What Is The Best Canned Dog Food?

What is the best canned dog food? I remember just a few years ago, Yaz, my Afghan Hound just kind of ‘stuck’ up his nose when I filled his bowl for dinner. This was the same dry formula that he had been eating for years, so it was somewhat troubling to me as I thought maybe my pet may be suffering from some type of illness. I called my vet the next morning but had to wait until later on in the afternoon to get my dog in for a visit.

After some blood work, and a thorough exam, I was pleased to learn that my pet was in good health. Quite a relief! I informed my vet about his displeasure with the dry food, and he suggested that I might try to incorporate a canned food with the dry. I told him I would give it a try and then asked him, “What is the best canned dog food?” and he offered up a few suggestions. Not that I didn’t trust my vet, but I wanted to do some further research of my own before purchasing a product I knew little about.

If you are considering making a change or trying a new form of canned dog food for your pet, hopefully I can help, and provide you with some of the information i gathered in my own search.  There are tons of canned dog food products on the market and finding a quality product can be a stressful task. To make this easier for you, I will share with you the exact approach I took and look at such things as specific needs of your pet, which ingredients to look for, pros and cons of canned food and my top five choices.

What Canned Food Is Best for Dogs? Tip # 1

When considering what is the best canned dog food, it is absolutely critical that you consider the specific needs of your pet. Nobody knows your pet better than you do, and it is your responsibility to recognize and make the right dog food choice based on these needs. Is your dog overweight? Sensitive to certain ingredients contained in dog food? Diabetic? Allergies? Finding a canned food that is formulated to meet one or any of these needs can be found on the market, so make sure to locate a product that targets these specific needs. I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but my Afghan Hound of eight years became a bit overweight, so I focused my attention on finding a brand that was formulated to resolve this issue. I actually consulted an animal nutritionist to help me with this task, which paid huge dividends to my pet.

Ingredients – What To Look For …   Tip # 2

1. Meat – Must be the number one ingredient on the label and contain the majority of the product’s content. Meat provides protein which is essential to the well-being of your pet. Make sure the meat refers to a specific animal such as chicken, turkey, lamb, etc.
2. Grains – Look for unprocessed or whole grains in such items like brown or white rice. As a side note, many pet owners are now looking for grain-free formulas as they feel that grains are difficult for dogs to digest.
3. Fruits and Vegetables – They provide your pet with antioxidants and vitamins to sustain an overall healthy state.

Here is a list of the first eight ingredients of a popular canned dog food that will illustrate this a bit further:

• Chicken
• Chicken Broth
• Turkey
• Chicken Liver
• Whitefish
• Peas
• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes

Notice how the first five ingredients are associated with chicken, turkey and fish, all healthy protein sources. This particular product is grain-free which  is my own personal choice. I would also recommend that you stay away from anything associated with artificial content that contains no nutritional value to your dog. I believe that if you follow the above guidelines, you are on your way to finding a healthy, wholesome and nutritional diet for your pet.

Canned Dog Food … The Good Stuff (Benefits)

Let’s face it, there are always going to be individuals who are happy with a specific product, and others who aren’t so sure. This definitely holds true with canned dog food as well, as you can find sides on both ends of the topic. Through my research, I found that are indeed advantages of a canned food, and some disadvantages as well. Whether or not the pros outweigh the cons, or vice-versa, is something you as a pet owner must decide for yourself. Here are my pros (advantages) of using a canned dog food below:

• Easier to digest than the dry food
• Less preservatives and fewer carbohydrates compared to the dry formula
• Less calories
• More protein (Less processed than the dry)
• Dogs missing teeth or with oral issues find it much easier to consume than the dry
• Water content (Some dogs don’t drink enough water and the canned formula adds this to the overall intake)
• The aroma/scent is desirable which only increases the appetite with finicky dogs
• The water content within the canned food produces a faster sense of fullness within the digestive system
• Fewer fillers (Stuff that serves zero benefits to your dog)

