Wet vs Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?

The short answer

VCA's general feeding guidance says you can feed dry, canned or a combination, and does not rank one above the other. What matters most is that the food carries an AAFCO statement saying it is complete and balanced for your cat's life stage, which both Cornell Feline Health Center and VCA recommend checking.

So the real question is which suits your cat and your routine. The sections below compare the two on the points that usually decide it: water, weight, teeth, cost and convenience.

Water content

This is the biggest difference. Cornell notes that canned food is at least 75% water while dry food is only 6 to 10%. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that cats eating mostly canned food drink less from the bowl, because they are getting much of their water from meals.

Cats evolved getting most of their water from prey and often have a weak urge to drink. For cats prone to urinary problems, cats with kidney disease or cats that simply do not drink much, VCA suggests adding canned food or water to the diet. Your vet may recommend wet food specifically for some of these conditions.

Weight control and satiety

Wet food is less calorie-dense per bite, so a cat can eat a satisfying volume for fewer calories, and fixed portions in cans make it easy to measure. Many vets find this helpful for overweight cats, though a cat can still gain weight on wet food if it is overfed.

Dry food packs more calories into a small volume and is often left out for grazing. Cornell cautions that free feeding leads some cats to overeat, and obesity is the most common nutrition problem in cats. If you feed dry, measure it.

Teeth and dental health

A common belief is that dry food cleans teeth. Ordinary kibble shatters when a cat bites it and offers little scrubbing action, so it should not be relied on to prevent dental disease. Some prescription and specially designed dental diets are made to clean teeth; ask your vet if that interests you.

Cornell notes that cats with dental disease may do better on wet food, smaller kibble or dry food with water added. Regular dental checks at the vet matter far more than the type of food.

Cost, storage and convenience

Dry food is cheaper per calorie, lighter to store and can be left in a bowl, a puzzle feeder or a timed feeder. Cornell advises storing it airtight in a cool, dry place and checking the date, since fats can turn rancid over time.

Wet food costs more and needs more handling: opened cans go in the fridge, and VCA notes moist food spoils quickly if left out. It suits meal feeding rather than grazing, so plan on picking up leftovers after about 30 minutes.

Feeding a mix, and when to ask your vet

Mixing gives cats the water and portion benefits of wet food with the convenience of dry. A common pattern is wet food morning and evening with a measured amount of dry food in a puzzle toy in between. Count the calories from both so the daily total stays the same.

Ask your vet which is best if your cat has urinary, kidney, dental or weight problems, or diabetes, since the answer can change with the condition. Change foods gradually over a week or so to avoid stomach upset.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.