Best Wet Puppy Food: Fuel Growing Pups with Flavor and Nutrition!

Are you going to be a first-time pet parent soon and would like to treat your furry baby with the best wet puppy food? Or are you thinking of switching your young furry friend from dry food to fresh or canned puppy food?

Either way, you’d want to make the wisest decision about this and treat it as more than just keeping your pup full and satiated for the day.

Ensuring optimal pet nutrition is crucial for your dog’s overall health and wellness, happiness, and longevity in the long run.

That’s why, we researched and analyzed several of the best wet dog brands in the market today, and listed our top picks based on the ingredients, and customer reviews.   

Is Wet Food Better Than Dry?

Wet and dry foods are both good choices for dogs, and each has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages depending on your pet’s nutritional requirements, and unique dietary restrictions or needs.

Wet foods usually have more meat protein than kibbles, which is needed in the healthy development of lean muscles. However, they have fewer carbohydrates, which is important in providing your pet with enough energy for the day, and it making him feel full and satisfied with his meal.

Wet dog foods are also more aromatic and flavorful, which is a huge advantage, especially when dealing with picky eaters, as well as with sick dogs who have significantly reduced appetite.

Older dogs with dental problems are also more inclined to munch on a bowl of wet food than dry dog food, not just because it’s more appetizing, but more so because it’s softer and easier to chew.

Additionally, wet food has a higher moisture content, which can help in keeping your pup hydrated. This is especially helpful for dogs who are not fond of drinking, or those with a medical condition that could benefit from having proper hydration (e.g. urinary or kidney disease).

However, one of the most common disadvantages of wet foods is that they are more expensive. So, for some or most pet parents, feeding their dog with fresh or canned food every meal is not sustainable in the long run, especially for those with two or more large breed puppies with higher caloric requirements.

Some wet foods that are not made with premium healthy ingredients can also cause stomach issues and symptoms of food allergies.

So, it’s important to only buy the best wet food that uses premium animal protein and doesn’t contain artificial flavors, preservatives, dyes, or other unnecessary fillers.

Good thing, that most canned foods because of how they were prepared have less room for additives or artificial ingredients, and they are also easier to digest.  

 

Best Wet Puppy Food Brands You Can Try

1. Nom Nom Gently Cooked Pet Food

Nom Nom is a pet food delivery service that offers pre-portioned customized meals for dogs based on their nutritional requirements, dietary restrictions, and other special needs.

All of their meals are crafted by their top chefs, who are also top board-certified veterinary nutritionists in the USA.

When placing your first order on their website, you have the option to avail of their trial option for their subscription service, or you can shop their variety pack, which consists of one sample of all their four recipes. If you choose the first option, you can get 50% off your first order.

As of writing, they are offering four recipes: Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Pork Potluck, and Turkey Fare, which are all made using high quality ingredients that are sourced from trusted and reliable growers and suppliers in the USA. Plus, they prep all of their meals at their US-based facilities.

Each customized meal for puppies is automatically crafted to aim your pet’s target weight, on top of your personalized specifications.

After a few weeks of feeding your pup with Nom Nom’s restaurant-grade meals, you will notice better breath, smaller stools, less shedding, a soft and silkier coat, increased stamina, healthy weight, and more excitement at mealtime.

Switching to Nom Nom can help strengthen your pup’s immune system, reduce allergy symptoms, and a lot more.

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2. Purina ONE+ Puppy Lamb & Long Grain Rice Entrée 

Nestle Purina Petcare, or simply Purina, is an American subsidiary of Nestle, which is based in Missouri. The company was founded in 1894, and this particular recipe was first made available on April 25, 2008.

This food is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies.

Featuring real lamb as the first ingredient, this savory wet food provides an elevated level of protein to help support the development of strong, healthy muscles.

Crafted with purposeful ingredients like long grain rice and oat meal, it delivers a delicious and nourishing meal that puppies will love. This recipe is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition, with absolutely no fillers—every ingredient serves a purpose.

It also contains omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and a shiny coat. Made without any poultry by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, it offers clean, high-quality nutrition in every bite.

Whether served on its own or mixed with kibble, this hearty entrée is a wholesome and satisfying choice to help your puppy grow up happy and healthy.

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3. Pedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner With Chicken & Beef

Pedigree understands the unbreakable bond and unique connection between pet parents and their furry companions, and that’s why they are committed to producing high-quality foods that bring out the best in every dog.

With this one, you can nourish your young canine buddy without breaking the bank. It’s the most affordable best canned dog food in the market today, but don’t take its cheaper price as a sign of weakness.

It is a delicious and nourishing mealtime option crafted especially for growing pups. Featuring a savory blend of chicken and beef in a meaty, ground texture, this wet food offers a soft, flavorful consistency that adds variety and excitement to your puppy’s diet.

