Dry Food Myths Revealed!

ducman69 · Aug 20, 2011

Common Myths about Dry Food

#1) Myth: Dry food is addictive. If a cat is given the choice between dry and wet, it will never eat wet again.

FALSE: Cats are generally creatures of habit, and a cat fed exclusively dry may prefer it and visa versa. Given both, the cat will pick what it believes tastes better, and this is more an issue of particular recipes than a dry vs wet debate. In this instance, Nutro Complete Care Wet tastes better than Blue Wilderness Dry -
#2) Myth: Dry food is higher carb and fiber than wet food.

FALSE: This depends on the particular ingredients of various recipes, and there are low carb/fiber dry foods available and high carb/fiber wet foods. See examples below:
Wellness Core Dry:
Protein: 47 / Fat: 42 / Carbs 11
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct Dry:
Protein: 45 / Fat: 49 / Carbs 7
vs
Hills Science Adult Wet:
Protein: 34 / Fat: 33 / Carbs 33
Royal Canin Calorie Control Wet:
Protein: 28 / Fat: 44 / Carbs 28

#3) Myth: Dry food contains more veggies, grains, and/or fillers, and has inferior protein sources.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and there are grain-free excellent protein source dry foods, and several grain poor protein (by-product) source wet foods.

Evo Turkey and Chicken Dry
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat, Peas, Eggs, Turkey Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavors...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 55% / Crude Fat 24% / Crude Fiber 2.2%
vs
Friskies Lamb and Rice Wet
Main ingredients: meat by-products, chicken, turkey, wheat gluten, lamb, rice, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, salt...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 50% / Crude Fat 11% / Crude Fiber 8.3%

#4) Myth: Dry food is unhealthy, and any all wet food diet is healthier, no exceptions.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and some wet foods such as those high in minerals and ash (due to high bone content), common allergens such as wheat, soy, and corn, and unhealthy ingredients such as "cheddar cheese" available on 9-Lives wet can be less healthy. There are studies that demonstrate that cats fed exclusively wet food were on average better hydrated than cats fed exclusively dry food, and improved hydration can help prevent UTIs, a common ailment. However, there are studies that show dental disease, the most common disease in cats, "was significantly more absent" in cats and dogs that were fed at least some dry food, such as in one of the largest scientific pet nutrition studies to date (38,776 cats and dogs in the study). Some of the most expensive dry food is also relatively inexpensive compared to even the cheapest wet, due in part to the reduced shipping weight, less likelihood of bags to get damaged compared to fragile aluminum cans, and bulk inexpensive packaging compared to wet (which for practical reasons typically isn't canned larger than 12oz). Thus combination wet and dry feeding can represent a healthier and more practical choice, at a similar price point.

It is possible to feed exclusive premium wet, and handle dental hygiene by other means such as finger brushes and pastes, and the alternative of raw feeding is believed by proponents to offer dental advantages over commercial wet due to the tendons and bones, so there is no one right or wrong answer.

Willowy · Aug 20, 2011

I generally agree with what you've posted here, and my dogs do eat an all-dry diet. But given the prevalence of UTIs and kidney problems among cats, I think that canned trumps dry just because it's wet, regardless of the ingredients. So even if the cheapest wet food is all someone can afford, or is the only wet food their cat will eat, well, at least it's wet. It's best to pair that with a higher-quality dry, though, IMO, to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.

What makes you say that cheddar cheese is a bad ingedient? As a protein source and as flavor enhancement, it's about as good as any.

cat person · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Common Myths about Dry Food

#1) Myth: Dry food is addictive. If a cat is given the choice between dry and wet, it will never eat wet again.

FALSE: Cats are generally creatures of habit, and a cat fed exclusively dry may prefer it and visa versa. Given both, the cat will pick what it believes tastes better, and this is more an issue of particular recipes than a dry vs wet debate. In this instance, Nutro Complete Care Wet tastes better than Blue Wilderness Dry -
#2) Myth: Dry food is higher carb and fiber than wet food.

