From Raw Food to Dry Food: Which Food Is Best for Your Dog?
Choosing the right food for your dog is an important decision that directly affects their health and well-being. One of the main considerations when it comes to dog food is whether to opt for dry or wet dog food.
To anticipate: There is no single feeding method that is equally best for all dogs. The question of the best feeding method is less about right or wrong, and more about personal possibilities and demands. Which food does my dog tolerate best? How much time do I have to prepare the dog food? Does my dog have illnesses that require a special diet?
To make the personal decision a little easier, we briefly explain the general and nutritional advantages and disadvantages of the different types of food: Biologically appropriate raw feeding (BARF), home-cooked food, Dry dog food (extruded and cold-pressed), and wet dog food:
Dry Food for Dogs
Dry dog food, also known as kibble, is a popular choice among dog owners for several reasons. Firstly, it offers convenience – it can be easily stored and served, making it a hassle-free option for busy pet parents. Additionally, Dry dog food has a longer shelf life compared to wet dog food, reducing the chances of spoilage.
coatthermore, Dry dog food is said to play a crucial role in promoting dental health. The crunchy texture of kibble can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Regular chewing of Dry dog food can also help maintain strong jaw muscles.
Another advantage of Dry dog food is its cost-effectiveness. Generally, Dry dog food is more affordable than wet dog food, making it a budget-friendly option for dog owners on a tight budget.
Moreover, Dry dog food comes in a variety of formulations to meet different dietary needs and preferences of dogs. There are options for puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and even specialized diets for dogs with specific health conditions. This variety allows pet owners to choose a Dry dog food that best suits their dog's age, size, activity level, and any health concerns.
Dry Food (Extruded and Cold-Pressed)
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| "Convenience": Dry dog food is easy to store, measure, and feed. It requires no elaborate preparation. | "Low moisture content": Dry dog food contains little moisture, which can lead to low fluid intake. Some dogs may not drink enough water to compensate for the deficiency. |
| "Shelf life and Price": Dry dog food has a longer shelf life compared to fresh or home-cooked varieties. It is also often the more affordable alternative to wet dog food. | "Health problems": For some diseases such as leishmaniasis, kidney and liver-related dietary needs, or gout, it can be advantageous to use wet dog food, as Dry dog food, due to its lower moisture content, has higher concentrations of certain minerals or ingredients that cannot be broken down as quickly by the body. |
| "Dental health": Some Dry dog food varieties are designed to support dental hygiene by cleaning teeth during chewing. | "Storage mite allergy": Storage mites are a significant allergen source for many pets. Storage mites occur exclusively in Dry dog food, as wet dog food is sterilized, which kills the mites. |
| "Extruded Dry Food": High temperatures and pressure break down raw materials and starches better. This allows the food to be better absorbed by the dog and is thus more easily digestible, especially for sensitive dogs. | "Extruded Dry Food": The processing during the production of extruded Dry dog food uses high temperatures, which can render some of the vitamins ineffective. Therefore, extruded food is enriched with vitamins and minerals to ensure optimal supply for pets. |
| "Cold-Pressed Dry Food": Cold pressing avoids high temperatures and pressure. This preserves a large part of the nutrients and vitamins. | "Cold-Pressed Dry Food": In cold-pressed food, the starch in the mass is not broken down as much as in extruded food. Simply put, this means your dog's stomach and intestines have to work a bit harder to digest the food. This can be particularly strenuous for dogs with sensitive digestive tracts and lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and increased stool output. |
Wet Food for Dogs
On the other hand, wet dog food offers several advantages that can be attractive to certain dogs and their owners. Firstly, wet dog food has a higher moisture content, which can be beneficial for dogs who struggle to drink sufficient amounts of water. This can be particularly important for dogs with certain health conditions, such as kidney problems or urinary tract issues.
Additionally, wet dog food tends to be more palatable and aromatic for dogs, making it an excellent choice for picky eaters. The rich aroma and juicy texture of wet dog food can entice even the most reluctant eaters, ensuring your dog receives the essential nutrients they need.
coatthermore, wet dog food can be very beneficial for dogs with certain dietary restrictions or allergies. Many wet dog food options are grain-free and made with limited ingredients, making them suitable for dogs with food intolerances or allergies.
Moreover, the soft texture of wet dog food can be advantageous for older dogs or those with dental problems. Chewing hard kibble can be a challenge for older dogs with sensitive teeth or dental issues. Wet dog food offers a gentle option that is easier to eat and digest, ensuring your coatry companion can enjoy mealtime without discomfort.
Wet Food
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| "Moisture": Wet dog food has a high moisture content, which can contribute to hydration, especially for dogs that drink little water. For diseases such as leishmaniasis, kidney and liver-related dietary needs, or gout, feeding wet dog food is recommended because the nutrients are added to the body in diluted quantities. | "Shorter shelf life": Opened wet dog food must be consumed quickly or stored in the refrigerator, as it spoils faster than Dry dog food. |
| "Use of unprocessed ingredients": Wet dog food can use raw materials that have not been thermally treated (fresh or frozen goods). They still contain all nutrients and vitamins. | "Limited storage options": Wet dog food is often bulkier and more difficult to store due to its packaging. It also produces a lot of packaging waste. |
| "Storage mite allergy": Storage mites are a significant allergen source for many pets. Since wet dog food undergoes a sterilization process, storage mites do not occur in wet dog food. | "Higher price level": Wet dog food is often a more expensive type of feeding, as the manufacturing process involves higher process costs and the recipe composition is subject to high quality requirements to ensure consistent consistency, taste and smell. |
Home-cooked/homemade dog food
Home cooking meals is also gaining popularity, whether following the BARF method with meat or a meat-free alternative. It allows pet owners to have complete control over the ingredients, which is especially important for animals with specific allergies or intolerances. By using fresh, high-quality ingredients, the diet can be made rich in nutrients, which can lead to improved overall health, shinier coats, and better skin health. Cooking at home also fosters a closer bond between pet and owner, as meals are prepared with care and individually. Additionally, a home-cooked diet can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially when using seasonal and local products. Ultimately, cooking for pets offers a flexible dietary solution that allows meals to be precisely tailored to the individual needs of the animal.
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| "Control over ingredients": You can choose and control the ingredients. There are no hidden ingredients, thickeners, or other additives in the product. | "Time-consuming and elaborate": Preparing BARF meals requires time and planning, as the ingredients must be properly balanced and prepared. |
| "Fresh and natural food": Raw meat, bones, and vegetables offer a natural and fresh diet. You can adjust meals according to your dog's needs. | "Unbalanced nutrition": Without careful planning and knowledge of your dog's nutritional needs, nutritional deficiencies can occur. |
| "Potential health risks": There is a risk of contamination with bacteria such as Salmonella, both for the dog and for humans, as a constant cold chain often cannot be guaranteed. (see here: Dog food: BARF is a health risk for humans (vogel.de)) |
Home-cooked Food
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| "Control over ingredients": You can choose and control the ingredients. There are no hidden ingredients, thickeners, or other additives in the product. | "Time-consuming": Preparing home-cooked food requires time and effort to properly cook and balance the ingredients. |
| "Adaptability": Home-cooked food offers the opportunity to use fresh and natural ingredients. You can adapt meals to your dog's specific needs, e.g., in case of allergies or a sensitive stomach. | "Nutritional knowledge required": Without careful planning and balance, deficiencies or imbalances in the diet can occur. |
Nutritional Comparison
When comparing the options in terms of nutrient content, there are several important factors to consider. Dry dog food generally offers a higher concentration of carbohydrates, which can provide a consistent energy source for active dogs. On the other hand, wet dog food tends to have a higher protein content, which is essential for muscle development and overall health. However, it can also lead to oversupply.
It's important to note that both dry and wet dog food can provide a balanced diet if chosen wisely and based on your dog's individual requirements. Reading ingredient lists and consulting with your veterinarian can help ensure your dog's nutritional needs are met, regardless of the type of food.
Additionally, it's important to consider the water content in wet dog food, which can help keep your dog hydrated, especially for those who may not drink enough water throughout the day.
When choosing between dry and wet dog food options, consider your dog's age, activity level, and any specific dietary needs they may have. Some dogs may benefit from a combination of both types of food to ensure a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional requirements.
Dietary Form for Specific Diseases
The choice between wet and Dry dog food for dogs can depend on various health conditions that require specific nutritional requirements. Here are some diseases where the type of food can play an important role:
Wet Food / Home Cooking
Urinary tract diseases: Wet dog food has a higher moisture content, which can help flush the urinary system and prevent or reduce the formation of urinary stones. It is important to ensure that the protein content is moderate and that the food should be as low in purine as possible. More information
Chronic kidney disease: For dogs with kidney problems, wet dog food may be preferred due to its high water content to support the kidneys and promote better hydration. It is important to ensure that the protein content is moderate and that the food should be as low in purine as possible. More information
Swallowing difficulties or dental problems: Dogs with difficulty chewing or swallowing often find wet dog food easier to eat than Dry dog food because it is softer.
Leishmaniasis and purine intolerance: For dogs suffering from leishmaniasis, it is often recommended to feed wet dog food, as it has a higher moisture content and the purines are not present in concentrated form. This disease can lead to kidney damage, and increased fluid intake helps relieve the kidneys and promote the excretion of waste products.
Dry Food
Obesity: Dry dog food often has a higher energy content per gram compared to wet dog food and therefore must be fed in smaller quantities. This can be helpful for weight control, as it is easier to dose. However, it is important to carefully control the feeding amount.
Dental health: Dry dog food can contribute to dental cleaning, as chewing hard kibble can help reduce plaque and tartar. However, it is important to note that this is not a substitute for regular dental care. Additionally, certain ingredients in dog food can also affect dental health, which can of course also be implemented in wet dog food. For example, some feeds contain additives that prevent tartar formation or promote gum health. These additives, such as enzymes or specific minerals, can contribute to a healthier oral environment for your coatry friend.
Digestive disorders in dogs with sensitive stomachs: In wet and raw feeding, the plant components such as grains, potatoes, and vegetables contain less broken-down starch compared to Dry dog food. Dogs often cannot effectively digest plant materials without prior processing, which can lead to problems, especially with raw feeding. Even if the plant ingredients in canned food are more digestible through autoclaving, they do not reach the degree of starch breakdown of extruded Dry dog food, unless the wet dog food has been specifically produced with pre-processed plant ingredients, which is rare. Intolerances to the lower starch breakdown can cause digestive problems as well as increased food and stool quantities in some dogs.
Dogs with this digestive type benefit from the high bioavailability of nutrients. This means that challenging, sensitive dogs or very active dogs with a high metabolic rate are often found in this category.
Extruded vs. Cold-Pressed
The debate about cold-pressed and extruded Dry dog food is a recurring topic among pet owners. For an objective discussion, it is important to rely on facts.
Regarding manufacturing processes, the essential difference is that extruded kibble (extrudates) have a higher starch digestibility than cold-pressed kibble (pellets), which leads to improved digestibility and utilization of the contained nutrients for the dog. This usually results in a reduction in stool volume compared to cold-pressed food, where stool volume is higher.
Due to the high nutrient availability, extruded food is often the preferred choice for demanding and sensitive dogs, provided the quality of the food is high. Despite the term "cold-pressed," the manufacturing temperatures of both types of food are relatively close. Both cold-pressed and extruded food have their place in dry feeding and each show their own successes.
Mixing Dry and Wet Food
A balanced diet is crucial, and variety can help meet all of your dog's nutritional needs. Therefore, we believe: Basically, both should be fed alternately
By combining dry and wet dog food, you can take advantage of both food types. This ensures your dog receives a wide range of nutrients.
When introducing a mixed diet, it is important to gradually transition your dog's food to avoid any digestive problems. Start by replacing a small portion of their current food with the new food and gradually increase the proportion over time.
Transitioning Your Dog's Food
Regardless of whether you choose dry, wet, or a combination of both, it is important to introduce any changes to your dog's diet gradually. A sudden change in food can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea or an upset stomach.
Start by introducing small amounts of the new food into your dog's current diet and gradually increase the proportion over a period of 7 to 10 days. This allows your dog's digestive system to adapt and ensures a seamless transition.
Cost Comparison of Wet and Dry Food
Cost is often a significant consideration when choosing food for your dog. Generally, Dry dog food offers a more cost-effective option, as it tends to be less expensive per serving compared to wet dog food.
However, it is important to note that costs can vary depending on the brand, quality, and specific nutritional requirements of your dog. It is important to find a balance between your budget and ensuring your dog receives the necessary nutrients for their overall health.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between dry and wet dog food for your dog's diet depends on several factors, including their individual preferences, health needs, and your budget. Both options have their unique advantages and considerations.
By considering the benefits mentioned above, such as dental health, digestibility factors, and nutrient content, you can make an informed decision that best suits your dog's needs and promotes their overall well-being.
Find the Right Food Choice with BugBell
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BugBell focuses on sustainable production and carefully selected ingredients that offer the best for your dog. Our food options may be slightly more expensive, but the quality you receive speaks for itself: more nutrients, better-tolerated ingredients, and a taste that dogs love.
Give your dog the best – try BugBell dog food and invest in the health of your most loyal companion!
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