Choosing the best dog food for your best friend is an essential part of being a dog owner. While kibble has its benefits, notwithstanding the cheaper price, canned dog food is high in fibre and protein and low in fat and has the right balance of carbohydrates. Wet food is quite effective at helping dogs maintain a healthy weight and can even help dogs lose weight.
But given the multitude of options out there, finding the best one can be challenging, especially if you’re Canadian. So, we created reviews of 10 of the best wet dog foods in Canada to make things a little easier. There are pros and cons for each brand, as well as a buyer’s guide, so your next canned dog food purchase can be an easy one.
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Beyond Grain Free Ground Entrée Variety Pack
Variety pack includes three flavours
Fish and poultry are the first and main ingredients
Limited ingredients only sourced from North America
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Best Value
Pedigree Chopped Adult Wet Dog Food
Inexpensive
Choose from three flavours
Real chicken is the main ingredient
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Premium Choice
Hill’s Science Diet Canned Dog Food
High-quality protein for adult dogs
Human-style beef and veggie stew
Contributes to a healthy digestive system and lean muscles
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Best for Puppies
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Canned Food
Supports a growing puppy’s development
Contributes to strong bones and teeth
Includes DHA for brain and eye development
Check Price
Nature’s Recipe Variety Pack Dog Food
Variety pack with three flavours
Shredded chicken in broth
No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial ingredients
Check Price
The 10 Best Wet Dog Foods in Canada
- Beyond Grain Free Entrée Variety Pack — Best Overall
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Size: 368-gram cans x 6
Flavours: Chicken and carrots and peas, cod, salmon and sweet potato, turkey and sweet potato
Texture: Ground
Special diet: Grain free
The overall best wet dog food for Canadian dogs is Beyond Grain-Free Ground Entrée Variety Pack. It comes in three different flavours: chicken, carrots, and peas; Alaskan cod, salmon, and sweet potato; and turkey and sweet potato. Variety packs give you the opportunity to do a little taste-testing with your dog. This food contains poultry and fish as the first and main ingredients. The ingredients are limited and can all be traced back to North American sources. It is grain free without any corn, soy, by-products, artificial colours, preservatives, or flavours.
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Size: 368-gram cans x 6
Flavours: Chicken and carrots and peas, cod, salmon and sweet potato, turkey and sweet potato
Texture: Ground
Special diet: Grain free
The flaws with this food are that it might cause stomach upset in some dogs and that picky pups might not like any of the flavours.
Pros
Variety pack includes three flavours
Fish and poultry are the first and main ingredients
Limited ingredients only sourced from North America
Grain free for any dogs sensitive to grains
No artificial ingredients
Cons
Might cause stomach upset
Picky dogs might not like any of the flavours
- Pedigree Chopped Adult Wet Dog Food — Best Value
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Size: 375-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef, chicken, or filet mignon
Texture: Chopped
Special diet: N/A
The best canned dog food for the money is Pedigree’s Chopped Adult Wet Dog Food. You can choose from three flavours — beef, chicken, or filet mignon — which come in 12 cans for an affordable price. It provides a balanced diet and has real chicken as the main ingredient. It is highly digestible, which allows for much easier nutrient absorption, and most dogs seem to enjoy this food!
Variety pack includes three flavours
Fish and poultry are the first and main ingredients
Limited ingredients only sourced from North America
Grain free for any dogs sensitive to grains
No artificial ingredients
- Variety pack includes three flavours
- Fish and poultry are the first and main ingredients
- Limited ingredients only sourced from North America
- Grain free for any dogs sensitive to grains
- No artificial ingredients
Might cause stomach upset
Picky dogs might not like any of the flavours
- Might cause stomach upset
- Picky dogs might not like any of the flavours
Size: 375-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef, chicken, or filet mignon
Texture: Chopped
Special diet: N/A
The problems with this food are that it contains artificial colours and that there are issues with the cans, which sometimes arrive dented if you order online. Also, if you have any issues with your fingers, the pull tab might be a challenge to open.
