How Much Dry and Wet Food Should You Feed a Cat?

Many pet owners struggle with the question of what to feed their cats, how much to feed them, and whether dry food or wet food is the best choice. To help you figure out the right diet for your new cat companion, this Green Paws Chicago blog will walk you through the benefits of wet and dry food and offer some recommendations for the best food for your cat!

Dry and Wet Cat Food: Why Your Cat Needs Both

Although some cat parents feed their cat either wet food or dry food, feeding your cat a mix of both provides the best of both worlds. A diet of both types of foods not only helps support their dental health and hydration but also ensures they have a balanced, nutritious diet.

Dry Food Benefits

High-quality dry cat food has great health benefits for your cat, including:

• Dry food is ideal for dental health: While dry food can’t make up for brushing your cat’s teeth (yes, it can and should be done!), because of the crunchy nature of dry food, it supports oral hygiene by reducing tartar buildup.
• Dry food is calorie-dense: Generally, dry food is high in calories, which is ideal for seniors or active cats.

Wet Food Benefits

Wet cat food also has some wonderful benefits, such as:

• Wet food provides hydration: Wet cat food has a high moisture content, which ensures cats stay hydrated and can help with urinary tract issues, joints, and mobility.
• Wet food is higher in protein: Typically, wet food is rich in protein, which aligns with the carnivorous dietary needs of cats and promotes good muscle and organ health.

By combining both wet and dry cat food, you can ensure that your cat is getting all the nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life.

How to Keep Your Cat’s Food Fresh

When feeding your cat a mixed diet, you want to make sure you are storing their food the right way so that it stays fresh.

Store all dry cat food in an airtight container, not in the bag it comes in. Also be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place, and always avoid any exposure to sunlight and heat.

Wet food should be used as soon as it’s open, but you can refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container that should be used within 2-3 days. How long can wet food sit out? No more than 2 hours after opening.

Wet Cat Food Serving Size Recommendations

When deciding how much wet food to feed a cat, you should aim for up to 4-5 ounces a day. That might add up to one can of wet food (assuming your cat also eats dry food).

Dry Cat Food Serving Size Recommendations

How much dry food to feed a cat depends on several factors like weight, age, and dietary needs. However, about 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight is recommended by most veterinarians.

Summary

Providing your cat with a diet that consists of both wet and dry food will support their overall health, hydration, dental needs, and nutrition. Understanding how each type of food benefits your cat makes sure you’re making the right choice for their specific needs. You’ll also be able to communicate your cat’s needs with vets or when you’re using cat sitting services.