Is it okay to feed dogs wet food only
Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?
Theres something about cat food that makes it virtually irresistible to a dog. Most dogs, regardless of breed, age, and how well-behaved they are, will sniff out and snack on cat food if its available.
But is eating cat food bad for a dog? Heres what you need to know about dog nutrition and whether its safe for dogs to eat cat food.
Whats the Difference Between Dog Food and Cat Food?
Dogs are omnivores and therefore can consume a more varied diet that includes both plant-based and animal-based ingredients.
On the other hand, cats are true carnivores, meaning they eat solely animal protein and have greater protein and fat requirements than dogs.
Additionally, cats require 11 essential amino acids to be provided by their diet, whereas dogs require 10 amino acids. The additional amino acid required by cats is taurine.
To meet these greater nutrient requirements, commercial cat foods must provide greater protein, fat, and taurine concentrations than commercial dog foods. This implies that all commercial dog food is nutritionally deficient for cats.
For dogs, however, the greater protein and fat contents of cat food make it more tasty, fragrant, and therefore enticing, and allow it to meet or even exceed a dogs nutrient requirements.
Is It Safe for a Dog to Eat Cat Food?
A dog eating their feline friends foodeither as an occasional treat or even in place of their own foodis not necessarily bad for the average adult dog.
When Cat Food Is Safe for Dogs
In fact, for some dogs, like those battling cancer and experiencing weight loss, muscle wasting, and a poor appetite, cat food may be an ideal alternative to manydog foods.
Cat food tends to be more palatable, provide more calories per serving, and offer a more nutrient-balanced option compared to many home-prepared diets in these cases.
Likewise, cat kibble can make for healthier, well-balanced treats or training rewards compared to some human foods commonly used, like cheese, chicken, or peanut butter, which provide a concentrated amount of primarily one nutrient.
When Cat Food Is Harmful for Dogs
For other dogs, consuming cat food, even as an occasional treat, could become problematic if there are underlying reasons for why excess protein or fat is not ideal.
Examples:
A dog with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract may vomit or have diarrhea after eating cat food because the food is simply too rich.
A dog with kidney or liver disease needs to consume moderate amounts of protein, not excess, to promote optimal functioning of those organs.
An obese dog, or one with a predisposition for developing pancreatitis (e.g., many Schnauzers), must consume a lower-fat diet to promote weight loss or limit pancreatic inflammation.
For all of these dogs, feeding any amount of commercial cat food, whether its infrequentor on a long-term basis, could exacerbate health issues.
Ask Your Vet About Your Dogs Nutritional Needs
So how good or bad cat food is for your dogs health really depends on your dog.
For most healthy adult dogs, this means you no longer need to worry about your dog partaking in the occasional kitty treat.
However, if you have any questions, be sure to reach out to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist for advice as to whether commercial cat food, in any amount, may be right for your dog.
Featured Image: iStock.com/SolStock
Is It Alright If My Dog Only Eats Wet Food? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
We all want to ensure that we are feeding our dogs a well-balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs. Not only are there an overwhelming number of choices for dog food brands and food varieties, but there is a lot of confusion on what exactly is good and what is bad in terms of dog food.
So, when it comes to wet food, you can most definitely feed your dog wet food alone, if thats what you and they prefer. The wet pet food market is growing and is expected to continue that growth as more and more owners educate themselves on all things dog food. Well take an in-depth look into this below to help you decide if feeding only wet food is suitable for you and your pup.
How Does Wet Food Stand Up to Dry Food?
Wet or canned dog food does not differ in terms of nutritional value or digestibility when compared to dry kibble. Wet foods are formulated to meet a dogs dietary needs; you just must ensure you are feeding the correct amount of food based on your dogs age, size, and activity level. This information will be located on the foods label, just as it is with dry food varieties.
There are plenty of wet food options on the market, with brands falling under Mars Petcare as the leader in sales for the industry. As with dry food, its important to choose high-quality wet food. Make sure to read the label, check the list of ingredients, and see if the food has been created to meet the AAFCO guidelines for pet nutrition.
Benefits of Wet Food
There are quite a few reasons why wet food is beneficial as a food choice for dogs. Whether you choose to feed exclusively wet food or use it as a topper, here are the benefits of opting for wet food:
Palatability
Theres no way around it, wet dog food is much more appetizing to dogs than dry food is. Canned wet foods come complete with enticing aromas that can convince even the pickiest of eaters to enjoy a hearty meal. Wet food also comes in a variety of different textures, such as pate, solid, cuts, cubes, and shreds, giving some versatility so that you can find the perfect texture for your pup.