FALSE: This depends on the particular ingredients of various recipes, and there are low carb/fiber dry foods available and high carb/fiber wet foods. See examples below:
Wellness Core Dry:
Protein: 47 / Fat: 42 / Carbs 11
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct Dry:
Protein: 45 / Fat: 49 / Carbs 7
vs
Hills Science Adult Wet:
Protein: 34 / Fat: 33 / Carbs 33
Royal Canin Calorie Control Wet:
Protein: 28 / Fat: 44 / Carbs 28

#3) Myth: Dry food contains more veggies, grains, and/or fillers, and has inferior protein sources.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and there are grain-free excellent protein source dry foods, and several grain poor protein (by-product) source wet foods.

Evo Turkey and Chicken Dry
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat, Peas, Eggs, Turkey Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavors...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 55% / Crude Fat 24% / Crude Fiber 2.2%
vs
Friskies Lamb and Rice Wet
Main ingredients: meat by-products, chicken, turkey, wheat gluten, lamb, rice, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, salt...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 50% / Crude Fat 11% / Crude Fiber 8.3%

#4) Myth: Dry food is unhealthy, and any all wet food diet is healthier, no exceptions.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and some wet foods such as those high in minerals and ash (due to high bone content), common allergens such as wheat, soy, and corn, and unhealthy ingredients such as "cheddar cheese" available on 9-Lives wet can be less healthy. There are studies that demonstrate that cats fed exclusively wet food were on average better hydrated than cats fed exclusively dry food, and improved hydration can help prevent UTIs, a common ailment. However, there are studies that show dental disease, the most common disease in cats, "was significantly more absent" in cats and dogs that were fed at least some dry food, such as in one of the largest scientific pet nutrition studies to date (38,776 cats and dogs in the study). Some of the most expensive dry food is also relatively inexpensive compared to even the cheapest wet, due in part to the reduced shipping weight, less likelihood of bags to get damaged compared to fragile aluminum cans, and bulk inexpensive packaging compared to wet (which for practical reasons typically isn't canned larger than 12oz). Thus combination wet and dry feeding can represent a healthier and more practical choice, at a similar price point.

It is possible to feed exclusive premium wet, and handle dental hygiene by other means such as finger brushes and pastes, and the alternative of raw feeding is believed by proponents to offer dental advantages over commercial wet due to the tendons and bones, so there is no one right or wrong answer.

YAY!! blobgreen

Originally Posted by Willowy

I generally agree with what you've posted here, and my dogs do eat an all-dry diet. But given the prevalence of UTIs and kidney problems among cats, I think that canned trumps dry just because it's wet, regardless of the ingredients. So even if the cheapest wet food is all someone can afford, or is the only wet food their cat will eat, well, at least it's wet. It's best to pair that with a higher-quality dry, though, IMO, to make sure they get all the nutrients they need.

What makes you say that cheddar cheese is a bad ingedient? As a protein source and as flavor enhancement, it's about as good as any.

I am not sure if this is just luck or what but in my experience in working for the following places: no kill rescues/shelters, for veterinarians as a vet tech, and owning cats I have seen more issues with abscesses then UTI's.

captiva · Aug 20, 2011

I have always paid attention to what was recommended by the vet but as I started to investigate the prescription diet food there are a lot of posts about a certain brand of food I buy for Megan's diabetes. I have talked to two vets about her diet and neither one seemed to be concerned that she was eating dry food as long as it was a prescription dry- one sugguested to throw in at least 3-4 canned foods per week just because they don't drink enough water.

Here is an ingredient list for what I feed my non-diabetic kitties. Is this bad food? No carbs are listed. How do I know?

