My wife and I were out of town when we got the call.
It was the kennel assistant.
“Bailey hasn’t eaten a bite in two whole days,” she advised. “What would you like us to do?
Patti and I had gone away for the holidays and had no choice but to leave our little guy with the vet.
And now we were worried.
Bailey’s recent favorite… a chicken and rice kibble… had been brought along with him to the kennel. But now he didn’t want any part of it.
When I asked the aide if she had any suggestions, she quickly replied, “Why don’t you let me try something special. It almost always works with our finicky dogs who refuse to eat.”
When I called back a few hours later I was relieved to find out Bailey had “gobbled up every bit of it… and even licked the bowl”.
Know what “it” was?
Canned dog food. That’s right. Bailey wouldn’t eat the kibble… but he sure did love that wet food.
Fixing a Tarnished Reputation
After that experience I decided to learn more about canned dog food. I knew Bailey liked the stuff… a lot more than he liked the kibble. So, I had to be sure if it was OK for him to eat.
After all, I’d always heard that canned dog food wasn’t as good for dogs as dry kibble.
But boy was I wrong!
You see, in many ways, canned dog food can be a better choice than kibble.
For starters, canned dog foods are frequently made from higher quality ingredients. Fresh meat-based protein. And fewer carbohydrates1.
Plus… due to their air-tight packaging… canned dog foods almost never contain dangerous synthetic preservatives. That’s because fats and oils packaged in cans don’t easily turn rancid.
And artificial flavorings and colorings are also rare additions.
With cans, meat ingredients resemble their natural state. So, canned products are more palatable… and more appetizing.
Don’t believe it? Just watch any dog making the switch from kibble to canned.
Help for Dogs with Dietary Problems
Have an overweight dog?
The moisture content of canned dog food can make the same amount of nutrients (on a dry matter basis) occupy more stomach volume… so, your dieting dog can feel fuller… faster.
And what about older dogs?
Seniors are frequently afflicted with serious dental problems that can make chewing dry kibble difficult… even painful. So, canned dog food can be the perfect solution.
The Truth About Dog Food and Dental Health
Now, I know it looks like I’ve forgotten to mention how kibble is better for your dog’s teeth than canned food. But my own professional background makes that silly old rumor difficult to accept.
Find out for yourself. Be sure to read “Dry Dog Food and the Myth of Cleaner Teeth” to learn the surprising truth.
So, Which Is Better… Canned or Kibble?
To help answer that question, here’s a summary of my findings…
From this chart it seems like canned dog food might be a better choice. But looks can be deceiving.
Where Kibble Wins… Hands Down
Now, to be fair, when it comes to convenience… nothing beats kibble. Plus… if you’re on a budget… and who isn’t these days… a well-designed dry dog food can almost always be a better buy.
But be sure to heed this important warning…
Never leave any canned food in your dog’s bowl for more than an hour or two. Unlike kibble, wet foods exposed to the environment can more easily grow bacteria… and quickly become contaminated.
Of course, every open can must be kept refrigerated. Be sure to discard any unused dog food within two to three days.
Why You Need to Consider Both
Now, don’t get me wrong. I hope you don’t think I’m recommending canned food over kibble.
No… not at all. What I am trying to say is that each type of dog food has its own unique advantages… benefits that are just right for each particular situation.
So, never overlook either kind of dog food… canned or kibble. Take the time to find out which is the better choice for your special friend.
Your dog will be very glad you did.
- National Research Council, National Academy of Science, “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats”, 2006 Edition, National Academies Press, Washington, DC, p 317 ↩
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
A lot of dog owners nowadays have not been aware of what other dog food manufacturers are doing to them. Some people settled for cheaper brands but actually, these cheap dog foods have a lot of dog food preservatives that make them unhealthy for the dogs. For me, it is better to prefer high-end and trusted dog food products. Better to check them out before you buy them!
Danniele Brown
http://woofgangbakerylakewoodranch.com/
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ON TEETH
OBSERVATIONS Ie ; WET vs DRY ?
WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE DOGS ON “WET ”
DISPLAY MUCH CLEANER TEETH ! = NO YELLOW BROWN KIBBLE STAIN ! WE STILL BRUSH ON OCCASIOM THOUGH !
BEST !
Don’t always trust the so called healthy brands either. Always check the ingredients. Just because the vet sold it to you doesn’t make it good for your little buddy. Scientist aren’t always the best.
well from my experience they tend to eat more canned foods and it makes there poop watery. i have had dogs that were fed dry dog food only and wet dog food only and the ones who ate dry dog food lived longer (assumption on the same bread) plus the canned dog food is being recalled so damn much you gotta watch what you buy. So here is what i do i make sure whats on a recall list and buy canned or gravy food and mix it with dry dog food its the best of both worlds they get some of the nutrition of the dry and the canned foods. I truly believe its better to feed them dry dog food and if you are truly worried then mix the food.
and if you dont buy gravy food then here is what i do with it so i mixes little better i heat it up in the microwave (it also depends on the dog) for 20 seconds its not to hot it is actually just warm enough to mix well with the dry dog food. I also feed him one can of non gravy food for 2 days due to mixing it with dry food. I put a lid on the can and refredgerate it for the next day.
to me this is a way better way to feed them.
Shorty-you really shouldn’t be microwaving your dogs food because this depletes vitamins-minerals and would kill any digestive enzymes in the food also.
Our two Basenjis get a spoonful of canned food in their kibble. We add just enough hot water to turn the canned food to gravy and mix it all together. Sometimes we add some steamed broccoli. They love it!
I am looking for a low fat moderate protein food. Also not too high in carbs. I have a healthy mini schnauzer and try to watch the fat content. Staying at 12 or below! Would like to find canned food to mix with her kibble but I am not sure if the canned %s for protein and fat are an accurate representation. Thank you so much!
Hi LeRene… All foods on our website have been adjusted to show protein, fat and carbs as if they are water-free (known as “dry matter basis”). However, It’s always difficult to compare dry with canned, even using our “dry” system. But this method makes comparing canned-to-canned food and kibble-to-kibble much easier.
Why not make it easy on yourself. Just look for 3, 4 or 5-star canned foods that suit your needs. Hope this helps.