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For cats, wet food is not an option: it's almost a necessity. We have seen this in the article on natural nutrition — the cat is a strict desert carnivore, with an underdeveloped thirst reflex. Its water must come primarily from food. Let's see how to choose wisely among the dozens of products on the market.

Why Wet Food is So Important for Cats

A cat that eats only kibble consumes on average **half the water** of a cat that eats quality wet food. This data impacts over the long term:

  • **Chronic kidney disease** (the leading cause of death in senior cats)
  • **Urinary stones and idiopathic cystitis** (FLUTD)
  • **Chronic constipation**
  • **Subclinical dehydration** affecting overall metabolism

**Wet food provides "hidden" water** that the cat consumes without realizing it — bypassing its need to go to the bowl.

Types of Wet Food

Pâté

Homogeneous composition, dense mousse. More suitable for:

  • Senior cats with weak teeth
  • Cats that eat quickly
  • Mixing with medications

Warning: often rich in generic animal by-products. Check the quality of the ingredients.

Chunks in Sauce or Jelly

Pieces of meat immersed in liquid. More suitable for:

  • Cats that enjoy "choosing" what to eat
  • Cats that drink even less (the sauce increases hydration)

Warning: some cats only eat the pieces and leave the sauce, negating the hydration. Mix.

Fillets, Shredded, Large Pieces

Meat in larger pieces, often in trays. More suitable for:

  • Cats that love chewing
  • "Complementary" food to combine with other options

Warning: often these are **complementary foods**, not complete. They cannot be the only diet.

How to Read Labels

Three things to check:

1. "Complete" or "Complementary"

  • **Complete (or "complete and balanced"):** can be the only food
  • **Complementary:** it is an addition. Alone it is not enough to cover the needs

Many gourmet products (fillets, wet snacks) are complementary. If the cat only eats those, it is deficient.

2. The Primary Protein Source

The label is ordered by weight:

  • **First position: a specific meat** ("chicken 50%", "salmon 35%")
  • Avoid: "meat and derivatives", "generic animal by-products"
  • **Moisture content:** 75-82% is normal; above 82% may indicate too much water and too little meat

3. Carbohydrates

The cat **does not need carbohydrates**. A wet diet with added grains, sugars, or starches is less physiologically appropriate. Look for:

  • "Grain-free"
  • "No added sugars"
  • Vegetables present only in small percentages

How Much to Give Per Day

An average adult cat (4 kg) needs about 200-250 kcal/day. Canned food varies widely:

  • **100 g can of pâté:** about 90-110 kcal
  • **85 g pouch:** about 60-80 kcal
  • **70 g tray:** about 50-70 kcal

For a 4 kg cat: **2-3 cans of 100 g/day**, or **3-4 pouches of 85 g/day**.

Packages always indicate the recommended amount based on weight. Check it.

Is Wet Food Economically Viable?

Average cost for an adult cat:

  • Only quality kibble: 25-40 €/month
  • Only quality wet food: 60-100 €/month
  • Mixed (50% wet + 50% kibble): 40-60 €/month

Wet food costs **2-3 times more**. But consider:

  • Saved veterinary visits (urinary, kidney issues)
  • Higher quality of life for the cat
  • Longer life expectancy in many cases

How to Introduce Wet Food if the Cat Only Eats Kibble

Many adult cats do not want wet food if they have never eaten it. The transition requires patience:

  1. **Week 1:** offer 1 teaspoon of wet food next to the kibble bowl. Do not replace, add. Let it sniff it.
  2. **Week 2:** if it doesn’t touch it, try other brands/flavors. Warm it slightly (37°C, never hot) to enhance the smell.
  3. **Week 3:** if it accepts, gradually increase the wet food while reducing the kibble.
  4. **Week 4:** you should be at a 70% wet / 30% kibble ratio.

Never force: the cat's hunger strike can lead to **hepatic lipidosis** (serious) in just a few days. If it categorically refuses, talk to the veterinarian.

Conclusions

For cats, quality wet food is not a luxury but a health assurance. Choose complete products, with specified meat in the first position, without superfluous grains. Combine it with kibble if you wish (for variety or cost), but ensure that at least 60-70% of daily calories come from wet food. It is one of the few changes that make a concrete difference in the cat's longevity.

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