Have you ever wondered if it is best to feed your pet wet or dry food? Is one actually better than the other or can a combination of both be what's best for your pet?
What are the differences?
Wet food
Wet food, as it suggests, has a high moisture content. This means that you have to feed a lot more of it to gain the same nutritional value so therefore the cost of feeding it on a daily basis is higher. It is, however, extremely useful in certain situations such as
- Fussy eaters - more appealing so helps encourage them to eat
- Elderly dogs and cats - normally have dental issues so they find wet food easier to chew then dry food
- Urinary problems - its high water content helps increase pets water intact
- Weight issues - can be useful sometimes if weight gain is due to the dog loving to eat, wet food can help them feel fuller for longer and can eat more due to its lower nutritional content.
Dry Food
Dry food has a higher energy content so a lot less is needed to be fed, therefore is cheaper to feed. It is also very convenient, it is able to be left out even in warm weather and the food will not spoil. This is great especially in cats who like to feed by grazing, eating small meals but often throughout the day. Other benefits of feeding dry are
- Can be scatter fed making mealtime fun
- Can be put in treat toys such as Kongs etc for interactive play
- Dental health - crunching of dry biscuits helps keep your pet's teeth healthy and plaque free
- Helps to produce solid stools
- Keeps for several months, when kept in cool, dry storage
Unlike wet food, it does require preservatives to be used to keep the food fresh but the good news is there are several natural preservatives which are used such as Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Rosemary extract.
Combination feeding, can it be done?
Both wet and dry food have their own benefits, and because of this it may be suggested that feeding both in your pets diet is what's best. There is no problem with this but it is advised not to feed both at the same time and feed them in separate meals. When doing this it is important to adjust the amount of dry and wet food being given to make sure that too much food is not being given on a daily basis.
Pet's that have digestive upsets and problems may not benefit from a combination of wet and dry food, because of the swapping of ingredients. Normally with these pets it is best to find a wet or dry food that is suited to them and stick with it for their comfort and health.
Cats can benefit greatly from combination feeding. Wet food provides them with the moisture they require in their diet, especially if they are not big drinkers, whilst kibble allows them to display natural behaviours of foraging and can assist with their dental health. Combination feeding can also reduce problems with fussy eaters. Different cats also have different preferences when it comes to texture. By feeding them a mixed diet they’ll get a combination of textures that ensures they will find the one they like.
Conclusion
Whether you feed wet, dry or a combination of both, as long as it provides everything for your pet's nutritional needs you are onto a winner. Your pet needs high-quality food to ensure healthy development. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Every pet is different, therefore every pet needs different food. Individual factors like age, weight, activity level and state of health should definitely be considered when it comes to looking for the best food for your pet.