Crude Protein (Min) 40.0 %
Crude Fat (Min) 16.0 %
Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0 %
Moisture (Max) 12.0 %
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.6 %
Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.0 %
Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.9 %
Vitamin A (Min) 10,000 IU/kg
Vitamin E (Min) 250 IU/kg
Taurine (Min) 0.15 %

ducman69 · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by captiva

I have talked to two vets about her diet and neither one seemed to be concerned that she was eating dry food as long as it was a prescription dry- one sugguested to throw in at least 3-4 canned foods per week just because they don't drink enough water.

That sounds like good advice. My two get one 5.5oz can a day between the two of them.

Regarding carb calculations, its easiest to use an online calculator, or I can try to dig up my spreadsheet a fellow forum member found for me which has a lot of common brands on it:
http://www.scheyderweb.com/cats/catfood.html

auntie crazy · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by captiva

I have always paid attention to what was recommended by the vet but as I started to investigate the prescription diet food there are a lot of posts about a certain brand of food I buy for Megan's diabetes. I have talked to two vets about her diet and neither one seemed to be concerned that she was eating dry food as long as it was a prescription dry- one sugguested to throw in at least 3-4 canned foods per week just because they don't drink enough water.

Here is an ingredient list for what I feed my non-diabetic kitties. Is this bad food? No carbs are listed. How do I know?

Crude Protein (Min) 40.0 %
Crude Fat (Min) 16.0 %
Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0 %
Moisture (Max) 12.0 %
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.6 %
Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.0 %
Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.9 %
Vitamin A (Min) 10,000 IU/kg
Vitamin E (Min) 250 IU/kg
Taurine (Min) 0.15 %

The Feline-Nutrition.org site has an article titled "How Many Carbs in Canned Food?" in their "Answers" section that walks you through calculating this number. The method can be used on either wet or dry products.

Since you have a diabetic kitty, Captiva, you might also be interested in YourDiabeticCat.com.

AC

ducman69 · Aug 20, 2011

The online calculator works for wet and dry too btw, and saves the math/human error.

For the #s provided, that would be around 26% carbs. If its Hills prescription food, that's about the same percentage as most of their wet food which varies from 9% to 37% carbs, depending on the recipe:
http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html

Carbs are not TOTALLY evil, and cats can digest them fine, however they do not have the enzymes to digest large carb loads at once as humans can, which contributes to obesity and diabetes. So you don't have to aim for 0% carbs, and in fact that may not be healthy, but a wild cat will typically only have about 7% carbohydrates in their diet. Also, just as we know with our own diets, technically not all carbs are equal, and its usually preferable for example to have 'brown rice' than 'brewers rice' for example if you had to choose between the two, some carbs are common allergens (soy/corn/wheat) and other carbohydrates such as lactose (dairy) are often digested poorly.

sweetpea24 · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Common Myths about Dry Food

#1) Myth: Dry food is addictive. If a cat is given the choice between dry and wet, it will never eat wet again.

FALSE: Cats are generally creatures of habit, and a cat fed exclusively dry may prefer it and visa versa. Given both, the cat will pick what it believes tastes better, and this is more an issue of particular recipes than a dry vs wet debate. In this instance, Nutro Complete Care Wet tastes better than Blue Wilderness Dry -
#2) Myth: Dry food is higher carb and fiber than wet food.

FALSE: This depends on the particular ingredients of various recipes, and there are low carb/fiber dry foods available and high carb/fiber wet foods. See examples below:
Wellness Core Dry:
Protein: 47 / Fat: 42 / Carbs 11
Nature's Variety Raw Instinct Dry:
Protein: 45 / Fat: 49 / Carbs 7
vs
Hills Science Adult Wet:
Protein: 34 / Fat: 33 / Carbs 33
Royal Canin Calorie Control Wet:
Protein: 28 / Fat: 44 / Carbs 28

#3) Myth: Dry food contains more veggies, grains, and/or fillers, and has inferior protein sources.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and there are grain-free excellent protein source dry foods, and several grain poor protein (by-product) source wet foods.

