3 Consequences of Long-Term Dry Food Consumption for Cats!
Although dry food can be used as a staple food, cats who eat only dry food may suffer from health problems such as dehydration, obesity and malnutrition!
(A) Excessive Carbohydrates
Due to manufacturing processes and cost considerations, many dry food products contain a large amount of carbohydrates.
However, cats are carnivores and their digestive systems are not suitable for taking in large amounts of carbohydrates. Over the long term, an excessive proportion of carbohydrates will turn into fat, which in turn will lead to obesity, diabetes and other problems.
Extended reading: How much does a cat weigh? What do cats eat to lose weight? Veterinarians teach you to set up a weight loss plan for cats!
(B) Excessive Plant Proteins
Plant-based proteins cost less than animal-based proteins, so many dry foods are made with large amounts of plant-based proteins, such as grains and legumes (e.g., soybeans, corn, etc.).
However, cats are carnivores and cannot effectively digest and absorb plant proteins. In the long run, they will lack specific amino acids such as taurine and arginine, which can lead to physiological diseases.
(C) Insufficient water intake
The water content of dry food is about 10%, while that of canned wet food is about 70%.
Because cats’ ancestors came from the desert and consumed sufficient water through natural prey, cats are less sensitive to thirst and will not drink water on their own initiative. Long-term dehydration can lead to kidney and urinary tract diseases.
A little reminder: The daily water requirement is “body weight in kilograms * 60 ml”, so if you see your cat drinking water, you don’t necessarily think she is drinking enough!
Is it better for your cat to eat canned food or dry food?
Compared to dry food, wet food, such as canned food, fresh meals and raw food, is more compatible with your cat’s physiology.
Wet food is usually high in animal protein, close to natural dietary habits, and can meet nutritional requirements. It also has a high water content, which allows cats who do not like to drink water to replenish water through their diets, so cats will do better on canned food than on dry food!
In addition, raw food is the best choice of wet food, making it an ideal replacement for dry food!
What if my cat won’t eat canned food?
For cats, canned food is like chicken breast for humans, and dry food is like salt-crusted chicken – it really smells good!
Therefore, many cats can’t live without dry food and find it difficult to switch to other foods. If your cat only eats dry food and no other wet food, we recommend that you try these tips for switching to other foods!
(i) Gradual food switching
Starting with 25% wet food, gradually reduce the proportion of dry food and increase the proportion of wet food (50%, 75%, 100%) to allow your cat to adapt to the taste and texture.
Avoid switching from dry food to wet food directly!
(ii) Fixed feeding time
Put the food out at the same time every day and put the bowl away at the same time, so that your cat feels hungry and will be more willing to try new foods.
Avoid eating whenever your cat feels like it!
(iii) Increase the attractiveness of wet food
Leaving wet food at room temperature, heating it slightly to release aromas, or adding cat-friendly flavors to it, such as chicken or fish soup, can increase appetite.
Crisp and Crunchy – Cubes Frozen Dried Staple Meal
What should I do if my cat is having trouble switching diets?
How can cats eat nutritious and healthy food when they only eat dry food and not canned food?
To help cats who are picky eaters, sensitive to food, or are in the process of weight management, Planet Meow has launched the Little Squares Freeze Dried Entree Meal!
Made from carefully selected raw meat ingredients and freeze-dried using freeze-drying technology, it can be shaped without adding starch or plant-based protein, which not only reduces the burden on the body, but also allows for easy hydration with the addition of water reduction.
So what is the difference between the small cubes and the original freeze-dried staple meals?
The answer is …… Small Cubes have a crunchier texture and are closer to dry food, making it easier to switch from dry to freeze-dried, plus they are smaller in size and can be put into an automatic feeder, making it a new and healthy choice of dry staple food for busy people!