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Choosing a good diet for your puppy is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your new family member. Many pet parents prefer to serve wet food for its high moisture content and palatable taste. But with so many promising options on the market, how can puppy guardians identify the best wet food for their pet?
To help you make an informed decision on your puppy’s food, we’ve gathered 11 options that will speak to a range of dietary considerations. Each of these wet foods complies with AAFCO guidelines and provides the balanced nutrition that growing puppies need. This lineup serves as a good starting point for your search—but as always, it’s important to discuss any food changes or choices with your vet. In the end, they’ll be your most reliable resource when it comes to selecting the best wet food for your pup.
Best for Large Breed Puppies: Royal Canin Wet Puppy Food
Like every Royal Canin recipe, this canned puppy food was developed by veterinarians and nutritionists and tested at one of the brand’s research facilities. From a nutritional standpoint, a few factors make it a stand-out choice for large-breed puppies, in particular. For one, the caloric density and fat content of this food are on the lower side. This minimizes your puppy’s risk of growing too fast, which can stress a large breed’s skeletal structure. It also contains a safe level of calcium to maintain an ideal growth rate.
With 31.25% protein on a dry matter basis, this wet food contains optimal levels for muscle and joint development in larger puppies. The pâté-style formula provides complete and balanced nutrition, and it can be served as a stand-alone meal or added to dry kibble to liven up mealtime.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,007 kcal/kg
- Protein: 31.25%
- Fat: 16.67%
- Carbohydrate: 43.75%
- Crude Fiber: 8.33%
- Calcium: 1.32%
Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken By-Products, Chicken, Pork By-Products, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Corn Meal, Brewers Rice Flour, Powdered Cellulose, Brewers Rice, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pork Plasma, Guar Gum, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Carrageenan, Natural Flavors, Taurine, Tricalcium Phosphate, Vitamins [L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Biotin, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Dl-Methionine, Fish Oil, Cysteine, Glycine, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Trace Minerals [Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Choline Chloride, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.)
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Best for Small Breed Puppies: Hill’s Science Diet Chicken & Barley Entree
From one of the most highly regarded pet food brands, this Hill’s entree presents a balanced wet food for small-breed puppies. This chicken and barley recipe features a minced texture that’s easy for smaller jaws to handle—somewhere in between a chunky stew and a pâté. With a higher caloric content than our large breed recommendation, it also provides sufficient energy for your tiny pup’s fast metabolism.
Additionally, this recipe contains clinically proven antioxidants (Vitamins C & E) for a robust immune system. You’ll also find DHA from fish oil, which contributes to healthy brain and eye development.
Key Nutrients:
- 1339 kcal/kg
- Protein: 29%
- Fat: 20.3%
- Carbohydrate: 41.2%
- Crude Fiber: 2%
Ingredients: Water, Chicken, Whole Grain Corn, Cracked Pearled Barley, Pork Liver, Soybean Meal, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground Pecan Shells, Iodized Salt, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K), Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Pressed Cranberries, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate), Beta-Carotene
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Best for Medium Breed Puppies: Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe
With metabolisms that are slightly higher than large-breed puppies, medium-breed pups need the right balance of protein, fat, and calcium for optimal growth. Calorie-wise, this pâté-style recipe sits squarely in the middle, with generous levels of protein for muscle development.
This Homestyle recipe contains beneficial ingredients like chicken liver for protein and iron, brown rice for energy and fiber, and cranberries for a boost of antioxidants. You can feel good about the brand’s process, too: all Blue Buffalo recipes are crafted alongside in-house veterinarians and undergo feeding studies to verify their digestibility and nutrient analyses.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,190 kcal/kg
- Protein: 40.91%
- Fat: 27.27%
- Carbohydrate: 25.91%
- Crude Fiber: 5.91%
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas, Pea Flour, Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice, Barley, Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexanoic Acid), Oatmeal, Flaxseed (source of Ome 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Guar Gum, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Cassia Gum, Carrageenan, Cranberries, Blueberries, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Mannese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols
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Best for Toy Breeds: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition X-Small Puppy Food
When it comes to breed size considerations, Royal Canin leads the way with recipes formulated for puppies big and small. This X-Small canned food is intended for the smallest of breeds with a projected adult weight of up to 4 kg (about 9 pounds). The thinly sliced chunks have a soft texture that’s gentle on tiny puppy teeth. And a savory gravy elevates the taste. Available in smaller cans (3 oz), it’s portioned with your toy breed puppy in mind.
Key Features:
- 941 kcal/kg
- Protein: 34.03%
- Fat: 23.56%
- Carbohydrate: 32.46%
- Crude Fiber: 9.95%
Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Brewers Rice Flour, Vegetable Oil, Pork Plasma, Modified Corn Starch, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Carob Bean Gum, Vitamins[L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Natural Flavors, Glycine, Sodium Carbonate, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Trace Minerals[Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Carotene
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Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Puppy Food
If your puppy suffers from digestive problems, they may benefit from this Royal Canin mousse. This wet food is formulated with Omega-3 fatty acids to support GI health, and a blend of electrolytes and prebiotics creates a balance of good bacteria in the gut. Plus, dietary fiber helps form optimal stool quality.
Since puppies with sensitive tums may be reluctant to eat, this recipe contains high energy content so they can eat smaller portions while still getting adequate nutrition. Additionally, the soft and moist texture makes it easier for inappetent puppies to eat. This diet can be used temporarily or long-term for chronic conditions. Note: This food requires veterinary authorization.
