Dogs love to eat. As a pet owner, you will want to make sure that your dog doesn’t just love their food but that it is high quality and nutritious; this can be hard to find and can require some research.
Wet dog foods are an important part of your pet’s meals. To a dog it’s certainly the best part, notice how quickly they will get through the wet food as opposed to dry dog food or dry puppy food. This is our guide to the best wet dog foods on the market; we hope you find the perfect option for your pet.
Many brands of best dog food are mass-produced and very low quality, leaving dogs with poor health, struggle with passing stools, an unhealthy coat and in some cases allergies. Here at Jug Dog we’ve compiled a handy list of some of the best recommended wet dog foods money can buy in the UK.
Best Wet Dog Food Options in the UK 2023
| Wet Dog Food | Forthglade | Lily’s Kitchen | Naturo | Pure | Harringtons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Protein Sources | Chicken (75%) | Variety of fresh meats | Chicken, Lamb | Variety of fresh meats | Chicken, Duck, Salmon, Turkey |
| Additional Key Ingredients | Butternut Squash, Carrots, Peas | Vegetables, Herbs | Brown Rice, Carrots, Peas | Vegetables, Herbs | Vegetables, Herbs |
| Grain-Free? | Yes | Yes | No | Optional | Yes |
| Suitable For | Puppies, Adults, Seniors | Puppies, Adults, Seniors | Adult Dogs | Puppies, Adults, Seniors | Puppies, Adults, Seniors |
| Portion Packaging | Pre-portioned trays | Cans or Trays | Cans or Trays | Dehydrated Pouches | Cans or Trays |
| Price Range | Pricier side | Premium Pricing | Value for Money | Premium Pricing | Moderate |
| Where to Buy | Online, Pet Stores | Online, Pet Stores, Supermarkets | Online, Pet Stores | Online, Pet Stores | Online, Pet Stores |
| Reasons to Buy | High meat content, Convenient packaging, Ideal for fussy eaters | Nutrient-packed, Variety of flavours | Good-quality protein, Balanced diet, Pleasing for picky eaters | Good-quality protein, Takes less space | Premium brand with reasonable pricing |
| Reasons to Avoid | Higher price point, Increased plastic consumption | Pricier than average | Contains grains Specific to adult dogs | Expensive compared to similar options | Grain-free |
1. Forthglade Chicken Wet Food with Butternut Squash
Reasons to Buy:
- Packed with nutrients
- Long shelf life (can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours after opening)
- Consistently high-quality
Reasons to Avoid:
- Somewhat pricey
- Extra plastic usage due to pre-portioned packaging
Forthglade makes the best wet dog food in the UK. Their Chicken with Butternut Squash and Vegetables, Natural Wet Food especially stands out due to a whopping 75% chicken content, paired with wholesome veggies like butternut squash, carrots, and peas.
The chicken provides a high-quality source of protein, and the butternut squash offers a low-fat option rich in vitamins A, C, and E. This way, you can focus on both the muscular and immune development of your pooch.
If you’re worried about trust, don’t be. With over 50 years of experience, Forthglade is among the most trusted names in the UK dog food market.
Price Range and Where to Buy:
As with most good things, Forthglade does fall on the pricier side, which reflects its high-quality ingredients and convenient packaging. But not to worry, they always have special offers going on for pet owners.
2. Lily’s Kitchen Favourites Wet Food Multipack
Reasons to Buy:
- Packed with nutrients
- Variety of flavours to cater to your dog’s nose
- Widely available
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
Reasons to Avoid:
- Pricier than average
Lily’s Kitchen offers a top-tier selection of natural wet dog food packed with nutrients for your furry companion.
Their “Favourites Multipack” recipes include a lavish blend of fresh meat, vegetables, and herbs, completely devoid of any meat meal or subpar ingredients.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits:
- Fresh Meat: A high-quality source of protein, essential for muscle growth and repair.
- Vegetables: Provide essential vitamins and minerals, supporting overall health.
- Herbs: Added for their potential to enhance the flavour naturally and provide additional nutritional benefits.
With Lily’s Kitchen, you’re opting for a brand that prioritises your dog’s health and taste buds simultaneously. Whether your dog is a picky eater or you’re simply being a “chef” with a high-quality diet, Lily’s Kitchen stands out as a superb choice.
3. Naturo Wet Food
Reasons to Buy:
- Filled with good-quality protein
- Balanced diet (brown rice and vegetables supplement the meat)
- Pleasing for picky eaters
- Value for money
Reasons to Avoid:
- Contains grains
- Specific to adult dogs
Naturo Adult Chicken, Lamb and Rice with Vegetables Wet Food is the best wet kibble for senior dogs in the UK. It offers a delicious and nutritious meal option for your canine companion, with a unique blend of chicken, lamb, brown rice, carrots, peas and several additional supplements.
