Wet vs Dry Dog Food: How to Choose for Your Dog
Quick answer: dry food is the easiest and most cost-effective to feed and store, while wet food is very tasty and adds moisture. Many owners feed a mix of both. Whatever you choose, pick a food labelled complete for your dog's life stage.
Both wet and dry food can give your dog a balanced diet. The best choice depends on your dog's age, size and taste, and on your budget. This guide is general information; for health conditions or special diets, ask your vet.
Wet and dry food compared
| Dry food | Wet food | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per day | Lower | Higher |
| Storage | Keeps well once opened, sealed bag | Refrigerate and use within a day or two |
| Taste and smell | Good | Very appealing for fussy eaters |
| Moisture | Low (keep fresh water out) | High |
What does "complete" mean?
A complete food contains everything a healthy dog needs for its life stage, so it can be fed on its own. A "complementary" food, such as many treats and toppers, should only be part of the diet.
Mixing wet and dry
Many owners add a spoon of wet food to dry kibble. If you mix, reduce the amount of each so your dog does not get too many calories. The feeding guide on each pack is a good starting point.
Foods to compare
- Harringtons Complete Dry Adult Dog Food, Lamb and Rice, 15kg (from £35.52): large bag of complete dry food.
- Wagg Active Goodness Complete Dry Adult Dog Food, Beef, 12kg (from £14.40): budget-friendly complete dry food.
- Butcher's Complete Wet Dog Food Variety Pack Tins, 24 x 400g (from £25.23): complete wet food in tins.
- Pedigree Adult Wet Dog Food Pouches, Mixed Selection in Gravy, 40 x 100g (from £17.86): wet pouches in gravy.
- Lily's Kitchen Natural Adult Wet Dog Food Classic Dinners – 6 x 150g Trays (from £8.35): small pack to try a new recipe.
Switching food gently
Change food over 7 to 10 days, mixing a little more of the new food each day. This helps avoid an upset stomach.
See the full range of dog food.
Prices shown were correct when this guide was updated on 11 November 2026 and may change. Check the product page for the latest price.