Wet versus dry food for dogs and cats: which is better?

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the pet food aisle wondering whether wet or dry food is a better option for your pet, you’re certainly not alone. It’s one of the most common questions pet parents ask, and with so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

The truth is there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your pet’s age, lifestyle, health, preferences, and even your daily routine can all influence the best feeding approach. Factors such as cost, convenience, hydration, dental health, and weight management are important pieces of the puzzle too.

So, is wet food better for cats? Is dry food the smarter choice for dogs? Both wet and dry food can form a part of a healthy, balanced diet, and each comes with its own advantages and considerations. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about your pet’s nutrition.

Here’s what you need to know about wet and dry food for dogs and cats, including the benefits of each and when feeding a combination of both might be most appropriate.

Table of contents

• Wet food: pros and cons for cats and dogs
• Dry food: pros and cons for cats and dogs
• At a glance: wet versus dry food
• Choosing the right food for your pet’s life stage
• Can you feed your pet both wet and dry food?
• Choosing the right food for your pet’s health needs
• How pet insurance can help with the cost of vet care

Wet food: pros and cons for cats and dogs

Wet food, whether it comes in cans, trays or pouches, contains significantly more moisture than dry food. This can offer important health benefits, particularly for cats.

Cats naturally obtain much of their water from the food they eat, so many don’t drink enough on their own. Including wet food in their diet can help support hydration and urinary tract health, making it particularly beneficial for cats prone to conditions such as cystitis or bladder crystals.

Wet food is also often a favourite among fussy eaters thanks to its stronger aroma and softer texture. It can be a great option for senior pets, animals recovering from illness, or those with dental issues that make chewing more difficult. Some wet foods are also lower in carbohydrates and may help pets feel fuller for longer, which can support healthy weight management.

Of course, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Wet food generally costs more per serve than dry food, needs to be refrigerated once opened, and shouldn’t be left sitting in a bowl for extended periods. Unlike some specialised dry foods, it also doesn’t provide any abrasive chewing action that may help reduce plaque.

Ultimately, wet food can be an excellent part of a balanced diet, particularly when it’s chosen to suit your pet’s individual needs.

Dry food: pros and cons for cats and dogs

Dry food (also known as kibble) remains a popular choice for many Australian pet parents. It’s generally more affordable than wet food, easy to store, and convenient for busy households. Because it doesn’t spoil quickly once served, it’s also well suited to pets who prefer to graze throughout the day.

Some specialised vet dental diets are designed with larger, fibrous kibble that can help reduce plaque build-up as pets chew. However, it’s important to remember that standard dry food isn’t a substitute for proper dental care. Many cats and dogs swallow kibble with very little chewing, meaning any cleaning effect is often limited. Daily tooth brushing, regular dental checks, and professional vet care remain the most effective ways to maintain your pet’s oral health.

Because dry food contains much less moisture than wet food, pets eating a dry-only diet need to drink enough water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. Dry food is also more energy-dense than wet food, so portion control is important, particularly for pets prone to weight gain.

When fed in the right amounts as part of a complete and balanced diet, dry food can be a practical, nutritious option for many cats and dogs.

At a glance: wet versus dry food

Factor	Wet food	Dry food
Hydration	High moisture content can help support hydration and urinary tract health	Lower moisture content means pets need to obtain more water through drinking
Dental health	Doesn’t provide the chewing action needed to help reduce plaque build-up	Some vet dental diets may help reduce plaque build-up, but regular tooth brushing remains important
Weight management	May help some pets feel fuller for longer and is often lower in carbohydrates	More energy-dense than wet food, so portion control is important
Cost	Generally more expensive per serve	Typically more affordable
Convenience	Needs refrigeration after opening and shouldn’t be left out for extended periods	Easy to store and can be left out for longer periods
Palatability	Often more appealing to some pets because of its aroma and texture	Many pets enjoy kibble and its crunchy texture

Choosing the right food for your pet’s life stage

Your pet’s nutritional needs will change throughout their life, so it’s important to choose a complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for their age, size, and health.

Kittens and puppies

Growing kittens and puppies have different nutritional needs from adult pets. They require extra energy, protein, and other nutrients to support healthy growth and development so it’s important to choose a complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for their life stage.

For kittens, wet food can help support hydration and should be offered regularly as a part of their diet. Dry food can then be introduced gradually as they grow. The basis of their diet should be a high-quality, complete and balanced kitten food that’s appropriate for their life stage and health.

It’s important to feed food specifically formulated for kittens, as adult cat food may not provide the nutrients they need during this stage of life. Puppy or dog food should never be fed to kittens, as it is deficient in taurine, an essential nutrient for cats.

