As our beloved companions, we like to give our dogs the very best in life. Just as we wouldn't eat sub-par food ourselves, we don't expect our dogs to, either. If your dog already eats wet dog food or you're thinking about making the switch, it can be a delicious, nutritious, and hydrating treat at dinner time.
Whether it comes in a can, tray, or tin, wet food is a wonderful choice for dogs, and when mixed with dry food - even better. There are so many different types of wet food to choose from, including hypoallergenic wet food for sensitive stomachs and ones that cater for puppies and senior dogs too.
We've rounded up the best wet dog foods available to buy in the UK, plus included some helpful information below to keep you in the know.
The best wet dog food for your pup
Best wet dog food UK
1. Lily's Kitchen Classic Dinner Multipack Wet Dog Food
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Best all-natural wet dog food
Lily's Kitchen prides itself on delicious, natural food for dogs, with no meat meal, no bone meal, no rendered meat, no preservatives or fillers. The selection of flavours will have your dog's mouth-watering, and you can select from packs of six, 12 or 24 for ease. Did you know you can Subscribe & Save on Amazon? It's super easy to set up, saves you money and means you'll never forget to buy dog food again. Simply select 'Subscribe & Save' when adding it to your basket, and select the options that suit you best.
Includes: 12 x 400g tins
Flavours: Cottage pie, chicken and turkey casserole, lamb hotpot, Sunday lunch.
Suitable for: Dogs over four months old, but a puppy recipe is also available.
Review: "I have been getting this for my elderly French Bulldog for the last couple of months, and it is amazing. She has gastric troubles, and went almost completely off any food, which resulted in considerable weight loss for her and a lot of grief on my part. Lily's kitchen is the only dog food she will eat, and she eats it like mad! I am so happy to have found this. Yes, expensive, but in my case this is the price of saving my dog, and I am very happy to pay it. As regards to delivery, the three times I have ordered it, arrived immaculate, no damage or tears whatsoever."
2. Royal Canin Mini Puppy / Junior Wet Dog Food
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Best wet dog food for puppies
Introducing wet food to your puppy will work towards their diet being varied from day one. Younger puppies haven't got fully developed digestive systems yet, so need a recipe especially catered for them. This wet food is enriched with vitamin E that will support their immune system and give them the energy they need to keep being the crazy fluff balls we love.
Includes: 24 x 85g packs
Flavour: Turkey
Suitable for: Puppies up to 10 months old
Review: "My Yorkshire terrier puppy loves this food. I'm using Royal Canin also for my cat so I knew the brand already. My dog is a happy dog using that food and her coat is so smooth, soft and silky compared to my friends dogs from the same breed but using cheap dog food."
3. Scrumbles Natural Wet Dog Food Multipack
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Best wet dog food for sensitive stomachs
Scrumbles' wet dog food contains a high meat quantity, plus added veggies, vitamins, and minerals to give your dog exactly what they need. The handy trays make it easy to separate out your dog's meals, and there are no added sugars, salts, derivatives, fillers or artificial nonsense.
Includes: 6 x 395g trays
Flavours: Chicken, salmon, and turkey
Suitable for: All life stages (although we'd always recommend a specific puppy food to begin with).
Review: "My dog is a very fussy eater, but he loved these pouches; he licked the bowl clean! They're a little more expensive than his previous food, however you really do get what you pay for - the quality of the ingredients is fantastic and the packaging is great too - eye catching and very easy to stack and store. Both myself and my dog highly recommend!"
4. Cesar Country Stew Wet Dog Food for Adult Dogs 1+ Mixed Selection
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Best wet dog food for picky eaters
Ideal for smaller dogs, Cesar has a reputation for delicious, natural foods that guarantee a clean bowl every time. Cesar uses high-quality, natural, sustainably sourced ingredients to make all their recipes a tasty and healthy option. Bonus: the packaging is fully recyclable.
Includes: 16 x 150g trays
Flavours: Beef, turkey, chicken, lamb
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Review: "My Havanese dog will be 18 years old in two weeks time. His eyesight is good, his teeth are good, he runs and plays. I highly recommend Cesar dog food in gravy. Cesar dog food in jelly makes his tummy run."
5. Harringtons Complete Mixed Wet Food
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Best hypoallergenic wet dog food
Harringtons is all about naturally sourced, wholesome food and its yummy wet food reflects that. This premium pet food is of high quality and includes vitamins and minerals to elevate your pup's diet. It doesn't include any ingredients that can mess with a hypoallergenic dog's digestion.
Includes: 16 x 400g trays
Flavours: Chicken, salmon, turkey, and duck
Suitable for: Eight weeks onwards
Review: "I cannot describe too well what it looks like as it never lasts that long. As soon as I place it on front of my two...... it is gone. They absolutely love it. The fact that it is grain free is also a bonus as it means that it is not full of rubbish. They are happy and I am happy. Presented in individual portion sizes, one tray fits my two between them as they are tiny terrors."
6. Pedigree Vital Protection Mixed Wet Dog Food
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Best value wet dog food
Pedigree's yummy pouches come in a jelly mix and gravy mix, so there will be a version that your dog will love. You'll be getting no nasties with this vet and nutritionist-developed recipe, plus it comes in a bumper value pack.
Includes: 40 x 100g easy to open pouches
Flavours: Chicken, beef, lamb and poultry
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Review: "My dogs love this, I have 2 dogs who are quite fussy with their food so I decided to try mixing wet food with their dry food, I give each dog 2 pouches each with their evening meal and they're literally jumping around the place waiting for it. My only gripe is the packaging is a little awkward to get everything out without either squishing some of the food inside or it'll make a mess. Going to make this a regular thing now since they love it so much."
