Rating of wet dog food: among economy, premium, superpremium and holistic classes

Feed brands are arranged in tables in descending order of average score. From each table you can find out:

how many dry and wet diets are in our dog food rating for 2021 for each brand;
average score of dry and wet diets for each brand;
information about the presence of fines or bonuses;
brief information about the sources of animal protein in the products of these brands;
information on the availability of indications of the percentage of animal protein sources in the composition of feed.

Why is it important? Because these parameters are needed to understand the quality of products.

Pros and cons of wet dog food

There is a myth that it is better for a dog if it is fed only wet food. This myth extends from another myth - it is healthy for a dog to eat only meat. Let's not forget that dogs are omnivorous predators and, in part, scavengers.

Interesting! Dogs can live without meat. This is proven by wolves raised on artificial feeding. Once released into nature reserves, wolves (who cannot hunt or kill) feed on berries and other vegetation, remain healthy and live for many years. The lack of protein affects the muscle mass and activity of animals.

Feeding a dog exclusively meat leads to intoxication, since the breakdown of proteins produces a number of toxins. Excess proteins increase the load on the liver, which can lead to the development of chronic pathologies.

Further, it is worth understanding that canned food does not consist of 100% meat, so comparing these products is not entirely logical. Meat for wet food can be prepared in two ways:

Braising – fresh meat is subject to heat treatment.
Reconstitution - dried meat powder is soaked in water or broth.

Many owners believe that food made from fresh meat is healthier. Perhaps healthier, but definitely not richer.

Important! After dehydrating the meat, the resulting powder is pure protein. When processing fresh meat, it loses most of its beneficial properties and decreases in volume.

Let's look at the pros and cons of wet dog food. Let's start with the positive aspects:

All dogs eat canned food well.
Any wet food can be made into a lickable paste, which means the food is suitable for puppies of any age.
Wet food has an attractive aroma, so it can be used as an intermediate stage in the transition from natural to dry food.
Wet food contains more meat than dry food.

The disadvantages of wet food include:

Relatively high cost. Canned food is more expensive than dry food by weight, and it also contains water, which has the weight and volume that you pay for.
Feeding exclusively wet food leads to loosening of the gums, diseases of the oral cavity and teeth.

Unlike drying, wet food can rarely be considered as the main feeding.

An exceptionally soft diet is suitable for puppies and dogs who cannot eat solid food for medical reasons. In this case, the food must be of high quality (super-premium or holistic), balanced, enriched with vitamins and microelements.

When should you not use wet food?

Wet food contains various meat products, grains and numerous additives. That is why there are no special contraindications to the use of wet dog food. However, it is worth considering that the animal may be allergic to certain elements included in the food. In this case, the food must be replaced or eliminated completely.

Often, the use of economy class food may be contraindicated for dogs with certain diseases. In such situations, it is necessary to use expensive brands that contain only natural ingredients.

Rating of wet food by class

The main criterion when choosing food for a pet is quality or class.

Dog food, regardless of type, is divided into the following classes:

Economy - low quality, does not contain meat
Premium – average quality, excess carbohydrates, quality and quantity of meat products are satisfactory.
Super-premium – adequate quality for everyday food. The super-premium class usually produces food for dogs with special needs and veterinary products.
Holistic - the calorie content of the food is similar to the super-premium class, but the quality of the raw materials is much higher.

Wet dog food varies in purpose:

Everyday is a diet that is suitable for most adult, healthy dogs.
Preventative – a diet that prevents the development of any disorders.
Medicinal or veterinary - a diet that is part of the therapy for treating an animal.
Restorative - pates or pastes that can be fed from a syringe. Restorative products are very high in calories and are enriched with probiotics and vitamins beyond the norm, so they cannot be fed to your dog on an ongoing basis.

Differences in individual characteristics:

Age group.
Dimensions of the dog.
Breed (not all manufacturers produce food for certain breeds).
Wool length.
Degree of activity.

Let's rank wet food by class.

Economy class

Economy class is the relatively cheapest and most advertised animal feed. Veterinarians do not recommend feeding dogs with economy-quality products, and there are a number of reasons for this:

The feed does not contain meat - leather, fat and other production waste act as a source of proteins and fats.
The food contains grains that dogs cannot digest - corn, wheat.
The food contains soy, a GMO product that is (at best) useless for dogs.
The feed contains preservatives, salts, flavors, dyes, and flavor enhancers.

Naturally, the popularity of economy feed directly depends on the price; the cheaper the product, the more often it is purchased.

