Dry vs Wet Food for Cats

The debate between dry food vs wet food is a never-ending one. There’s no right or wrong answer about whether you should feed wet or dry food (or both) to your cat.

Wet Food: Pros

1. Wet food has a much higher moisture content - 75% water. This is roughly equal to the percentage of water in cats' prey in the wile. Dry Food is only about 10% water. The higher moisture content helps with hydration and easing urinary and kidney issues for most cats. 
   
   
2. Wet cat food, in general, contains more meat than kibble diets. Since cats are obligate carnivores, wet cat food is better suited to their dietary needs. 
   
   
3. Wet food releases a stronger aroma, and this in turn, is more appetizing for cats.

Wet Food: Cons

1. Wet food generally costs more for its volume as it is rich in meat protein. 
   
   
2. Wet food needs to be stored appropriately to avoid bacterial infestations. 
   
   
3. Wet food cannot be left out for very long and hence is not practical for "free feeding" cats. 

Dry Food: Pros

1. Kibble is a great choice for "free feeding" cats as the food can be left out without the risk of bacterial infestations in comparison to wet food. 
   
   
2. It's less expensive than wet food and stores for longer periods of time.
   
   
3. Energy-dense - meaning a cat can consume lots of calories quickly
   
   
4. Commonly believed that chewing involved in consuming dry food helps to clean debris off the teeth and reduce the severity of dental disease.

Dry Food: Cons

1. For cats with health conditions, dry food may not be as beneficial as canned partially because it lacks the water content that makes it easier to digest.
    
2. Tends to have more carbohydrates and less protein than wet food.
   
   
3. Has about 10% moisture content

So, what now? Mixed Feeding?

Mixed feeding routines can offer the best of both worlds - Dry and Wet Food. As such, you could feed your cat dry food in the morning, and wet in the evening or vice versa. 

As an alternative, you could also mix your cat's dry food with wet cat food, which can also help her get additional moisture with her meal. However, it is still important to maintain proper portion control to ensure your cat is getting the proper amount of nutrients to maintain a healthy weight.

No matter which type of cat food you choose, the debate between wet vs. dry cat food isn't easy. Each cat is unique has her own tastes and preferences which will impact the food you provide. Consult with your cat's vet if you have any questions about choosing wet vs. dry cat food.