Raw Dog Food vs Wet Food for Dogs

Comparing raw dog food and wet food for dogs. Here is how they differ in ingredients, processing, moisture, cost, and storage for Edmonton dog owners.

When dog owners start moving away from kibble, wet food and raw food are often the two most commonly considered alternatives. Here is how they compare. For a similar comparison with kibble specifically, see our post on why raw dog food is better than kibble.

What Is Wet Dog Food?

Wet food, also called canned dog food, is cooked and packaged in cans or pouches. It has a high moisture content compared to dry kibble, which is one of its main appeals. It typically contains meat as a primary ingredient, though the quality and sourcing vary considerably between brands.

Like kibble, wet food is cooked at high temperatures during processing. The cooking extends shelf life and ensures safety, but it also changes the protein structure and eliminates heat-sensitive nutrients that are present in raw food.

What Is Raw Dog Food?

Raw dog food is not cooked. It is made from whole animal ingredients, typically muscle meat, organ meat, and bone, kept in their natural state and frozen to maintain freshness and safety. The ingredients are minimally processed, and the product does not require the artificial preservatives that shelf-stable wet food sometimes includes. See our full breakdown of what raw dog food is made of for a component-by-component overview.

Key Differences

Moisture: Both wet food and raw food have significantly higher moisture content than kibble. Raw food typically has natural moisture content from the meat itself.

Ingredients: Raw food tends to have shorter, simpler ingredient lists. Wet food labels can vary widely depending on the brand and quality tier.

Processing: Wet food is cooked. Raw food is not. This is the fundamental distinction between the two formats.

Cost: Both raw and premium wet food are generally more expensive than kibble. Raw food purchased in bulk from a local supplier like Hound and Bone can be a practical and cost-effective choice for Edmonton dog owners.

Storage: Unopened wet food is shelf-stable. Raw food requires freezer storage until use.

Which Is Better?

Both can be appropriate choices depending on your dog's needs, your household's routine, and your budget. If the absence of high-heat processing is important to you, raw food achieves that in a way that wet food does not. Browse our raw dog food range to find the right blend for your dog, and see how raw dog food delivery in Edmonton works.

This article is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. Every dog is different — consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet. Individual results may vary.