Dry food or wet food? The expert’s honest guide to the right pet food

As you walk along the shelves or scroll through Alpha Zoo, you quickly realize that the selection of food for your dog or cat is gigantic. The most common question we receive from pet owners is the eternal choice between dry food (kibble in bags) and wet food/raw food (cans, pouches, or chubs).

Which one actually provides your four-legged friend with the best health and the most energy?

Here is Alpha Zoo's honest expert opinion: There is no perfect food for everyone, but we have a golden rule. Choose wet food or raw food if you have a cat (which naturally drinks too little), a picky dog, or an animal that needs to maintain its weight, thanks to the high meat content and fluid volume. Choose a high-quality dry food if you prioritize an economical, convenient, and long-lasting food that also mechanically helps keep teeth clean.

Below, we break down the benefits of both styles of food so that you fill the food bowl with the right energy.

The benefits of Dry Food (Convenient and economical)

Dry food is the most popular form of food worldwide, and it is not hard to understand why.

• Best for your wallet: Dry food is concentrated because the water has been removed. This makes it significantly cheaper per meal compared to wet food. It is long-lasting and keeps for months if the bag is sealed well.

• Dental health as a bonus: When the dog or cat chews on the hard kibble, mechanical abrasion is created against the teeth. This helps to reduce the development of plaque and tartar.

• Convenient in everyday life: You can easily leave the food out in the bowl without it going bad or attracting flies. It is also perfect to use kibble as reward treats during training.

The benefits of Wet Food & Raw Food (Tasty and natural)

Canned wet food or raw food (sold frozen) is much closer to the animals' natural diet in the wild.

• Vital hydration: Cats are evolutionarily poor at drinking water from a bowl – they are programmed to get their fluids via prey. Wet food gives the cat the hydration it needs to avoid urinary problems and kidney disease.

• High palatability for picky animals: Wet food smells and tastes much more than dry kibble. If you have a picky dog or an older cat with a poorer sense of smell, wet or raw food is often the solution to get their appetite going.

• Better weight control: Since wet food contains a lot of water, it provides a greater feeling of satiety per calorie. This makes it much easier to keep an overweight dog or cat in check without them needing to go hungry.

Our final verdict: What should you put in the food bowl?

Our expert advice: You don't have to choose just one!

For cats, we strongly recommend that wet food makes up the majority of their diet to protect their kidneys.

For dogs, a high-quality dry food is a fantastic base, but you do your dog a huge favor by topping the food with a little wet or raw food. It provides a fantastic flavor boost, extra hydration, and makes the meal significantly more enjoyable without emptying your wallet.