Let’s face facts for a moment: your dog can’t be fed on biscuits all the time, he can grow bored of the flavor really quick and give you a hard time as you find something new to feed him with proper nutrients. Changing the menu to other options can prove a pretty good move on your side if you want to keep things interesting for him.
In the following lines, we are going to offer some insight about the best canned dog food you can find in the market to make your dog really happy and provide him a delicious alternative when chow times come. The choice of canned dog food, however, can be quite troublesome. There is a lot to choose from, and most brands out there have managed to stand out by their own merits.
Figuring Out the Eating Habit of your Dog
You probably need to ask yourself some pretty tough questions before settling on something. While it’s hard to guess what goes through in your dog’s head, you certainly can figure out what he likes by taking notice of little details. For instance, is your dog fond of red eats? Or does he like chicken? Is he a puppy or he is getting up there in years? Settling on a single brand comes down to knowing the basics of your furry pal.
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For this brief guide, we took some time to review a few of the most popular brands of the best canned dog food out there. Our primary objective was to figure out which one was the best. To accomplish our mission, we looked at the overall quality of the product and the most noticeable features such as the ingredients used, the number of flavors available as well as the suitability for different life stages, and of course whether or not the brand offered grain-free options.
Before making up our mind, we decided that it was important to answer a series of questions so you could understand our choices. This is what we came up with:
First of all, what is the best canned dog food to feed dogs?
Answering such a question is pretty hard since the Point of view of each owner is going to be very different. This is usually determined by the breed of dog they have, as well as the deciding factors we pointed out earlier. For most owners, the best canned dog foods are the ones able to offer a complete and balanced meal to their pets.
Most canned dog foods have certain features that make them such an attractive meal for many dogs. The first thing your pet will notice is that these foods are very different from the nutritious biscuits or the dry kibbles they are usually fed. They taste better, they are rich in flavor, and they have a different consistency. Most canned dog foods look like a stew or a hotpot. The best ones are full of chunks of meat and veggies.
This texture makes canned dog food incredibly appealing and irresistible to their taste buds. Even dogs with picky eating habits surrender to them. As you can guess by now, the right answer regarding what’s the best choice for your dog would be “the one he likes best.” Be mindful though. Feeding your dog with canned dog food alone can create him a habit and getting him to feel full on a can be quite tricky as time passes.
So, Is Canned Dog Food Good for Dogs?
Of course, it is! Canned dog food is a great addition to your dog’s diet. As we mentioned earlier making wet canned food, their only meal can be a problem. But it can be offered as a compliment along with the dry kibbles. If your budget doesn’t allow it, you can buy a few cans and offer them as a treat a couple of times a week, and he will eagerly wait for it once you figure out his favorite option. As for other benefits of feeding your dog with a good canned dog, we can list the following:
- The moisture found on these meals improves the health of the dog’s internal organs as well as their digestive system.
- The proteins and fat found in canned dog food contribute to their taste buds. If you offer it on special occasions, your dog will relate it with a reward.
- A single can usually have a high percentage of protein intake as well as healthy fats that can’t be provided on multiple rations of kibbles.
- They grant fewer carbohydrates to their bodies. They also have little to no grain, unlike kibble.
- They are easily digestible.
- Quality canned dog food has little to no fillers. Most of them also lack artificial additives and have no preservative. They remain fresh as long as the can remains unopened.
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As you can see canned dog food is very versatile, the only drawback we could think of was the fact that once they are open, they should be consumed soon since they can go bad real quick and really easy.
All right then! So, what are the Top 5 Dog Food Brands?
The following is a list of the best canned dog food that is top-ranked in Amazon.com, let’s take a look at their value traits:
Reviews of the Best Canned Dog Foods
Weruva Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
This brand of dog food is full of gravy that suits incredibly well to these dogs love to lick every single bit of their plates. The special grub is made with aspic a jelly-like ingredient that is mixed with water to make it more similar to a thick broth that works as a protection of sorts for all the ingredients contained in each can. Each serving is packed full of chicken breast with no other chunks in the mix.
The brand is reputed for offering ethical products, meaning that each can was prepared with chickens risen on proper conditions: uncaged, and with no added antibiotics or hormones. The simple recipe made of chicken and gravy makes this one of the most delicious options for dogs of any age. 12 cans are sold for $35.05
As far as Benefits go, the ones we can account for are the following:
- The Weruva recipe is full of high-quality proteins, it carries minimal carbs and is highly moisturized to make it very nutritious.
- The product is one of the best canned dog food for sensitive stomachs since it’s grain-free, gluten-free and has no carrageenan.
- This canned food provides plenty of vitamins and minerals to contribute to a balanced diet
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Wet Dog Food Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables
The Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food is a product offering a recipe with a unique mix of real meat, brown rice and palatable such as peas and carrots. Each serving also contains one of the most delicious gravy offered on a canned dog food product, with high levels of lean protein.
That work wonders on growing dogs. Most of the products on Hill’s Science are developed to help dogs be well-fed on every stage of their lives, so their offering is quite diverse. The food it’s sold in packs of twelve cans of 12.8 Oz each pone at $22.25
Regarding the benefits of these products we can list the following:
- It’s available in four different flavors such as beef, chicken, and turkey
- The brand offers some of the best canned dog food for senior dogs
- It’s the top choice of most veterinarians
Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Senior Formula
Your dog will eventually get older, that’s a given. When that time comes, you will have to switch to foods that can go easy on the dog’s teeth. The good news is that the Wellness Complete Health Natural Company has the best canned dog food for senior dogs.
