As pet guardians, it falls on you to design a dependable nutrition strategy for your animal’s health. Additionally, this responsibility often leads to uncertainty in areas such as how much wet food for a cat? This is because numerous cat caretakers see wet food as somewhat of a special indulgence for their feline friends.
On the other hand, certain owners tend to keep their cats on an all-wet food diet. Caution is necessary here because not feeding your cat the right serving size can cause it to either be underweight or overweight. If you have an overweight cat, you need to look for the best cat food for weight loss.
Why Give Wet Food to Your Cat
Did you know that vets recommend that your cat’s diet should be 80% to 100% wet food? Not many people understand that wet cat food can be given daily to their cats. In fact, as we previously mentioned, wet food is often used as a treat for their cats.
However, wet food should be added to your cat’s diet because of the following reasons:
Better for Senior Cats
As cats become older, one of the main issues they face is dental problems. This can make it difficult for them to chew their food correctly. For this reason, they need soft cat food that is not only easy for them to eat but also to digest.
For senior cats or even healthy cats with severe dental problems, wet cat food is the best option. Dry cat food like kibble can be harder for them to chew and worsen their teeth problems. Moreover, swallowing kibble whole can cause digestive issues for them. Wet cat food is a better alternative in this scenario.
Healthier for Cats
Wet cat food is healthier for cats because it is a high protein cat food. Cats are classified as obligate carnivores. This means that even if they eat vegetables, they can derive nutritional value from meat and proteins. Dry cat food tends to have lower proteins and higher carbohydrates.
These carbs are empty nutrients that the cat’s body cannot digest or breakdown. A diet of dry cat food can lead to overeating, malnutrition and even obesity. The nutrients in wet cat food are also more easily broken down and absorbed by a cat’s digestive system.
Provides Them with Moisture
Cats rely on their diet for water and do not naturally drink water. Around 80% of their moisture needs are met by the water in their diet. As a result, cats generally tend to be near dehydration, especially if they do not like drinking water.
In this case, giving them wet cat food is better. Wet cat food has a higher moisture level than dry cat food does. It is able to meet the cat’s hydration needs efficiently and improves the health of their urinary system, their kidneys and their health. This is also why a cat food diet that is high in dry food can cause stones in the kidneys or the urinary tract.
As you can see, wet cat food is better for the overall health of your cat and adding it to their diet is going to be beneficial for them.
Calculating How Much Wet Food for a Cat
Now, giving wet cat food to your cat can be confusing. Many people assume that one can of wet cat food is good enough for their cat. However, you have to pay close attention to the number of calories that your cat needs.
To do this, you have to consider the weight and body type of your cat. The following is a chart on how you can determine the calorie needs of a cat, according to their weight and body type:
| Body Type | 5 lbs | 10 lbs | 15 lbs | 20 lbs |
| Kitten | 200 kcal | 400 kcal | 600 kcal | 800 kcal |
| Lean | 170 kcal | 280 kcal | 360 kcal | 440 kcal |
| Overweight | 180 kcal | 240 kcal | 280 kcal | 310 kcal |
| Pregnant or Nursing | 336 kcal | 603 kcal | 851 kcal | 1091 kcal |
Source:The National Academies Press (NAP)
Based on this chart, you can then determine how much wet cat food you can feed. An average-sized cat would need a 3-ounce can of wet food for every 3 or 3 ½ pounds of their body weight. By using this chart, you can quickly determine the serving size that would best suit your cat.
However, make sure to adjust the serving size if you’re feeding a cat a mix of dry and wet cat food. As previously stated, cats can be kept on an 80% wet food and 20% dry food diet.
Storing Wet Cat Food Properly
It is important to store wet cat food properly as it can easily go bad, especially once you open the can. Additionally, when you serve your cat, make sure to only give 15 minutes to finish up their meal. Once they are done, pick up the wet food and store it in container with a lid in the fridge.
The shelf-life of the product may also vary based on the manufacturer so, pay close attention to this factor. Moreover, cats don’t like cold food so either bring the food down to room temperature or warm it up before you serve it to your cats.
Our Recommendation –Purina Fancy Feast Grilled Feast – 24 Can Pack
Purina’s Fancy Feast is one of the best wet cat foods and is loved by pet owners. Not only is this brand perfect for even the most finicky eaters, it is also high in protein and is available in different textures. The meat used is slow cooked to make it soft and juicy and accompanied with light gravy that cats love.
Our Recommendation –Purina Friskies Wet Canned Food – 40 Can Pack
The Friskies range of Purina products is also a hit among cats and pet owners. It is available in different textures, including pates and shreds in gravy. The cans are also high protein and contain real meat in them. They also contain healthy and light gravy that is a hit among cats.
With the help of the information here, you can ensure that you get the best wet cat food and serve it to your cats properly too!
