While dry foods suit some dogs and raw foods others, wet dog foods provide a convenient solution for both you and your pet. There is a wide variety of complementary and complete wet dog foods on the market to suit a range of nutritional and dietary requirements.
Whether your dog eats only wet food or has both wet and dry, we've compiled a handy buying guide to help dog owners in the UK find the right food for even fussy dogs or sensitive stomachs. We've reviewed and ranked our top 10 favourites to buy online from popular brands Pedigree, Lily's Kitchen and Butchers. All are available on Amazon, Tesco and Asda so you can happily shop from the comfort of your own home!
Quick List - Top Wet Dog Foods
Naturo
A High-End, Minimally Processed Food That's Affordable Too
Lily's Kitchen
For Those Looking for an Organic, Grain-Free and Natural Food
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Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs that provides energy and promotes the building and repair of body tissues such as muscle, skin and hair. Dogs aren’t able to store protein, so they need an adequate source of protein in their diet every day. This can be derived from ingredients such as chicken, beef, lamb and fish.
The European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) recommends that adult dog food contains a minimum of 18% protein, with the optimal amount for long-term health being at least 22%. If your pup doesn’t get enough protein in their diet, they can lose weight and generally become very unwell.
The protein source - the type of meat from which the protein comes - could be chicken, beef, lamb or fish. Many dogs do very well eating diets comprised of multiple protein sources, but single-source proteins can be particularly useful if your dog has any intolerances or allergies. Dogs with sensitive digestive systems sometimes do not do well with particular protein sources, so switching to an alternative single protein source can help.
Whether you go grain-free or not is purely down to preference and what works best for your dog - many owners have success with this diet if their pet is a picky eater or has allergies or sensitivities. However, while dogs don’t have a dietary need for the carbohydrates found in grains, they do benefit from the fibre and vitamins found within.
Whole grains provide many benefits for your dog, but be aware that cheaper refined grains, often listed as “cereals” on the ingredients list, are used as fillers and can be difficult for some dogs to digest. As with any drastic change to your pet's diet, please make sure to consult with a vet before making any changes.
Just as you would take a multivitamin to supplement your diet, most dog foods contain extra added vitamins and minerals to make sure that they are getting everything they need to stay healthy. Popular supplements include fatty acids such as omega fish oils, glucosamine and vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K.
There is no set rule as to which supplements your dog should have in their food - usually, the supplements that are added will be tailored to the life stage and function of the food. For example, joint supplements could be found in a senior diet, or heart-healthy supplements in active dog food. But, as ever, consult your vet if you have any concerns or questions.
Older pets need specific diets, so take a look at the best dog food for seniors
Complete and complementary are two main types of diet available when choosing wet dog foods. Complete diets contain all the nutrition your dog needs within their formula, providing a convenient way for you to make sure their daily needs are met.
Unlike complete diets, complementary foods are nutritionally incomplete and should form only part of your dog’s diet. Complementary wet foods are a good option for pets that have their main diet composed of dry food, but have wet food for additional vitamins and hydration.
While dogs have the same basic tastes as humans (sweet, salty, bitter and sour), their sense of taste is much less refined. Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans, with 1,700 compared to 9,000 respectively.
That being said, dogs have taste buds that are specifically for tasting meats and their fats, which means that they are particularly aware of the taste and smell of meat or meat products. This is why you may find your dog will prefer one flavour over another.
Although some dogs can be picky eaters, the flavour of their dog food should be primarily influenced by what suits their digestion and their health. For instance, certain meats like beef and lamb are higher in fat and can aggravate sensitive stomachs or affect certain health conditions, such as pancreatitis.
For extra good boys and girls, reward them with delicious dog treats!
While there is a lot of debate about the ethics surrounding Vegan pet foods for carnivores, the simple fact is that vegetarian and vegan pet foods are safe and nutritionally complete options for your dog. Just as with other dog foods, your dog may show a preference for the taste of certain foods over others.
Vegetarian and vegan dog foods are noticeably more expensive than the market average, but this is mostly reflected in their quality and nutritional content. As with any other changes to your dog's diet, make sure to get a vet's approval before switching their food.
Check out some other healthy dog foods here!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Naturo Grain Free Chicken & Potato With Vegetables | ![]() | A High-End, Minimally Processed Food That's Affordable Too | |
2 | Lily's Kitchen Chicken & Turkey Casserole | ![]() | For Those Looking for an Organic, Grain-Free and Natural Food | |
3 | Forthglade Duck Complete Meal | ![]() | Made With Single-Source Protein to Suit Dogs With Allergies | |
4 | Butchers Tripe Grain Free Dog Food | ![]() | The Ideal Superfood if You Want to Boost Your Dog's Nutrition | |
5 | HiLife It's Only Natural Jelly Collection | ![]() | Gently Cooked With High-Quality Meat to Appeal to Fussy Eaters | |
6 | Harringtons Turkey, Vegetable & Potato | ![]() | A UK-Made Food With Health-Promoting Prebiotics | |
7 | Crave Lamb & Beef | ![]() | A Tasty, High-Protein Pâté Perfect for Active Dogs | |
8 | Masterfoods Chappie | ![]() | A Good Choice if Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach | |
9 | Benevo Adult Grain-Free Vegan Wet Food for Dogs | ![]() | A Tempting and Nutritionally Complete Food for Vegan Households | |
10 | Pedigree Beef & Vegetables in Gravy | ![]() | Complete Dog Food From One of the UK's Most Popular Brands |
This Northern Ireland based pet food company uses high-quality proteins in their recipes, with the majority of them being grain-free. All of the ingredients found in Naturo food are sourced locally and the meat used is specifically chosen for its easy digestibility.
