Is Wet or Dry Food Better for Dogs? Understanding the Differences and Making the Right Choice

It seems like there is an endless variety of foods available for dogs. Dry food is still by far the most common, but wet food is also a popular choice. There are key differences between kibble and wet food and the benefits they provide. If you’re wondering, “Should puppies eat wet food or dry food?” or “Is wet or dry food better for dogs?” keep reading to learn what those differences are and how to decide which is the best for your dog.

Key Differences Between Wet and Dry Dog Food

The question, “Is kibble better than wet food?” is a little misleading. Both kinds of food, when nutritionally complete and balanced, can be good choices. However, one may be preferable for your dog or your lifestyle. Let’s take a look.

What is the difference between wet and dry dog food? Dry food is the most convenient and popular form of dog food. It’s made by grinding and mixing ingredients with water to create a dough. The dough is then heated, squeezed out of a tube, cut, and dried, creating a crunchy texture. On average, dry dog food contains 5% to 10% moisture. In comparison, wet food contains 70% to 80% moisture. Because of this, dry food is usually cheaper to feed compared to wet food because of its higher caloric density (calories per gram), as you need to feed less of it to meet a dog’s energy requirement.

Dry food has other benefits as well – it is easy to portion and can be left out throughout the day without spoiling, which is good for dogs that graze. Dry food can also easily be used in puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and other enrichment toys.

When it comes to dental health, feeding dry food may promote less plaque buildup and a healthier oral microbiome compared to wet food.^1,2 There are also therapeutic foods designed to promote dental health in dogs. However, toothbrushing and other forms of dental care are always recommended, no matter what type of food the dog is fed.

Benefits of dry dog food:

• Usually cheaper to feed compared to wet food
• Low spoilage and longer shelf life once opened  
• Can be used in puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and toys with less mess
• Can promote less plaque formation

Wet dog food is a high-moisture diet, made by mixing ingredients and heating in a can or pouch to kill any pathogens. In general, wet foods contain more animal protein compared to dry food, so they can be more palatable, especially for fussy dogs. Mixing in even some wet food to dry food can enhance a dog’s mealtime experience by providing different textures and flavors. In addition, the higher moisture and lower caloric density of wet food help to maintain hydration and reduce the risk of overfeeding. Wet food is also softer and easier to eat than dry food, which is good for young puppies and senior dogs with worn teeth.

Benefits of wet dog food:  

• Can be more palatable and provides a variety of textures
• Helps to maintain hydration  
• Can help reduce the risk of obesity  
• Easier to eat for young puppies and senior dogs with dental issues

Should I Feed Wet or Dry Food to Puppies?

Feeding dry and wet food to puppies has specific benefits. During weaning, providing a softer texture food makes it easier for young puppies with small, baby teeth to eat. This can be 100% wet food, but mixing wet and dry dog food for puppies is also an option; just soak the kibble first. As puppies get older, introducing them to a variety of food textures (dry and wet) can be helpful to enrich their mealtimes, and it also encourages less fussy feeding behaviors as they get older.

Whatever food is given, you’ll want to ensure that the dry or wet food is nutritionally balanced for growing puppies. This is particularly important for large- and giant-breed puppies that will be an adult weight of 70 pounds or more. These larger puppies have a higher risk of developing joint problems when fed inappropriate diets, so ensuring the diet is formulated to meet their needs is essential. Look for statements that say the diets “meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth of puppies, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).”

Storing Wet or Dry Dog Food

Storing dog food correctly is important to maintain freshness and palatability and to preserve nutrients. All dog foods have a “best by” date on the packaging. This indicates the latest day on which the food should be opened and used. While the food does not “expire” after this date, there is a risk that it is less palatable, and nutrient levels may be below ideal levels.