There are no official statistics, but reviews from owners allow us to distribute the rankings between:

1st place – Darling.
2nd place – Pedigree.
3rd place – Chappi.

Premium class

Premium class is an everyday product that is suitable for healthy pets leading an active lifestyle. The premium segment has one significant disadvantage - high calorie content. Simply put, there is a serious risk of gaining excess weight. Naturally, premium food is not suitable for allergy sufferers and dogs with chronic diseases.

General characteristics of premium food:

25–30% meat in the composition (pure or mixture).
The composition should contain vegetables and vitamin supplements.

Premium wet food rating:

1st place – Hill's Ideal balans – many consider this food super-premium, but in terms of composition, canned food belongs to the premium segment. Protein Content: 36-40% (not dehydrated meats or derivatives), contains grains including wheat and coarse fiber sources (vegetables). The assortment is pleasing; there are products for different ages, needs and even breeds. Hill's Ideal balans are products that leave competitors behind in terms of price and quality.

2nd place - Royal Canin - products are a little more expensive than Hill's, so they are not so popular among owners. Royal Canin is slightly better quality than Hill's, especially the special needs dog line. The assortment is pleasing; the food is divided by age, size and special indications. The protein level is low: 12–20%.

3rd place – Pro Plan – an adequate choice in terms of price-quality ratio. The food is clearly divided into lines; for dogs with special needs, the food is a little more expensive. Subjectively, the food contains little meat, up to 70% fresh chicken. After treatment, the figure will drop to 35–40%.

It is important to understand that the premium class is the broadest. It includes high and low quality feed.

For example, owner reviews indicate that Royal Canin suits more pets than Pro Plan. At the same time, Pro Plan is highly praised by cat owners. The conclusion is obvious - do not trust the inscriptions on the front side of the pack, always read the composition of the food.

Super premium class

Super-premium food is an optimal, everyday diet. If your pet has health problems, its diet should be selected from specialized lines.

Super-premium food is characterized by the following qualities:

At least 50% pure meat.
The composition should not contain taste enhancers, flavorings, or synthetic sources of nutrients.
Cereals are most often absent.
Most often, the composition contains vitamin and mineral supplements.

Premium food rating:

1st place – Grandin – canned food that contains only meat, broth, flaxseed oil and mineral supplements. The food is produced in Germany and meets the high standards of EU countries. The mass fraction of meat in canned food ranges from 66 to 70%, which is an excellent indicator for super-premium and holistic class food.

2nd place - Eukanuba - contains slightly less meat than Grandin, but has an advantage in assortment. Eukanuba food is based on lamb or duck meat. There are several separate lines, for example, for puppies, hypoallergenic and for exhausted animals.

3rd place - Almo Nature - belongs to the super-premium segment, but is inferior in meat (and offal) content - up to 50%. We are pleased with the wide range of products by age and purpose; there are also products in pieces, with gravy and jellies.

Important! Super-premium food can vary significantly in quality, or more precisely, in the amount of meat in the composition. Pay attention to the guaranteed indicators that are listed under the composition; proteins should be at least 20%.

Holistic class

Holistic food is considered to be of the highest quality, which is why its price is the highest. The product is characterized by the following qualities:

At least 60% pure meat.
Contains vegetables, fruits and herbs.
The presence of all necessary vitamins and minerals.

Holistic class food rating:

1st place - Barking Heads - the leader of the rating, since the canned food is perfectly balanced. The food contains 60–70% meat, healthy grains, vegetables and other sources of coarse fiber. Unlike most canned foods, Barking Heads keeps your dog feeling full for a longer period of time.

2nd place – Belcando – confidently “stepping on the heels” of Barking Heads and ends up in second place only because most of the products are based on chicken meat (up to 80%). The composition also includes alternative protein sources, vegetables, and berries. The advantage of Belcando is its expanded range of weights and purposes. The Belcando food line includes hypoallergenic and grain-free products.

3rd place - Merrick - an excellent food, only in third place because it is very difficult to buy. Canned food is based on chicken or duck meat; it also contains broth, stewed (not dried) vegetables and fruits. The aroma of the food is very attractive, many owners talk about it. Pets eat Merrick with great pleasure. There is only one nuance - manufacturers and consumers cannot decide which class Merrick belongs to. The food can be considered a holistic or super-premium product of high quality.

Holistic class food is, of course, preferable to premium class products, however, consider your capabilities wisely. You should not frequently switch your dog from one food class to another, as this will lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

If you are not sure that you can feed your dog holistic food on an ongoing basis, it is better to stick to a high-quality super-premium diet.

