Dogs are carnivores with teeth and digestive systems designed for the consumption of meat. However, their nutritional needs require them to also consume other forms of nourishment in order to survive.
Wet foods typically contain more moisture than dry kibble and could benefit dogs who don’t drink enough or need additional nutrition due to medical conditions such as kidney disease.
Contents
Dry
Dry food typically comes in the form of kibble or pellets and contains less moisture than its wet or semi-moist counterpart. It’s easier for pets to eat it all at once or throughout the day, making storage and consumption simpler and simpler.
Carbs provide energy but if excess amounts remain they are turned to fat. Carbohydrates can also be found in vegetables, fruit and cereal ingredients like rice or barley.
Many pet owners utilize dry kibble as the basis of wet food to encourage eating or offer variety to finicky eaters. It is essential that all nutrients required by your pet are met; complete foods contain all ingredients listed and tend to provide more nutrition than complementary options.
Wet
Wet food typically consists of slices or chunks of meat coated in gravy or jelly and packaged in cans or pouches for easy feeding. Due to being richer in protein and lower in carbohydrates than their dry counterparts, wet foods may appeal more strongly to active dogs or those with sensitive stomachs; however, some wet food ingredients contain binding agents (like wheat gluten) or artificial sweeteners that could lead to digestive upset or even vomiting in some instances.
High-quality wet dog foods typically feature highly digestible muscle meat as their first ingredient, making it suitable for either standalone feedings or used as a topping on hard kibble. They may be used as a means of engaging picky eaters or aiding elderly or sick dogs who struggle to chew hard kibble. Some wet food formulas even feature soft dry kibble bits for texture and palatability–these “SmartBlend” formulas can even come with delectable flavors like shredded chicken, turkey and filet mignon!
Semi-Moist
Dog food can be divided into three main categories, according to its percentage of moisture: dry, canned or semi-moist. Semi-moist dog foods contain 60-66% water content and tend to be more costly per calorie than dry kibble as they contain more salt and sugar along with artificial colors and chemical preservatives.
Most manufacturers add preservatives to dry dog food to extend its shelf life and preserve its freshness, but this may negatively impact a dog’s health, so always consult your veterinarian on how best to feed your pet.
Semi-moist dog foods come in pouches and trays and can be used as either snacks or topper for your pet’s daily diet. Ingredients may include chicken, turkey, lamb and duck; chickpeas and oats also add nutritious value, providing your pet with essential protein, minerals such as phosphorous and magnesium while offering antioxidant protection from cell damage as well as helping prevent heart disease.
Complementary
Complementary foods for dogs are any wet or dry foods that do not provide all the required nutrition, such as topper-added complete food to increase palatability or mixer biscuits fed alongside wet or raw foods for variety in diet.
These biscuits may contain animal proteins such as chicken, lamb or fish and are typically labeled “complementary dog food” on the packet. They’re low-moisture with cereal-based filler material with limited amounts of vegetables or herbs for extra nutrients.
Pet foods labeled as complete are designed to comply with strict industry guidelines established by AAFCO or FEDIAF which include essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients for dogs’ daily nutrition needs. By contrast, complementary raw food cannot meet these guidelines, and should therefore not be fed on an ongoing basis as this could deprive your pup of key vitamins or exceed maximum allowable levels which could cause skin or coat issues in dogs.