Dry dog food storage: Once opened, a bag of dry dog food can last for several weeks, but it should be used within 4–6 weeks for maximum freshness. Keeping dry food in its original bag is best because the bag is made to safely store the food over a long period. Just remember to squeeze out any excess air before resealing. If the bag doesn’t contain a resealable top, fold over the open portion of the bag and secure it tightly with a clip. You can also put the food in a plastic, glass, or metal bin with an airtight seal, but it should be kept in its original bag instead of being dumped into the new container. Always keep the food in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Wet dog food storage: Wet food spoils more quickly than dry food, so portion out only what your dog will eat within a few hours. Discard anything left in the bowl after that time. Store unused wet food in the refrigerator, ideally in the original container with a lid or other covering. Wet food can also be scooped into another airtight container and kept in the fridge. Discard any unused food after three days of opening.

Mixing Wet and Dry Dog Food

Mixed feeding can be the best of both worlds: It maximizes the different textures and flavors of the food. In addition, because feeding wet food can be more expensive compared to feeding dry food, feeding a mix of dry and wet to large- and giant-breed dogs can be a good strategy.

As long as the wet food is a complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for the life stage of your dog, you can feed the wet and dry food in any proportion to each other, and you can use any wet food; there is no one best wet dog food to mix with dry. A good starting ratio is 75% of the calories from dry food and 25% of the calories from wet food. The wet food can be used as a topper, or the wet can be mixed into the dry.

When figuring out how much wet and dry food to feed a dog, remember that the amounts suggested on each label are for if you are feeding only that food, so you don’t want to just add them together, or your dog will be getting twice the amount they need. Your veterinarian can give you advice on how much of each to feed.

Choosing the Right Dog Food

When choosing the best wet and dry dog food for your pet, make sure to pick ones that are complete and balanced for the right life stage of your dog. This can be for either growth and reproduction or adult maintenance. It can also be for both, and these foods will be labeled as suitable for “all life stages.”

Consider the age, activity level, and breed size of your dog. Young puppies and senior dogs may benefit by having some wet food in their diet. This is also true for small breeds that are a bit picky. If you have an active dog that needs a lot of calories, feeding dry food will help them meet their energy requirements more easily than feeding wet food.

Some dog foods are specifically designed to help with sensitive skin, digestion, mobility, immunity, or cognitive health. Using the Purina food selection tool is helpful in finding the right diet (dry or wet) for your puppy or adult dog.

Transitioning to a New Food

Slowly transitioning your dog to a new food, whether it is dry or wet food, is always recommended. This is to help with acceptance of a new diet and to reduce the risk of causing digestive upset (soft stools or vomiting) by making the change too quickly. By going slower, this allows more time for the body to adapt to a new diet.

The general recommendation is to transition gradually over a 7- to 10-day period, but it can be shorter or longer, depending on the individual dog and situation. Only increase the amount of new food if your dog is eating the entire diet well and there are no digestive upsets. If your dog is reluctant to eat the new diet or develops digestive signs, reduce the amount of new food for a few days before trying to increase it again.

Transitioning over 7–10 days:

• Days 1 and 2: Feed one-quarter of the new food and three-quarters of original food on top.  
• Days 3 and 4: Feed one-half of the new food and one-half of the original food on top.
• Days 5 through 7: Feed three-quarters of the new food and one-quarter of the original food on top.
• Days 8 through 10: Feed only the new food.

So, is wet or dry food better for dogs? The answer is different for every dog and can even change throughout a dog’s lifetime. Ensuring regular veterinary care for your dog and consulting your veterinarian about your dog’s diet is the best way to make sure you are feeding your furry family member to help keep them healthy.

For more expert tips on dog health and feeding, explore our other dog nutrition articles.

References

1. Oba PM, Sieja KM, Keating SCJ, et al. Oral microbiota populations of adult dogs consuming wet or dry foods. J Anim Sci. 2022;100(8):skac200.  

2. Wallis C, Ellerby Z, Amos G, et al. Influence of wet and dry commercial diets on the oral microbiota of Yorkshire terriers. BMC Vet Res. 2025;21(1):290.