You already know chicken and lamb are good protein sources, so I won’t go into detail again. Moving on, brown rice is an excellent source of carbs that help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Suitable Dog Sizes and Life Stages:
Naturo’s Wet Dog Food is tailored for adult dogs and isn’t ideal for adult dogs or growing puppies.
This product is an excellent value for money and can be easily bought online.
4. Pure Dog Food
Reasons to Buy:
- High-quality, natural ingredients
- Variety of recipes for a well-rounded diet
- Suitable for dogs with dietary sensitivities
- Supports overall health and well-being
Reasons to Avoid:
- Premium price point
Pure Dog Food Wet Recipes Variety Pack offers a premium dining experience for your four-legged friend.
The variety pack includes a range of recipes, allowing you to provide a well-rounded diet for your dog. Whether your canine companion prefers chicken, beef, or lamb, Pure Dog Food has a delicious and nutritious option to satisfy their taste buds.
Pure Dog Food is an excellent choice for dogs with dietary sensitivities, as it avoids common allergens and artificial additives.
While Pure Dog Food may come at a premium price point, the quality and variety of their recipes make it a worthwhile investment in your dog’s overall health and happiness.
5. Harringtons Super Premium Wet Dog Food
Reasons to Buy:
- Affordable price point
- Made with high-quality ingredients
- Contains essential nutrients for your dog’s well-being
- Grain-free
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited flavor variety
Harringtons Super Premium Wet Dog Food offers an excellent balance of affordability and quality for dogs allergic to grains. Unsurprisingly, it’s made with real duck, salmon, chicken, and turkey, providing essential protein and carbohydrates for your furry friend’s energy and muscle development.
Price Range and Where to Buy:
Harringtons is known for its affordability without compromising on quality. It’s widely available, making it accessible to pet owners looking for a budget-friendly yet nutritious option for their canine companions.
To conclude, Harringtons is definitely a brand you should be checking out and a strong contender as the best-wet dog option, thanks to quality ingredients and a very generous price point.
Read More: Beginner’s Guide to High-Fibre Dog Food in the UK 2023
What to look for in the best wet dog meals?
Sadly, not all wet dog food is made equally. Some are so processed and awful that it would be dangerous to feed a dog regularly and akin to eating McDonald’s as every meal.
1. Protein
Protein is the building block of the body. It’s used to maintain, repair, and build muscles in a dog. The more active the dog, the more important protein will be.
Protein is a part of a dog’s natural diet before domestication, and their bodies have not evolved enough to still require it.
When assessing new wet dog foods, ensure they contain a lot of protein and come from a clearly explained source, such as chicken, fish, beef, etc. Protein from sources such as eggs, tofu, and peas is not good enough.
2. Grains
Grains will almost definitely be included in the dog food but what you need to take a look at is to make sure they are whole and unprocessed.
Why are grains such a touchy subject? Many dogs can be allergic to grains which can manifest in various ways, from skin, eye, and digestive problems. Also, grains offer very little nutritional value to a dog over meat and vegetables.
Alternatively, you could go for grain-free dog food if that suits your canine better.
Read more about our best grain free dog foods here
3. Vegetables
Yes, really! Dogs love vegetables and it is an often overlooked ingredient in their diet. You may feed your dogs vegetables separately as treats (we do here at Jug Dog), but it’s a major bonus if some good veggies are included in the wet food.
As carnivorous animals, dogs don’t need fruits and vegetables in their diet, but a little helping in their meat-based food can go a long way. If you don’t feed them vegetables and vegetables are not present in the wet or dry food, then as a responsible owner, you’d need to find that elsewhere.
4. Complete and Balanced
Check to see if it has been certified by the AAFCO or the FSA. Many brands will state “Complete and Balanced” if they do, but always check the small print. The reason why complete and balanced food is so important is because a dog may only eat the same thing over and over again. If there’s a vital nutrient they’re missing then it will manifest itself in an illness or perhaps via their skin, nails or hair.
What to avoid in good wet dog food?
1. Byproducts of other food
You should feed your pet quality food just like you would feed yourself or your children.
Flat out, avoid any dog food, whether wet or dry, when made using byproducts or cut-offs from other sources. It should be whole, natural ingredients all the way. Despite how bad the food will be, a dog will never starve themselves.
2. Non-specified ingredients
If the label doesn’t describe what’s in it, don’t buy it. Always question what will go into your dog’s body and if it’s good for them.
If the ingredients label doesn’t add up, it’s because there’s something they want to hide – and if they want to hide it, then it won’t be any good for them.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners aren’t exactly great for humans, but our digestive systems are better used to it when compared to dogs.
Artificial sweeteners in wet dog food can cause digestive issues and even lead to obesity as sweeteners trigger the same hormones as real sugar, leading them to develop a sweet tooth and be hungry even when they’re full.