The best canned food on the market

So, you’ve decided to diversify your dog’s diet with wet canned food, which means it’s time to familiarize yourself with the options that manufacturers offer. All feeds are divided into classes.

Economy

Economy class food, relatively speaking, belongs to the category of dubious products for animals. Most of them are made from low quality raw materials with the addition of large amounts of soy, grains, flavors, and dyes. The meat content in such feeds is minimal and includes mainly by-products. An increased amount of food additives can cause addiction in the animal.

Did you know? It turns out that breeds such as Labrador and Spaniel have a very dulled sense of satiety, therefore, left alone with a package of food, they are quite capable of suffering from gluttony.

Manufacturers of this class of canned food are well known to everyone:
Pedigree, Chappi, Darling, Cesar.

Premium

Premium canned food is recognized as the most popular among pet owners. This is partly the merit of marketers who position them as elite food, but this is not entirely true.

Premium contains 20–30% meat and all the necessary vitamins for dogs; it is a high-quality, inexpensive product in the middle segment.

The most famous and high-quality foods include: Hills, Brit, Purina One, Royal Canin, Bozita. The undoubted leaders of this line are Hills and Royal Canin.

Super premium

If we talk about the high quality of canned dog food, then it’s time to mention super-premium food. The combination of quality and price of this product is often true. Despite the rather steep prices, products of this class are distinguished by a high content of meat (at least 30%) and high-quality by-products (the manufacturer indicates on the packaging the type of by-products and the percentage in the feed).

Such canned food is safer for young or weakened animals: First Choise, Berkley, Eukanuba, Almo Natura, DailyDog.

Learn more about Berkley canned dog food.

Holistic

Recently, holistic food has become almost a fashionable trend. Manufacturers claim that holistic products are made exclusively from high quality meat, its content in the product is at least 70%. Fortification of products of this class is carried out by adding natural vegetables and fruits to them. In the production of holistic products, by-products and meat and bone meal are not used.

Popular, although very expensive, representatives of this class are: Acana, HolisticBlend, Savarra, Now Fresh.

Read what holistic is and how to choose quality food for your dog.

Puppy food

Products for puppies contain 10-15% more protein than food for adult dogs. The rating included:

1st place – Royal Canin – wide selection of products for puppies, affordable prices, numerous positive reviews from owners. In addition, Royal Canin produces a bitch milk replacer that can be used to feed blind puppies.
2nd place – Natures Protection – super-premium food at a relatively affordable price. Natures Protection has been released relatively recently, but has a very good reputation; most owners praise the food.
3rd place – Brit – a relatively inexpensive and popular food that can be considered as complementary food for puppies aged 2–7 months.

Veterinarians recommend feeding puppies natural food, however, there are exceptions. For example, if a puppy was artificially fed, it is better to switch it to industrial feeding. For puppies that are stunted in growth, there are special foods that allow them to quickly gain weight and improve their metabolism.

Popular brands

Wet dog food can come in several forms, the main criterion being the breed. Liquid dog food is gaining popularity - canned food is a very convenient option, preferred by owners of large breeds.

Native food

This product contains various by-products and jelly additives. We can say that Rodnye food canned dog food is a prominent representative of the economy class. A good option for owners who want to purchase a large amount of food without spending a large amount. A large jar (almost a kilogram) can be purchased for a price not exceeding one hundred and fifty rubles.

Dog happiness

It is also a fairly prominent representative of economy-class food; it is worth noting that Canine Happiness canned dog food has many positive reviews from veterinarians. This suggests that this canned dog food is particularly popular. In many ways, the composition of this product is similar to the composition of Native feed: by-products, gelling additives and no more than two percent of natural grains.

Gourmet

This food is a representative of the super-premium class. The difference is that Gourmet dog food does not contain by-products. The composition includes only natural meat, cereals, gelling agent, salt and water. That is why you should not be surprised that this brand of liquid food cannot be seen on grocery store shelves. Economy-class and super-premium food belong to different price categories, but such nutrition will have a positive effect on digestion processes, the general condition of the coat and internal organs.

Caesar

It is worth noting that Cesar dog food contains many useful products: various additives in the form of vitamins, minerals and fiber, as well as offal and grains. However, there are not so many meat elements and grains (no more than four percent for each element). It is worth noting that Caesar dog food has gained popularity thanks to manufacturers’ investments in advertising.

