Canned dog food: Advantages and disadvantages explained

Even if you usually feed your dog dry dog ​​food, some people may occasionally feed their dog canned dog food. Dogs seem to eat canned dog food more readily than dry dog ​​food, and they seem to eat it with great enthusiasm.

But is canned dog food really healthy? Is it okay to continue feeding it to your dog? Some people may be concerned. This time, we will explain the pros and cons of canned dog food.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Canned Dog Food

Canned dog food and dry dog ​​food each have their own unique characteristics, so you need to understand the pros and cons before feeding them to your dog.

Benefits of Canned Dog Food

・Soft

Canned dog food is softer and has a texture closer to meat than dry dog ​​food. Dogs are carnivores by nature, and prefer a texture similar to meat.
Because it's soft, it can be fed to elderly dogs, dogs who are ill and cannot eat hard food, or dogs with dental problems.

・Encourages appetite

In addition to its soft, meat-like texture, canned dog food is high in moisture and has a strong odor, which stimulates your dog's appetite. Mixing it with dry dog ​​food can help restore appetite in dogs with a decreased appetite.

・Promotes hydration

Some dogs just don't drink water. Canned dog food contains over 70% water, allowing your dog to stay hydrated while eating.
Low water intake can increase the risk of urinary stones, so feeding your dog canned dog food can help prevent this.

High in calories

Canned dog food is generally higher in calories than other dog foods, making it effective for older or sick dogs who need more calories.
However, excessive calorie intake can also be a disadvantage.

Long shelf life (unopened)

Canned dog food can be stored for a long time if unopened.
While dry dog ​​food is said to last at most a year unopened, unopened canned dog food can be stored for about two to three years.

Disadvantages of Canned Dog Food

・Prone to tooth decay and periodontal disease

Canned dog food is softer than dry dog ​​food, so it tends to remain in the dog's mouth. This can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
If you feed your dog canned dog food, be sure to brush your dog's teeth thoroughly after each meal.

・Easily gains weight

Because it has more calories than dry dog ​​food, your dog may consume more calories than he needs. While a slightly overweight dog may seem cute, obesity can lead to illness and injury, so it's important to choose the right canned dog food for your dog.

・Short shelf life (after opening)

Unopened canned dog food can be stored for a fairly long time, but once opened, the shelf life becomes extremely short. If opened, feed it to your dog on the same day, and consume it within two days at the most.

・High price

Compared to dry dog ​​food, canned dog food is priced higher for the amount served. Since it's something you feed your dog every day, it's not recommended for those looking to keep costs down.

・They stop eating dry dog ​​food

As explained in the benefits section, canned dog food is soft and moist, so dogs enjoy it. However, once they get used to eating it, they may stop eating dry dog ​​food, which is hard and difficult to eat.
If you want to use dry dog ​​food as well, we recommend mixing canned and dry dog ​​food.

Recommended Canned Dog Food

When feeding canned dog food, which canned food should you feed your dog?
We'll introduce some recommended canned dog foods, so please find one that's right for your dog.

Devifpet "Chicken Tenderloin & Liver Mince"

This is a complete, nutritious food made with chicken tenderloin and liver.
It contains no artificial colorings or coloring agents, so it can be fed to dogs of all ages, from puppies to adults. It is an effective nutritional supplement and staple food for puppies and prenatal dogs.

Pettigree "Beef & Green and Yellow Vegetables"

This canned dog food is recommended for puppies.
It provides a balanced diet tailored to your puppy. The feeding amount and age are listed on the outside of the can, so you can see at a glance when to start feeding them and how much to feed them.

Inaba Pet Food "Torori Chicken Breast with Beef"

This canned dog food is recommended for adult dogs.
As the name suggests, it has a thick soup that helps provide hydration along with a meal. The low-fat chicken breast increases satisfaction. We also use carefully selected ingredients, including Nagoya Cochin chicken extract, for this high-quality canned food.

Devifpet "Senior Dog Food: Chicken Breast"

This canned dog food is recommended for senior dogs.
Made with minced chicken breast mixed with sweet potato paste, it is very soft. It can be safely fed to dogs with weak teeth or reduced chewing ability.
Its reasonable price makes it easy to try for senior dogs who have stopped eating.

Summary

We've learned that canned dog food has various advantages and disadvantages. You need to carefully consider your dog's condition before making a selection, such as whether it can provide the necessary nutrients and amounts, and whether you can maintain the quality of the food.
For the sake of your dog, make sure you provide them with a proper diet.