Both wet and dry cat foods have benefits for your cat. It’s possible to mix wet and dry food, but you must first understand why your feline friend needs mixed food and how to do it right. Feeding them with mixed dry and wet food not only provides meal variety, but also helps them maintain good health.
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Advantages of mixing dry and wet cat food
There are some things to think about before combining dry and wet food for your feline friend.
It provides more variety
Like humans, cats enjoy various foods, and mixing dry and wet food will make their diet more palatable. Giving your feline friend a combination of dry and wet cat food, instead of dry food only will encourage them to eat more. Most cats choose wet food over dry food because it has more diverse flavors and textures.
It keeps cats hydrated
Cats often don’t drink enough water, which can lead to dehydration or the formation of urinary crystals in their urine. This can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially if their diet only consists of dry food.
Since dry cat foods consist of only around ten percent liquid, adding wet food to your cat’s diet can increase your furry friend’s hydration by seventy to eighty percent. This will lead to better health overall, and especially for their urinary tract. Increased water consumption can even improve your cat’s metabolism.
It helps with dental health and weight control
The crunchy ingredients dry food is composed of can help scrape tartar and plaque away, keeping your cat’s teeth clean. Meanwhile, wet food can encourage weight loss. So, a diet consisting of both types of food will give your cat the best of both worlds.
Combining wet and dry food will also help you control how many calories your cat is consuming. Dry food is denser with nutrients, so adding wet food to the diet will make sure your cat stays hydrated and ends up eating less. This will help your cat stay active and prevent them from becoming obese.
It’s more affordable
Generally, wet cat food is more costly than dry food, so many cat owners stick with dry food only. A good budget-friendly compromise, however, is to mix the two together. Not only is this better for your wallet, but it will also benefit your cat’s health.
Tips for mixing wet and dry food into your cat’s diet
If you’re having trouble mixing wet and dry food properly, follow these tips for the best results.
Look for high-quality ingredients
You can determine the quality of the pet foods you purchase by checking their ingredients. Make sure the ingredients list contains no artificial additives or dyes and that it includes real meat.
Count calories
Since dry food contains more nutrients and calories than wet food, to make sure your cat gets the right calorie intake, you will need to calculate the number of calories per serving in both the dry and wet food. Then you can measure accordingly.
Give your cat the right amount of food
Figuring out the proper portion sizes for your cat can be tricky, especially when you’re combining two types of food. It’s a good idea to use measuring cups or scoopers. This will help you measure the right amount, so you don’t overfeed your feline companion.
The proportions you need to feed your cat depend on his needs and what kind of wet-to-dry ratio you want to feed him. A good goal is that your cat should get 25% of his calories from wet food each day.
Don’t use the same bowl for both
Besides mixing the right amount of wet and dry food, you also need to take proper hygiene into consideration. The wet food bowl needs to be washed after every feeding, so it doesn’t get contaminated and make your cat sick. You should also wash the dry food bowl regularly.
Cats don’t like having their water bowls right next to their food bowls. This is because the food can fall into their water and leave an unpleasant smell behind. They also usually won’t eat their food from a different bowl.
Stick to one flavor
Never mix beef or other meat with seafood like salmon and tuna since it can deter your cats from eating the food. Consider getting the same flavor groups for dry and wet foods when you’re mixing them.
Seek professional help
If you still have some doubts about what to do, you should ask a specialist. Consulting with a vet can help you to find the perfect proportion of dry and wet cat food to combine based on your cat’s specific health and food preferences, dietary needs, and budget.
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Frequently asked questions about wet and dry cat food
Which is better for cats, wet or dry food?
Both wet and dry foods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Dry food is cheaper and is easier to serve than wet cat food. It can also help a cat maintain good dental health. However, wet cat food is beneficial for cats prone to urinary tract infections, dehydration, obesity, and constipation. The best solution is a combination diet, made up of at least 25% wet food.
How do you moisten dry cat food?
Another option for feeding your cat, it to add a bit of water to dry food to moisten it. Moistening dry cat food makes the kibbles softer and enhances the food’s flavor, which is best for kittens or cats with tooth problems.
This also benefits cats that have issues with dehydration. You can add 1/4 cup of plain water on top of the bowl of dry cat food. This will quickly moisten the dry food in less than a minute.
What can I feed my toothless cat?
Canned or wet food is the most common recommendation for toothless cats because of its soft and easy-to-eat texture. However, some cats still insist on eating kibbles despite having no teeth. If your cat still prefers kibbles to canned foods, then you can add water to their dry food to make it softer and safe for their gums.
Wrapping up
Mixing dry and wet cat food is recommended by vets and animal nutritionists, as long as both food options contain high-quality essential nutrients for your cat and meet your cat’s health needs. The mixture of food should include minerals, proteins, fats, vitamins, and other nutrients they need to stay healthy.
