Wet Vs. Dry: The Great Cat Food Debate

If you’re a cat person, you’re probably very aware of the differences between feeding dry versus can cat food.  Cats are extremely sensitive to food; they’re picky, and if you give them something they don’t sit well with, they may not eat it.  Or, they could get sick!  What you feed your kitty determines how healthy she’ll be during the rest of her life.  Read on to learn more about the difference between wet and dry cat food, and determine which one is better for your cat.

Before anything is discussed, it’s important to know that you can only truly understand what is best for your cat when you speak with an experienced veterinarian.  However, it’s never a bad idea to know the basics!  Many people believe dry food is better for their cat’s dental hygiene, but this isn’t always the case, and should never be the substitute for professional dental care. If you elect to feed your cat dry food make sure to choose a quality premium brand. One suggestion is to look at the list of ingredients- the first (and ideally second and third) should be a meat.  Dry food is lower in moisture content, so if you’re feeding your cat this food, it’s important to make sure you’re giving them fresh, clean water every day.  Catsneed to stay hydrated, or they may develop health issues, such as urinary tract infections.

Wet food makes hydrating your cat very easy, especially since they don’t typically drink a lot of water. Keeping your cat hydrated is important for their overall urinary and digestive health.  Many cats also seem to find wet food delicious, so if your kitty has a finicky taste, they may gravitate more towards wet food.  Some owners make their own raw food diet, but this can get expensive and extremely time consuming, so it’s up to you!  There are many recipes you can find online, if you ever want to make the switch.  However, always ask your vet before making drastic diet changes.

For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!

For more updates and advice, be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Google+! You can get in touch with the Catonsville Cat Clinic by giving us a call at 410-869-0800 or visiting our contact page.