Choosing the right dog food is an important part of dog parenting. Good food will give your dog the energy it needs every day and can help prevent or stave off certain illnesses and diseases while also ensuring good dental, coat, and skin health. But, if it doesn’t taste good, the benefits will be meaningless because your dog will turn its nose up.

Thankfully, there are more styles and flavours of dog food available than ever before, including those targeted at certain ages and those for dogs with sensitive stomachs or other health condition requirements. Below, we review the best wet dog foods in Australia to help you find a food that matches your dog’s preferences and health requirements.

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The 10 Best Wet Dog Foods in Australia

1. Ziwi Peak Canned Dog Food – Best Overall

Ziwi Peak Canned Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Dog Food is a wet dog food that is made from more than 90% fish, meat, organs, and mussels. The primary ingredients of the food are mackerel, lamb, and lamb lung, and Ziwi Peak has a protein ratio of 10.5%.

Although it is on the premium end of the price range, it is made using quality ingredients and because it’s so packed with meat and fish. The food gets the majority of its protein from high-quality meat ingredients while being fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure a nutritious, balanced diet. It has a pate-like texture.

Although Ziwi Peak is expensive, it is 90% meat-based and uses ethically farmed animals and is grain free, making it our choice as the overall best wet dog food in Australia.

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2. My Dog Gourmet Wet Dog Food – Best Value

My Dog Gourmet Beef Wet Dog Food is a canned beef-flavoured dog food that is described as having a loaf-style consistency. Its primary ingredient is listed as “meats” and, along with the rest of the ingredient list, it is somewhat vague when describing the contents. Other ingredients include “colours” and “flavours”, for example, with no further details. The food has 6.5% protein, and My Dog claims that it does not contain any added preservatives.

It is an affordable food, and it comes in trays of 100 grams each or cans of 400 grams. The 100-gram trays are small, while the larger cans are not only more convenient but they are also where you will find the best savings and the lowest price.

Although the food could do with being a little higher in protein, and the ingredients would certainly benefit from being better labelled. The low cost and the fact that meat is the primary ingredient make this our choice as the best wet food in Australia for the money.

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3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wet Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Wet Dog Food is a chicken and trout flavoured wet food that is grain free and does not contain any corn, wheat, or soy, which are major allergens. So, this is a suitable food for dogs with sensitivities and allergies. The food’s primary ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver, and all ingredients are specifically named and well listed. Additional ingredients include vitamins and minerals to ensure the food meets your dog’s daily nutritional requirements.

The food is a pate consistency, and the moisture is essentially mixed into the food, which means there is no gravy or jelly substance coating the meat. If your dog likes a wet coating, Blue Buffalo isn’t the best choice for your pet. Also, the premium ingredients mean that this is a very expensive food: one that might be better served as a complement to a dry kibble or as an occasional treat, rather than a daily complete meal.

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4. Optimum Puppy Wet Dog Food – Best for Puppies

Optimum Puppy Chicken And Rice Wet Dog Food is a wet food designed for young puppies. Its primary ingredients are chicken, beef, lamb, and pork, despite being labelled as chicken and rice. The food has 7% protein, which is a little lower than we would like to see, and 11% fat, which could do with being lower.

However, it is well-priced when bought in 400-gram cans and it includes added calcium. Calcium is especially important to a puppy’s diet because it serves to help strengthen bones and teeth in your developing pup. And, while there are a lot of different meats for a chicken recipe, it is good to see that these feature at the top of the ingredient list.

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5. Hill’s Science Diet Senior Wet Dog Food – Best for Seniors

Senior dogs have very different nutritional requirements from adult dogs and puppies. As well as having different protein and calorie requirements, senior dogs have a higher chance of suffering from heart and kidney conditions. They are also more likely to have bad dental hygiene and can suffer from poor coats and skin conditions. Choosing a food that is designed for senior and older dogs can help maintain your dog’s health and condition even as it ages.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Wet Dog Food is a wet food for senior dogs. Its main ingredients, other than the water used to add moisture to wet food, are chicken, barley, and pork liver. It also has added phosphorous and sodium to help protect the heart and liver, and unlike pates and loaves, the food does have a moist coating that will make it easier to eat and more palatable for your dog. Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Wet Dog Food is reasonably priced. Even though the manufacturer claims its protein is lean protein, the 5.1% protein ratio is lower than advised for adult dogs, despite the fact that senior dogs need more protein for basic bodily functions.