This particular brand is suited to serve seniors dogs with servings at their basic signs of wellness: skin, energy, digestive, immunity, and health. It also goes easy on their gums too. One of the main ingredients is flaxseed, which is used to help your dog have healthy skin, as well as carrots to provide the much-needed antioxidants required at this age. It’s sold in packs of 12 cans, each 12.5 oz in size at $35.99
As for additional benefits, we can get:
- Lesser calories than the regular offerings and a lot of fiber to help their digestive system work properly.
- This canned food is made with premium, all natural organic ingredients
- Provides a lot of vitamins and minerals to contribute to a balanced diet
Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food
Purina is one of the most popular brand s in the market. Their products are well regarded based on a reputation that dates back quite a few years now. Although they have a very wide line of canned dog foods, one of their most popular offerings is the Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ground Wet Dog Food.
The recipe for this popular product contains chicken, salmon or beef as the main ingredient. The special broth created for it makes it very rich and full of flavor for most dogs of all ages. This line of foods is well known for having a tender texture and quality proteins that are a delight for many dogs around the world. A pack of 12 cans with 12.5 Oz each costs $25.08
The benefits offered by Purina products are the following:
- A recipe is full of high-quality proteins, it carries minimal carbs and is highly moisturized to make it very nutritious.
- Suitable for all life stages, can be served as a treat or as a side with dry food
- This canned food provides plenty of vitamins and minerals to contribute to a balanced diet
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food
The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food is the one recommendation in the list that can be considered the most natural choice since it has a minimal number of ingredients in the preparation of the broth.
This is also one of the best canned dog food for sensitive stomachs out there. It does wonders for dogs suffering food allergies. The nutritious content is suited for dogs of all ages.
Caretakers with concerns about the organic content on the meals of their dogs can rest assured. This product doesn’t have any artificial flavors added to the formula. It also lacks any artificial colors or preservatives. There is no grain in the recipe, and it helps the digestion of your pet. The premium ingredients will surely help the skin and coat of your dog look bright and shiny. This canned food is sold on 12-packs of 13 Oz each at $28.99.
As for a list of additional benefits, we can list the following:
- No presence of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Cooked and packaged in the US
- Full use of organic, and ethical ingredients
What is the best dog food recommended by vets?
The best way to know what is best for your pet is by consulting your veterinarian. These professionals are trained to understand the specific needs related to the health of animals. They are always willing to offer their recommended dog food brands based on the unique traits of your dog. If your furry pal has any problem related to food habits they can help out by suggesting the right pet supplements that may be required to make each meal more nutritious.
It’s a good thing that the market can meet the extensive number of demands on account of the needs of every dog out there. Most of these companies have understood that the organisms of dogs are very different from each breed. This has brought a quick expansion to the dog food market. Vets have more options than ever, not just for special breeds, but also for dogs needing special treatment given certain affections or conditions such as allergies or special diet requirements.
What You Need to Check in Cans and Treatments
If your concern goes beyond the professional opinion of your vet, we can recommend you a few pointers to put your mind at ease. First off, look for the AAFCO tag in the bag or can of dog food. The product bearing that tag is certified as a quality product. Bear in mind that if your dog needs a special diet that is prepared by you, it usually counts as a raw diet and those also have to meet AAFCO requirements or NRC standards. No vet is crazy enough to recommend something that is not safe.
Bear in mind that even if the canned dog food recommended by your vet is not on this list, it doesn’t mean that he’s going cheap on you. All dogs have unique needs, and your pooch is no exception. You can do some research on your end about ingredients to figure out if everything is as it should. Feeding your dog with the right diet can be troublesome if he has taken the habit of eating other products. The change in diet should always be introduced gradually to avoid any problems.
Important Recommendations
You should know these tidbits by now but is good to recap a few basics when it comes to choosing the right canned dog food. There are some essential features in these types of food you need to remember. Here’s what you should take into consideration:
Meat as the Main Ingredient
The best canned dog foods need to include meat. There is no way around this fact. Dogs can’t survive without animal proteins, and while they can get a lot out kibbles, meat consumption is necessary to get the right amount of proteins on their bodies. Stay away from any canned food offering meat substitutes. They can do more damage than good in the long run. Your dog needs lean protein to be strong and healthy.
Additional Ingredients and Supplements to suit your Breed of Dog
The life stage and breed of your dog determine the type of food you can offer them. Any vet will tell you about this in detail. If you want to offer canned dog food to your pet, you will have to select a brand and a formula that can suit their individual needs. Formulas for puppies contain DHA to help with the healthy development of their organs and body. Mixes for older dogs contain glucosamine to keep their joints moving.
Make Sure the Canned Food is Grain Free
Dogs and grains don’t mix, just as much as humans and gluten. The good news is that most brands have taken notice of this particular demand and many products out there are grain free. Even if you are not sure, you just need to check the label to take notice of this.
Closing Thoughts
Some of the best canned dog foods have a tremendous nutritious intake. That’s why so many owners spoil their dogs with the daily diets of these products. There is nothing wrong with that other than the cost since most of these products are very complete and balanced.
They are also created with your dog in mind, that’s why almost always they prefer canned foods over dry kibbles or biscuits. The truth is that even if food companies still try hard with new recipes for dry meals, most dogs still find more appetizing the rich flavor of canned foods. Their texture makes it more appealing and irresistible.
When it comes to our personal choice on canned dog food, out of the various options listed in this guide we would have to recommend Hill’s Science Diet Adult Wet Dog Food Savory Stew With Beef & Vegetables as the top option of our recommendations based on the high profile of the brand, the type of preparation of the product and the price-value relation. Remember that even if you agree with your choice, you still need to consult your veterinary to get proper input.