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 contains 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 their 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 Dog Tins Meat Jumbo Pack Jelly – View on Zooplus
• 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 choice when it comes to tinned dog food, so you'll be able to select their meals based on their diet requirements, as well as choosing a recipe that is suitable for whatever stage of life they are in, such as 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
Lily's Kitchenwww.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.
Customer review: "Great to have a variety of cans and the dog thinks they smell and taste fantastic."
Pros
- Easy to digest
- High percentage of actual meat in each tin
- Mix of flavours
Cons
- Some owners may feel this food is better suited for a treat rather than everyday meals
Best value multipack canned dog food
Zoopluswww.zooplus.co.uk
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.
Customer review: "Dog laps it up every time"
Pros
- Multiple cans
- Three flavours
- Great price
Cons
- Comes with 24 cans, so make sure you've got somewhere to store them all
Best natural canned dog food
Pets at Homewww.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.
Customer review: "Our rescue dog is super fussy but LOVES this stuff. As does the neighbours cat who regularly sneaks in and steals it out of his bowl if any is left. Seems to be very dense with high meat content and justifies the slightly higher price in our view. Two paws up 🐾"
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains natural fibres for healthy digestion
- Helps to build their natural defences
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs under one year old
Best for sensitive stomach
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
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 review: "Brought this on a buy 2 get 1 free offer , dogs enjoy the food and appears to have improved their digestive system. Coats look glossy on both 1 year old and 13 year old."
Pros
- Complete and balanced
- Wholegrain recipes that are all hypoallergenic
- Choice of flavours
Cons
- Some reviewers think they have a very strong smell
Best grain-free canned dog food
Pets at Homewww.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.
Pros
- Made with natural ingredients
- Grain-free
- Made with freshly prepared chicken and turkey
Cons
- No customer reviews
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.
Customer review: "Well loved by my dogs, will always use this senior recipe, it is always high quality and smells good too unlike most tinned pet foods."
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
Best supermarket canned dog food
Sainsbury'swww.sainsburys.co.uk
Formulated without artificial colours and flavours, Sainsbury's offers a 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?
Customer review: "This is a really good dog meat and my dogs absolutely love it. Clean dishes every time they eat this."
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
Best dual-flavour canned dog food
Jollyeswww.jollyes.co.uk
With two tasty flavours in each can, your pup won't be able to get enough of these Winalot Hearty Duo tins. As well as tasting great, they've got minerals and protein extracts that will make sure your hound's fur looks its best and their skin stays in a good condition. They were designed with supporting your dog's vitality in mind so they've got all the nutrition they need for when they're being active and full of energy.
Customer review: "Fantastic value for money dogs love the flavours."
Pros
- Supports healthy digestion
- No added artificial colours
- Supports through all life stages
Cons
- Could have a higher meat percentage
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 Pets, Homes and Garden 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.