Is it possible to feed a cat both dry and wet food at the same time: examples of mixing

Features of different types of food, pros and cons

Some cat owners believe that wet food contains more nutrients than dry food. Experts say that the composition of different products of the same brand is practically the same.

Dry ready-made food

Dry food from different manufacturers varies in composition. The quality of the product also depends on its class: economy, premium, super-premium and holistic.

Veterinarians do not recommend that cat owners purchase low-quality food that belongs to the economy class. This product contains very few natural ingredients and the animal does not benefit from it. Veterinarians recommend using premium or super-premium food as the main diet. Their composition is correctly balanced. These granules are made from quality products. They include fish, meat, vegetables, cereals, vitamins, macro- and microelements.

Holistic cats are usually purchased by breeders of pedigree cats who breed purebred animals for sale. High-quality dry food is also purchased for pets suffering from chronic diseases. Manufacturers of holistic products produce a variety of lines that take into account the needs of all categories of animals: kittens, adult and elderly pets, sick, castrated and sterilized.

The only drawback of dry granules is the low percentage of liquid content, so the animal needs constant unhindered access to fresh water. Among the advantages of high-quality dry food are:

• efficiency;
• possibility of long-term storage;
• nutritional value and presence of vitamins.

Wet (canned) food, pates and soufflés

The composition of wet food is identical to dry granules if they are produced by the same brand and belong to a single line. The difference between canned food and spiders from granules is the volume of liquid they contain. Wet types of products for cats contain about 70% moisture, dry types - no more than 7%.

Pets like canned food more than dry food. Cats are attracted to the delicious-smelling sauce or jelly, the consistency of the pieces and pates. This type of food is convenient to eat. However, veterinarians do not recommend feeding cats exclusively with it for a number of reasons:

• wet food does not provide long-term satiety, so animals constantly feel hungry and ask for additional portions, which leads to overeating and weight gain;
• soft food does not provide the necessary stress to the animal’s teeth and jaws, resulting in dental and gum disease;
• pieces are quickly digested in the stomach, which disrupts the digestive system of predators and can disrupt the functioning of the pancreas.

Natural products

Despite all the obvious advantages of natural food, it cannot be called absolutely healthy. To prepare quality food for your pet, you need more than just good ingredients. The owner must know what ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, mineral components and vitamins the cat needs daily.

Dishes for the animal must be prepared taking into account the characteristics of the body. The food should contain boiled meat, fish or poultry, fermented milk products, and vegetables. When feeding your pets natural products, you must follow the following rules:

• Do not use raw meat and fish. Meat products that have not undergone heat treatment may be contaminated with parasites. Helminth larvae enter the animal's body with food and begin to multiply.
• Do not feed the same type of protein foods. Some owners prepare food for cats exclusively from fish. This diet negatively affects the condition of the liver and kidneys. Excess meat on the menu leads to a decrease in the amount of calcium in the body, and the animal’s bones become brittle.

• Do not feed undercooked or tubular bones. Cartilage, spongy bones, and chicken necks are rich in nutrients, but they must first be boiled well. Salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens can live in bones. Tubular bones often cause injuries to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

The best super-premium and holistic wet cat foods

Premium holistic food is made from products suitable for human nutrition, which means that only high-quality and selected products are included.

Leonardo

Rating: 4.9

Food from the German brand Leonardo is an excellent option for regular feeding of cats. It is based on meat and meat by-products, animal proteins, broth, minerals; the product for kittens contains eggs and additional fats. Excellent indicators in terms of energy composition - protein in the feed is at least 10%, and fat - about 5%. The consistency of the product is shaped pieces in sauce, produced in pouches or cans of 200 and 400 grams. The product is suitable for feeding cats with food allergies, gluten intolerance, digestive disorders and other health conditions. The Leonardo line includes wet food for sterilized pets, kittens, and adult cats, but the main part consists of universal food.

Owners of tailed cats note: cats eat Leonardo wet food with pleasure, and the condition of animals with digestive problems returns to normal. Veterinarians also recommend nutrition and, in some cases, prescribe a diet for animals based on it.

Advantages

• 100% natural diet;
• The product is based on meat, offal and fats;
• Wide product line;
• The product is recommended for cats with food allergies;
• Convenient release forms in different volumes.

Flaws

• Product price.

Grandorf

Rating: 4.8

Grandorf food is the highest class of holistic food. To produce them, the manufacturer uses selected varieties of dietary meat - rabbit, turkey, lamb, as well as fish - cod, salmon. These components contain a lot of protein, omega acids, and additionally minerals and fiber are added to the composition for good digestion of cats of different ages. The manufacturer does not use plant ingredients, but introduces seafood into certain types of food - shrimp, mussels, squid, crab meat.