Whether served on its own or mixed with dry kibble, it provides a tasty, satisfying meal dogs can’t resist. The formula is highly digestible, helping ensure easy nutrient absorption to support your puppy’s developing body.

With optimal levels of oils and minerals, it also promotes healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall well-being. Proudly made in the USA with quality ingredients, this hearty canned food delivers trusted nutrition in every bite, making it a great addition to your puppy’s feeding routine.

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4. The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer’s Dog is another subscription-based company that delivers personalized fresh dog food that meets every pup’s caloric and nutritional requirements, as well as unique dietary restrictions. All custom-meal plans that come out of their kitchen are delivered ready-to-serve with their biodegradable packs.

Every meal is formulated by a veterinary nutritionist and crafted using human-grade ingredients that are gently steamed to help retain their optimal nutritional value.

All of their four recipes are made primarily of whole muscle and organ meat to ensure that your pup is enjoying a protein-rich, calorie-dense, and highly-digestible treat every mealtime.

What’s more, each of the four recipes contains a healthy blend of fiber from fresh, whole vegetables to promote healthy digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and leave your dog feeling fuller for a long time. They are also packed with green vegetables to give each bite a strong kick of antioxidants for a healthy immune system.

And to ensure that all of their four recipes are nutritionally complete and balanced, they make sure to incorporate supplemental nutrients, like fish oil, which is a rich and healthy source of omega fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and coat. 

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5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Grill

The true BLUE promise sprouted from the company owners’ desire to provide optimal nutrition to their pet with health issues.

With this tasty and irresistible formula for puppies, each bite is loaded with high-quality animal protein from real turkey and chicken meat, and packed with healthy fruits and vegetables.

Made with real, high-quality turkey as the first ingredient, this savory recipe also includes premium chicken to deliver the high-quality protein your dog needs to support strong, lean muscles.

It’s formulated with DHA, an essential fatty acid that helps promote healthy cognitive development, making it a smart choice for growing pups and active adult dogs alike.

Free from grains that contain gluten, this recipe is also made without corn, wheat, or soy—ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or pet parents seeking a more natural diet.

With wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives, this meal offers a hearty, nutritious meal inspired by the wild.

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6. Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Entrée

This is another top-rated high-protein puppy food by Purina, which only shows the company’s commitment to providing a wide assortment of formulas with the most advanced nutrition possible.

This recipe is specially formulated for puppies, and it’s made with real chicken meat as the number one ingredient. Nourish your growing puppy with this high-protein food to help support lean muscles as he jumps and plays.

Plus, it’s enhanced with DHA to support your pup’s brain and eye development so he can explore and enjoy the world with a sharper mind and brighter perspective.

What’s more, this recipe is fortified with 23 essential vitamins and minerals to provide 100% complete and balanced nutrition for puppies until they reach one year old.

It is also packed with beneficial nutrients to strengthen your pup’s immune system and support his skin and coat health.

This chicken and rice puppy food is made in the USA with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives – only wholesome, flavorful ingredients your pup will love.  

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7. Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Pate Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe

Chicken Soup for the Soul believes that every pet deserves to eat healthy foods, which is why they committed to such a cause for over 15 years now.

The company makes premium pet food and treats using wholesome ingredients, and all of their recipes always start with real meat for muscle development, and healthy grains for long-lasting endurance and stamina.

This recipe is made with real chicken meat as the first ingredient, mixed with other healthy animal proteins like turkey, duck, and salmon.

It’s also fortified with DHA for your pup’s brain and eye development, and it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are essential for your growing pup’s healthy growth and development.

This natural dog food is specially formulated for puppies, and it doesn’t contain by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Each bite of this nutritious pate is simply filled with flavors your little furry friend will surely love.

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8. Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée

Made by Hill’s Science, the #1 U.S. vet-recommended brand based on a veterinarian survey conducted from April to May 2021, this canned food for small breed puppies delivers a precise blend of essential nutrients to help strengthen your pup’s immunity and mobility.

 This formula is specially formulated to provide precisely balanced nutrition that supports your puppy’s development during their most important growth stages.

Made with high-quality protein, this savory recipe helps promote lean muscle growth and maintain an ideal body weight.

The delicious chicken and barley formula has a savory, meaty taste that puppies love, while also being gentle on sensitive stomachs to support healthy and easy digestion.

Enhanced with essential nutrients, it helps build a strong immune system and supports mobility, setting your pup up for a lifetime of health and vitality.

Recommended for puppies up to 1 year old as well as pregnant or nursing dogs, this wholesome entrée is a trusted and tasty way to give your growing dog the nourishment they need to thrive.

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9. Nulo Ancient Grain Savory Stew 

Here we have a wholesome and flavorful recipe crafted with premium, nutrient-rich ingredients to support dogs at every stage of life—from playful puppies to active adults.

This hearty stew features high-quality chicken, tilapia, and duck, all excellent sources of lean, animal-based protein to help build and maintain strong muscles.