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6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Wet Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-6 Wet Dog Food is a chicken and barley recipe wet food, like the senior recipe, that is designed for adult dogs aged between 1–6 years old. Its primary ingredients are chicken, pork liver, and corn, and it is fortified with vitamins and minerals that are chosen to ensure a balanced diet that is suitable for dogs at this life stage.

Adult dogs usually require less protein than puppies and senior dogs. They are active but have finished developing and are not yet at as high a risk of heart conditions and kidney problems. Their teeth should be in good condition, too, and they should not be suffering the same coat loss or skin complaints as an older dog.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Wet Dog Food is well formulated to meet most of the requirements of an adult dog. It contains additional omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E that help protect the coat and skin, and Hill’s claims that it has high-quality protein that will help develop and maintain lean muscles. The food is also well priced. However, the food has just 5.2% protein ratio, which is considerably lower than other adult dog foods and lower than a lot of owners look for.

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7. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Wet Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Senior Wet Dog Food is a premium wet dog food that is made using natural ingredients and that features chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver as its main ingredients. The food has been fortified with additional vitamins and minerals to meet canine nutrition requirements and it is free from wheat, corn, and soy. The food does contain brown rice and barley, which means it isn’t suitable for dogs that are sensitive to grains, but most dogs should be OK with these ingredients.

Blue Buffalo food is expensive, but it is made from quality ingredients and although it could still do with being a little higher, the 7.5% protein ratio in this food is higher than other senior foods.

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8. Purina Pro Plan Classic Wet Dog Food

Your dog’s diet can affect every element of their life from their general energy levels to the condition of their coat and their stomach. Sensitive stomachs are especially affected by certain allergens like soy or wheat. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach And Skin Salmon And Rice Wet Dog Food is designed to help dogs that suffer from sensitive stomachs. It is free from soy and wheat and also contains high levels of fibre that ensure good digestion and regular stool movements.

The food’s primary ingredients are fish, salmon, and rice, and Purina Pro Plan is fortified with vitamins and minerals designed to ensure a healthy, balanced diet. It has extra linoleic acid and omega-3, both of which have been shown to benefit coat and skin conditions. The food is moderately priced, and the texture is wet and easy for your dog to eat.

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9. Optimum Beef and Rice Wet Dog Food

Optimum Beef And Rice Wet Dog Food is a low-cost wet dog food with the primary ingredients of meat, rice, and egg. It also contains natural flavours and is fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide a balanced diet. The recipe does not contain artificial flavours or preservatives and is a low-cost food.

The ingredients do include garlic, which is a somewhat controversial ingredient because garlic can be toxic to dogs, although it is likely only present in small enough amounts to be considered safe. The loaf texture won’t be to all dogs’ liking, and it does require some mushing with a fork or cutting with a knife before serving. The 6.5% protein ratio would benefit from being a little higher for most adult dogs.

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10. Ivory Coat Adult Wet Dog Food

Ivory Coat Chicken Coconut Stew Wet Dog Food is an Australian wet dog food with chicken, beef, and pea flour as its main ingredients. The food is fortified with vitamins and minerals and also contains flaxseed oil for its fatty acids. It consists of 7.5% protein, which is higher than some but could still do with being a little higher, especially for senior dogs. Ingredients are sourced from Australia, and the food does not contain any additional grain, wheat, corn, or soy. It is also free from artificial additives.

This is a premium food which means that it is more expensive than most, and while the ingredients appear good quality, the chicken and coconut recipe also includes beef, which owners of sensitive dogs will need to look out for. The amount of protein would benefit from being higher.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Wet Dog Food in Australia

Feeding your dog the right food is important. A nutritionally balanced diet ensures that they get the right levels of protein and other ingredients while minimizing their exposure to potentially harmful ingredients. Although dry food is arguably more popular, there are many wet foods available including those for different ages of dogs, those with sensitive stomachs and food allergies, and foods aimed at improving or maintaining coat health. Read on more for information on what to look for when choosing the best food for your dog.

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Benefits of Wet Dog Food

Wet food is just one type of food you can serve your dog. The other main type of food is dry food, which contains many of the same ingredients but is dehydrated and processed before packaging. Dry kibble is preferred by some owners because it is easier to store, costs less, and is said to be good for dental hygiene. But wet food has its benefits, too.