In food for kittens and adult cats, Grandorf is available in cans in a dosage of 70 grams. Consistency - pieces in a gentle sauce or broth. The average price is about 100 rubles per jar.

Advantages

• Natural meat composition;
• Diet food;
• Combination of meat and seafood;
• Well accepted by cats.

Flaws

• High price per serving.

Almo Nature

Rating: 4.8

The Almo Nature brand is recognizable among cat lovers; the brand produces pate, mousses from meat products, pieces in sauce for cats of different ages and with health characteristics. In addition to animal protein, the products contain plant ingredients (vegetables, grains), so when choosing food, you must consider whether your pet is allergic to these components (in each type of piece separately or in combination).

The form of Almo Nature wet food is produced in portioned pouches or cans at an average price of up to 100 rubles, which is not so expensive for a super-premium or holistic food.

Advantages

• Natural composition of animal and plant components;
• Specialized food for cats with special needs;
• Optimal price;
• Convenient release forms.

Flaws

• Herbal components (it is necessary to determine if the cat has allergies).

Bozita

Rating: 4.7

The next Bozita wet food in our review differs from its analogues in packaging - instead of the usual polymer bags and cans, the manufacturer used a Tetra Recart™ multi-layer cardboard box. In this form, the products are convenient to transport, store, and empty containers can be subsequently disposed of.

The Bozita food line is impressive - it includes food for younger and older cats, for adults, lamb, poultry, pork and beef - all ingredients have high nutritional value, and canned salmon and shrimp contain natural seafood from Sweden. The manufacturer included a unique immunomodulator MacroGard®, added omega acids and vitamins. Some types include greens and vegetables.

In terms of per serving, the cost of Bozita natural food is quite reasonable - a box of 370 grams will cost about 180 rubles.

Advantages

• Lightweight cardboard packaging;
• Wide selection of feed according to the main ingredient;
• Low price per serving;
• Composition enriched with immunomodulators and vitamins.

Flaws

• Not defined.

Applaws

Rating: 4.7

Applaws food does not need advertising; experienced breeders and ordinary cat owners already know about it. The main source of protein in them is selected meat, fish fillets and seafood. The composition contains plant components, but in small quantities; allergenic grains in the diet are replaced with potatoes - a source of complex carbohydrates, potassium; other vegetables and herbs are also present. The product is enriched with vitamins and microelements, and there are no preservatives at all.

Applaws food is available in pouches and cans. Their price is high - about 100 rubles.

Advantages

• 80% of the feed consists of animal products;
• Vegetables and greens in the composition instead of grains;
• The pieces are well accepted by cats;
• Food for animals of different ages.

Flaws

• High price;
• Not sold in all stores.

1st Choice

Rating: 4.7

1st Choice holistic food is an unusual diet option for kittens, adult and senior cats. The manufacturer, along with the main component - meat or fish, uses exotic pineapples, papaya and other fruits. The composition may also include shrimp and other seafood, vegetables, omega acids, and vitamins. The exotic diet is completely balanced, but it must be introduced carefully - unusual components are not suitable for all cats, but we did not find any particular complaints from breeders.

1st Choice wet food can be purchased in portioned cans; the manufacturer does not use pouches. The price of a serving is approximately 85-95 rubles.

Advantages

• Natural, predominantly meat composition;
• Balanced diet;
• Delicious food for cats;
• Optimal price.

Flaws

• Exotic components in the composition must be carefully introduced into the diet.

Innova Evo

Rating: 4.6

At the end of the review, we present Innova Evo wet food - a premium product for the daily diet of cats. It is used by European breeders of purebred four-legged animals; products are imported to Russia in small batches; it is not easy to find. The situation is complicated by the short shelf life - only 12 months due to the natural composition and the absence of preservatives. Experienced owners order Innova Evo directly from foreign suppliers.

The composition of the feed is selected meat, fish, hypoallergenic plant components, mineral supplements, vegetables, dried berries. The line includes solutions for kittens, older cats, and sterilized individuals.

Advantages

• Natural composition without preservatives;
• Diet for cats with special needs;
• Suitable for picky animals of all breeds.

Is it possible to give a cat dry and wet food at the same time?

