7 Tips For People Who Feed Their Dogs Wet Food
An always controversial topic refers to the best way to feed your dogs wet food, dry food, a combination, raw food or any other type of food.
Today, most dog owners feed their dogs a mixture of dry and wet food. If you feed your dog wet food, you might be interested in finding out if there is anything you can do to make sure you get the most out of it.
In this article, we will share some tips for owners who feed their dogs wet food of any kind, be it cans, bags or trays. Here are seven tips for feeding your dogs wet food:
1. Take care of the beginning when feeding your dogs with wet food
If your pet is not used to wet food, start with a canned food that is made up of ingredients similar to your pet’s normal dry food. In addition, you can mix wet and dry food if your pet is not adapted yet.
2. When preparing and serving
If you’ve taken the food out of the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature before serving it to your dog to make it more palatable to him.
Also, always wash your dog’s food bowl, just as you would your own dishes. Also avoid using metal or plastic bowls that can remove chemicals from food.
3. Observe the portions when feeding dogs with wet food
Pay attention to individual serving recommendations to avoid overeating or underfeeding.
4. Quickly delete
While you can serve the wet food in multiple servings, any remnants of the served portion that the dog has not eaten within 30 minutes should be discarded. In this way, you limit any risk of food contamination and discourage herding, which can lead to your dog’s overeating and obesity.
5. Take care of storage and refrigeration
Sealed wet foods can be stored in the cupboard, as they will not perish as long as they are still valid and unopened. You should store them in a cool, dry place, like a closet. When shopping for new foods, be sure to use the oldest foods first.
If your dog doesn’t eat the entire package of wet food in one sitting, you can store it for later. You must transfer it to another non-metallic container with a lid, and store it under refrigeration; they will be kept up to 24 hours. Storing under refrigeration will avoid contamination of the food.
After 24 hours, you will need to discard them. Most prepackaged wet dog food cannot be frozen after opening, so keep this in mind.
6. Quality matters
While canned food is generally of better quality than dry kibble, the same quality rules apply.
Look for canned foods that are high in meat – such as chicken, beef, or lamb – and low in carbohydrates, such as rice, wheat, or corn. Generally speaking, canned foods will have more meat protein and fewer carbohydrates than kibble.
7. Beware of bisphenol (BPA)
When choosing to feed your dogs wet food, avoid pop-top cans – with an aluminum ring – to limit exposure to BPA.
You can also go for smaller cans – many do not contain BPA. Remember that BPA is a widely used chemical that can be toxic. It is used in can coatings to prevent rust and corrosion. There are some BPA-free trademarks.
Finally, when choosing to feed your dogs with wet food, the keys to success are three: read the labels carefully, inform yourself about the diet that your pet should eat and watch the portions.
Some brands specialize in specific diets for each breed, size, weight, and various diseases, so it is wise to consult an expert before purchasing.