4. Food binders
Food binders are used to literally bind the ingredients together to resemble what the food should look like. If it needs binders to look edible, it isn’t edible in our book.
Your Thoughts
We are always looking to improve our website to make it even more informative to our readers. If you disagree, agree, or feel the list is missing an important wet dog food you and your dog love, then why not let us know in the comments below.
We will get in touch with the brand and get a taster sample. In the event you have a complaint or want to let everyone know of a problem with one of the choices then we will investigate and make any changes necessary.
Thank you for reading.
Last update on 2024-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I have a 4 month old Labrador and have started feeding her a little pedigree chum puppy with her Kibble (Skinners Field & Trial) but only because my husband bought it when she was getting bored with her food. 40 years ago all I fed my dogs was Pedigree Chum, but not convinced it has the best nutritional content these days. Pedigree Chum is probably one of the best known wet foods on the market, so wondered why this has not been reviewed?
I thought so but there has been a lot of bad press on this food. Not so pedigree it seems.
Hello, Pedigree is well known for being a cheap, mass-produced food which we try to avoid hence why it has not been reviewed. Most well known does not mean it’s good.
I used to feed my dog Forthglade wet food until I found out they use carrageenan to bind their wet food.
Interesting, but I feel that’s a pretty weak reason
Lots of information on the internet to suggest carrageenan could be harmful, not a weak reason, I want to know what I am feeding my dog & any potential risks.
Risks of Carrageenan
Some studies have shown that Carrageenan can cause Gastrointestinal Inflammation as well as increased rates of intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and in extreme cases, malignant tumors. These malignant tumors can be cancerous.
A by-product that is produced from this process is poligeenan. Poligeenan is a low-molecular form of Carrageenan which can be harmful. Poligeenan is supposed to be separated and removed. Poligeenan is the cause of the symptoms mentioned above.
The symptoms are due to the immune response some dogs will inhibit after digesting Carrageenan. This immune reaction is the cause of the inflammation. Sustained inflammation is then the cause of the more severe side effects.
There are strong opinions by some pet food bloggers and enthusiasts that Carrageenan has no place in dog food and would go as far to say that it should be banned.
One example to support this sentiment is that Carrageenan has been banned for use in baby formula or baby food in the European Union. While this ban was precautionary and not fully substantiated, it does give a strong suggestion that Carrageenan could be harmful.
Dog Food Brands That Use Carrageenan
Carrageenan is used by a number of dog food brands. Examples include FreshPet, Wellness, Newman’s Own, Nutro, Purina, and Hills Science Diet.
However, Carrageenan’s use has seen some decrease as some brands have chosen to move away from it and use alternatives that are deemed safer or more natural.
Some brands have gone as far as to display or advertise that their products are Carrageenan free.
Thanks Meg
The science behind the carrageenan “scaremongering” was initially introduced by the researcher, Joanne Tobacman who has since even herself conceded that Carrageenan and Poligeenan are two totally different substances. Carrageenan is a natural substance from seaweed whereas Poligeenan has been created through chemical processes including exceptionally high heat. Poligeenan is not a food substance, it is used in scientific imaging. Carrageenan, used as a thickener, cannot be digested anyway due to its high molecular weight and for it to even remotely turn into Poligeenan (a low molecular weight, as you say), the digestive tract of humans and animals alike would have to reach non survivable temperatures like that of a kiln! Bad science has created a myth that has escalated to a ridiculous extent and is no more than scaremongering.
Like others I stopped using Forthglade because of the carrageenan, it plenty of bad press in the media and on dog food sites. I now use Lovejoys and Symply and both very good products with high meat content and don’t have carrageenan.
I used to use Forthglade but found the cartons leaked, and the food was going off. I now feed my 2 bulldogs a mix of wet + dry Harringtons food.
You’re promoting grain free foods yet I understand they do not contain TAURINE? Which is important for a healthy heart??
I have been told to take my dog off wet grain free as no taurine. I therefore do not understand why a lot of grain free foods are top recommendations?
Well, there’s no case to be made against Harringtons. They’re one of the absolute best.
Hey Merlin, thanks for your comment. You’re only half correct. Taurine is absolutely necessary for a healthy heart. Even we (humans) should take taurine supplements as well. But taurine was never something that could be found in grains. It’s present in high-quality meat. Presence of grains in your canine’s kibble has no effect on taurine.
Hey Helen, thanks for your comment. I’ll repeat what I mentioned in another comment – hope that’s okay with you.
You’re only half correct. Taurine is absolutely necessary for a healthy heart. Even we (humans) should take taurine supplements as well. But taurine was never something that could be found in grains. It’s present in high-quality meat. Presence of grains in your canine’s kibble has no effect on taurine.