Every cat owner has a different opinion on feeding wet food or dry food. To better understand this issue, you need to understand cat physiology and some knowledge of cat nutrition.

What nutrients do cats need?

Like all animals, your cat needs a properly balanced diet - containing the correct amounts of all essential nutrients. These nutrients are water, protein, fats and oils, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Any pet food should provide your cat with this basic balance of nutrients. The choice of canned or dry or a mix of the two is really up to you and your cat.

While some cat owners prefer wet food, and others insist that dry food is best, there are benefits to both sides, and if fed a "complete" diet, they will provide all the nutrients a cat needs in its daily diet.

Tips

Recent developments in pet nutrition mean that there are now a variety of commercially produced cat foods designed to more accurately meet your cat's specific needs. For example, if your cat spends most of his time indoors, he may benefit from a special indoor formula, whereas less active cats need less fat, so feeding a "light" formula can help avoid weight gain.

What are the benefits of dry cat food?

Dry complete diets have some specific pluses - they are convenient, easy to measure and use, easier to store, and once opened, have a longer shelf life than wet foods. Some may also help remove plaque from your teeth. Be aware, however, that cats at certain life stages may prefer softer foods, such as older cats or weaned kittens.

What are the benefits of wet cat food?

Some cats only prefer the aroma and texture of wet food, and the single-serve format is still very convenient, ensuring fresh, easy-to-eat food every time. Water intake is particularly important in cats prone to constipation or urinary crystal/stone formation, or if they have diabetes or kidney disease - so feeding wet food is especially beneficial for cats with these conditions.

Should we mix wet and dry cat food?

When given the choice, many cats seem to prefer a mixture of wet and dry food, rather than just dry or wet. With a wide range of texture options, wet food is proven to increase enjoyment and add variety to your diet. Dry food, on the other hand, satisfies a cat's natural desire to eat many small meals throughout the day.

HelloThere are no hard and fast rules about whether to eat dry or wet cat food – it’s ultimately up to each owner to decide what to feed their pet. However, if feeding a mixture of wet and dry pet food, be careful to feed your cat the total amount of food he needs to try to avoid any unwanted weight gain.