Wet food, dry food, BARF - what is the best option?

The Different Feeding Methods for Dogs

Few topics are as polarizing for dog owners as the question of the one right feeding method. On one side, some swear by fresh BARF while others firmly clutch their dry food bag or wet food can. Feeding a dog can be as individualized as the needs of our dogs themselves. And of course, it is also permissible to look at the advantages regarding the handling of different feeding methods as long as →food quality is a priority.

Is Wet Food, Dry Food, or BARF Best for My Dog?

We can reassure you and assure you: Each type of food offers certain advantages and disadvantages, regardless of whether it is wet food, →dry food, or BARF. There is no "wrong" feeding method, because after all, our four-legged friends are no longer wolves and have adapted more and more to our dietary habits in the course of domestication. So, for those who cry out that only home-prepared food is species-appropriate and "prey-like," one would have to show them how today's Chihuahuas and delicate Greyhounds catch their deer in the woods. Sounds crazy? It is, because the →myth of the dog needing meat and nothing but fresh meat has long been debunked, and a **→vegan or vegetarian diet for dogs is possible.

What defines the different feeding methods, what special features exist, and how a mixed feeding with several types works, you will learn here.

What Ingredients Should Be in Healthy Food?

To choose a good food, you first need to know what makes dog food →healthy and species-appropriate. The most expensive dog food does your four-legged friend no good if it is not nutritionally complete, meaning your dog is not provided with all the essential nutrients.

[TRANSLATION ERROR] Unabhängig von der Fütterungsart sollten die Mahlzeiten deines Hundes dem Aufbau der Ernährungspyramide für Hunde entsprechen.

A look at the labels of conventional dog food shows that different standards apply to the nutrition of four-legged friends than to us. It is not uncommon to encounter animal by-products, sugar, grains, and other questionable additives. The right →composition of the food consists of meat (or also →vegan or vegetarian protein sources like millet or amaranth), →vegetables, fruits, →oils, and →herbs.

Wet Food - A Can Full of Happiness

A can of wet food contains everything your four-legged friend needs to be optimally cared for. That’s why it is referred to as complete feed, meaning no additional minerals or oils are necessary. Wet food contains pre-cooked ingredients and a high moisture content, which means your furry friend’s hydration is already optimally taken care of with this feeding method. The intense taste and smell lead to a high food acceptance in many four-legged friends. Due to its relatively low energy content, wet food is ideal for dogs prone to obesity.

[TRANSLATION ERROR] Nassfutter spendet deinem Hund viel Flüssigkeit, riecht oft sehr intensiv und hat dadurch eine hohe Akzeptanz.

To use wet food over several days, it must be →sealed airtight and stored in the refrigerator. Unopened cans can be stored at room temperature.

What is the Best Wet Food for Dogs?

How good a wet food is for dogs depends on the content. →Grains, sugar, and artificial additives extend food and make it filling, but are far from representing a healthy meal. We use only high-quality raw materials for production and select our meat and vegetables based on their high protein content. With our →high-quality dog food, you can be sure that you are opening a can full of happiness for your furry friend.

Wet Food at a Glance

🐾 a high-quality wet food contains all the nutrients your four-legged friend needs for optimal care (complete feed)

🐾 the high moisture content ensures good hydration

🐾 wet food is flavor-intensive and usually stimulates the appetite in dogs

🐾 high acceptance and pleasant consistency

🐾 requires cool storage after opening and is only suitable for transport when sealed

Dry Food - The Bag with Bite

When you choose a good dry food for your four-legged friend, it is also a complete feed and provides your pet with all the essential nutrients.

Different types of dry food are primarily distinguished by the method of production. In extruded dry food, high meat proportions can be implemented, while in cold-pressed dry food, many natural nutrients are preserved. All types of dry food have a low moisture content and high energy content. Unlike wet food, it must be ensured that your furry friend drinks enough additionally. Dry food can be stored airtight at room temperature and is thus easy to transport. The long shelf life is also a real advantage. Many owners swear by dry food due to its →dental care character. The high energy content in a small amount of food is also reflected in the costs, making dry food usually more cost-effective than wet food or BARF.

[TRANSLATION ERROR] Leicht zu portionieren und ideal zu transportieren, reinigend für die Zähne und ein knackiger Genuss: Hochwertiges Trockenfutter punktet mit einigen Vorteilen.