Pros
Inexpensive
Choose from three flavours
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Highly digestible with the right balance of nutrients
Cons
Contains artificial colours
Pull tabs might be challenging to open
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dog Food — Premium Choice
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Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef and vegetables
Texture: Stew
Special diet: Adults 1–6 years
Hill’s Science Diet Canned Dog Food is a delicious beef-and-vegetable stew that’s a high-quality source of protein for adult dogs. It is an actual stew containing vegetables such as peas, spinach, carrots, and potatoes, in addition to pork liver and beef. It contributes to lean muscles and a healthy digestive system because it’s quite easy to digest. Most dogs seem to enjoy eating this human-style stew!
Inexpensive
Choose from three flavours
Real chicken is the main ingredient
Highly digestible with the right balance of nutrients
- Inexpensive
- Choose from three flavours
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Highly digestible with the right balance of nutrients
Contains artificial colours
Pull tabs might be challenging to open
- Contains artificial colours
- Pull tabs might be challenging to open
Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef and vegetables
Texture: Stew
Special diet: Adults 1–6 years
However, it is expensive, and small dogs might have difficulty eating this stew — the chunks of meat and veggies can be a bit large for tiny mouths.
Pros
High-quality protein for adult dogs
Human-style beef and veggie stew
Contributes to a healthy digestive system and lean muscles
Most dogs love it
Cons
Expensive
Food chunks can be large
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Canned Food — Best for Puppies
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Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Chicken and vegetable
Texture: Stew
Special diet: For puppies
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Canned Food is a great food for puppies ages 1 and under. It has the perfect balance of minerals and vitamins for puppies and includes DHA for healthy eye and brain development. Thanks to the highly digestible ingredients and added calcium, it will support your puppy’s growing bones and teeth and is easy to digest. This is a tasty stew with a variety of meat and vegetables.
High-quality protein for adult dogs
Human-style beef and veggie stew
Contributes to a healthy digestive system and lean muscles
Most dogs love it
- High-quality protein for adult dogs
- Human-style beef and veggie stew
- Contributes to a healthy digestive system and lean muscles
- Most dogs love it
Expensive
Food chunks can be large
- Expensive
- Food chunks can be large
Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Chicken and vegetable
Texture: Stew
Special diet: For puppies
However, this food is quite expensive, and some of the chunks might be too big for the small puppies.
Pros
Supports a growing puppy’s development
Contributes to strong bones and teeth
Includes DHA for brain and eye development
Human-style chicken and veggie stew
Easily digested
Cons
Expensive
Some chunks might be too big for tiny mouths
- Nature’s Recipe Variety Pack
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Size: 78-gram cups x 12
Flavours: Chicken, chicken and duck, chicken and venison
Texture: Shredded meat in broth
Special diet: N/A
Nature’s Recipe Variety Pack contains three flavours: chicken, chicken and duck, and chicken and venison. It features shredded chicken in broth with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that dogs need. It doesn’t have any added corn, soy, wheat, by-products, or artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. It comes in easy-to-serve cups, so you can simply peel and serve.
Supports a growing puppy’s development
Contributes to strong bones and teeth
Includes DHA for brain and eye development
Human-style chicken and veggie stew
Easily digested
- Supports a growing puppy’s development
- Contributes to strong bones and teeth
- Includes DHA for brain and eye development
- Human-style chicken and veggie stew
- Easily digested
Expensive
Some chunks might be too big for tiny mouths
- Expensive
- Some chunks might be too big for tiny mouths
Size: 78-gram cups x 12
Flavours: Chicken, chicken and duck, chicken and venison
Texture: Shredded meat in broth
Special diet: N/A
The issues are that it’s expensive for 12 cups, and it might cause stomach upset in some dogs.
Pros
Variety pack with three flavours
Shredded chicken in broth
No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial ingredients
Peel-and-serve individual cups
Cons
Expensive for 12 cups
Might cause stomach upset
- Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Variety Pack
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Size: 368-gram cans x 6
Flavours: Turkey and venison, Chicken and duck
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: N/A
The Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Variety Pack is a handy variety pack that includes three cans of chicken and duck and three cans of turkey and venison flavours. The first and main ingredients are whole chicken or turkey (depending on the flavour), so it’s an excellent source of protein. It has the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy diet and contains a natural source of glucosamine to maintain healthy joints. It doesn’t have any artificial flavours, colours, or fillers.
