Buyer’s Guide to Wet Cat Food
Both dry and wet cat foods have their advantages and what suits one cat might not suit another. In this guide we will be studying wet cat food, that is food which comes in cans, trays or pouches. Looking at it, wet cat food seems more difficult to get your head around as there are so many different types out there, while dry cat food is just bought in a bag. However, we intend to prove this not to be the case and will guide you in the right direction to purchasing the right wet food for your cats.
Types of Wet Cat Food
Wet cat food comes in many guises. A lot of the more expensive ones come in the form of a pate which is basically finely chopped or pureed seasoned meat. Because there isn’t as much gravy, you will find that the meat is more concentrated and your cats will therefore get more nutritional benefits.
However, a lot of gravy in a cat food has benefits as well, not least in that it gives added moisture to your cats. Wet cat food in a gravy or broth usually comes in single-serve pouches which is very convenient for feeding time. One pouch will easily be sufficient for each cat. However, these foods are generally quite calorific, so if your cats have weight problems, it can be a good idea to use the pouches as a dry food topper.
Although your cats don’t necessarily need carbohydrates, many of these pouches do contain some healthy fruit and vegetables. Just make sure that there are no empty fillers like wheat, corn, or soy.
Sometimes wet cat food in a gravy or broth comes in large tins. These are usually produced by cheaper pet food labels and the food is usually stretched out with less nutritional value than in the pouches.
The final type of wet cat food is semi moist. However, this is not used to such a great extent anymore. It has been proved that it can cause health problems such as anemia mainly because it has a high sugar and calorie count. What you don’t want is to cause your cats are health problems from what they eat.
Nowadays you can still find semi moist food in the form of treats and the occasional treat won’t do anyone any harm, but keep it to a minimum. The health of your cat is a priority after all.
More expensive wet cat foods tend to have a smaller range of cat food on offer, while cheaper forms offer a greater variety. The same goes for flavors. Expensive wet cat foods concentrate on offering premium ingredients, while cheaper versions like to mix and match.
Why is Quality Wet Cat Food Essential to the Health of Your Cats?
Cats, unlike dogs, are obligate carnivores. It’s not that they are particularly picky eaters, but their bodies need meat to survive. Vegetarians or vegans who put their cats on plant based diets because of their beliefs are in fact being totally irresponsible.
The one particular amino acid cats need to thrive is taurine. It is only found in animal meat products and you get a better dose of this in a wet cat food rather than in dry. Taurine has a vital part to play in the health of your cats. It aids the normal and healthy development of the cardiovascular system, the skeletal muscles, the eyes, and the central nervous system, especially the brain and the spinal cord. Without taurine cats can even go completely blind.
Wet cat food doesn’t usually contain too much fiber which is good for your cats. Cats don’t need a lot of fiber as they can’t break down plant-based food easily. Their digestive systems are short which means that they can’t digest cellulose or fiber-rich foods. If they do eat too much fiber, it can cause serious stomach problems.
Cats need moisture and wet cat food is capable of giving them plenty of water. They don’t have a thirst mechanism which makes them want to drink, so if they are just eating dry cat food, they can be missing out on a lot of moisture content. Relying on wet cat food will give them the moisture which they need. To compare, the prey wild cats eat contain around 70% moisture, while wet cat food has 78 - 83%. Dry cat food on the other hand only contains around 10% moisture, way too little for the survival of your cats. Such a small amount can lead to dehydration, with the possibility of chronic renal failure. At the very least, urine crystals can form which obstructs the flow of urine.
Wet cat food can stop obesity and diabetes taking a hold. This is because it doesn’t contain as many carbs as dry cat food. Too many carbs can turn to glucose, heading your cats over to a lifetime of diabetes and injections.
Benefits of Wet Cat Food Over Dry
Wet cat food is easier to digest because it has less ingredients than dry cat food. Dry cat food uses a lot of ingredients to bulk up the food and can be by far the cheaper option. Less ingredients can also lead to fewer and firmer stools. This is better than frequent visits to the litter box with sickness and diarrhea.
Wet cat food generally has higher nutritional values than dry cat food. This is because it tends to contain more protein and fats which are essential for the health of your cats, plus it contains very little carbohydrate. While a few fruits and veggies won’t go amiss, too many grains are unnecessary.
Many cats prefer the taste of wet cat food over dry so will be more prone to eat it. Wet foods are similar in texture to fresh meat, unlike dry cat food which is basically just a biscuit mix, albeit one containing protein.
Wet cat food can produce higher energy levels in cats compared to dry cat foods. The reason for this is that they are easily digested so are converted to energy in no time at all.
