Canned dog food, also known as wet dog food, is quickly gaining ground over dry kibble and semi-moist dog food in the world of canine nutrition and the reasons are not far-fetched: better tasting, easily digestible, and nutrient-packed food. Its dry counterpart is also very popular because they are more affordable and make a great choice for dog parents who have bigger dogs.
Qualities of High-Quality Canned Dog Food
When scouting food stores for the best canned food for your dog’s diet, it is important to take note of some qualities that make the canned food a top-quality chow. These include;
Check the food label for a meat source, written as the first ingredient. This shows that the blend has more of that specified meat source than any other ingredient written on the label.
Check for the presence of vegetables and whole grains.
Check to see if there is the inclusion of by-products likemeat, vegetables, and grains are limited.
AAFCO certification: Pet foods that have undergone the AAFCO feeding trial and met the requirements of the Nutrient Profiles criteria are usually awarded the title of a “Complete and Balanced Dog Food.”
Must-Have Ingredients in Your Dog’s Canned Food
It is true that it will be impossible to get a dog food that it is paradisiac. But, it is important to know that some parameters can be used to judge if the canned food you are about to pick from that shelf on the aisle is the best thing since sliced bread and ultimately best for your dog’s health.
We are talking about ingredients to look out for when shopping for canned food. These are the main ingredients you should search for before purchasing any canned chow for your canine.
Protein
The first ingredient on the list should be a protein source, and the animal from which this protein comes from must be named. The protein source can either be lamb, beef, chicken, or fish.
Grains
Grains in this context refers strictly to wholesome, unprocessed grains. It is entirely accurate that starches and grains are not very important in canned dog food, but it is hard to do away with them entirely. The best whole grains out there are wild rice and brown rice. Steer clear of allergenic grains like wheat gluten, which many manufacturers use as binders. Also, you should avoid grains like white rice and cornstarch if possible.
Vegetables
The most frequently used vegetables in canned dog chow are sweet potatoes and potatoes, which acts as thickeners. Adding such veggies to the blend does not pose a problem; however, it is best to list them as the 6th ingredient. The same goes for other sources of vegetables like potato starch and tomato paste. Understand that you and your canine are in luck if you happen to stumble upon a canned dog food that contains non-starch vegetables like alfalfa, apples, or even carrots which provide a source of vitamins and minerals. They are the best type of veggies needed in every pet food.
Ingredients to Avoid in Canned Foods
While it is imperative to be watchful about the ingredients that need to be included in canned pet foods, it is also advisable to watch out for non-healthy ingredients that may have found their way into pet foods. Some of these ingredients include the following:
By-products
It is quite heartbreaking to know that, as pet owners, there is little we can do to stop manufacturers from adding by-products in our dog’s food. These by-products come in virtually all food groups, which range from grains, meat, or even veggies. One of the most common types of by-products listed on canned dog food labels is “meat by-product.” If you ever see the phrase “modified beef,” slapped on the back of a dog food can, pass over it. Such products are usually highly processed and of low quality.
Food binders
Canned dog food with a high percentage of processed meats usually requires binders to make them stay together. These binders usually come from edible gums like guar, carrageenan or, in most cases, binders like wheat gluten are used as the bonding agent. Avoid such at all cost.
Sweeteners
To improve the taste of canned pet food for the picky eaters, some companies add artificial sweeteners like molasses or sugar. Try to reduce your dog’s consumption of these. Also, avoid pet foods that have corn syrup in them.
Thankfully, preservatives are uncommon in canned dog foods because canning stops rancidity.
Best Canned Food for Dogs
Sometimes, it is usually difficult to find the best canned food that will meet the nutrient requirements of our canine pals. To assist you in making well-informed choices from the sea of options you have been provided with, below is a compilation of the list of best wet dog foods that supplies an adequate diet to your furry pal. Also, they are suitable for all ages of dogs.
Comparison Chart
Products Image | Brands | Weight | Price | Nutritional Facts | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Holistic Select Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Recipe | 0.81 lbs. | $50.60 | Protein minimum: 12% | 472kcal/can |
 | Nutro Kitchen Classics | 11.02 lbs. | $22.56 | Protein minimum: 8.50% | 416kcal/can |
 | Avoderm Chicken & Rice Formula | 11.07lbs. | $37.45 | Protein minimum: 8% | 539kcal/can |
 | Newman’s Own Organics Turkey &Chicken Formula | 9.7lbs. | $37.95 | Protein minimum: 8% | 410kcal/can |
 | Canidae Chicken And Rice Formula | 9.75lbs. | $39.10 | Protein minimum: 9% | 468kcal/can |
 | Castor & Pollux Organic Turkey, Carrot,& Potato Recipe | 1.17lbs. | $31.12 | Protein minimum: 7.5% | 445kcal/12.07 can |
The rule of thumb to be taken into consideration when given your dog wet dog food is to calculate the dry matter basis of the food.