Many things can be learned by reading reviews of Caesar dog food; they are not clear and certain. Most customers are happy with the choice, but some prefer to choose something else. It is impossible to say for sure; each dog requires an individual approach, which is why it is worth checking your pet’s reaction and deciding for sure whether this product is suitable for the dog.

Choice

The best nutrition option is Fest Choice dog food, the use of which is recommended by many veterinarians. This brand can be used for chronic diseases of the animal’s internal organs; details should be checked with a specialist.

An advantage can be considered that Choice dog food contains a large amount of various vitamins and microelements, natural grains, vegetables and meat. Choice can be considered a natural source of substances necessary for the body, so consuming this food can relieve your dog of a deficiency of essential elements.

meal

If we take into account the reviews of Trapeza dog food, we can say that these canned foods cannot be considered popular or worthy of special attention. This product gets a solid C rating. This may be due to the fact that the brand is not promoted and most consumers do not know about its existence.

It should be noted that Trapeza dog food, like other representatives of economy-class liquid food, contains a small amount of natural substances, most of them by-products, grains and gelling additives of natural origin.

Scoundrel

It is necessary to understand that Rogue dog food should not be given to the dog too often, like any other inexpensive food. Otherwise, certain problems may begin (with fur, teeth, digestion). Reviews about Rogue dog food will help you decide on a purchase; to do this, just visit forums on similar topics. Consumers claim that Rogue food is the optimal combination of acceptable quality and low price.

It is necessary to understand that the occurrence of problems in a dog does not always depend only on food.

The animal needs balanced and timely care, as well as regular examinations by a veterinarian.

Bozita

A good choice would be Bozita dog food, a super-premium product that has proven its quality in the consumer market. The product contains natural substances such as meat, grains, vegetables, and a small amount of natural jelly additives.

We can say that Bozita dog food is no different from economy-class canned food in its cost to a significant extent. A half-kilogram portion will cost no more than two hundred rubles. Such a jar can last for a long time, especially if the pet is small, because the amount of serving is calculated depending on the weight of the dog.

Berkley

Many consumers love Berkley dog food; thanks to the statistics compiled, we can say that this type of liquid food receives a large number of positive reviews and ratings. Thus, we can say that Berkeley dog food is a high-quality product that contains only natural ingredients (meat, grains) and no by-products.

The main disadvantage, judging by the reviews, can be considered a small line of products for puppies. However, this is more than compensated for by a wide range of canned food for adult dogs of various breeds.

I eat without problems

Another representative of the economy can be called the dog food I eat without problems, which will be the optimal solution to the problem of choosing a cheap and high-quality product. Despite the by-products included in the composition, this food contains a large amount of natural elements: meat products and cereals. Does not contain soy elements, various dyes and preservatives, unlike other representatives of this class.

Forza

We can say with complete confidence that Forza dog food is a very high-quality product, which, despite its relatively high cost, can be afforded by every dog owner. Some veterinarians prescribe this food as a therapeutic food, since the product contains only natural meat, vitamins and gelling components.

Perfect for dogs of various breeds with such serious problems as: various stages of diabetes, allergies to meat products, gluten intolerance.

It is important to understand that such products do not have a complete therapeutic effect; you must consult with a veterinarian who can prescribe medication for your pet; liquid food must be taken in combination with medications.

Dr. Alders

Despite the composition of the product (it contains only natural substances, without the addition of various by-products), DrAlders dog food is not popular among pet owners. Most consumers rate it a three or four. A possible reason could be that the product does not cause appetite in the dogs themselves.

The cost of such a product is not too high; most owners probably expect that the quality will fully recoup the money spent.

For small breeds

Food for small breeds of dogs must meet the needs of pets, namely, give them enough energy so that it is enough not only for their own heating, but also for activity.

The food ratings are based on popularity and owner reviews:

1st place - Grandorf - more expensive, but better quality than Royal Canin and Pro Plan.
2nd place - Royal Canin - a confident leader in terms of price-quality ratio.
3rd place - Purina Pro Plan - an equally popular food and the closest competitor to Royal Canin, slightly inferior in quality.

A diet of exclusively soft food is recommended for most small dogs until teeth are completely replaced and the bite is corrected, if necessary.

Small dogs are also prone to early tooth loss, so many owners have to switch their pets to soft food at 5-6 years of age.

Rules for serving canned food

In most cases, wet food is more desirable for an animal than dry or natural food. But there is no need to pay attention to acts of protest - after all, these products are an addition to the diet, and not its basis.

It is worth knowing that large pets will require a large portion of the product, since it contains a lot of moisture. That is why, in order to satiate your dog, you can add canned food to its usual food or give it together with dry food.

Wet food is an excellent treat for training, although you need to keep in mind that offering it to your pet is not as convenient as dry kibble.

It is recommended to feed canned food during the rehabilitation period to a weakened animal that has undergone surgery or a serious illness.

For older dogs

Foods for older dogs should be formulated to take into account the natural slowing of metabolism. If an older dog eats a food that is formulated for a younger dog, he is getting too many carbohydrates. Rapid weight gain leads to the development of heart failure, arthritis and, quite often, diabetes.

Rating of wet food for senior dogs:

1st place - Nature's Protection - food takes a leading position, since TM provides a choice of food for older dogs. The products belong to the super-premium class and enjoy a good reputation.
2nd place – Royal Canin – there is a wide selection of preventative and specialized feeds. By class, Royal Canin is premium, but is characterized by high quality.
3rd place – Hill’s – the range of food for senior dogs consists of only two items, but is complemented by an extensive line of preventive food. Hill's is a premium food with good taste and quality characteristics.

If an owner skimps on food for an older dog, they are unintentionally shortening the time available for the dog. Expensive food is not the only alternative; switching an elderly dog to a dietary, natural diet is a very common and successful practice.

Popular brands

Wet food brands vary by class. Premium nutrition is more natural, but costs an order of magnitude more. Popular brands by level:

Economy options - such food is most often found in stores near your home, but not all brands are healthy. Veterinarians consider the Trapeza, Purina One, and Pedigree brands to be more or less acceptable options (the latter contains cereals that promote better digestion). But most breeders avoid this product.
Premium - also found in stores, medium price range, brands - Royal Canin, Monge, Brit, Proplan, Caesar. In Russia they are preferred most often.
Super-premium - the best canned food for dogs, food without added soy products, more than half are pure protein products, the rest are additional nutritional ingredients. The wet dog food ratings include Hills, Eukanuba, and Almo Nature.
Holistic food - food with a non-standard composition, grains are completely excluded, based on natural protein and vegetables. It is believed that even people can eat such food. The nutritional value is high, but the products must be purchased in specialized stores. Common brands are Barking Heads, Belcando, Grandfor.

The best options are considered to be the feed of the last segment. Nutrition based on cheap varieties (first group) is not welcomed by veterinarians; it is believed that they cause various diseases.

Veterinary feed

Veterinary foods cannot be assessed in terms of popularity, since they are prescribed as part of therapy and, most often, are used temporarily.

The rating of wet veterinary food is based on the range of:

1st place – Hill's.
2nd place - Royal Canin - the widest range, there are high quality canned food for emaciated animals.
3rd place – Purina Pro Plan.

Note! Lifelong feeding with medicated food is only relevant in cases of serious, chronic pathologies and constant medical supervision.

How to choose the right wet food for your dog?

You can find out how to choose the right wet ball for your dog in two ways: contact a veterinarian who will give advice and justify them, or figure out the issue yourself.

Choosing your own diet for your pet is the best way out, since no one except the owner understands the dog’s needs.

When choosing food, rely on the needs of the pet, and then on the quality of the food. It is necessary to take into account the size of the pet and the degree of its activity.

If your pet is young and healthy, you have a huge selection of everyday food from premium to holistic class.
If you are prone to any pathologies, food should be chosen from the preventive lines.
If your pet suffers from any pathologies, the only reliable way to choose a diet is to contact a veterinarian, who will select therapy and supplement it with a balanced diet.

Composition of a quality product

A lot of wet food is produced, varying in type of packaging, name, and most importantly, composition. What should a complete canned diet consist of?

As in canned food for humans, the quantity of meat is valued here; the higher it is, the more nutritious the product is. You should not read the advertising slogans of manufacturers and pay attention to the attractiveness of the design - you need to study the composition before purchasing.

In food of the highest category, meat comes first, with the obligatory indication of the type and grade. In food categories just below, meat and offal can be used, but, again, their indication should come first.

In canned food of average quality, the composition may contain residues of meat production - by-products of not the highest quality - sinews, tails, tripe and meat-and-bone meal.

If a can of canned food lists cereals, followed by meat ingredients, this is a product of lower quality, unhealthy food for a dog, and often, thanks to artificial flavors and flavor enhancers, even harmful.

It is not recommended to give dogs suffering from allergies wet food that does not indicate the type of meat. The most hypoallergenic product in this class is canned lamb meat.