Benefits of a Dry Cat Food Diet

Wet and dry cat food undoubtedly have their pros and cons. Many cat owners ponder over which type is best but there is no right or wrong answer and it is perfectly okay to feed your cat a combination. Your decision should be based on you and your cat’s individual needs. The benefits of a dry cat food diet are plentiful and are highlighted below.

The Differences Between Wet and Dry Cat Foods

As with dog food, the main difference between wet and dry cat food is the percentage of water it contains. Dry cat food is generally more energy-dense than wet food. This could become a problem if you have a cat who doesn’t get enough exercise as they may consume too many calories which could lead to them becoming obese in the future. 

 At certain life stages, a cat may prefer to eat wet food. For example, when they are kittens and weaning, if they are elderly or have dental problems.

The Advantages of Dry Cat Food

• Dry cat food can be cleaned up quickly if there are any spills, it has a longer shelf life compared to wet and if you decide to buy in bulk it could work out to be more cost-effective.  
• Because of its size, dry cat food can be hidden in toys to provide stimulation. This can be a way of adding exercise through play if you have a lazy cat and are concerned about their activity level.  If you have an indoor cat, a dry diet food could be beneficial to them as it will be lower in calories. 
• Dry cat food allows for free-feeding, this is beneficial to cats who like to graze throughout the whole day rather than eat at specific meal times which you would need to do if you fed your cat wet food.
• Unlike wet food, dry cat food can be safely left out without any concerns of it becoming contaminated with bacteria. It should be noted that dry cat food should always be stored in a cool area and in a sealed, air tight container to keep it at its best. 
• It’s likely that your cat will take longer to eat dry food as they will need to chew it more. The hard-shaped dry food pieces can be of benefit to your cat’s oral health as the edges can potentially scrape away tartar and help prevent the build-up of plaque. 
• Shop our range of tasty, nutritious and complete dry premium cat foods available from WCF.

Things to remember

Cats are carnivores and need meat to survive so it’s very important to ensure your cat is not fed solely on a vegetarian diet. 

 As dry food contains little water, it is imperative that your cat is hydrated and has always access to fresh water. A diet that is low in water can cause serious issues to cats that already have underlying conditions such as constipation, diabetes, urinary problems, and kidney disease. 

Cats can be picky eaters and dislike having their water next to their food bowl. Try to keep them apart if you can and always keep their food far away from their litter area. They also prefer a shallow bowl so their whiskers don’t touch the sides. 

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls should be used where possible as bacteria can live inside plastic if it has any scratches or cracks. It’s useful to remember that plastic bowls can often retain food odours which can be off putting to cats. 

Cats appreciate trying new things and could get bored with the same type of food every day. If your cat has gone off their food you could try a different flavour or mixing it with a bit of wet for some new variety. Remember, talk to your vet if you are concerned about your pet’s on-going eating habits. 

If you are undecided on what type of food to feed your cat, the PDSA website has a good article for further reading. If you are still unsure, please consult with your vet.