Few topics in the cat world generate as much heated debate as the wet versus dry food question. Online forums are full of passionate advocates on both sides, each armed with studies, anecdotes, and strong opinions. The truth, as usual, is more nuanced than either camp would have you believe.
Let us lay out the evidence, acknowledge the trade-offs, and help you make a decision that works for both you and your cat.
The Case for Wet Food
Wet food has several genuine advantages that are hard to argue with:
Hydration. This is the big one. Wet food is typically 75 to 80 percent moisture, which means a cat eating wet food is getting a significant portion of their daily water intake through their meals. For a species that evolved in arid environments and has a naturally low thirst drive, this matters. Adequate hydration supports kidney function, urinary tract health, and overall cellular processes.
Higher protein, lower carbohydrate. Wet foods tend to have more protein and fewer carbohydrates than dry foods on a dry matter basis. Since cats are obligate carnivores with limited ability to process carbohydrates, this macronutrient profile generally aligns better with their biology.
Palatability. Most cats find wet food more appealing than dry. The texture, the aroma, the temperature, all of it more closely mimics the experience of eating prey. For picky eaters, sick cats, or elderly cats with reduced appetite, wet food can be the difference between eating and not eating.
Portion control. Wet food tends to be more satiating per calorie, partly due to its water content and partly due to its protein density. Cats eating primarily wet food are less prone to overeating compared to cats with unlimited access to a kibble bowl.
The Case for Dry Food
Dry food also has legitimate benefits, and dismissing it entirely is neither practical nor fair:
Convenience. There is no getting around it. Dry food is easier to store, easier to serve, and can be left out for longer without spoiling. For busy households or cats who prefer to graze throughout the day, kibble is genuinely more practical.
Cost. Quality for quality, dry food is almost always less expensive per calorie than wet food. For multi-cat households, this difference adds up quickly. A premium dry food may be more accessible than a premium wet food for many budgets.
Dental considerations. This one comes with a caveat. The common claim that dry food "cleans teeth" is largely overstated. Most kibble shatters on contact and does not provide meaningful abrasive cleaning. However, some specifically designed dental diets, like those with the VOHC seal, have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar. Standard kibble does not offer this benefit.
Enrichment potential. Dry food works beautifully in puzzle feeders, slow feeders, and foraging toys. For indoor cats who need mental stimulation, using kibble as an enrichment tool can add valuable engagement to their day.
What the Vets Say
If you ask ten veterinarians about wet versus dry food, you will get a range of answers, but some themes emerge consistently.
Most veterinary nutritionists agree that wet food is generally preferable for urinary tract health. The increased water intake dilutes urine, reduces its concentration, and may help prevent the formation of crystals and stones, particularly in male cats who are anatomically prone to urinary blockages.
For cats with kidney disease, which is extremely common in older cats, wet food is almost universally recommended. Keeping these cats hydrated is a cornerstone of managing the condition.
For diabetic cats, many veterinarians recommend high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, which tend to be wet foods. Some studies have shown that switching diabetic cats to wet, low-carb diets can improve glycemic control and even lead to remission in some cases.
That said, most vets will also tell you that a high-quality dry food is far better than a low-quality wet food. The format matters less than the formulation.
The Best of Both Worlds
Here is what many cat owners and veterinarians have settled on as a practical compromise: a combination of both.
A common approach is to feed wet food as the primary diet, offered at set mealtimes, with a small amount of dry food available for supplemental snacking or enrichment. This gives you the hydration and protein benefits of wet food, the convenience and enrichment potential of dry food, and a cat who is accustomed to both textures, which is enormously helpful if you ever need to switch foods for medical reasons.
Another approach is to alternate, perhaps wet food in the morning and evening with a puzzle feeder of dry food available during the day. The specifics matter less than finding a rhythm that works for your household and keeps your cat at a healthy weight.
Our Take
At Nine Lives Club, we are not dogmatic about this. We have seen perfectly healthy cats thrive on well-chosen dry food, and we have seen cats blossom after switching to wet. What we are dogmatic about is quality.
Whatever format you choose, prioritize foods where animal protein is the first ingredient, where the carbohydrate content is moderate, and where the manufacturer is transparent about sourcing and testing. Read the label, not just the marketing copy on the front of the bag.
And if you are ever unsure, talk to your vet. They know your cat's specific health profile, weight, and risk factors in a way that no article, including this one, ever can.
The best food for your cat is one that meets their nutritional needs, keeps them at a healthy weight, agrees with their digestive system, and fits sustainably into your life. Whether it comes in a can or a bag is less important than whether it checks those boxes.