Best Wet Puppy Food

Julia Ogden  Karan French

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Julia Ogden
Julia Ogden

Julia Ogden

Content Director

Julia is the content director at the Dog Food Advisor and responsible for the overall strategy of the website.

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Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Updated: August 28, 2024

Verified by Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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Laura Ward

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What’s the best wet food for your puppy?

The answer to that important question depends on the BREED SIZE of your particular dog.

That’s because…

Large breed puppies have a high risk of developing a crippling and permanent form of hip disease… if they’re fed a diet that contains too much calcium while they’re still growing.1

Notice the serious bone and joint damage visible in this x-ray:

 

X-ray of large breed dog with bilateral hip disease
Large Breed Dog with Canine Hip Disease

Since the nutritional needs of small and large breed puppies are so different, it’s important to choose a wet food that’s SAFE for your puppy’s breed size.

On the page below…

We’ll share the Dog Food Advisor’s best wet puppy foods… each labeled “Best for” to help you choose a food that’s safe for YOUR puppy’s breed size.

And we’ll also answer the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding wet puppy food.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Wet Puppy Food October 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best wet puppy food brands for October 2024.

  • 1. Best Overall Wet Puppy Food: The Farmer's Dog Chicken Recipe

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    Puppies require a precise balance of nutrients to support their rapid growth. Fresh food, such as this chicken recipe by The Farmer’s Dog, is formulated to provide a balanced diet. It includes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus for bone development and receives a 5-star rating from our pet nutritionist Laura Ward.

    Freshly prepared food often tastes better to dogs. This can be especially important for puppies who are more prone to be picky eaters. The high palatability of this food encourages puppies to eat well and enjoy their meals.

    The bulk of the protein from this recipe comes from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 44% protein, 30% fat and 18% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 68%. 

    Find out more about The Farmer’s Dog brand.

    Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 44%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "I changed up Liam’s food and he has his puppy energy back! Thank you so much for helping me whip this fat boy back in shape!"

    Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com
  • 2. Best Premium Puppy Food: Ollie Chicken Dish with Carrots

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    Ollie Chicken Dish with Carrots gets our 5-star rating and recommendation as the best premium food for puppies because it combines high-quality, human-grade ingredients with balanced nutrition designed for their developmental needs. 

    The fresh, gently cooked food is easily digestible, supports overall health, and avoids artificial additives and fillers.

    Ollie’s tailored feeding plans and high moisture content make it a convenient and effective option for providing optimal nutrition during a puppy’s crucial growth stages.

    This formula derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and chicken liver, which provides a high-quality source of protein essential for muscle development. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 31% protein, 12% fat and 50% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.

    For more choices: See our Best Fresh Dog Food page

    Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 31%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Rusty absolutely loves his Ollie! He did gain 3lbs, so I have switched up his order to half chicken and half beef. It’s peace of mind knowing he is getting good quality food! "

    Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com
  • 3. Best Budget-Friendly Wet Puppy Food: Wellness Complete Health Puppy

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    This chicken and salmon flavored puppy food from Wellness is formulated by pet nutritionists and veterinarians and packed with protein and vegetables to support the development of growing puppies.

    The pate texture ensures it is easily palatable for small mouths and teeth and the nutrient-rich ingredients promote whole body health including the development of a strong immune system, optimal energy levels, digestive function and a healthy coat and skin. 

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 67%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Budget-Friendly Dog Food page.

    Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 41%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "We adopted a baby Basset Hound. We fed Wellness puppy and he is thriving today because of it. We wanted the same for Darwin. He's 3 months old and loves this food. We mix it with the large breed Wellness puppy. Highly recommend it and our vet recommended this food to us too. Darwin gives it 2 paws up!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 4. Best Wet Puppy Food to Mix with Dry: Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Beef

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    Puppies often enjoy wet food mixed with dry because wet food tends to have a stronger aroma and richer flavor than kibble; the smell and taste of this combination can be more appealing to puppies.

    As wet food contains a higher moisture content than dry, when mixed together the overall moisture content of the meal increases, which can be beneficial for puppies, especially if they don’t drink enough water.

    This grain-free canned puppy food from Merrick contains 82% moisture in a savory gravy. It derives the bulk of its protein from beef and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 44% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%. 

    Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned beef, beef broth, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 44%
    AAFCO Standards Growth
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "I am amazed at how good this product is: made of excellent quality ingredients, the best for my fur baby’s development and health. He absolutely loves the taste and is always asking for more!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 5. Best Wet Puppy Food for Large Breeds: Open Farm Gently Cooked Puppy

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    Open Farm Gently Cooked Puppy Food is well-suited for large breed puppies because it provides balanced, high-quality nutrition tailored to their unique growth needs, supporting healthy development while minimizing the risk of common large breed health issues.

    Open Farm is known for its transparency in sourcing, allowing pet parents to trace the origin of the ingredients. This commitment to quality ensures puppies are getting safe, nutritious food free from harmful additives or low-quality ingredients. 

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 42% protein, 35% fat and 15% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 85%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Large Breed Puppy Food page.

    Read our review of the full Open Farm Gently Cooked Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Humanely-raised chicken, wild-caught salmon, humanely-raised pork, chicken liver, carrots
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 42%
    AAFCO Standards All life stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "Tried this puppy gently cooked food and she loves it. I combine half and half and she eats it all and stays full until it’s time to eat again. She has tons of energy and looks great. Quality food makes a difference"

    Read more buyer reviews at Open Farm
  • 6. Best Wet Small Breeds: Solid Gold Grain-Free Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Cranberry

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    Help fuel your small breed puppy with this Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Cranberry food from Solid Gold. We love this wet, grain and gluten-free recipe. It includes wholesome vegetables such as peas and sweet potatoes, plus nutrient-packed superfoods like vitamin E-rich cranberries. 

    This particular formula derives the bulk of its protein from lamb and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 44% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Small Breed Puppy Foods page.

    Read our review of the full Solid Gold Grain Free Dog Food (Cups) range here

    Main Ingredients Water sufficient for processing, lamb, chicken liver, whitefish, sweet potatoes
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 44%
    AAFCO Standards Growth & Maintenance
    Best For Small breed puppies and lactating female dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "My Mini Dachshund & Chihuahua love Solid Gold Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Cranberry Food and they give it 5 stars!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 7. Best Wet Sensitive Stomach: Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Chicken & White Rice

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    The fresh formula by Just Food for Dogs consists of straightforward, whole food ingredients such as chicken, white rice, carrots, and fish oil. A limited ingredient diet such as this can be beneficial for puppies with a sensitive stomach because it reduces the chances of triggering food sensitivities or allergies.

    The absence of common allergens such as corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives further reduces the risk of digestive upset, making it a safer choice for sensitive puppies.

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33% protein, 11% fat and 49% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 33%.

    For more choices: See our Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food page.

    Read our review of the full JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Dog Food range here

    Main Ingredients Water, chicken, rice, carrots, spinach
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 33%
    AAFCO Standards All life stages
    Best For All puppies

    Sample buyer review...

    "My dog is quite picky and has sensitive digestion. She loves the chicken and rice recipe. I make it sometimes with the DIY blend to make it more affordable, but the tetra packs make it so easy when we travel or when she goes to her sitter. Love the option for shelf stable packaging of fresh food!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Just Food For Dogs.com
  • 8. Best Grain-Inclusive Wet: Canidae All Life Stages - Chicken & Rice Formula

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    Rice is a well-tolerated, easily digestible carbohydrate that provides a steady source of energy. This is particularly important for puppies, as their energy needs are high due to their rapid growth and active nature.

    This grain-inclusive formula is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, making it a safer and healthier option for puppies as avoiding artificial additives helps reduce the risk of allergies and sensitivities, which are more common in young dogs.

    This bulk of the protein from this food comes from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 41% protein, 30% fat and 22% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 72%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Dog Food with Grain page

    Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, brown rice, oat bran
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 41%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "My dog has never eaten new food with gusto until now. He really surprised us by eating without any coaxing. This is the first time, and we were thrilled. No more dry food. We've tried everything. Now, if I could get my husband to stop giving him too many treats!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 9. Best Griain-Free Wet Puppy Food: Nulo Freestyle Grain Free Turkey, Cod and Sweet Potato Puppy Food

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    This grain-free recipe has balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus to support strong bones and teeth in growing puppies, while antioxidants such as cranberries and blueberries support a healthy immune system.

