Wet food or dry food for cats

Either wet or dry food can feed a healthy cat well, if the label says it is complete and balanced for your cat's life stage. Wet food gives a cat much more water. Dry food is cheaper to store and easier to leave out. Many households feed a mix of both. Cats with a medical condition may need a particular choice, so ask your vet.

What the two types are

wet food comes in cans, pouches and trays. It is often 70 to 80 percent water. dry food, also called kibble, is baked or extruded and contains a small amount of water, usually around ten percent. Both are made from meat, fish, grains or other plant ingredients, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Cats are obligate carnivores. They need nutrients that come from animal tissue, such as taurine, and they use protein as a main source of energy. Both wet and dry foods can meet those needs. The label matters more than the format. Look for a statement that the food is complete and balanced for the stage of life your cat is in, such as growth, adult maintenance or all life stages. A food without such a statement is meant for treats or toppings and should not be the main diet.

How they differ

Water. A cat's natural prey is mostly water, and cats do not have a strong thirst drive. A cat on dry food needs to drink more to take in the same total water. Some do, and some do not. Wet food raises daily water intake with no effort from the cat. This helps urinary health in cats prone to bladder problems. See hydration.

Calories and weight. Dry food packs more calories into each bite, so it is easy to overfeed. A small scoop too many each day can lead to obesity over months. Wet food is less dense in calories, so a cat can eat a bigger volume for the same energy. Weight control is possible with either type if you measure portions.

Carbohydrate. Dry foods generally contain more starch, because starch helps form the kibble. Wet foods usually contain less. Vets differ on how much this matters for healthy cats. Ask your vet if your cat has diabetes or a weight problem.

Teeth. Many owners hear that kibble cleans teeth. Most ordinary kibble does not do so in a meaningful way, because cats tend to swallow it with little chewing. Some dry foods are designed for dental care and have test results behind them. Ask your vet. Do not rely on kibble to replace brushing or dental check-ups.

Convenience and cost. Dry food can sit in a bowl for much of a day. It is usually cheaper per day. Wet food spoils within a few hours once opened and needs to be refrigerated after that. It can be more expensive.

Appeal. Many cats prefer wet food for its smell and texture. Picky eaters, cats with sore mouths and cats that have lost interest in dry food often eat wet food more readily.

How to choose

1. Start with your cat's life stage and health. Kittens, adults and seniors each have different needs. Cats with kidney, urinary, thyroid or digestive conditions often need a special diet from the vet. Follow that plan.
2. Check the label for the complete and balanced statement. It should name the life stage.
3. Think about water intake. If your cat drinks little, add wet food. A water fountain may also help.
4. Think about weight. If your cat is overweight, measure portions and count every treat. If your cat is thin, tell your vet before changing the diet.
5. Think about your routine. If nobody is home during the day, a timed feeder or a small amount of dry food in a puzzle feeder may suit you better than wet food that cannot sit out.
6. Try one change at a time. Introduce a new food slowly, mixing it with the old one over about a week. A fast switch can cause an upset stomach or a cat that refuses to eat.
7. Use the numbers. The feeding calculator can estimate a daily calorie target. Check the figure with your vet.

Mixing wet and dry

Many owners use both. A common pattern is wet food at breakfast and dinner, with a small measured amount of dry food available in between. Another pattern is mostly wet food with a few kibbles used as treats or in a puzzle feeder. When you mix, count the calories from both foods. Both bags and cans list calories per serving or per kilogram.

Common mistakes

• Judging a food by its price, packaging or a picture of meat on the front.
• Feeding only treats or toppings, which are not complete foods.
• Leaving wet food in the bowl for many hours.
• Feeding dry food in a large bowl and refilling it by eye.
• Changing the food suddenly.
• Putting a healthy adult on a weight-loss diet without a vet's advice.
• Assuming a cat who will not touch a new food is simply fussy. A sore mouth or illness can cause the same behavior.
• Feeding a home-made or raw diet without advice. These can be unbalanced and can carry germs that harm both cats and people. Ask your vet before trying one.

When to call a vet or get help

Contact your vet if:

• Your cat has not eaten for a day or more. A cat that stops eating can develop a serious liver condition.
• Your cat is drinking much more than usual or urinating much more.
• Your cat strains in the litter box, passes only a little urine, or cries when trying to go. A male cat doing this needs a vet or emergency clinic at once.
• Your cat is losing or gaining weight without a change in food.
• Your cat has vomiting or diarrhea after a diet change that lasts more than a day.
• Your cat paws at its mouth, drops food or drools.

Summary

• Both wet and dry food can be complete and balanced. Check the label.
• Wet food adds water and is gentler on weight. Dry food is convenient but easy to overfeed.
• Mixing the two works well in many homes.
• Change foods slowly and measure portions.
• Cats with medical conditions may need a prescription diet. Ask your vet.