Very often, cat owners do not know which food to choose for their pet - dry or wet. You need to start with the understanding that a balanced and optimal diet means providing the animal with everything it needs, but at the same time, the food should be tasty and aromatic. The correct approach to feeding also helps prevent and prevent a lot of health problems.

Wet and dry food: differences

Yes, wet food is a great option if your pet doesn't drink enough water, and dry food helps maintain dental health by acting as a natural "toothbrush". At the same time, wet food often smells more attractive, and dry food is convenient to store and does not spoil as quickly in a bowl as wet food. That is why many owners try to take the best of both feeds and practice combined feeding (in different bowls and as separate meals).

Advantages of dry feed

The advantages of dry feed include:

  • Convenience. This applies to both food storage and feeding itself. You can store dry cat food both in an airtight bag and in a special jar or container. It is also more convenient to feed such food, especially if you are away from home for a long time.
  • If the composition of the feed is good, then such feed not only provides the cat's body with everything it needs, but also helps to fight tartar by performing mechanical and even chemical cleaning of the teeth.
  • A large assortment. Among dry foods, it is not difficult to find food even for a cat with allergies or other health conditions.

Advantages of wet food

Wet feed also has undeniable advantages, including:

  • Help in providing the cat's body with moisture.
  • Reducing the risk of health problems (a sufficient amount of moisture reduces the risk of developing diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system).
  • Such food is attractive to pets both in terms of smell and texture. Smell is one of the main criteria that cats use when choosing their favorite treats.

Advantages of combined nutrition

Unlike dogs, cats can be fed both types of food at the same time. You can do this at different intervals or use one type of feed exclusively as a treat. The advantages of this approach are as follows:

  • This diet is ideal for picky cats.
  • Mixed nutrition is ideal for the animal's eating behavior. It is better for cats to eat several times a day in small portions.
  • Cats like variety in their diet - it allows you to offer them new treats.

How to transfer a cat or a cat to mixed feeding?

If until now your pet has only eaten wet or only dry food, but you want to diversify its diet and introduce combined feeding, proceed as follows:

  1. Choose the type of feeding. It can be alternating or combined feeding.
  2. Do not rush to immediately offer the animal both feeds in sufficient quantities. Gradually add new food to the diet.
  3. Watch the reaction. If during several weeks of such feeding, the animal continues to remain healthy and active, everything is fine. If a disorder has appeared, the well-being has worsened, it is worth trying to use other feeds or treats.

If you notice long-term negative consequences of inappropriate nutrition, seek help from a veterinarian. He will take into account the peculiarities of your pet's health and will probably help with choosing, if not the food itself, then the right way of eating.

Wet and dry food is equally useful and interesting for cats and cats, especially if it is high-class food (no less than premium). You can practice mixed nutrition by adding one or another type of food to your pet's diet. This will diversify his diet and have a positive effect on the health of his four-legged friend.