A common question that veterinarians get asked is whether cats should eat canned or dry food.

The good news is that most commercial cat foods provide an excellent source of nutrition,whether it’s dry cat food or wet cat food.But finding the best food for your cat will depend on several factors,including:

Your cat’s weight

Your cat’s health and any health conditions present

Your budget

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Whether to feed dry,canned,or a mixture of both is a decision that you and your veterinarian can make together to provide the best health for your cat.Here’s some insight on wet vs.dry cat food.

What Are the Main Differences Between Wet Cat Food and Dry Cat Food?

Here are a few big differences between wet cat food and dry cat food.

Moisture Levels

The main difference between dry and canned cat food is the amount of water that the food contains.

Dry cat food contains approximately 10%of water,and the other 90%consists of dry matter such as carbohydrates,fats and vitamins.Canned food contains much more water—approximately 70%—compared to dry matter.

This can be important to consider when choosing which to feed if your cat has certain health conditions that may benefit from more water intake.

Manufacturing Process

Given the higher moisture content in canned foods,these foods are typically made with fresh or frozen meats in combination with a protein source that comes from grains.The meats are blended with water,fats,and vitamins and placed in a can,where a heating process ensures that foodborne pathogens are destroyed.

Dry food is made by combining and then cooking meats,vitamins,minerals,and fats at a high temperature and pressure,which makes the starches more digestible.Fat may then be sprayed on the food to ensure that it’s palatable.

Nutrients

Dry cat food typically contains more carbohydrates than canned food.The protein and fat in canned vs.dry can vary based on the type of diet.Certain formulations of dry cat food may also contain probiotics.

Should I Feed My Cat Dry or Wet Cat Food?Or Both?

Whether to feed your cat dry food,canned food,or a mixture of both depends on several factors.Here are some benefits and drawbacks of both types of food.

Canned Cat Food Benefits

The largest benefit of feeding a canned diet is the higher water content.Cats with certain health conditions that require a higher-than-normal water intake,such as kidney disease,diabetes,or lower urinary tract disease,may benefit from the additional water in these diets.

Canned food is also highly palatable,and some cats will eat a canned diet over a dry diet,particularly if they are picky eaters.

Canned Cat Food Drawbacks

Canned food is often more expensive than dry food,so this may play a role in your decision.

Once opened,canned food has a shelf-life of 24 hours and must be stored in the refrigerator.If your cat does not finish their wet food,it should be properly stored in the refrigerator or discarded.Leaving canned food out for longer than a few hours can run the risk of contamination and cause gastrointestinal upset.

Dry Cat Food Benefits

Dry cat food is less expensive than canned food,so people who are on a strict budget or those that feed community cats may choose this option.

Dry food also does not have to be stored in the refrigerator and can be left out much longer than can food.This is a good option if you free-feed your cats,but any portion not eaten by the end of the day should be discarded.

You can also use dry cat food in automatic feeders or in puzzle feeder toys.

Dry Cat Food Drawbacks

Studies have shown a correlation between obesity and feeding dry cat food.This could be because a lot of cats that eat dry food are often free-fed,and owners do not realize how much their cats are actually eating in a day.

It can also cause the opposite problem because it’s hard to notice that your cat is not eating when they are free-fed.The amount your cat eats in a day should be monitored or measured out for both reasons.

Older cats with dental disease or those who have had some of their teeth removed may also have a harder time chewing dry food.

Feeding Both Canned and Dry Cat Food

To balance the benefits and drawbacks of both options,you may choose to feed a combination of both.This may be particularly useful with cats who require a higher water intake but enjoy eating dry better than canned.

By either mixing them together or giving canned at one feeding time and dry at the other,you may be able to get the benefits of both diets.

If you are looking to mix wet cat food and dry cat food,talk with your veterinarian to find the best balance.Your veterinarian can help you calculate how much your cat should be eating and how to portion out the two food options.

Every cat is different,and the amount you feed a day will depend on the age of your cat,your cat’s current body condition,and the presence of any underlying diseases.