If you’re ready to give your dog the best wet puppy food available, this guide provides you with all you need to know, including first-rate recommendations that we’ve tested and certified.
We also answer other questions you may have about wet meals and general puppy nutrition.
Best Wet Puppy Food: Top 4 Picks
Reviewed below are some of the best wet puppy food products available:
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Puppy Wet Dog Food
- Purina ONE +Plus Natural Wet Dog Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Pate Wet Puppy Food
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Puppy Wet Dog Food
The primary flavors include chicken and salmon, so your furry friend is in for a great taste.
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Wet Dog Food is one of the best wet puppy foods for active and growing puppies, since they have more energy needs and need support forming strong, healthy bones.
Pros
- High protein content (34%) boosts the immune system and supports muscle and bone development.
- Proteins and other natural nutrients include real chicken, salmon, fruits, and vegetables.
- Completely grain-free to avoid common allergens like corn and wheat.
- Free from preservatives and other artificial flavors.
Cons
- Not readily accessible, even in popular stores.
- Somewhat expensive compared to similar products.
2. Purina ONE +Plus Natural Wet Dog Food
The grain content is reinforced with real meat, providing proteins and other essential vitamins and minerals making it a meal package that balances your puppy’s needs in terms of taste and nutrients.
Our test showed that this is best for older puppies, due to extreme carb concentration and potential allergies. However, even for more mature puppies, only give them measured quantities.
Pros
- Since it’s canned dog food, Purina ONE +Plus wet dog food offers convenient packaging for easy serving and storage.
- It balances nutritional needs by having the right amount of carbs (through grains), proteins (through lamb), and omega fatty acids.
- Made 100% without fillers.
- Rich in glucosamine (good for joint health.)
Cons
- High grain content can cause indigestion, allergies, and bloating.
- It contains chicken by-product, which isn’t a great protein source like real chicken.
- Artificial flavors lack nutritional value, leading to potential adverse health conditions.
3. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food
Made with natural ingredients, it features a combination of real chicken and nutritious veggies, offering the right mix of nutrients to achieve a balanced diet.
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food is best for growing puppies who need nutrients that support their development needs.
The high-quality proteins, omega fatty acids, and minerals support healthy muscle and bone development while fortifying the immune system.
Pros
- Clinical nutrition focused on helping your puppy achieve desirable health outcomes.
- Chicken and vegetable combination, providing the perfect mix of proteins, omega fatty acids, essential vitamins, and flavorful finish.
- Highly palatable, so it can be used as a dental treat.
Cons
- It contains starchy materials (potato and rice starch,) which can cause digestive complications and weight gain.
- Common instances of allergic reactions like vomiting and diarrhea.
- Lacks probiotics that offer better nutrient adoption and improved digestive health.
4. Purina Pro Plan Pate Wet Puppy Food
The texture ensures easy chewing and swallowing and therefore is great for younger puppies needing dental care.
Pros
- Chicken and rice mix provide a nutrient-dense diet.
- High-quality protein sources like real chicken help with muscle maintenance.
- Omega-3 fatty acids offer top-notch skin and coat health.
- Antioxidants (vitamins A/E and zinc) give puppies strong immune health.
Cons
- Not a grain-free diet, which can lead to digestive complications, heavy weight, and other health issues.
- Avoid if your pup has chicken allergies since it has high chicken content.
- Too generic nutritional composition, so not appropriate for special dietary needs.
Should I Give My Puppy Wet or Dry Food?
In addition to wondering what is the best wet puppy food, you may also wonder which you should give your puppy — wet or dry meals. Both present unique advantages.
With wet food, you gethigher moisture content, meaning better hydration. Other benefits include soft texture with benefits for your pup’s dental health and easy digestion.
Dry pet foods aregenerally convenient to store and handle and are better for teething pups. They’re also mostly cost-effective and have a longer shelf life.
Consider your fuzzy friend’s needs, health, and preferences. If your dog is a picky eater, you may have tooffer both wet and dry meals to them to see which they’re more compatible with.
Regardless, ensure you keep the calorie content as low as possible.
How Much Wet Food Does My Puppy Need?
How much wet food your puppy needs depends on their age, size, breed, and activity level. Typically, puppies will need to be fed two to three meals daily, with smaller, more frequent feedings being more appropriate for younger pups. This will keep the calorie content they consume under control.
Some puppies have higher energy needs, while others have slower metabolisms and require less food. Adjust food intake for your puppy accordingly.
Additionally, if your puppy hashigher moisture content needs, try giving them enough wet food.
The ingredients list should also contain natural sources, like chicken liver and other meats.
Monitoring your puppy’s weight and body condition can help you determine whether they’re eating the right amount of food.
It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian to decide the best feeding plan for your puppy.
Best Wet Puppy Food Brands
Some of the leading brands producing the best wet puppy food include:
Blue Buffalo
Founded in 2002,Blue Buffalo quickly developed a reputation for making high-quality, nutrient-filled dog meals with natural ingredients.
Its wet food division is housed under the Blue Buffalo Wilderness brand, but it has other product lineups like dry pet food, treats, formulas, and prescription diets.
Purina
With a history dating back over a century,Purina focuses on foods, treats, drugs, and supplements for pets and farm animals.
Now part of Nestlé, the Purina brand adopts a science-based approach to meeting pet nutritional requirements.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a great option for natural pet food and treats. A Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary, the 100-year-old company is known for medically-formulated meals to help your pets achieve their health needs.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin started production in 1968 and has been known for producing a wide variety of pet meals covering different breeds, categories, and health needs.
Meal types from Royal Canin include weight management diets, digestive care diets, joint health diets, and meals that help with allergies and sensitivities.
FAQs
Here are answers to questions you may have about the best wet puppy food:
What are the benefits of feeding my puppy wet food?
Wet food for puppies provides additional hydration, is more palatable, and can also help increase a puppy’s protein content and moisture intake. Wet food supplies the amino acids needed for healthy tissue development.
Can I feed my puppy wet food as their sole diet or do they need dry food too?
Wet food can be fed as a sole diet for picky eaters, but most puppies do best on balanced meals that include wet and dry food.
What ingredients should I look for in wet puppy food?
When selecting the best wet puppy food, look for high-quality protein sources such as chicken or lamb, and avoid ingredients like by-products and artificial flavors.
Also, ensure the water content is not too high, as that can dilute the nutrient composition.
Can I mix wet and dry food for my puppy?
Yes, you can mix wet and dry food for your puppy. This can help provide a balanced diet and increase the variety of flavors and textures in their meals.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your furry best friend the best wet puppy food is essential for their growth and development. Ensure your choice of wet food achieves balanced nutrition.
We’ve answered the leading questions you may have about feeding wet food to your puppy. This, coupled with understanding your dog’s appetite, will help you address their wet food needs.