Imagine your cat slinking across the back yard homing in on a targeted prey with slow, measured steps until the pounce occurs! Yum, dinner! You would hear the crunch of mouse bones rather than the crackle and crunch of dry cat food.

This natural behavior tells us a good deal about what our cats’ need for food. Cats are obligate carnivores; that is they need muscle-based meats in their diets to thrive. It’s pretty hard to put a mouse in the cat food for sale at the local pet store. It’s just as difficult to match the perfect combination of protein, fat, nutrients and water that is found in outdoor prey.

Many cat lovers also don’t realize that a wild cat doesn’t drink much fresh water. Any water a cat requires is derived from the prey they consume. When we move a cat inside, we’re taking away their main source of water. When we feed dry foods, cats require even more water for their bodies to function efficiently.

Additionally, cats don’t eat vegetables or grains in the wild. They simply don’t require many of the ingredients that are found in commercial cat foods.

Instead of adjusting the cat to the diet, we need to adjust the diet to the cat. Is it more appropriate to feed dry or wet canned food or a combination? Recent studies have linked completely chow-based diets to a host of ailments. On the other hand, the standing opinion regarding wet food is that it causes dental tarter and periodontal disease. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.

>h2>Pros of dry kibble for cats

Many pet parents feed their cats dry cat food for convenience. It can be left in the bowl for grazing and has a long shelf life. Chow-fed cats seem to have fewer dental issues. Pet parent’s can free-feed their cat without having to worry that food is spoiling. Many outdoor cats do fabulously on chow diets because they are balancing their water intake by continuing to hunt for fresh prey.

Cons of dry kibble for cats
Dehydration is a major concern when feeding dry cat food. Cats just aren’t big drinkers so they must get some moisture from their food. Dry chow has almost none. One study revealed that a cat gets half the water from dry food as it does from hunted prey. Another study shows many cats suffer from low-level, chronic dehydration that can cause a host of illnesses ranging from obesity to kidney failure.

Cat chow just doesn’t replicate what a cat would consume in the wild. The main ingredients are grains and flours which are added for bulk. There’s very little meat and dry chow is packed with carbohydrates; something a cat doesn’t need. Too many carbs leads to a fat kitty just the same as with humans. Finally, dry foods can contain surface bacteria that can cause stomach upsets.

Pros of wet food for cats
Cats ears used to be tuned into the sound of the electric can opener. With the advent of pull-tab cans, that little “swishing” sound usually brings kitty running to the bowl. Canned wet food is plenty hydrated to supplement your cat’s water consumption. Most wet foods have a higher concentration of meats and less of grains and vegetables. So wet food provides your cat with nutrition closer to its innate needs.

Cons of wet food for cats
Canned cat food isn’t as convenient as dry chow. It cannot be placed in a bowl for free feeding all day long. Unused canned food must be covered and refrigerated for no more than two to three days. Many cat owners believe that feeding wet food can cause tartar buildup and periodontal disease. Canned food is messier and also has a much shorter shelf life than cat chow.

Which do you choose for your cat?
Consider what evolution is telling us. Cats need meat – not vegetables and grains – and lots of water if they are not hunting for food. Striking a balance in their wet and dry food consumption provides the optimum diet. The current trend shows animal nutritionists recommending just 20 percent of the daily diet as dry cat food. The rest should consist of canned wet food.

If your cat is solely on a chow diet, don’t panic. Take your time and gradually switch your cat by increasing the amount of wet food every few days. If your cat is used to grazing, establish specific feeding times for wet food. Put less in the chow bowl and as time moves on, you’ll find that your cat comes running at the sound of the pull-tab can.

Source: www.cats.com

This news story is independently sourced and Petsintouch.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.

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