Glossary

Wet food

Cat food sold in cans, pouches or trays, containing roughly 70 to 80 percent water, which helps a cat get more fluid.

Also called: canned food, tinned food, pouches, pate, wet cat food

Wet food is cooked and sealed in cans, pouches or trays. Most contains roughly 70 to 80 percent water, compared with about 10 percent in dry kibble. Textures range from smooth pates to chunks in jelly or gravy.

Cats have a low thirst drive and tend to drink less than their bodies need, since their ancestors got most water from prey. A diet that includes wet food adds a good deal of fluid, which is useful for cats prone to urinary problems or kidney disease, see hydration. Wet food usually has more protein and fewer carbohydrates for the calories than dry, and many cats find it more appealing. It is easier to chew for cats with dental disease.

It costs more per serving and spoils faster. Do not leave it out for hours in warm rooms. Cover opened tins and refrigerate them, using them within the time on the label. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed.

Choose a food labelled complete and balanced. Some owners feed a mix of wet and dry, see dry food. Ask your vet how much to feed and which food suits your cat's weight and health.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Dry food Cat food baked or extruded into small pieces with about 10 percent water, convenient and shelf-stable but low in moisture. Hydration Keeping a cat's body supplied with enough water, which matters because cats drink little and are prone to urinary and kidney problems. Complete and balanced A pet-food label claim that a food supplies all the nutrients a cat needs at a stated life stage, when used as the only diet. Prescription diet A food made to help manage a medical condition such as kidney disease or urinary crystals, fed only on a vet's advice. Free feeding Leaving food out all day so a cat can eat when it likes, which suits some cats but often leads to overeating.

Related guides

Feeding a kitten: food, amounts and timing How to choose kitten food, how often to feed through the first year, wet versus dry, water and weight checks, and the signs that call for a vet. Wet food or dry food for cats What wet and dry cat food each offer, how water intake and weight differ, and how to choose or mix them with your vet's help.