Mary Allen
Dry food is practical for mums and dads, but not the best choice as the main food for cats. It should be more of a change from wet food – because that is part of a balanced diet.
Feeding a cat only dry food is appealing. After all, it has a long shelf life, is less odor-intensive, and looks appetizing. It’s also cheaper in the long run because the high-energy food fills you up faster and you need less of it. However, there are several reasons why you should not feed your cat exclusively dry food.
Dry Food Contains Hardly Any Water
The main difference between dry and wet food is the water content. While wet food consists of 60 to 80 percent water, the dry version is just about eight percent. In nature, however, cats ensure their liquid supply through food, which is why the animals are quite lazy about drinking. A cat that always eats dry food and therefore does not has enough water can develop bladder and kidney problems. Wet food, on the other hand, provides enough liquid. In addition, due to the low water content, dry food is richer in energy and can lead to obesity in your darling over time.
Variety in Cat Diet
Dry food can sometimes be a supplement to wet food. For example, feed it as a treat. Or offer wet food and dry food alternately every day. The latter as the main food is really only recommended if your cat absolutely does not like wet food. If she does not tolerate wet food and gets diarrhea from it, for example, ask your veterinarian for advice – he can prescribe so-called hypoallergenic cat food for your furry friend and use an elimination diet to find out which food component you are not getting. You really can’t avoid dry food, but at least try to soak it in some water to keep your cat hydrated. Hydration is particularly important for older cats, as they often drink less than young cats.
What to Look Out for When Feeding
Regardless of whether it is dry or wet food: always pay attention to the ingredients of the cat food. Many foods contain fiber or grains derived from plants that are not part of a cat’s diet. The velvet paws are pure carnivores and their digestive system is not designed for plant-based food. A diet high in plant components can lead to digestive problems and bladder stones in your cat, and possibly also to deficiency symptoms. Sugar should never be put in pet food as it is bad for the teeth and is of no benefit to the cat. So be sure to use high-quality grain and sugar-free feed products. It’s best to consult a veterinarian to be sure.