Neither wet nor dry food is universally "best"; the right choice depends on your pet’s specific health needs, age, and preferences, though many veterinarians recommend a mix of both. Wet food offers high hydration (great for kidney health/senior pets) and higher palatability. Dry food is generally more economical, convenient for grazing, and helps with dental hygiene.
In general, a higher quality dry dog food that contains the appropriate ingredients for your dog's life stage and breed is the best choice, but talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist about the healthiest choice for your pet. Wet dog food, or canned dog food, is a perfectly viable alternative to dry dog food.
Wet dog food can help keep your dog hydrated because it has a higher moisture content than dry food. Increasing your dog's water intake helps put less strain on major organs, such as the kidneys, as well as on the urinary tract. A moisture-rich diet is often recommended for diabetic dogs who have kidney issues.
Can my dog live on just dry food/kibble? If it is a complete and balanced form then yes, there is often the misconception that things need to be added to dry food to make it healthier for your dog however these added calories, if they are not required, can contribute to health conditions such as obesity.
Should All Cats be Eating Wet and Dry Food? (A Vet Explains)
What is the 7 second rule for dogs?
The 7-second rule for dogs is a simple test for hot pavement: place the back of your hand on the surface; if you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws and can cause burns, so walk on grass or at cooler times of day instead. This prevents painful paw pad injuries, especially on asphalt and concrete that get much hotter than the air temperature.
Contrary to the myths around wet entrees, dogs can enjoy them every day without worry of upsetting your pet's gastrointestinal system, especially if you stick to high-quality brands. If you'd like to try getting wet food into the rotation, there are several ways to go about it.
Wet Food: Pros – increased palatability, contains more protein and fat, easier to eat. Cons – contributes to weight gain, spoilage, greater cost, and dental issues.
Our vets recommend feeding a high quality, complete commercial pet food, as they contain all the nutrients dogs need. The type and amount of food you should give depends on a dog's breed, age, health and lifestyle.
Wet food provides hydration benefits and flavor enhancement, while dry food carries crunch appeal and tartar removal benefits while chewing. 2. Menu Variety: Just like us, some dogs don't want the same meal repeated every day. By mixing wet and dry food, the menu options increase and make mealtime more exciting.
The reality is that it's completely your choice whether you want to feed your dog wet or dry dog food. The most important thing is to choose a food that's complete and balanced and appropriate for his age, size, and activity level.
Some other benefits of dry food include: Per calorie, dry kibble has both a lower volume and weight than canned wet food, making it easier to store. Bags of kibble require less packaging than cans of food, leading to less garbage created.
The "7-7-7 Rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline, suggesting that before 7 weeks old (though often adapted for later, post-vaccination stages), a puppy should experience 7 new surfaces, 7 different people, and 7 new objects/challenges to build confidence and prevent fear, fostering a well-adjusted adult dog. Key elements include varied textures (grass, carpet, tile), meeting people of different ages/appearances, and gentle exposure to things like toys, crating, sounds, and simple obstacles (steps, tunnels).
One of the primary advantages of wet dog food is its high moisture content—often exceeding 70% compared to 10% in dry kibble. This additional moisture can lead to more frequent bowel movements, as hydration helps to soften stools and promote regularity.
Food boredom is a human concept and is not scientifically proven to exist in dogs. Most dogs are content eating the same food every day if it meets their nutritional needs. However, there are exceptions.
There's no single "number 1" healthiest dog food, as the best choice depends on your dog's age, breed, and health needs, but top veterinarian-recommended brands often include Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan, known for meeting AAFCO standards, with other high-quality brands like Merrick, First Mate, and Zignature also praised for specific ingredients or sensitive stomachs. Focus on foods with real meat as the first ingredient, balanced fats (Omega-3s), and avoid fillers, looking for brands that conduct feeding trials and have veterinary nutritionists on staff.
What is the number one food you should never feed your dog?
There isn't one single "number one" food, but chocolate, grapes/raisins, and xylitol are consistently listed as extremely dangerous, with chocolate containing theobromine (toxic to dogs), grapes/raisins causing kidney failure, and xylitol (in sugar-free items) leading to rapid insulin release and liver failure; all can be fatal, but the danger level varies by dog size and amount consumed. Other highly toxic foods include onions/garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, and cooked bones that splinter, making them extremely hazardous.
Vets recommend Royal Canin due to its science-backed, tailored formulas for specific health issues, breeds, and life stages, featuring precise nutrient balances, extensive research, and palatable options for picky eaters, though some question ingredient choices, while others point to brand education and direct vet engagement. Key reasons include supporting managing conditions like kidney disease, GI issues, obesity, and offering breed/size-specific kibble for targeted nutrition.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially of rescue dogs, indicating they need 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn the routine and bond, and 3 months to feel truly at home, helping manage expectations by acknowledging stress and allowing time for trust and security to build, though timelines vary. This rule helps owners understand initial overwhelm (3 days), developing comfort (3 weeks), and full settling in (3 months), reducing anxiety for both dog and owner by promoting patience and consistency.
One human minute equals seven dog minutes. My brain wanted to make this a much more complicated math problem than that! I'm not 100% convinced it's this simple, but let's go with it for now. If we stick with a straight multiplier of seven that is what we get.
