Cat food comes in so many variants that you are often spoilt for choice. You need to choose from different flavors and between wet and dry food. But how do you know which one is better? Both dry and wet cat food has their pros and cons, and you may consider only the benefits of one option instead of balancing the two together. Ideally, you should choose a balanced diet for your feline according to their age and life stage.
Dry vs. wet cat food
Dry cat food is popular among many pet owners because they are convenient to purchase. These foods come in large bags, and they are specially packed to avoid moisture absorption. Also, the shelf life of dry food is longer even after you open the packet. Their cost-effectiveness is another reason why kitty lovers often go for this option. But don’t feed dry food exclusively because this increases litter frequency. You may have to invest on a top rated kitty litter if you only feed dry food.
Wet cat food, on the other hand, is available in cans and containers. Sometimes, they are also available in pouches making it easy to try a variety of flavors. Your little one will love it if you offer different flavors of wet food. However, the shelf life of these foods is limited. Also, since the moisture content in wet food is high, you should not leave them out for more than an hour. It may lead to bacteria growth if you keep it outside for long. But there are many benefits of wet foods too. Felines love wet food as it is easier for them to eat. They don’t have to chew the food, and there’s usually more flavors to choose from. Moreover, their overall water intake is managed indirectly.
Which food should you choose?
It is your cat’s decision to choose between dry and wet food. However, experts believe that as their owner, you should always maintain a combination of dry and wet food so that your kitty doesn’t stick to one variety. Imagine if your cat only eats dry food and missing out on a variety of wet foods.
Since felines appreciate new things, it will be wise to try different dry foods and various flavors of wet food now and then. Don’t stick to a particular flavor for long as cats get bored very quickly. Mixing dry and wet food for their meal will be the ideal choice. Or, you can also provide dry food for lunch and then wet food for dinner. But don’t forget to check how your cat reacts to both the varieties. If they love wet food more, then you can decrease the amount of dry food slightly and substitute it with wet food, and vice versa.
The trick is to find the balance between dry and wet food. Catering to your cat’s health needs is your responsibility. And you should spend the time to understand what he/she likes and dislikes when it comes to what they eat.