Variety pack with three flavours
Shredded chicken in broth
No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial ingredients
Peel-and-serve individual cups
- Variety pack with three flavours
- Shredded chicken in broth
- No corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial ingredients
- Peel-and-serve individual cups
Expensive for 12 cups
Might cause stomach upset
- Expensive for 12 cups
- Might cause stomach upset
Size: 368-gram cans x 6
Flavours: Turkey and venison, Chicken and duck
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: N/A
The flaws here are that some dogs seem to dislike this food and that some of the cans seem to contain a fair amount of gel-like substance on top of the food.
Pros
Two different flavours in six cans
Turkey or chicken are the main ingredients
Balanced nutrition with a natural source of glucosamine
No fillers or artificial colours or flavours
Cons
Picky dogs might reject it
Gel-like substance can be found on top of the food
- Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
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Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Chicken and vegetable
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Sensitive skin and stomach
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Canned Dog Food is a good option for dogs with skin and/or stomach problems. It’s grain free for any dogs with sensitivities to grains and is made with ingredients that are easily digested. It’s a chicken-and-vegetable pâté and provides a balanced diet and nutrition for digestive health. It includes omega-6 and vitamin E, which can additionally aid in healthy skin and coat.
Two different flavours in six cans
Turkey or chicken are the main ingredients
Balanced nutrition with a natural source of glucosamine
No fillers or artificial colours or flavours
- Two different flavours in six cans
- Turkey or chicken are the main ingredients
- Balanced nutrition with a natural source of glucosamine
- No fillers or artificial colours or flavours
Picky dogs might reject it
Gel-like substance can be found on top of the food
- Picky dogs might reject it
- Gel-like substance can be found on top of the food
Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Chicken and vegetable
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Sensitive skin and stomach
The problems here are that it is expensive and that the texture might be inconsistent. Sometimes, the pâté can be dry, and at other times, it’s on the mushy side.
Pros
Grain free for dogs with grain sensitivity
Easily digestible ingredients
Balanced nutrition for stomach and skin health
Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for skin and coat health
Cons
Expensive
Inconsistent texture
- Purina Pro Plan Wet Dog Food
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Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Salmon and rice
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Sensitive skin and stomach
Purina’s Pro Plan Wet Dog Food is a great option for dogs with stomach and/or skin issues. It’s a tasty salmon and rice pâté, which is quite gentle on the digestive tract and stomach because it’s easily digested. It contains omega fatty acids, including linoleic acid, for a healthy coat and skin. It doesn’t have corn, wheat, soy, or any chicken, which should be helpful if your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity to any of these ingredients.
Grain free for dogs with grain sensitivity
Easily digestible ingredients
Balanced nutrition for stomach and skin health
Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for skin and coat health
- Grain free for dogs with grain sensitivity
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Balanced nutrition for stomach and skin health
- Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for skin and coat health
Expensive
Inconsistent texture
- Expensive
- Inconsistent texture
Size: 363-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Salmon and rice
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Sensitive skin and stomach
The issues are that some dogs don’t like salmon and might reject this food and that some dogs might experience stomach upset.
Pros
Helps dogs with stomach and/or skin issues
Salmon-and-rice formula is gentle on the stomach
Linoleic acid for healthy coat and skin
No chicken or grains
Cons
Picky dogs might not like salmon
Some dogs might have an upset stomach
- Hill’s Science Diet Senior Canned Dog Food
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Size: 371-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef and barley
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Senior dogs 7+
Hill’s Science Diet Senior Canned Dog Food is easy to digest and keeps muscles lean for senior dogs over the age of 7. It contains the all-important antioxidants to support your older dog’s overall health and includes vitamin E and omega fatty acids to maintain a healthy coat and skin. There are also added minerals that contribute to kidney and heart health.
Helps dogs with stomach and/or skin issues
Salmon-and-rice formula is gentle on the stomach
Linoleic acid for healthy coat and skin
No chicken or grains
- Helps dogs with stomach and/or skin issues
- Salmon-and-rice formula is gentle on the stomach
- Linoleic acid for healthy coat and skin
- No chicken or grains
Picky dogs might not like salmon
Some dogs might have an upset stomach
- Picky dogs might not like salmon
- Some dogs might have an upset stomach
Size: 371-gram cans x 12
Flavours: Beef and barley
Texture: Pâté
Special diet: Senior dogs 7+
However, this is expensive food, and there might be problems with the texture. There are times when the food can be quite dry.
Pros
High-quality protein for older dogs
Easily digested
Antioxidants for overall health
Added minerals for kidney and heart health
Cons
Expensive
Texture can sometimes be dry
- Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack
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Size: 100-gram trays x 24
Flavours: Grilled chicken, NY strip, and lamb
Texture: Loaf in sauce
Special diet: Small dogs
The Cesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Variety Pack gives you three flavours — New York strip, lamb, and grilled chicken — all for small dogs. It comes with 24 trays, which works out to 8 trays for each of the flavours, and they are designed to make feeding your pup a little easier. Each tray is a single serve, so you just peel and serve and don’t have to worry about any leftovers. It is a high-quality protein, which provides a balanced diet for your small breed dog.
High-quality protein for older dogs
Easily digested
Antioxidants for overall health
Added minerals for kidney and heart health
- High-quality protein for older dogs
- Easily digested
- Antioxidants for overall health
- Added minerals for kidney and heart health
Expensive
Texture can sometimes be dry
- Expensive
- Texture can sometimes be dry
Size: 100-gram trays x 24
Flavours: Grilled chicken, NY strip, and lamb
Texture: Loaf in sauce
Special diet: Small dogs
The flaws with this food are that it might cause some dogs to have diarrhea, and when you consider how small these trays are, they are expensive.
Pros
Three different flavours
24 peel-and-serve trays, so no leftovers
Variety pack great for picky dogs
Balanced diet for small breeds
Cons
Might cause stomach upset
Expensive for small trays
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Wet Dog Food in Canada
This buyer’s guide is designed to provide you with tips on purchasing wet dog food. This way, you can better understand what you might need to look for before you try out a new food on your dog.
Three different flavours
24 peel-and-serve trays, so no leftovers
Variety pack great for picky dogs
Balanced diet for small breeds
- Three different flavours
- 24 peel-and-serve trays, so no leftovers
- Variety pack great for picky dogs
- Balanced diet for small breeds
Might cause stomach upset
Expensive for small trays
- Might cause stomach upset
- Expensive for small trays
Price
Dog food tends to be pricey. This is partly due to most dog food being manufactured in the United States, which is then imported into Canada.
Ingredients
The ingredients in most dog food can be an issue for many dog parents. However, keep in mind that unless your vet has told you to keep certain ingredients away from your dog, you don’t have to worry too much if your dog is eating food that contains by-products or corn. According to the AKC, the main foods that trigger food sensitivities and allergies are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and egg, in that order.
If your dog seems to have a reaction to the new food, see your vet so they can determine what the issue is. It might not even be the food!
Online Shopping Issues
One issue with shopping online is that sometimes the food might arrive damaged. Many customers have to deal with dented cans, which might contribute to the food going off. But you can sometimes get better deals online, and it’s certainly easier to have heavy cans of food delivered to your door instead of you lugging them home.
Introducing New Food
When introducing a new food to their dog, some owners might instantly replace the old food with the new one without a slow transition. This can lead to stomach upset in many dogs. It’s always safest to replace a small amount of the old food with the new food and then slowly increase that amount over time. This gives your dog’s digestive system time to adjust to the new formula.
But be sure to speak to your vet before you buy any new food, particularly if your dog has any health issues. Your vet can also give you advice on the best choices for your dog.
- See Also: 10 Best Dry Dog Foods in Canada
Final Thoughts
Our favourite overall wet dog food is Beyond Grain-Free Ground Entrée Variety Pack. It comes in three different flavours without any artificial ingredients, and the limited ingredients can all be traced back to North American sources. Pedigree’s Chopped Adult Wet Dog Food is affordable and is highly digestible, which enables easier nutrient absorption. Finally, Hill’s Science Diet Canned Dog Food is our premium choice pick because it is a delicious human-style beef-and-vegetable stew that has a high-quality source of protein and is easy to digest.
We hope that these reviews have helped Canadian dog owners on the hunt for new wet food and that your dog will love the newest delicious addition to their diet.
- See also: 10 Best Grain-Free Dog Foods in Canada
Featured Image Credit: mattycoulton, Pixabay
