All dog owners want what’s best for their pooch, so when it comes to providing their hound with top-notch nutrition, many are turning to the best canned dog food. Food in a can usually contain a higher percentage of meat compared to other forms of dog food, which is why it’s a popular choice with paw-rents and pooches alike.
As well as having a high meat content to give your pooch all the protein they need, canned dog food typically has a more intense smell and flavour. This type of food may be what you need if you're dealing with a pup who tends to turn its nose up to what you usually serve them at din-dins. The scent and taste are more than enough to lure them to their bowl and get their tails wagging again, making canned meals a great dog food for fussy eaters. The process of putting dog food into a tin also helps to preserve the nutrients and flavours of your mutt's meals without the need for artificial preservatives, so you can rest assured that your dog is having a balanced and delicious diet made with the best stuff.
Best canned dog food at a glance:
• Best overall: Lily's Kitchen Classic Multipack – View on Lily's Kitchen
• Best value multipack canned dog food: Pedigree Adult Multipack Jelly Wet Dog Food – View on Amazon UK
• Best natural canned dog food: James Wellbeloved Wet Dog Food Tins – View on Pets at Home
When it comes to choosing the best canned dog food for your pooch, you'll want to take into consideration any allergies, sensitivities or other dietary requirements they may have. Your hound may require dog food for sensitive stomachs if certain ingredients cause them to have an upset tum. Similarly, you may be after a hypoallergenic recipe if your pooch has got skin problems. Luckily, there is plenty of choices when it comes to tinned dog food, so you'll be able to select their meals based on their diet requirements, as well as choose a recipe that is suitable for whatever stage of life they are in, such as a specific puppy or senior food. Not to mention, canned food is mostly available to buy in multipacks so you'll be able to save money overall by buying in bulk.
Sound like something that both you and your dog would be on board with? We're here to show you a selection of the best canned dog food available in the UK. Our choices come highly rated by either us or real customers online, or they're new products from well-recognised brands so you can trust that they're going to be good for your pooch.
Best dog food in tins and cans
Best overall
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Dogs deserve only the best, so why not treat them to doggy equivalents of much-loved human meals, like Lamb Hotspot, Sunday Lunch, Chicken & Turkey Casserole and Cottage Pie? Made with fresh meat and vegetables, this Lily's Kitchen Classic Multipack offers your pooch a healthy, balanced meal that will be utterly irresistible to them. You won't find wheat, corn or soya inside these cans, just delicious, natural ingredients.
Customers say their dogs love the variety of flavours. Some customers mix a little dry food in with the wet and it gives their dog an appealing mix of textures. On buying directly from Lily's Kitchen's website, customers praise the service. In fact, Lily's Kitchen is rated 'Exceptional' on feefo.
Pros
- Easy to digest for sensitive tummies
- High percentage of actual meat in each tin
- Mix of flavours to give your dog variety
Cons
- Some owners may feel this food is better suited for a treat rather than everyday meals
Food weight: | 12 x 400g |
Flavour: | 3 x Lamb Hotpot, 3 x Sunday Lunch, 3 x Chicken & Turkey Casserole, 3 x Cottage Pie |
Best value multipack canned dog food
24 cans for under £30? You can't go wrong with this Pedigree Dog Tins Meat Jumbo Pack. It comes with eight cans worth of each of the three classic, tasty flavours and they're all presented in jelly for a solid source of protein. Zinc and sunflower oil are also included to ensure healthy skin and a glossy coat. A fantastic choice if you've got multiple dogs at home or want to bulk buy for one pooch.
Customers praise the price point and reviews suggest that dogs love the food. The main benefit here is that it can be purchased in bulk and a subscription is also an option. For 45kg+ larger dogs, the amount of tinned food needed to satisfy a big appetite can mount up. So, some customers mix kibble in.
Some customers comment that their dog developed wind for about a week when they changed their diet, but then it settled down. On the whole, dogs enjoy chowing down on Pedigree which goes some way to explaining why this is an enduring brand.
Pros
- Value for money multipack
- Three flavours to give your pet some variety
- Dogs love the taste
Cons
- Comes with 24 cans, so make sure you've got somewhere to store them all
Food weight: | 24 x 385g |
Flavour: | 8 x chicken, 8 x beef, 8 x lamb |
Best natural canned dog food
www.petsathome.com
Naturally hypoallergenic, there are no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives in these James Wellbeloved Wet Dog Food Tins, just tasty natural ingredients, so you can be sure your dog is getting only the good stuff at mealtimes. Each canned recipe is packed with vitamins and minerals to support their immune system, as well as Omega 6 and zinc to promote healthy skin and coat.
Reviews across the web indicate that customers think this is a great dog food that their dogs enjoy. It's good value for money, albeit there is a risk of tins getting dented during delivery.
Bear in mind this wet dog food has a roughly minced texture and while this will appeal to the majority of dogs, some toy dogs may find it a bit too difficult to chew.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic so it's suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion
- Contains natural fibres for healthy digestion
- Complete food with ingredients that help to build a dog's natural defences
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs under one year old
Food weight: | 12 x 400g |
Flavour: | 4 x chicken, 4 x turkey, 4 x lamb and chicken |
Best for sensitive stomach
www.viovet.co.uk
These Butcher's Simple Gentle Wet Adult Dog Food tins are perfect if you have a dog that has allergies or food intolerances that cause them to regularly get an upset stomach. They are 100 per cent complete and balanced wholegrain hypoallergenic recipes, with a choice of chicken, salmon or turkey combined with rice, so it is gentle on delicate tummies and contains the right amount of naturally active ingredients to promote healthy gut bacteria.
Customer reviews indicate that this dog food is gentle on sensitive stomachs and that dogs enjoy the taste. It's good value for money if you're feeding smaller dogs, but consider supplementing their diet with kibble, especially if you have a large breed.
Dogs enjoy the variety of flavours and the food is presented as a loaf, so you can be sure it's full of meat, rather than lots of jelly.
Pros
- Complete and balanced
- Wholegrain recipes that are all hypoallergenic
- Choice of flavours to give your dog variety
Cons
- Some reviewers think they have a very strong smell
Food weight: | 18 x 390g |
Flavour: | 6 x chicken and rice, 6 x salmon and rice, 6 x turkey and rice |
Best grain-free canned dog food
www.petsathome.com
The Harringtons GF Adult Complete Cans provide a complete meal and balanced nutrition for all dogs, without adding grains, flavours, dairy or soy, and have been carefully formulated to give your dog wholesome grain-free nutrition. It may be a poultry selection, but both the chicken and turkey tins have salmon oil added, which not only helps support healthy skin and a glossy coat but also offers inulin to help with digestive health.
Online reviews suggest that even fussy dogs enjoy a bowl of Harringtons. The food has a high moisture content that keeps dogs sated and hydrated. One review comments that they like that there is a visible vegetable content in the food, so they know it's packed with real ingredients. Some fussy dogs might not like the texture of this food though.
Pros
- Made with natural ingredients
- Grain-free
- Made with freshly prepared chicken and turkey
Cons
- Fussy dogs may not like the texture of this food
Food weight: | 12 x 400g |
Flavour: | 6 x chicken, 6 x turkey |
Best canned dog food for seniors
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Ensure your senior dog has everything they nutritionally need in their golden years with Lily's Kitchen Senior Recipe. Its unique blend of ingredients will help to keep the spring in the step of your pooch. Green Lipped Mussel for joint care, EPA and DHA from seaweed for supporting normal brain function, and natural prebiotics for aiding digestion are all added, alongside tasty meat, fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Customers say this food settled their dog's tummy and it's improved the condition of their pet's hair and skin. The only downside is the lack of flavour variety for senior dogs.
Pros
- Made up of 60 per cent turkey
- Nourishing, natural ingredients
- Specifically formulated for older dogs
Cons
- No variety in flavour compared to other multi-packs
Food weight: | 6 x 400g |
Flavour: | 6 x Turkey (Senior Recipe) |
Best supermarket canned dog food
www.sainsburys.co.uk
Formulated without artificial colours and flavours, Sainsbury's offers complete canned dog food for a great price. It's made for optimal nutritious goodness with quality ingredients and all the vitamins and minerals needed to keep dogs fit and healthy. With four tempting flavours in a tasty jelly and at a great price – what's not to like about these Sainsbury's Complete Nutrition cans?
Customers comment that the recipe is not grain-free, so this food may not be suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
A review praises the amount of meaty chunks and this sets it apart from other supermarket competitors. Plus, this multi-pack is superb value for money with lots of flavours to keep dogs savouring the food.
Pros
- Omega 3 and 6 for healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Calcium for healthy bones and teeth
- Antioxidants to support a healthy immune system
Cons
- Some reviewers state the recipe has changed, and it is no longer grain-free
Food weight: | 12 x 400g |
Flavour: | 3 x beef, 3 x turkey, 3 x chicken, 3 x chicken and liver |
Best tinned dog food for a limited diet
www.viovet.co.uk
For dogs with sensitive digestion, Chappie Original is a good option as it doesn't contain red meat, soya or dairy. It's a low-calorie, white fish-based recipe. It's a go-to option for some pet owners who are putting their doggy on a diet. It's a complete food, containing essential vitamins, minerals, fats and oils.
It's not a budget option and works out more expensive than Lily's Kitchen tins. But, it might just be the food that allows dogs with a limited diet to tuck into a nutritious wet food. Customers say this has helped their dog's sensitive stomach and is very digestible. Just be prepared for the smell, because some reviews comment that it's rather fishy.
Pros
- Low fat so it's a good option for dogs on a diet
- Suitable for dogs with allergies and sensitive digestion
Cons
- It can smell quite strong due to it being a fish-based recipe
Food weight: | 12 x 412g |
Flavour: | Original |
How we chose the best canned dog food UK
All of these canned dog foods have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered value, taste and ingredient quality in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching tinned dog food to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
FAQs
What are the advantages of canned dog food?
According to VCA Hospitals, canned food has one main advantage. It has a very high water content, which often means your pooch can have a larger amount per meal to provide the same amount of energy and calories in an equivalent portion of their dry dog food. This larger portion may help your pooch to feel fuller for longer so they won’t be begging for extra treats throughout the day.
The high water content in canned food also provides an extra source of hydration for your pooch, too.
Of course, it can be that your pooch simply prefers the taste and texture of canned food compared to dry food. The meaty chunks may smell and taste more appetising to your hound than the kibble alternative.
How much canned dog food equals dry food?
As we mentioned above, your pooch can have a bigger portion of their wet dog food out of a can to get the same calories and energy as dry food offers due to the high water content.
If you're wondering how much canned food equals dry food, Purina advises that three ounces (roughly 85g) of wet food replace about 1/4 of a cup (roughly 56g) of dry food.
How long does opened canned dog food last after opening?
Not all dogs are going to finish a can of dog food in one sitting so you'll want to make sure you store it correctly to make sure it lasts. When you've dished up your pooch's portion for their din-dins, make sure to put it in an air-tight container and pop it in the fridge to keep it fresh. Once in the fridge, it should last between three to five days before it needs throwing out.
Leaving canned dog food uncovered and out at room temperature can make it more susceptible to bacteria and mould growth, meaning you'll have a poorly pooch on your hands if you then feed it to them.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home and Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.