Guide · UK sources · checked 5 October 2026
Feeding your dog: wet, dry and the rest.
This guide sets out what UK charities, vets and government bodies say, and where they stop short of a clear answer.
Start with “complete”
PDSA explains that complete foods supply the full range of nutrients a dog needs, while complementary foods do not and have to be combined with other food. Treats and dental chews are typical complementary products, and the packs can look alike, so read the label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s nutrition committee likewise advises checking that a food is labelled as complete for your dog’s life stage. The British Veterinary Association’s feeding working group suggests that, as a general rule for healthy adult dogs, about 90% of calories should come from a complete diet and up to 10% from treats and extras.
Wet or dry?
None of the sources we read ranks wet food above dry food, or the reverse, for health. The differences they describe are practical:
- Wet (tinned or pouch): PDSA says many dogs like it, and that it spoils quickly once opened.
- Dry (kibble): PDSA says it is usually cheaper per portion and fed in smaller amounts. Both PDSA and Dogs Trust mention possible benefits for teeth; neither page cites evidence for that, so treat it as a possibility rather than a reason to choose.
- Mixing is possible if you adjust the portions so the total stays right.
Editorial note: because the sources do not rank them, the sensible choice is a complete food your dog eats well and that you can store and serve consistently. Ask your vet if you are unsure.
Life stage and amounts
- Foods are made for puppies, adults and seniors. Dogs Trust says puppies can move to adult food when they stop growing, and that the timing varies with breed and size.
- Follow the pack’s feeding guide and weigh portions rather than estimating. The British Veterinary Association’s group describes obesity as one of the most common long-standing nutrition problems; Dogs Trust links excess weight with arthritis, diabetes and heart disease and offers a body-condition chart.
- Dogs Trust suggests keeping treats to about a tenth of the diet. Count training treats too.
- Change foods gradually, over a few days to a week according to Dogs Trust, to avoid an upset stomach.
- Fresh water should always be available (RSPCA, Dogs Trust).
Raw feeding
The evidence and the advice here are cautious. The British Veterinary Association’s group says some studies suggest possible benefits but all are small-scale and further research is needed; it also describes good-quality evidence on the risks, including contamination with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli and a link to a human outbreak. The Food Standards Agency (guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) says raw pet food can pass germs to people as well as pets, with higher risk for children under five, older people and anyone with a weakened immune system, and gives hygiene steps: wash hands with soap after handling, keep raw food away from human food, use separate utensils and clean surfaces.
Dogs Trust says it is difficult to give a dog everything it needs on a homemade or raw diet, recommends commercial dog food instead, and says to seek veterinary advice first if you decide to feed this way. PDSA says that if you choose it, use a commercially prepared complete product rather than a homemade mix. We found no source in this set that says raw feeding has proven health benefits.
Vegetarian and vegan diets
PDSA says commercial plant-based dog foods exist and recommends speaking to a vet first. The British Veterinary Association’s group says a complete plant-based diet can be formulated for dogs but that the supporting research is limited, relying on self-selected samples and subjective assessment. Treat this as a vet conversation, not a default.
Foods to keep away from dogs
Dogs Trust lists chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, macadamia nuts and xylitol (a sweetener) as harmful. The RSPCA also names chocolate and onions. If your dog eats something on the list, call a vet. Do not rely on this list as complete.
When to ask a vet
Allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, weight changes, or a change in eating or drinking can point to illness, so ask your vet (PDSA, RSPCA, Dogs Trust). Editorial note: breed is not the main driver of the basics above, though size and age influence the food and quantity.
Sources
- PDSA, types of diets for dogs ↗ (page dated 5 August 2021)
- Dogs Trust, diet and nutrition ↗
- RSPCA, feeding your dog ↗
- Food Standards Agency, raw pet food ↗ (17 January 2024)
- British Veterinary Association, companion animal feeding report ↗ (July 2024)
- WSAVA, selecting a pet food ↗ (international, March 2021)
Limits: UK charity and professional guidance, summarised in our own words; some pages are undated or several years old. This is general information, not veterinary advice for your dog. No brand or product is recommended, and nothing here changes breed matching.