4 Quality Ingredients of wet dog food with Label Analysis
Knowing about the ingredients of wet dog food before feeding our dogs will help them get the required nutrition. We all know how much dogs love wet food because of the real meat chunks in gravy. Wet food is their go to food especially in summers as they are really tempting and delicious. Well there are pet parents who feed wet food everyday as a topping or as their entire meal. And there is absolutely nothing to worry if your dog loves to eat wet food everyday.
So now when we love to feed wet food to our little ones, have you ever wondered what are the ingredients of a wet dog food , how it is helpful and what ingredients we should not feed our dogs. If not, then it’s high time we should check the ingredients it contains and what is the nutritional value it provides to the dog.
In this post you will know the ingredients a good wet food should contain with label analysis of a high quality wet dog food, the nutritional value it provides, feeding style and what are the ingredients you should avoid while going through the label of the wet food packet.
4 Ingredients of wet dog food you should look out for
1.meat product
The first ingredient in any good quality dog wet food should be real meat. Real meat chunks in gravy is a high source of protein.They are essential for the overall well being of the dog. High quality protein provides the necessary amino acids for muscle development, repair, and maintenance. The taste and aroma of the real fresh meat is tempting and delicious. More importantly real animal meat is easily digestible as compared to plant based proteins. Iron, Zinc, Selenium are some of the essential nutrients which animal meat can provide.
A packet of wet food can sustain the high protein requirements of super active dogs, particularly those with elevated activity levels. So if your dog is someone who is hyperactive, the first thing you need to check is the meat content in the wet food label. Real meat offers a rich source of energy, helping to fuel their active lifestyle. Chicken, Chicken Liver, Duck and Lamb are the most liked ones by dogs.
2.Vegetables
Vegetables like carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and spinach and the common ingredients of wet dog food that offer vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Vegetables are a source of dietary fibre that helps in digestion and promotes healthy bowel movements.
Vegetables are really helpful for dogs who are overweight and less active as they have less calories and high water content. Therefore a packet of wet food can fill their tummy completely. Vegetables in wet food also provide an additional antioxidant boost. Therefore it’s important to include vegetables in your dog’s diet. You are advised to check the label for the vegetable content while choosing the wet food for your dog.
3.Grain
Wet food contains grains like quinoa, wheat, barley, rice or oats. They are a great source of carbohydrates which provides energy. They play a major role in keeping your dogs active all day. Grains help in supporting skin, hair and the immune system. Dogs with sensitive stomach and digestive issues, should be fed with wet food containing grains as they are gentler on the digestive system.
We have observed a lot of pets who are allergic to grains and who search for grain free wet food for their dogs. So if your dog is one of them, please do not forget to check the ingredients of wet dog food on the label of the packet before feeding it to your dog.
4. meat organs
You can look for meat organs like liver among ingredients of wet dog food. Compared to regular cuts of muscle meat, organ meat is significantly richer in almost every nutrient. It boasts a high concentration of essential nutrients, including Vitamin D, which is a critical vitamin for various bodily functions. A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness, fractures, increased susceptibility to common cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infections. Among all food sources, organ meat stands out as the highest naturally occurring source of Vitamin D.
Liver is one of the most concentrated sources of Vitamin A as well. Liver is also a great source of folic acid and B vitamins, which help with fatigue, mental ability, and nerve health, as well as preventing anaemia. Iron is packed in the liver, which is necessary for many functions such as brain development and function, body temp regulation, muscle activity, and metabolism.
label analysis of ingredients of wet dog food of high quality
We reviewed a premium brand and did the label analysis of all the ingredients it has. If you refer to the Composition section of the canned wet dog food image on the right, you will find the below listed ingredients:
1. First ingredients are Meat Products, Chicken fillet and fish protein which is a source of Protein.
2. Second ingredient is Vegetable in form of sweet potato which is a source of Fiber and Vitamins.
3. Third ingredient is Grain, in form of Quinoa seeds which is a source of Carbohydrates.
4. Fourth ingredient is Meat Organ, in form of Chicken Liver which is a source of Iron and Vitamin D.
Additionally, it contains fish oil which is as a source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 that provides nourishment to a dog’s skin and coat.
Fish like sardine and tuna for that extra protein requirement.
ingredients of wet dog food to avoid
1. meat by products
Choose wet food brands who specify the kind of protein they have used. Do not opt for brands who use untrusted sources of protein and meat by products. Brands who do not specify the kind of protein used, might not have gone through quality control. To be on the safer side, it’s better to avoid those wet food brands.
2. artificial Colors/flavours
Artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners are unnecessary additives that may cause serious illness or infection. They do not provide any kind of nutrition and hence should be avoided at all costs.
3. melamine
Melamine is considered to be a toxic ingredient for dogs. It can cause potential damage to the kidney, can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, loss of appetite, and other symptoms, which can be a sign of toxicity.
4. high sodium ingredients
Any ingredient which is high in sodium content should be avoided. Excessive sodium can lead to health issues like kidney problems or hypertension in dogs. Therefore choose wet dog foods with moderate sodium levels.
pro tip : when wet food is a boon!
1.Pet owners prefer wet food especially because of the moisture content. All the wet food brands mostly contain 75% of water. Deficiency of water contact leads to stress on the liver as well as the kidneys and can lead to health complications in digestion, elimination, urination and kidneys. The more the moisture content, the better. Due to which, wet food can be a perfect option to include in your dog’s diet specially in summer.
2.If your dog is someone who has urination issues, wet food is the best solution for them and therefore you should be looking for moisture content in the label list.Moisture is extremely important for the digestive tract, for the proper digestion and breakdown of food nutrients. Maximum moisture content in wet dog food can be helpful for weight management, as it is often lower in calories and fat. It can help dogs feel full while consuming fewer calories, which is beneficial for weight control.
conclusion
When it comes to palatability and digestive issues, each dog possesses its own unique characteristics. You need to check your dog’s response to the wet food you are feeding and then make the decision to stick to the one your dog loves. Remember to monitor your dog’s health, weight, behavior and if you see anything which is awkward, consult the vet immediately.