50%.
Hills Ideal Balance
The food is produced with poultry meat: chicken or turkey with vegetables. The manufacturer has provided food for puppies and miniature breed dogs.
Peculiarities:
- In addition to poultry, the composition contains pork;
- vegetables and bran included;
- fatty acid balance;
- no GMOs, soy protein or chemical additives;
- grain-free;
- cost - from 160 to 400 rubles per 400 gram jar.
The product is criticized for its low protein (8%) and fat content.
Almo Nature
The meat component of the feed is 50%. The second half of the diet consists of broth, rice, and a small percentage of food additives of exclusively natural origin. Peculiarities:
- natural composition;
- no GMO, no corn;
- various forms of release: jars, pouches, lamisters, tetra packs;
- cost - from 90 to 250 rubles, depending on packaging.
The manufacturer claims that the product is completely natural, but does not indicate the origin of the antioxidants on the packaging.
Bozita
The product offers not only food with the usual flavors of poultry and beef, but also exotic ones - elk, venison, wild salmon. Available in the form of pates and stews in jelly. Peculiarities:
- composition rich in minerals and vitamins;
- convenient packaging;
- no GMOs, soy protein, corn;
- grain-free, flour-free;
- cost - from 200 to 400 depending on packaging.
Veterinarians do not recommend Bozita food for dogs prone to food allergies. The composition almost always contains chicken, rice is the only source of carbohydrates.
How to choose food for small breeds?
Small dogs are those whose weight is no more than 9 kg. They require little food, so owners can choose high-quality wet diets that have high ratings from independent experts, contain no harmful ingredients, and provide essential nutrients. The optimal solution would be super premium holistic food. Most small breeds are active, consume a lot of calories, but have a small stomach volume, so they should choose high-calorie, easily digestible wet diets. But this does not apply to all small breeds, so the composition of canned food for Yorkies differs from the composition of canned diets for pugs. It is advisable to choose products from those manufacturers who offer a selection of canned food for specific breeds. And the shape and taste can be chosen at the discretion of the pet, if there are no restrictions set by the veterinarian.
Benefits of premium diets
Premium diets have a number of important advantages:
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- strict control of the composition of raw materials and their processing at all stages of production from good manufacturers;
- wide range, the ability to choose a suitable diet for healthy pets and low-protein for those in need of therapeutic nutrition;
- the presence of a large number of reviews from breeders and veterinarians about popular canned foods.
Both canned meat and fish and offal can be used in cooking, but their quality is controlled and they are checked for the content of harmful substances. Highly rated diets contain vegetables, fruits and fiber that dogs need. They are enriched with minerals and vitamins, taking into account the needs and characteristics of the body of different breeds. Veterinary clinic specialists recommend these wet foods for everyday use or as therapeutic nutrition.
The best canned food for daily feeding of adult dogs
Wet food is recommended as a supplement to the daily dry diet. Also, many dog owners switch their pets to canned food in old age, when it becomes difficult for them to cope with hard granules.
Belcando
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
100%
buyers recommend this product
German canned food Belcando is a balanced food for the daily diet of dogs. They contain no artificial colors, GMOs, flavors or preservatives.
The formula includes only natural products supplied to production by farmers. 98.8% of the composition is occupied by the meat ingredient, due to which the food is well absorbed. The remaining 1.2% is allocated to vitamins and minerals, and in recipes with a side dish, 5% is occupied by vegetables or noodles.
Canned food is made using proprietary low-temperature technology, which preserves all nutrients.
The line offers several flavors: selected meat, meat with vegetables, noodles or liver, turkey with rice, beef, lamb, salmon with amaranth and zucchini. The food is available in tin cans of 400 or 800 g, with a tongue on the lid for easy opening.
Pros:
- high-quality protein composition;
- contains a vitamin-mineral complex;
- does not cause allergies;
- many tastes;
- Suitable for all breeds;
- Convenient packaging with a pull tab.
Minuses:
- expensive (from 350 rubles for a jar weighing 800 g).
Belcando – complete canned food for dogs. A wide range allows you to find the ideal taste for your pet, but the high price stops many dog breeders from making frequent purchases.
Organix
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
100%
buyers recommend this product
Organix is a Russian-made natural canned food made from fresh meat. Choices include turkey, veal, chicken and lamb. The composition also includes by-products: tripe, liver, heart, lung.
Cereals make up no more than 2%, which means canned food is suitable for pets with sensitive digestion. Dyes, flavors and preservatives are excluded from the recipe.