The inclusion of chicken, tilapia and duck broths not only enhances the meaty flavor but also adds essential moisture to support proper hydration.

Pumpkin and sweet potato offer natural fiber for digestive health, while delivering important vitamins and minerals. Red quinoa and diced vegetables add an extra layer of whole-food nutrition, contributing to overall vitality and energy.

With guaranteed levels of taurine for heart health and a high moisture content that supports hydration, this recipe can be served as a complete and balanced meal or used as a delicious topper to enhance your dog’s kibble.

Whether you’re feeding a growing pup or a full-grown companion, this savory stew delivers taste texture, and tailored nutrition in every bite.

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10. Optimeal Puppy Grain-Free Chicken & Beef Recipe

This tasty wet food in gravy delivers a wholesome, irresistible meal crafted to support the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies.

This grain-free formula features tender morsels of high-quality chicken and beef, cooked in a mouthwatering savory sauce that will have your puppy eagerly coming back for more.

Each bite is rich in complete protein, promoting healthy muscle growth and providing the energy your active pup needs to explore the world.

The star ingredients, chicken and beef, are carefully selected to deliver essential amino acids for lean muscle development while being easily digestible for sensitive tummies.

The recipe also includes nourishing superfoods such as cranberries, marigold and chamomile, which are loaded with vitamins and minerals like vitamin C specially known for supporting urinary tract and iron to boost red blood cell production.

They also provide immune-boosting properties and may help reduce inflammation. Marigold, often included in the form of calendula extract, contains lutein and other antioxidants that support eye health and a strong immune system, while also having natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that promote skin health.

Chamomile is widely appreciated for its calming effects—it can help ease anxiety and stress in dogs, making it beneficial for those prone to nervousness or digestive upset.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids derived from natural sources, such as salmon oil, help promote brain development and support a glossy, healthy coat.

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Buyer’s Guide In choosing the right Food

There are a million dog formula brands that claim that their wet food is the best option for your furry friend. So, to say the decision was difficult is an understatement. Here are some things to look into when shopping for canned puppy foods:

Consider Your Dog's Size

First, it is important to assess the size of your puppy. There are more than 400 breeds, and each has specific needs. Large-breed puppies are different from small-breed puppies as far as their nutritional requirements are concerned.

Foods for larger breed dogs are generally formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin for their joint health, which is very important considering the amount of weight their joints have to carry every day.

Guaranteed Analysis of Ingredients

Always check ingredients for an accurate analysis if possible. This gives you an approximate estimate of the nutrients present in a certain wet or dry food. It will also give you an indication of the amount of protein, fat, and fiber your pet gets from eating this puppy food.

Select Foods Made in the United States

Alternatively, you can also choose foods that are made from Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Wet foods produced in these places generally have high-quality ingredients and good customer feedback.

Purchasing food from these countries will assure you that your pet is getting the safest and highest quality ingredients possible.

AAFCO Guidelines

One more essential point when choosing food is that it should follow or exceed AAFCO's guidelines. Doing so will help your dog receive optimal nutrition at his current age.

Specific Benefits

Take note of your dog's specific requirements for his food. It narrows your choices and provides your puppy with optimum food based on his health.

Branded food for puppies and senior cats is now available and addresses problems such as poor joints, movement, allergies, and digestion.

Ingredients to Look Out For

• Whole meat (human-grade if possible)
• Proteins
• Whole grains
• Fats
• Fruits and veggies
• Minerals
• Carbohydrates
• No preservatives or natural preservatives
• Pumpkin
• DHA, omega fatty acids

Ingredients to Avoid

• Wheat gluten
• Corn
• Meat meal/by-products
• Rendered fat/generic animal fat
• Corn syrup
• Food dyes
• BHA and BHT
• Cellulose
• Ethoxyquin
• Propylene glycol
• Synthetic vitamin K3/Menadione
• Hydrochloric acid

 

Wet Food Diet Safety Tips

Keep in mind that wet food is more delicate than kibbles, which require more careful handling. There are certain things that you can do with dry dog foods, that you have to stop doing when you are feeding your puppy with wet food. Make sure to practice the following tips to ensure your dog’s health and safety:

• Keep your pup’s food bowl clean.
• Wet food shouldn’t be exposed to room temperature for more than four hours, and you should always wash your pup’s bowl in between meals.
• Opened canned food must be consumed within three days even if they are stored in the refrigerator.
• Check the food’s expiration date.

Takeaway

Wet foods are undeniably rich in protein, healthy fats, moisture, and other essential nutrients, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to include them in your dog’s diet.

Even if your pup loves munching on his crunchy kibbles, incorporating canned food as a topper or as a reward in between meals is a healthy way to ensure that your puppy is getting optimal nutrition.

Growing up, your pup will always have the nose to sense high-quality food when he smells it, and he’ll always have the taste for premium dog foods, which has already been embedded in his taste buds.