Can I change wet cat food for dry?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Our cat eats fish, the wiskas can variety, our house, our home. He drinks our christmas pud sauce, with added whiskey and decimates the local wildlife. he never drinks milk, but water from puddles.

he also packs a punch and sleeps atop the boiler.

Haffiana

Dry food is not good for cats. The only people who are pro it are the manufacturers, who spend a lot of money persuading vets to sell it... My vet said to me that she thinks that there is going to be a huge scandal about dry cat food because it is causing real health issues.

http://www.catinfo.org/

dandelionclock30

One of my cats kept getting cystitis from dried food. I was advised by the vet to put water on her biscuits, so they were basically wet dried food. She was on a light diet.
I think feeding cats is about being sensible and moderation, I like to give mine some tinned meat, cut up chicken pieces and some biscuits/dried food as well.

Arlandria606

Haffiana wrote: »

Dry food is not good for cats. The only people who are pro it are the manufacturers, who spend a lot of money persuading vets to sell it... My vet said to me that she thinks that there is going to be a huge scandal about dry cat food because it is causing real health issues.

http://www.catinfo.org/

That's like saying "dry food is not good for humans".

Not all cats have the same nutritional requirements, and not all dry food has the same nutritional composition, so it's impossible to make such a sweeping statement and retain any kind of credibility.

arbroath_lass

Arlandria606 wrote: »

That's like saying "dry food is not good for humans".

Humans don't eat a lot of dried food though, do they? Even if they did they'd at least know or could be told they need to drink more water to compensate.

Arlandria606 wrote: »

Not all cats have the same nutritional requirements, and not all dry food has the same nutritional composition, so it's impossible to make such a sweeping statement and retain any kind of credibility.

Cat's (that's all of them) do not need cereal or vegetable protein. They need animal protein. You're correct in that not all dried foods are nutritionally equal but the lack of water in them all makes them bad for cats.


Whilst it is also true some cats drink more than others and not all develop problems we have to ask ourselves if we should be playing "Russian roulette" with our pets health for the sake of our convenience.

Arlandria606

arbroath_lass wrote: »

Humans don't eat a lot of dried food though, do they? Even if they did they'd at least know or could be told they need to drink more water to compensate.

Cat's (that's all of them) do not need cereal or vegetable protein. They need animal protein. You're correct in that not all dried foods are nutritionally equal but the lack of water in them all makes them bad for cats.

There are dry foods available that deliver mainly poultry and animal proteins over vegetable.

Cats need a certain amount of water. If they get that water from their food, great. If they get it separately, great. So long as they get it, and it's not tainted/dirty/etc, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

arbroath_lass wrote: »

Whilst it is also true some cats drink more than others and not all develop problems we have to ask ourselves if we should be playing "Russian roulette" with our pets health for the sake of our convenience.

If an owner is aware of and catering to their cat's water intake, nutritional needs, and overall health condition, they're taking good care of their pet, however their needs are being met.

I'm not trying to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't be feeding their cat - I'm just pointing out that making sweeping generalisations is never helpful. A high quality, nutritionally balanced dry food is suitable for many cats, so long as the cat's entire nutritional needs are met with their overall diet. Villainising all dry food as bad for all cats isn't helpful to anyone.

CharlieRabbit01

I offer both wet and dry food to my kitten he makes the choice to eat either.

May I ask why you would only feed one or the other? unless it was vet advised?

Rev

As above really. Dry only diet in general isn't best for cats. Mine have grain free dry down for when they want it and high meat grain free wet.

One of mine won't eat any wet besides shredded chicken because she's a fussy so and so. But rather that than her having no wet food at all. My other will thankfully eat most wet types. He likes the pât! types so feline fayre of natures menu are what he usually gets.

CharlieRabbit01

I gave Denzel boiled chicken once and he looked at me like I was crazy, he played with it for a while then eventually ate it, then wanted more!

Arlandria606

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

I offer both wet and dry food to my kitten he makes the choice to eat either.

May I ask why you would only feed one or the other? unless it was vet advised?

If you're a breeder with a new litter and one in the litter gets an upset tummy from the wet food, it's often impossible to provide wet food for the others and prevent that one from eating it, so the simplest thing is for the litter to be on dry only. Once the litter is rehomed, the new owners can then investigate to find a diet that works for that kitten, without having to worry about the rest of the litter.

Some cats with dental or jaw problems could have problems with chewing dry kibble. Larger breeds (e.g. Maine Coons) can also have problems with small kibble, as their jaws are too big to comfortably chew.

Personally I wouldn't be comfortable feeding any adult cat one single kind of food, whether it's wet or dry, unless there was a specific health reason behind it - and even then I'd want to supplement with the occasional treat or plain meat/fish if it's safe to do so.