When caring for your pet, you want to give them the best. A survey by The Pet Food Institute revealed that half of dog owners felt the most difficult part of owning a pet was choosing the correct food .

You may also be struggling with this decision, in particular wondering whether to feed your pet wet or dry food. As with most things, each food type has advantages and disadvantages. We’ll walk you through both options.

Wet Dog and Cat Food Versus Dry Dog and Cat Food

Is it better to feed wet or dry food to your dog or cat? While some pet owners and some vets have very strong feelings about this question, the final decision will depend on you and your pet’s situation.

Medically speaking, both wet and dry pet foods can provide your pet with complete and balanced nutrition. This can be verified by checking for the AAFCO Statement of Nutritional Adequacy on the label or packaging. This statement helps pet owners identify the life stage or lifestyle for which the food is approved. Ideally, for an adult dog or cat you would want the AAFCO Statement to be tested (not formulated) for adult maintenance (not all life stages)

Canned food is sold in cans and has a high-water content. Each can will typically contain a few meals worth of food and will have a stronger odor. Many companies offer different textures of canned food-minced, shredded, pate, etc. Dry food is sold in a bag and is typically hard kibble. Many manufactures offer different kibble size, shapes, and flavors.

Let’s break down some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of food so that you can decide what works better for your pet and you. It is important to note, that if your pet has any medical conditions or concerns, your veterinarian will be able to guide you to the most appropriate food for your pet.

Advantages of Wet Pet Food

What may seem like an advantage to one pet owner may be a disadvantage to another. Keep you and your pet’s lifestyle and health in mind as you weigh your options.

• Preference. Wet food is often more palatable than dry food for many pets. This may be due to its moist texture, increased odor and higher fat and protein content (because fat carries flavor).

• Lower carb. Wet food contains fewer carbohydrates than dry food. In cats there is some evidence that a low carb diet can help with weight loss and diabetes management. Ask your vet if this is a concern.

• Softness. Wet food is easier to chew for pets with dental issues and easier to swallow for pets with neurological deficits.

• Water content. On average, wet food is 78% water, though it can be as high as 85% water . Dry food is about 10% water. By consuming wet food, pets are consuming more water daily. This has several benefits — it helps maintain better overall hydration (which improves how the body functions), helps pets with urinary tract issues who require higher intakes of water to stay healthy, dilutes the urine (decreasing crystal and stone formation in the kidneys and bladder), and is essential for any pet with kidney disease.

• Mix-ins. It’s significantly easier to hide medications and supplements in wet food.

• Sustainability. The cans from wet food can be recycled or repurposed.

Disadvantages of Wet Pet Food

Even though wet food has advantages, some of which are very important health benefits, there are some disadvantages.

• Cost. Wet food is often pricier than dry food.

• Storage. Opened cans of wet food must be covered and refrigerated. And, though the risk is low, a dented can pose the risk of botulism exposure. Wet food also can’t be left out all day since it will spoil and attract unwanted pests like ants.

• Smell. Wet food is smellier than dry food, though this can also be an advantage. Pets, particularly cats, won’t eat if they can’t smell the food. The strong smell of warm wet food can often entice them to eat, especially if they have health issues and can’t smell well.

• Feeding schedule. Wet food must be served fresh at mealtimes. This can be difficult for individuals with busy schedules compared to dry food that can be safely left out all day.

• Waste. If your pet doesn’t finish it during mealtime and the wet food has been out for a bit, it will need to be thrown away, which is money wasted.

• Clean up. All food bowls must be washed immediately after each meal, while dry food bowls may be able to sit a bit longer before needing to be cleaned.

Advantages of Dry Pet Food

Dry food, whether for dogs or cats, has its benefits.

• Storage. When stored properly, dry food stays fresh for a long time. It also can be left out in the bowl for pets who graze.

• Bulk buying. Dry pet food can be bought in bulk since it doesn’t spoil rapidly. This can save money and time with less frequent trips to the pet store.

• Cost. On a yearly basis, per calorie, a dry food diet is 5x less costly than a wet food diet.

• Dental health. Dry food may aid in dental care because it requires pets to chew more. Many companies have changed the parameters of their dry food for even more dental benefits. They have increased the surface area and volume and added plaque-reducing ingredients .

• Waste. Typically, dry food has less packaging than wet food, so less waste is created. Food left uneaten in the bowl doesn’t need to be thrown out.

• Portion management. Dry food can easily be measured or weighed, which helps with portion control.

• Food puzzles. Dry food can be used with different food toys and mats for dog and cat enrichment.

Disadvantages of Dry Pet Food

Despite all the advantages of dry food, it has its disadvantages too.

• Preference. Typically, dry food is less palatable than wet food.

• Higher carbs. Dry food is higher in carbohydrates compared to wet food Speak with your veterinarian if you think your pet may benefit from a lower carb diet for weight loss or diabetic management.

• Cost. If it isn’t bought in bulk, the cost of food per gram can be more expensive.

Another consideration is there are other forms of food available now beyond canned and dry, like are semi-moist, raw, and whole food options. With these other options, ask your veterinarian if any of them could be an option for your veterinarian.

So, what’s best for your pet? Consider their age, health, and preferences. Layer in your pet food budget, storage options, and schedule. Your veterinarian is always the best option to ask what the best food for your pet is.