Is dry and wet cat food enough for my cat, or should I feed raw?

Cats don't need dry food if you are providing wet cat food. The reason dry food is best is that most cats graze. You can leave the dry food out. Also, it helps with their teeth. I would not add any meat or anything else into a cat's diet. Just wet and/or dry cat food. Or as in Alice's case kitten food. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I typically recommend wet food with some dry food mixed in or given as treats, depending on Arabella's weight. Wet food helps maintain adequate hydration which can be beneficial for their kidneys and urinary system. It also has built in portion control and can help with maintaining a normal weight. I would talk to your vet about the proper amounts to feed Arabella but most cats are going to need about 200 calories per day.

It certainly doesn't hurt Her Khan to eat both diets. I do shy away from using any exotic meats such as rabbit or venison, just in case he were to develop IBD as an older cat. I think sticking to 'normal' proteins is just fine. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dry is fine for cats. Some feel that canned cat food is more ideal due to the extra moisture content and because cats are more carnivorous than dogs. Canned food is best for cats with underlying urinary issues. With that being said if Noushmc prefers dry then that is what you should offer her. I wouldn't be concerned. Have a good day!

If she is eating the recommended amount as per the bag of food, then she is getting enough. It often appears like a small amount, but they really don't need that much. Cats are obligate carnivores, so if she is not eating enough of the dry food, then it's good to feed a variety of meats and organs (like liver, kidney, gizzard, etc.). Avoid feeding only one source of meat (i.e. tuna), or she can develop a dietary deficiency. However, if she is eating enough of the dry food, then it's best to just stick with that, because it is already nutritionally balanced and overfeeding can lead to obesity and in-turn illnesses associated with obesity. I hope that helps and Sanjee is well.

It is quite alright if little Oliver does not eat dry food. Canned food has a higher protein and moisture content as well as less carbs than dry food. Cats do not "need" carbohydrates but do need a high protein diet, especially growing kittens. Feed a good quality canned food that comes from the can looking like a hockey puck. Read the ingredients and confirm there is named protein source of animal, not plant, origin. Avoid by-products and meat meals. Stay away from store or discount brands too, these typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers.

Hi Jamie, There are a lot of people who advocate for a raw food diet, but you are right that there are a lot of risk factors. There is not a medical benefit to feeding raw food over cooked food. I think a balanced homemade (cooked) or canned food diet are the safest for cats. Making a homemade diet and keeping it balanced can be quite a bit of work, so I currently feed my cats canned. I have attached a link below that may be useful for you. It has a lot of great information about cat food. http://catinfo.org I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.