Why You Shouldn't Feed Your Cat Just Dry Food
Does your cat prefer wet or dry food? Are you wondering what kind of food is better for them? As it turns out, you aren't the only one pondering these issues. There has been a lot of debate in recent years concerning what kind of food to feed your cat. The short answer is that a mix of both kinds is best.
Cats Are Carnivores That Need Wet Food
The first thing that you need to know about your cat is that they are obligate carnivores. This means that they require a diet that is basically meat and not much else. They don't need a lot of carbs. The problem with kibble, as opposed to canned wet food, is that it is full of carbs. This can lead straight to obesity.
It's also important to note that too much dry food is that it can also lead to diabetes mellitus. This is one of the most common health problems that a cat can face. You can cover their health bills by getting them a full policy of cat insurance. But it's better to do all that you can to help them avoid having these problems in the first place.
The best way to do this is to observe what your cat likes and doesn't like. You may soon find that they actually prefer a mix of dry and wet food. Cats are notoriously finicky eaters. This means that you may need to shop around for a bit until you find the perfect combo. Once you do, you can safely stick to it.
Dry Food Doesn't Give Them Enough Water
Another reason to avoid giving your cat only dry food is the fact that this doesn't give them enough water. When they don't get this vital part of their diet, they can be at increased risk for kidney disease and infections of the lower urinary tract. These are conditions that can play havoc with their health.
The simple truth is that canned food contains more natural hydration. Wet food will thus help them dilute their urine. This is the best way to reduce kidney failure and UTI infections. It's also true that wet cat food is more akin to the food that they would get in the wild. Eating naturally keeps them in good shape.
A Mix of Dry and Wet is Best
As noted above, most cat owners seem to find that a mix of dry and wet cat foods is the best solution for long-term cat health. It should be pointed out that no two cats are exactly alike. There may well be cats that prefer a larger proportion of dry food than wet. For others, the proportion of wet to dry may be very much in the other direction.
It will be up to you to balance the personal tastes of your cat with the healthy qualities that they require. For example, if your cat prefers mostly dry food, you can put a little wet food in the middle just to keep them hydrated. If they prefer wet food, you can put a bit of kibble on the side to keep their teeth strong.
Your Cat Deserves a Long and Healthy Life
It will be up to you to do all that you can to give your cat the long life that they deserve. You will also want to feed them the right food that will keep them as healthy as possible. In most cases, you will find that a mix of dry and wet food is the best answer. This is the formula that will best meet their needs.