Wet vs Dry Cat Food: Should You Use Both?

TL;DR: Deciding between wet and dry cat food involves understanding the benefits of both to provide a balanced diet for your feline friend. Here's a quick rundown:

• Benefits of Wet Cat Food:
  • Enhances hydration, crucial for kidney and urinary health.
  • High in protein, lower in carbohydrates, aiding in weight management.
  • Softer texture benefits kittens, seniors, and cats with dental issues.
• Benefits of Dry Cat Food:
  • Promotes dental health by reducing plaque and tartar.
  • Allows for grazing, suitable for cats that prefer eating throughout the day.
  • Convenient for controlled portioning and less messy.
• Combining Wet and Dry Food:
  • Offers comprehensive nutrition, combining the hydrating benefits of wet food with the dental benefits of dry food.
  • Catering to your cat's preference for variety can enhance appetite and enjoyment.

Wet vs dry cat food: which one should you feed your feline?

As a cat owner, this is one of the many important decisions you make on behalf of their health. Should you mix it up, keep it dry, or dive into the gravy-rich world of wet food?

Let’s explore this culinary crossroad together to settle the debate between wet vs dry cat food once and for all.

The Case for Wet Cat Food

Do cats need wet food? According to most experts, the answer is an overwhelming yes.

Wet food is more than just a tempting treat, it actually serves a very important role in helping to keep your cat hydrated.

Cats are notorious for turning their noses up at a water bowl. This can lead to dehydration and other health issues like urethral obstructions. Wet food should have a high moisture content above 75% to help keep your pet hydrated.

Similarly, wet food is better for cats that need more protein in their diet. The higher protein content, coupled with fewer carbohydrates, can also be ideal for managing weight.

Here are some more of the benefits of wet cat food:

• Nutrient-Rich: Often fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that are crucial for a cat's health.
• Easier to Eat: Soft texture makes it easier for kittens, senior cats, and cats with dental issues to chew and digest.
• Kidney Health: The additional moisture supports kidney function and helps prevent urinary crystals and stones.
• Lower in Carbohydrates: Beneficial for diabetic cats as it helps to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively than high-carb diets.
• Palatability: Generally more appealing to cats – especially finicky felines.

The Case for Dry Cat Food

Does this mean you should ditch dry food? Not at all!

When it comes to cat food that’s wet vs dry, kibble should also be a part of your pet’s diet. Complete and balanced dry food can offer many of the same nutritional benefits as wet food. Plus, it’s convenient to store and serve even if you’re busy.

Here are some of the other benefits of dry cat food:

• Dental Benefits: The texture of dry kibble helps scrape away plaque and tartar from the teeth, potentially reducing the risk of dental problems.
• Grazing: Can be left out all day without going bad. This allows cats to graze, which is perfect for pets who prefer to eat small amounts throughout the day.
• Less Messy: Produces less mess during feeding times compared to wet food.
• Portion Control: Easier to measure precise portions, which can help in managing calorie intake.

Wet Cat Food or Dry Cat Food: Which is Best?

Ultimately, cats need wet and dry food for balance.

Combining wet and dry food can help cover all nutritional bases. Wet food can provide additional protein and essential nutrients, while dry food can offer certain dietary fibers, minerals, and oral health benefits.

Your cat might also enjoy the variety of both types of food.

As a pet parent, a combination of wet and dry food is also convenient. You can easily adjust feeding practices based on your schedule and your cat’s preferences. For instance, wet food can be given when you’re home while dry food can be left out for the cat to graze on throughout the day. All the while, you can have peace of mind that your cat is enjoying a complete and balanced diet.

Tips For Feeding Cats Wet and Dry Food

The ratio of wet vs dry cat food depends on your pet’s age and other dietary requirements. Start by asking your vet how many calories your cat should be consuming a day and go from there to tailor a feeding schedule that works for them.

Kittens

Young cats need more protein and energy, and wet food can be helpful because it's easy to eat and digest. Incorporating some dry food can help kittens get used to different textures. Try using kibble as treats during training sessions to begin easing your pet into dry food.

Remember that you should be feeding your kitten food that is suitable for all life stages. Pet food made exclusively for adult cats might not have the ratio of protein and carbohydrates a kitten needs to grow.

Adult Cats

A mix of wet and dry food provides well-rounded nutrition for adult cats. How you balance the two really depends on your cat’s activity level and weight management. Active cats might benefit from calorie-dense dry food, while less active cats may need more wet food to reduce calorie intake and increase water consumption.

Some cats may prefer one type of food over the other, but offering both can stimulate their appetite and prevent boredom with their meals.

Senior Cats

Cats over 10 years old are considered senior and may have more specific dietary requirements. Namely, they might need a lower calorie intake or more easily digestible food. Your senior pet might also have age-related issues like kidney disease or teeth deterioration which can affect their dietary needs.

Wet food is often the best choice for older cats due to its higher moisture content and it’s simply easier to eat. As cats age, their metabolism slows down, and they might become less active. Wet food can help make sure they’re receiving necessary nutrients without too many added calories from filler ingredients.

Other Considerations for Wet vs Dry Cat Food

Cats with health issues like kidney disease, urinary tract health, or diabetes typically require a specialized diet. Your vet can help you find the best diet for your pet based on their health.

It’s also important to always ensure your cat has access to fresh water. Their water intake is the foundation of their health – and even wet food alone won’t provide the hydration they need. Try making water more enticing by using a fountain and making sure it’s always clean and fresh.

Wet Cat Food and Dry Cat Food from Boat to Bowl

By understanding and adjusting to your cat’s needs, you can create a balanced diet that incorporates the benefits of both wet and dry cat food.

Boat to Bowl now offers both dry and wet food to help provide your cat with the benefits of our fish-first recipe for every meal.

Shop a wide variety of seafood-based wet and dry cat food options now! From our Salmon Food Toppers to our Cod Pate Recipe, find healthy and sustainable seafood options your cat will love.