What to feed your cat - wet or dry food?
With so many cat food options out there, it can be hard to know what to feed your cat. Due to the many benefits of wet and dry cat food, feeding your cat a combination of both in their daily diet can be the best option - to give your feline friend the best of both worlds!
As wet and dry cat food both provide so many unique benefits to your pet, it can be hard to choose between them. The great thing is that you don’t have to! When it comes to feeding your pet, a combination of both can be the best option to provide a range of health benefits for your cat.
Benefits of wet food:
Increase water intake
Some pets may struggle to get enough hydration day-to-day, which is particularly important in summer or in pet’s that are prone to urinary tract infections disease (a common problem in cats and small dogs). However, since wet food has increased moisture content, it’s a great way to add additional hydration to your pet’s daily intake.
Increases palatability
Since wet food has a stronger aroma compared to dry food, the enhanced smell makes this food more palatable for fussy eaters. Plus, since its highly digestible, easy to chew and has an enticing meaty aroma, wet food can also be a great choice for kittens, seniors and pets recovering from illness.
Pro tip: If you have to give your pet medication in the form of tablets, it’s easier to hide medication in wet food.
Variety
Wet food helps provide variety in flavour, texture and aroma, which can make mealtime more enjoyable and exciting. Plus, there are lots of flavours and textures available to suit your cat's unique tastes!
Weight management
Adding a wet meal to your cat’s diet can be helpful for weight loss and/or healthy weight maintenance. Since wet food is less energy-dense than dry kibble, this means that a larger meal can be fed for the same number of calories - allowing your pet to feel fuller and more satisfied after their meals.
Healthy Metabolism
Wet food provides a healthy balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which helps maintain a healthy metabolism.
Benefits of dry food:
More economical
Dry food contains approximately 4 x more calories per kg than wet food. This makes it more economical compared to wet food.
Flexible feeding
For cats who like to eat on their own schedule, dry food is very convenient because you can leave it in their bowl all day for them to nibble on whenever they feel like it. In comparison, wet food must be removed within 60 minutes of it being set out.
Improves oral health
Some diets are greatly beneficial to dental health, by breaking down plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth.
Contain added minerals and vitamins
Dry cat food is made with top quality ingredients and contain added vitamins and minerals - beneficial for overall health, bone development and intelligence.
Weight goals
Adding nutrient-dense dry food to your pet’s diet can provide extra calories for pets who struggle with eating enough wet food to meet their energy requirements.
Convenient and easy
Kibble wins for convenience. Scoop up the right amount for your cat, pour it into the dish, and done. Simply roll or clip the top of the bag until next time. In addition to being convenient to use & store, dry cat food has low odour and is less messy.
Remember the feeding guidelines on the packaging are a good starting point, but individual pet’s needs will vary based on factors such as their activity levels, age, breed and other sources of nutrition (treats etc). If you are unsure, ask the team at your local Animates store. To learn more about how to maintain portion control when feeding your cat, click here.
At Animates, we believe your dog and cat will love their food so much that if they don’t...we’ll help find a replacement. That’s our taste guarantee.
If you're pet isn't satisfied with their new food all you need to do is...
- Bring the remaining food back to one of our stores
- Let one of our team members know the food wasn't quite right for your pet
- We'll help find a replacement food for your pet with one of equal value
Taste Guarantee, they'll love it or we'll replace it...guaranteed!
We're here for you
Choosing the best food for your pet can be confusing with the number of varieties of food available. If you have any questions about feeding your feline friend, pop into your local Animates and talk to our team who will be happy to help.
Please note, some pets will have special dietary requirements and feeding both wet and dry may not suit them. If you are unsure if a mixed feeding diet is suitable for your cat, book an appointment at your local Animates Vetcare clinic to discuss your pet’s dietary needs.