Canned Dog Food … Not So Good Stuff

• Can be messy, especially with those dogs who like to drag their food from the bowl
• Once opened, the product should be used within a day or two to avoid contamination (Needs to be refrigerated)
• Cost (Depending on the brand, may be more expensive than the dry formula)
• Low calorie content (Some dogs need more calories in their diet)

Based on my own research, you can see that the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to acquiring the best canned dog food. I prefer to use the canned food as a ‘topper’ which means that my hound will receive a couple of tablespoons of the wet formula on top of his dry. I like the idea that my dog is receiving some benefits of chewing the dry (good for teeth and gums) and this process works well for me. Some dog owners prefer to feed their pets exclusively with a dry diet, while others like the canned formula. This should be a decision that you make based on the specific needs of your pet.

As I mentioned earlier, there are a number of canned food products on the market that would be quite beneficial to your pet. Below are my top five choices of the best canned dog food, including one that I still use on a daily basis.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Blue Homestyle Recipe (Chicken & Beef)

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient (LID)

 Packed with natural smoked flavor, lean, high-quality protein and complex carbohydrates that give him the energy he needs for a full day of work or play. Natural Balance L.I.D. Chicken and Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food contains all of the important nutrients she needs, and none of the grains that many dogs have sensitivities to. Recommended by vets and animal nutritionists during all of your dog’s stages of life.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12—Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food has precisely balanced nutrition to sustain mobility and muscle mass. This delicious formula contains high-quality protein to sustain lean muscle. It also promotes ideal body weight and healthy vital organs and is easy to digest.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12—Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entree Canned Dog Food has precisely balanced nutrition to sustain mobility and muscle mass. This delicious formula contains high-quality protein to sustain lean muscle. It also promotes ideal body weight and healthy vital organs and is easy to digest.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Canned Dog Food, 12.8-oz, case of 12—Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables is a delicious way to provide precisely balanced nutrition that enhances the overall health and well-being of your older dog. It is made with real chicken, brown rice and a medley of delectable vegetables including peas and carrots, all smothered in a delicious gravy.

Wellness Core

 Wellness CORE Hearty Cuts Chicken & Turkey. This natural, grain-free canned wet food for dogs features meaty cuts of protein in a savory gravy and served with nutrient-rich superfoods like sweet potatoes and broccoli. It is crafted for complete and balanced everyday nutrition with essential vitamins and minerals. This wet dog food is formulated using only premium, all-natural ingredients and does not contain any wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. It is ideal as an entrée, mixer or food topper for your pet’s  next meal.

Whole Earth Farms

Pet parents will take great pride in feeding their dogs Whole Earth Farms, a wholesome line of naturally nutritious dog food that offers all the goodness from the earth at a good value. All Whole Earth Farms kibble and canned recipes are made in the USA with high quality, natural ingredients that deliver complete and balanced nutrition. Now with more high quality protein, Whole Earth Farms is the good choice for pet parents interested in exploring natural pet food.

These are five products that I would recommend without hesitation. All contain healthy, nutritional ingredients that your dog will surely enjoy. I hope this article has been of some value to you, and provides you with information that will assist you in your search. Make sure to follow the guidelines I laid out for you, and pay close attention to the tips. By the way, the brand that I use on a daily basis is the Whole Earth Farms that provided my hound with optimal health. Thanks again for stopping by, and feel free to leave a comment below.

Disclaimer

For those unfamiliar with dog food grain-free recipes, there has and is a controversy taking place as I write this article. The FDA has madeetween the grain-free diet and heart disease within dogs. For further information, the American Kennel Club has provided further details. Click here.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this site and articles are intended to provide a source of entertainment and information. As a dog owner and dog lover myself, I enjoy researching dog food products on the market to provide you with helpful insights. I am not a veterinarian nor an animal nutritionist, just a dog owner who wants to provide a healthy lifestyle to their pet. I use my research to express an opinion which may or may not be one you agree with.

eathealthydoggy.com assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of what’s written on this site. You should always consult with a veterinarian if you should have questions regarding your dog’s diet or overall health.