As a pet parent, you’ve probably wondered, “Is wet or dry food better for dogs?” If you research online, you’ll see no shortage of web pages devoted to the subject of whether wet or dry pet food is the better choice. The arguments on both sides are passionate.
They’re also wrong.
The fact is, neither wet food nor dry food is all that great for your dog. Freeze-dried food however, delivers all of the potential benefits of a raw diet, without all of the mess or hassle.
The Problem With Processed Wet Dog Food
While a lot of pet owners might assume wet dog food is good for their companion because it’s high in water content, there are some potential issues with this type of diet. Here are just a few.
- Some brands of wet dog food have a lot of fat. In fact, pet parents often have no idea that wet food has much more fat than dry kibble. Some dogs are sensitive to consuming too much fat, and can have health problems as a result.
- A dog’s dental health is critically important to their overall well being. Unfortunately, wet food may contribute to tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth. The problem could be more pronounced if you aren’t following a dental care routine.
- Some cans that contain wet food are lined with a chemical known as BPA (Bisphenol-A). BPA can disrupt a dog’s endocrine system, which can affect the production of hormones that are important throughout a dog’s body.1
The Problem With Processed Dry Dog Food
So, given the potential issues with feeding wet food, you might believe it would be better to have your dog on dry food. In fact, kibble, (another name for processed brownish biscuits) has been popular for decades. But there are a lot of potential problems with kibble as well.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that cheap kibble is often very low-quality food. Incredibly, it can sometimes contain food waste materials and other potentially harmful ingredients. You already know that processed foods are bad for human health. Well, the same holds true for your dog. The process of making kibble will often rob it of critically important nutrients.2
Why Freeze-Dried Dog Food Is Better
You certainly want to do what’s best for your dog. So, instead of buying wet or dry dog food with low (or no) nutritional value, consider switching your pooch to a freeze-dried RMBD (raw meat balanced diet). Why make the change? Here are some of the key reasons.
- Owners who feed their dog an RMBD often find their pets have more energy, cleaner teeth, and fewer health issues.
- RMBD diets have more beneficial compounds than you’ll find in most varieties of commercial wet or dry pet food. These include healthy antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C.
- Most dogs (and cats, for that matter) given an RMBD are in good overall condition, and are of a healthy weight.3
How Is Dog Food Freeze-Dried?
Freeze-drying food has been around at least since the late 1930s. Basically, freeze-drying removes just about all of the moisture content of food through the use of a machine called, appropriately enough, a freeze dryer. But the “dryer” part of the name is a bit of a misnomer. The process involves more vacuuming rather than drying.4
Here’s a quick look at how the process works.
- The first step is to freeze the food to the point that any water turns to ice. It then goes into a vacuum chamber, where a combination of pressure and cold convert the ice to water vapor. This process is known as sublimation.
- The food then goes into a sealed package, where it can last for a great deal of time before going through any sort of degradation.
- Even though the process removes most of the moisture content, the structure – and therefore, the nutrients – of the food remains intact.5
Signs It Might Be Time To Change Your Dog’s Diet
If you’ve had your dog on the same diet for years, it could be time to explore other options – particularly if your pet is starting to experience certain health issues. Here are a few to keep in mind.
- Diarrhea or vomiting – This is probably the most obvious indication that something could be wrong with your dog’s diet. While you should definitely check with your veterinarian to rule out other causes, chronic vomiting or diarrhea might mean your dog is having a difficult time digesting their food.
- Itching – If your dog has itchy, dry skin, that might be a sign of a food allergy. Of course, some dogs can be allergic to just about anything, so it doesn’t always mean their diet is to blame. It would be worth it to go to the vet and see whether that’s the case.
Weight issues – Some dogs pack on the pounds too easily, and others who just can’t seem to put on enough weight. Could the kind of food they eat contribute to weight gain or weight loss? Possibly. See if your veterinarian recommends a change in diet for weight issues.- Lethargic behavior – Does it seem like your dog just doesn’t have the same kind of energy they used to have? It could be due to a lack of nutrition from the food they’re eating. Again, this is definitely a situation where you’ll need to see your vet. But if they rule out a health issue, then a dietary change might be in order.
- Coat dullness – If your dog is getting the nutrients they need, then they should have a beautiful, shiny coat. A dull coat could be an indication of a lack of proper nutrition.6
Talk To Your Vet Before Making Any Changes To Your Dog’s Diet
Just as you shouldn’t make sudden changes to your diet without talking to your doctor, you shouldn’t change your dog’s diet until you speak with your veterinarian. Some dogs have no issues whatsoever adjusting to new food, but for others, it can take some time. It’s a big transition, so make sure you get medical advice first.
There’s a chance your vet will recommend making the transition gradual, mixing in the old and new food for a while to give your dog’s digestive system time to adjust.7
Hopefully, you now realize that considering the question, “Is wet or dry food better for dogs?” is basically a waste of time. Switching to a freeze-dried diet – as long as you get your veterinarian’s okay – could very well benefit your beloved companion for many years to come.
Learn More:
Tips For Selecting The Right Dog Food Bowl
Food Aggression In Dogs: What To Do And How To Control
Your Dog’s Diet And Oral Hygiene: How To Get Rid Of Dog Bad Breath
Sources
1 https://www.thesprucepets.com/pros-and-cons-of-wet-food-for-dogs-5079527
2 https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/09/07/home-cooked-kibble-wet-or-raw-whats-the-best-food-for-my-dog/#h-kibble
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515799/
4 https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/freeze-dried-dog-food-the-pros-and-cons/
5 https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/freeze-dried-dog-food-the-pros-and-cons/
6 https://iheartdogs.com/5-signs-its-time-to-change-your-dogs-food/
7 https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/11/how-do-i-switch-my-pets-food/
