When you bring your puppy home, you want to make sure you give them the best of everything and feeding them well is an important part of giving them the best start in life. But with so many options available, choosing between wet food, dry food, or a combination of both can feel confusing.
This guide will help you understand the differences and decide what is right for you and your puppy.
Puppy Feeding Journey: From Weaning to Solid Food
When puppies first start to transition from their mother’s milk to solid food, their jaws, teeth, and digestive system are still developing. This means that any food given in this period needs to be soft, easy to chew and easy to digest.
Wet food can be particularly appealing for young puppies because of its smell and texture.
As puppies develop, their jaws, teeth and digestive systems will mature, and their dietary needs will change - but this process takes differing lengths of time in different breeds, types and sizes of dog.
Small breed puppies especially may need to be fed on soft food for longer - whatever your eventual feeding preference is - while large breeds may be able to move onto a dry food (soaked to start with so it is softer and easier to eat) earlier.
What are wet and dry foods for puppies?
Wet food for puppies explained
Wet food for puppies has a soft texture and a high-water content. It can either be fed as a complete food or alongside other food, depending on your puppy’s diet. It usually comes in pouches, trays or tins and once open will usually have to be kept in the fridge.
Dry food for puppies explained
Dry food is usually a complete food in the form of kibble - small, crunchy nuggets that contain all the nutrients your puppy needs. Kibble size and texture may be adapted to reflect the age, size or breed of dog they are intended for. Dry food usually comes in bags, has a longer shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated.
Is dry or wet food better for puppies? Pros and cons
There is no single best food for puppies, as each has its own benefits and drawbacks. The decision between wet and dry food often comes down to your puppy’s individual preferences, health needs and lifestyle, as well as your own budget and convenience.
Here are some key points to help you make an informed choice:
| Feature | Feature | Wet Puppy Food |
| Palatability/Appeal | May be less appealing to some puppies because it has less odour than wet food. | Appealing to puppies thanks to its smell and soft texture. Can encourage reluctant feeders, especially young small breed puppies. |
| Ease of Eating (Initial) | Can be too hard for some puppies to eat at first and so will need soaking. | Often the easiest type of food for young puppies to start with during weaning. Soft texture makes it easier to eat. |
| Dental Health | Crunching and chewing can help support dental health. | As there is less chewing and crunching, it doesn’t help with jaw and muscle development in the same way that dry food may. |
| Hydration | Because it contains very little moisture, puppies will need to drink enough water to compensate. | Contains water which can help with hydration. |
| Convenience/Storage | Easy to buy in bulk and to store. Has a longer shelf life. Nutritionally complete. Easy to adjust portion sizes. Versatile - can be used in enrichment toys and for training. | Once opened it needs to be used promptly and stored in the fridge. Due to the high-water content, portions will need to be larger (this can be a disadvantage or advantage depending on the individual). Can be messy. |
| Cost | Often more cost-effective. | Generally, less cost-effective. |
| Digestive Output | May produce smaller, firmer, less smelly and easier to pick up poos. | May lead to softer, larger and/or more frequent poos. |
Ultimately, the best choice for your puppy may be a combination of both wet and dry food, known as "mixed feeding". This approach allows you to harness the benefits of both, offering variety, dental support, and hydration.
Key factors to consider when choosing wet or dry puppy food
Whether you choose wet or dry food depends on:
- The age of your puppy - very young puppies may still be eating soft food.
- What food the puppy has been eating before they come to you. When your puppy first comes home with you, it is important to keep them on the food they are used to in order to avoid stomach upsets and stress. Once they have settled, you can start to make gradual changes.
- Your preference. The decision may be based on availability, how you are going to buy and store your dog’s food, and your budget.
Mixing wet and dry dog food: can puppies have both?
If you are feeding a nutritionally complete food, it’s usually best not to mix the two. Both will be developed to give your puppy the correct balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and by mixing them, you may upset this balance.
Wet vs dry puppy food: the bottom line
While your puppy may start off on wet food, what you eventually decide to feed is up to you and your dog. Many owners enjoy the convenience of dry food, the wide range available, and its advantages when it comes to helping to keep teeth and gums healthy.
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Purina Editorial Team
