Can You Mix Wet & Dry Cat Food? 4 Vet-Verified Do’s & Dont’s for Mixing Cat Foods

The short answer is yes, you can mix wet and dry cat food. There are various reasons to do so. Many cats prefer wet food, so it makes a good treat and encourages them to eat extra moisture. Mixing wet food and dry food can offer some benefits when fed together, but some cats won't like the result. Here’s the low-down on mixing wet and dry cat food.

Reasons You Can Mix Wet & Dry Cat Food

1. It Promotes Oral Health

Dry food may seem boring to our cats and us, but kibble promotes oral health. Not only does the crunchiness of kibble give your cat a pleasing texture, but it also cleans your cat’s teeth as they chew on it. The crunchy texture scrapes away plaque as the cat eats. Dry food can also help pet parents as they try to keep tabs on their cat’s health. If your cat has dental problems, you will probably notice right away when they try to eat their kibble.

2. It Helps With Hydration

While dry food helps with your cat’s oral health, wet food helps with hydration. Cats are descended from desert animals, and they do not need a lot of water to survive, but sometimes they forget that they need some water and can get dehydrated even if they have water in their bowl. Wet food provides both nutrition and extra hydration that dry food doesn’t. Adding a little bit of wet food to your cat’s diet can help promote kidney health by keeping them hydrated.

3. Your Cat Likes It

Cats often prefer a mix of wet and dry food. Like people, variety keeps them from getting bored with their food. Having both wet and dry food means your cat will have something to look forward to instead of eating the same meal for every meal at the end of the day. Many owners find that their cats prefer to eat wet food, but it's important to remember that your cat will get bored of anything if it’s the only thing they’re provided with.

It’s Cost Efficient

Mixing cat foods can be a great way to save money. Wet food tends to work out a bit more expensive than dry food, but by feeding your cat a mixture, you can cut down on the amount of wet food they are eating. Using dry food to supplement the wet food means that your cat won’t be eating as much of either, or both food containers will go further than they would on their own.

Regardless of the type of food your feline companion prefers, finding a bowl that is sure to keep the mess contained can be tough. Our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl features a wide tray designed to ensure that all food stays exactly where it should—inside the bowl and off the floor. The whisker-friendly bowls fit securely into the PP plastic base and are low and wide to prevent whisker fatigue. Its contemporary style will fit seamlessly into any home and it is completely dishwasher safe. 

Our recommendation

Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl

• NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and contain stray crumbs and drips. Protect your indoors and floors from wet and messy meals!
• WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy mealtime free from whisker fatigue!
• CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking hazard. Our cat feeding station materials are anti-chew for a 100% safe feeding frenzy!

Check Price on Amazon

Dos of Mixing Cat Foods

Talk to your Vet

Talk to your vet before you start mixing cat foods. Your vet will be able to assess your cat’s dietary needs and help you portion out how much of each food you should give to your cat. While there is a general recommendation that roughly 25-30% of your cat’s food should be wet food, it is better to have a veterinarian look and help you build a personalized plan for your cat. Vets recommend that any foods you feed your cat be high quality, especially when mixing foods. Providing your cat with low-quality foods could result in nutritional deficiencies that could lead to illness if not corrected.

Measure Proper Proportions

Once you have the correct proportions down, make sure you measure them correctly! Proper proportioning will ensure that your cat is getting all of its dietary needs fulfilled by its diet.

Make sure you're feeding your cat the right amount, check out our cat food calculator here.

Cat Calorie Calculator

Kitten / AdultMale / FemaleIndoor / Outdoor

Weight

kglb

Neutered / SpayedNeutered / SpayedIntact

Reproduction

PregnantLactating

Body Condition Score123456789A score of 1–2 could be a sign of an underlying health condition. Your cat should be evaluated by a veterinarian so a proper diet can be offered.

Calculate

The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice

Use Separate Bowls

Just like people, cats don’t like to eat out of dirty bowls. Cats generally will not eat food that has been mixed into one large bowl, and can you blame them? If you are going to feed your cat both wet and dry food, keep a separate bowl for each type of food and one for water.

Don’ts of Mixing Cat Foods

Substitute Prescription Diets Without Talking to Your Vet

If your cat is on a prescription diet, do not substitute any part of the prescription food without consulting your veterinarian. Your vet prescribed your cat’s prescription food for a reason, and they will be more than happy to help you find a diet more suitable for your cat’s needs.

Conclusion

There are lots of reasons to start mixing your cat foods. Whether you want to save money or your cat just needs a little bit of variety in its life, there is a lot to consider and prepare for when changing your cat’s diet, including the fact that many cats will reject this mixed style. cats We hope to help you find the essential information you need to start the process while keeping your cat healthy and happy!

Related Reads: 

• Wet vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Best for Your Cat?

• 10 Best Dry Cat Foods

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay