Should my cat eat wet or dry food?

 Every cat has different needs and eating habits, and these habits should influence what kind of food your cat eats. Wet? Dry? A mix of both? Here are some pointers that can help you determine the best diet for your feline friend.

Wet Cat Food

 If your cat struggles with urinary infections, dehydration, or constipation, then wet food might be the better choice for them. Our Nature's Select Turkey and Salmon Dinner canned wet food offers a moisture content of up to 78%. If your pet has a condition that requires a higher water intake, then a wet food diet could be more beneficial - especially if your cat doesn't regularly drink enough water.

Another potential benefit of wet food is its lower calorie density. If your cat is overweight, wet food provides fewer calories per ounce while still filling up your cat to help them feel full. Our feline canned food contains approximately 33.5 calories per ounce, while the feline dry food has around 49 calories per ounce. The lower calorie wet food can aid in weight loss or weight maintenance while still leaving your pet happy and satisfied.

Dry Cat Food

 The two main benefits that dry cat food provided are ease of use and cost efficiency. Dry food allows for free- feeding and the food can be left out for prolonged periods of time. Some cats prefer grazing their food over the day rather than at specific mealtimes, which is the main feeding method when wet food is used.

Additionally, our Nature's Select Feline Classic Nutrition Recipe dry food is more cost effective than our wet food. When purchasing dry food versus wet food, our cat kibble from Nature's Select costs about half as much per ounce of food when compared to our canned food. As of October 2023, each ounce of dry food costs approximately $0.17 whereas our wet food costs $0.36 per ounce (when purchasing a case of 24 cans).

How much should my cat be eating?

The average indoor cat should have 20 calories per pound to maintain weight. The average outdoor only cat should have 35 calories per pound to maintain weight. Indoor/outdoor cats are somewhere in between. For example, if your indoor cat weighs 10 pounds, then they should be eating approximately 200 calories per day. If your outdoor cat weighs 10 pounds, they should eat around 350 calories per day.

If your cat is overweight, you will want to feed for 2 pounds less, or 40-70 fewer calories a day, and readjust every time your cat loses a pound, until you hit a healthy weight, and then maintain. Always consult your veterinarian before putting your cat on a weight loss regimen.

If you feed your cat treats on a regular basis, remember to factor them into their daily calorie intake. Most cats love treats, but too many can have negative affects on their health.