Choosing the best canned dog food is a difficult decision, and there’s so many out there to choose from. Do you select a brand based on flavors you know your dog will enjoy? Or choose a canned dog food specifically formulated for their life stage, be that a new puppy or a senior dog who’s been a member of your family for years? Whether or not you choose a grain free canned dog food, or one that contains a limited number of ingredients are also things that you need to take into account.
We reviewed dozens of different types of canned dog food to identify the best of the best. We looked at the quality and number of ingredients, range of flavors, suitability for a particular life stage and whether or not a particular type of canned dog food was grain free or not. Of course, we also looked at the number of positive reviews on Amazon and the rating of each type of canned dog food.
Looking for some different food and treat options? Make sure to check out our pet food and treats articles.
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food stood out as a clear winner as the best canned dog food. As well as using high-quality ingredients to provide complete nutrition for your dog, this brand comes recommended by veterinarians. it also has almost 1,000 5-star reviews meaning you can buy it with confidence.
The 5 Top-Rated Canned Dog Foods
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Our Vet’s Top Pick | Hill’s Science Diet Adult Wet Dog Food | 4.5 |
| Editor’s Pick: 40% Off | Wag Wet Canned Dog Food | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Buy | Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog Food | 4.6 |
| Best Grain Free Canned Dog Food | Merrick Classic Grain Free Canned Dog Food | 4.4 |
| Best Canned Dog Food For Senior Dogs | Wellness Complete Health Natural Canned Dog Food Senior Formula | 4.4 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Vet’s Top Pick: Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food
The Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food comes packed full of real meat, brown rice and a selection of palatable vegetables including peas and carrots. This mixture is combined with a rich gravy which makes this wet food irresistible to dogs. It provides high levels of lean protein, essential for building muscle and helping to maintain your dog’s ideal body condition.
Hill’s Science Diet is a well-known brand which was founded in 1939. They use a science-based approach to develop a wide range of foods to suit dogs of all life stages and sizes. Ingredients and nutrients are carefully selected to provide the optimum balance for your dog.
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food Key Features:
- Available in 4 flavors including beef, chicken, and turkey
- Recommended by veterinarians
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
- Pack of 12 cans, each 12.8 oz in size
Editor’s Pick: Additional 40% Off: Wag Wet Canned Dog Food (12 Cans)
Wag Wet Canned Dog Food came in as a close second in our list. Using only the highest-quality ingredients, this line of canned dog food is formulated with an ideal mixture of real meat or poultry and vegetables. There are 7 scrumptious flavors for your dog to enjoy: Beef & Chicken (Pate), Beef & Vegetable (Stew), Chicken & Vegetable (Stew), Chicken (Pate), Lamb & Vegetable (Stew), Turkey & Chicken (Pate), and Turkey & Sweet Potato (Stew).
We’re particularly impressed by the fact that each of the 7 flavors have no added grains, corn, wheat, or soy. They’re also free of added artificial flavors or chemical preservatives. It’s also notable that all of Wag’s wet canned dog food line is made in the USA or Canada, with most ingredients being sourced from there as well.
These cans could easily make our budget choice as well, considering that you’ll get 12 cans (13.2 oz. each) for only $19. That equates to a measly $1.67 per can! What’s more, you can currently get 40% off your first purchase. This offer won’t last for long, so don’t delay in placing your order.
Wag Wet Canned Dog Food Key Features:
- 7 flavor choices
- No added grain, corn, wheat, or soy
- Free from artificial flavors
- Free from chemical preservatives
Best Budget Pick: Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog Food
If you’re looking for a high-quality canned dog food on a budget, we recommend the Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog Food. While this brand offers great value for money if you’re watching the cents, it still contains real chicken. Each 12 pack equates to only 7 cents an ounce, making this option an undeniable bargain.
Your dog will love the tasty chicken and rice flavor, which is served in a tempting gravy sauce. This wet dog food is formulated to be 100% complete and balanced. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that it does contain by-products and colors, which is to be expected at this low price point. That said, with over 1700 predominately positive reviews on Amazon, most owners who tried it seem very happy with it.
Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog Food Key Features:
- Real chicken
- Gravy adds flavor
- Made in the USA
- Pack of 12 cans, each 22 oz in size
Best Grain Free Canned Dog Food: Merrick Classic Grain Free Canned Dog Food
Many owners prefer to feed their dogs a grain free diet due to the fact that some dogs can be sensitive to grain or believe that dogs do not need to eat grains at all. There are some excellent grain free canned dog foods available, with the Merrick Classic Grain Free Canned Dog Food being one of the best.
Available in a huge range of 11 flavors including specific blends for puppies, every flavor has meat as the first ingredient, combined with a range of fruit and vegetables including potatoes, apples and beans.
Merrick Classic Grain Free Canned Dog Food Key Features:
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Cooked in the US
- Pack of 12 cans, each 13.2 oz in size
- Real meat as the first ingredient
Best Canned Dog Food for Senior Dogs: Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Senior Formula
As your dog ages, it’s important to consider switching to a canned food which is specifically designed for senior dogs, and the Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Senior Formula is a great choice.
This dog food is designed to support the 5 signs of wellness in senior dogs: skin and coat, energy, digestive health, immunity, and eyes, teeth and gums. It contains flaxseed to support a healthy skin and coat, and carrots which are a great source of antioxidants.
Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Senior Formula Key Features:
- Reduced calories, and increased fiber to meet the nutritional needs of senior dogs
- Contains only premium, all natural ingredients
- Made in the US
- Pack of 12 cans, each 12.5 oz in size
Who Should Buy Canned Dog Food?
If you own a dog, then you should definitely consider adding canned dog food to their diet if you don’t already do so. Wet dog food, including cans, pouches and trays, provides another method to hydrate your dog. This is especially useful if your dog doesn’t drink as much as it should. Another benefit is that due to the water content, your dog can eat a larger portion without adding calories, meaning they’re likely to feel ore satisfied than when eating dry kibble alone.
It’s also easy to mix canned dog food with dry kibble as a topper. There’s a wide range of canned dog foods to choose from meaning you’ll be able to find something to suit your dog. From brands containing the perfect blend of nutrients for growing puppies, to those which help support your senior dog, there’s many options to choose from. Fussy dogs or those who are losing their sense of smell, often prefer wet dog food as it has a more enticing smell and flavor than dry kibble.
Important Features to Consider
The best canned dog food should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting canned dog food for your pet:
- Meat as one of the first ingredients. A good quality canned dog food will list real meat as one of the first ingredients. This is important to provide the correct levels of lean protein required to keep your dog strong and healthy.
- Additional ingredients to suit your dog. Depending on the life stage and breed of your dog, you’ll want to select a canned dog food to suit their individual needs. Formulations specifically for puppies often contain DHA to help healthy development of their brains and eyes, while mixes for senior dogs can contain glucosamine to keep joints moving comfortably.
- Grain free. Many options are now available if you want to feed your dog a canned food suitable for a grain free diet. Most will list this clearly on the front of the can but check the ingredients if you’re unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can canned dog food be frozen in the freezer?
How long can you keep canned dog food out?
Is canned dog food better than dry dog food?
Can I mix dry food with canned dog food?
Featured image credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
