Wet, dry or a combination for your cat?

Many cat owners wonder what is best: wet food only, dry food only, or a mix of both. We recommend providing both types, as this ensures a complete and balanced meal.

Why wet food?

-More palatable and tempting: it has a more intense smell and richer taste, which cats often love.
-Ideal for seniors: older cats with fewer teeth find it easier to chew.
-Extra moisture: perfect if your cat doesn't drink enough. Wet food is packed with water.

Why dry food?

-Convenient to use: you don't need to store it in the fridge after opening, and it stays fresh longer. Your cat can nibble on it throughout the day.
-Less mess: no wet food scraps on the floor, so less cleaning.
-Dental care: chewing helps reduce plaque, acting like a natural toothbrush.
-Dry food is higher in calories, so portioning is crucial. Many owners feed too much – that’s why we recommend a combination, served in separate bowls.

But be careful! Never mix dry and wet food in the same bowl! Here are 3 good reasons why:

Better hydration

Cats naturally drink little water. Male cats and older cats, in particular, are more prone to urinary tract issues. By combining wet and dry food, your cat automatically gets more moisture, which helps prevent bladder and kidney problems.

Fewer unnecessary carbohydrates

Cats do not need carbohydrates in their diet. They can tolerate them if they are well-cooked, but dry food naturally contains more of them than wet food. With a mix of wet and dry food, you provide an ideal balance of proteins, fats, and a limited amount of carbohydrates.

Easier to keep an eye on weight

Wet food has fewer calories per gram than dry food, which helps prevent obesity. This makes it a smart choice for cats that tend to gain weight easily.

How do you intelligently mix wet and dry food?

Want to provide both? The trick is to find the right ratio. Start with the daily recommended amount of dry food (found on the packaging, depending on weight, age, and activity). Our advice: at least 1/3 wet food and 2/3 dry food. Important: wet and dry food have different calorie contents per gram, so they cannot be swapped 1-to-1. Use the packaging as a guide.

Always check the packaging — The exact ratio depends on the brand, the energy density, and whether the wet food is a pâté, chunks in gravy, or another type. Check the nutritional values (kcal/100g) for the best calculation.
Calorie counting is ideal — For an average adult cat, the daily requirement is often around 200-300 kcal (depending on weight, age, activity level, and whether they are neutered). Dry food is more calorie-dense per gram, so if you replace it with wet food, you are providing more volume but similar energy. 
Combining — Many experts recommend replacing part of the dry food (e.g., 50% of the calories) with wet food for extra moisture intake (good for kidneys and urinary tracts). A common recommendation is at least 1/3 to half wet food. 
Example (rough guideline for an average cat):
Dry food only: ± 40-70 grams per day.
Wet food only: ± 200-400 grams per day (depending on the product and the cat).
Mix: E.g., 30-50 grams dry food + 150-250 grams wet food.

More information about combining dry food, wet food, and supplements can be found here. 

Best of both worlds.

Cats are true carnivores – they can live perfectly well on wet food alone, without carbohydrates. But they are also true nibblers who enjoy taking small bites throughout the day. Wet food spoils faster if left out. The solution: Set out a bowl of dry food that your cat can eat from all day. Give a (half) portion of wet food in the morning and/or evening. This way, your cat gets the best of both worlds: sufficient moisture, fewer carbohydrates, healthy teeth, and satisfying nibbling moments.

For more information, email: info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.