Experts do not prohibit combining wet food with dry food, and in some cases, veterinarians even recommend this combination. If your cat is weakened, sick, or recovering from an illness, canned food will help you gain weight faster and regain a good appetite. To correctly combine pieces in sauce with granules, you need to adhere to the following rules:

• Do not offer your cat different types of food at the same time. It is better to alternate food at different meals, since a pet, having eaten one product, may refuse the second.
• Use products from the same manufacturer. This will allow you to maintain an optimal balance of nutrients from food.

• Place only one serving of food in a bowl. If you give your kitten a daily dose of dry food, he may eat it all and cause indigestion. Uneaten wet morsels will spoil, and the kibble will lose its odor and become unattractive to animals if it sits in the bowl all day.
• When introducing wet food, the portion size of dry kibble should be reduced. Recommendations for feeding different types of products from the same line are contained on the packaging.

The best wet cat food in the budget segment

In this category, we present products of optimal quality that are suitable for feeding cats without compromising their health.

ROYAL CANIN

Rating: 4.5

ROYAL CANIN brand food is one of the most popular among those available, although the cost of spiders is not the lowest - about 60-80 rubles. The line includes food in the form of pieces in sauce and pates for kittens and adult cats, with different tastes and dosages, for sterilized animals, active and passive, purebred pets. As for the composition, not everything is clear here: the feed is based on meat, grains, most of it consists of fats, plant and animal by-products, milk, and mineral components. To preserve the product, the manufacturer uses preservatives. However, the food composition is balanced and suitable for most healthy kittens and cats.

Advantages

• Suitable for daily nutrition of healthy kittens and cats;
• Availability in any pet stores (except masmarket);
• Balanced composition;
• Wide flavored and specialized line of food in bags and cans.

Flaws

• Preservatives and by-products included.

BRIT PREMIUM

Rating: 4.3

The second among the budget safe food BRIT PREMIUM is created in the form of pieces in sauce. The brand is not as well known as, for example, ROYAL CANIN or SHEBA, but the products are widely available in pet stores; the cost of a pouch is about 50 rubles.

At first glance, the composition of BRIT PREMIUM food is safe - meat and offal (sometimes fish or combinations of animal proteins), plant components, but the manufacturer does not disclose details, and this is a minus. The rest of the composition, as well as the ratio of proteins to fats, is optimal.

The BRIT PREMIUM line of food is not the widest; there is a wet diet for sterilized cats, overweight pets, for kittens, and universal food. The manufacturer claims that BRIT PREMIUM is a premium class, but one cannot say so; nevertheless, such products correspond to food with a more complete and high-quality composition.

Advantages

• Relatively natural composition;
• Affordable price;
• Optimal ratio of proteins and fats;
• Basic line of feed.

Flaws

• Undisclosed composition.

NATURE'S TABLE

Rating: 4.2

Another budget food for cats and kittens, NATURE'S TABLE, is in demand, in which animal components predominate along with plant components, but mainly with by-products. The percentage of ingredients is not indicated, which is a little confusing. However, most cat owners note good tolerance of the diet, as well as an improvement in the animal’s condition, and this is the main thing when choosing food.

NATURE'S TABLE is a budget segment product of decent quality, despite the dubious composition, which also contains salt, although cats have no need for it, and for sterilized animals this ingredient is completely contraindicated due to the possibility of problems with the genitourinary system . The range of food is not wide - spiders are only for adult cats, but with different tastes - meat, fish, combinations thereof. The average price of a serving is about 35 rubles.

Advantages

• Optimal composition;
• The BJU ratio is normal;
• Vegetables included;
• Affordable price.

Flaws

• Salt included;
• The ratio of plant and animal components is not indicated;
• Narrow stern line.

GOURMET MONT PETIT

Rating: 4.1

GOURMET MON PETIT food is known thanks to advertising, including with foreign show business stars, despite the fact that the ready-made diet belongs to a budget supermarket. The bags are produced in a mini-format of 50 grams, which corresponds to a single serving of medium-sized cats; the pouch does not need to be dosed or stored, and this is a plus for the manufacturer. The composition of GOURMET MON PETITE includes meat, but in small quantities, extracts of natural plant proteins, fish and meat by-products (sometimes in combination with meat), for balance the manufacturer has added yeast and mineral components, sugar to improve the taste and obtain the norm of carbohydrates. The balance of the BJU has been maintained.

Wet ready-made food GOURMET MON PETIT can be bought in any supermarket during a regular grocery shopping trip - no need to look for a special pet store. The cost of the pouch is 50 gr. on average - about 30 rubles, but the product often becomes a participant in promotions and is sold at a discount.

Advantages

• Low price;
• Balanced composition;
• Can be bought at any supermarket;
• Convenient single serving for small cats.