Downsides of Wet Cat Food
Yes, wet food is a great choice for your cats, but like everything, there has to be a couple of downsides as well.
The first is cost. You can buy a bag of dry cat food which will last for ages. Even one of the more expensive brands will go a long way. With wet cat food, you may have to invest in three pouches or trays a day per cat so you’re looking at 27 in one week, far more expensive than a bag of dry cat food which will probably last a month.
Wet cat food doesn't have as long a shelf-life as dry. If you decide to go for the cheaper option and buy a large can of cat food, it has to be refrigerated to stop it from going off. Then cats often don’t like refrigerated foods so there can be wastage. Even if you use a pouch, your cats might still not finish the food and you can’t leave it down for as long as you can dry cat food..
A great advantage of dry cat food is that it helps to scrape away plaque and tartar from the teeth of your cats.while they eat. Wet cat food doesn’t do this.
How to Choose a High Quality Wet Cat Food
It’s daunting to see so many different brands of wet cat food out there so which do you choose? The best thing to do is to find one which has been endorsed by the AAFCO or American Association of Feed Control Officials. They regulate the production and manufacture of pet supplies and livestock feed, and a statement from them ensures that the pet food you have chosen has the minimum nutritional requirements.
All wet cat foods should contain four principal elements, proteins, fats, fiber, and moisture. The main food composition should be made up of proteins and fats, not fibers.
The first five ingredients of the cat food should occupy 80 - 90% of the total volume of the food. Protein should figure high here, although water and broth may also be top ingredients because of the high moisture count of the wet cat food. The best sources of protein are fresh meats and meat meals. Good sources are chicken, turkey, fish, and lamb. Don’t be put off by meat meals. They have already been cooked down to a moisture level of around 10%.
Animal fats like chicken fat, and fish oils which have omega fatty acids are good for the skin and coat of your cats.
A small amount of carbs are necessary for regular digestion. Oatmeal and brown rice are good options as are gluten free products such as tapioca and sweet potatoes.
Don’t go for artificial colors or preservatives as they do nothing for the health of your cats, rather the opposite. Try finding foods with natural preservatives like salt and Vitamin E. Avoid artificial preservatives like BHA, ethoxyquin, BHT, and propyl gallate.
Checklist for Choosing the Best Wet Cat Food
- Choose a wet cat food which has been endorsed by AFCO and is nutritionally sound
- Make sure that the food contains plenty of moisture, 70 - 80% is best
- Ensure that the wet cat food contains plenty of essential taurine which is vital for eye and heart health
- Go for a food that is low in carbs as cats are carnivores and can’t break down plant food easily
FAQ
Why is a Quality Wet Cat Food Important?
People have been fighting over whether wet or dry cat food is the best for your cats for years.
Personally I would go for wet cat food because of the added moisture content. There is very little moisture in dry food and cats aren’t the best at searching for their own sources of water.
Whichever food you are going to give your cats, you should choose the best as these are more likely to have extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Always check the ingredient list.
You usually get more taurine in a wet cat food rather than a dry as it is plentiful in fresh meat. It helps with the eyes, the heart, and the central nervous system.
Because dry cat food contains more carbohydrates than wet cat food it can lead to diabetes and obesity, two serious health problems. A good quality wet cat food will have few carbs and especially no empty fillers like wheat, corn, and soy.
What Ingredients to Look for in Wet Cat Food?
The first and most important ingredient to look out for is animal protein. Cats need this to survive. Make sure you choose a specific meat, not something like poultry meal as you will have no idea what poultry is being used.
When it comes to moisture look for a content of at least 75%, especially if your cats are elderly. They need more moisture as they grow older because they dehydrate quickly.
Always make sure that there is plenty of taurine in the food. It does appear naturally in wet food, but extra is usually added to make sure that your cats are getting enough.
When Should I feed my Adult Cat and How Much?
You often hear of people feeding their cats just once a day, but personally I think it’s better to split the meals. They won’t then be able to rush through one big meal and cause themselves digestive problems.
Healthy adult cats need around 30 calories per one pound of body weight each day. A 3 oz can of wet cat food contains around 100 calories, so your cats would need 3 cans a day presuming they weighed in at a very average weight of 9 - 10 pounds.
Conclusion
If you love and care for your pets you will give them the best care that you can afford. There is nothing wrong with dry cat food and indeed it’s a great supplement to wet food, but wet food contains more protein and especially more moisture. This provides the essential hydration your cats need to support their development. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of water in the diet of your cats.
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