Evo Turkey and Chicken Dry
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat, Peas, Eggs, Turkey Meal, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavors...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 55% / Crude Fat 24% / Crude Fiber 2.2%
vs
Friskies Lamb and Rice Wet
Main ingredients: meat by-products, chicken, turkey, wheat gluten, lamb, rice, soy flour, corn starch-modified, artificial and natural flavors, salt...
On a dry matter basis:
Crude Protein 50% / Crude Fat 11% / Crude Fiber 8.3%

#4) Myth: Dry food is unhealthy, and any all wet food diet is healthier, no exceptions.

FALSE: This depends on the particular recipe, and some wet foods such as those high in minerals and ash (due to high bone content), common allergens such as wheat, soy, and corn, and unhealthy ingredients such as "cheddar cheese" available on 9-Lives wet can be less healthy. There are studies that demonstrate that cats fed exclusively wet food were on average better hydrated than cats fed exclusively dry food, and improved hydration can help prevent UTIs, a common ailment. However, there are studies that show dental disease, the most common disease in cats, "was significantly more absent" in cats and dogs that were fed at least some dry food, such as in one of the largest scientific pet nutrition studies to date (38,776 cats and dogs in the study). Some of the most expensive dry food is also relatively inexpensive compared to even the cheapest wet, due in part to the reduced shipping weight, less likelihood of bags to get damaged compared to fragile aluminum cans, and bulk inexpensive packaging compared to wet (which for practical reasons typically isn't canned larger than 12oz). Thus combination wet and dry feeding can represent a healthier and more practical choice, at a similar price point.

It is possible to feed exclusive premium wet, and handle dental hygiene by other means such as finger brushes and pastes, and the alternative of raw feeding is believed by proponents to offer dental advantages over commercial wet due to the tendons and bones, so there is no one right or wrong answer.

I agree with most of your post, but I am still a proponent of canned food as the ideal diet other than raw. Everyone has to feed what they are comfortable with and .what they can afford. Feeding a.wet/dry combination allows people to make feeding our cats more affordable. I have seen plenty of cats come into the clinic who are blocked and guess what they were fed? Dry food as their sole diet. Of course I know that diet is not always the culprit but lack of hydration plays a role in many diseases like crf, the most common disease of felines. Blocked cats usually come in threes; when one comes in, I know two more will come in the next day or two. Some are sadly put down as the owner cannot afford the treatment. Some owners bring their cat too late and their bladders rupture.
Or after they have spent $1300 for treatment, go back to the cheap dry food they fed. There are quality dry foods out there but they still don't provide the essential moisture cats need.

I see utis quite often in both dogs and cats. Not to say that dry food causes them but that they are pretty common.

My dog doesn't get kibble anymore as she eats homemade food now. And I will never go back because the volume of stool is so much less. Even less on raw which I can't feed her anymore

ducman69 · Aug 20, 2011

While treatment for UTIs generally involves a diet change to dissolve the crystals, the majority are not conclusively linked to diet nor hydration as causes. Stress, retaining urine, genetics, hygiene, sedentary lifestyle, and other issues can be in play. As we know here on the forum, there are cats on exclusive wet diets that not only get UTIs but repeat episodes, but rarely do people jump to the conclusion "Aha! It was diet related" as is often the case when the cat was fed dry, when often times it was completely incidental. Feeding exclusively wet is also relatively uncommon, so statistically one should see far fewer cases of all-wet diet cats coming in w/ UTIs.

While hydration is great and I definitely recommend having 24x7 clean water fountains available as well as including some wet, but what food manufacturers have found is that urine PH plays an important role in avoiding crystal formation as well, and IIRC they also generally aim for lower magnesium/phosphorous/ash levels. Blue and Wellness both advertise their target urine PH now for example, and this is why prescription food is typically very low mineral and includes an acidifier.

cat person · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

While treatment for UTIs generally involves a diet change to dissolve the crystals, the majority are not conclusively linked to diet nor hydration as causes. Stress, retaining urine, genetics, hygiene, sedentary lifestyle, and other issues can be in play. As we know here on the forum, there are cats on exclusive wet diets that not only get UTIs but repeat episodes, but rarely do people jump to the conclusion "Aha! It was diet related" as is often the case when the cat was fed dry, when often times it was completely incidental. Feeding exclusively wet is also relatively uncommon, so statistically one should see far fewer cases of all-wet diet cats coming in w/ UTIs.

