cat wet food?

Question

my cat was sick he is better now but i put him on wet food because hes older and easier to eat does it have enough water in it havent seen him drink water he has always been on wet food i dont know much about this

i meant hes always been on dry food

and how much should he eat per day

he just came from vet did full bloodwork just had a bug like we get

Answer 1

My cats eat a raw meat diet that I prepare for them and canned food. They just don't drink water. They don't need it - they have good urination and there is plenty of moisture in their food.

Be sure to use a QUALITY canned food. Not the grocery store stuff nor Science Diet.

You have many excellent choices available now for foods that use high quality human-grade meat protein for your cat - Natural Balance, Blue, Innova Evo, Lick Your Chops, Avoderm, Prairie, Felidae, By Nature's Organic, etc. Just read the label on the cans. The ingredients should be meat protein never by-product meat and limit the "fishy" ones to once or twice a week.

A 5.5 or 6 oz can is usually sufficient for most adult cats.

Answer 2

Dry cat food is nearly always better for the cat's teeth. It helps keep the tartar cleared off. Wet food is often the older cat's friend because it is, as you mentioned, a bit easier for the cat to eat.

As for the water question, I would not depend of the food to give the cat it's needed liquid. If it's not drinking water on it's own you may want to see a vet about it. There may be a bigger problem than just age.

Kev

Answer 3

Hello, Wet food, for the most part is great for kitties. I noticed that my cats teeth are not as clean as the others that eat hard and wet food. First make sure you wipe the bowl out with a clean towl or paper towl because it can get slimmy. Then put bottled water or filtered water in it. You can get a jug of it for .50 usually at the supermarket. Also try making sure the bowl is cermic or glass and there is enough bowls around the house. All else fails get a kitty water fountain. They work great!. You do need to clean this at least once a week though. Good luck! If this does not work please have your kitty see a vet ASAP. Sincerely, Angelique

Answer 4

One thing about cats, they eat and drink as much as they need. Unlike dogs who will eat all that you put in front of them, cats almost always know when to stop and when they are full. Actually it is better for your cat to be on wet food, it is lower in ash and magnesium and your cat has less of a chance of getting bladder infections. You should always leave a bowl of water out for the cat, and if he is thirsty, he will drink. It's actually a worse sign if the cat were to be running to the water bowl constantly, then you would know there was something wrong, unless, it was something like one of my cats who for some reason has been thirsty since the day we got her, and she is almost 17 and still drinking away and as healthy as can be. My other cat, 4 years old, hardly ever drinks, just eats and eats and gets as much food as she can all over her body. As we say, she takes her snacks with her where ever she goes.

Answer 5

You still need to provide him with a dish of clean water but wet cat food has enough water in it that he might not drink water very often anymore. Wet food is healthier for cats because of this. How much per day: depends on his weight, usually 1/2 to 1 can. There should be feeding guidelines on the cans and you can adjust this as needed.
To check for dehydration: Gently pull up on the skin on the back of his neck. It should snap right back (ok) and not slowly go back into place (dehydrated).

Answer 6

Good for you! You've made the right choice.

Canned food contains a heck of a lot of moisture. Which is a good thing, because cats do not normally or naturally drink water.

Sure they will do it, but just like humans, they don't drink enough and are often slightly dehydrated.

But by feeding canned food, your cat is getting enough moisture in the best way possible for them - right in their food.

On a canned food diet, cats will stop drinking as much water. It's a good thing, not something to worry about!

When I switched my girls over, I too noticed a decrease in their water intake. I used to have to refill the bowl everyday. Now I could probably go a week before I'd have to refill it. (Naturally I give them fresh everyday anyway).

Answer 7

It depends on the quality of the canned wet food. Higher quality (and more expensive) canned cat foods last longer becuase you don;t need to feed the cat as much as when you buy the lower quality canned foods. When my cat was younger, I used to give him Friskies canned food. He'd consume TWO 5.5oz cans per day. I switched him to Iams and he eats ONE 5.5oz can per day plus a handful of dry kibble (once in a while if he nags me for more food). I always add 2 tsps of water per serving of the canned Iams (about 1/4th can). Every 2 days, I give him Eukenuba canned but these are smaller cans and he consumes 2 of these for the day. Am happy with his present diet coz my cat has lost a bit of weight already and is active and healthy.

Answer 8

Yes, wet food contains a lot more moisture/water than dry. Keep dry food in a separate dish for him for variety and fresh water in a glass or ceramic bowl at all times.

Answer 9

Don't worry about it. Since he's on canned food, there is a higher percentage of moisture in it so you don't see him drinking as much. He probably drinks when you aren't around or he goes somewhere else (like a vase or the sink) to lap water up. Just observe him a little while longer. He should be just fine.

Answer 10

keep a bowl of water out for him. while your away or not looking he still may get a drink of water. it's not unusual for a cat to drink less when eating moist cat food.