The Best Wet Dog Food for Puppies – Top 7 Options


wet dog food close-up

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Dog breeders, veterinarians, and experienced dog owners agree that dry kibble is the best type of food for puppies. However, these experts also suggest that growing puppies deserve a treat every now and then. To add a little flavor to your puppy’s dry kibble, owners may mix canned or semi-moist puppy food with the dry puppy food. There are many advantages to feeding growing puppies wet dog food. The best wet dog food for puppies contains an adequate amount of water to help hydrate the dry dog food.

wet dog food close-up

If water still needs to be added to the dry/wet food mixture, dog owners have purchased the wrong type of wet puppy food. Some puppy breeds are finicky eaters. Adding a bit of wet dog food may encourage your puppy to eat.

Wet dog food also softens the kibble, which helps newly weaned puppies transition to eating dry kibble more easily. According to PetMD, all pet owners should consult their local veterinarians or pet breeders about checking their dogs for food allergies before purchasing any brand of wet puppy food.

The best wet dog food for puppies usually contains fewer calories and more meat protein than dry puppy kibble. Puppies that are underweight really benefit from a dry kibble/wet food diet because wet dog food helps build muscle. Popular blog site, Dogfoodadvisor.com states that the best wet dog food for puppies contains fewer carbohydrates, no synthetic preservatives, and no artificial flavors and colors.

Finding the best wet dog food for puppies of all breeds can be time-consuming. The following alphabetized brands come as close as possible to this list of criteria and are sold in packs of 24. The following brands vary in ounce size and cost, but they can be purchased online to compare pricing from Amazon.com, Petco.com, or Chewy.com.

Top 7 Best Wet Dog Foods for Puppies

#1. Cesar Puppy

Cesar wet puppy food on a plate

Cesar Puppy Cuisine with Chicken and Beef is listed among the best wet dog food for puppies because it is popular among puppy owners of small breed dogs. Formulated to meet the nutritional standards established by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), Cesar Puppy Chicken and Beef is considered gourmet, five-star dining for dogs.

Using only the best food ingredients, Cesar Puppy Cuisine with Chicken and Beef also contains zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, Vitamin A and other necessary organic compounds to enhance metabolism and promote healthy immune systems.

#2. Chicken Soup for the Soul

a bag of chicken soup for the soul puppy food

Puppies will really enjoy Chicken Soup for the Soul canned puppy food. Packed with meat protein, this formula ranks as the best wet dog food for puppies because it consists of eight percent protein and four percent fat. Animal protein ingredients include chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, duck, turkey, and salmon to give it a robust chicken flavor.

Additional ingredients include omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, and antioxidants Zinc Vitamin E and to promote overall health and a lustrous coat. You can easily find an online feeding guide and other nutritional information.

#3. Hill’s Science Puppy Food

some wet puppy food in a spoon

Dog breeders and puppy trainers rate Hill’s Science Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée one of the best wet dog foods for puppies because it exceeds the puppy food criteria set forth by AAFCO. Hill’s Science puppy food contains the right amount of nutrition to maintain your puppy’s balanced diet and to help build up its immunity. Hill’s Science standard of selecting high-quality ingredients promotes gentle digestion and builds muscle in puppies.

#4. IAMS Proactive Health for Puppies

the IAMS logo from a can of dog food

IAMS Proactive Health for puppies offers two types of wet puppy food: puppy ground dinner with chicken and rice and puppy chunks with chicken, beef, and gravy. Both products are sourced with the right amounts of nutrients required for your puppy’s age and breed.

IAMS is a leader in the dog food industry because it is dedicated to researching and implementing the dietary requirements puppies need to boost immunity and help burn fat. IAMS puppy formula helps maintain muscle while reducing tartar buildup. Pet owners appreciate IAMS dedication to quality and its tailored formulas for life stages.

#5. Nutro Ultra for Growing Puppies

a bag of nutro ultra puppy food

Nutro Ultra wet puppy food is made with the best ingredients to build strong teeth and bones in growing puppies. Nutro’s puppy formula also contains optimal levels of protein, calcium, and amino acids. Made from chicken, lamb, salmon, and 14 super-foods, Nutro Ultra is rich with DHA and the necessary nutrients puppies need to perform and play.

#6. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Entree

several cans of Purina dog food

Backed by 500 scientists, Purina dog food is one of the most trusted dog food brands in the industry. The Purina dog and puppy food formulas are well-respected because they fight the effects of aging in dogs and provide dogs with tasty, nutritious food.

The Purina Pro Plan Focus product line offers two types of wet puppy food to loving puppy caretakers: chicken and rice classic entrée and the chicken and brown rice entrée classic. Both options are made with real chicken and are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Show dog trainers praise the Purina Pro Plan Focus brand because it is a quality dog food that promotes lean body mass.

#7. Wellness Just for Puppy

several bowls with wet and dry puppy food

Wellness Just for Puppy is a complete health diet formula that uses all natural ingredients. Breeders and puppy owners who are serious about establishing a holistic diet plan for their furry friends can count on Wellness Just for Puppy to offer the best wet dog food for their small friends.

Made with chicken and salmon pate, Wellness Just for Puppy also contains the recommended amount of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid that promotes brain and eye function. Research shows that puppies who consume high levels of docosahexaenoic acid are easier to train than puppies who do not consume enough DHA.

Drawing to a Close

Puppies find wet dog food tastier than dry kibble. By mixing a bit of wet puppy food into your high-spirited friend’s dry kibble, you make your puppy happy and help your pet reach the recommended calories for its size. Wet puppy food will spoil if it is not used by the expiration date, so puppy owners should only purchase the amount needed on a weekly to monthly basis.

Check with your local veterinarian for the daily recommended calories for your puppy’s size and breed. When feeding your small dog wet puppy food or dry puppy kibble mixed with wet food, remember to keep a tally of how many calories your puppy is ingesting daily.

This ensures that you do not overfeed your puppy. The best wet dog food for puppies typically lists the calorie count on the food label. If your puppy has been placed on a special diet, only add wet food when suggested by the veterinarian or animal dietician.

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