There are as many articles and opinions on whether or not dry cat food is better than wet cat food as there are varieties of cat food. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both.

DRY CAT FOOD

Advantages

1. It’s usually a lot cheaper.
2. It has a much longer shelf-life. An open bag of dry cat food will not go off like an open can of wet cat food.
3. It can be left in the cat’s feeding bowl for long periods for the cat to return to at will.
4. It may help reduce deposits on the teeth that can lead to periodontal disease.
5. It provides an excellent supplement to cats that get most of their food from hunting.

Disadvantages

1. It has almost zero water content. Cats are not big drinkers so dehydration can be a problem.
2. It contains carbohydrates, which a cat needs like a human needs grass i.e. not at all. This can cause obesity.
3. Cheaper versions use vegetable rather than animal derivatives for protein.
4. Cats fed exclusively on dry cat food are thought to be at higher risk of bowel, kidney and urinary disorders, as well as feline diabetes.

WET CAT FOOD

Advantages

1. It has a high water content, so is good for cats that don’t venture outside much.
2. It contains much lower levels of vegetable matter and carbohydrates, and much higher levels of animal protein. All in all, it is more in tune with what a cat’s digestive system is built for.
3. It may aid in the treatment and recovery of cats suffering from bowel, kidney and urinary disorders.
4. It is generally thought cats prefer the taste of wet cat food.

Disadvantages

1. Price.
2. Cheaper brands will not use top-quality protein.
3. Shorter shelf-life than dry cat food.
4. There is a suspicion that canned wet cat food (as opposed to pouches) contains manufacturing process chemicals that can lead to feline hyperthyroidism.

As usually is the case in arguments that produce strong opinions, neither side is completely right.

If your cat is outside a lot, it will hunt a lot. Therefore there is no reason not to provide it with a small bowl of good quality dry cat food for it to nibble at. After all, it will be one more reason your cat will enjoy coming to see you!

Even if your cat is more appreciative of home comforts, mix a little dry cat food in with the wet. Cats like to feel a crunch between their teeth (those that hunt eat the bones too), so a bit of dry cat food will make sure you provide them with everything they could ever wish for!

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