Holistic Select Grain-Free Turkey & Duck Pate Recipe
The first product on our list is this superb blend from the award-winning brand, Holistic Select. The brand supplies all the nutrients your dog needs in a rich flavor of turkey and pate. The Grain-free Turkey & Duck Pate Recipe is rich in probiotics and botanicals like pomegranate, pumpkin, and papaya.
This splendid blend is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids sourced from flaxseed, which helps to improve the appearance of your canine’s coat & skin. Further, the gut-friendly probiotics help to boost the synthesis of healthy bacteria in the gut while stimulating the absorption of vital nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and improving the function of the immune system.
It also comprises of natural fiber which helps to improve your canine’s fecal bulk. This Grain-Free Dog chow contains live yogurt cultures and digestive enzymes which help in the metabolism of food.
13 oz/387g
Nutritional Content
Nutro Kitchen Classics
Our second pick is the Slow Cooked Chicken, Rice, and Oatmeal Dinner for adult dogs by Nutro. This highly nutritious blend supplies all the vital components needed by your pet—at a very affordable price.
The grains added to this mix are easy to digest, making the dog chow perfect for canines with sensitive stomachs. The wholesome grains—oatmeal and ground rice, which will increase satiety without causing any form of allergies.
Sunflower oil is the main source of essential fatty acids to maintain a healthy appearance of your mutt’s coat. This product is free from any artificial flavors, colors, soy, and by-products. However, the only downside we noticed with this product is that it contains guar gum.
Nutritional Content
Avoderm Chicken & Rice Formula
One of our favorites on the list is the Avoderm Chicken & Rice Formula. The high-quality formula is a mixture of rice and chicken, geared toward consumption by senior dogs. Dogs at different stages of growth can also consume this product.
This diet is predominantly meat-based, and all meat products come from the highest quality sources.
The major source of fats is sourced from flaxseed oil, which supplies energy and maintains the outlook of your pet’s skin and coat.
Also, included in this blend are fruits like avocado, cranberries, and blueberries which supply your dog all the essential micronutrients needed to boost their immune system. This dog meal is very easy to digest. However, the only flaw we noticed with this top-notch product is the presence of food thickeners.
Nutritional Content
Newman’s Own Organics Turkey & Chicken Formula
The Newman’s Own Organics Turkey & Chicken Formula is a cult product for many dog owners. This formula was carefully prepared using superior quality of ingredients. It is one of the best canned foods for puppies, and a more than adequate diet for adult and lactating dogs.
Additionally, this wet food comprises mainly of turkey and chicken to serve as high-quality sources of proteins. Also, fiber comes from the whole grains, such as oat bran and brown rice which are added to the mix, making it the go-to choice for canines that have sensitive stomachs.
The essential fatty acids in this formula are sourced from flaxseed oil, which helps to keep your canine’s coat and skin very shiny. There is nothing really not to love about this top-of-the-range dog chow from Newman’s. It does not contain colors, artificial flavors, preservations, or allergen-causing grains like soy and corn. The only drawback we observed is the smell. The smell might be a turn-off for fussy eaters.
Nutritional Facts
Canidae Chicken and Rice Formula
This cutting-edge canine chow was specially formulated by veterinarians to ensure that all breeds of dogs can easily tolerate. The Canidae Chicken and Rice formula is king when it comes to households that use multi-pet canned dog foods.
This mix is made with novel ingredients and high-quality protein sources which will make any dog salivate. The protein content makes your dog feel full in no time. In the bid to curb the problem associated with difficult digestion, the manufacturers added grains like pearled barley and brown rice that are easy to digest to the mix.
Sunflower is a very healthy source of fat, little wonder it is added alongside another healthy oil—flaxseed—to boost the level of essential fatty acids supplied to your pooch. This diet is ideal for regular feeding, and you can decide to mix it with dry food as a treat for your furry pal once in a while. We are finding it really hard to pinpoint something we don’t like about this product, so far, the only thing we noticed is that picky dogs might not like it!
Nutritional Facts
Castor & Pollux Organic Turkey, Carrot & Potato Recipe
This superb brand of wet dog food has all the nutrients that will keep your dog healthy from day to day. What should you expect from this high-end blend from the pots of Castor & Pollux?
The unique thing about this brand is that all ingredients are obtained from 95% organic sources. It comprises premium quality meat proteins which supply about 7.5% crude protein in the chow.
This grain-free product is perfect for dogs that are allergic to grains or have sensitive stomachs. Organic potatoes and carrots provide the crude dietary fiber. It also has organic blueberries and organic apples which serve as sources of micronutrients.
Flaxseed oil enriches the wet dog food with enough omega-3 fatty acid to improve how your dog’s coat and skin look. As perfect as this brand might seem, not all dogs will love it.
Nutritional Facts
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