Flaws

• Not the best composition.

SHEBA

Rating: 4.0

The last food in the category, SHEBA, is also advertised on blue screens. It, like its predecessor GOURMET, can be bought in a regular supermarket for an average of 25-30 rubles, and this is the lowest price in the budget spider segment. The flavor range of the product is impressive: pieces with lamb, veal, chicken, rabbit, salmon, all in a delicate sauce. It contains the appropriate components, but in small dosages, as well as herbal ingredients, mineral supplements, the full picture of the components is not disclosed in detail. There are no specialized varieties of products for sterilized, aged or overweight pets.

Cats are mostly happy to accept the ready-made SHEBA diet. Spiders are available in both a large 80 gram format and in mini bags of 50 grams with a portion for small cats.

Advantages

• Can be purchased anywhere;
• The BJU ratio has been normalized;
• 2 spider formats.

Flaws

• Undisclosed composition.

Dry and wet food - what's the difference?

Let's start with definitions. A balanced dry diet is a combination of many different ingredients mixed together and then dehydrated using a special technology. Balanced wet food is approximately the same combination of ingredients that have not been dried, but have been heat-treated and packaged in foil bags or cans, where they are stored without access to air until the package is opened.

As we see, in theory, the difference between these types of feed is only in the presence or absence of water. At the moment, there are no reliable studies that would show that one type of food is preferable to another or that mixing them in the same bowl or alternating them at different feedings can lead to any negative consequences for the body.

The same enzymes operate in the digestive system of animals, breaking down food ingredients into simple elements for their subsequent absorption in the intestines, regardless of the amount of water in their composition.

However, in practice, the difference between dry and wet food can be much greater than the level of humidity. Even if both dry and canned diets are balanced, that is, suitable for daily nutrition, where it is guaranteed that the combination of these two types of products will be balanced. There is no such certainty, because these diets may be very different in composition.

Wet food to add variety to your diet

Most supporters of mixed feeding argue their choice by the fact that their beloved animal gets tired of eating the same food every day. And so that the poor pet does not constantly chew “only crackers”, kind owners are ready to pamper him with all kinds of wet food, fortunately, pet stores offer a wide range of canned food: these are pates, mousses, pieces of fish or meat in jelly and sauce in various variations.

But is it really necessary for animals to have a varied diet? After all, representatives of the canine and feline orders, before their domestication, ate the same thing every day - the meat of one or two species of animals available in the territory of their residence. Since the meat diet did not contribute to the development of a large number of taste buds in predators, they, unlike humans, perceive food not by taste, but by smell, in which they primarily detect the presence of proteins of animal origin.

People often humanize their four-legged friends, believing that feeding them the same way seems boring to them. In fact, if we talk about diversity, it is necessary only in the sense that the diet must contain all groups of components necessary for the body of predators: meat as the main source of protein, and not only muscle, but also connective tissues, internal organs, and also animal fat and, in very small quantities, fiber.

In nature, predators obtain this variety by eating the prey almost entirely; the source of fiber and a small amount of carbohydrates is the remains of plant food in the stomach and intestines of the prey. Dry diets can provide all this variety to pets.

How to choose dry and wet food for mixed feeding?

In order for a mixed diet to be balanced, the compositions of wet and dry food must be as identical as possible, and finding such products is a rather difficult task.

For example, Acana or Orijen foods contain 75-85% meat ingredients, and if you replace part of their daily value with a wet diet, which contains much less meat, you are depleting your pet's diet of animal protein. Or, for example, there are no grains in biologically appropriate food, but they are found quite often in canned foods, and by including them in the diet, you essentially negate the benefits of a grain-free diet.

It’s even more difficult with macro- and microelements; their quantity and composition depend on the raw materials used, and therefore each manufacturer balances their feed differently. When we mix diets, there is a risk that there will be more of some substances than necessary, while others will be deficient.

Of course, you can make an effort to find canned foods that are close in composition to Acana and Orijen foods, and here are the distinguishing features that will help you do this:

• wet food should consist of meat ingredients with the addition of fiber sources in a volume of no more than 25–15%;
• all ingredients in wet food must be clearly named, indicating specific types of meat and their percentage;
• It is desirable that canned food contain several different sources of animal protein;
• a wet diet should not contain grains, vegetable proteins and various hydrolysates.

At the same time, we would like to warn you that Acana and Orijen foods are created according to strictly verified recipes, and the manufacturer guarantees that they fully meet the needs of dogs and cats. When you create a mixed diet yourself, you take responsibility for its balance.

