Which is better: wet cat food or dry cat food? It’s been a decades-long debate among cat owners, animal nutritionists, and veterinarians.
Wet food and dry food each have their advantages and disadvantages. While both are excellent choices for feeding your cat, one can be better than the other depending on existing health problems and lifestyle.
Contrary to popular belief, wet and dry food can provide your cat with a completely balanced diet in a unique way.
Wet vs. dry cat food
Wet cat food
The biggest difference between wet and dry foods is moisture content. The amount of moisture in wet cat food also lends itself to some nutritional benefits. Since wet food contains 65% more moisture than dry food, it supports digestion and hydration.
Due to its moisture, it also has a much shorter shelf life than dry food and should not be left at room temperature for more than 30 to 60 minutes to prevent the growth of bacteria. Leftovers must be thrown away or kept in the refrigerator.
If you are suspicious of keeping your cat’s food next to your leftovers, consider dry food. It’s a bit of a mess too.
Additionally, wet food may not be the best option if you have a busy schedule and leave your cat standing for hours at a time. You can risk wasting leftover amounts of cat food if the food is not refrigerated or consumed within its shelf life.
The short shelf life also prevents your cat from grazing all day like dry food, thanks to better portion control and a reduction in obesity in cats.
Here are some more benefits of wet cat food:
- Variety of flavors, textures, and smells cats love!
- Easier to chew
- Increases water absorption
- Reduces urinary tract problems in older cats
- Richer in protein
Dry cat food
As mainstream, dry food is the most popular choice among cat owners. It can be left out for several days without the risk of bacterial growth.
It’s easy to transport when traveling and much cheaper than wet food. You can buy larger bags of dry food and store them in an airtight container or dispenser that will portion the food.
Because of its crispness, the dry food can scratch your teeth as it chews and remove plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth.
Dry food has been attributed to health problems like diabetes, obesity, urinary tract infections, and kidney problems.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about cat food:
- Dry food contains less moisture and more sodium, which can lead to dehydration and lead to urinary tract infections and kidney problems.
- The extended shelf life allows for a leisurely snack that can lead to obesity.
- Dry food contains less protein and more carbohydrates. Because of the increased carbohydrates, diabetes can become a problem when servings are monitored.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between wet and dry. It’s a question of health and lifestyle. If you have any questions about which cat food is best for you and your furry friend, give our office a call!
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