Wet Vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?
When you head out to the grocery store to buy cat food for your furry friend, it is only natural to want to buy the type that is going to be the best for your cat. With so many brands and varieties, one has to start at the beginning and decide on the first question: should I buy canned or dry food?
The answer to this should depend on several factors. Your cat’s weight and health are one, and another aspect to consider is your budget. Asking your veterinarian for advice on the subject is always a wise decision.
The Differences Between Wet and Dry Cat Food
Moisture Content: Logically, the primary difference between wet and dry cat food is the amount of water that they contain. While dry cat food only contains 10% water, canned wet food contains around 70 percent. This is important to know if your cat has any health conditions that would benefit from increasing its water intake.
Preparation Procedure: Wet foods are usually created from frozen or fresh meats that are combined with a grain-derived protein source. Then they are mixed with vitamins, water, and fats. After they are canned, they are heated in order to destroy germs.
Dry cat food is made by cooking meats and fats at a high pressure and temperature where vitamins and minerals are added. Fat is then sprayed on the food to make it taste better.
Nutrition: Canned wet food typically contains fewer carbohydrates than dry cat food does. However, the protein and fat content may vary by brand.
Benefits of Canned Cat Food
The biggest advantage of feeding a cat canned wet food is the fact that it contains more water than canned food does. This is of particular benefit to cats who need extra water because they have sicknesses such as kidney disease for example.
Another advantage is that in general, cats love the taste of wet cat food over dry.
Drawbacks of Canned Cat Food
Most of the time, canned cat food costs more than dry cat food does. This will either influence your final decision or it won’t.
Another drawback of canned wet cat food is that it needs to be stored in the refrigerator once it has been opened. After 24 hours have passed, it has to be thrown away. In addition to this, wet food shouldn’t be left out for your cat for more than 2 hours at a time as food contamination becomes a risk.
Benefits of Dry Cat Food
Perhaps the most appreciated benefit of buying dry cat food is its inexpensive cost. Those who need to follow a strict budget or who take care of feral cats may commonly select this option.
Another benefit of dry cat food is that you don’t have to store it in the refrigerator. You can safely leave it inside of your cat’s bowl for much of the day. However, when nighttime comes, it is time to throw it out.
Dry cat food can also be used as treats in puzzle feeder toys to keep your cat’s attention.
Drawbacks of Dry Cat Food
Studies have traced the connection between obesity in cats and feeding them dry cat food. They concluded that this might be because many cats who are fed dry cat food are fed freely, without their food being measured out.
Another potential problem with dry cat food is that older cats with dental disease or that are missing teeth may find it difficult to chew dry food.
A Possible Solution
To create a balance between canned and dry cat food, you might try feeding them both to your cat. Your cat might like to eat canned better, but you could use it as a treat instead of something that you give your cat all of the time.
However, before mixing wet and dry cat food, it is always best to get advice from your veterinarian about your specific pet.