Do Cats Need Wet Food Along with Dry Food?
 
If you're only feeding your cat dry food, you might wonder if they also need wet food. In the wild, cats get most of the water their bodies need from their prey. Since dry food has low moisture content, your cat needs to get water from a bowl, a fountain, or wet food. Feeding a mix of wet and dry cat food is a great way to help your cat stay hydrated. Plus, there are many benefits to including wet food in their diet.
 
3 Reasons to Add Wet Food to Your Cat's Diet
 
 
 
Better Hydration Overall Many cats don't like still or stagnant water, as in nature, they tend to avoid it because it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and insects. This might be why some cats don't like drinking from a bowl.
 
Most cats prefer fresh, moving water from a cat fountain or tap rather than a dish. Also, drinking isn't something cats are particularly efficient at. A single lap of water gives them only about 3/100 of a teaspoon.
 
However, water is essential for your cat's bodily functions, like regulating temperature and keeping joints healthy. Water makes up about 60% of your cat's body, so it’s crucial to ensure they stay hydrated.
 
How can you encourage your cat to drink more water? Providing plenty of fresh water or even getting a cat water fountain can help. Another way to increase their water intake is by feeding them wet food. While it can't replace water entirely, wet food does help improve overall hydration.
 
Wet cat food helps keep your cat hydrated.
 
 
 
Supports Lean Body Mass Wet food is high in protein, which helps support strong muscles in cats. It also helps maintain muscle mass during adulthood and as cats get older.
 
Your cat's overall weight is made up of lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass. LBM includes muscles, ligaments, bones, organs, and more. Muscles and organs are the primary sources of metabolic activity, which supports essential functions like immunity and movement. As cats age, they naturally lose LBM. Feeding wet food with high protein content can help preserve LBM as your cat ages.
 
 
 
Adds Variety to Their Diet Just like many people get tired of eating the same food every day, cats can also get bored with their meals. Some cats don't just like variety—they crave it. Feeding only dry food might not always satisfy this desire.
 
By adding more wet food to your cat's diet, you can satisfy their need for new and exciting flavors and textures. Since wet food cans are small, it’s easy to buy a variety and see what your cat loves.
 
Explore the wet cat food section on Aleef's store. With so many flavors and textures to choose from, every meal can be an exciting adventure for your cat. Whether they’re drawn to seafood flavors in a creamy sauce, a more traditional chicken dish, or prefer their food in a rich broth, feeding wet food will satisfy their craving for variety.
 
Wet cat food helps maintain your cat's muscle mass.
 
 
 
Other Benefits of Wet Cat Food
 
Wet food is also very easy to digest. It contains all the essential nutrients, just like dry food, including vitamins and minerals like:
 
 
Iron: Supports healthy blood and tissue.
 
Zinc: Helps develop a strong immune system and keeps skin, eyes, and bones healthy.
 
Biotin: Regulates energy release from food and supports healthy skin by maintaining skin integrity.
 
 
So, do cats need wet food? Not necessarily, but feeding a mix of wet and dry food can provide your cat with the benefits of both. Wet food increases their daily water intake and gives them the variety they enjoy, while dry food helps keep their teeth clean. Check out Aleef’s wet cat food products to find something your cat will love.