Should kittens eat more wet or dry food

Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?

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 its dry cat food or wet cat food. But finding the best food for your cat will depend on several factors, including:

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. Heres 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 waterapproximately 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 its 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 its 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 cats current body condition, and the presence of any underlying diseases.

What Wet and Dry Cat Food Do Veterinarians Recommend?

Regardless of whether you choose to feed a dry or canned cat food, it is important to feed a well-balanced, commercial diet to ensure that your cat gets the vitamins and minerals they need.

Reputable brands such as Science Diet and Royal Canin have been quality-controlled and specially formulated to meet a cats nutritional requirements. Your veterinarian can give you more specific recommendations based on your cats health history.

Avoid feeding a home-cooked or homemade diet unless it is specially formulated by a veterinarian who is specialized in making these diets. If you dont have help from a qualified vet, these diets can be deficient in vitamins and minerals such as taurine, which can cause heart disease in cats.

Involving your veterinarian in your decision of what to feed your cat can be very helpful in ensuring they get the most appropriate nutrition.

Here are some other things to consider.

AAFCO Approval

Basic minimum nutritional requirements for cats have been established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This is important because all pet foods that carry an AAFCO statement or AAFCO-approved nutritional guarantee are considered to be nutritionally complete and well-balanced diets for your cat.

Ingredient List

Its important to read the label on the back of the package to ensure that the main ingredients, which will be listed first, consist of meat and meat by-products. This is because cats are carnivores and require a high-protein diet that supplies the appropriate amount of essential amino acids and fatty acids.

Your Cats Particular Health Needs

The best cat food for your cat will be unique to their lifestyle and nutritional needs.

For example, if your kitten or cat is of normal weight and healthy, then a kitten or adult maintenance diet should be sufficient. If your cat is overweight, it may be best to look for a low-fat diet.

If your cat has a health condition, your veterinarian may prescribe a specific diet formulated for that disease. For example, kidney diets are recommended in most cats who develop kidney disease, or a urinary diet may be more appropriate in cats who have lower urinary tract disease.

Your Cats Preferences

At the end of the day, you may not have a choice in what type of diet you feed your cat. Some cats can be very picky and only eat dry or only eat wet food.

Featured image: iStock.com/Nils Jacobi

WRITTEN BY

Cathy Meeks, MS, DVM, DACVIM

Veterinarian

Dr. Cathy Meeks started her veterinary career as a veterinary technician while getting her Master's degree in Veterinary Medicine, Forensic...

When Can Kittens Eat Dry Food? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

Kittens are adorable little creatures that require a lot of attention and care to grow up healthy and happy. One of the most important aspects of their care is feeding. As kittens grow, they will need to transition from milk to solid food and, eventually, dry food. As many pet owners also ask, when can my cat start eating dry food? Well, the weaning process starts at around 4 weeks when they can have softened dry food. By 78 weeks of age, they can usually be fully transitioned onto dry food.

In this article, we will discuss when kittens can eat dry food, what type of dry food is best for them, and other frequently asked questions related to kitten feeding!

When Can Kittens Eat Dry Food?

Kittens can start eating softened dry food around the age of 4 weeks old. At this stage, they will have started to develop their teeth, which allows them to chew softened solid food.

However, it is important to note that kittens should not be fully weaned off their mothers milk or kitten formula until they are 7-8 weeks old. Kittens still need their mothers milk or a milk replacement formula during this time as it provides them with essential nutrients and antibodies that help build their immune systems.

During this time, kittens should be fed a combination of milk or formula and increasing amounts of solid food. As kittens grow and become more independent, they can start to transition to totally solid foods.

How Do I Introduce Dry Foods to My Kitten?

It is important to gradually introduce dry food to your kittens diet, as their digestive system may not be able to handle it right away. Start by mixing a small amount of dry food with water or formula, gradually increase the amount of dry food, and reduce the amount of liquid as they get used to it. This will help your kitten adjust to the new texture and flavor of the dry food, as well as prevent any digestive problems.

You can also try offering dry food on its own, either as a small treat or in a separate bowl alongside their wet/moistened food from around 6 weeks of age.

Its important to monitor your kittens intake during the transition period and adjust the amount of food accordingly. Your kitten may not understand the transition and may still prefer wet food at first, but they will likely start to enjoy dry food as well. All you need is patience and persistence!

What Type of Dry Food Is Best for Kittens?

When choosing dry food for your kitten, it is important to look for a high-quality brand that is specifically designed for kittens. This means that the food should contain the right balance of nutrients that kittens need to grow, such as protein, fat, and minerals.

Kittens can also be choosy eaters, so be sure to monitor their preferences and response to the new food being fed. Additionally, the dry food chosen should be easily digestible to prevent any digestive problems.

It is also important to look for dry food that is appropriate for your kittens age and size. For example, smaller, younger kittens may need smaller kibble sizes.

Take note that some dry foods may be formulated for specific breeds or health conditions, so be sure to check with your veterinarian if your kitten has any special dietary needs.

How Often Should I Feed My Kitten Dry Food?

Kittens should be fed small, frequent meals throughout the day. This means that you may need to feed your kitten three to four times a day, depending on their age and size. As they get older, you can gradually decrease the number of feedings.

For specific dietary recommendations, its best to consult with your veterinarian to ensure your cat meets their nutritional needs.

Can Kittens Eat Wet Food and Dry Food Together?

Yes, kittens can eat wet and dry food together! In fact, feeding a combination of wet and dry food can provide your kitten with a variety of textures and flavors, which can help prevent them from becoming finicky eaters. Just be sure to monitor their intake and adjust the amounts accordingly to prevent overfeeding and ensure that everything they are eating high quality foods!

Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food?

No, kittens should not be fed adult cat food. Adult cat food is formulated differently than kitten food and does not contain the right balance of nutrients that kittens need to grow. Adult cat food may be too hard for kittens to chew and digest, leading to digestive problems.

Can Kittens Eat Human Food?

While it is generally not recommended to feed kittens human food, there are some human foods that can be safe for kittens in small amounts once they are weaned. These include small amounts of cooked chicken, turkey, and fish.

However, it is important to avoid giving your kitten any foods that are toxic to cats, such as chocolate, onions, and garlic.

Can Kittens Eat Raw Food?

At a young age, kittens have more sensitive guts compared to adult cats. It is not recommended to feed kittens raw food. Raw food may contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses in kittens.

Aside from digestive issues, feeding raw food may not provide the right balance of nutrients that kittens need to grow.

Other Things to Consider When Transitioning to Dry Foods

In addition to feeding your kitten a healthy diet, it is also important to provide them with plenty of fresh water and keep their feeding area clean. This will help prevent any potential health problems and ensure that your kitten stays healthy and happy.

Every kitten is different and may have unique dietary needs or preferences. Be sure to monitor your kittens growth and behavior and adjust their diet as needed. With proper care and attention, your kitten will grow up healthy and happy and become a beloved member of your family for years to come.

Final Thoughts

As your fur baby grows, feeding your kitten a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for their overall health and well-being. When it comes to introducing dry food to their diet, it is important to do so gradually and choose a high-quality brand specifically designed for kittens. Be sure to monitor your kittens intake, adjust the amounts accordingly, and consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.

Remember, your kitten is continuously growing and has their whole life with you ahead of them, so be sure to give them the right nutrients!

Featured Image Credit: BestPhotoPlus, Shutterstock