Owners in reviews note that dogs quickly eat the prescribed portion. Wet food is sold in packages of 100, 410 or 750 g. Tin cans are equipped with a ring for easy opening.
Pros:
- convenient jar;
- low price (about 75 rubles per 410 g);
- natural protein composition;
- 4 flavors to choose from.
Minuses:
- Not on sale everywhere.
Dog owners like Organix canned food for its favorable price-quality ratio. The food is not sold in all pet stores, but it can be ordered online.
Brit Premium
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
95%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Premium Czech canned food Brit is popular among dog breeders due to the optimal combination of price and quality. Cereals (except food with rice), soy, meat flour, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers are excluded from the composition.
The line includes 9 different recipes. All formulas are based on beef, which eliminates allergic reactions in dogs.
Also added to the recipe are heart, offal, gelling agent, vegetable oil, cereals, salt, and water. The food is available in 850 g cans, with a tongue on the lid for opening.
Pros:
- suitable for all breeds;
- does not cause allergies;
- convenient tin packaging;
- several flavors to choose from;
- affordable price (120 rubles per 850 g);
- Available at most pet stores.
Minuses:
- The tongue often breaks when opening.
Owners note that there are often discounts on Brit Premium canned food, which allows them to buy food at a better price.
Cesar for small breed dogs
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
Cesar is a canned food designed for small dogs. The manufacturer offers a line of 11 different flavors. This allows you to choose a diet to suit even capricious pets. The food is sold in 100 g bags and 150 g aluminum cans.
The composition includes at least 38% meat and offal, 4% vegetables. The rest is grains, fiber, water, vitamins and minerals.
The reduced fat content (4.5 g) allows you to feed canned food to older dogs, pets after castration or sterilization, as well as animals prone to gaining excess weight.
The owners speak positively about the canned food. Some note that the food helps improve digestion in problem dogs.
Pros:
- sold in almost every store;
- convenient release form;
- wide range of flavors;
- reduced fat content;
- there are vitamins and minerals;
- reasonable price (about 30 rubles per pouch).
Minuses:
- Not all dogs like the taste;
- not suitable for large breeds.
Cesar canned food is sold not only in pet stores, but also in hypermarkets. This is especially convenient for forgetful owners who can buy additional food for their pet at any time.
"Four-legged Gourmet"
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
79%
buyers recommend this product
Canned food Four-Legged Gourmet was developed with the participation of veterinarians. The result is a balanced food that can be given to pets daily.
The recipes are suitable for dogs of all breeds, regardless of age. There are no chemicals in the composition, so canned food is recommended for animals with allergies.
The manufacturer's assortment includes 20 different flavors. Canned food contains only meat ingredients, jelly, water, and salt.
Prebiotics improve intestinal microflora and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The food is available in cans of 100, 240, 340 or 500 g.
Pros:
- presented in most stores;
- large selection of flavors;
- balanced natural composition;
- suitable for dogs with allergies;
- contains prebiotics.
Minuses:
- high price (up to 150 rubles per 100 g).
Four-Legged Gourmet offers canned food in different price categories. Cold cuts are a budget line, the gold line is super premium and includes only 1 type of meat.
Platinum line – deli meats. Here in jars there are only large pieces of meat or offal, the content of which is 98%.
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Do wet foods have any disadvantages?
Canned diets are not without their drawbacks. Like other products on the market, they may have different quality, so when choosing, you should not be guided by advertising. You need to study the ratings and choose brands included in the TOP, carefully studying the ingredients on the labels.
Another disadvantage is the soft consistency of canned food, and dog gums need massage. You need to supplement them with a dry diet, use either natural solid products or dry granules of the same brand. Opened jars and pouches cannot be stored for a long time; it is advisable to purchase packages containing 1-2 servings.
For many, the disadvantage is the cost of canned food; it is not necessary to constantly feed your pet with holistic diets; premium products will satisfy its needs.
Pros and cons of ready-made canned food
To replace natural food, experts offer two types of ready-made industrial food: dry food and canned food.
Canned food has many advantages:
- they consist of 73% moisture, so they are easily digestible and more nutritious;
- the main component is fresh meat, so there is usually more protein in canned food than in a dry diet;
- canned food tastes better and smells great;
- used for animals with pathologies.
However, canned food also has its downsides:
- high price;
- Not all canned food is used for daily nutrition; it is given in the form of delicacies and gourmet food.
Pet owners should know that the best option is to alternate dry food and wet food of the same brand.
The lines contain medicinal diets that are used to treat and prevent certain diseases.
