Wet Cat Food vs Dry Cat Food: Which to Choose?
When deciding what to feed your cat, there is a lot of information out there that can be confusing. The best cat food can depend on the health, lifestyle, and preferences of your cat, as well as you – the cat parent. Let’s simplify what nutritional factors to consider, as well as the pros and cons of dry and wet cat food.
Moisture Content
Cat dry food and wet food have the same nutritional standards, but differ in quantity and quality. That’s why the best cat food is the one that meets your cat’s unique health and lifestyle needs.
Cats Can Eat Dry Food
Most cat owners usually opt to feed their cat dry food. Why?
There are many advantages to dry cat food which make it a compelling cat food choice:
– Dry food can be stored conveniently and is also easy to service.
– Compared to wet food, dry food is cheaper.
– The shelf life of dry food is longer and can be kept without refrigeration.
– Cats can be free-fed without much worry and it can even be served as a dental treat since the crunch can help keep their teeth clean.
Still, there are many reasons why dry food should be avoided. This is especially true as many dry foods lack hydration and are higher on the carbohydrate scale which can be very detrimental to some cats.
If your cats are generally healthy, but you would want a more economical feeding option, dry cat food is a good choice.
Wet Cat Food
Cats enjoy eating wet food because it closely mimicks their natural diet. Because of this, many veterinarians encourage feeding it to house cats.
Benefits of Wet Food
– Lots of Water Content – good for hydration
– High in Protein – and has less Carbs than most dry foods
– Seniors and Kittens – softer food is easier for them to chew
– Picky Cats – wet food tends to be more appetizing to cats with more refined palates
– Urinary Health – eating this food can prevent urinary and kidney problems
Disadvantages of Wet Food
– Price – wet food is usually more expensive than dry food
– Spoilage – after a can is opened, the remaining food needs to be refrigerated
– Time – once wet food has been out for a while, it must be thrown away
Wet food is the best choice for cats that do not drink a lot of water, have urinary problems, or have other health concerns.
So, is wet food or dry food better for cats?
There is no definitive answer to this question.
If cost and storage ease are more important, dry food is the better choice. If your cat needs more hydration, protein and health support, wet food is better.
The best choice is feeding them a combination of wet and dry food.
Most vets encourage this because the cat will have a good balance of hydration and convenience.
Advice to Help Select the Best Food for Your Cats
Make sure to check the protein level in the food. Look for meat and protein sources in the food.
Stay away from fillers or manufactured products.
Fresh water should always be made available to the cats.
Ask a vet about what diet to feed your cats.
Final Thoughts from PW Pets RAK
Cats have different dietary needs, so the answer to the question of which is better, dry cat food or wet cat food, depends on the cats. It is essential to also ensure your cat has a balanced diet, is properly hydrated, and has high quality ingredients.
Every cat is deserving of the right nutrition that gives a happy and healthy life and here at PW Pets RAK, we stand behind that. If you’re ever in doubt of what choice is best for your cat, feel free to reach out and our pet care professionals will assist you.