More Palatable

When given the choice, a lot of dogs prefer wet food. It has a stronger smell and the broth or gravy around the meat adds to the succulent taste. Some owners feed wet food mixed in with dry food to encourage their dogs to eat the kibble.

Reduce Dog Weight

Dry food usually contains more carbohydrates than wet food and wet food contains quite a lot of moisture. This combination means that your dog will feel fuller while taking on fewer calories and fat when compared to eating a dry food diet.

Hydration Levels

Wet food usually contains between 70%–80% moisture. This may sound like you’re not getting your money’s worth, but it is a good way of ensuring that your dog is consuming enough water every day. It also helps your dog’s digestive system because it makes the food easier to digest and consume.

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What to Look For In Wet Dog Food

Protein

Protein is an essential component of your dog’s food. The amino acids are responsible for muscle growth and maintenance. If your dog doesn’t get enough protein, they can become malnourished. They will have less energy which means that they will become less active.

It is important when looking at dog food labels to remember that we are only really interested in the protein ratio by dry matter, but wet food lists protein by total matter. You can convert the “as fed” ratio to “dry matter” ratio for any food, so that you can compare them on a like-for-like basis.

To do this, take the “as fed” ratio given on the wet food packet and divide by the dry matter percentage (100 minus moisture ratio) and times the result by 100:

ProteinDry Matter %x 100=Dry Matter Protein

If a wet food is listed as having 6% protein but is made up of 70% moisture, that 6% is equivalent to 20% protein by dry ration. Even when looking at dry food, you need to complete the same calculation because dry foods can contain as much as 10% moisture.

Primary Ingredients

Ingredients are listed with the most prevalent ingredient first. By the time you reach the end of the list, there is only a small amount of these ingredients included. Ideally, the first ingredients in wet food should be high-quality protein sources. These are typically meat ingredients like chicken or beef. Although less common with wet food than dry food, try to avoid those foods that list cereal or other non-meat ingredients at the top of the list.

Food Texture

The ideal texture of food will depend on your dog’s preference. Options include chunks or pieces in gravy or broth, a pate-like texture, and a loaf. Chunks in gravy can be poured straight into a bowl while pate and loaf-based foods will need to be cut or broken down to make them easier to eat. Chunks in gravy also look and taste wetter, which some dogs prefer.

Grains and Allergens

Dogs can naturally eat grains, but some dogs do have food sensitivities which mean it is better for them to avoid grain-based ingredients. Those that do not contain grains are usually listed or named as grain free. If your dog is not allergic, there is no reason to avoid grains, which can provide vital vitamins and minerals.

Transparent Labelling

It’s difficult to judge the quality of ingredients in a dog food, but vague ingredients may mean lower quality ingredients or those that have not been ethically sourced. Try to ensure that the ingredients include details of the ingredients. For example, “beef” is a more transparent, and generally a better quality, ingredient than “meat by-product”

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Is It Okay to Give a Dog Wet Food Every Day?

As long as you ensure your dog is getting the protein, vitamins, and minerals required in their diet, there is no reason to avoid giving wet food every day. However, dry food can be left down for longer, so if you have a slow eater or a grazer, you may want to consider a dry food. Dry food can also help ensure food dental hygiene, which is another reason that some owners feed kibble or a combination of kibble and wet food.

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Is It Okay to Mix Wet and Dry Food?

There are benefits to wet and dry foods, and by mixing the two, you can combine these benefits. Your dog will enjoy the dental benefits of dry food and the hydrating benefits of wet food, for example. The wet food jelly or gravy can also make the dry kibble more exciting, while some dogs enjoy the crunch of a dog biscuit.

If you do feed both types of food, it is important to ensure that you aren’t overfeeding. A simple way to meet dietary and caloric requirements is to serve half the recommended amount of wet food and half the amount of dry food every day.

Final Thoughts

Wet food hydrates dogs. Feeding a wet food diet long term can also help reduce a dog’s weight, but you do need to ensure that you feed a good quality food that your dog enjoys. The Ziwi Peak Canned Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Dog Food is the best overall wet dog food option in Australia, according to our reviews, because it consists of more than 90% fish and meat ingredients, although it is a little on the expensive side. My Dog Gourmet Beef Wet Dog Food, although it would benefit from having a more transparent ingredient list, is a low price, and is decent quality while also being free from artificial additives.

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Featured Image Credit: marialevkina, Shutterstock