Selecting Cat Foods: Canned versus Dry Cat Food

If you’re busy with work and family, you probably take little time to decide what to feed the family cat. And you’re likely feeding her a diet high in dry food because it’s quick, often less smelly and you can leave it out for her while you’re at work. But are you doing right by her or short-changing her on nutrients?

When selecting types of cat food, owners are faced with the question—which is better wet or dry? No scientific studies exist to suggest either is better, and with experts, both hold their pros and cons.

Canned (wet) food most often contains more animal protein and less grain products than do dry food, which is better for Kitty because she needs a lot of protein in her diet. Canned food also contains a greater percentage of water, and a cat needs a lot of water for healthy kidneys and urinary tract.

Additionally, if you check the labels on cat food, as you should be doing anyway, you’ll see that canned food usually has less grain products and carbohydrate fillers than dry food. Grain products are less digestible for cats who are true carnivores. According to the Animal Protection Institute (API), dry food does not clean the teeth. Yet some veterinarians state that wet food contributes to gum disease, and dry food acts to scrape the teeth clean. Others believe that the cons of dry food can lead to health problems far worse than dental disease such as diabetes, obesity and renal failure. (Regardless of what one might believe, cats still need to have their teeth cleaned, and pet stores have easy finger attachments for owners to use for cleaning their cats’ teeth. Though only a veterinarian can provide a thorough dental cleaning.)

As for carbohydrate fillers, cats do not require carbohydrates in their diets. And fillers are just what they sound like—fillers. Cats don’t need them. And you’ll find more of them in dry food.

Additionally, some feel that the ultra-high heat processing that is required to make dry food destroys necessary nutrients and that those nutrients are in greater abundance in wet food. And, though you may not want to believe it, many cat fanciers agree that cats are more likely to get fat on dry food (with its carbohydrates, grain, fillers and coatings to make it smell and taste more appealing) rather than canned even though canned food has higher calories.

(API also notes that cats that have bladder or kidney disease should eat wet-only diets.)

Read your cat food labels to get a good idea of what ingredients are in them. Compare wet and dry foods, then compare them to each other. Many experts agree that in the end, a diet mixed with wet and dry can be beneficial in covering your bases. And always remember to give your cat free access 24/7 to fresh, clean water. If you pay attention to what you’re feeding Kitty, you’ll likely have a happier, healthier cat greeting you at the door as you come home from work.

Next article: Is It Alright to Share Food with Your Cat?