Choosing the Right Dog Food: A Pet Parent's Guide to Kibble, Wet, Freeze‑Dried, and More

We all know the look. The puppy dog eyes staring up at you eagerly awaiting their next meal. However, as a Pet Parent, it can be downright overwhelming trying to pick out food for your dog.

By Guest, pethonesty.com

Freeze-dried, wet, or kibble? What do you choose?
Worry not – we are about to break down the pros and cons of the four main types of dog food for you.

 Kibble

Without a doubt, kibble is one of the most common types of dog food. Kibble is characterized as being dry food served in crunchy pellet form.

Kibble Pros:

• Price – Kibble is popular for its economical price point
• Easy to Store & Serve- Kibble does not require refrigeration and lasts longer than most other types of food. Additionally, kibble is a “scoop and serve” dish – simple, and quick
• Dental Hygiene – The crunchy texture of kibble helps clean harmful plaque from dog’s teeth while they are eating

Kibble Cons:

• Unhealthy – Most commercial kibbles have unsatisfactory nutrient levels and unnecessary fillers. Despite being high in calories, kibble often does not contain the actual nutrients dog’s need to maintain optimal health
• Dehydrating – Due to the fact that all moisture is removed from kibble, it leaves your dog needing more water than usual.

Moist Dog Food

Typically found in cans.

Moist Food Pros:
• Easy to Eat – The fluffy, moist texture of wet food is easy to eat and digest – making it a great option for senior dogs.
• Hydrating – The high water level of moist food helps keep your dog hydrated as they eat.

Moist Food Cons:
• Price – Moist food comes at a slightly higher price point than kibble
• Moisture – On the other hand, too high a water content means there are fewer nutrients in the food, meaning they may need to eat more to get their fill. Be sure to buy moist food that are 100% nutritionally complete

 Semi-Moist Dog Food 

Less popular as a food option, more common in treat form.

Semi-Moist Pros:
• Soft – The texture is easy to chew and digest

Semi-Moist Cons:
• Nutritionally Lacking – Much like dry kibble, semi-moist food is often manufactured with unhealthy fillers and artificial flavors

Frozen or Freeze-Dried 

aka “raw” dog food, the new and popular kid on the dog food block.

Frozen Pros:
• Nutritional – Frozen, or “raw”, food is by far the most nutritional option. Since cooking food kills a lot of the beneficial nutrients, raw food contains the highest level of nutritional value.

Frozen Cons:
• Expensive – Raw food is the priciest option. In fact, it typically clocks in at around three times the price of standard kibble
• More work – You either have to defrost or rehydrate raw food, making feeding time take a little longer. You will also want to thoroughly wash your dog’s bowl after feeding to ensure bacteria doesn’t populate

At the end of the day, it is a good idea to talk to your vet about what diet would best suit your unique dog’s needs.