Feeding your kitty a balanced diet is an important part of keeping them happy and healthy. And a very common question many paw parents ask is whether dry food is bad for cats. Are wet or canned foods really healthier for your furry friend? Are any and all dry foods bad for cats? Below, Cat in a Flat dives into the pros and cons of dry cat food and what you need to know when feeding it to your feline. 

What’s in dry cat food?

What’s in dry cat food? It’s important to know what’s in your kitty’s cuisine so you can decide if it’s bad or not. Kitty kibble is a processed cat food that is typically made using some sort of ground meat (usually beef or poultry). Dry cat food can also contain cereals, vegetables and even eggs—though these ingredients will vary from brand to brand. 

Many kitty kibbles add in a variety of vitamins and antioxidants to mimic your furry friend’s natural diet. This combination aims to provide your indoor kitty with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. However, if you choose to include dry food in Mr Whiskers’ diet, do your research to make sure it contains high quality ingredients. Not all dry foods are created equal. Some are made using cheap ingredients that can be bad for your cat’s overall health! 

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Pros of feeding your cat dry food

• It’s easy to store, measure, and serve. Dry food can also keep longer than some wet foods, so it’s easier to buy in bulk.
• You can leave kitty kibble out for longer periods of time without worrying about it spoiling and possibly making your cat sick. This is particularly helpful in hot weather when wet food can go bad more quickly. It’s also easier to put dry kibble in an automatic feeder for multiple meals!
• Caring for your cat’s teeth isn’t always easy. Hence, many dry foods are formulated to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. These dry, crunchy kibbles serve as a type of ‘toothbrush’ to scrub your fur friend’s teeth.
• Because you have to serve your kitty more wet food to match one serving of dry kibble (two-thirds wet food is equivalent to one-third dry), feeding your cat dry food can also be a more affordable option.
• If you have a kitten, young cat, or high energy feline, they probably eat a lot throughout the day! Feeding Mr Whiskers dry food can be a way to more efficiently address their high-energy needs. 

Is dry food bad for my cat?

Is dry food bad for my cat? While dry kibble isn’t completely bad for your cat, there are still a few cons to feeding your furry friend a kibble diet. A dry food diet can have a negative impact on your feline’s kidney, bladder, and urinary tract health. And, because it’s more high-calory than wet food, it can lead to serious weight gain in indoor cats who don’t do a lot of physical activity. 

Cons of feeding your cat dry food

• Kitty kibble contains more carbohydrates than wet food. This can cause weight gain and other health issues.
• Dry food can be bad for cats because it can lead to dehydration. Kitties don’t usually drink a lot of water—in the wild felines naturally get most of their hydration from their prey. Hence, Mr Whiskers might not drink enough water to make up for a dry kibble diet. This can lead to dehydration, cystitis, and kidney issues. 
• Wet foods are a more natural option because they mimic more closely the type of food your kitty would eat in the wild. Remember, your fur friend’s ancestors were desert animals that consumed high-moisture diets and got 70% of their water from their prey.

So, should I feed my cat dry food?

Should I feed my cat dry food? There’s no concrete scientific evidence that points to dry food being completely bad for cats. As long as you balance kitty kibble out with wet food, your furry friend should stay happy and healthy! Many vets agree that it’s ideal to feed your feline a combination of good quality wet and dry food. The best approach is to offer your cat wet food for breakfast and a serving of dry for dinner. You can even add an element of fun by placing dry food in a puzzle feeder for your fur friend to ‘solve’.

Of course, you should also make sure to have plenty of water sources around. Easy access to fresh water encourages your fur friend to drink more and stay hydrated. And keep an eye on your kitty’s litter box routine and poo consistency! Litter box health is a good indicator of your cat’s overall health. 

If you’re planning on being away from home, it might be tempting to set up an automatic feeder to dispense dry food to your cat. However, we don’t recommend this—even if it’s just for a few days. Not only does your kitty run a higher risk of dehydration while you’re not around, but your fur friend can get lonely too. The best way to keep Mr Whiskers happy is by hiring a cat sitter to pop in for daily visits. Your amazing sitter can maintain your kitty’s wet and dry food diet, keep their litter boxes clean, and play and spend quality time with your feline too. You’ll come home to a much more content (and healthy) kitty! 

Looking for more tips on caring for your feline? Learn why vegan diets aren’t good for cats and reasons why your fur friend might vomit after eating (and when you should be concerned)!