The best wet cat food in the premium segment

Premium segment food is made from natural ingredients of animal and plant origin, suitable for complete nutrition of the animal. The composition may include offal, offal and other products that have high-quality nutritional value. The content of premium preservatives is kept to a minimum; manufacturers use either natural ingredients that naturally preserve the product, or completely eliminate auxiliary ingredients.

Hill's

Rating: 4.9

Hill's wet food is presented in a wide range: for sterilized, for adult cats, for kittens, for animals with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract or overweight, for supporting immunity - the manufacturer has developed a unique composition to meet the needs of four-legged animals with different lifestyles. The form of food release is pouches for one-time feeding and tin cans with a daily portion.

The composition of the food is well balanced - it includes meat and fish products with percentage indications, cereals, vegetable proteins, oils and fats. Of the synthetic components, the manufacturer uses only vital minerals, which are difficult to find in products suitable for cats. Specialized feeds include components for a narrow purpose, for example, urine acidifying additives are included for animals with urolithiasis.

Breeders note: cats accept Hill's food well; when using specialized food, the pet's condition stabilizes. The diet is also recommended by veterinarians.

The average price of a pouch is about 80 rubles.

Advantages

• Natural composition;
• Stabilization of the animal’s condition with age-related physiological problems;
• Convenient release forms;
• Optimal price for the premium segment.

Flaws

• Not defined.

Happy Cat

Rating: 4.8

The second most popular premium wet food is the Happy Cat diet. This is a product that helps maintain the cat’s well-being and meet the needs of the animal’s body. The composition includes only natural ingredients - meat and meat products (or fish, depending on the type of food), vegetables as a source of vegetable protein and complex carbohydrates, minerals, in particular - healthy inulin. The absence of preservatives in the composition is compensated by a special technology for preparing the product and good packaging in airtight bags.

Pieces in sauce are accepted with pleasure by cats, even picky eaters. The Happy Cat line is diverse in product composition, but the manufacturer does not offer specialized wet food. Accordingly, the selection of the type of food will have to be done independently, taking into account the composition, for example, for aged or sterilized cats. However, this does not stop breeders who choose Happy Cat kibbles and pates to feed healthy adult cats and kittens.

The average price of a pouch is about 60 rubles.

Advantages

• Natural composition without preservatives;
• A varied range of flavors;
• Affordable price for the segment;
• Cats love Happy Cat food.

Flaws

• There are no specialized foods, only for adult cats and kittens.

Purina PRO PLAN

Rating: 4.7

The Purina food line, a well-known grocery store brand, includes the PRO PLAN series - premium products recommended by veterinarians. However, not everything is so simple: the composition includes meat products and fish, vegetable and animal fats, mineral components, vitamins, but all components, except meat, do not have a percentage designation. Salmon pouches are made on the basis of meat products; they contain only 4% fish, which misleads the buyer somewhat. Note that other foods contain no more than 25% meat, or even less. Despite this fact and the predominance of herbal ingredients in the composition, breeders and cat owners note good tolerability of the product and even an improvement in the well-being of the pet, provided that the diet is suitable for a particular animal.

The Purina PRO PLAN line of wet food includes specialized diets for kittens and adults, sterilized pets, older pets, and four-legged pets with health problems. The average price of a pouch is about 50-60 rubles.

Advantages

• Good feed absorption;
• A diverse range of feeds;
• Natural balanced composition;
• Approved and cleared for use by veterinarians.

Flaws

• Small proportion of natural meat in the composition.

Animonda

Rating: 4.6

The German brand Animonda presents a diverse line of wet ready-made food for cats with different body characteristics, age and breed. The assortment includes pieces in filling, pates, portioned pouches and cans. The flavor palette is also varied - food with beef, chicken, pork, turkey, fish and their combinations.

Animonda food is natural in composition; most products do not contain plant components - only pure meat, offal and vitamins. This must be taken into account when compiling a diet - it lacks plant fiber and complex carbohydrates. Not surprisingly, the cost of spiders and cans is the highest in the category.

Advantages

• Mainly meat feed;
• Specialized lines for cats with special needs;
• No preservatives in all Animonda foods.

Flaws

• The highest price of the presented food in the category.

How to feed dry and wet food?

There is no single recommendation on whether dry and wet food can be given in the same bowl or at different feedings. However, the second option is still preferable from the point of view of compliance with feeding standards. If your pet eats twice a day, then it is easy to divide the recommended daily dose of dry and wet food into two meals and give half of one in the morning and half of the other in the evening.

