Click to Skip Ahead
Your cat is part of your family, and you want to feed them like family. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know exactly which cat food to get. Some sources claim that wet cat food is the only healthy option for cats, whereas others argue that dry food is the way to go. What gives? Is one better than the other?
In this article, we are going to answer just that by thoroughly reviewing both types of cat food. We begin by giving an overview of the cat foods individually. Then, we’ll compare them to one another and help you pick out the best cat food for your cat. Let’s get started.
Overview of Wet Cat Food
If you have ever fed your cat wet cat food before, you know that this type of food is a delicacy for your cat. Although stomachs turning for us to smell, just the opening of the can’s lid can send any cat running, no matter how lazy they may be.
Nutritional Content
High-quality wet cat food often has a fantastic nutritional content for cats. It is usually lower in carbs but has a high protein, fat, and moisture content. Therefore, wet cat food tends to be a great option.
Specifically, because cat food has fewer carbohydrates and a higher moisture content, cats that eat wet cat food tend to have fewer health conditions, such as diabetes, lower urinary tract disease, and kidney disease. They may also poop less!
The high moisture content is especially helpful because cats have evolved to effectively obtain hydration from their high moisture prey, and many of them are not very effective at drinking water.
When it comes to keeping any cat or kitten fit and healthy, diet is key, and we have an exciting offer we want to share with you.
You can save 40% on Smalls human-grade premium cat food, which ranked number #1 in our reviews and is vet-approved!
Varieties
Back in the day, there weren’t many varieties of wet cat food. Today, there are a lot more options to choose from. Just about any flavor you can think of is available in wet cat food form. Not to mention, you can find cat food in cans, bottles, and even pouches. There is also a huge variety of textures and consistencies, including paté, mince, flakes, gravies, and morsels, to offer something even to the pickiest of creatures.
Price
Because wet cat food is more difficult to process, store, and transport than dry cat food, it is a lot pricier. Even though prices have become more affordable with an increase in competition, wet cat food is still generally more expensive than dry cat food.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of wet cat food is its price. Those on a budget might find wet cat food too expensive, especially if it is the sole food for your cat.
Another drawback is that wet cat food has a much shorter shelf life than dry varieties. Once opened, wet cat food needs to be consumed within a range of 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the weather where you live, or put in the refrigerator, where it can last 3-5 days if properly sealed. If left out in the open and then eaten, your cat can become sick.
When to Choose Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food is a great choice if you are most concerned about your cat’s nutrition. Especially if your cat does not drink a lot of water, or you have a weaning kitten or a pregnant or nursing female, high-moisture wet cat food will be a great choice. Likewise, overweight cats may benefit from wet cat food because it is usually lower in carbohydrate content.
However, those on a budget will probably want to stay away from wet cat food because of its expensive price tag. If you are on a budget but still want to incorporate wet cat food into your cat’s diet, you can always pour wet portions over dry food to make the dry cat food more enticing without increasing your budget too much.
- Great moisture content
- Usually lower in carbs
- Cats love it
- Variety of textures and flavors
- Smelly
- Expensive
- Short shelf life
Overview of Dry Cat Food
Dry cat food has been the go-to food of choice for cats for many years. Not only do most cats like dry cat food, but it is affordable and doesn’t come with that nasty smell either.
Nutritional Content
Dry cat food is not necessarily as healthy as wet cat food, but it is still a viable option if you make sure your cat is still active and don’t overfeed it. Dry cat food will have an ideal protein and fat content for your cat, but it comes with too many carbohydrates, which can lead to obesity and other illnesses in your cat if not monitored.
As you would expect from dry cat food, it has a lower moisture content as well. This low moisture content isn’t a big deal for adult cats that have regular access to water. However, most cats will likely benefit from a little extra moisture in their diet, especially if they are pregnant or nursing kittens. Still, some cats can likely make do if you provide enough water for them to drink throughout the day.
The label on your can should contain a complete and balanced statement to guarantee your cat gets every nutrient they need. If you have a pregnant or nursing female or a kitten, the cans should be labeled as kitten food, or “for all live stages.” Adult cats can have either “all life stages” or adult cat food.
Varieties
Just like with wet cat food, there is a lot of variety for dry cat foods. They come in many flavors, and there are even dry cat foods specific for certain illnesses, ages, and sizes.
Price
Dry cat food stands out because of its price. It’s much more affordable than wet cat food. Plus, it has a longer shelf life, which means you don’t have to toss out any unused cat food. Those on a budget will be much more comfortable paying for dry cat food than wet cat food.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of dry cat food is that it isn’t quite as healthy for cats as the wet kind. For starters, it has a higher carbohydrate content, which is not naturally present, especially in large amounts, in a cat’s natural diet. This is because starches are needed to give those pellets their shape. More so, it often includes more preservatives and chemicals as well as dehydrated meat meals that are even more processed and oftentimes not even identified. Lastly, dry cat food does not provide any hydration to your cat.
When to Choose Dry Cat Food
You should choose dry cat food if you are on a budget. Because of how affordable it is, you can buy a more premium dry food without spending as much money as you would on wet cat food. Just make sure that you provide enough water for your cat to drink and monitor their activity levels, weight, and overall health.