While hydration is great and I definitely recommend having 24x7 clean water fountains available as well as including some wet, but what food manufacturers have found is that urine PH plays an important role in avoiding crystal formation as well, and IIRC they also generally aim for lower magnesium/phosphorous/ash levels. Blue and Wellness both advertise their target urine PH now for example, and this is why prescription food is typically very low mineral and includes an acidifier.

Well said yet again

!!!

auntie crazy · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

...
Carbs are not TOTALLY evil, and cats can digest them fine, however they do not have the enzymes to digest large carb loads at once as humans can, which contributes to obesity and diabetes. So you don't have to aim for 0% carbs, and in fact that may not be healthy, but a wild cat will typically only have about 7% carbohydrates in their diet. Also, just as we know with our own diets, technically not all carbs are equal, and its usually preferable for example to have 'brown rice' than 'brewers rice' for example if you had to choose between the two, some carbs are common allergens (soy/corn/wheat) and other carbohydrates such as lactose (dairy) are often digested poorly.

I'm curious, Ducman. Why are you such a never-say-die advocate of both kibble and carbs?

You acknowledge that cats don't have the thirst drive necessary to balance the water-depleted diet kibble represents. You recommend adding some canned to mitigate part of that lack of water, but why feed a half-water sufficient / half water-deficient diet? Why so bent on supporting, "proving" even, that kibble isn't simply a species-inappropriate diet?

As to grains - would you feed your horse (an herbivore) a diet with meat? Then why feed your cat (an obligate carnivore) a diet with grains? Science isn't even needed for that, it's all in the definition of "obligate carnivore".

It's one thing to say, "I know this isn't the best in the world, but right now, it's the best I can do." when feeding your kids frequent fast food meals, and entirely different to proclaim, "Eating fast food has no negative consequences and may even be good for you!" You seem not only to believe this whole-heartedly (to which of course, you're entitled), but to be on a mission to convince others of the same.

And I'm just wondering if you'd be willing to share why?

AC

And for the record, the information as stated by you and highlighted in bold by me is incorrect. Also, the addition of whole rice and/or rice bran to a their diet has been shown to result in depleted taurine levels in cats. It may be good for us - we're omnivores, after all - but it isn't good for cats.

cyndersmom · Aug 20, 2011

well said but I can't get my 14 week old to eat ANY canned cat food and I mean any. If anyone knows of a brand that has been highly successful in getting the MOST finiky cat to eat let me know.... so yes i agree but I cannot let my kitten very well starve because he won't eat canned,he needs to something...

minka · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by captiva

I have always paid attention to what was recommended by the vet but as I started to investigate the prescription diet food there are a lot of posts about a certain brand of food I buy for Megan's diabetes. I have talked to two vets about her diet and neither one seemed to be concerned that she was eating dry food as long as it was a prescription dry- one sugguested to throw in at least 3-4 canned foods per week just because they don't drink enough water.

Here is an ingredient list for what I feed my non-diabetic kitties. Is this bad food? No carbs are listed. How do I know?

Crude Protein (Min) 40.0 %
Crude Fat (Min) 16.0 %
Crude Fiber (Max) 3.0 %
Moisture (Max) 12.0 %
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.6 %
Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1.0 %
Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.9 %
Vitamin A (Min) 10,000 IU/kg
Vitamin E (Min) 250 IU/kg
Taurine (Min) 0.15 %

That food is 29.48% cards, so yes, that is too many for a diabetic cat.
See catinfo.org for more info

sweetpea24 · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

While treatment for UTIs generally involves a diet change to dissolve the crystals, the majority are not conclusively linked to diet nor hydration as causes. Stress, retaining urine, genetics, hygiene, sedentary lifestyle, and other issues can be in play. As we know here on the forum, there are cats on exclusive wet diets that not only get UTIs but repeat episodes, but rarely do people jump to the conclusion "Aha! It was diet related" as is often the case when the cat was fed dry, when often times it was completely incidental. Feeding exclusively wet is also relatively uncommon, so statistically one should see far fewer cases of all-wet diet cats coming in w/ UTIs.

While hydration is great and I definitely recommend having 24x7 clean water fountains available as well as including some wet, but what food manufacturers have found is that urine PH plays an important role in avoiding crystal formation as well, and IIRC they also generally aim for lower magnesium/phosphorous/ash levels. Blue and Wellness both advertise their target urine PH now for example, and this is why prescription food is typically very low mineral and includes an acidifier.

Actually, treating a uti is typically with antibiotics, and sometimes diet, although vets.at my clinic strongly suggest feeding an all-wet diet to provide moisture. This moisture helps organs function, helps blood carry oxygen to the organs, acnd flushed the.toxins out of the kidneys amongst other things.

Urinary blockage are not always caused by diet but by the formation of crystals or stones. Crystals are sometimes accompanied by an infection which causes the crystals to stick together and to the bladder wall, hence causing inflammation to the bladder wall. Calcium and magnesium levels may play a role yet many vets see this as a myth. Depending on the oh of the.urine, crystals may be struvite or calcium oxylate, the latter of which are more difficult to treat (surgery is often required. There are other types of crystals but struvite and calcium oxylate are common types. As well, many clients with blocked cats were feeding Wellness.canned and dry, so I question their marketing. Many vets do not like blue buffalo because of their aggressive marketing and lack of proof to substantiate their claims. One.vet actually called them and asked.for a .nutrient analysis and was refused. Yes vets don't have much training in nutrition which they readily admit but one of the vets I am referring to is a board certified nutritonist (something to that effect).

I, Along with Untie Crazy (sorry AC my phone won't allow the a in front?), wonder why you so adamantly support dry food when you know that cats need moisture. I am not suggesting starving your cat. But what is the deal? And you seem to consistently miss my points or miss things in my posts, these oversight are often applauded by one of your fans. Just curious...

just mike · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by SweetPea24

I, Along with Untie Crazy (sorry AC my phone won't allow the a in front?), wonder why you so adamantly support dry food when you know that cats need moisture. I am not suggesting starving your cat. But what is the deal? And you seem to consistently miss my points or miss things in my posts, these oversight are often applauded by one of your fans. Just curious...

Ducman is not the only person supporting a kibble diet. Actually I strongly support a mixed diet but feeding an all kibble diet is not the gloom and doom some people make it out to be. I know this was addressed to Ducman but thought I would throw my 2 cents in as well

I know you won't mind.

just mike · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Common Myths about Dry Food

It is possible to feed exclusive premium wet, and handle dental hygiene by other means such as finger brushes and pastes, and the alternative of raw feeding is believed by proponents to offer dental advantages over commercial wet due to the tendons and bones, so there is no one right or wrong answer.

I won't comment on the rest of the post since we're in agreement on the content. This last part is probably my fave part of the entire post

lilygirl509 · Aug 20, 2011

My cat only eats dry food and turns her nose up at wet food probably what you said about the cat choosing which tastes better.
xxLily

ducman69 · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

I'm curious, Ducman. Why are you such a never-say-die advocate of both kibble and carbs?

I tried to express specifically that there is no "one" diet, and that raw feeding, exclusive wet, mixed, etc have pros and cons. I have seen blatant misinformation spread in the demonetization of kibble by wet/raw feeding crusaders that virtually refer to it as poison, and wished to address such false myths with logic, cold hard facts, and supporting studies.

