What is In Dry Cat Food? (Is it safe?)

They need, as all animals do, the correct amount of cat food and quality food to provide the energy required for the correct functioning of their tiny bodies.

But here is the question that we will address today: Is it better to give them Dry or Wet food?

Is it enough to give them just a good amount of dry food to satisfy their energy and alimentary needs?

by Jackson Galaxy interviewing an expert on cat nutrition

The cat food brands have evolved greatly during the last few decades, so there are different possibilities in order to meet the specific requirements for your cat, if they need light food, if they need food to counterattack a disease, if we want to take special care of their teeth or if our cat is suffering from diabetes or kidney failure or just because they are a senior cat in need of extra nutrients for their body.

But, is this dry food, enough?

The experts in feline nutrition say that the answer is a definitive and emphatic no!

The dangers of dry food

According to Lorie Huston and also Lisa A. Pierson‘s guide about the basics of feline nutrition, dry food has 3 negative issues:

• The water content is low
• It has a lot of carbohydrates that are not healthy for the cats
• The type of protein is a factor to be considered

Besides that, when dry food is manufactured it is exposed to high temperatures and that causes a destruction or alteration of the original nutrients of the food. That means that what you read on the label is usually not what comes in the package.

Of course, there is also the storage problem: You usually buy large quantities of food to save money and probably time going to the market, but here is the thing that we usually forget, if dry food is not stored well it can cause contamination with bacteria, dirt and even mites or cockroaches and that is something that we surely want to avoid at all cost.

Is dry cat food responsible for cat health issues?

Besides that, it’s demonstrated that dry food as the only thing you feed your cat is responsible for a lot of health issues than most owners realize, so, what should we do? Should we consider wet food as the only source of nutrients? Is it safe to say that is better than dry food?

The challenges of wet food for cats?

It’s important to keep wet food fresh and not exposed too long at room temperature (Click here to see if it’s ok overnight). Thankfully, because it comes in small cans that are packaged without being exposed to contamination it makes life easier. And, because it comes in small portions it reduces the chance of waste and exposure.

Why you should consider Wet cat food

On the other hand, the most important factor to consider wet food over dry, besides the fact that is fresh, is the fact that it is tastier for the cats and it has more nutrients. This is something that we usually don’t even consider: The amount of water your cat is having during the day.

Wet food and Hydration

Water is extremely important for cats since they don’t have a strong thirst drive just like any other animal. That means that they probably consume less water directly than they should.

That’s the main reason why you should pay attention to the amount of water your cat is drinking during the day and why wet food can be a big bonus. It can help to prevent dehydration and kidney problems.

A cat that feeds only on dry food will need more water than if you feed them with wet food only. Or, even if you mix with wet food.

Pay attention to the labels

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University, cats need a balanced and complete diet. But, if you want to know what nutrients you are feeding your cat and how much water you are giving to your cat you need to read the labels.

You should look for food that has a high amount of water, low in carbohydrates, and has enough animal protein to keep their little bodies healthy.

Try the best of both worlds!

Now, there is a factor that must be considered: dry food for cats has undeniable advantages such as its price (which is usually lower than the price of canned food), and the fact that, if it is stored properly, it can last for a long time, but the truth is that its not enough for your cat’s needs.

That means that if you are thinking about their health you will need to implement a diet that has enough water and nutrients to complement what is offered in major brands of dry food (Click here to see if Meow Mix is better than Kit and Kaboodle). Besides that, your cats will love the texture of some canned food added to their diet.

So why don’t you try mixing the best of both worlds?

According to the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition, an institution with more than 50 years of experience taking care of animals and their diets, it’s better to implement a diet that has both kinds of food (Click here to see if this tastes like temptation cat treats) since it will help your cat to have a good weight, metabolism, teeth, and overall health.

But, the last word will always be in the paws of your cat and his particular needs and taste. Have you thought about the possibility of combining the two types of food? What do you think?