For puppies, the basis of their diet should also be a high-quality, complete and balanced puppy food that’s formulated to meet their nutritional needs during growth. It’s important to feed food specifically formulated for puppies, as adult dog food may not provide the energy and nutrients needed during this stage of life. Young puppies generally benefit from being fed smaller meals more frequently, with feeding frequency gradually decreasing as they grow.

Whether your puppy or kitten eats wet food, dry food, or a combination of both, fresh drinking water should always be available.

It’s also important to avoid both overfeeding and underfeeding your kitten or puppy during this period, as nutrition can have a significant impact on healthy development. Regular vet check-ups can help ensure your kitten or puppy is growing at an appropriate rate and receiving the right nutrition.

Speak to your vet if you’re unsure which type of food is best for your kitten or puppy, or if you’d like more advice on transitioning them to an adult diet.

Adult pets

Most healthy adult cats and dogs can thrive on either wet food, dry food, or a combination of both. The best choice depends on factors such as their activity level, body condition, lifestyle, and individual preferences. Whatever type of food you choose, it should be a high-quality, complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for your pet’s life stage and health status.

For dogs, the amount of food they need will vary depending on their size, breed, age, and activity level. To help maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to avoid both overfeeding and underfeeding. Adult dogs should generally be fed at least twice a day.

For cats, a combination of wet and dry food can offer the benefits of both options. Wet food can help support hydration, while dry food may provide a convenient feeding option. Cats naturally prefer to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, so offering food in smaller portions across multiple meals may better reflect their natural feeding behaviour.

Whether your pet eats wet food, dry food, or a combination of both, fresh drinking water should always be available. If you’re unsure how much to feed your pet or which diet is most appropriate for their needs, speak to your vet. They can assess your pet’s health and provide tailored feeding advice.

Senior pets

As pets get older, their nutritional needs may change. Dental problems, reduced appetite, or digestive changes can make softer foods easier to eat, while some senior pets may benefit from smaller, more frequent meals.

If you’re unsure which diet is best for your senior cat or dog, speak to your vet. They can provide advice on the most appropriate diet for your pet as they get older.

Can you feed your pet both wet and dry food?

For many pets, wet and dry food can be fed together as part of a complete and balanced diet. Wet food offers hydration and palatability benefits, while dry food can be a convenient and affordable option.

The right combination will depend on your pet’s age, health status, and individual needs, so it’s worth discussing your pet’s diet with your vet, particularly if they have any health conditions or specific nutritional requirements.

Choosing the right food for your pet’s health needs

For pets with certain medical conditions, choosing between wet and dry food can be more than just a matter of preference.

Urinary tract health

Cats prone to urinary tract issues, including cystitis or bladder stones, often benefit from diets with a higher moisture content. Increasing water intake helps dilute urine, which may support urinary tract health. Your vet may recommend wet food, a prescription urinary diet, or a combination of both, depending on your cat’s individual needs.

Weight management

If your pet is overweight or gains weight easily, portion control is just as important as the type of food you choose. Some pets may benefit from wet food because it may help them feel fuller for longer, while others do well on carefully measured portions of dry food.

Using feeding enrichment, such as puzzle feeders or snuffle mats, can help make mealtimes last longer and encourage pets to work for their food. This can help slow down eating, provide mental stimulation, and support healthy weight management in some pets.

Your vet can recommend the most appropriate diet and feeding routine to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Dental health

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems seen in both cats and dogs. While some vet dental diets are specially formulated to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up, no food replaces regular dental care. Daily tooth brushing, routine dental checks and other vet-recommended dental care all play an important role in keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

If you have concerns about your pet’s dental health, speak to your vet before making any changes to their diet. They can assess your pet’s teeth and recommend appropriate dental care and dietary options for their needs.

How pet insurance can help with the cost of vet care

Feeding your pet a nutritious, balanced diet is one of the best ways to support their long-term health. But even with the very best care, accidents and illnesses can still happen. Treatment for conditions such as urinary tract disease, obesity-related joint problems, or dental disease can quickly become expensive, especially if ongoing care or surgery is needed.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can claim back a percentage of eligible vet costs for covered conditions and customise your policy to suit your budget by adjusting your annual limit, excess, and benefit percentage.

And with every policy contributing to the RSPCA’s vital rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts, it’s protection with purpose. Not just for your own pet, but for thousands of others across Australia.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

 

References 

[1] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my cat? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/what-should-i-feed-my-cat 

[2] RSPCA Australia. Do cats have special nutritional requirements? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/do-cats-have-special-nutritional-requirements 

[3] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my kitten? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/kittens/what-should-i-feed-my-kitten 

[4] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my puppy? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/puppies/what-should-i-feed-my-puppy 

[5] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Cat dental care: a helpful guide for pet owners. Pet Talk. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-talk/cat-dental-care/ 

[6] RSPCA Pet Insurance. What should I feed my dog? Pet Talk. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-talk/what-should-i-feed-my-dog/