Felines’ Finest: The Best Wet Cat Food

The main difference between dry and wet cat food is moisture content. Wet cat food is any food variety that contains more than 20% moisture and often comes in aluminum cans or foil pouches. There is a wide array of choices for the best wet cat food available in the market, where each selection is formulated according to certain dietary requirements and concerns.

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Wet cat food is highly beneficial for felines who have special dietary needs. For instance, cats who have dental issues might have difficulty chewing dry food. Some cats don’t drink enough water. Given the high moisture content of wet cat food, opting for this as your go-to meal can help boost their hydration. Insufficient water can make it difficult for your cat’s kidney to filter out impurities. So, the best wet cat food helps keep your feline friends well-hydrated and are made for maintaining healthy kidneys and urinary tracts. Dr. Stephanie Janeczko D.V.M. adds that “the higher water content may make it easier to put your kitty on a diet (if necessary) because most cans of cat food contain roughly the same number of calories as 1/4 to 1/3 cup of dry food, but in a larger volume of food, so the cat may feel fuller at meal time.”

Furthermore, wet cat food has proven to be more appealing to picky eaters. The best wet cat food, when correctly chosen, can be highly appealing in both taste and texture. Thus, encouraging your felines to finish their meals and ensuring they receive their daily nutritional needs will be an easy feat.

Nonetheless, while a poor appetite may indeed be indicative of a finicky eater, it’s essential to first check with your vet to rule out any serious medical conditions.

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Like humans, the daily nutritional needs of pets are equally important. “Making the switch from dry to canned food may require patience, but for many cats, the benefits make the ordeal worthwhile,” Jennifer Coates, DVM says. Admittedly, each cat is different. In general, however, the best diets for your feline are high in protein and have the correct amount of water, fats, oils, and nutrients. These days, the best wet cat food formula has a selection for almost every feline diet, including organic, novel protein, weight-maintenance, sensitive-stomach, among others.
 
If you’re looking to make the switch to wet cat food for your furry companions, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

Age-appropriate diet. Keep in mind that a cat’s nutritional needs are not the same for the different stages of its life. Kittens, adults, and senior felines each have their own dietary requirements. For instance, kittens need more calories and a stronger immune system compared to their adult counterparts. Senior felines, meanwhile, don’t need to eat as much but require taurine to aid heart function. Don’t forget to read the labels when choosing the best wet cat food to ensure you’re addressing the correct nutritional needs.

Portion control is key.
As previously mentioned, wet cat food often comes in aluminum cans and foil pouches. The servings available out in the market are usually equivalent to one meal’s worth. Should you ever purchase cans larger than 3 oz., be sure to make proper adjustments for your feline. According to Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM, “Unlimited access to food predisposes most species, including cats and humans, to obesity.”

Proteins are name-dropped.
Quality protein is key. On the lookout for the best wet cat food, see to it that the proteins are listed by name. Instead of labels indicating “fish” or “poultry,” opt for brands that mention the specifics, such as “tuna” or “turkey.”

Artificial ingredients are a no-no.
Felines are carnivores by nature and, therefore, don’t stand to benefit as much from carbohydrates such as corn, wheat, and other similar ingredients. Additionally, it’s best to avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that can irritate the gastric tract.

Cats need vitamins and minerals too.
When searching for the best wet cat food for your felines, check the label for indications of extra vitamins, healthy fats, and minerals, particularly taurine. These ingredients significantly contribute to and support digestion and overall health of the fur, heart, and eyes.

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As pet owners, it’s your responsibility to be wary and to pay attention to your furry friends’ needs. These needs range anywhere from grooming and hygiene needs to the specifics of the diet most suitable for your felines. 

The ten ingredients cat lovers should watch out for in their food are:

Corn Syrup.
Other than helping to sweeten your pet’s food, corn syrup adds no nutritional value whatsoever. It’s merely an add-on and would be wise to avoid.

Beef Tallow.
Also called beef fat, this ingredient has no nutritional value for cats. Beef tallow adds a punch of flavor but is essentially an unnecessary ingredient in your feline’s diet.

Wheat Flour.
As previously mentioned, cats are carnivores by nature and, therefore, need a high protein diet to remain healthy. As such, wheat flour adds no nutritional value. We highly recommend that you stay away from products containing this in your selection of the best wet cat food. It does more harm than good.

Wheat Gluten.
This ingredient is used primarily as a cheap protein source and filler—an unnecessary ingredient you would benefit from avoiding.

Artificial Colors.
Although artificial colors are sometimes used in pet food, some of these colorings have been found harmful, even to humans. It’s best to stay away from these ingredients when selecting the best wet cat food for your felines.

Propylene Glycol.
While propylene glycol functions as a preservative, it’s also a key ingredient in creating antifreeze—a product highly toxic to our furry friends. Keep it away from your pets!

Whole Grain Corn.
Aside from the lack of nutritional value, corn is actually a common allergen for pets. It’s also used as a cheap filler, looking only to add more sugar and pseudo-increase your pet food’s protein count.

BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin.
While these chemicals are highly effective preservatives, they are suspected to be cancer-causing agents. Ethoxyquin, on the other hand, is extremely harmful when directly swallowed.  Opt for brands that use natural preservatives instead, such as vitamins C and E.

Meat By-Products and Meal.
With by-products, you can’t be sure from what source the meat came. As a general rule, by-products, meat meal, and other concentrate meals are generally produced by rendering, and you should avoid them altogether. These ingredients are often highly concentrated protein powder and of low quality.

Cornmeal and Carbohydrate Fillers.
An excess of carbohydrates and “fillers” are not ideal for cats. These can lead to health complications and problems, especially in older cats and cats with diabetes.