- Affordable
- Long shelf life
- High in carbs
- Lower moisture
What Are the Differences Between Wet and Dry Cat Food?
The main difference between wet and dry dog food is the moisture levels. Wet cat food has higher moisture levels than dry cat food. As a result, cats with a dry food diet will need to drink much more than cats that eat a wet cat food diet.
In addition to the moisture, the carbohydrate content is a big difference between these two foods. Because wet cat food uses moisture as a binding agent, there are fewer carbohydrates, which is ideal for a cat’s diet. In contrast, dry cat food must use carb-binding agents for the kibble.
The last major difference between wet and dry cat food is the price. Dry cat food is much more affordable than wet cat food. Although you certainly can find expensive dry cat food, expect to pay much more for the wet varieties.
Whether you are an avid kibble supporter, favor wet food, or dabble between the two, opting for the right cat bowl to serve it in is key! The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is equipped with features like shallow dishes for whisker relief, slight elevation to promote good posture and digestion, and removable stainless steel bowls for easy cleaning. Its modern design is spill-proof and has a wide tray on the base meant to catch anything that falls from your kitty's mouth or out of the bowl. Click here to find out if the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is right for you. At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Should I Feed My Cat Wet or Dry Food?
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered without first considering many factors. For some cats, wet cat food may be needed, but other cats will be more than happy and remain healthy with dry cat food. So, you need to consider your cat and your budget when deciding which type of cat food to buy.
Speaking about the importance of high moisture content, fresh cat food is another great alternative to ensure your cat gets all the hydration and nutrition they need to thrive.
When to Select Wet Cat Food
You should feed your cat wet food if they are not great at drinking water, or if they are pregnant, nursing, young, or have known health conditions. Because of the low carbohydrate content but high moisture, you can ensure that your cat will be as healthy as possible when eating wet cat food.
When to Select Dry Cat Food
You should select dry cat food if you have a healthy cat that is active and drinking enough water outside of their food. More so, select dry cat food if you are on a budget. You will need to do your research, but it is possible to find budget dry cat foods that are affordable and still nutritious for your cat.
When to Select Both
It’s a good idea to feed your cat both wet and dry cat food instead of just one or the other. Both wet and dry cat food comes with its own advantages. Maximize the advantages of both by alternating your cat’s diet.
For example, feed your cat dry cat food in the morning but wet cat food at night. Another idea that cats go crazy over is doing a half portion of dry cat food and a half portion of wet cat food in the same bowl. Put the remaining wet cat food in a sealable container and place it in the refrigerator for the next mealtime.
Not only will your cat love this, but feeding them both can ensure your cat gets all the nutrients they need without spending a fortune on a sole wet food diet. Win-win!
Factors to Consider When Shopping for Cat Food
When shopping for any cat food, there are three factors you need to consider: the food’s nutritional composition, your cat, and its price. These three factors apply to dry food and wet food alike.
Nutrition
Instead of debating whether dry cat food or wet cat food is better, it’s most important to consider the nutrition of each individual product. Depending on the brand, a wet cat food may be better than a dry cat food, but the opposite may be true if you compare different brands.
You want to specifically look at any additives and preservatives. The fewer, the better. Likewise, you want to keep carbs low and protein high. The fat content should fall in between these two percentages. Of course, make sure your cat gets enough moisture, whether it be from their food or water bowl. It is important to ensure that the product you choose has a “complete and balanced” statement on the label. This guarantees that your cat will get at least the minimum amount of every nutrient that they need to either support their growth and development (in the case of kittens or pregnant and lactating females) or to maintain their body (in the case of adult cats).
Your Cat’s Health
Next, you need to consider your cat’s individual health. As we learned, some cats will do much better on a wet diet than others. On the other hand, some cats will be equally healthy on either. Talk to your vet to learn which cat food you should get based on your cat’s specific needs.
Price
Think about the price of the cat food you are buying. Because there are so many options on the market, you can easily find high-quality cat food at an affordable price. Shop around and don’t be afraid to read reviews and ask questions about the product you are considering. A great compromise is to feed your cat with the best quality product you can afford with your budget.
Quick Look: Our Top Choices
Our Favorite Wet Cat Food: ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Our favorite wet cat food is the Weruva Wet Cat Food Pouches. This wet cat food is affordable, but it has great nutrition. It includes high protein, low carbohydrates, and additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Furthermore, the food is free from grains and made from human-grade food. Most cats love the flavor of this food, but you can try out a variety pack to figure out exactly what flavors your cat likes.
Our Favorite Dry Cat Food: ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
The Orijen Original dry cat food is a great choice for all cats. With 90% animal ingredients and a whole prey preparation, this is a species-appropriate high protein formula and a great dry food option. This product contains fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics to support healthy digestion, as well as natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids to keep your cat’s coat looking its best.
Conclusion
Although wet and dry cat food have their own advantages and disadvantages, neither is outright better than the other. What’s most important is that the individual product you select has a healthy portion of protein and offers complete and balanced nutrition for your cats. When possible, choose products with less carbohydrate content. From there, choose between dry and wet cat food by considering your cat’s needs and your budget.
Related Reads:
