Cats have multiple food options including canned food, kibble food and home made food. Dry cat foods have several advantages, but there are also some drawbacks if your pet consumes dry food only. It is important to be aware about the pros and cons of dry food, so that you can provide a healthy, balanced diet to your cat.
Pros of Dry Cat Foods
One of the main reasons cat owners opt for dry food is the cost, which is lower than the costs of canned food or home made food.
The dry food has a positive effect on the teeth; the kibble food can scrape the plaque and food residue off teeth and this will prevent the deposits of tartar.
The kibble food also keeps the cat full for longer and he is less likely to get hungry.
Dry food may be deposited and will not go bad for a long time, so you can stock up with lots of food at once. In addition, dry food may be kept in the food bowl without getting “dry”, as canned food does. Canned food loses its freshness in less than 2 hours.
Cons of Dry Cat Foods
The amount of protein in dry foods is typically lower than in canned foods and some cats require a higher amount of protein to be able to lead an active life.
Dry food doesn’t contain water and your cat may get dehydrated if you fail to provide the necessary amount of water. Dry food is not recommended for cats with certain health problems such as kidney disease, urinary tract infections or diabetes. Dry foods contain carbohydrates, which are not necessary in a cat’s diet; an excess of carbs can lead to obesity.
Some dry foods contain a lot of salt and sugars, which aren’t healthy. There are also a lot of unhealthy fillers (sometimes up to 40% of the food is low grade cat food).
Cats with a dry diet are more prone to developing diabetes.
Alternative Cat Food
Canned food is an alternative to kibble food. Canned food contains a lot of water and this is beneficial for the cat’s health.
The contents of proteins in the canned food are higher in canned food than in dry food. The canned food also has fibers, which will help the digestion and prevent digestive problems such as constipation. Cats that eat wet food have fewer problems with hairballs. However, canned food doesn’t have any dental benefits for the cat.
Home made food may also have a lot of benefits, as the ingredients will be fresh and hand picked; however, the preparation of the food may take a lot of time and if you fail to feed your pet the necessary ingredients, this can lead to health problems.
Dry food has definitely benefits for the cat, so you can opt for a dry food diet; however, feeding wet food at least once per week may benefit your pet and prevent some diseases that are linked to a dry food diet.