Is Wet Food Bad for Cat's Teeth?

Written by: Karuna Subbiah

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Time to read 2 min

The cat food wars have never been so fierce! Everyone has their own opinion on the best food for cats - some say wet and others promote dry cat food. There is also a section of cat parents that believe that wet food is bad for cats' teeth, so they avoid giving their kitty wet cat food altogether. But is this the case? We'll take a look at the benefits of wet food for cats, as well as the disadvantages and how it affects the dental health of your adorable kitty. Let's find out the truth! 

Benefits of wet food for cats

 It is a commonly known fact that cats hate water, however, hydration is essential for all animals including cats. Feeding your cat wet food is a great way to provide them with the nutrition they need and the water they require. 


  • Due to their high water content, wet meals may aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections like FIC/FLUTD.


  • Because they include a lot of water, wet feeds assist cats to maintain their weight. Cats who eat wet food will consume fewer calories since water has no calories.


  • For cats who don't enjoy drinking water, wet cat chow is a fantastic way to prevent dehydration.


  • Wet food has more meat-based protein and fewer carbs.


  • In contrast to dry cat food, which has a moisture content of about 15 percent, wet cat chow can include between 70 and 80 percent moisture. 

Disadvantages of wet cat food

 Because of its watery texture, some cats take time to get used to munching on wet cat food.


  • Wet foods have a pungent smell.


  • It smells harsher than dry cat food, which some cats, especially kittens, may find repulsive.


  • For opened wet food proper storage is required as it may go bad quicker.


  • Additionally, since you frequently need to reheat the meal in the microwave, it requires more work to serve than dry food.

Does wet cat food cause dental disease in cats?

There is no research-based evidence that wet cat food causes any type of dental issues in cats and kittens. Both wet and dry cat food is made of the same type of ingredients; in the case of wet food, the additional element is water. Now, water has no adverse effect on teeth, so there is no question of wet cat food being harmful to a cat’s teeth. 


The problem for many cat parents with assuming this myth may be largely dependent on the poor overall eating habits of their pet. In the wild cats consume flesh and meat and this helps clean their teeth. Feeding your kitty exclusively dry or wet cat is never a good thing; prepare a healthy diet for your feline companion consisting of both types (dry and wet) of cat food. Dry cat food is good for exercising the jaw muscles and wet cat food provides the required hydration for your kitty.


A common misconception is that wet cat food causes tooth decay in cats, we now know that this is not the case! So prepare a healthy and nutrient-dense meal for your cat, and combine wet and dry cat food from the most recognised and trustworthy brands in the pet food industry. It is always helpful to talk to an expert veterinarian and get a personalised diet plan for your kitten. Now the ideal way to secure your cat’s oral health is to simply brush his/her teeth.


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