Food Dilema

I've read multiple threads on forums and articles on this subject, I've heard people's opinions at work about it and am surprised at some of the things. So here I ask what your opinion is on this subject.

Dry or wet which is better and why?

The best quality of either that you can afford and that works best for your cat.

Due to people having to work (have to put food in those kitties dishes after all!), sometimes all wet - whether it be in the from of canned or raw, just isn't practical. Sometimes cats stubbornly refuse to eat anything other than their dry.

For now prefer a wet and dry diet - with 2/3rds being wet canned food.

Whatever one chooses, UTIs and crystals can still happen. So regular vet check ups and immediate care during illness is a must.

Wet is better because its more "natural". And it provides more water. All dry can cause problems (especially with male cats) with increased UTI's. I feel the ideal diet is a little dry and canned every day and some raw several times a week.

All dry does not keep teeth clean like many people and vets claim.

I won't feed any dry as long as I can help it. I'd rather spend a tiny bit more money and feed them raw or wet and avoid all those health problems that come along with dry food. Plus no way will I feed a species innappropriate diet (dry food) when I can feed a species appropriate food (wet/raw).

I just can not afford to feed a high quality (or even low quality) dry food. I can't afford the consequences.

It depends on what works for you and your cats....

I have three cats:

Lucky eats all Dry - Orijen 6-fish mixed with and Acana Grassland both Grain free, very high quality;
Bugsy eats mostly dry, the same as lucky, with 3 oz of wet - Tiki Cat Tuna with Rice a day - his diet is mainly fish based because he is allergic to chicken and lots of things give his diarrhea... again - what works for YOUR CAT
Hope eats all wet - Ziwipeak - it is almost a canned raw... It is balanced like raw, but it is low temp. cooked. Fantastic food, and it is all she eats.

If I could choose, I wish all my cats were on the same diet, 50/50 dry, wet... but, nothing in life is perfect, and that is what works for them

In a truely perfect world my five would go hunt dinner and bring home any left overs..

at my house with Ph issues , allergies and a picky one I have five total : we do dry , wet , homemade( when time) , raw ( mostly freeze dried these days )

AS NOTED above:The best quality of either that you can afford and that works best for your cat. and It depends on what works for you and your cats....

Originally Posted by sharky

In a truely perfect world my five would go hunt dinner and bring home any left overs...

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Funny, funny!

My opinion: raw all the way. If that's not possible, then grain-free, fish-free, veggie-free wet (tough to find, I know). Never kibble.

Nope, it's not.

And, hey, the op asked for opinions; this is mine. Everyone else gave theirs without being contradicted, kindly do the same for me.

sharky - Ironically the only cat I have ever had that had an UTI, a female cat, was one fed dry, canned, and fresh killed. She hunted regularly, bringing home live and dead creatures several times a week - and that's only what she brought to us, I found her other half eaten kills scattered about.
I'll always remember my mother screaming when she found the live gopher in the bathtub.

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Nope, it's not.

And, hey, the op asked for opinions; this is mine. Everyone else gave theirs without being contradicted, kindly do the same for me.

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You can have your opinions. I'm merely challenging the information in the links you posted that presents the article is stating all fact.

Anything detrimental to an human or animal's health should be questioned - especially information coming from some site online (where anyone could post or hack in and change information) where the site has a definite agenda. People should question everything, otherwise they never learn anything.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Some of that information given (especially in that first link) is either very outdated or misleading. The part about rejected grains is false.

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

People should question everything, otherwise they never learn anything.

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Being skeptical of online information is always a good thing. However, declaring that someone is flat out wrong or that the site, study, or article provided, is outdated or incorrect without providing any additional or corroborating information to back your statements is not helpful nor beneficial.


If you believe that the information in the article is wrong I would really love to read the articles or studies that you base your opinion on. We are all here to learn the most we can about feline nutrition and any actual information and studies that you can provide would be very welcome.

Unfortunately, Mars doesn't share detailed information on their processing, supply sources, and quality checking online - otherwise I'd gladly link you to it.
But I do know for a fact that they purchase local sources for the grains they use in both their petfoods and human foods, everything is rigorously tested and rejected if any toxins are found. Within the last year they've became even more "anal" about quality and food safety.

If anyone really wants to question quality, though, human foods have all of the same possible issues. The USDA is having problems with e-coli and other bacteria lately.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You can have your opinions. I'm merely challenging the information in the links you posted that presents the article is stating all fact.