When you add a spoonful of wet food to dry food or vice versa, it is very difficult to calculate the norm. After all, dry food, due to its low moisture content, takes up much less volume and its norm, measured in grams, is much lower than that of wet food. It costs nothing to make a mistake, so we advise you not to create a mixed diet by eye, but to accurately determine the serving size and adhere to feeding standards for both diets.

Also in favor of separating these two types of foods into different meals is the possibility of individual reactions of the pet. When you give only one type of food at each feeding, then in case of digestive problems and other undesirable manifestations, you can accurately determine the “culprit”. Such situations arise especially often when owners change wet food, buying products of different brands or compositions, which we strongly do not recommend doing.

On a note

When introducing wet food into an animal’s diet, you need to remember that even high-quality, but unusual food can cause digestive upset. Therefore, you need to switch to mixed feeding gradually, adding wet food while simultaneously reducing the portion of dry food over several days, or vice versa, if your pet previously ate only canned food.

Owners of picky animals should not get carried away with wet food. More often this applies to owners of cats, as well as dogs of decorative and dwarf breeds. If you offer your pet dry and wet food at the same time, your pet will almost certainly prefer canned food, since its texture and aroma are more attractive.

If the animal does not eat dry food well, daily consumption of wet food will lead to the fact that the pet may eventually give up pellets altogether. You will have to spend time and effort on re-training him to dry food. True, this rarely happens with Acana and Orijen food; the high meat content is attractive to any pet, and both cats and dogs readily eat our diets.

Is it necessary?

We don't know why you decided to mix dry and wet food because, except for special physiological conditions where wet food is recommended, there is no reason to stick to this type of feeding. On the contrary, it causes some difficulties and risks associated with an insufficiently balanced diet, receiving excess or insufficient amounts of nutrients.

At the same time, feeding one dry food, provided the selected diet is of high quality, allows you to reduce them to a minimum. In any case, we respect your choice and hope that with our advice we have helped you establish mixed feeding without harm to your pet.

The difference between wet food and dry food

Wet cat food seems to be a convenient choice for owners: it is readily eaten by cats, well-balanced and healthy.

Liquid cat food with a high meat content is an excellent option either as a base or as a supplement. If the cat does not like dry food, then mixing it with wet food is quite possible. The main benefit of wet food is that it contains water, which is an important component in keeping your cat healthy. This is especially important in the summer, as well as for pets with kidney or bladder problems.

Eating a balanced diet for your pet is important for its health.

Important! The basis for good health and well-being of a pet is a properly selected diet.

Wet food has many benefits for both cats and their owners. Among them:

• a large amount of protein and fats, which are necessary for the health of the pet;
• low percentage of carbohydrates, which does not contribute to excess weight gain;
• the composition includes water (75%), which is beneficial for the pet, especially for those who drink little liquid. Moisture in food prevents gastrointestinal problems;
• ability to quickly saturate a cat due to its high protein content. The animal is not prone to overeating;
• ease of use: open it, put it in a bowl and you're done.

Among the most significant disadvantages of wet food are:

• is not able to protect your pet from the formation of tartar and gum disease. When using only this type of food, it is necessary to separately take care of your pet’s teeth with other means;
• Storage of open packages lasts a short time. Opened canned food only lasts for a couple of days even in the refrigerator;
• more expensive than regular dry.

Wet food is convenient for owners

Wet cat food comes in many forms. It differs both in packaging and consistency. In pet stores you can find products packaged in jars or bags. The former have different capacities: small cans (70–100 g) to large sizes and more economical options (200–400 g). The packages have a small volume, from 85 to 100 g.

The consistency of wet food is much more varied than the dry version. In jars you can find carefully chopped pieces of meat or fish. Another type is reminiscent of canned food. You can find jars and bags of whole pieces of meat in sauce or jelly.

Important! The best option for wet food is in the form of pate. It is soft and easy to serve the animal.

Canned food is the most popular wet type of food for cats. In this case, pieces of meat or fish are visible and the quality of the food can be assessed at first glance. Their composition can contain up to 90% meat.

Dry food has a number of advantages:

• saving money. It is financially more profitable to purchase dry food in large packages;
• saving the owner's time. Simply pouring a handful of food into a bowl is enough;
• with good quality, you do not need to follow a diet;
• quality food is well balanced and rich in nutrients. It is worth choosing a trusted manufacturer.

