Ultimately, your cat will decide whether she prefers dry or
Both dry and wet food, if they are good quality and nutritionally complete and balanced, can provide everything a cat needs for optimal health. The main difference between them is the moisture content, or the proportional amount of water in the food.
So, do cats need wet food? Not necessarily, but feeding a combination of wet and dry food can give your cat the benefits of both. The wet food will increase her total daily water intake and provide her the variety she wants and the dry kibble will help keep her teeth clean.
High moisture.
Higher water content means they're getting most of their daily hydration through their food. This is a huge plus for cats who forget to visit their water bowl, are prone to constipation, have been diagnosed with kidney disease, or have certain urinary tract diseases, like urinary crystals or stones.
"Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced," says Dr. Kallfelz. Dry food may be less expensive than canned cat food and may stay fresher longer. Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages.
Canned food is more expensive per energy calorie than kibble due to the high water content and the packaging. Another disadvantage to canned cat food is that for some cats, canned food may contribute to periodontal disease.
Grazing or free feeding is a term, which refers to allowing your cat access to dry food all day, everyday - can severely impact the longevity of their lives. It increases the risk of many health issues such as urinary tract issues, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, and physiological issues.
The mix is key: The right balance between dry and wet food
Mixed feeding – that is, feeding wet and dry food – combines the advantages of both food types. However, instead of mixing wet and dry food in a bowl, you should offer each food type in a separate bowl at a certain time of day.
You can choose to feed your cat a diet that consists solely of canned cat food or wet food pouches, just make sure to know their caloric needs and not overfeed.
Some cats become picky about their food if they have too many options. If you provide wet food of different varieties, multiple types of kibble, and lots of treats, then your cat may be overwhelmed by all the textures and flavors.
Cats can eat tuna as a treat and in small amounts, once or twice weekly at a maximum. Choose tuna in natural spring water. Avoid feeding cats tuna in oil or tuna in brine as these human tuna foods contain too much salt and oil so lack any health benefit, and can cause harm.
Whiskas are an average dry cat food and best as a sometimes choice for adult cats. Positives are the affordability, variety, and packaging clarity. Customers report great results, but our cat wasn't so sure. Negatives are the mixed taste, high carb content, and low protein.
The Bottom Line. While Fancy Feast can be part of a balanced diet for your cat and provides complete nutrition, it may not be quite as fancy as the name suggests. As with any food, ensure the first few ingredients are high-quality, natural proteins like fish, chicken, or meat.
On the downside, wet food is usually more expensive than dry food, and it can spoil more quickly if not refrigerated properly. Dry food is generally less expensive than wet food and has a longer shelf life. It's also lower in calories and fat, which can benefit overweight cats or those with diabetes.
As with kittens, feel free to offer your cat a variety of food such as fresh or cooked meat or fish. Meaty bones or fresh meat is a great source of protein, just make sure it's human-grade as some pet meat and bone products may contain preservatives that can be harmful for your cat.
Even if your cat prefers to eat their food in a few sittings, don't be tempted to leave wet food out all day, as this increases the risk of disease-causing bacteria developing. After a maximum of four hours, throw out the old food and wash the bowl properly with soap and water before refilling with fresh food.
You can feed your cat wet food daily. If you're wondering, “how much wet food should I feed my cat?” check the can or consult your veterinarian for feeding recommendations. In general, you can feed an average-sized adult cat one 3-ounce can per 3 to 3½ pounds of body weight daily.
Cats can and should eat wet food all their lives. It has higher protein that cats need to fuel their muscles. You can supplement with a good quality grain free dry if you want them to have a little something crunchy, but it's not necessary.
After all, all cats are different. But there are some guidelines you can follow. Let's take a look at the first guiding principle right now: Generally the average adult cat should weigh around 10 pounds and needs about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of food per day.
While a cat's natural inclination is to have many small meals spread throughout the day, a healthy cat will be perfectly content eating once or twice per day as long as she is getting what she needs from those meals.
That said, the general rule that I stick by is approximately 1/4 cup of dry food twice a day for adult cats, and approximately 1/4-1/2 can of canned food (grueled with more water) as a snack. Kittens typically require feedings 3-4x/day; consider weaning them to an adult cat food around 6-8 months of age.
In the wild, cats receive almost 80% of their overall hydration from prey like birds and rodents, not from drinking water! At home, high moisture foods like raw or canned are the closest thing to providing a naturally balanced diet because they contain lots of moisture, are high in protein, and lower in carbohydrates.
Often, we jump to the worst conclusions and forget the obvious reason why a cat might not finish their food: its stomach is full. Cats have small stomachs; on average about the size of a ping-pong ball, so their eating patterns can involve several breaks rather than eating an entire portion in one sitting.
Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
There is a debate on how long wet cat food can sit out, but the general consensus is that it should only be left out for 1-2 hours indoors at room temperature. After a couple of hours, wet cat food will dry up and congeal and become less appealing to your kitty, and become a breeding ground for bacteria.