Should You Give Your Cat Dry Food or Wet Food?

When it comes to giving your cat the very best, how do you know if you are making the right food choices?  There is such a wide variety of both dry foods and wet foods that it can be daunting to decide how to best nourish your feline friend.  There are reasons why dry food may be the answer for your cat and for others wet food could be the best choice.  There are factors you must consider before deciding on wet or dry food, including the cats weight, temperament, any health problems, and even if the pet needs to be on a “diet”.

As a general rule, wet food will provide cats with the proper nutrition for their dietary needs because of fish or meat being the primary ingredient.  Cats need the amino acid taurine, which is found primarily in the muscle meat of animals.  Wet cat food generally has some sort of gravy, giving it a taste that almost any cat will crave.  One of the problems with wet cat food though is the caloric content, causing some cats to gain weight.

Another potential problem with wet cat foods is the dental effects it has on cats teeth.  Gingivitis is a common dental problem in cats, but if proper preventative care is practiced, the possibility is lessened.  If choosing wet food as the primary nutrition for your cat, be sure to look for a premium brand with animal protein as the main ingredient.

There are a variety of reasons why dry food may be the better choice for cats, depending on the factors mentioned above.  If you have an average cat in generally good health, dry food can be just as nutritious as well as more convenient.  In terms of convenience, you are able to leave dry food in your cats bowl, allowing your cat to eat when he is hungry (wet food must be refrigerated once opened if not consumed in a short amount of time).

The problem with letting cats eat at their leisure is that it could promote weight gain or weight loss, depending on how often the cat comes back for more.  Dry cat foods are typically higher in carbohydrates, so if leaving it in the bowl during the day, limit the amount and do not continue to add more when it is gone.

Because wet cat food has a water content that dry food does not, dehydration could become a problem is your cat is not drinking an appropriate amount of water.  If you are feeding with dry food and notice any signs of dehydration, switching to wet food could fix the problem.

Overall, there is no better choice when it comes to wet or dry food unless directed by your veterinarian for certain health issues.  When choosing the food, whether it is wet or dry, opt for a premium food and check the ingredients, staying away from any that include meat by-products.