Should puppies eat wet food or dry food?

When we hold the soft and cute puppies in our hands, their furry little bodies and smart eyes instantly melt our hearts. From that moment on, we shoulder the responsibility of taking care of this little life, and diet is undoubtedly a key link in the growth of puppies. When choosing food for puppies, the question of "should I choose wet food or dry food" often troubles every owner. Every careful choice is full of our love and expectations for puppies, hoping that they can eat healthily, grow healthily, and bloom with their own vitality and brilliance. ​

To answer this question, we need to understand the physiological characteristics of puppies first. Puppies who have just left their mothers have not yet fully developed gastrointestinal functions, and their digestive enzymes are less secreted and less active, which limits their ability to digest and absorb food. At the same time, puppies are in a stage of rapid growth and development, and their organs, bones and muscles are growing rapidly, requiring sufficient and balanced nutrition to support them. Therefore, food suitable for puppies should not only be easy to digest, but also rich in various nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. ​

Dry food, which is usually granular food that is extruded at high temperature, is a common choice for many owners. From a nutritional point of view, high-quality puppy dry food will be scientifically proportioned according to the nutritional needs of puppies, rich in high-quality animal protein, such as chicken, beef, fish, etc. These proteins are important cornerstones of puppies' physical development and help build muscles and repair tissues. At the same time, a proper amount of fat is added to the dry food to provide puppies with sufficient energy to maintain their lively and active nature; as well as various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, which helps protect eyesight, and calcium and phosphorus are essential for the development of bones and teeth.

The biggest advantage of dry food is that it is easy to store and feed, has a long shelf life, and can be sealed after opening. Moreover, the process of puppies chewing dry food can play a role in rubbing their teeth, which helps reduce the formation of dental plaque and tartar, and is beneficial to oral health. However, the water content of dry food is low, generally around 10%. For some puppies who don't like to drink water, if they are only fed dry food, they may face the risk of dehydration. In addition, some puppies may have difficulty chewing dry food due to its hard texture, which affects their enthusiasm for eating.

Wet food, which is the common canned food, meat sauce, etc.attracts many puppies with its rich taste and high water content. The water content of wet food is usually around 70% - 80%, which can replenish a lot of water for puppies, which is especially important for those puppies who are prone to dehydration or puppies in hot environments. Moreover, the texture of wet food is soft, which is more in line with the puppies' incomplete gastrointestinal digestion ability, easy to chew and digest, and especially suitable for puppies who have just been weaned and have fragile teeth and stomachs.

In terms of nutrition, wet food can also meet the needs of puppies and contains rich protein and other nutrients. Some high-quality wet food also adds natural ingredients, such as fresh meat, vegetables and fruits, to further enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the food. However, wet food also has some shortcomings. Due to its high water content, it is easy to deteriorate after opening, and it needs to be eaten as soon as possible. The storage conditions are relatively harsh and generally need to be refrigerated. Moreover, wet food tastes better, and long-term consumption may cause puppies to become picky eaters and lose interest in other foods such as dry food. In addition, wet food is easy to remain on teeth, and if it is not cleaned in time, it will increase the risk of oral diseases. ​

Faced with the advantages and disadvantages of dry food and wet food, how should the owner make a choice for the puppies? In fact, there is no absolute answer. The best way is to reasonably match dry food and wet food according to the specific situation of the puppies. For puppies who have just been weaned, you can start with wet food to let them gradually adapt to the diet after leaving breast milk. As the puppies grow, their teeth gradually develop completely, and dry food can be gradually introduced, and the ratio of dry and wet food can be adjusted according to the puppies' acceptance. For example, when a puppy is 3-4 months old, dry food and wet food can be mixed and fed in a ratio of 3:1; when it is 5-6 months old, slowly adjust to 4:1 or 5:1. When choosing dry food and wet food, you must pay attention to the quality and ingredient list of the product, and choose food from regular brands that meet the nutritional needs of puppies. At the same time, no matter what kind of food is fed, make sure the puppies have enough drinking water. ​

In the days of accompanying puppies, every feeding is a moment of emotional communication between us and them. Watching them wolf down the food, their satisfied little looks make us feel happy. And scientific and reasonable selection of food is not only responsible for the health of puppies, but also our cherishment of this companionship. Let us use professional knowledge and warm love to carefully select suitable food for puppies, accompany them through a healthy and happy childhood, and welcome countless beautiful times in the future together.