Wet vs dry cat food: Which is better?

Updated 03/01/2025

A yummy question for cat carers and pet parents out there: Wet vs dry cat food - which is better? Is one more nutritional than the other? Do cats need wet food? We answer all of these queries and then some. Let’s dig in to this tasty topic…

Key takeaways

• From a nutritional point of view, dry cat food offers more of the sustenance your cat needs to stay healthy. However, wet cat food contains a lot more moisture which keeps your kitty hydrated.
• If you had to decide between dry or wet cat food, dry cat food would be the healthier option in most cases, as long as they were also drinking enough water.
• The sweet spot, for most cats, is to feed a combination of both wet and dry cat food each day in measured portion sizes.

Differences between wet and dry cat food

Nutritional value

You should always double-check the ingredients in any cat food with your vet before you begin to feed it to them. Your vet will be able to advise which brands are best, along with the type of food you should be looking for. For example, if your cat has an issue with its teeth some brands have specially made meals designed to help protect their gums and teeth.

From a more outward perspective, cats need plenty of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, water, and healthy fats in their daily diet. Dry cat food will normally contain a lot more carbohydrates and fiber than wet cat food, which keeps their digestive systems healthy. However, the dry stuff doesn’t contain much water, so a water source must always be provided with their biscuits.

As for wet cat food, it contains a higher proportion of proteins and fats, with some brands erring more on the side of fat content over protein. While cats need this in their diets, too much fat can contribute to health problems like obesity, kidney disease, heart disease, and other complications.

Shelf life

Dry cat food has a longer shelf life than wet cat food. It contains less water and doesn’t require refrigeration, meaning it’ll take longer to go moldy and stale. It can be stored in most places, so long as it's relatively cool and dry, but it’s pretty durable stuff. 

On the other paw, wet cat food can last a while if in a sealed can or packet. However, if this is opened, it will need to be kept in a fridge to stop it from going off or attracting pests. Once opened, even refrigerated it won’t last longer than a few days. Serving your kitty old wet food could make them sick.

Picky eaters

Cats can be… selective. Selective with people, selective with toys, and selective with food. But who isn’t, right? While your cat might appear to have a favorite flavor of food for one month, this can suddenly change with no warning. If you know they’re healthy and you’ve not changed anything to their routine, it might just mean they’re ready for a change.

This ‘transition’ can be a lot easier with wet cat food. When it comes to wet vs dry cat food, the wet stuff often comes in a wide variety of flavors in smaller packet portions. Although dry biscuits can come in a few different taste options, they’re mostly served in large bags. This can create a lot of waste if your cat decides they’re no longer a chicken flavor kind of cat.

Dental health

Those pointy little needles known as cat teeth need to crunch through their food to stay healthy. Not only is this good for their jaw muscles, but it also helps to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar which can lead to dental issues. Dry cat food is great for maintaining good dental health in cats. While soft foods might be preferred taste-wise, they don’t do anything to help keep the vet dentist away.

Should cats eat wet food or dry food​?

Pros and cons of wet cat food

Unsurprisingly, wet cat food has a higher moisture content than dry cat biscuits. Although cats can source water from elsewhere, it makes it a lot easier for them to have water within the food they’re eating too. The high levels of fat and protein also make it the tastier of the two types of pet foods.

However, this higher fat and protein content means they need less of it in their daily diet to maintain a healthy weight and well-being. For young or older cats with joint or dental issues, wet food may be preferable but make sure you discuss appropriate portion sizes with your vet first.

Pros and cons of dry cat food

A good quality, vet-recommended dry cat food is a good all-round meal for kitties. If your cat has a sensitive stomach (which many do), biscuits can be helpful for settling tummies and keeping their digestive tract in check. These biscuits contain all the carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals your kitty needs to stay active and live their normal cat life. It’s better for their teeth and great for making sure they get all the nutrients they need.

However, if you were to choose to go with a dry cat food diet, you’ll likely need to occasionally supplement their meals with pieces of protein like cooked fish or chicken. This doesn’t have to be daily, but it’ll give them a good nutritious boost.

Feed a combination of wet and dry food

The best of both worlds, pet parents! Feeding them both wet and dry cat food means they don’t miss out on any of their daily nutrients, they stay hydrated, and they are all the happier for it. Again, talk to your vet to make a daily feeding plan to work out portion sizes and find the right food to suit them.

What's better for kittens: Wet or dry food​?

Baby cats start to wean from the age of three to four weeks, and are usually completely off their mom’s milk by two months old. To help with the transition from liquid to solid foods, it’s best to use wet cat food for their tiny tummies and teeth. Not only is canned or packeted cat food easier for them to chew and digest, but it also contains a lot more fat and protein, which is vital for kitten growth. You can begin kittens on dry cat food when they’re completely weaned, but make sure it’s combined with wet food and access to water.

When choosing any type of wet or dry kitten food, be sure to pick ones that are age-appropriate, as kitten foods are purposefully made to support healthy growth and development.

Meet our veterinary expert, Liam

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Liam Bullock BVSc (Hons) MRCVS.

As a small animal vet, Liam has spent time working in both first-opinion and referral-level practices. After gaining a strong affinity for educating owners about their pets, Liam decided to dedicate some of his non-clinical time to tutoring students, who were preparing for exams or struggling at school. By combining a passion for teaching others, and a keen interest in raising awareness about animal health issues, Liam decided to begin writing veterinary content. This now also allows him to raise awareness of important animal health issues outside of the consultation room.

Allow your cat to enjoy eating their meals at home while you’re away - find a trusted cat sitter near you to provide round-the-clock loving, in-home pet care. Not sure about using an at-home cat sitter? Connect with other cat carers on our Community Forum to hear their own real experiences with cat sitters.