Wet vs. Dry Cat Food Asking a vet to declare which cat food type is best – canned cat food or dry cat food – treads controversial waters. No matter what answer I give, I’m sure people will disagree. Dry cat food is best for: Cats with dental issues. Dry cat food, especially prescription dental dry foods, creates a bit of abrasive action on cats’ teeth when crunched, and thus slows down tartar accumulation rates on cat teeth.Cats who need to gain weight benefit from dry cat food, because dry food for cats tends to have more calories than canned food. Canned, wet cat food is best for: Nutritionally challenged cats who need to put on weight. Canned cat food smells more strongly and entices cats, so cats who need to eat more benefit. Conversely from the above, overweight cats. Canned cat food has fewer calories and is better for weight loss when fed on a controlled cat diet. Cats with urinary issues. When fed a canned diet, cats get more hydration out of canned food, which is wet.

Cats with constipation issues also do better when fed a canned diet, as these diets contain more moisture. Much has been written about dry cat food, carbohydrates and feline diabetes. Curtains For Right Angled WindowsMany people believe that cats on a mainly dry cat food diet face increased feline diabetes risk because of dry cat food’s common high carbohydrate content. Bathroom Vanity Light NickelCarbohydrate content, however, does not necessarily increase incidence of diabetes in cats. Ford Auto Repair ChicagoDry foods could more likely lead to obesity in cats, therefore increasing the risk of cat diabetes. Look for quality above all, in either wet cat food or dry cat food. Feeding a little canned cat food in the morning and evening, and having some dry food out for the cat to snack on during the day is a reasonable approach;

cats like to eat multiple small meals throughout the day, and people who work all day are understandably reluctant to leave canned food out all day for their cat. Talk to your vet if your cat’s health changes. For instance, cats that become overweight or develop urinary issues might need their dry food reduced. Cats with a predisposition for dental issues could require a prescription dry diet. All statements and opinions in "Canned Cat Food Vs. Dry Cat Food?” are the sole opinions of the I-5 Publishing, publishers of Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy publications and not those of CareCredit. The content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual medical provider with respect to any professional advice presented. Your receipt of this material constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions. Food to help your dog GAIN weight. Hello, We are adopting a rescue dog who is extremely thin. He is an adult Treeing Walker Coonhound.

We know that he had a collar on when he was picked up, but his owners did not want him. The poor guy has been so freaked out by being at a shelter that he is just wasting away. His ribs are clearly visible in his photos. The rescue group said he is depressed and doesn't wag his tail. He has been checked by a vet and is considered otherwise healthy. We will be meeting him for the first time and want to do everything I can to get him healthy and happy ASAP. I'm planning on cooking some ground beef so that he smells that as soon as he walks in the house. (I was thinking that is the doggy equivalent of us smelling cinnamon buns or chocolate chip cookies) I know from reading about this breed that they like to graze. So, I was thinking to try starting him off with dog food plus rice and lean ground beef in small quantities several times a day. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions of how to add calories without upsetting his stomach. He is coming from the South and I can only imagine that the stress has had a big impact on his digestive system.

Thank you for any suggestions and Happy New Year Want to stay up to date with this post? Sign Up Now › Log In or Sign Up to comment Log In or Sign Up to Comment › by tessadw 12 months ago by marssy 1 month ago by zackly 2 years ago Foodies visiting NYC and looking for mid-priced meals Dinner Choices in Montreal Help Roasting Fairytale Eggplant for Italian Dish? Non-ice cream dessert recipes with parsley?While dogs are eager and always willing to please, cats are much more elusive to their overlords — err, owners. So much, in fact, that many owners turn to the most tried-and-true method of getting a cat (or a human!) to like them: They ply them with food. Yes, it turns out that the way to a cat’s heart is also through its stomach, but what’s the healthiest cat food for your feline friend?Pet nutrition 101 says you want to feed your pet a healthy diet in the same vein you want to put the best ingredients into your own body. Yes, it’s important to feed your cat the healthiest cat food possible.