    It is low-glycemic, free of grains, corn, wheat or soy and has all the animal-based protein puppies need to fuel and nourish their growing muscles. 

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from turkey and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 53%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Grain-Free Dog Foods page.

    Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, salmon broth, turkey liver, cod
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 43%
    AAFCO Standards Growth
    Best For Small and medium breed puppies

    Sample buyer review...

    "I love the Nulo puppy food. My Chihuahuas puppies and my older chihuahuas really love this food. You can actually see the chunks of vegetables in this food. If the chunks are too big, they are easy to smash and blend in with the food."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 10. Best Wet Puppy Food for Allergies: Nom Nom Pork Pot Luck

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    Nom Nom Pork Potluck is a good option for puppies with allergies because it focuses on high-quality, limited ingredients that are less likely to trigger allergic reactions, while also being nutritionally balanced to support a puppy’s growth and development.

    Pork is considered a novel protein for many dogs, meaning it’s less commonly found in standard dog foods compared to proteins like chicken or beef. This makes it a good alternative for puppies who may be allergic to more common proteins. 

    Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 28% protein, 20% fat and 44% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 71%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Dog Food for Allergies page.

    Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Ground pork, russet potatoes, green beans, squash, kale
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 28%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"

    Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I switch to a new food without getting my puppy sick?

In this video

Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help lower your puppy’s risk of getting sick when you switch to a new wet food.

It’s best to transition your puppy to a new food… gradually.

Start by mixing 20% “new” and 80% “old” food together. Then, gently increase that amount to a full 100%… over the next 8 to 9 days.

Transition Schedule Old Food New Food
Days 1 and 2 80% 20%
Days 3 and 4 60% 40%
Days 5 and 6 40% 60%
Days 7 and 8 20% 80%
Day 9 0% 100%

How much wet food does my puppy need?

Since a larger breed requires more wet food than a smaller breed… and because every brand of food contains a different number of calories per cup

There’s no one-size-fits-all feeding plan that’s right for every puppy.

So…

Start with the recommended amount printed on the package. Then, adjust that serving size… up or down… to keep your dog at ideal weight as she grows.

Wet Puppy Food Feeding Guidelines
Example:  Feeding Guidelines – Cans per Day2

When and how often should I feed my puppy?

Once you’ve decided how much wet food your puppy needs each day…

Simply divide that amount into 3 to 4 equal servings. Then, feed those smaller meals to your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day.

For more detail…

This short video explains how to create the best feeding schedule for your puppy.

When can I safely switch my puppy to adult food?

It’s important not to switch your puppy to adult food too soon.

That’s because adult dog food can contain too much calcium… which can increase a puppy’s risk of developing canine hip dysplasia… especially for certain breeds.

Since breeds age at different rates, the table below can help you choose the best time to SAFELY change your puppy to adult dog food.

Breed Size Weight* Switch
Small breed < 20 lbs 9-12 months
Medium breed 20-50 lbs 12-14 months
Large breed 50-100 lbs 15-18 months
Giant breed 100+ lbs 18-24 months

* Weight when fully grown

Wet or dry food - which is better for my puppy?

Wet food can be a gentler way to ease your new puppy from mother’s milk to a typical canine diet.

That’s because…

Wet foods are softer and easier for a puppy to chew than dry food.

And they’re more palatable, too.

After all, dry kibble contains just 10% water. Yet the moisture content of wet dog food is about 75%… similar to real natural food.

Notice the difference between highly-processed dry pellets and fresh wet food in this side-by-side comparison.

Nom Nom Fresh Wet Puppy Food vs Dry Kibble
Fresh Wet Food vs Dry Kibble (Photo credit: Nom Nom Fresh)

Final word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

Sources

1: Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345–1359.

2: Image Credit: Package label, IAMS ProActive Health Puppy Food with Chicken and Rice, 2022

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