7. Forthglade Natural Grain Free Complete Wet Food
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Best grain-free wet dog food
This easy to digest food has no sugars, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and is full of natural goodness. The fishy formula is the perfect protein source for adult dogs who are big on flavour.
Includes: 12 x 395g trays
Flavours: Variety meat (turkey, lamb, duck). Also available: Variety fish (salmon, sardine) and variety poultry (chicken, turkey, chicken with liver).
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Review: "Tried this after spending a fortune on hypoallergenic foods trying to control our French bulldog's itchy skin. He absolutely relishes mealtimes now, licking his bowl clean every time. This food ticks every box. His poos are firm and the air no longer reeks when he breaks wind! The best thing about it is the improvement in his allergic reaction to additives - because there aren't any in this food. He's stopped the constant paw licking and his skin is now a healthy colour. I feel quite angry with our vet for getting me to buy their dry, expensive, allergenic label. We won't be changing from this brand now and have ordered it on monthly subscription to get more discount."
8. Pedigree Pouch Jelly Senior
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Best wet food for senior dogs
These pouches are filled with the essential nutrients that your older pup needs. They'll support your dog's digestion and promote healthier skin, coat and bones. Keep them healthy without denying them the tasty flavour they love.
Includes: 12 x 100g pouches
Flavours: Chicken, beef, lamb, and poultry
Suitable for: Senior dogs
Review: "I started using Pedigree Senior dog food after my OAP Jack Russell started experiencing seizures. On advice from the vet I changed her diet and a year on we have only had one mild seizure, fingers crossed this will continue as it has been heart wrenching watching her being ill."
9. Chappie Mixed Selection Tinned Dog Food
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Recommended
Chappies is great for those on a budget and is a well-known brand. It's made with sensitive stomachs in mind, so there are no added colours, flavours or sugar, plus no red meat, soya, eggs or dairy.
Includes: 6 x 412g tins
Flavour: Chappies original recipe, and chicken and rice
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Review: "I have an English springer spaniel chappie has always been my dogs food. Never upsets my dogs digestive system. And she is very healthy. Dog as well. Now 11 years old and still running around like a puppy."
10. Hug My Dog food Multipack
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A newer brand, Hug is human grade, made only using the finest seasonal ingredients, British cuts of meat. Each portion contains nutrients such as Antarctic Krill, the most effective ingredient to deliver omega-3 and choline which are critical for brain and heart health, strong muscles, joints and help prevent liver disease, all topped off with a sprinkle of organic herbs.
Includes: 300g x 20 packs
Flavour: Free Range Chicken & pork, Beef, Pork, Lamb & Beef
Suitable for: Adult dogs
Review: "My dog suffers with reflux so can't tolerate bone his diet so this range has been a massive life saver. I wanted to still be able to feed a whole food diet and this allows me to do so. It can also be cooked so on days where he is a little sensitive, I can still give him the best option. Thanks for making a wonderful range of recipes!"
Wet dog food FAQs
What is wet dog food?
Wet food is a softer type of food that has high water content. It’s a great option for picky eaters or pups in need of a hydration boost. It’s got a lot of flavours and will most likely come in gravy or jelly. Meaty chunks have to be up there as a dog's favourite dinnertime treat.
Related: Butternut Box review
Is wet food good for dogs?
Wet dog food is a nutritional winner. If you pick the right kind, then your dog will be getting plenty of delicious natural ingredients added to their diet, and also added water. It's easily chewable and digestible, plus helps a dog feel fuller.
Wet or dry dog food?
Wet and dry dog food both have their benefits. As mentioned above, wet food is nutritious, hydrating, delicious and helps dogs to feel full. Dry food, however, is convenient, economical, and can aid in cleaning teeth.
Related: How to introduce a cat to a dog
Should I mix wet and dry dog food?
Having a mix of wet and dry food in your dog’s diet can keep things varied and well-rounded. It brings together the benefits of both, plus keeps your dog's bowl exciting.
How much wet dog food should I feed my dog?
All the information you need should be listed on the packaging of your dog's food, but every dog is different. Their age, breed and size have to be considered, plus if you’re mixing it with other food. It’s worth asking your vet for advice on what is truly best for your pooch.
What to bear in mind when buying wet dog food
If you're making the switch to wet dog food, introducing it into your dog's meal plans or are just searching for new food, here are some things to think about:
Budget - How much can you afford to spend per month? You don't want to commit to expensive dog food if your bank balance won't allow it.
Storage space - Some tins and packs will take up more space than others, so make sure you have adequate room to keep it all if you intend to buy in bulk.
Your dog's preferences - If your dog is fussy, it's worth testing them on a new food before committing to buying a whole month's worth.
Allergies and sensitivities - Our dogs are all unique, so if you know they're hypoallergenic or have sensitive stomachs, it's best to avoid ingredients that your dog is sensitive to.
Read next: The best dog towels to keep your pooch clean and dry
How to introduce a new food into your dog's diet
It's important not to rush into changing your dog's food, the key is to do it gradually. Start out by mixing your dog's current food with the new food, and over the period of a week, decrease the amount of old dog food, replacing it with more of the new food.
Keep an eye on their toilet activities, plus if they are acting differently or have different eating habits and speak to your vet if you're worried.