Its Easier to Chew
While there are some downsides to wet food being so easy to chew, it can also be very beneficial, especially for senior dogs and those that suffer from dental issues or deformities. So, in addition to being aromatic and tasty, its very soft and easy for any dog to consume.
Higher Water Content
Wet dog food is much higher in moisture than dry kibble, typically running between 75 and 80 percent moisture. The high-water content helps your dog stay well-hydrated. Dehydration puts serious stress on the kidney, which can lead to some serious health problems over time. The moisture also helps keep the stomach full and discourages overeating.
Fewer Carbohydrates
Wet food contains more meat and fewer carbohydrates than dry dog food. This means there is a higher fat and protein content, and their overall carbohydrate intake will be much less with canned food varieties. Diets high in carbohydrates can lead to obesity, which can cause a slew of other serious health concerns. Overall, wet food can prevent weight gain and even help with weight loss goals for those that need to shed a few pounds.
Long Shelf Life
Most wet foods will have a shelf life that ranges from 2 to 5 years unopened. Opened cans of dog food generally last anywhere from 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator once opened.
The Downside of Wet Food
Theres no way around it. Lets talk about some of the downsides to wet food:
More Expensive
One of the main reasons dog owners opt to steer clear of feeding wet food exclusively is due to the expense. With wet food, you need to buy much more than you would with dry kibble choices. For owners of large dogs, the expense of a wet food-only diet will be quite expensive to keep up with the amount larger dogs need to get their fill.
Less Convenient
Feeding wet food can get quite messy and be a bit more time-consuming than scooping out and measuring kibble. Its a good idea to opt for a food mat under the dog bowl to prevent extra mess and lessen your clean-up. The smell that entices your dog so much may not be too appealing to you, either.
Spoils Quickly If Left Out
When you feed kibble, you can simply leave it out for your dog to graze or put away what wasnt eaten. You cant do the same with wet food varieties. Wet food will spoil within 2 to 4 hours if left out in the bowl. The good news is that if you get it into the refrigerator in time, it can last up to a week. Be sure to check the specific can label for more accurate information on shelf life.
Creates More Trash
Theres no doubt that when compared to dog food, canned food will create much more trash than your bag of kibble. Exclusive wet food feeders will go through cans like crazy. Thankfully, these cans are typically recyclable but its easy to get overwhelmed with the number of cans youll be separating for trash day. Its an idea to rinse out the cans when youve used it all, as the food stuck to the lining of the can will still hold that aroma and may encourage your dog to go diving face-first into the trash to get some more.
Risk of Tartar Buildup
We discussed in the last section how wet food is beneficial for being easy to chew, but the downside to that is that it can eventually lead to tartar buildup. Dry dog food will make dogs chew harder and the texture of the kibble can help prevent excess tartar buildup and stave off dental issues.
Higher Fat Content
Of course, the fewer carbohydrates are a great benefit to wet food, but the higher fat content may not be suitable for all dogs. Dogs that have sensitivity to high-fat food or are predisposed to pancreatitis may not fare well on a wet food-only diet. This is something to discuss directly with your veterinarian since they are familiar with your dogs overall health condition.
Using Wet Food as a Topper
As you can see, wet food has its good points and bad points. This leads many owners to choose to use wet food as a topper to dry kibble to reap the benefits but not have to foot the expense and other inconveniences of feeding a full wet food diet.
You can either add the wet food right into the dry food and mix it in thoroughly, or you can choose to place it on top. For picky eaters, its recommended to mix it all in or you may have a dog that is just eating the wet right off the top and leaving the rest.
Adding the wet food into the mix not only makes the meal more aromatic and appetizing but also adds some beneficial moisture. There are packets of toppers available, but you can easily use your typical can of food and use a lid for storage in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
You can most certainly choose to feed your dog a wet food-only diet if you ensure you are feeding high-quality wet food in the correct quantity. Because wet food-only diets can get quite expensive, especially for larger dogs and multiple-dog households, a lot of owners choose to use wet food as a topper to mix in with dry food. This allows your dog to obtain the benefits of both food types and is more budget-friendly and convenient for you overall.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock
How Much Wet Food Do I Feed My Dog? Vet-Approved Feeding Chart
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreMany dogs do best on wet food. If your canine is picky, the moisture and smell of wet food may encourage them to eat more. Plus, wet food is usually tastier. The moisture may also help with certain health problems, especially if your dog has trouble staying hydrated.
Of course, the moisture in wet food is not a replacement for water, as dogs drink water to combat thirst just like us.
No matter whether youre feeding exclusively wet food or only partially wet food, youll need to account for your canines weight. Furthermore, different foods contain different amounts of calories. Therefore, your dog may need less or more of certain recipes. We recommend looking at the directions on the can to determine how much to feed your dog.
