Wet Cat Food vs Dry Cat Food

by Selina Torrez

A question that every cat owner asks themselves, their veterinarians, and Google at least once is if it is better to give their cats wet or dry food. You probably never got a concrete answer that says that the one or the other is better. 

When deciding on the best food for your cat, they should consider their age, preferences, allergies or other conditions, nutritional adequacy, etc. Everything gets more challenging when you go to the pet shop, and there are so many types and subtypes of food to choose from. It is the consistency you have to choose and the flavor, the packaging size, ingredients, and more. There are differences between wet and dry food. Keep reading to find more about it.  

More information on wet food

You probably have seen the many types of wet cat food in cans. Here’s the list of best canned food options for your cat that you can choose from. The canned food comes in all sizes and thus making it easy if you want to give your furry friend a different taste every day with a small can or pouch. Or if you’re going to stick to their favorite one, you can get it in a bigger package. The smaller packaging is making it easy on you when it comes to portion control as well. 

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You might have noticed that your cat eats more when you give it wet food, and it will drink less water overall. This is because the wet food is well… wetter and has at least 65 percent moisture content. This is why your cat is eating it most of the time at one sitting because they don’t need to stop and get some water meanwhile. 

Other benefits of wet food are that it is easier to chew, and there is an enormous variety in tastes and consistency, so your cat’s diet can be more diverse. Cats just love the texture of the wet food because it is closer to the food they would eat in the wild. In addition to that, the wet food smells better to them. 

A downside of wet food is that, in general, it is more expensive. Also, it is harder to keep a big can with wet food fresh once it is open. You should put them in a fringe, but cats don’t like cold food, so don’t forget to warm it up a bit before serving it to your pet. 

More information on dry food

Dry food is very convenient for cat parents. It can be bought in big packages, and it can be served to your pet longer after its opening than a wet one. The reason for its longer “life” is the percentage of water in it which is only around 20%. Those reasons make the food cheaper and a primary choice for many. 

The lower moisture percentage leads to less risk of bacterial growth, and you can leave it all day in your cat’s bowl. Another benefit of dry food is that it helps your cat teeth and mouth hygiene  — less plaque and tartar build ups.

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When cats have dry food, you can see that it takes your cat longer to eat because of the chewing. They also might make a pause to drink some water and not finish their portion all at once. 

The disadvantage of dry food is that it will be harder for cats to eat it after a certain age. For elderly cats, canned food is becoming the primary choice. This also applies to cats with particular health conditions that need higher moisture levels in their food. Something you should keep in mind is that you need to provide your pet with access to a water source like a bowl or a fountain to compensate for the lower moisture level. 

Should you give your cat dry or wet food?

The truth is that both wet and dry food are excellent choices for your cat. The critical part is the quality of the food and the particularities of your cat. Both wet and dry food has benefits, and mixing them might be the best choice. This will guarantee a complete and balanced diet for your pet.

The best approach might be to try both options with different tastes, packaging, texture, and consistency. Then you can see which one will be your furry friend’s favorite and create a schedule for them when they get wet food or dry food. Of course, your cat needs more than food to be happy, so make sure to keep it happy with a lot of cuddles and maybe a couple of toys to entertain them. 

Final thoughts 

The debate on whether wet food or dry food is better for your cat will last, and there won’t be a unanimous answer. It is essential to find the best solution for your cat by consulting with a vet and then providing your pet with different options. The variety of canned and dry foods guarantees that you will definitely find the perfect taste and texture for your friend.