Wet Food is Necessary for Some Cats

Cat owners often experience difficulty picking the best foods for their pets, but, in general, the difference between wet and dry food is unimportant. Both are nutritionally adequate and perfectly healthy, so it's ultimately up to the preference of the pet and guardian However, in some cases, a cat might have a medical need that necessitates the use of wet food.

After years of feeding cats a diet of predominantly dry cat food, I expected the same fare for my new adoptee, Ziggy. It turned out that Ziggy had special medical needs that made dry food inappropriate. Too much dry food, his vet said, could easily disturb his sensitive urinary tract, leading to the formation of urethra-blocking crystals.

Ziggy's needs are the exception, not the norm. Dry cat food is the most common fare for most American house cats. After all, it is nutritionally complete and costs a fraction of the amount of gourmet wet foods. It can also be left out at room temperature for hours or even days with no problems, while wet food tends to spoil and stink very quickly. If it were up to me, wet food would be a treat, not a daily meal.

According to the ASPCA, dry food is perfectly acceptable for the vast majority of cats. However, it doesn't provide enough water for cats with certain medical conditions. Many cats won't drink enough water unless it is included in their food. For most cats, this will cause nothing more than minor chronic dehydration. For cats with special needs, even the most minor losses of fluid can be very problematic.

My cat, who is prone to urinary problems, is one example of a pet who needs a diet containing primarily wet food. Cats with kidney disease also need wet foods for similar reasons. Because diabetes can make cats more prone to fluid loss, and because wet foods are lower in carbohydrates than their dry counterparts, moist foods are also preferable for kitties with diabetes. Finally, wet food can help to alleviate constipation in cats who are not getting sufficient fluids.

Unless your veterinarian says otherwise, your cat will likely do just fine on a primarily dry diet. However, if your cat has medical conditions, talk to his veterinarian to find out if he should switch to exclusively moist, canned fare-- either temporarily or permanently. While dry food is just fine for most cats, many have a dietary need for wet meals.