Activity Levels
Feel free to adjust the amount of food based on your dogs activity level. Very active dogs may need more, while very inactive dogs may need less. Keep an eye on your dogs body condition to determine whether you need to increase or decrease the amount of food theyre eating.
If youre combing wet and dry food, figuring out how much to feed can get a bit more complicated. However, the best thing to do is determine how much food youd need to feed your dog completely with your chosen dry food and completely with your chosen wet food. Then, you can decrease it to fit whatever ratio youre using.
For instance, if youre feeding half wet food and half dry food, youd reduce both amounts by half. Lets say itd take one can to feed your dog completely with your chosen wet food, and two cups to feed your dog with the chosen dry food. If youre feeding 50/50, then youd feed half a can of wet food and one cup of dry food. You can do this for any ratio.
However, 50/50 and 25/75 are typically the easiest.
Feeding Chart
While every type of canned food will have its own instructions, they generally have about the same calorie content. Heres a quick feeding chart to help you figure out how much wet food to feed your canine.
Of course, always double-check with the back of the can to ensure this chart is accurate for your chosen food.
| Weight | Food Amount |
| 4 lbs | 2/3 of a can |
| 12 lbs | 11/3 of a can |
| 20 lbs | 2 cans |
| 35 lbs | 22/3 of a can |
| 50 lbs | 31/2 of a can |
| 75 lbs | 41/2 of a can |
| 100 lbs | 51/2 of a can |
You can also complement this valuable information by using our dog calculator tool here:
The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice
Is It Okay to Feed Dogs Wet Food Only?
Wet food provides balanced nutrition for your canine and is designed to be fed solely. Therefore, while many owners top kibble with wet food, you can also solely use wet food. There are several reasons why it may be the best choice to feed your dog wet food, as well.
1. Added Moisture
Wet food includes a lot more moisture than dry food. Therefore, it is best for canines that need some extra hydration. Most dogs do a pretty good job of maintaining hydration. However, some dogs may need extra help due to underlying health problems in the environment.
For instance, dogs with kidney issues may need extra hydration, as their kidneys have to work extra hard. If you think your dog may fall into this category, speak with your veterinarian.
2. Easier to Eat
Wet dog food is easier to eat than dry dog food. It doesnt require as much chewing and is much softer. Therefore, many dogs with dental problems do better on wet food. Older dogs and puppies may also do best on wet food for this reason. However, some puppies find that the crunchiness of dry food helps their teething pain more than wet food does.
Sometimes, youll need to experiment to find out if your dog prefers eating wet food or dry food.
3. Tastes Better
Wet food contains more moisture and is, therefore, tastier for most dogs. Plus, it smells more strongly, which can also help with the taste. Wet foods also tend to be higher in meat. Therefore, they may taste better for this reason, as well.
If your dog is picky, getting them to eat can be vital. If your dog falls into this category, we highly recommend considering using wet food.
4. Higher Meat Content
Wet dog food tends to have a higher meat content. Therefore, it tends to contain more protein and fewer carbohydrates. For this reason, wet dog food is often more nutritional than dry dog food, which is the main reason many dog owners decide to feed it to their puppy.
However, this isnt always the case. You should still read ingredient lists to be sure.
How Much Wet Food Equals Dry Food?
There is not an exact comparison between wet food and dry food. Different formulas will contain different amounts of calories. Therefore, we highly recommend being cautious about using a simple formula to switch out your dogs dry food for wet food. Instead, we recommend following the directions on the back of the can.
Of course, you may have to adjust the amount you feed your dog based on their activity level. However, for the most part, the feeding directions should provide you with a pretty good idea of how much to feed your canine.
With that said, two cans of food typically equal a cup of dog food. Because wet food contains so much moisture, you have to feed your dog a lot more of it and you have to use more wet food than you would dry food. However, this is great for dogs that are overweight or obese, as it means that they feel fuller on less.
Of course, this factor is also one of the reasons that wet food tends to be more expensive. You simply have to feed more, which increases the overall price that you pay.
Can I Feed My Dog Wet Food Every Day?
Yes. You can safely feed your dog wet food every day. It provides complete nutrition, so it meets all of your dogs nutritional needs. Plus, many dogs do best when they stick to one type of pet food. Therefore, if you want to feed your dog wet food, we recommend feeding only wet foodunless you need to cut costs.
Conclusion
Wet food isnt nearly as popular as kibble. However, it can provide dogs with a complete diet and extra moisture. Some dogs with health problems benefit immensely from wet food for this reason. Plus, it is also easier to eat and usually contains more meat.
However, your dog will usually need more wet food than dry food. Wet food contains a lot of moisture content and you have to feed more for your dog to meet their nutritional needs.
Featured Image Credit: dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock
