Today, I’m going to talk a little bit about choosing the best canned dog food for adult dogs. Canned food is something a lot of people give their dogs. Although dogs love it, it’s important to be sure they’re getting a high-quality food. We need to check the nutritional information on canned dog food in the same way that we check it on wet food. There is a misconception among some people that wet food is less nutritious than dry food, which isn’t so. It is mostly water, however, so it requires more volume to get the same amount of calories into our pooches.
Keep reading to learn how to make the best choice. We’ll talk about ingredients and feeding, and then I’ll give you guys a pool of brands which have been shown to be excellent. Like always, I do not recommend any particular brand, I simply think that these make the best pool for owners to choose from.
All About Canned Dog Food
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A good canned food is just as healthy for your dog as a good dry food. You just have to make sure you get a good food. The guidelines for a good canned food are the same as they are for dry food. You want high-quality food that focuses on nutrition as much as taste. Let’s take a look at what makes the best canned dog food for adult dogs.
Low Calorie
Here we are again, at the low-calorie portion of the post. If you’ve read any of my recent articles, you know why I advocate for low-calorie food. A dog who maintains a healthy weight is less likely to develop diabetes, cancer, and joint and tendon problems. You don’t really have to look for a low-calorie wet food, though. It’s mostly water, so you’ll have to feed more to get the same amount of calories in dry food anyway.
No Grain
Canines weren’t meant to digest grains, which is why they’re the main culprit of dog food sensitivities and allergies. In fact, the only reason grain is even in dog food is as a filler – it makes it cheaper for companies to make it. Look for foods that are free of wheat, gluten, soy, and the like. The only exception to this is oatmeal and brown rice. Dogs do exceptionally well on those ingredients.
Quality Carbs
This is along the same lines as no grain. Look for grain-free carb sources like potato, sweet potato, peas, and of course the two exceptions to the no grain rule – brown rice or oatmeal.
Quality Protein
Look for protein sources that do not contain the words “by-product”. “By-product” is a fancy term for “whatever we got off the floor and scraped out of the machines”. It’s usually a combination of fat, gristle, and ground bone. Instead, look for ingredients that say something like “deboned chicken” or other phrases that sound like actual meat.
Veggies and Berries
These days, a lot of canned dog food brands have veggies and berries in them. These are excellent for your dog! Veggies add in extra vitamins and fiber, and berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which I’ve discussed at length. Recap: Antioxidants basically keep cells healthier and help combat cancer.
What is the Best Canned Dog Food for Adult Dogs?
Making any decision for our pets is purely subjective, so I never recommend specific dog foods. Rather, I always tell people what to look for and let them make their own decision. The one thing I do advocate for is quality food. Don’t buy the cheap stuff. It’s terrible for your dog. However, there are a few brands that routinely receive high marks from both consumers and vets that I think make an excellent pool to choose from.
These brands are all high quality and have everything your dog needs to be healthy and happy. They’re all vet recommended, and they always score between 4 1/2 and 5 stars from owners for both taste and their dog’s health while on the food.
If you’re in the market for the best canned dog food for adult dogs, I highly encourage you to give these brands a look. They’re all extremely high quality, which is so important.
