Can I just stop giving my cat wet food
Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Best?
Making decisions for your cat isn't always as easy as picking out a new feather toy. Perhaps you've just brought home a fluffy bundle of joy, or maybe you're reassessing your longtime pal's nutrition needs. Whichever camp you fall in, deciding between wet vs. dry cat food can be difficult. Ultimately, both are excellent sources of nutrition as long as you serve the appropriate amount for your cat. Some pet parents even decide to blend the two. Of course, each type of food has its advantages and disadvantages, and many factors can help determine what's best for your cat. Here's what you need to know.
Wet Food
Upsides
Sold in cans, pouches and trays, wet cat food is usually beloved by cats for its aroma and taste. Picky cats may find wet food more enticing, and it comes in a variety of flavors and textures, including pates and stews, to suit a range of palates. Canned food is often lower in calories than dry food, which can be helpful if your cat needs to shed a few pounds to reach a healthy weight. Under a veterinarian's supervision, cats diagnosed with certain medical conditions urinary health issues, for example may also benefit from the high moisture content in wet food.
Downsides
Cats who eat exclusively wet food may accumulate plaque and tartar on their teeth more quickly than cats who eat dry food, and it can be more difficult to accurately portion out. Wet food is also perishable. This means one more dish in the sink it's important to wash your cat's dish after each meal since any leftover remnants can breed bacteria. Because portion sizes are often smaller than what's in a can, you'll also want to consider storage. Once opened, cans need appropriately sized airtight lids to keep them fresh. Some cats dislike cold wet food, so you may need to warm their meal on a microwave-safe plate for four to six seconds before serving. According to The Spruce Pets, you should toss any food your cat leaves behind after 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, wet food generally costs more per volume, so if you're on a strict budget, this may affect your decision.
If you have a long-haired or light-colored cat, you might be averse to feeding them wet cat food because it can get on their whiskers and nose. Healthy cats are meticulous groomers, however, and will typically keep their faces clean. If you happen to have a messy cat, try serving them food on a flat plate or in a puzzle feeder. You can always wipe their face with a cat-safe wet wipe or a warm, damp washcloth if needed.
Dry Food
Upsides
Dry cat food is available in conveniently sized bags and keeps well up to its best-by date as long as you reseal or clip it tightly after opening. Pound for pound, dry food is more economical than wet food and, because it stores for longer periods of time, it can be gentler on your budget. Some cats are perfectly content with dry food left as free-choice feeding, where you leave a bowl of food out for your cat to nibble on throughout the day. Other cats gorge on whatever's in front of them and must be fed portion-controlled meals. Luckily, it's easy to weigh your cat's dry food with a standard measuring cup or a gram scale. While food can never replace dental care, dry foods can help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation and promote dental health.
Downsides
The main drawbacks to dry food are that it's lower in moisture and generally higher in calories and carbohydrates than wet food. If your cat has urinary health issues, obesity, or frequent dehydration, ask your veterinarian whether they are best served by wet or dry food. Cats who need to drink more water may also benefit from a water fountain, as some cats prefer drinking running water. Keep in mind that older cats may have a harder time eating dry food than wet food, especially if gum or dental issues have set in. Canned cat food's soft consistency may be easier for older kitties to eat than the crunchy kibble they enjoyed in their youth.
Blended or Mixed Feeding
Mixed feeding routines can offer the best of both worlds, helping to solve the wet vs. dry cat food dilemma. One example of blended feeding is to serve your cat dry food in the morning and wet food in the evening. This way, they can graze on their dry food throughout the day and you can dispose of any dried-out wet food before going to bed. Another option is to mix your cat's dry food with wet food or add water or low-sodium chicken broth to their kibble. This can also help them get additional moisture with their meal. Avoid overfeeding your cat with blended feedings by measuring out their daily portions to help ensure they're getting the right amount of calories and nutrients for optimum health.
The debate between wet and dry cat food doesn't have one right answer. Each cat is unique with their own preferences and health needs. These may also change over time. Consult your trusted veterinarian if you have any questions about which food is best for your feline friend, and let your cat's tastes guide you to their preferred flavors.
Contributor Bio
Dr. Sarah Wooten
A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications, such as chewy.com, petMD, Vetstreet, Hill's Education Blog, and DVM360 print and online publications, Healthy Pet Magazine, and the Bark. Dr. Wooten has spoken in the veterinary education space for 5 years, and speaks on leadership, client communication, and personal development. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience in small animal veterinary practice. In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian, and co-creator of the wildly popular card game 'Vets Against Insanity', she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley with her husband of 21 years, and together they are raising 3 slightly feral mini-humans. When it is time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado, diving with sharks in the Caribbean, or training kenpo karate in her local dojo. Go big...or go home.
Learn more about Dr. Wooten at www.drsarahwooten.com
Cat won't eat wet food: A vet's guide to feeding a fussy feline
When your cat has always loved their food and meal times it can be disconcerting when your cat wont eat wet food. It may be you wish to change your cat onto a wet diet or for seemingly unknown reasons, they have decided they no longer like their canned or pouched meat.
It is important to distinguish the difference between if your cat wont eat wet food or if your cats not eating at all. A kitty not eating at all is a very real and justifiable concern that requires the attention of your veterinarian within one to two days. Especially if they are exhibiting other signs such as a cough, altered drinking patterns, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or any new or strange urinating issues.