Key Nutrients:
- 967 kcal/kg, 140 kcal/can
- Protein: 43.59%
- Fat: 23.59%
- Carbohydrate: 24.62%
- Crude Fiber: 8.21%
Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken By-Products, Pork By-Products, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Brewers Rice Flour, Gelatin, Powdered Cellulose, Hydrolyzed Poultry By-Products Aggregate, Casein, Fish Oil, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Pork Plasma, Calcium Carbonate, Carrageenan, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Hydrolyzed Yeast (Source Of Betaglucans), Natural Flavors, Guar Gum, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins [L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Biotin, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Salt, Choline Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Trace Minerals [Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Carotene
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Best for Picky Eaters: Purina Pro Plan Development Chicken and Rice Entree
With a team comprised of hundreds of scientists, nutritionists, and veterinarians, Purina Pro Plan represents a nutritionally sound—and delicious—choice for most puppies. This chicken and rice entree features a smooth pâté texture that many pups will find appealing. It also contains a higher level of fat than most of the recommendations on this list, making it more palatable for some picky eaters. Plus, a lot of pet parents report that this wet food has a strong smell, which further entices fussy puppies.
Key nutrients:
- 1,292 kcal/kg; 475 kcal/can
- Protein: 41.67%
- Fat: 29.17%
- Carbohydrate: 22.92%
- Crude Fiber: 6.25%
Ingredients: Chicken, water, liver, meat by-products, salmon, rice, MINERALS [potassium chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite], guar gum, salt, carrageenan, choline chloride, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin A supplement, folic acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin (Vitamin B-7)]
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Best Budget Option: IAMS ProActive Health Wet Puppy Food
Generally speaking, wet food is on the pricier side. But this IAMS formula manages to balance quality nutrition with affordability for pet parents on a budget. This smooth pâté offers complete and balanced nutrition for puppies of all sizes. Many pet parents report improved digestion after incorporating this wet food into their puppy’s diet. It’s a minor convenience, but one we appreciate: the pull tab lid makes for easier opening.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,267 kcal/kg
- Protein: 40.91%
- Fat: 36.36%
- Carbohydrate: 15.91%
- Crude Fiber: 6.82%
- Calcium: 0.9 %
Ingredients: Sufficient Water for Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Brewers Rice, Meat Protein Isolate, Dried Egg Product, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Carrageenan, Monocalcium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Dried Yam, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Glycine, Sodium Nitrite (For Color Retention), Sage, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
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Best Subscription: Ollie
Ollie’s fresh food recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists, and they meet AAFCO guidelines for all life stages. Individual plans are tailored to your dog’s calorie needs based on their weight, age, activity level, and body composition.
All recipes contain a single meat protein, and most are grain-inclusive (with the exception of their beef recipe). Our human tester appreciated that the pâté texture was easy to serve and clean. And our canine tester appreciated the food’s palatable taste. If your puppy doesn’t like their starter kit, the company will refund you.
Key Nutrients (for Pork with Apples Recipe):
- Protein: 32.14%
- Fat: 25%
- Carbohydrate: 35.71%
- Crude Fiber: 7.14%
Ingredients: Pork, pork livers, butternut squash, rice, sweet potatoes, oats, peas, carrots, spinach, apples, tricalcium phosphate, salmon oil, salt, taurine, zinc gluconate, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulphate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), potassium iodide
Find on OllieBest Pâté: Wellness Complete Health Puppy Recipe
Just like humans, puppies have individual preferences, and different textures will appeal to different dogs. If your pup fancies a pâté-style wet food, this Wellness Complete recipe is a strong contender. The smooth, even consistency makes it ideal for spreading on a lick mat or freezing in a KONG.
As a brand, Wellness is refreshingly transparent with what goes into its food: full nutrient profiles of every recipe are available on their website, listing minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins alongside the AAFCO’s guidelines for growth and reproduction.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,226 kcal/kg
- Protein: 40.91%
- Fat: 27.27%
- Carbohydrate: 27.27%
- Crude Fiber: 4.55%
Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Ground Barley, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Canola Oil, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Dicalcium Phosphate, Apples, Pears, Bananas, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid
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Best Stew: Eukanuba Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef in Gravy
Maybe your puppy is less of a pâté pup and more into a meaty stew, in which case this chunky formula from Eukanuba might fit the bill. Made with chicken and beef, you can actually see the vegetable pieces and hunks of meat in it. Everything is coated in a nutrient-rich gravy.
This recipe is complete and balanced, so you can serve it alone—it also makes a fine meal topper to add interest and healthy calories.
Key Nutrients:
- 347.6 kcal/can
- Protein: 50%
- Fat: 22.22%
- Carbohydrate: 19.44%
- Crude Fiber: 8.33%
Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Beef Liver, Tomato, Beef, Carrots, Wheat Flour, Pork Plasma, Peas, Egg Product, Pork Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Powdered Cellulose, Vegetable Oil, Fish Oil, Guar Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Oxide, Trace Minerals[Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Vitamins[Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement]
Best Single Serve Tray: Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Healthy Growth Formula
Sometimes you can’t beat the convenience of a single-serve tray—especially for travel. Whether you’re heading to grandma’s or a day at the park, these portable cups are easy to tuck into your purse or bag. And if you have a smaller puppy, the 3.5 oz portion size means less waste. If you have any leftovers (unlikely), you can pop the lid back on.
Baby Blue comes in two recipes: chicken and lamb. Both have a smooth texture. They can be served as full entrees for smaller puppies, but we think they’d also be great for mixing into kibble or served as a treat between meals.
Key Nutrients:
- 1,224 kcal/kg; 122 Kcals/cup
- Protein: 40.91%
- Fat: 27.27%
- Carbohydrate: 25%
- Crude Fiber: 6.82%
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Peas, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal, Flaxseed, Barley, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cassia Gum, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Blueberries, Cranberries, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols
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