Is Canned Dog Food Better Than Kibble?

There's no definitive answer to whether canned dog food is better than kibble. Mostly, it's a matter of finding healthy products your pet enjoys. However, compelling reasons exist to prefer canned food over dry. Because both have pros and cons, feeding your dog a diet comprised of canned and dry food is often considered the best approach.

  1. Pros of Canned Food

    • Canned food's high moisture content of 75 percent increases fluid intake, which is especially important in hot weather and for pets with dehydration, diabetes or urinary tract problems. The water makes food more filling with fewer calories to promote a healthy weight. Canned foods are typically higher in animal protein and fats, essential sources of energy in canine physiology, and lower in carbohydrates, which dogs don't need much of. Additionally, because canning is a preservative process, these foods often have little or no artificial preservatives, and often little or no artificial colors and flavors, either. Canned food is easier to eat and digest for dogs with dental or digestive difficulties, and it's usually more palatable to even the pickiest dogs. Unopened, canned food has a long shelf life, too.

    Cons of Canned Food

    • Canned food spoils quickly once served, so you must refrigerate unused portions and dispose of leftovers. Its high moisture content can be problematic for incontinent dogs or those with difficulty getting to the bathroom quickly, and it means more trips outside; it can also cause loose stools. Wet food tends to stick to teeth and gums, necessitating more proactive dental hygiene measures. Because it's more filling with fewer calories, it's not the best choice for underweight dogs. Canned food is generally more expensive than dry, plus dogs often need more to meet caloric needs. Since it's more palatable, a diet of only canned food can contribute to pickiness, a good reason to feed both types of pet food.

    Pros of Dry Kibble

    • Kibble has much less moisture than canned food, averaging 6 to 10 percent. This benefits dogs with incontinence, trouble sleeping through the night without bathroom trips and those that struggle to get to the bathroom quickly. Many kibbles remove food particles and plaque from teeth and gums during chewing, helping prevent bad breath and periodontal disease. Kibble can sit out all day, so makes feeding convenient, especially when nobody's home for a while, and it's also the cheaper option. Incorporate some dry food into your pet's diet to promote dental hygiene, make feeding more affordable, and prevent development of too picky a palate.

    Cons of Dry Kibble

    • Dry food is generally nutritionally inferior to canned. Most products provide less animal protein and fats -- major needs in a dog's diet -- along with less water, the most essential nutrient for all animals. Also, dry dog food contains starch and is higher in carbohydrates, nutrients dogs need little of and that can contribute to weight gain. Plus, kibble has higher caloric density and is less filling, making it easy for dogs to overeat. Dry food requires more preservatives, so is usually higher in sodium and artificial ingredients, and is more heavily processed and artificially colored, flavored, and otherwise enhanced with chemicals sometimes associated with health concerns and that add no nutritional value.