Disadvantages of dry options:

• little moisture leads to problems with the urinary system, especially if the animal consumes little water;
• harms cats' teeth, contrary to the existing myth that dry food cleans teeth;
• if the quality of the food is low, it contains a lot of carbohydrates, which can cause a jump in blood sugar and lead to an imbalance in metabolic processes;
• cats getting used to low-quality dry food options due to aromatic additives.

Dry food has its advantages and disadvantages

Rating of the best wet food for cats

Is it possible to feed a cat both dry and wet food?

As a rule, the healthiest option is still natural food, which includes a balanced and suitable diet for the cat. When there is absolutely no time to cook, the question arises whether it is possible to combine dry food and natural food for cats. Answer: it is possible, but the quality of dry (wet) food must be high. It is necessary to purchase premium and holistic food.

Although it is possible to mix dry and wet food together, this is not recommended as the cat's digestive system gets used to a certain type of food, releasing the corresponding enzymes. And when mixing different options, he may have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. However, mixed meals at home are acceptable, but not often and at different meals. In this case, it is better to combine food from the same manufacturer.

Mixing food is possible, but it should be done wisely

Is it possible to mix different manufacturers?

Those who believe that it is possible to mix cat food from different manufacturers are mistaken. The reasons for this are:

• different balance;
• different calorie content.

Each manufacturer achieves feed balance in its own way, which is reflected in their composition. The same level of protein is obtained from both low-quality plant elements and high-quality animal raw materials.

By mixing food, it is impossible to improve the quality of food that is inferior in composition. In such a situation, even the best food will not be beneficial. There will be an imbalance that every manufacturer strives for in order for the product to be considered a complete nutrition. It turns out that there will be more of some substances, less of others, which is fraught with the appearance of various diseases for the animal.

​Anti-rating of premium wet food

The smartest cat breeds: rating of intelligent representatives

Food from some manufacturers causes deterioration in the health of cats. It’s worth knowing about this so as not to make mistakes in planning your diet.

Anti-rating of premium food

Royal Canin

The composition of the Kanin diet is, unfortunately, of low quality.

Minuses:

• components that cause allergies in cats;
• indigestion.

Brit Premium

Economy class ingredients.

Minuses:

• proteins are a mixture of chicken meat flour and dried chicken;
• rice and wheat included;
• the number of special ingredients (sources of vitamin B and MOS, herbal and fruit extracts) that increase the cost of feed is extremely small. It will not affect the cat's health in any way.

ProBalance

Composition of economy class products at a premium price.

Minuses:

• no palatability for cats;
• cereals;
• unpleasant odor;
• The guaranteed volume of vitamins is low and does not contribute to improving the health and appearance of the pet.

Eukanuba

Low quality composition.

Minuses:

• high price for such a composition;
• no meat, only animal proteins;
• unknown preservatives and antioxidants.

Note! Some veterinarians attribute the growth of cancerous tumors in animals to the consumption of this food.

To keep your pet healthy, you need to choose the best canned food for cats.

Feeding standards

All packages of ready-made food indicate the dosage of the daily portion in grams, depending on the age and weight of the animal.

The amount of wet food is considered normal at a value of 5% of the animal’s weight. That is, if a pet weighs 5 kg, then 175 g of wet food per day is enough for him.

Note! A cat with a calm lifestyle needs 70 ml of water per 1 kg of weight per day, and with an active lifestyle - 85 ml per 1 kg of weight. This is approximately 4-6 tbsp. spoons of water.

For adult cats, the daily intake of dry food is:

• weight up to 3 kg - 25 g;
• weight from 3 to 4 kg - 40 g;
• weight from 4 to 5 kg - 55 g;
• weight over 5 kg - 12 g per 1 kg of weight.

For a kitten this norm looks like this:

• weight up to 2 kg - 35 g;
• weight from 2 to 3 kg - 50 g;
• weight from 3 to 4 kg - 70 g.

A pregnant cat needs 55 g of dry food per day.

For large breed cats, the calculation is based on the rule: 12 g per 1 kg of animal weight.

For older animals, the norm is slightly reduced by 10-20%.

For active cats, the feeding schedule is free in large portions.

For sterilized cats, food is given 2 times a day in small portions, as they are prone to obesity.

Feeding standards for cats should be followed

What is the difference between wet food for kittens and diets for adult cats?

Wet food for kittens contains more fat and protein, as well as increased concentrations of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The difference is due to the characteristics of the body: babies require nutrients for the rapid development of internal organs.

Kitten foods can be dangerous for adult cats. The latter, with poor nutrition, are at risk of developing obesity, diabetes and urolithiasis. Absolutely healthy kittens can eat high-quality wet food for adult cats without negative consequences, but with the slightest deviation from the norm there is a chance of worsening the condition, so experimenting is not recommended. There are universal wet foods that are suitable for both babies and mature animals.