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

"Eating fast food has no negative consequences and may even be good for you!"

These type of statements are exactly why I created this thread. Please see Myth # 3. Premium dry food as an example is not "junk food" as you seem intent on perpetuating, it can be premium well balanced food with excellent protein sources as seen in the examples.

minka · Aug 20, 2011

I disagree with this for two reasons:

Cats survive on kibble, but cats thrive on canned.
Sure, your cat probably isn't going to die because it's eating kibble, but you probably won't die eating jerky and dried corn/wheat/potatoes supplemented with vitamins either. But that doesn't mean it is Best for you. Cats simply need a 100% wet diet in order to be at their best.

Also, there may be a few people here who don't have addicted cats and they can free-feed all they like and that's fine and dandy; but my cat hasn't had dry food in over 4 months and he's Still addicted. If he even sees/hears a bag that's like a kibble bag, he goes Nuts. Dry food is made palatable by adding in flavorings. Whether it be animal digest, natural or artificial flavorings it doesn't matter to me, it's cheating.

Also, your calculations are way off, so you may want to go back to the drawing board.
Wellness Core has 45% protein, 18% fat, 3% fiber, 11% moisture, and around 4.5% ash (give or take). That means Dry Matter basis is 50.5% protein, 20.2% fat, 3.37% fiber, and 5.05% ash.
That still leaves a whopping 20.88% carbohydrates. You just stated cats naturally eat around 7%, yes?

Btw, Captiva, I totally read your post wrong and thought you said the guaranteed analysis you posted was for your Diabetic cat. But, either way, that's still a lot of carbs for a cat.

And yes, I would like to mirror Auntie Crazy's comment by saying I don't understand people who realize that kibble does not have sufficient moisture for a cat, but then try to say that half the diet being water-deficient is just fine.

auntie crazy · Aug 20, 2011

Originally Posted by Ducman69

I tried to express specifically that there is no "one" diet, and that raw feeding, exclusive wet, mixed, etc have pros and cons. I have seen blatant misinformation spread in the demonetization of kibble by wet/raw feeding crusaders that virtually refer to it as poison, and wished to address such false myths with logic, cold hard facts, and supporting studies.

Hmmm, I don't know anyone on TCS who has referred to kibble as "poison". Nor is there any logic to feeding grains to an obligate carnivore, or feeding a water-deficient diet to an animal that doesn't naturally have the ability to make up for that deficiency.

Originally Posted by Ducman69

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

"Eating fast food has no negative consequences and may even be good for you!"

Click to expand...

These type of statements are exactly why I created this thread. Please see Myth # 3. Premium dry food as an example is not "junk food" as you seem intent on perpetuating, its premium balanced food with excellent protein sources as seen in the examples.

Again, it isn't the ingredients that make kibble an inherently species-inappropriate diet for cats, it's the fact it's a dry, water-deficient diet being fed to an animal that evolved to eat moisture-rich prey and doesn't naturally have the ability to make up for that deficiency. (That most kibble also includes species-inappropriate ingredients just adds insult to injury.)

Well, I appreciate that you responded at least in part to my post.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knowledge is power, my friends. It gives us the ability to make informed choices that allow us to succeed in our endeavors; in this case, to feed the best foods we can to our cats. Denying the truth takes away that power and leaves us open to negative consequences.

Feeding kibble is far from the end of the world, and it sure as all get-out doesn't make anyone a bad owner. Knowing - acknowledging - it's not an ideal diet gives you the option - the power! - to take steps to make up for what it lacks (like mixing water into what wet foods you do serve and watching for diarrhea and other digestive upsets) and to transition to a healthier diet when you can.

Same thing if your food products contain grains or vegetables. Acknowledge it might come with issues (IBD, for instance, especially if you're feeding kibble), take whatever steps you can to mitigate those issues (maybe a rotation of foods that contain some with grain and some without) and transition to a healthier diet when you can.

Best regards.

AC

Dry Food Myths Revealed!

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