Should Puppies Eat Wet Food? Pros and Cons of Wet Puppy Food

Wet dog food is a common choice for puppies; it is widely available and comes in a variety of different flavours, perfect for the pickiest of eaters. Choosing a reputable brand is incredibly important to ensure your dog gets the diet they deserve, as unreliable, cheap options often don’t include the right nutrients that puppies need.

In our guide, we will explore whether wet dog food is recommended for puppies, the age at which puppies can start eating wet food, and if there are any risks to feeding a strictly wet food diet to puppies. We will also discuss whether you can mix

Is Wet Dog Food Recommended for Puppies?

Yes, wet dog food can be recommended for puppies, but whether it’s the best option depends on your puppy’s needs and preferences and your lifestyle. It is worth consulting with a canine nutrition specialist to craft the perfect diet for your puppy and decide whether wet food is the best option. Benefits of providing puppies with wet food includes:

• Palatability: Wet food tends to smell and taste stronger, which can be better for fussy eaters.
• Easier to chew: Particularly useful for very young puppies with small mouths or those teething.
• Hydration: Wet food has a higher water content, which helps keep puppies hydrated.
• Gentle on digestion: The softer texture can be easier on sensitive stomachs.

Before purchasing wet food for your puppy, ensure you make the following considerations:

• Dental health: Wet food does not provide the same chewing resistance as dry food, which can help keep teeth cleaner. You may need to incorporate dental chews or brush your puppy’s teeth.
• Storage: Once opened, wet food must be refrigerated and used within a short time.
• Cost: It is generally more expensive than dry food.
• Feeding balance: Ensure it is a complete and balanced puppy formula (not just a complementary topper), so your puppy gets all the nutrients needed for growth. Naturo provide wet food pouches tailored to puppies, complete with chicken, potato and vegetables; these pouches promote a healthy digestive system, immune system and skin and coat.

You can browse the full collection of wet puppy food we stock at Fetch here.

At What Age Can Puppies Start Eating Wet Food?

Puppies can usually start eating wet food from around three to four weeks of age during the weaning process. At this stage, they are transitioning from their mother’s milk to solid food.

Here’s a breakdown of the timeline:

• 0 to 3 weeks: Puppies should be nursing from their mother (or a suitable puppy milk replacer if needed).
• 3 to 4 weeks: You can begin introducing a gruel made by mixing wet puppy food with a little warm water or puppy milk replacer. This makes it easier for them to lap up.
• 4 to 6 weeks: Puppies will gradually eat more solid wet food and rely less on milk.
• 6 to 8 weeks: By this age, most puppies should be fully weaned and able to eat wet puppy food on their own.

Before immediately moving your puppy to a wet dog food diet, consider talking to a canine nutrition specialist to ensure it is the best choice, not only for your pup, but for your personal lifestyle.

Are There Any Risks to Feeding Puppies Only Wet Food?

Yes, there can be some risks to feeding puppies only wet food. While wet food has many benefits, providing it exclusively may present a few drawbacks:

Dental health

Wet food can contribute to the build-up of plaque and tartar. Puppies fed only wet food may need extra dental care, such as tooth brushing or dental chews, once they are old enough. Four Leaf Rover oral health dental powder is perfect for adult dogs and puppies alike, maintaining a balanced mouth microbiome and supporting fresher breath and cleaner teeth.

Stool consistency

Some puppies fed only wet food may produce softer stools, which can be harder to manage during house training.

Chewing and jaw strength

Puppies that never eat dry food may miss out on the exercise that chewing dry and raw food provides, which can help strengthen developing jaws. You may need to supplement this lack of jaw exercise by investing in hard treats and chew toys.

Potential fussy eating and restricted diet

Because wet food is often tastier than standard dry options, some puppies may become reluctant to eat dry food later if they are only ever given wet food. If you choose a cheaper wet puppy food brand, you may also be restricting your puppy from getting the best diet; wet puppy food also doesn’t mimic your dog’s ancestral diet like raw dog food does.

Can I Mix Dry and Raw Food with Wet Food?

Yes, you can mix dry, raw, and wet food for puppies, but it needs to be done with care to ensure it is safe and nutritionally balanced. Many owners choose a mixed feeding approach to combine the benefits of different food types. For example, dry food can help support dental health, wet food adds hydration and is often more palatable, and raw food, when done correctly, can introduce freshness and variety. Mixing can also make meals more appealing for fussy eaters and gives you flexibility to adjust portions as your puppy grows.

However, the food you feed your puppy must be puppy formulated to support their growth. Puppies also digest raw and processed foods at different rates, which means some may experience tummy upsets if everything is fed together. In these cases, it may be better to offer raw and processed foods at separate mealtimes. Because puppies have very specific nutritional requirements, it is best to consult a canine nutrition specialist before adding raw food to the mix, to avoid imbalances in protein, calcium, or phosphorus.

Wet Food Advice from Fetch

At Fetch, we stock various wet dog food brands ideal for your puppy. We understand canine nutrition, and only stock reputable brands that are guaranteed to ensure that your puppy thrives. We also provide wellbeing consultation to ensure your puppy gets the diet they deserve, tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

You can browse our full collection of wet puppy food here.

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