High Moisture Diets In Addition To Kibble For Cats

When it comes to taking care of your kitty and making sure that they have everything they need to live a happy and healthy life, cat hydration is high on the list of factors to consider. Feeding them high moisture cat food, even if they primarily eat kibble, can offer numerous benefits to their overall health and wellbeing. Cats evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors and have a low thirst drive, which means they naturally obtain a significant portion of their hydration from the food they consume. A high-moisture diet helps to maintain proper hydration levels, which is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions, including digestion, temperature regulation, and urinary tract health.

Adding moisture to a cat’s diet, such as feeding them Wellness^® wet cat food cans or pouches, it helps address their natural hydration needs more effectively compared to a strict dry kibble diet. Here are some potential benefits of wet cat food:

Hydration: Adequate hydration is crucial for preventing dehydration. Have you ever noticed that your cat is not all that into drinking their water? Cats are not instinctively drawn to drink water like some other animals, which can lead to mild dehydration when consuming only dry kibble. Cats on a high- moisture diet consume more water through their food, helping compensate for their lower inclination to drink water directly from a bowl. A high-moisture diet helps to maintain proper hydration levels, which is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions, including digestive health for cats, temperature regulation, and urinary tract health.

Cat Urinary Tract Health: Cats are prone to urinary tract issues, such as the formation of crystals or stones and development of urinary tract infections. Adding moisture to a cat’s diet can help dilute the urine and increase urination, making it less conducive to crystal formation and reducing the risk of urinary tract problems. Increased moisture intake through wet food can help prevent these problems along with the balanced mineral inclusion you find in Wellness pet foods.

Kidney Disease: Cats are prone to kidney issues as they age. Decreased kidney functions are accompanied by increased urination, which can lead to dehydration. Moisture-rich foods help compensate for the increased water loss to help keep cats well hydrated.

Weight Management For Cats: High moisture diets can also be beneficial for weight management. Wet foods generally have fewer calories per volume compared to dry kibble, helping to control calorie intake by helping cats feel full with fewer calories. The moisture can also help provide additional volume to meals, which may help also help cats feel full.

Diabetes Mellitus: Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes in cats, so weight management is important to help with feline diabetes prevention. Diabetic cats urinate more, which can lead to dehydration, and high moisture diets can help maintain their hydration. Lower carbohydrate, high protein diets can help with diabetes management, and wet foods like Wellness^® wet cat food tend to fall into this category more so than dry kibbles.

Digestive Health For Cats: A high-moisture diet can have several positive effects on a cat’s digestion, contributing to better gastrointestinal health and overall well-being. Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining easily passable stools. Cats on a high-moisture diet are less likely to suffer from constipation, as the increased water intake helps keep the digestive system functioning smoothly. A high-moisture cat food diet can help maintain healthy gut motility, ensuring that food moves through the digestive system at an appropriate rate. This can help with issues like constipation.

Palatability: Cats eat with their nose. Wet cat food is often more palatable because it can be more aromatic than dry kibble, which can be especially appealing to cats with a diminished sense of smell or picky appetites. This can encourage them to eat more and maintain proper nutrition.

Cat Coat and Skin Health: Proper hydration helps prevent dry and flaky skin, which can lead to discomfort and itching. Well-moisturized skin is less likely to become irritated. A high-moisture diet supports the growth of a strong, well-nourished coat that sheds less and is less prone to matting by aiding in the absorption of essential nutrients, including those that contribute to skin and coat health.

Minimizes the Impact of Heat: Hydration plays a crucial role in helping cats maintain their body temperature, especially in hot or challenging environmental conditions. Cats are naturally equipped with mechanisms for body temperature regulation, and adequate hydration supports these processes. Cat body temperature regulation is achieved through panting, a behavior where they rapidly open and close their mouths to exchange warm air for cooler air. Proper hydration supports this process, ensuring that the body can cool down through the evaporation of moisture from the mouth and respiratory tract.

How to Incorporate More Moisture In Your Cat’s Diet

It is important to note that every cat is unique, and dietary needs can vary. To ensure that your cat is adequately hydrated, make sure fresh water is always available in multiple places. Some cats have preferences for moving water, and water fountains in addition to bowls can be a good option for these cats. If you are looking to add hydration into your cat’s diet, consider offering a mix of wet and dry food, or transitioning to a primarily wet diet. Gradually introducing wet food, or increasing moisture intake through adding water, broths, or toppers like Wellness Bowl Boosters Simply Shreds to dry kibble can help your cat adjust to the new diet and hydration levels. Once your cat is used to wet food, you can consider puzzle feeders to provide the added benefit of enrichment and mental stimulation.

A 100% Catisfaction Guarantee backs Wellness^® cat food, so there is no risk in trying the numerous textures and flavors to find the purrfect fit for your feline friend! Recipes support the Five Signs of Wellbeing™ in addition to the support of good hydration as an added benefit. When you choose Wellness^® to add moisture to your cat’s mealtime, you can rest assured you are providing the natural* premium ingredients to support a life of wellbeing.

While there are numerous benefits to high-moisture cat food diet, it’s recommended to consult with a veterinarian before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet. They can provide tailored advice based on your cat’s specific health status and requirements. If you decide to transition your cat to a wet or high-moisture diet, it’s usually best to do so gradually to avoid gastrointestinal upset.

^{*With added vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients}