Getting your hands on top-notch quality canned foods for your dogs is undoubtedly a hectic task. Our dogs are one of the closest creatures to us.
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Recommendations
We always treat them with the best and keep an eye on the nutrition they consume. Therefore, always make sure you are going for the best canned dog food.
Their ability to be both omnivorous and carnivorous makes them capable of absorbing and digesting the other food groups, including carbohydrates, glucose, and starch. So, dogs can also consume products that contain these ingredients and maintain their excellent health.
When choosing food for your dog, the owner is free to make their choices. They can also give their dogs complete nutrition and a balanced diet through wet or canned food or dry food products. The only thing they need to check on is that they are providing their pet with the required nutrition.
To read detailed canned dog food reviews by experts, stay with us till the end of the article.
- Best Canned Foods For Dogs: Top 3 Picks
- Canned Dog Food
- Best Canned Food For Dogs
- Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato
- Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food
- Wellness Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula
- Eukanuba Adult Beef and Vegetable Stew
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Foods
- Instinct Original Wet Dog Food
- Purina Beneful Chopped Blends
- Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Steak And Vegetable Flavor
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet
- Benefits Of Canned Food For Dogs
- Canned Food Ingredients
- What To Look For When Buying Canned Dog Foods
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Best Canned Foods For Dogs: Top 3 Picks
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Canned Dog Food
Canned or wet dog food refers to the “wet” food made for dogs. Specifically, wet food is described as food that contains some moisture. These canned products are rich in proteins, and all their moisturized content is jam-packed with nutrients.
Wet or canned food for dogs is both available in solid containers or pouches. When comparing the nutritiousness of damp and dry dog foods, canned food products are more nourishing than dry or semi-moist food products, whereas dry food products are not that palatable and healthful.
Canned dog products are wholesome and best for dogs’ health because the food is cooked during the canning process. So, all the wholesomeness and nutrients are air-tight packed during the canning process. They also com in various styles, which you can purchase. Some them include pate, shred, and stews.
Pate is a kind of serving where the food is in blended form, but the consistency remains the same throughout. Shreds are big pieces of chicken or meat in gravy or broth. And the last one is stew.
This stew resembles a lot of the ordinary stew for humans. In this, the stew contains vegetables, meats, and other cooked ingredients broth or gravy ingredients.
It is all okay and great if you are serving your dog with this form of food on their favorite angled dog bowl. While serving them stew and shreds, make sure they consume the chunks and not drink the broth as they will miss the essential nutrients.
Best Canned Food For Dogs
Here is the list of some top-rated canned food for dogs that your pet will love:
- Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato
- Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food
- Wellness Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula
- Eukanuba Adult Beef and Vegetable Stew
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Foods
- Instinct Original Wet Dog Food
- Purina Beneful Chopped Blends
- Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Steak And Vegetable Flavor
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet
Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato
Fresh turkey and turkey organs are the major animal protein used in Nulo dog food. Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life. Nulo provides a grain-free option suitable for those who want to feed their dogs a scientifically balanced diet, which is close to homemade dog food.
Pros
- The products use fresh and high-quality food.
- The food makes digestion better and alleviates some health conditions and allergies.
- The products do not require careful handling like raw foods.
Cons
- It is expensive for long-term use.
- 12-PACK of 13 oz cans. All natural without the use of corn; wheat; soy; white potatoes; tapioca; carrageenan; artificial...
- HIGH MEAT/LOW CARB proprietary recipe that is GRAIN FREE and contains more protein/animals fats. Supports healthy skin,...
- GREATER NUTRITIONAL INGREDIENTS have a beneficial mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a healthy immune system and...
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food
Merrick classic canned dog food holds a great specialty due to its unique ingredients that make it unforgettable. This is the best food for picky dogs and is grain-free and is composed of a giant chunk of beef to give it a mouth-watering taste.
Merrick Classic is free from any artificial color or flavor, nor does it contain any preservatives.
The key ingredients of this product are the natural and wholesome USDA-inspected deboned beef that your dog will chew and notice.
The other main components include Deboned chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, natural flavor, salmon oil, locust bean gum, potassium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, guar gum, and sodium tripolyphosphate.
The beef in Merrick’s classic canned dog is enriched with the essential ten amino acids required for a dog to live healthily and sustain life. Another beneficial ingredient that plays a vital role in keeping your dog healthy is beef liver.
This ingredient is sourced from an animal and is regarded as a crucial component of the recipe.
Pros
- Merrick Classic is rich in protein
- This product is rich in omega fatty acids
- This product is also rich in other essential nutrients, such as taurine.
Cons
- This dog food is high in carbs.
- Merrick classic uses a lot of plant protein.
- Merrick Chunky Grain Free Big Texas Steak Tips Dinner In Gravy, Premium And Wholesome Real Meat Canned Dog Food
- Real deboned beef is the first ingredient in this healthy, chunky, and soft dog food. Big chunks are in this natural with...
- Savory dog food gravy is added for moisture. Serve Merrick premium wet dog food as a delicious standalone meal or as a soft...
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wellness Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula
Expert Review
Fresh turkey and turkey organs are the primary sources of animal protein in Wellness dog food. It is an above-average product but does not have an accurate measure of the meat content in the products.
According to the dry matter label analysis, the recipe contains 18% fat, 42% estimated carb, and 32% protein hence a 56% fat-to-protein ratio.
A board of certified veterinary nutritionists designs the products, and human-grade ingredients are used for each recipe. The products used in Wellness dog food are 100% complete and balanced and meet the AAFCO nutrition standards.
Pros
- A lot of dogs prefer the taste and the texture of the food.
- Customized according to your dog’s age, gender, allergies and breed.
- Uses environmentally friendly packaging.
Cons
- It is highly priced.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Eukanuba Adult Beef and Vegetable Stew
Expert Review
Chicken and beef are the primary sources of animal protein for Eukanuba dog food. The dry matter analysis shows that the recipe has 22% fat, 44% protein, and 25% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
Based on the ingredients, Eukanuba is an above-average canned food.
Pros
- Has prebiotics which benefits digestion in dogs.
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and radiant coats.
- Has animal based proteins as the first ingredient on the ingredient list.
- Contains antioxidants which offer a strong immune system to the dog.
- Has a customized carb blend which provides energy throughout the day.
Cons
- The company uses animal by-products, yet the company website states that all animal protein is human-grade.
- The company uses grains such as cornmeal and wheat gluten which may be unacceptable to some pets.
- The company states that you can systematically trace the origin of the ingredients, yet other major ones are available, but minor elements aren’t available.
- BUILDS STRONG MUSCLES: Eukanuba Beef & Vegetable Stew Adult Wet Dog Food for active dogs is made with high-quality,...
- COMPLETE AND BALANCED: Scientifically formulated for active dogs with 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- HEALTHY BALANCE OF NUTRIENTS: Delivers a supportive balance of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and proteins
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Foods
Hill’s has about 23% crud proteins, low, moderate fats, and above-average carbs and micronutrients. Hill’s dog food is generally great for building your dog’s muscles. It is considered the best-canned dog food for weight loss since it helps maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
Hill’s dog food recipes design is being made specifically for specific canine conditions such as fitness, oral care, and sensitive stomachs. The recipe developments are done by veterinarians who specialize in veterinary clinical nutrition.
Pros
- Has good fat to protein ratio with modest calorie content.
- It states the sources of the animal proteins in the ingredient list.
- It is considerably affordable.
- Uses all natural ingredients without the need of preservatives and artificial flavoring.
Cons
- Contains corn, wheat, soy and other potentially allergenic grains.
- Some products do not list the animal protein as the first ingredient.
- Has a higher carb percentage to fats and proteins.
- High quality protein for lean muscles
- Natural fibers for healthy digestion
- Omega-6s and vitamin E for beautiful skin & coat
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Instinct Original Wet Dog Food
Expert Review
This recipe consists mainly of big chunks of chicken derived from fresh chicken. Instinct original wet dog food comprises the wholesome and beneficial ingredients which a dog requires.
This product is enriched with protein in order to fulfill your dog’s protein intake and is free from Made without grain, potato, corn, artificial colors, or preservatives.
The key component that provides your dog with the ultimate nourishment of protein is the real meat. The meat in this recipe is added with the intention to provide dogs nutrients necessary to build healthy and strong muscles. The other main ingredients include chicken liver, ground flaxseed, montmorillonite clay, dicalcium phosphate, and egg product.
The specialty of this recipe is that the meat protein provided is naturally extracted from fresh beef. The formula’s analysis shows that the formula contains 52% protein, 34% fats, and 6% estimated carbs.
Pros
- This recipe contains real and fresh meat nutritious for dogs.
- Instinct original recipes encourage easy digestion.
- The recipe does not contain any artificial color or flavors.
Cons
- Instinct original wet dog food is quite an expensive meal.
- A few recipes of Instinct original contain peas and eggs.
- GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD WITH CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Original is made with 95% chicken, turkey & chicken liver, 5%...
- CANNED DOG FOOD WITH NO FILLERS: Instinct Original wet dog food is high protein dog food. Made without grain, potato, corn,...
- NATURAL DOG FOOD: Made from real meat & whole food ingredients, our grain free wet dog food is packed with animal protein for...
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Purina Beneful Chopped Blends
Expert Review
Chicken and peas are the primary sources of animal protein for Purina products. It contains a simple formula that aims to provide balanced nutrition and keeps your dog healthy, allergy-free, and helps with digestion. The essential nutrients include fatty acids, amino acids, and lots of nutrients and vitamins.
It is recommendable for dogs that gain fat faster than lean muscle hence maintaining a healthy weight.
Pros
- Highly nutritious
- The sources of the ingredients are fairly transparent.
- The product is sold online and offers shipping.
- Has no known recall history.
- It offers a wide variety of specialized formulas.
Cons
- It contains grains.
- Eight (8) 10 oz. Tubs - Purina Beneful Gravy, High Protein Wet Dog Food, Chopped Blends With Beef
- Beneful Chopped Blends dog food made with real beef and accompanied by inclusions of real vegetables and grains you can see
- High protein dog food helps support strong muscles and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Steak And Vegetable Flavor
Apart from lean proteins, Pedigree Choice provides essential nutrients to maintain your dog’s healthy weight and shiny coat. The product offers good enough fiber to absorb all the nutrients from the chunks in the gravy. It is best for dogs that enjoy grain in their food and dogs that are picky eaters.
Pros
- It is widely available at any supermarket.
- It offers different recipes for various dietary needs.
- It is considerably affordable.
- Some of the products are made in the United States.
Cons
- It contains ingredients that are low quality.
- The company has been a subject of past recalls.
- It does not have a good source of animal protein.
- Contains twelve (12) 13.2 oz. cans of PEDIGREE CHOICE CUTS in Gravy Steak and Vegetables Flavor Canned Wet Dog Food
- Healthy dog food recipe made with real beef in gravy for an irresistible taste dogs will love
- PEDIGREE CHOICE CUTS adult wet dog food is 100% Complete and Balanced
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet
Natural Balance Wet Dog Food contains high levels of proteins and nutrients that contribute to your dog’s muscle health. They do not use artificial chicken flavor; instead, they use real chicken, so this canned food is full of taste. The brand uses 100% natural ingredients in its products.
Most importantly, Nature’s Balance doesn’t use corn, soy, or wheat additives in its products to ensure premium quality along with great taste. They have high regard for your dog’s health, so they work alongside professional vets for maximum safety.
Pros
- Does not contain any preservatives.
- It is available in different flavors.
- It has limited ingredients.
Cons
- The price of this canned product is a bit high.
- CHICKEN IS THE SINGLE ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCE providing essential protein and amino acids to help maintain strong muscles;...
- WITH SENSITIVE PETS IN MIND we’ve carefully chosen a simplified list of premium ingredients to help support a healthy coat,...
- NUTRIENTS FROM OUR CHICKEN & SWEET POTATO RECIPE crafted with nutritious ingredients such as sweet potatoes, liver and canola...
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Benefits Of Canned Food For Dogs
There are various benefits of canned food for your dogs which you can count on. Let us look at multiple crucial points that demonstrate the benefits of canned food for dogs and why they love them.
Tempting Taste
One of the significant advantages of canned food is that the dogs find the wet food to be yummier and appetizing than dry food. They love eating them because of their tempting taste and the great texture that resembles a lot of unprocessed meat.
Carb Quantity
When compared to wet dog food, dry food comprises a high amount of carbohydrates. The presence of carbohydrates keeps the food-bound, keeping it together. You have probably heard of gluten. This is the vital product that is keeping them together.
Gluten is one of the kinds of carbohydrate. This protein is found in wheat and other carbs sources. The critical role of this component is to keep intact the food together. The products that contain gluten remain stick together and are not crumbly at all.
Fewer Preservatives
The canned dog food will contain fewer preservatives than dry food. The canned food is naturally cooked and processed at the time of caning, which locks the nutrition of the food.
This means that your dog must consume the food in the can within a week or less. Wet food is always found fresh and healthy as the container will be over in a few days.
Higher Proportion Of Protein And Fat
Compared to dry foods, canned foods for dogs contain more meat which explains why they are more expensive. Proteins and fats in a dog’s diet are essential since it ensures proper bodily functions.
The essential amino acids in canned foods contribute to a dog’s healthy skin and hair, tissue repair, and muscle development, to name a few benefits.
For specific purposes, we also wrote a review on dog food for pomeranian and for pitbulls.