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Ah, I see. If I post an opinion with nothing to back it up, I'm ok, but if I add any links, I'm free game?

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...Anything detrimental to an human or animal's health should be questioned - especially information coming from some site online (where anyone could post or hack in and change information) where the site has a definite agenda. People should question everything, otherwise they never learn anything.

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Detrimental? DETRIMENTAL?

Wait, so let me get this straight..... the Feline Nutrition Education Society, who sells absolutely nothing at all and came together solely for the purpose of saving feline lives through better nutrition, is posting information "detrimental" to the welfare of cats.... and the pet food industry, the same industry that spent over $400 million on add sales last year alone, gets a free pass from you?

Wow.

Shanynne, you aren't going to see any back up for this, 'cause it doesn't exist.

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Detrimental? DETRIMENTAL?

Wait, so let me get this straight..... the Feline Nutrition Education Society, who sells absolutely nothing at all and came together solely for the purpose of saving feline lives through better nutrition, is posting information "detrimental" to the welfare of cats.... and the pet food industry, the same industry that spent over $400 million on add sales last year alone, gets a free pass from you?

Wow.

Shanynne, you aren't going to see any back up for this, 'cause it doesn't exist.

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Funny....
What I find it funny about this so called "Feline Nutrition Education Society" is that it takes absolutely no responsibility for the claims in its site. IMHO, if it was a reliable organization, with scientific studies to back these claims up, this disclaimer would not be on their page:

Disclaimer\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t \t\t \t\t\tWritten by Ashley Stephen Root\t\t \t\t \t \t \t\tMonday, April 27, 2009 12:48 PM EDT\t The opinions expressed on this site are those of the writers and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Feline Nutrition Education Society, its staff or members.

The Feline Nutrition Education Society is not accredited to provide definitive information and advice, and the information contained in this material is for education and assistance only.

FNES Inc makes no statements, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of any information provided, and you should not rely upon it. Professional advice should be sought from the relevant sources as required.

FNES Inc disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

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So, if them themselves are saying that they are not accredited to give definitive information and advice about nutrition.... Say no more...

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Unfortunately, Mars doesn't share detailed information on their processing, supply sources, and quality checking online - otherwise I'd gladly link you to it.

But I do know for a fact that they purchase local sources for the grains they use in both their petfoods and human foods, everything is rigorously tested and rejected if any toxins are found. Within the last year they've became even more "anal" about quality and food safety.

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If this info is so privileged, how do you happen to know of it? And Mars sells Nutro, who just recalled over two dozen products due to inappropriate zinc and potassium levels - 'nuff said with the "quality" talk.

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Funny.... What I find it funny about this so called "Feline Nutrition Education Society" is that it takes absolutely no responsibility for the claims in its site. IMHO, if it was a reliable organization, with scientific studies to back these claims up, this disclaimer would not be on their page:

So, if them themselves are saying that they are not accredited to give definitive information and advice about nutrition.... Say no more...

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Thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a standard disclaimer, and you know it.

I see you edited out your comment about the name, but I'll reply to you anyway – to those who have lost cats, whose cats are living compromised lives, who watch their client's cats becoming ill day after day and hold the hands of owners while the lives of their beloved little friends slip away, this IS serious business.

If anyone has any other opinions reference the original post, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure “1337 kitteh†would love to hear from you.

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Funny....
What I find it funny about this so called "Feline Nutrition Education Society" is that it takes absolutely no responsibility for the claims in its site. IMHO, if it was a reliable organization, with scientific studies to back these claims up, this disclaimer would not be on their page:



So, if them themselves are saying that they are not accredited to give definitive information and advice about nutrition.... Say no more...

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That's just a standard disclaimer for legal purposes. It does not make the information they provide wrong.

I have to say that I'm rather surprised at the mood of this thread. It just seems to have turned into this battle of wits of "dry is better" as opposed to "wet is better" and "you're wrong and I'm right", but then again, that is just my perception.

I encourage the OP to do some research based off of some of the very informative links and information provided. After that they can make an informed decision as to what is best for their cats.

Originally Posted by Shanynne

I encourage the OP to do some research based off of some of the very informative links and information provided. After that they can make an informed decision as to what is best for their cats.

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PLEASE .... NOTHING works for all ... Some things work for most ... and Others work for a few

Hey guys, lets keep this on topic, and civil. People have different opinions on wet vs. dry vs. raw, and there is no one BEST option. It depends on your cats preferences, your cat's health, your time, your finances, and many other things.