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By
Mike Sagman
Mike Sagman
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Dr Mike Sagman is the creator of the Dog Food Advisor. He founded the website in 2008, after his unquestioning trust in commercial dog food led to the tragic death of his dog Penny.
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&
Julia Ogden
Julia Ogden
Content Director
Julia is the content director at the Dog Food Advisor and responsible for the overall strategy of the website.
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Updated: May 31, 2024
Verified by Laura Ward
Laura Ward
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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What’s the best wet food for your puppy?
The answer to that important question depends on the BREED SIZE of your particular dog.
That’s because…
Large breed puppies have a high risk of developing a crippling and permanent form of hip disease… if they’re fed a diet that contains too much calcium while they’re still growing.1
Notice the serious bone and joint damage visible in this x-ray:
Since the nutritional needs of small and large breed puppies are so different, it’s important to choose a wet food that’s SAFE for your puppy’s breed size.
Top Recommendations
On the page below…
We’ll share The Dog Food Advisor’s best wet puppy foods… each labeled “Best for” to help you choose a food that’s safe for YOUR puppy’s breed size.
And we’ll also answer the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding wet puppy food.
Best Wet Puppy Food June 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’sbest wet puppy food brands for June 2024.
1. Wellness Complete Health Puppy
Rating:
Wellness Complete Health Puppy recipe is one of 6 canned grain inclusive recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
This wet puppy food derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An exceptional food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, salmon, ground barley Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"We adopted a baby Basset Hound. We fed Wellness puppy to our Cletus 8 years ago. He is thriving today because of it. We wanted the same for Darwin. He's 3 months old and loves this food. We mix it with the large breed Wellness puppy. Highly recommend it and our vet recommended this food to us too. Darwin gives it 2 paws up!"
2. Nom Nom
Rating:
See AlsoDifferent Monkey Species: Exploring Types Of Monkeys - MRCSLMonkey Facts, Types, Lifespan, Classification, Habitat, Pictures15 Best Cheeky Monkey Fun Facts | Beano.com51 of the Most Colorful Monkeys and Apes in the WorldNom Nom Beef Mash is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the Nom Nom Dog Food product line.
This Nom Nom recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Ideal for those who want to feed a scientifically balanced, fresh-cooked meal that’s designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Not cheap. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 35% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"
3. Instinct Original Grain Free Wet Puppy Food
Rating:
Instinct Grain Free Real Chicken Recipe for Puppies is one of 6 wet recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.
This specific Instinct Original recipe derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 46% protein, 27% fat and 19% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
An excellent formula by an established company.
Read our review of the full Instinct Original Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, beef liver, salmon, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 46% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
"I feed my 5 months old Shih Tzu 8 times from one can. I use it as a topper on dry food. He loves it!"
4. The Farmer's Dog
Rating:
Beef Recipe is one of 4 fresh formulas covered in our review of the The Farmer’s Dog product line.
This Farmer’s recipe acquires much of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs… delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
A fresh, human-grade recipe custom designed and packaged to fit the nutritional needs of all puppy breeds. As close to a homemade dog food as you can get. Not cheap. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"My dog LOVES the food and I love the convenience and nutritional value!"
5. Chicken Soup for the Soul Canned Puppy Food
Rating:
Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Puppy food is one of 10 canned recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.
This recipe derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken and turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
An impressive growth formula. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Chicken Soup for the Soul Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, turkey, chicken broth, turkey broth Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Grain-inclusive Sample buyer review...
"I love the healthy ingredients of this moist food for puppies; the ingredients seem comparable to more expensive dog food brands, but at a better price. My puppy seems to enjoy it. He's pretty picky, so for the benefit of his health and my wallet, hopefully he will continue to enjoy it!"
6. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Chicken
Rating:
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Plate Chicken is one of 9 wet recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Grain-Free canned food recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from deboned chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 28% fat and 14% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
An exceptional grain-inclusive canned puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken broth, deboned turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"This food is high quality and my 11 week old Shih Tzu loves it! So much comes in the can and it's such a great price. I bought can covers to keep it fresh and one can will last me about a week! Definitely recommend!"
7. Canidae All Life Stages
Rating:
This Chicken and Rice Formula is one of 4 wet recipes included in our review of the Canidae All Life Stages product line.
This Canidae wet formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 29% fat and 44% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.
A super-popular, fully-balanced grain-inclusive wet puppy food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"My dog has never eaten new food with gusto until now. He really surprised us by eating without any coaxing. This is the first time, and we were thrilled. No more dry food. We've tried everything. Now, if I could get my husband to stop giving him too many treats!"
8. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food
Rating:
Nulo Freestyle Turkey, Cod and Sweet Potato puppy food is one of 11 canned recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This formula derives most of its animal protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, salmon broth, turkey liver, cod Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
"I love the Nulo puppy food. My Chihuahuas puppies and my older chihuahuas really love this food. You can actually see the chunks of vegetables in this food. If the chunks are too big, they are easy to smash and blend in with the food."
9. Blue Buffalo Homestyle
Rating:
Homestyle Puppy Chicken Dinner is one of 11 canned recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo product line.
This Blue Buffalo formula gets the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 27% fat and 24% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
We also note this above-average puppy food includes omega-rich DHA to support healthy eye and brain development.
A finely-chopped, pate-style formula containing no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives for optimal safety. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes Dog Food (Wet) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"Oh my gosh..my gsd LOVES the taste of this! He literally would eat the entire pallet if I let him. I also feel good about it, because I do a lot of research on my dog's foods, and it's really one of the healthiest wet foods out there for dogs."
10. Ollie Fresh Chicken
Rating:
Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Ollie product line.
This fresh-cooked recipe draws most of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 11% fat and 44% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.
Ollie is an exceptional dog food. It’s made with real, human-grade ingredients and it’s professionally designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN).
A top, grain-inclusive wet option for puppies… worthy of its premium price. Recommended with confidence.
For More Choices: See our Best Fresh-Cooked Dog Food page
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food Chicken Recipe (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
"Javi, my mini goldendoodle has been LOVING meal time. He licks his bowl clean at every meal. Before Ollie, we'd have to basically beg him to eat."
11. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy
Rating:
Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken and Vegetables is one of 4 wet recipes analyzed in our review of the Hill’s Science Diet product line.
This Science Diet recipe derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Moderate meat content. Reasonably priced.
Read our review of the full Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, brown rice, wheat flour Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
"My puppy had been eating Hills Science dry food. Got this to see if wet appealed to him. He absolutely loves it! I add some dry to it and it’s gone in a flash. Will be convenient for travel."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Best Budget-Friendly Dog Foods
Best Dry Puppy Foods
Best Dry Dog Food
Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Best Fresh Dog Food
Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Foods
Best Grain-Free Dog Foods
Best High Protein Dog Food
Best Human-Grade Dog Food
Best Large Breed Dog Food
Frequently Asked Questions
In this video…
Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help lower your puppy’s risk of getting sick when you switch to a new wet food.
It’s best to transition your puppy to a new food… gradually.
Start by mixing 20% “new” and 80% “old” food together. Then, gently increase that amount to a full 100%… over the next 8 to 9 days.
| Transition Schedule | Old Food | New Food |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | 80% | 20% |
| Days 3 and 4 | 60% | 40% |
| Days 5 and 6 | 40% | 60% |
| Days 7 and 8 | 20% | 80% |
| Day 9 | 0% | 100% |
Since a larger breed requires more wet food than a smaller breed… and because every brand of food contains a different number of calories per cup…
There’s no one-size-fits-all feeding plan that’s right for every puppy.
So…
Start with the recommended amount printed on the package. Then, adjust that serving size… up or down… to keep your dog at ideal weight as she grows.
Once you’ve decided how much wet food your puppy needs each day…
Simply divide that amount into 3 to 4 equal servings. Then, feed those smaller meals to your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day.
For more detail…
This short video explains how to create the best feeding schedule for your puppy.
It’s important not to switch your puppy to adult food too soon.
That’s because adult dog food can contain too much calcium… which can increase a puppy’s risk of developing canine hip dysplasia… especially for certain breeds.
Since breeds age at different rates, the table below can help you choose the best time to SAFELY change your puppy to adult dog food.
| Breed Size | Weight* | Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Small breed | < 20 lbs | 9-12 months |
| Medium breed | 20-50 lbs | 12-14 months |
| Large breed | 50-100 lbs | 15-18 months |
| Giant breed | 100+ lbs | 18-24 months |
* Weight when fully grown
Wet food can be a gentler way to ease your new puppy from mother’s milk to a typical canine diet.
That’s because…
Wet foods are softer and easier for a puppy to chew than dry food.
And they’re more palatable, too.
After all, dry kibble contains just 10% water. Yet the moisture content of wet dog food is about 75%… similar to real natural food.
Notice the difference between highly-processed dry pellets and fresh wet food in this side-by-side comparison.
Final word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
Sources
1: Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345–1359.
2: Image Credit: Package label, IAMS ProActive Health Puppy Food with Chicken and Rice, 2022