In one bowl or separately

There is no single recommendation on this matter from veterinarians and well-known manufacturers. Some believe that it is possible to mix different types of food in one bowl. Others insist that time should pass between the intake of dry and wet food. Since no research has been conducted on this issue, there is no clear answer.

Most recommendations highlight the following points:

• separation of food makes it possible to accurately track how much and what was given to the pet in terms of volume, composition, how much the animal eats, what can be mixed and what cannot;
• if you alternate food, it is easier to track the animal’s reaction to one or another type of food: what caused the allergy, indigestion and other undesirable effects;
• mixing feed leads to spoilage of the dish and loss of taste characteristics much faster.

Important! It is worth trying a mixed feeding option first, then separate feeding. You need to track which option was more preferable for the cat and make a choice in its favor.

Which feeding option to choose for your pet

Everyone must determine for themselves which food option is best to choose. After all, a balanced menu is very important for your pet’s health. This is especially true for puppies. It is necessary to know exactly when a puppy can be given dry food or is it better to leave it on natural products.

If you feed dogs dry food and natural food, an excess of vitamins may occur in the animal’s body, which is no less dangerous than their deficiency.

We should not forget that when changing food, it is necessary to gradually increase the portion of the new product, since microflora has already been formed in the dog’s stomach, which is adapted to digesting a certain type of food.

How to switch your dog from dry food to natural products

In order to completely switch a dog from dry food to natural food, it will take a lot of time, usually at least two weeks. During this period, drying should also be done separately from natural products. Natural food should be started with small portions, gradually increasing their volume. At this time, it is imperative to carefully monitor the animal’s well-being and, at the slightest alarm signal, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian.

However, it also happens that, having tried natural food, the dog categorically refuses hard granules. In this case, the transition to another type of food can be accomplished in just a few days.

After switching to a natural diet, the dog may begin to drink less. This is normal and natural, because now liquid will enter the animal’s body along with food.

When changing food type, the dog should be given prebiotics because diarrhea is likely to occur.

When switching to natural, the dog may ask to go to the toilet more often. This is also normal. You need to wait until the gastrointestinal tract normalizes.

Is it possible to mix dry and wet dog food?

Is it possible to feed a dog both dry and wet food at the same time? Is it possible to mix dry food with wet food in the same bowl?

Each dog is individual. Some animals require more protein, others require more carbohydrates. The taste preferences of animals are also different. Therefore, there are a number of general recommendations when choosing the type of food.

1. It is better to give puppies and older animals more wet food. This option is more gentle on their teeth.
2. For overweight dogs, it is better to give wet food because it contains more protein. However, there is also dry food with sufficient protein content.
3. It is necessary to take into account the individual diseases of the animal. For example, for epilepsy, protein nutrition is preferable.

Despite the popularity of dry food, the importance of wet food in a balanced diet can hardly be overestimated, because their share of the total daily weight should be at least a quarter. This is why dry food can be mixed with wet food, this is even recommended.

Pros and cons of dry dog ​​food

Dry dog ​​food has a number of positive aspects:

• ease of storage and ease of measuring portions;
• benefits for teeth and gums;
• relatively low cost.

The disadvantages of dry food include:

• some manufacturers add animal fats to them, which is undesirable for dogs’ health;
• they contain a lot of gluten.

Pros and cons of wet food

Wet food also has its advantages:

• higher protein and moisture content;
• due to taste characteristics, they are usually more popular with dogs;
• long shelf life.

Cons of wet food:

• some animals gain weight faster because of it;
• The shelf life after opening the package is short.

It is best to divide the intake of these types of feed into parts. For example, the first meal is exclusively dry solid granules, the next feeding is exclusively wet.

In any case, some time should pass between feeding these types of feeds.

Time to keep food in bowl

For wet food, opened packaging should be kept in the refrigerator for no more than 2-3 days. In this case, the food should be transferred to a glass bowl.

It is advisable to store the opened food packaging in the refrigerator, hermetically sealed. Air access contributes to the oxidation of components and loss of their value.

Important! If wet food is in your cat's bowl, you should not leave it all day: it may spoil or dry out, especially if the room is hot.

The shelf life of dry food is usually indicated on the packaging. But it concerns exclusively the hermetically sealed version. However, an open pack of dry food can only be stored for 1.5-2 months. The fact is that the fats in the food are oxidized, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in the pet.

It is better not to leave food in a bowl for a long time