Best wet foods for puppies contain few carbohydrates and more protein and are additives-free.
Owners are often in a dilemma when choosing the best diet for their new fluffy companions since there are many food options.
When giving your wet pup food, ensure to consider their breed size. Also, consult with your vet or a vet nutritionist for proper guidelines.
Read on for more information on wet food for your puppy.
How do you feed very young puppies?
No one food is best when it comes to feeding puppies. As they grow, they may show allergy signs making hypoallergenic diets a good option.
The breed size of the puppy also matters as large-breed puppies are accustomed to diets with low calorie and fat content than smaller breeds.
Puppies have specific nutritional needs because they grow and develop fast, making them need essential vitamins and proteins.
Adding probiotics and supplements to the puppy's diet goes a long way. Northern Cascade's Safe Guard probiotic contains an abundance of healthy ingredients that you can add to the puppy's food for improved gut balance and immunity.
Although wet food may not be convenient forever, it is most suitable during a puppy's early life stages. Its benefits include:
- Its meaty texture is easier on puppies who have been weaned from their moms and have just developed their teeth as solid food can be difficult to chew and swallow
- It is a good choice for greedy or fussy eating, and overweight dogs
- It contains half the calories in a whole bowl of dry food, making it a perfect choice for your puppy
- It has a high moisture content that provides the puppy with plenty of fluids, reducing the risks of urinary tract infections.
What wet food can I feed my puppy?
A new puppy in the house comes with a lot to learn and responsibilities. Starting a puppy on a wet diet depends on size and age.
Gauging a puppy's breed size is the most critical step in deciding what to feed them. Small and large dog breeds both have different nutritional requirements.
For older puppies, wet food is a healthy diet, but for very young ones, it's a no-go because they need more calories than can be provided in wet foods alone.
Puppies who are not yet weaned should be offered semi-solid foods as wet food can upset stomachs since they are very rich.
However, wet food can be introduced to the puppies in small amounts around 6-8 weeks to avoid possible gastrointestinal upset.
Too many calories and high vitamin D and calcium levels can lead to overgrowth and hinder large-breed puppy's cartilage and bone development.
Wet food can easily lead to overfeeding since it can be hard to tell exactly how much of it one can serve their dog.
How much to feed a puppy depends on the food brand, as different brands have different amounts of calories and nutrients. Always check the product packaging for guidelines.
Can puppies eat canned dog food?
When choosing canned dog food for your puppy, keep account of all the needed nutrients for your pup.
Check nutritional adequacy statements (complete and balanced) on the product's label to ensure that it meets nutritional profile regulations.
Ensure the product is made of natural ingredients like corn, beef, and lamb. Some canned foods for puppies include:
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner
This formula has chicken, chicken liver, and broth as its first ingredients. It has no preservatives, added flavours, by-products, or artificial colours.
In addition, it has wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits and is high in fatty acids great for the puppy's health.
Its protein bulk is derived from fresh beef with the first ingredients of ground beef, eggs, peas, russet potatoes, and carrots.
Nom Nom is perfect for puppy owners who prefer feeding scientifically balanced, fresh-cooked meals designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
Wellness Complete Health Just for Puppy
Wellness is an exceptional puppy food and is highly recommended as it gets most of its meat protein from salmon, chicken liver, ground burly, chicken, and chicken broth.
Purina Pro Plan Pate FOCUS Classic Chicken & Rice Entree Wet Puppy Food
with real chicken as its first ingredient, Purina is a healthy product for your pup.
Purina Pro Plan contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that support the puppy's eyes and brain development and improve their coat and skin health.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Puppy Recipe
This is a budget-friendly option for puppies with quality ingredients.
Its first ingredients include salmon, turkey, chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth for healthy pups. Also, it is grain-free.
What canned foods are suitable for dogs?
The basic component of a dog's diet is meat, as they are carnivores. However, they are not purely meat-eating and can eat occasional fruits and vegetables.
The choice of canned food for your dog should revolve primarily around these food items:
Canidae All Life Stages Canned Dog Food
Canidae has its first ingredients: chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, chicken broth, and brown rice. It has a finely-chopped pate texture and is best for all dog stages, from puppies to adult dogs.
Its recipes are majorly derived from meat protein which is fresh chicken. Also, Canidae is corn, soy, and wheat-free but is rich in fat and carbohydrates, perfect for your furry friend.
Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food
This wet dog food was founded in 1993, and is packed full of real meat, selected palatable vegetables (peas and carrots), and brown rice.
It is available in four flavours: chicken, turkey, and beef, with a combination of rich gravy, making it irresistible to dogs.
Hill's Science has high levels of lean protein, vital for building muscle and maintaining the dog's body conditions.
Its nutrients and ingredients are carefully selected through a science-based approach to provide optimum balance for dogs of all life stages and sizes.
Ollie Fresh Human-Grade Dog Food Subscription
Ollie is a top fresh meal catering to a dog's most individual needs, as all its recipes are made with human-grade meat, best for all dog ages and sizes.
It also comes in different flavours of turkey, chicken, beef, and lamb alongside fresh, healthy vegetables (such as spinach, sweet potatoes, and peas), depending on your dog's preferences.
Ollie is gently cooked to preserve nutrients. All its recipes are preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavour free are known to contain healthy ingredients that help keep the dog's health on track.
What Canned Vegetables Can My Dog Eat?
Access to fresh vegetables or frozen vegetables can be a task. However, the following canned veggies can be safe as alternatives and occasional meal toppers or treats.
- Asparagus, sweet potato, pumpkin, and spinach
- Green beans, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and carrots
- Cauliflower, cucumber, peas, and zucchini
- Kale, corn, chickpeas, and beets
- Black, pinto, and kidney beans
It is essential to consider low- or no-sodium variety canned veggies for your dog packed in water, not broth or oil.
The primary problem with feeding canned food to dogs is their salt content, but this can be remedied by rinsing and draining and rinsing the veggies in water to reduce their salt before feeding them to your dog.
A dog with too much salt will show frequent urination and increased thirst. A continuum can lead to hypernatremia and severe health conditions.
What human canned food can dogs eat?
It is hard to resist puppy dog eyes when eating at the table or cooking. Often, temptations to give your dog small scraps are very high.
Human foods contain a lot of additives and ingredients that are not always good for a dog's health. Overfeeding human food to dogs may ultimately lead to obesity.
On the other hand, homemade dog food can be a good, healthy option for dogs. When debating this option, it is important to know what dogs can eat and the best kind of human food.
In addition, when first introducing these foods to your pet, give them small amounts to gauge their reactions and if any, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Cooked chicken
A common ingredient in dog foods and good human food, cooked chicken adds extra protein to a dog's bowl and can be mixed with its daily diet. Also, cooked chicken is a good alternative when out of dog food.
Salmon
This is an excellent omega-3 fatty acid source, helping primarily keep the dog's skin healthy and coat shiny while supporting the dog's immune system. There are various ways of adding salmon to a dog's diet, including; pouring salmon oil on their food and adding cooked salmon to your dog's dish.
Green beans
Green beans source iron, vitamin K, proteins, and calcium. Both cooked and raw green beans are good dog treats because they are low in calories and mostly filling. Make sure not to serve the dog beans with added salt or seasoning.
Carrots
These treats are low in calories and great for your dog's teeth. They are also high in fiber, vitamin A and beta carotene. Whether raw or cooked, carrots can be fed to dogs regularly when sliced into small bite-size pieces as they can be choking hazards.
Pumpkin
As a squash family member, pumpkin is rich in fibre, vitamin A and beta carotene. It helps with gut movements and digestive issues as well. When given plain and with no additives, fresh and canned pumpkins are good dog treats.
Eggs
Scrambled eggs give excellent and high protein boosts in dogs' diets. They are also good sources of easily digestible selenium and riboflavin. Be sure to thoroughly cook eggs before giving your dog to avoid the risk of salmonella. Alternatively, you can boil or poach the eggs for your pet but do not season them.
Oatmeal
Cooked oatmeal is rich in soluble fibre, making it beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues and an alternate grain to dogs allergic to wheat. Always cook the oatmeal for your dog before serving, ensuring they have no added flavours or sugar.
Final Thought
Wet food is a perfect choice for your puppy, mostly young puppies past the weaning stage.
Different types of foods have their pros and cons but what stands out is their ingredients and nutritional contents. However, it is essential to pick high-quality, balanced, and nutritious food for your pet for health benefits.
Always consult your vet or a vet nutritionist before introducing new food into the dog's diet for awareness of any health issues they may have.
The vet is most likely to recommend a dog food that best supports the dog's health needs.