Dry and canned food ?

[Jackie]

I feed Beckett dry food...Fromm's. I rotate the flavors every time I buy a new bag. I've seen two different articles lately that say you should feed your dog a combo of dry and canned. I was wondering what some opinions were here. I love reading this groups posts. I find it very helpful...that's how I decided on Fromm. The articles say it's good for one reason because it helps to make sure that your dog is getting enough water. If so, any suggestions on brands?? Fromm does make canned too.  Any opinions?? Thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The canned food/water issue is more important for cats than dogs, but if you have a dog who doesn't drink much water, that would be one way to get more water into him. It would also be good for dogs with kidney problems. However, unless the articles give info on controlled studies that show that feeding a mixture of canned and dry has proven health benefits other than providing more water, I don't think it's necessary for the average dog. There's certainly nothing wrong with it if that's what you'd like to do.
I personally can't stand canned food; if i had the kind of dog who eats their food up within a short period after being fed, I could deal with it, but I've never had that kind of dog. What happens is that the food sits there and gets really congealed & disgusting, and you end up having to throw it out; with dry food, it can sit there until the next meal. My elderly cat is on canned food now because she has kidney problems and needs the extra moisture, and this is what I'm going through. I'm throwing out at least half a can a day and washing icky bowls constantly.
But that's me. If you want to try a mixture of canned & dry, there's nothing wrong with it if they are quality foods.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My take is that kibble is a dehydrated version of canned, but I have NO actual knowledge of this. I hate the smell and spoilage of canned food so I use only dry. Occasionally I put water in it to moisten it, and once in a while I put a bit of yogurt or cottage cheese or peanut butter on top.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Seems if you were only worried about enough water, that you could just add green beans or fruits or even some chicken broth to the dry food. Sure would be a lot cheaper and just as effective. If it's for nutrition reasons, I don't see where canned would have any advantage over dry. Since I mostly homecook, I always feel guilty giving just plain dry dog food to Murphy, so I will add lowfat yogurt or cottage cheese to it just for a little moisture and taste, but that's probably more for me than him.
Although, on the rare occasion he has to eat just dry food alone, he has walked over to his bowl, looked at it, then looked up at me like "Are you kidding me? Where's the good stuff?" When he see's nothing else is forthcoming, he will get down to business. But as I have mentioned many times, Murphy will eat Anything! Anytime! Anywhere! and Anybody else's food if he could get to it fast enough. (not our food, other dog's food)
Not sure there is a valid reason to do both unless, like homecooking, it's what you feel most good about doing.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I only add the water once in a while as a variety, not because I am worried about fluids.

[Meridith and Lola]

I feed Lola Fromm's as well but I also mix in a large teaspoon of Dogswell Vitality (also has a variety of flavors) and the same amount of canned pumpkin. She would often leave much of her food when it was dry kibble only or if I mixed in cooked chicken she would eat around the kibble. Now she eats it all every time. Just remember to reduce the amount of kibble if you do add other food, I initially didn't and the combination of her eating all her food and the extra calories, she put on a couple of pounds!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I wouldn't worry about it. I only add water to Taquito's food and that is because he has kidney problems.