Sadly, just as a large number of Americans leave a lot to be desired with the foods they eat, so too do pet owners often ignore the best nutrition for their pets.Unfortunately, all those loving calories mean that cats are packing on some extra pounds. And while a fat cat might be adorable for YouTube videos and Internet cat memes, being overweight can cause major health issues for our feline friends. In that regard, cats aren’t so different than humans.Overweight cats, for instance, are two times more likely than cats at a healthy weight to get feline diabetes. In obese cats, that risk increases eightfold. (1) Overweight cats are also at a higher risk of developing hepatic lipidosis, more commonly known as fatty liver disease. (2) With this condition, excess fat accumulates in the liver, and the liver isn’t able to process it. Fatty liver can lead to various other health complications and death.Arthritis and a lack of energy are also linked back to being overweight. And, of course, there’s the quality of life issue.

A cat who can’t move around freely leads a compromised life.So why do cats have a weight control problem? After all, don’t most animals know when to stop eating? The reasons that cats gain weight might surprise you — unless you’ve ever struggled with those pounds on the scale. That’s because, again, felines are so similar to their humans.Cats are not good at self-regulating. Their wild ancestors, after all, weren’t given bowls of food to eat; they were out hunting for it. If their food is left out for cats to graze on, they will. Think about it: How good is your self-control if a bag of chips is left out all day? Cats also eat out of boredom, just like us. If they’re not being stimulated or entertained enough, they will eat because there’s nothing better to do.And if you think overweight cats aren’t so common, think again. Just as human obesity rates have been on the rise, so have feline rates. In fact, about 50 percent of cats who visit the vet are overweight, if not obese.

But for many feline owners, the thought of putting their cats on a diet is scary. It’ not because the cat might not be well-fed or the diet process will be difficult, but for another reason, one that’s easily understood for those who know cats’ temperamental behaviors. They’re frightened their cats will no longer love them.Owners who get cuddles and nuzzles from slipping their cats some extra treats fear their cats will become withdrawn, angry or anxiety-ridden. (4) It’s not an unfounded fear. After all, cats are being given antidepressants these days for things like anxiety or perpetual misbehaving.Luckily, a new study has proved that putting your cat on a diet doesn’t mean putting an end to its affection. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that overweight cats who were put on an eight-week diet didn’t withhold their love. (5) In fact, they demonstrated more affection than when they were overweight.So if your cat will actually love you more when it’s slimmer, what’s the best way to keep your feline companion healthy and happy and avoid the weight gain game in the first place?

I’m glad you asked!First, a gentle reminder: Cats don’t feed themselves. That means you are in control of what and how much your cat eats. And with great power comes great responsibility.While the amount of calories cats need varies by breed and age, a general rule of thumb is that for each pound your cat weighs, you should feed it between 24 to 35 calories. If your cat is eating a lot more than that, it’s time to cut back. And don’t forget, “a few extra pounds” means something different for cats than for humans. Two extra pounds on a cat is similar to 28 extra pounds on a 140-pound woman. Cats are carnivores and do best on a high-protein, low-carb diet. The healthiest cat food and diet thrives on high-quality meats. Because cats are carnivores and not omnivores like dogs, their digestive systems are not built to break down the cellulose in plants. (7) Because of that, wet food is usually best for cats. Dry cat food is filled with carbohydrate fillers, usually from plants, that isn’t easy for cats to break down, so it’s not the healthiest cat food.

Additionally, dry cat food contains a lot less water than wet food — 10 percent to 78 percent, while foods cats consume in the wild contain about 70 percent water. That means cats who are on a strictly dry food diet run the risk of becoming dehydrated. If you’re a fan of kibble, ensure your cat has a fresh source of water constantly, particularly during warm weather.But if you’re thinking of tossing all the dry food and switching exclusively to wet food, be sure to read the ingredients list. Poor-quality wet food might not provide any more nutrients than dry food. Be sure that the first ingredient is protein. A good option for many people is to combine dry and wet food to keep costs manageable and ensure your cat is getting the nutrients it needs.If you’re concerned about how much to feed your cat, it’s worth visiting your vet. That’s because, even if you’re serving your cat the manufacturer’s suggested serving, which is aimed at “average cats,” it might be too much for your cat.