If however, your cat has a clean bill of health or they happen to eat their favorite treat just not their wet food, then its likely to be more a case of them being a fussy eater. If this is a new experience for you and them it can be tempting to try out every variety and option of the best wet cat food around but this can often exacerbate the problem. Many other factors, some obvious and some not, may be the cause of your cat not eating their wet food, regardless if the wet food is new to them or theyve eaten it for years to only now decide they no longer want it.
Thankfully, expert vet, Dr. Sarah-Jane Molier is here to unravel this and explain some of the most common reasons why your kitty might suddenly not be eating their wet food and what you can do to solve the mystery so all is well again.
Dr. Sarah-Jane MollierSarah-Jane Molier wanted to be a veterinarian from around the age of ten. After much hard work, and her first degree in animal science, she realized this dream and graduated in 2009. She has been working in small animal clinics ever since. She currently works as Head Veterinarian in a small animal practice. Sarah-Jane particular enjoys internal medicine, alongside her managerial role.
Why won't my cat eat wet food?
Cats can be fussy creatures, and they love routine. Any small deviation from the norm can cause a temporary change in your cats eating habits.
If your cat doesnt eat for 24 hours or more, then you must take them to a vet straight away. Cats need to eat regularly, or they can rapidly develop something called fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis), which requires prompt treatment.
While any cat can be affected, you might be surprised to learn that its even more serious for overweight cats to go without food since they are more prone to hepatic lipidosis.
Here are some possible reasons that your cat wont eat wet food:
1. The recipe has changed
The food manufacturer may have changed some of the ingredients or altered the flavor slightly. This isnt always immediately obvious on the packet, but your cat is likely to notice!
2. The type of wet food has changed
Have you swapped from gravy-based to pt-based, for example? Cats can be fussy about textures and may favor a certain type of wet food.
3. A dirty bowl
Wet food leaves more residue in the bowl than kibble, so the bowl gets dirty quicker. The bowl may look clean, but cats have a very keen sense of smell. Similarly, residues of strong smelling liquid can offend your cat.
4. Changes in the weather or food storage conditions
One of the appeals of wet food is that it smells delicious! When the food gets cold, it loses its smell, which may make the food disinteresting to your cat. So, if its particularly cold outside, or youve started storing their wet food in the fridge, try warming it a bit.
5. A recent trip to the cattery or veterinary hospital
If the cattery or hospital fed your cat their favorite wet food while they were there, then they may now have a negative association with that food. This is called a food aversion. Simply put, it means your cat now associates that food with their stay in the cattery or hospital. If this is the case, it may be time to try a new food!
6. Expired food
If your cat is suddenly turning their nose up at their wet food, its always worth checking the use-by date. Cats have amazing senses and wont eat food if its spoiling.
7. Personal preference
Some cats just prefer kibble!If that's the case with your feline, be sure to check out our guide to the best dry cat food for lots of nutritious and delicious options.
8. Eating elsewhere
If your cat is hunting more than usual, or a well-meaning neighbor is suddenly feeding them, then your cat may appear to not eat their food. You could try a collar with do not feed me printed on it.
9. Stress
Any changes to their routine or environment can stress some cats enough they seem disinterested in their food. Have you changed where you feed them? Cats dont like it if the food is too close to their water bowl or litter tray.
10. Inappetence
If your cat stops eating and has any other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or sleeping more than usual, then you should take them to your vet as soon as possible. If your cat was previously eating ravenously then suddenly stopped, this could indicate an illness such as diabetes, or an overactive thyroid.
Is it bad if my cat won't eat wet food?
Wet and dry food have different pros and cons, so many people opt for a mixture of both. Many cats live long, healthy lives eating solely dry food. Dry food is convenient, useful for cats that graze, and can prevent boredom when fed through puzzle feeders. It also tends to be higher in calories, so can be useful for underweight cats, or cats who need higher calories.
Wet food is great for increasing water intake, making it beneficial for cats prone to urinary issues or constipation. It is also a good option for overweight cats. If you think your cat would benefit from a wet food diet but they wont eat it, and youve tried our tips below, then speak with your veterinary team for advice.
Why has my cat stopped eating wet food but eats treats?
There could be any number of reasons, including those listed above. Treats are highly palatable (tasty), so if your cat isnt feeling like eating, these high value treats may still tempt them.
How to tell if cat doesn't like their food
Wondering how to tell if your cat doesn't like their food? If its a new food, try offering their usual food. If they dig in, thats a sure sign they dont like the new food! If its their usual food, try offering them something new to see if theyve lost interest in their usual food.
How to encourage a cat to eat wet food
If youre keen for your cat to eat some wet food, you can start by adding a tiny amount to their usual dry food. Gently warming the wet food can make it more appealing, as it brings out the smell (of course always check its not too hot before offering it to your cat!).
Try different textures and flavors of wet food, to see which your cat likes. Mixing in some warm cat milk initially may help tempt your cat. Remember that any change in diet should be done slowly, over 1-2 weeks, to avoid tummy upsets! This also gives your cat time to adjust.
If your cat wont eat wet food when they usually do, there are many possible reasons. Its important to check there isnt an underlying medical issue, so call your vet for advice and to schedule a check-up. Remember, if your cat isnt eating at all then they need to see a vet urgently.
For more kitty-related health content, be sure to check out our guides to 'do anti-vomit cat bowls work?' and 'common allergies in cats'.