Take a look at the list of ingredients and you'll notice there's nothing artificial sounding - instead, it prioritises minimally processed whole foods. This a very high-quality choice, offering plenty of beneficial vitamins and minerals for your dog at an affordable price.
Granted a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 2019, Lily’s Kitchen is one of the UK’s most popular dog food brands. Proud of their “proper food” and green credentials, this food is certified organic and all of their packaging is totally recyclable.
Formulated with vets, nutritionists and herbalists and using only natural and wholesome ingredients, these credentials come with a high price tag. But if you can stomach the cost, your dogs will be sure to thank you with licking lips and empty bowls.
Forthglade wet dog food is gently steamed in its pack, to prevent nutrients from being lost in the manufacturing process. This food also uses duck as a single source of protein, which is great for dogs with allergies and intolerances.
This recipe offers a complete meal option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Best of all, it's hypoallergenic, meaning that it's free from all of the main allergens commonly used in dog food.
Butchers' traditional recipe has remained unchanged since 1987, proving that the best formulas will remain universally popular. It comes from British and Irish farms and contains no grains, artificial colours or preservatives.
This food contains tripe, which is regarded as a superfood for dogs. Tripe is highly nutritious and contains Omega 3s and 6s as well as digestive enzymes, protein and healthy fats. Even the fussiest dogs can't seem to get enough!
The high quality, human consumption-grade meat used in Hilife's recipes is gently cooked to retain the nutrients and moisture and to make their wet food more appealing to fussy eaters.
Each pack contains an appropriate serving size for small to medium dogs, so may not offer the same value for money for owners of larger breeds. Further, the specific supplements included are ambiguous on the ingredients list, meaning that you may need to add your own if required.
Made in the UK, Harrington’s contains a variety of recognisable ingredients free from artificial colours and preservatives. Many of these ingredients come with added health benefits, such as green-lipped mussels for omega fats and rosehips for vitamin C.
This wet dog food also contains chicory extract, a natural prebiotic. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fibre that feed the friendly bacteria in your dog's gut and can help to promote a healthy digestive system.
This food contains a high level of protein which promotes muscle health and can help keep your dog feeling fuller for longer. The pâté-like texture and meat flavours are great for encouraging fussy eaters, and the absence of artificial flavours and colours is a big plus.
Just be aware that high protein diets are not suitable for dogs with specific health issues. They may also result in weight gain for older and more sedentary dogs who are not exercising enough to burn off the extra calories.
Owners whose dogs have sensitive stomachs have long praised Chappie for its ability to calm an upset stomach. The protein comes from chicken and fish, meats which have long been recommended for feeding dogs with temperamental digestions.
Positive reviews aside, you only have to look at the vague ingredients list to see that this food isn’t as high quality as others. Which means it may not be suitable for dogs with intolerances and allergies.
If you're looking for a vegan option for your dog or cat, Benevo is the go-to brand. It may seem surprising, but there's no harm in your dog having a completely vegan diet providing they receive all the nutrients they require.
Switching your dog to a vegan diet is easy thanks to Benevo's popular taste, but comes at an additional cost. Pet food is something that you shouldn't skimp on, but this food does sit at the premium end of the market.
Pedigree is one of the UK’s most popular dog food brands. Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, this food is formulated to help support healthy bones, aid in digestion and boost natural defences.
This wet dog food contains a combination of meat, vegetables and gravy. While you can clearly see the peas and carrots, the protein source comes from unspecified meat and animal derivatives, despite the flavour being labelled as 'beef'. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if you want to know exactly what is in your dog’s food this isn’t the best option.
This will greatly depend on your dog's size, body weight, age, breed and activity levels. However, according to various pet websites, dogs should have roughly 1 cup of food for every 7kg of weight in a 24 hour period. If you’re unsure, you can find handy calculators online to help you figure things out.
By mixing wet and dry food, your dog will get the best of both worlds and provide them with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy and zooming around the garden. The extra crunch from the dry food will also help with maintaining dental health.
Wet dog food has a higher moisture content and will provide your dog with some hydration, however, it should not replace the hydration that water can provide. Nevertheless, increased water intake will benefit your dog as it helps take the pressure off of major organs and keeps things ticking along.
No. 1: Naturo |Grain Free Chicken & Potato With Vegetables
No. 2: Lily's Kitchen|Chicken & Turkey Casserole
No. 3: Forthglade|Duck Complete Meal
No. 4: Butchers|Tripe Grain Free Dog Food
No. 5: HiLife|It's Only Natural Jelly Collection
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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