6 Huge Benefits of Dry Cat Food

There are numerous benefits of dry cat food and its health effects on our furry babies. Feeding your little one dry food only is not going to hurt it, contrary to popular belief.

With that in mind, and with a raging and ongoing debate among purr-ents, let’s break down the importance of dry cat food, why it is good, and how best to feed it to your cat.

Let’s dive in!

Why Give Dry Food to Your Cat

Dry food, or kibble, is the most convenient type of food you can feed your cat with. It is easy to store and has a long shelf life, so you won’t have to worry about it spoiling.

Due to its crunchy texture, it helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your cat’s teeth and it also provides a balanced nutrition, due to its formulated nature.

Dry food is also tasty, contrary to what many people believe, and it is cost-effective! Let’s dive into each of these characteristics and check the detailed info.

1. Dental Health & Oral Care

One of the biggest benefits of dry cat food for cats is its role in dental health. When your cat starts crunching the food, the mechanical action itself helps to scrape away some of the tartar and plaque that may build up on their teeth.

It’s like giving your cat a mini toothbrush with every bite!

However, this should not replace regular dental care, like brushing your cat’s teeth or giving them some specialized dental treats. It can definitely help and assist with your cat’s oral hygiene, with some studies indicating that cats who consume only dry food have better dental health than cats who consume wet food only.

🐾 If your cat’s breath starts smelling a little “fishy” and you only feed it with wet food, then it is definitely time to give them some dry food.

2. Storage Convenience & Shelf Life

Now, the next, and probably one of the biggest benefits of dry cat food, is the convenience in storing it. Dry food usually comes in large bags and it is very easy to store it in glass or plastic containers for easier access and refill.

What’s more, this type of food does not spoil that easily, meaning it has a way longer shelf-life than its counterpart, the wet food.

This makes it quite handy where you can just pour the food in the bowl and leave it there throughout the day, especially if your cat likes certain brands of cat food or just likes to nibble multiple times as opposed to eating it all at once.

3. Cost-Effective & Budget-Friendly

Budget and finances are always a consideration when it comes to buying quality food to feed your furry baby.

For this matter, dry food wins all categories as it is really cost-effective since it comes in larger bags at lower prices per serving.

This is especially good for purr-ents with multiple cats in their household and are looking to stretch their pet care budget a little longer.

🐾 Since dry food doesn’t spoil that easily, it is a financial win as it will last longer and there will be less waste.

4. Weight Management & Portion Control

If your purry friend is a bit of a couch potato, then managing its weight is vital for their health. Dry food can help immensely when it comes to this, as it can help keep those extra pounds at bay.

You can easily measure out specific portions and add them to your cat’s bowl and you can easily monitor how many times it takes for your cat to finish out the meal.

There are certain dry foods that are specially formulated for weight management, with fewer calories per serving to assist in keeping your cat healthy.

Always make sure to consult with your vet about your cat’s weight and how to maintain it regarding portion sizes and type of dry food.

5. Stable & Nutrient Balanced

Another great benefit of dry cat food is its nutrient balance and stability. What this means is that the nutrients found in dry food are less likely to degrade over time, due to its low moisture.

With dry food, your cat is more likely to get the full benefit of all minerals and vitamins packed into each bite.

Besides, dry food is very easy to store and you just have to keep it in a cool and dry place to have it stay fresh for longer. This helps to preserve all of its nutritional value, so you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your cat enjoys the good stuff.

6. Variety in Options & Formulas

Lastly, and just as important, dry food comes in quite a lot of options and specialized formulas. From chicken, to salmon, and something a bit more exotic, there’s a plethora of flavors out there that would suit each cat’s preference.

We remember fondly when our Kiki was just a kitten and would eat different flavors, but when she grew into an adult cat, she was quite picky.

Another great advantage of dry cat food is that it comes in various formulas, from kitten to adult, to senior stages of life, then indoor or outdoor, active or not so active, and even formulas specifically designed for health concerns, like urinary tract or hairballs.

🐾 Many dry foods include added supplements, such as minerals, vitamins, and probiotics to help support your cat’s overall health and well-being.

Disadvantages of Dry Cat Food

Now that we’ve covered the advantages, it is wise to also state some of the disadvantages to help you make a better decision regarding the food you give to your cat.

Namely, the biggest disadvantage is the lack of moisture in dry food, compared to wet cat food. This wouldn’t be such a big con if your cat, like our Kiki, drinks plenty of water, but for those cats that do not drink a lot of water, then giving them only dry food might be detrimental to their health.

Other notable disadvantages include:

• Contains more carbohydrates
• Contains less proteins than wet food
• May be unsuitable for cats with dental issues
• May be unsuitable for cats that do not drink lots of water

Final Verdict

There are a lot of benefits of dry cat food, such as dental health and oral hygiene, convenience in storing and pouring it, and it is also budget-friendly. Additionally, it provides a balanced nutrition and is available in quite a lot of formulas and options.

However, it does lack that moisture factor that many get caught up with. If your cat is like our Kiki and drinks a lot of water, then it is perfectly safe to give it dry food only, with wet food being sort of like a treat from time to time.

If your cat does not drink that much water, then you should choose carefully how much dry food you give it. Ultimately, the choice comes down to you and your furry baby’s preferences, and always make sure to consult with your local vet before making firm decisions.