A healthy kitty is a happy kitty – and a happy kitty means a happy owner.
But while we all want our furry feline friends to be healthy, knowing what to feed them is a struggle most of us weren’t prepared for. And the wide variety of options to choose from doesn’t make things any easier.
So, what should cats eat – wet cat food or dry cat food?
It’s a question we’ve all asked while pacing up and down the cat food aisle, but today we have an answer!
What’s the Difference Between Wet & Dry Cat Food?
One of the most obvious differences between wet and dry food is its packaging. While dry cat food usually comes in a bag, wet cat food is packaged in a sealed can, which is sometimes packaged inside of a box.
But looking beyond its shelf appeal, there are a lot of differences between dry and wet cat food.
From the manufacturing process to its water content, nutrient levels, and cost, not all cat food is created equal – and understanding the differences between them is vital to keeping your cat happy and healthy.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at what makes wet food and dry food unique!
How is Cat Food Made?
Wet cat food is made through a process called retort processing, which uses heat to sterilize, pasteurize, or cook food and its packaging. The ingredients are blended, cooked, and sealed in a can with water.
On the other hand, dry cat food is made through a process known as extrusion, which blends wet and dry ingredients together to form a dough. The dough is heated, cut into small kibbles, dried, and cooled.
As a result, dry cat food is usually crunchy, while wet cat food is usually soft on the teeth and gums.
As far as the ingredients go, canned food is generally made from fresh or frozen meats with a protein source that usually comes from grains. Dry cat food is made of a combination of wet and dry ingredients.
Cat Food Moisture Levels
Water content is one of the biggest differences between wet food and dry food.
According to Victoria Carmella, DVM, Director of Veterinary Scientific Affairs at Blue Buffalo, dry food contains around 6-10% of water, while wet cat food contains between 75 and 78% of water.
The other 90% of dry food (and 25% of wet food) contains dry matter such as carbs, fats and vitamins.
This is important to consider because some cats aren’t hydrating themselves enough because they don’t drink as much water as they should – and those cats can benefit from added water content in their food.
Cat Food Nutrient Levels
According to Sheena Haney, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Koala Health, wet food usually contains “higher levels of protein, fat, sodium, and phosphorus,” while dry food contains more carbohydrates.
Some formulations of dry cat food may also contain probiotics, depending on the recipe.
With more carbohydrates, cats who primarily eat dry cat food are at an increased risk of obesity – especially if they spend a majority of their time indoors and aren’t as physically active as an outdoor cat.
That’s why it’s important to keep our feline friends moving – no matter what we’re feeding them.
Overall Cost of Cat Food
As you walk down the cat food aisle and start looking at all of your options, one of the first things you’ll notice is how much more expensive wet cat food is compared to dry cat food – and it’s not even close.
In fact, a 2022 report from Tufts University found that it costs anywhere between $1.22 and $5.77 per day to feed the average cat a wet food-only diet – and that’s compared to $0.23 to $0.97 per day for dry food.
While this won’t make much of a difference to your cat, it’ll make a big difference to your wallet!
Of course, it all depends on the brand you choose. Some wet cat food options are cheaper than dry cat food, especially if it’s a special dry formula designed for cats with a sensitive stomach or health condition.
Let’s Settle the Debate: What Food Should Cats Eat?
Now that we know the differences between the two, what food should cats eat: wet food or dry food?
As much as I would love to give you a clear-cut answer, it’s simply not possible without knowing your cat and examining their health. After all, no two cats are the same and they all have different preferences.
Some cats will benefit more from a wet food-only diet, while others will benefit exclusively from dry food.
In fact, some cats might prefer or benefit from a combination of the two. If that’s the case, give your cat one serving of wet food in the morning and another serving of dry food in the evening (or vice versa!).
You can even give them half a serving of each and mix it all together as their meal. And don’t forget about those cat treats and fresh snacks!
At the end of the day, what’s most important is that you’re doing what’s best for your cat – and the best way to ensure you’re doing that is to have a thorough and detailed conversation with their veterinarian.
