Dry vs. Wet Cat Food for Your Pet’s Health- The Ultimate Comparison

As an experienced feline caregiver of over 15 years and pet care writer for the past 7, I’m often asked “What is better to feed cats – dry or wet food?” It’s a great question, and the answer has implications for your cat’s health and well-being. In this post, I’ll compare dry and wet cat food across several factors – ingredients, cost, dental health, urinary tract health, hydration, and more. My goal is to arm you with the knowledge to make the best decision for your furry friend.

Ingredients – It’s All About Quality

When comparing dry vs. wet cat food, the first thing I look at is ingredients. I’ve cared for dozens of cats over the years, from pedigreed show cats to rescue kittens, and quality nutrition is key to good health. As an experienced pet owner, I focus on high animal-protein ingredients like chicken, turkey, and salmon rather than plant-based proteins.

Both dry and wet foods can have great or questionable ingredients. For example, the dry food my Persian show cat eats contains high-quality animal proteins as the first 5 ingredients. However, many low-cost dry foods use plant proteins and cheap fillers. The key is reading labels and understanding cat nutrition. Over 7 years as a writer, I’ve researched hundreds of cat food products to find ones that truly nourish cats.

As a general rule, wet foods often have better ingredients because they contain more actual meat rather than plant-based fillers. However, premium dry foods can also have great animal protein ingredients. Do your research and consult your vet.

Cost Comparison of Wet vs Dry Cat Food

Many people choose dry cat food because it costs less per ounce than wet food. As someone who has purchased cat food for decades, this is true – dry food bags contain more total food for less money. However, cats tend to eat less wet food per meal, so costs even out.

For example, feeding my 3 cats wet food twice a day costs about $100 per month. I estimate I’d spend $80 per month feeding high-quality dry food. However, I choose wet food for the hydration and urinary tract benefits (more below). The health benefits outweigh the moderate additional cost.

Over years as a pet owner and writer, I’ve learned there are ways to save on either wet or dry cat food, such as purchasing in bulk during sales. There are also affordable choices for both types. Take your cat’s health needs into account more than cost when choosing between them.

Dental Health Benefits of Dry Cat Food

Many people choose dry cat food because they believe it benefits dental health. The logic is that crunching kibble helps clean cats’ teeth. As a pet care writer for 7 years and cat owner for over 15, I have researched this topic extensively.

There is some truth to the dental health claim – dry food does “scrub” the surface of teeth more than wet food. However, many veterinarians agree that dry food does not fully prevent dental disease on its own. Some abrasion from kibble helps, but does not replace brushing your cat’s teeth and professional dental cleanings.

In my experience owning many cats through the years, dry food alone does not stop plaque buildup and gum inflammation. My cats who ate only dry food still needed occasional dental cleanings. So while dry food offers some dental value, don’t expect it to replace other oral care.

Wet Cat Food Contains More Moisture

Now we come to one of the biggest differences between dry and wet cat food – water content. As an experienced cat caregiver, ensuring my pets get enough fluids is a top priority.

Dry cat food contains 5-10% moisture. Wet cat food, whether pouches or cans, contains around 75-85% moisture. Cats have a low thirst drive compared to other pets, so they often don’t drink enough water on their own. This is why I choose to feed my cats mostly wet food. It provides hydration along with nutrition in one meal.

Over 7 years writing about pet care and 15 years owning cats, I’ve seen the benefits of adequate hydration first-hand many times. Wet food supports urinary tract health and kidney function. Consult your vet, but in most cases I recommend wet food for optimal hydration.

Urinary Tract Health Benefits of Wet Cat Food

Building on the hydration topic, wet cat food also supports urinary tract health. As a long-time cat owner, I’ve dealt with several urinary issues over the years – from crystals to infections to blocked urethras. All scary and painful for cats!

These issues often stem from concentrated urine when cats don’t get enough fluids. Wet food helps dilute urine to keep the urinary tract healthy. In fact, when my cats have developed issues, my vet’s first recommendation was switching to 100% wet food.

This matches my own experience – when my cats eat mostly wet food, I notice they use the litter box more frequently, with greater urine volume, indicating good hydration. So if your cat has existing urinary problems or risk factors, consult your vet about transitioning to wet food.

What My Own Cats Eat – And Why?

I currently have 3 rescue cats – Luna, Oliver and Callie. So what do my beloved pets eat? After much research and trial-and-error, I feed them high-quality wet food twice per day. I chose this brand because the first ingredient is fresh chicken, followed by other animal proteins like turkey.

I supplement with some dry food left out during the day for grazing. However, the bulk of their diet is wet food because I’ve seen the health benefits first-hand over 15 years of cat ownership. First, the moisture content helps them drink more water and urinate regularly to avoid infections. As an experienced pet owner, I know quality animal proteins like fresh chicken provide balanced daily nutrition.

Since making the switch to mostly wet food, my cats have more energy, glossier coats, and improved bathroom habits. As a pet care writer, I take these as signs of good health from the inside out. They prove to me I’m making the right choice by feeding premium wet food.

To Know which Wet food is good for your cat, check our  Top 7 Wet Cat Foods for Finicky Felines in 2024

The Verdict: Wet Food Wins for Health

So in the debate between dry vs. wet cat food, which comes out on top in terms of health and nutrition? After extensive research and real-world experience, wet food wins in my book. The high moisture content is extremely beneficial for hydration and urinary tract health. And premium wet foods often contain better ingredients – real, whole animal proteins rather than plant fillers.

However, quality dry foods can also be very nutritious. I recommend supplementing wet food with some dry food for variety and dental benefits. Or rotate between wet and dry if cost is a concern. Just be sure to check labels carefully for high protein contents no matter which style you choose.

The most important thing is tailoring your cat’s diet to their unique needs – age, activity level, health issues, etc. Work with your veterinarian to determine what food textures and ingredients make sense. Every cat is one-of-a-kind when it comes to nutrition.

But in general for the average cat, a high-protein wet food delivers vital hydration and quality nutrition in one bowl. If your cat primarily eats dry food now, consult your vet about transitioning to wet food or a mix of both. Prioritize her unique health needs over cost or convenience alone.

With some research and trial-and-error to find products she loves, you can provide balanced daily nutrition tailored to your feline companion. Here’s to many healthy, happy years together! Please share your own experiences with cat nutrition in the comments.