Choosing the best pet food is not easy at all. It is one of the biggest concerns of pet owners. A question that remains under debate is which pet food is better, dry or natural, making it even more difficult to choose the best option. So, this article intends to share the pros and cons of dry and natural pet food to help you make the best choice for your pet.

Pros and Cons of Dry Pet Food

Pros

Lets' discuss the advantages of dry pet food from a health standpoint first.

• Dry pet food is less fattening because it is lower in calories and has fewer carbohydrates. Despite this, large amounts are not necessary for the dog to have all the energy it needs because dehydrated and defatted meats and other animal parts, sources of concentrated protein, are incorporated into dry pet food.
• Unlike wet food, it helps in your pet's oral hygiene. In other words, dry food has a mechanical effect on the teeth, as it helps to remove food debris. This, in turn, prevents the formation of tartar and bacterial plaque.

Some other advantages are:

• Dry dog ​​food is easier to store at home and for longer because it has a lower proportion of water - between 3% and 12%-than wet food, which favors greater durability and conservation.
• In general, it is usually a type of food that is cheaper.
• It is less dirty than wet food because the feed does not leave stains and, if it falls out of the plate, it is easy to clean. Its smell is also less intense.

Cons

There are some cons associated with dry pet food, which you must take into account.

• The first and the main one is lower hydration due to its lower water content. So, it is necessary to ensure that the pet drinks enough water and does not have deficiencies. To facilitate healthy digestion in your dog, you can use herbal supplements, free from artificial additives.
• And you also have to be aware of the composition to ensure that the nutrients are of quality and that they provide your dog or cat with everything they need.

Pros and Cons of Natural Pet Food

Pros

Here are some advantages when you switch to a natural diet for your pet:

• Natural homemade food contains 7x more water than dry food! This amount of water keeps the animal hydrated and preserves the kidneys and the urinary system.
• Your pet needs a carnivorous diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein, thus producing a low glycemic load. In dry foods, there is high carbohydrate content, causing a high glycemic load.
• It maintains your pet's slim and muscular figure and also prevents diseases.
• Giving natural food, especially raw bones, helps prevent and fight against periodontal disease. Chewing the fleshy bones prevents the formation of plaque and helps remove tartar that has already formed.
• Natural is always better than industrially processed food that contains many by-products, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, that are not meant for your dog or cat.

Cons

• It takes time and effort to prepare natural pet food.
• You need to be very careful about the guidelines for natural eating: right foods, right amounts, and the right time.
• Indeed, your pet needs more natural food to fulfill its needs. A medium-sized dog can easily get to 1kg per day. And for large and giant dogs, the volume of food served daily can reach 1.5-2 kg.
• Some studies suggest that a soft diet can increase the frequency of periodontal disease if it's very chewy. For this, you need to make sure to brush your pet's teeth[1].
• After eating natural food, some pets cannot accept a return to dry food.

There is no unanimity on whether to use dry or natural food for pets, and it is healthy to have different debates and points of view. But, we hope this article provided some insights into the pros and cons of dry pet food and natural food and switch to a healthier option for your pet.

[1][1]Watson, A. D. J. "Diet and periodontal disease in dogs and cats." Australian Veterinary Journal 71, no. 10 (1994): 313-318. [Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1994.tb00905.x]