## The endless debate among cat owners

"Wet food." "No, kibble." "Cats need to chew." "Kibble cleans teeth." "Wet food is too expensive." "Dry food dehydrates."

The debate over cat food is one of the most heated among owners. And the marketing from manufacturers doesn't help to clarify.

**Science has a clear position**. Let's take a look.

## The nutritional truth: what a cat is

The cat is a **strict carnivore** (obligate).

**Differences from dogs**:
- **Does not synthesize** certain vitamins (taurine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid) and must obtain them from food.
- **Low enzymatic activity** on carbohydrates (poorly digests starches).
- **Reduced thirst** compared to dogs (originally desert dwellers).
- **Efficient kidneys** but exposed to problems if poorly hydrated.

**Dietary implications**:
- Diet must be **rich in animal protein**.
- Diet must be **low in carbohydrates**.
- **Hydration** is critical.

## The history of kibble

**Cat kibble** is a post-war invention:
- 1950s: a company launches economical dog kibble.
- 1960s-70s: transition to cats.
- 1980s: explosion of the market.

**Industrial advantages**:
- Long shelf life.
- Easy distribution.
- Low production cost.
- Powerful marketing.

**Hidden problem**: cats **are not evolutionarily accustomed** to dry kibble.

## The hydration problem

**Natural composition of prey** (mouse, bird):
- **70-75% water**.

**Composition of wet food**:
- **75-82% water**.

**Composition of kibble**:
- **6-10% water**.

**Implication**: a cat that eats **only kibble** is in a state of **chronic dehydration**.

**Consequences**:
- High urinary concentration.
- Risk of **urinary crystals**.
- Risk of **idiopathic cystitis**.
- Risk of **long-term kidney failure**.
- Constipation.

**Study**: cats that eat only wet food live on average **1-2 years longer** than those that eat only kibble.

## The pros of wet food

### 1. Optimal hydration

Already discussed: **75-82% water** = automatic hydration through food.

### 2. More protein, fewer carbohydrates

Quality wet food:
- **40-50% protein** (dry matter).
- **5-15% carbohydrates**.

Economical kibble:
- **25-30% protein**.
- **40-50% carbohydrates**.

Cats **require a lot of protein**, and **few carbohydrates**. Wet food = better profile.

### 3. Satiety

Wet food = high volume, high palatability.
Cats feel full with fewer calories.
Reduced risk of overweight.

### 4. Palatability

For 90% of cats, wet food is **much more preferred** than kibble.

Particularly useful for:
- Cats recovering from illness.
- Seniors with reduced appetite.
- Sick cats that need to eat.

### 5. Reduced risk of crystals/cystitis

The **high hydration** of wet food:
- Dilutes urine.
- Reduces mineral concentration.
- Prevents crystals (struvite, oxalates).

## The cons of wet food

### 1. Cost

**Average cost**:
- Quality wet food: 80-150 €/month (for an average cat).
- Quality kibble: 30-60 €/month.

**Annual difference**: 600-1,000 € more.

### 2. Storage

- Open cans/bags: max 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Waste if not finished.
- Fresh wet food needs to be lightly warmed.

### 3. "Supposedly inferior" dental hygiene

**Common myth**: "kibble cleans teeth".

**Truth**:
- Standard kibble **does not clean** teeth significantly.
- Few specific "dental" kibbles have a marginal effect.
- The **real dental hygiene** = tooth brushing + dental check-ups.

So this "advantage" of kibble is a **myth**.

### 4. Convenience

- Kibble: can be left in the bowl all day.
- Wet food: must be consumed quickly, cleaned up.

Convenient for those who work outside.

## The pros of kibble

### 1. Cost

Less expensive.

### 2. Storage

Large bags, long shelf life.

### 3. Convenience

Self-service: meal always available.

### 4. Calorie-dense

Good for:
- Growing puppies.
- Underweight cats (rare).

### 5. (Marginally) dental effect

Only specific dental kibbles (Hill's t/d, Royal Canin Dental).

## The cons of kibble

### 1. Low hydration

Mentioned above. Main problem.

### 2. Excessive carbohydrates

Economical kibble: 40-50% carbohydrates.

Causes:
- Overweight.
- Diabetes (correlation in studies).
- Intestinal dysbiosis.

### 3. Plant proteins

Many economical kibbles use:
- Corn gluten.
- Soy.
- Grains.

Plant proteins are **not equivalent** to animal proteins for carnivorous cats.

