If your pup turns up their nose at dry kibble or rarely visits their water bowl, wet dog food might be worth considering. Not only does this type of food appeal more to picky eaters, but it can be gentler on sensitive stomachs and provide extra moisture. After researching popular options, consulting veterinary experts and testing several brands ourselves, we confidently recommend Open Farm Surf & Turf Pâté as the best wet dog food overall. It’s made with ethically sourced proteins and simple ingredients, and most importantly, dogs seem to love eating it. That said, the ideal choice depends heavily on your pup’s lifestyle, health conditions and personal taste.
Knowing what to prioritize can make choosing the right food easier. To start, take a close look at each food’s ingredient list. “The best wet dog food includes clearly named protein sources, limited filler ingredients and whole-food elements like sweet potatoes or carrots,” says Dr. Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel. “When checking food labels, look for real, recognizable ingredients.” For example, a fresh dog food option like The Farmer’s Dog delivers customized, human-grade meals made with incredibly high-quality ingredients. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best wet dog foods available, including picks tailored specifically for puppies, senior dogs, prescription diets and more. And to give you further peace of mind, all of our recommendations adhere to nutritional guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), so you can feel confident you’re choosing a complete and balanced food.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home team regularly researches and writes about pet products, from the best cat food to the best dog beds.
- I, Kelly O’Sullivan, am a home and kitchen editor Forbe Vetted and the author of this piece. I’m also a lifelong dog owner and proud parent to a Labrador retriever named Sunny and a puppy named Koda. After switching Sunny to fresh food several years ago, Kelly became deeply interested in canine nutrition, reading The Forever Dog multiple times, closely following the latest research and maintaining close connections with veterinary experts. O’Sullivan has also tested and reviewed the best fresh dog food and the best raw dog food.
- This article was overseen by senior editor Amanda Arnold, who regularly covers pet staples at Forbes Vetted. She’s extensively tested products like cat water fountains and litter (with crucial help from her own cat).
- We spoke to two licensed veterinarians: Dr. Aimee Warner, DVM, resident veterinarian at Waggel, and Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, veterinary medical advisor for Rover. Both experts provided insight on ingredient quality, nutritional balance and key factors pet parents should consider when choosing wet dog food.
How We Chose The Best Wet Dog Food
To find the best wet dog food, we combined personal testing, expert insights and thorough research, keeping our own dogs in mind every step of the way.
- We tried many of these foods firsthand with our pets over several months—and in some cases, years. My dogs regularly eat meals from The Farmer’s Dog, and I also feed them both Open Farm’s pâtés whenever we’re traveling or between fresh-food deliveries.
- We also spoke with two veterinarians who specialize in canine nutrition, asking them exactly what pet parents should look for when choosing wet food, especially for puppies, seniors and dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Finally, we looked closely at ingredient quality, transparency about sourcing, compliance with AAFCO nutritional standards and real-life customer experiences, prioritizing options that keep dogs healthy and their owners happy. Every wet dog food on this list has a minimum average rating of 4 stars and very few, if any, negative reviews.
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