Each of our dry foods is grain-free and has an extra high meat content of up to 80%. Since we usually only use one type of meat (monoprotein), our dry food is highly digestible.

Dry Food at a Glance

🐾 all essential nutrients your dog needs for a balanced diet

🐾 promotes dental health through longer chewing, strengthens gums and teeth

🐾 easy to transport and store - perfect for on the go and training sessions

🐾 very economical and therefore often more cost-effective

🐾 long shelf life with proper storage and sealed airtight

BARF - A Piece of Nature in the Bowl

BARF (Born Again Raw Feeders) is based on the diet of wolves in the wild - this means primarily: fresh, raw meat in your furry friend’s bowl. Essentially, animals - it’s clear - in the wild do not have cooked and pureed food - with BARF, this species-appropriate, natural eating behavior can be closely imitated and is therefore attractive to many owners.

But is BARF really that healthy for dogs? Yes, because a balanced BARF menu consists of raw muscle meat, offal, bones, healthy fruits and vegetables, minerals, and fats, providing your dog - in the right mixing ratio - with all essential nutrients. A BARF menu must be always freshly prepared or requires storage of the ingredients in the freezer or refrigerator, which is generally only possible with a lot of space and the necessary time. Additionally, the used fruits and vegetables should be steamed or blanched to ensure optimal nutrient absorption.

[TRANSLATION ERROR] BARF setzt auf die Verwendung roher oder gedünsteter Zutaten und sorgt so für einen frischen Genuss mit unverarbeiteten Komponenten.

To make BARF safe and easy for pet owners, we have created the Pets Deli Fresh Menus. The pre-portioned menus developed with veterinarians are already in the ideal mixing ratio. Furthermore, we use only raw materials of food quality for the Pets Deli Fresh Menus, and with our 1-2-3 concept, you will easily become a pro!

Your pet receives all essential nutrients with our special mineral mix, which is ideally tailored to the Pets Deli Fresh Menus. To ensure your dog can absorb all essential nutrients, a →high-quality oil must always be added. Particularly suitable are salmon, flaxseed, BARF, or omega-3 oils.

BARF at a Glance

🐾 the most natural form of dog nutrition, transparent through raw ingredients

🐾 individual adjustment to your four-legged friend’s needs in case of allergies, intolerances, and exclusion diets

🐾 valuable oils and vitamins are good for skin and coat and help with dandruff and excessive shedding

🐾 reduced stool output, as your furry friend can utilize the food components very well

🐾 requires more time for fresh preparation or a lot of space for storage in the freezer, transport is only possible to a limited extent, as the cold chain must not be interrupted

Mixing Food Types - The Mixed Feeding

BARF, wet food, and dry food, this all sounds good so far, you might be thinking. Why not just mix and take advantage of all feeding methods? This means your four-legged friend gets both dry and wet food to eat, for example. This can - with attention to two things - look like this:

Forms of Mixed Feeding

The most well-known method of combining different feeding methods is to give different types of food separately. This can look like your four-legged friend getting wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening.

But also the mixing of food types is a possibility for mixed feeding. For example, wet food can be mixed into dry food. This method is tolerated differently by each dog, and you should gradually get your four-legged friend used to it.

Deviating Food Quantities

The correct food quantity needs to be well calculated. Wet food must be fed in larger quantities than dry food due to its high moisture content and thus lower energy concentration. The principle of mixed feeding generally works with healthy dogs with all three feeding methods. However, every dog is different, and perhaps your four-legged friend does not tolerate it immediately or possibly not at all. Here, careful trial and patience help. You should always refer to the →feeding recommendations.

As you can see, each feeding method has certain advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, from our perspective, it cannot be said generally which is the one right feeding method. Important for this decision are your own ideas about feeding, your personal capacities, and the consideration of the requirements that good food should meet.

Quality Matters

In any case, dog food, regardless of the type, should exhibit high quality, meaning: high-quality raw materials, transparency in the ingredient list, and an optimal nutrient dosage. Healthy food should also contain no fillers, no sugar, no grains, and no coloring and flavoring agents. We adhere to these basic principles of healthy and high-quality food to provide your furry friend with healthy and delicious meals every day.