### 4. Processing

High production temperatures:
- Destroy some vitamins.
- Produce **AGE** (advanced glycation end-products) that can be harmful.

### 5. Coated palatability

Economical kibbles are often "coated" with fats and chemical palatability enhancers to make them appealing to cats.

## The position of veterinarians

**AAFCO/AVMA/WSAVA**:
- Wet food preferred for hydration.
- Dry food acceptable if it's of quality.
- A mix is a balanced solution.

**Veterinary urologists**:
- Wet food **strongly recommended** for:
  - History of cystitis.
  - Urinary crystals.
  - Kidney failure.

**Veterinary nutritionists**:
- Wet food **preferable** in many cases.
- Quality dry food acceptable for cats without issues.

## The solution: the smart mix

**For the majority of cats**, the **wet + dry mix** is the optimal choice:

### Basic scheme

**Morning and evening**: wet food.

**During the day**: small amount of kibble in the bowl.

**Advantages**:
- Maximum hydration at main meals.
- Kibble for self-regulation between meals.
- Higher satiety.
- Varied eating experience.

### Proportions

**70% wet / 30% dry** (caloric):
- For most cats.

**90% wet / 10% dry**:
- For cats with urinary issues.
- Senior cats.

**50% wet / 50% dry**:
- Economic compromise.

**100% wet**:
- Optimal but expensive.

## Quality wet food

**What to look for** (on the label):

**1. Fresh meat or dehydrated meat** as the first ingredient.

**2. Specified percentage of meat** (e.g., "65% chicken").

**3. Recognizable ingredients**:
- Chicken, beef, tuna, salmon.
- Not "generic animal by-products".

**4. No added sugars**.

**5. No grains** (preferable, though not essential).

**6. Declared taurine**.

**Premium brands**:
- Almo Nature.
- Schesir.
- Natural Trainer.
- Stuzzy.
- Wild Freedom.

**Superior premium brands**:
- Cosma.
- Catz Finefood.
- Animonda Carny.

**Cost**: 1.5-3.5 € per can/bag.

## Quality kibble

**What to look for**:

**1. Meat as the first ingredient** (specified).

**2. Minimal grains** or grain-free.

**3. High protein** (40%+).

**4. Healthy fats**.

**5. No artificial colors, chemical preservatives**.

**Premium brands**:
- Hill's Science Diet.
- Royal Canin.
- Acana.
- Orijen.
- Trainer Natural.

**Cost**: 6-15 €/kg.

## "Pouch" wet food vs canned

**Cans**:
- Long shelf life without opening.
- Glass/metal: no BPA plastic in some brands.
- Similar cost.

**Pouches**:
- Convenient for single servings.
- Shorter shelf life.
- Possible plastic.

Nutritionally equivalent. Choose for convenience.

## Special situations

**Cats with kidney failure**:
- **Specific renal wet food** is essential.
- Maximum hydration.
- No kibble.

**Diabetic cats**:
- **High protein, low carbohydrate wet food**.
- Never high-carbohydrate kibble.

**Cats with idiopathic cystitis**:
- **Specific urinary wet food**.
- At least 80% of the meal in wet food.

**Kittens**:
- **Wet food + some kibble** for kittens.
- Hydration is important.

**Seniors**:
- Wet food preferred.
- Less chewing effort.
- Better hydration.

## Myths to debunk

**Myth 1**: "Kibble cleans teeth".
**False**: only specific dental kibbles have a marginal effect.

**Myth 2**: "Wet food causes diarrhea".
**False**: unless there's a sudden change.

**Myth 3**: "Cats need to chew".
**False**: cats don’t chew much anyway (carnivore teeth).

**Myth 4**: "Wet food = unnecessary luxury".
**False**: it is the natural nutritional basis.

**Myth 5**: "Kibble is complete and balanced".
**Truth**: they are if of quality, but lack hydration.

## The truth

For **optimal health** of the cat:

✅ **Wet food**: should make up **at least 50-70%** of the diet.

✅ **Kibble**: optional, of quality, complementary.

✅ **Water always available**: a fountain helps.

✅ **Variety**: rotation of flavors, quality brands.

❌ **Only economical kibble**: wrong choice in the long term.

❌ **Only kibble**: insufficient hydration.

**Invest a few extra euros per month** for quality wet food. Your cat will live longer, healthier. They will have fewer urinary problems, less overweight, and lower veterinary costs over time.

The **true savings** is health, not the price of food.