Can I change wet cat food for dry?

arbroath_lass

Arlandria606 wrote: »

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.

You didn't actually read the link did you? Cats are notoriously bad for not drinking water. Because their food should have enough water content. Raw or tinned does. Dried food doesn't.

Arlandria606

arbroath_lass wrote: »

You didn't actually read the link did you? Cats are notoriously bad for not drinking water. Because their food should have enough water content. Raw or tinned does. Dried food doesn't.

Actually, yes, I did read it.

Apparently you're not reading my posts though, since you keep making the same point despite the fact that I have not disputed it. I'm not denying that dry food doesn't give cats the water they need. What I'm saying is that, if they are getting the water they need elsewhere, there's nothing wrong with cats eating nutritionally balanced dry food.

Haffiana

Arlandria606 wrote: »

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.

Yes, all healthy cats have the same nutritional requirements - I really don't know what you mean by this. They are cats. They may vary a bit when ill or pregnant/nursing, but in short cats have evolved to eat small birds, mammals and the odd fish and that fills exactly their nutritional requirements. They do not require any form of grains or starch such as potato. Most dry foods are made of grains or starch. Dry foods are designed to be useful to the cat owner, not good for the cat.

But in order to not generalise -yes, some dry foods are grain/starch free. I don't believe any of them are sold in supermarkets. There are one or two almost grain free brands readily available such as Lily's, but they are not 'complete' foods - ie they do not contain the nutrients that a cat needs and should not be fed as the primary food source.

I think the best analogy that I can offer is this. - Children all have very similar nutritional needs, barring illness etc etc. Children can be fed diets such as chicken nuggets and chips and sugary drinks and the odd vitamin pill for extended periods of time and they will survive. Many more or less do so. They may be quite happy and active - they are, after all, children. However children fed such a diet will simply never be at the peak of health and fitness, and there are plenty of studies that suggest that these limited, nutritionally 'poor' diets result in ill health later in life.

arbroath_lass

Arlandria606 wrote: »

Actually, yes, I did read it.

Apparently you're not reading my posts though, since you keep making the same point despite the fact that I have not disputed it. I'm not denying that dry food doesn't give cats the water they need. What I'm saying is that, if they are getting the water they need elsewhere, there's nothing wrong with cats eating nutritionally balanced dry food.

And I am saying very few cats will drink enough to get the water they need elsewhere. So why take the chance with a beloved pet?

Rev

KittyBoo wrote: »

Thanks very much for your replies.
He's quite a big cat but doesn't seem to eat that much each meal. He has got his dried food out all he time and fresh water though. I will start to wean him off the milk gradually and maybe just give it him as a treat until then.
He's due to go to the vets for his booster injection soon, so I'll ask the vet his opinion on diet. I am interested in the water fountain and would appreciate your opinions on them Arlandria606.
Thanks again for all your replies. They have been very informative.

I can tell you now the bet will suggest whatever food is in the waiting room. Vets have 1 day of nutrition training in 4 years giving to them by one of the big corporations. Hills. Royal canin etc. one of which you'll see in the waiting room and the vets practice will get commission for selling it.

If you need advice on diet contact a nutritionalist. As you would ask a dietician not a doctor if you needed diet advice.

Arden grange nutritionalist is absolutely fantastic. Helped me immensely when my dog had massive diet issues and not once did she push Arden grange.

Most people think a vet is an animal know all. Think of them as an animal doctor. They aren't knowledgable on things lied diet, physiotherapy, etc. for advice about anything but medical issues you need to go to a specialist.

Arlandria606

arbroath_lass wrote: »

And I am saying very few cats will drink enough to get the water they need elsewhere. So why take the chance with a beloved pet?

It's not taking a chance if you're aware of how much water your cat is getting. It's only taking a chance if you don't know, and if you don't know, you're taking a chance regardless of what they're eating.

Haffiana wrote: »

Yes, all healthy cats have the same nutritional requirements - I really don't know what you mean by this. They are cats. They may vary a bit when ill or pregnant/nursing, but in short cats have evolved to eat small birds, mammals and the odd fish and that fills exactly their nutritional requirements. They do not require any form of grains or starch such as potato. Most dry foods are made of grains or starch. Dry foods are designed to be useful to the cat owner, not good for the cat.

What I mean is very simple, scientifically proven, and really should not be news to anyone: every single healthy cat in the world does not have the exact same nutritional requirements.

Kittens have different dietary needs.
Older (but healthy) cats have different dietary needs.
A more active cat needs more food in general than a less active one.
A larger breed needs more food (and potentially differently sized and shaped food) from a smaller breed.
A cat that's hunting and eating its kills will have different needs than one who isn't.
Some cats just don't like some foods and won't eat them.

I don't see why this is such a difficult concept for people. You wouldn't expect every healthy human child in the world to react in exactly the same way on the exact same diet. Some will be thin, some will be larger, some will refuse to eat it, some will have intolerances, some will eat it all and want more, some won't be able to finish it. Cats are no different: while their basic nutritional requirements are the same, the specifics of what is best for each cat depends on the individual cat.

If that wasn't the case, then surely your response to OP's question would be simply to post the magical, one-size-fits-all, perfect-for-every-cat diet and say, "feed him this". Except it wasn't, because you accept what I'm saying is true, but somehow still have a blind hatred for all dry food, in all quantities, in any composition, in any circumstances, for any cat.

Since there's clearly some anti-corporate, anti-dry-food brainwashing on display here, I give up.

OP - good luck with your cat, whatever you choose to feed him.

Rev

Arlandria606 wrote: »

It's not taking a chance if you're aware of how much water your cat is getting. It's only taking a chance if you don't know, and if you don't know, you're taking a chance regardless of what they're eating.



What I mean is very simple, scientifically proven, and really should not be news to anyone: every single healthy cat in the world does not have the exact same nutritional requirements.

Kittens have different dietary needs.
Older (but healthy) cats have different dietary needs.
A more active cat needs more food in general than a less active one.
A larger breed needs more food (and potentially differently sized and shaped food) from a smaller breed.
A cat that's hunting and eating its kills will have different needs than one who isn't.
Some cats just don't like some foods and won't eat them.

I don't see why this is such a difficult concept for people. You wouldn't expect every healthy human child in the world to react in exactly the same way on the exact same diet. Some will be thin, some will be larger, some will refuse to eat it, some will have intolerances, some will eat it all and want more, some won't be able to finish it. Cats are no different: while their basic nutritional requirements are the same, the specifics of what is best for each cat depends on the individual cat.

If that wasn't the case, then surely your response to OP's question would be simply to post the magical, one-size-fits-all, perfect-for-every-cat diet and say, "feed him this". Except it wasn't, because you accept what I'm saying is true, but somehow still have a blind hatred for all dry food, in all quantities, in any composition, in any circumstances, for any cat.

Since there's clearly some anti-corporate, anti-dry-food brainwashing on display here, I give up.

OP - good luck with your cat, whatever you choose to feed him.

It's called generalising. In the way everyone generalises about pretty much everything. So would you like the OP to do a food diary for various diets so we can all see what combination is best for her cat before any advice is given?

Same as a dietician will offer general advice based on the what they know to be the needs of people in general. Until they're aware of personally situations.

So in general (sorry I can't be more specific, not being the OP and having studied the dietary needs of her cat), cats don't need grain or veg. They need meat. Also, in general cats get their water from food. Of which their is non in dry food. So generally speaking having a cat on a dry good only diet isn't the best idea. Say the OP's cat is an out door cat. How can she be aware of the amount of water it's getting if its out most of the day/a few hours a day?

Should she keep it in and study EXACTLY how much water it has to be 100% sure of its water in take? Or is that a little OTT?

Clearly I'm not against dry food as I feed it myself. The grain free version as my cat is grain intolerant. But since he's getting dry and I can't watch him 24 hours a day and be exactly aware of his water intake. He gets wet food too. See where I'm going with this.

Yes, every cat is different. Yes not every cat will have the same needs. Nobody is saying every cat is 100% identical in their needs. But the basics is a good place to start is it not? And basics tell people cats need meat and get water from food.

paddypaws101

Some interesting articles below

http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm
http://feline-nutrition.org/nutrition/the-carnivore-connection-to-nutrition-in-cats
http://feline-nutrition.org/
http://www.catinfo.org/
http://www.barfaustralia.com/Blog/tabid/1524/EntryId/21/We-Need-to-Return-to-Basics.aspx

Jobseeeker

Unfortunately all vets tell you something different. My vet told me only use dry food, she didn't say a particular brand so I don't think it was a sales thing. She then told me if you do decide to give wet food make sure you brush teeth after every meal!

penny_pincha

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

he never drinks milk, but water from puddles.

My vet has told me that the reason why cats drink from puddles is that they like to drink at a distance from their food. As we humans tend to place their water bowl next to their food bowls, they have no option as they see it. I put a couple of water bowls elsewhere in the house or you could put one in the garden if you cats likes to go out, so at least you can ensure they have a choice.