Finding the right puppy food for your new addition to the family can feel a little overwhelming, but if you're thinking that wet food is the way to go, we've answered everything you need to know and listed some recommendations of what we think is the best wet puppy food.
Getting ready to welcome a new puppy into your home is an exciting yet apprehensive time. You're counting down the hours until you can get all the cuddles but you're worried about all the things you have to remember. You may have sorted a new dog bed, bought puppy training pads, picked out a personalised dog bowl and chosen some chew toys, but the most important thing to think about is what food your puppy will eat. Wet puppy dog food is a really important part of any pup's lifestyle and will not only help them grow but will also shape future eating habits.
The best wet puppy food at a glance:
• Best grain-free wet puppy food: Pooch & Mutt Grain-Free Puppy Food - View offer on Pooch & Mutt
• Best hypoallergenic wet puppy food: James Wellbeloved Wet Puppy Food - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best wet puppy food for small breeds: Royal Canin Mini Breed Wet Puppy Food - View offer on Pets At Home
• Best wet puppy food for large breeds: Wainwright's Wet Puppy Food Variety Pack - View offer on Pets at Home
Wet puppy food will commonly contain meat, water and a gravy of minerals, vitamins, and grains. However, you can get food that is grain-free. It has a much higher moisture content than dry food, making it softer to eat and contains more protein and fats, which many pups agree is much tastier.
We have found the best wet puppy food on the market that not only is packed with vitamins and minerals to support their growth but is deliciously tasty, too. We've also got answers to questions you may have when it comes to deciding whether wet food is best for you and your pup, including things to look out for and what the difference is between wet food and dry puppy food.
Best wet puppy food
Best grain-free wet puppy food
Pooch & Muttwww.poochandmutt.co.uk
Pooch & Mutt Grain-Free Puppy Food is hypoallergenic and full of vitamins and minerals. Some pet owners choose grain-free options as some dog foods contain corn and a lot of fibre and dogs can't digest that properly, which means it has to be removed from their bodies within their stools. You can also save money by subscribing so you never forget to order. This wet puppy food needs to be kept in the fridge when opened.
Customer review: "Amazing stuff, no additives and the puppy loves it. She has stomach issues and so far this has really worked for her and settled her stomach."
Pros
- Full of natural and locally sourced UK ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Packed with vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Only one flavour
Best wet puppy food recommended by vets
Pets At Home www.petsathome.com
AVA Optimum Health Wet Puppy Food is Veterinary Approved and a perfect choice for those wanting to feed their puppy quality natural food. As well as being easily digestible, the food contains all you need to promote your pup's overall well-being, including a gorgeous shiny coat and brain function development.
Customer review: "My puppy is satisfied with the Ava chicken flavour tin but didn't like the lamb so my suggestion would be to do packs of chicken only as well as a mixed flavour as it's costing me more money to buy single tins or I will have to look elsewhere."
Pros
- Vet-approved
- Very meaty
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- A bit messy
Best all-round wet puppy food
Harringtons Grain Free Wet Puppy Food is a complete and balanced meal and ticks all the boxes when it comes to catering for the needs of all growing puppies. It uses fresh ingredients, is freshly cooked, grain-free and is packed full of vitamins and minerals. It contains salmon oil as a natural source of Omega 3 to aid in cognitive development.
Customer review: "My puppy really enjoyed this grain-free food. The portions were large and very good value for money. My puppy seems to have even more energy now."
Pros
- Made with 70 per cent chicken, which is great for growing pups who need protein
- Contains chicory extract, which is a prebiotic known to support digestive health
- Complete and balanced
Cons
- Messy to store once opened
Best hypoallergenic wet puppy food
Zoopluswww.zooplus.co.uk
Hypoallergenic wet dog foods are made from ingredients that are less likely to cause allergies and intolerances, as well as using single proteins. They are a great choice for those with sensitive tummies or allergies from birth. These James Wellbeloved Complete Wet Puppy Dog Food Pouches offer a tasty meal that is free from added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Customer review: "After trying to find a food that my puppy really enjoyed I tried the James Wellbeloved Puppy pouches. My puppy loves the food and I am happy to give it to him as I know that the ingredients are of a very high quality. The food is hypoallergenic and is suitable for dogs with food intolerances. When you open the pouch the food actually smells pleasant - not artificial or chemically as some other brands smell. There are pieces or vegetables chopped up and you know that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy growth. The food also seems to be filling which is important and his coat looks glossy and healthy. By buying this product as a frequent purchase you can also save a decent amount when compared with the price in the shops. I would highly recommend this product."
Pros
- Great for fussy dogs
- Full of moisture
- Hypoallergenic and highly digestible
Cons
- Smaller portions compared to other puppy food multipacks
Best wet puppy food to mix with dry
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Butcher's Puppy Wet Dog Food Tin Cans are made on British and Irish farms and contain all the vitamins and minerals needed for bouncing energy and healthy growth to help build up your little pup's immunity. The food is grain-free it is the perfect candidate to mix with dry kibble.
Customer review: "Doggy loved the flavour. He’s picky, super picky but he went down on this."