Canned Food Ingredients
When buying canned food for your furry friend, there are ingredients you should look out for:
Lack/ Reduced Grain
Grain allergies in dogs are infrequent. Hence, most canned foods are grain-free. The need for grain in the dog’s diet is entirely dependent on the dog’s needs. However, grain is an excellent source of nutrients and provides carbohydrates, fats, and antioxidants.
Canned dog foods are generally manufactured without rice, wheat, or corn, but carbs like pea flour and potatoes can substitute for carbohydrates.
Broth
A safe and great addition to a dog’s food is animal broth, especially chicken broth. The broth is good for upset stomachs and any ongoing illnesses in dogs. Anything chicken flavored in a dog’s food is suitable for bonding with the dog since it is key to their stomach and heart.
Salt
Salt makes canned foods palatable for dogs. Salt in canned foods helps maintain proper muscle and nerve cell function in the dog. The minimum recommended sodium levels in canned foods should be 0.3% to maintain and support average growth and development in dogs.
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers in canned dog foods help prevent fat and water from separating in the food. Modified starch, gums, lecithin, and glycerin are additives primarily used to avoid splitting ingredients and create a gel or gravy in canned and wet foods for dogs.
What To Look For When Buying Canned Dog Foods
To buy quality canned food, any dog owner requires to read the labels. Recognizing the necessary dog food ingredients ensures that your dog gets the best nutrition possible.
- The most important thing is choosing dog foods with meat. The product should contain more meat ingredients by weight than any other ingredient.
- The source of animal protein is also significant to check. The animal and fat source should be indicated on the label by the company.
- If any whole grain, it should be mentioned. The canned food should have limited (if any) grain, and if so, together with vegetable by-products used, should be noted.
- It would be preferable to have canned dog food with potato starch as the sixth ingredient on the ingredient list and the third on the ingredient panel.
- It is also preferable that the food contain only one grain or vegetable by-product.
- The canned food should be labeled and include a complete and balanced diet that meets the regulations of the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
- Lastly, what to look for in canned dog food is entirely dependent on the dog’s preference and needs and considering the dog’s health status.
FAQs
Why Do Dogs Prefer Wet Dog Food?
Dogs enjoy eating canned or wet food products because of their great taste. The canned food products possess a tremendous and delicious flavor that every dog enjoys than the dry kibble. The canned food products are flavourful and resemble the taste of meat and its by-products.
Is Canned Food Healthy For Dogs?
Canned dog foods are healthy for dogs to consume. It has a variety of benefits for dogs. Canned dog foods have a very high water content, resulting in dogs enjoying their meals in more significant portions and providing the same number of energy calories as kibble portions. Canned dog foods are preferable to dogs because they are palatable.
Can Dogs Eat Wet Foods Every Day?
Yes. Your dog can eat wet food every day. However, it doesn’t matter if your dog eats wet foods every day or on occasion, so long as it gets all the nutrients it needs. Wet foods generally keep your dog hydrated because of their high water content.
Is Canned Dog Food Healthier Than Dry?
Canned dog foods are generally better than dry foods since they contain more protein than dry foods. Proteins are essential for dogs since they ensure proper bodily functions and canned foods also provide essential amino acids for healthy skin and hair. Canned foods are packed in air-tight containers; hence the food contains no synthetic preservatives.
How Much Wet Food Does A Dog Need?
Provide your dog with one 3 oz can if your dog weighs 3-3 1/2 pounds daily. This can be divided into two or more meals. Also, you can make adjustments by and feed your dog to maintain your dog’s health.
What Are The Side Effects Of Wet Dog Food?
Even some top-rated canned dog food products can results in some serious allergies to your dog. If your dog encounters any kind of allergy, it will experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, irritated skin, hive, excessive licking, and ear infection.
What Is The Best Wet Dog Food?
If you are looking for the best and healthy dog food for your pet, then the following list will surely help you.
1. Nulo Freestyle Turkey and Sweet Potato
2. Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food
3. Wellness Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula
4. Eukanuba Adult Beef and Vegetable Stew
5. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Foods
6. Instinct Original Wet Dog Food
7. Purina Beneful Chopped Blends
8. Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Steak And Vegetable Flavor
9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet
Conclusion
Every dog owner strives to find the best dog food on the market in order to maintain their dog healthy and fit. A well-balanced diet and high-quality food will maintain your dog in good form and help it live longer.
We recommend that you try Instant wet dog food, Merrick Classic canned dog food, and the Nulo freestyle turkey and sweet potato products reviewed in our guide.
You create a caring and loving relationship with your dog while feeding it since your dogs are aware that you are concerned about their diet and well-being. The above guide provides an opportunity for you to make sure you get the right products for your dog because it is detailed, easy to understand, and very clear.
