Do Cats Need to Eat Wet Food? 10 Important Things You Should Know

There’s a great debate in the cat care world and it’s all about what diet to feed your feline.

Some feed only dry, others only canned, or a combination of the two. Then there are those who advocate for raw-food-only, grain-free or only home-cooked meals. So many voices are in the mix that it’s enough to make your head swim!

Today, we’re going to simplify things by answering the question, “Do cats need to eat wet food? Is it really important for their health?” As my dear friend Kammie of Kammie Savidge Photography and I discussed this topic, it seemed like a perfect blog post.

This article is not intended to pick a fight or stir up anger. I realize this is a sensitive subject for many. In this post, I’ll simply be sharing the science and letting the opinions fall where they may!

Is wet food important for cats?

Truthfully, if we all asked our vets this very question, we would get as many different answers as there are flavors of canned cat food. There really isn’t one agreed-upon answer.

In my humble opinion, to get an accurate answer about this topic, we need a better understanding of how cats eat when given free rein in the wild.

A fascinating study conducted by Cambridge University of free-roaming cats revealed, “…insight into the nutritive, as well as possible non-nutritive aspects of a natural diet of whole prey for cats and provides novel ways to further improve feline diets to increase health and longevity.”

Based on these studies, they found a cat’s preferred diet broke down to roughly 52% protein, 46% fat, and only 2% carbohydrates. A cat’s total body weight is 60-70% water. In the wild, eating birds, small animals, or even insects, provide them with all the moisture & nutrients they need.

A mouse for example, is around 70-75% water. This makes it easy to understand how cats survived when other water sources were unavailable.

Now…let’s compare that to the nutrient profile of wet vs dry food.

Dry cat food is called dry for a reason; it’s only about 10% water. Wet food on the other hand contains around 75% moisture levels, matching closely to what wild cats would get naturally.

Because cats evolved into getting water from their live catch of the day, their thirst drive is very low. Clean, safe water was not always available in the wild so they adapted without it.

This means your cat can be dehydrated but not ‘feel thirsty.’

Our job is to protect their health by making sure they stay hydrated with food and water by providing what they don’t know they need but desperately do.

chronic dehydration consequences

So, do cats need to eat wet food? Ideally, yes. Without enough water intake, cats are more at risk for preventable health issues.

In fact, research has proven a wet food diet can reduce inflammation of the bladder in cats, called cystitis. Dehydrated kitties are also more at risk for stones in the urinary tract, which is a miserable condition for your beloved feline to suffer from.

Kidney disease is another common issue we see with cats, especially in later years. Chronic dehydration is a leading cause because, without enough water intake, the kidneys struggle to filter waste material from their little bodies.

Feeding your cat high quality wet food is a simple way to make sure their hydration stays at healthy levels, while also providing critical minerals, vitamins, fats, amino acids, and proteins.

Take a look at the FAQ drop-down below for more information like pros and cons of wet food, how much to feed, and other helpful tips & tricks.

Are there alternatives to canned cat food?

Do you have a finicky feline who turns their nose up at the sight or smell of can food? Or, maybe you’re just looking for ways to keep your cat healthy without feeding commercial canned food?

Here are some ideas that might help:

Encourage your cat to drink more with a water fountain

Hydration is still the #1 goal if you choose not to feed can. Getting water from their food is the most natural way for a cat to stay hydrated, but water fountains can be a huge help.

Why do cats like water fountains? There are a few reasons. Cats have really strong senses (especially smell and sound) and they rely on these senses to make wise decisions, much like we do.

In the wild, still water sources are likely loaded with bacteria that not only smell bad to a cat’s nose but could also make them very sick. Their survival instincts say, “stay away!”

On the other hand, the cool, filtered, clean-smelling, and gentle bubbling or trickling sound of a cat fountain entices the kitty to come closer. Cats and curiosity, you know…

There’s also the issue of whisker fatigue. Your cat’s whiskers are extremely sensitive and when they keep touching the side of a water or food bowl, it can cause them stress or pain.

Wide bowled cat fountains like the one below help prevent this and still draw attention to the captivating sight, sound, and smell of fresh water.

We have had 5 or 6 fountains for cats in our home. I’ve even gifted them to family members for their cats. Every single cat has loved them (pretty much immediately after a little investigation) and their health has noticeably improved because of it.

Related Reading: How To Choose A Cat Water Fountain: 5 Important Features for Happy Healthy Kitties

Try Inaba Churu treats instead

If you’re a cat lover, you might have seen the ridiculously adorable videos of pawrents hand-feeding their felines a ‘tube treat.’ Cats go wild over this stuff!

What’s all the hype about? It’s not just adorable; it’s healthy. Each tube of creamy goodness gives your cat 91% moisture! They’re also only 6 calories and loaded with beneficial vitamins like taurine, vitamin E and green tea for antioxidants.

What’s not in them is just as important. Inaba Churu is made without grains, artificial colors, preservatives, or carrageenan.

Best of all, these tube treats were designed to be used as a bonding moment between you and your cat. They’ll be extra glad to see you when your hand holds one of these! 😉

Photo takes you to Chewy (our favorite) but these are also available on Amazon.

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Conclusion

Call me crazy, but I think when it comes to the question, “Do cats need to eat wet food?” the science points to a clear “yes.”

So what are the key takeaways?

• Without enough water intake, your cat is more likely to develop urinary tract issues, kidney disease, and general lethargy from feeling unwell

• Is wet food important for cats? Yes! You don’t have to feed can but it is critical to add hydration in other ways if you don’t. (see examples above) Feeding canned food is however one of the simplest ways to ensure high levels of moisture.

• When you are feeding can, keep in mind that it spoils quickly. Uneaten portions should be refrigerated within 1-2 hours of sitting out. To serve later, warm food in the microwave for 10-20 seconds in a microwave-safe dish.

• Since cats get their water from their food in the wild, they have a very low thirst drive. They can be dehydrated and not feel thirsty. It’s up to us to keep them well-hydrated.

• You can also help meet your cat’s water needs by adding a little feline-safe tuna water or cooking them some of these delicious human foods (unseasoned, of course…)

So… what do you think? Do you feed your cat canned food, raw food, a specialty diet, or a combination of any of these?

I love hearing your thoughts. Helpful, respectful discussion, is always welcomed here in the Cat Care Solutions family! As always, I hope you’ve found this post helpful.

Until we meet again…

Love & Healing Purrs,

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Resources:

PetMD: Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?

Cathealth.com: Wet Food vs. Dry Food For Cats

Cats.com: The Complete Guide to Feline Nutrition