Dry food versus wet food, your comments please?

Answer 1

Dry food = dehydration.
Cats, unlike dogs, need the 70-80% moisture that canned food provides. My cat is drinking exactly as much water now as when he was on an all-dry-food diet. Now he's on all-canned-food diet. And he loves it.

Best is home-prepared raw meat diet (check http://www.catnutrition.org).

And no, dry food actually doesn't help your cat's dental health. And no, wet food does not produce runny stools - my cat's poop has gone considerably firmer, and smaller (though still regular - no, it's not constipation, read up from the link I quoted above) after I switched him to canned food only diet.

Wet food is, simply, closer to their natural diet. Meaning good-quality one, of course. It's more expensive, it's a bother, but I see my cat feeling much better, being more energetic, etc., and I am not likely to torture him back on dry food, just for my convenience.

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of kitty poo you want to scoop out of the litter box. Canned/wet foods cause a soft sometimes runny poo. While dry food keeps it more of a solid. If you want to give your kitty a treat every now and then give it a about a teaspoon of wet food. Dry foods contain the nutirents needed to keep your cat healthy and happy. There are many varieties of dry food. Talk to your vet to find out what is best. Despite what others say ... Dry food is better.

Dry food also helps to keep their teeth in better shape. The crunching helps keep the cleaner. Meaning a little bit of better smelling breath. If you are concerned that they aren't getting enough water always change the water bowl a few times a day. Cats also prefer ceramic or metal bowls to drink the water from. They really don't like the plastic bowls.

Cats are finicky creatures.

Answer 3

I would say both. You want to keep out the dry food so your friendly feline can eat when hungry during the day. But at a set dinner time you should treat them to a good dinner with the wet food. Don't give too much or too little depending on size of cat.

Answer 4

prefer dry food. With tinned food, it is 60% water. Why pay for water. Feed a dry kibble and add the water in a big bowl for free. I have 7 dogs of all sizes and have kept dogs for 30 years including show dogs and they have always been fed on dry food and are in great condition.
I have a 17 year old cat here who has only ever been fed on dry food with treats like cooked chicken and raw eggs occasionally. He is a male and is in great shape. Nobody ever believes me when I tell them his age.

Answer 5

We have two house cats. I keep dry food out for them 24/7 then at bed time I give them each a pkg of wet cat food. If I don't have the dry out during the day they meow a lot while standing by their empty bowl. If I don't give them their food at night they jump in my bed and mess with me till I get up and feed them.

Answer 6

I also feed my cats both. I notice they want tinned food (wet) at some times in the year and according to the weather, but prefer dry at other times.
We have a local cat feeding group in our area; many people go out and give food to the feral cats. In the summer, I have noticed the cats will eat the wet food but don't want the dry. (Yah, they're not starving! Just prick at human's weak-spots!) I think this is because they don't have to search for extra water, as wet food contains all the water they need.
A lot of the cheaper dry food has artificial flavouring added to it, which makes it more appetising to the cat. But then they need to get water separately.
I give my cats the choice. I study them, and in summer, cut down on the dry food and up their tinned food ...
Also, because I live in Japan and most tinned food is real fish, it is really high quality. It looks good enough for my dinner! I have heard that in Europe and the U.S. the tins are made up from waste of animal residue, so if you don't feel it is good enough for you, you shouldn't be surprised your cat feels the same.
I think you have to look at the food, smell it (I know some people here who actually taste it! Going too far?) and decide on that; if you wouldn't eat it, why should your cat?
I also give my cats treats every so often of lightly boiled chicken breasts or grilled fish.
Whatever you decide, make sure you check out the ingredients on a website, and not just the labels. Make sure you are giving them high quality food with the nutrients they need.
There is nothing wrong with giving your cat whatever it wants; (meaning both dry or wet or semi-moist food and treats in between). That is not spoiling them; it is caring for them. (Don't overfeed them though!)
Spoiling them is about not teaching them basic good manners and not about giving them a healthy and nutritious diet.

Answer 7

Dry food will give you constipation. As far as I know wet food is better for you as it contains the water your body needs, for digestion. Although dry food these days is more of a convenience food on the go. I prefer wet food my self when I am not working.

Answer 8

I actually feed my cat both. Dry food is good because it keeps the plaque from forming on their teeth because they have to crunch their food. The wet food is good and adds moisture to their diet (plus cats usually love it). One thing to keep in mind is that a cat can live (and most do) on dry food alone, but a pure wet food diet is not a great choice.

My cat gets 1/4 cup dry in the morning and 1/8 cup dry plus 1/4 can of wet in the evening. (both my cat and Dog eat Wellness wet and dry).

Good luck with your decision

Answer 9

Wet food is better for cats (especially males) because of its water content. Dry food, though good for teeth, creates crystals in the urine, which can cause severe urethra damage and infections in male cats.

I feed my cats wet food in the morning and leave some dry out for them to nibble on.

Answer 10

Wet food contains a lot of water and is generally lower in nutrients (there are some good brands though).

Dry food also helps to keep your dog's teeth clean.