Pros
- Grain-free and naturally gluten-free
- Contains Omega 3 and prebiotics to promote healthy gut bacteria
- Easy to buy in bulk
Cons
- Needs to be stored in the fridge once opened
Best affordable wet puppy food
Tescowww.tesco.com
Pedigree is a household name when it comes to pet food. These Pedigree Puppy Wet Food with Meat Selection in Jelly pouches will give your greedy pup all the goodness they need, with chunks surrounded by a meaty juice and tasty jelly to make the food easy to chew. The pouches are easy to open and can be served on their own or on top of dry food.
Customer review: "This is a fantastic product that my puppy absolutely loves. The different flavours make it so my puppy doesn't get too used to one specific flavour. It's not too potent and it looks full of goodness. I can't find any faults with it as my puppy loves it!"
Pros
- Great selection of flavours
- No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- Packed full of essential nutrients to support growth and development
Cons
- Not great for pups with sensitive stomachs
Best wet puppy food that contains meat and vegetables
Lily's Kitchenwww.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Lily's Kitchen Puppy Recipe is full of fresh meat, vegetables and healthy herbs that your puppy can devour on its own or mix with dry kibble food. If you start with Lily's Kitchen from the very beginning, your pup can enjoy the many different flavours when they reach adulthood - including the much-loved Sunday Roast and Fishy Fish Pie.
Specially formulated for puppies up to 8 - 14 months, depending on breed.
Customer review: "Puppy loves this food. He also enjoys the dry puppy food but loves when we mix in a little wet food with it."
Pros
- Made from 'proper meat', no bone meal or rendered meat
- Natural ingredients
- Contains carefully chosen vitamins and minerals to provide your growing pup with everything they need to be healthy and happy
Cons
- Just one flavour included in a pack
Best wet puppy food for small breeds
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Small breeds grow slowly, and some may not grow to over 10kg as an adult. Royal Canin has created the Royal Canin Size Health Mini Breed Wet Puppy Food in Gravy to be a breed and weight-specific wet dog food that is formulated with all the nutritional needs of your mini puppy in mind. You can also buy Royal Canin dry dog food to work alongside your wet food.
Customer review: "Our four-month-old Pomeranian just loves it! So perfect food for her size and tastebuds, however, the packaging is not very environmentally friendly, I would love to have the same product but in fully recyclable packaging, tin can maybe?"
Pros
- Breed and weight specific
- Provides immune system support
- Chunks designed for smaller mouths
Cons
- Smallest individual portions on our list
Best wet puppy food for large breeds
Pets At Home www.petsathome.com
Larger breeds grow a lot faster than smaller ones, so it is vital that you feed your puppy everything they need to help them grow strong and healthy. This Wainwright's Wet Puppy Food Variety Pack contains wholesome ingredients that are easy to digest - perfect for pups who eat a lot and are always on the move.
Customer review: "My 12-week lab pup Freddy loves this food. Cleaned his plate in seconds. Different flavours for him to try. The only problem is it's a bit smelly but he doesn't seem to mind."
Pros
- Large portions
- Suitable for up to 18 months
- Gentle on digestion
Cons
- One reviewer felt the consistency was too mushy
FAQs
What can you feed puppies?
When you plan the arrival of your new puppy, the most important thing to think about is what you will feed them, as they will need to be fed up to three times a day according to their breed. Many dog breeders and rescue homes will advise you on what your puppy has been eating already such as puppy milk, with some even giving you a supply to last you a couple of weeks. They will also provide you with information on portion sizes or if your new pup has any certain needs (allergies and sensitive tummies for example) for you to swot up on.
That isn’t to say you can’t change their food when they get home, but it is important to not make any dramatic changes in the first few days. Your puppy will need a mixture of kibble (dry food), wet food and vegetables in order to grow and develop.
If your pup tends to have tummy troubles, you may be on the hunt for a variety of food that won't upset their belly. You can find dry food, as well as wet food, for your pooch in our puppy food for sensitive stomachs article.
What to look out for when buying puppy food
Puppies come in all shapes and sizes, and so does the food that they eat. As well as it being tasty, there are certain things to look out for when hunting for the best wet food for your puppy. These include:
• Looking into your dog's breed and its certain needs. For example, large and giant breeds are particularly prone to orthopaedic problems if they do not eat an appropriate diet while they are growing.
• Checking labels to make sure it is safe for your puppy to eat. This is easy with wet food but is not as noticeable on treats.
• Asking your vet, breeder and family for advice and recommendations.
• How often you will feed your puppy wet food and the portion sizes they will need. The more they eat, the more it will cost you.
How long does wet puppy food last?
Wet foods don’t tend to have preservatives as they are intended to be bought and used fairly quickly. An opened can should be stored in the fridge and used up within a few days.
Most wet food is sealed until they are opened, therefore locking in all the goodness. Just be sure to check the best before dates on all wet puppy foods before you dish it up for your pooch.
How to change your puppy's dog food
It is important that your puppy switches to a new food gradually from their current food to avoid digestive upset or tummy trouble. Puppies need to eat more often than adult dogs, so it is important to make the switch after you've exhausted all options (mixing food with kibble and water, for example).
To transition, mix your dog's everyday food with their new food and over a period of seven days, gradually decrease the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new food.
Check out our ultimate checklist on what to buy your new puppy for more tips and advice on what your new arrival needs.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle, three cats and a tortoise called Bobby.