Your cat’s diet is more than just mealtime; it’s the foundation of their health, energy, and longevity. Yet, with endless debates over wet vs. dry food, how do you know what’s truly best for your pet? 

While crunchy kibble is convenient and may help keep teeth clean, wet food’s high moisture content mirrors what cats would naturally eat in the wild. But is one definitively better, or does the ideal diet lie somewhere in between?

Let’s weigh the pros, cons, and key factors to help you choose the right food for the unique needs of your pusa.

What Is Wet Cat Food?

Wet cat food is a moisture-rich type of feline nutrition, typically containing 70–80% water, which helps support hydration. Sold in cans, pouches, or trays, it features real meat, fish, or poultry in various textures such as chunks in gravy, shredded pieces, or smooth pâté. 

Unlike dry kibble, wet food closely resembles the high-protein, high-moisture diet cats would naturally consume in the wild.

Pros of Wet Cat Food:

Higher Moisture Content

Wet food helps your cat stay hydrated, especially in the hot and humid Philippine climate. Many cats don’t drink enough water on their own, so moisture-rich meals support better kidney and urinary health.

“Dry cat food contains approximately 10% of water, and the other 90% consists of dry matter such as carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Canned food contains much more water—approximately 70%—compared to dry matter,” PetMD pointed out.

Easier to Chew

The soft texture of wet cat food is ideal for kittens with developing teeth, senior cats with dental issues, or rescued puspins that may have trouble chewing harder kibble. This makes it a go-to choice for pet owners with cats who have chewing difficulties.

Tastier for Picky Eaters

Wet food has a stronger aroma and richer flavor, which can tempt even the pickiest kuting. This is especially useful if your cat is recovering from illness or stress.

In addition, felines are also attracted to wet cat food’s macronutrients and serving size. McGill University explained: 

“Unlike dogs, cats cannot taste sugar or sweetness but are highly sensitive to the tastes of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). Some researchers have theorized that cats prefer wet foods because their nutrient profiles are much more similar to their natural diets.”

They added: “In terms of serving size, on a per gram basis, a pet needs to eat a greater volume of wet food than dry food to consume the same number of calories. So, to them, a meal of wet food can seem larger than a meal of dry food.”

Can Improve Health Conditions

If your cat has health issues like lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, megaesophagus, or dental problems, wet food may be beneficial. Experts say the added hydration can help flush their system, easing stress on the kidneys and urinary tract.

“In the case of megaesophagus, there is difficulty passing the food from the mouth to the stomach, so a softer diet would be more ideal,” Athena Gaffud, DVM at Veterinarians.org, told Martha Stewart.

Cons of Wet Cat Food:

Short Shelf Life

Once opened, canned or pouch food must be refrigerated and consumed within a day or two. In our hot and humid weather, leaving it out too long can cause it to spoil quickly. Do not leave Muning’s food at room temperature for more than two hours, or you risk your pet getting a tummy ache.

“Additionally, your cat's food bowl must be thoroughly cleaned after each meal to prevent bacterial growth,” Catherine Barnette, DVM, also told Martha Stewart. “Finally, open containers of wet food must be refrigerated and should be discarded after five to seven days."”

More Expensive

Wet food typically costs more per meal than dry food, especially if you're caring for multiple cats. 

Since wet food comes in smaller portions and must be served fresh, you'll likely need to open several cans or pouches per day, which multiplies the cost quickly. For example, a single pouch may only cover one meal for one cat, whereas a bag of dry food can last weeks. 

While wet food offers benefits like higher moisture content and improved palatability, it may not be a sustainable option if you're on a tight budget. Many cat owners find it more economical to feed dry food regularly and reserve wet food as an occasional treat or supplement.

Can Be Messy

Serving wet food can get messy. There’s the sticky packaging, gravy spills, and half-eaten portions left in the bowl (or on the floor). As mentioned earlier, you also need to wash your cat’s food bowl after every meal to prevent bacterial growth—so that means more dishes to clean.

What Is Dry Cat Food?

Dry cat food, commonly called kibble, is a shelf-stable form of feline nutrition with low moisture content (typically 10% or less). These bite-sized, crunchy pieces are made by mixing and baking ingredients like meat meals, grains, and vitamins into their final form.

It’s a common choice for Filipino cat owners due to convenience and affordability.

Pros of Dry Cat Food:

Convenient and Budget-Friendly

Dry food is convenient to scoop, store, and serve, making it ideal for busy pet owners. It doesn’t need refrigeration, has a long shelf life, can be bought at your nearest palengke, and usually comes in resealable bags that help keep the kibble fresh. 

Unlike wet food, it can be left in your cat’s bowl for hours without spoiling. So, if you’re not always around to monitor feeding times, this is a huge advantage. For many cat owners, kibble is the most budget-friendly, most accessible, and low-maintenance option for everyday feeding.

Longer Shelf Life

Unlike wet food, kibble can be left out for hours without spoiling. This makes it ideal for free-feeding (leaving food out all day).

"This is also preferred for enrichment, because it is more manageable with slow feeders,” added. Dr. Gaffud.

Improves Dental Health

Kibble actually helps reduce tartar and plaque buildup, promoting better oral hygiene. How so? McGill University explains:

“The principle of why dry, but not wet, foods help stop plaque accumulation is a simple one. The more chewing your pet does, the more they are scraping unwanted things off their teeth.”

In addition, there are dry cat food specifically formulated to support dental health. For instance, some kibbles have special shapes and larger surface areas to better clean Mingming’s teeth. 

“Many special dental kibbles also include plaque-reducing substances, sort of like why fluoride is included in our toothpaste and drinking water,” added McGill University.

Can Be Used for Play

Dry food can also be used as part of enrichment activities. Many cat and dog toys—including foraging mats, puzzle feeders, and treat-dispensing gadgets—are designed to work with kibble or dry extruded treats, turning mealtime into a fun and stimulating experience.

Cons of Dry Cat Food:

Low Moisture Content

Because kibble contains very little moisture (typically less than 10%), your cat must drink significantly more water to compensate. 

However, cats naturally have a low thirst drive, a trait inherited from their desert-dwelling wildcat ancestors. Many simply don’t drink enough on their own, which can lead to chronic dehydration. Over time, this increases the risk of urinary crystals, bladder stones, or kidney disease. These conditions are especially dangerous for senior cats, who are already prone to declining kidney function.

Less Appealing to Some Cats

Compared to the rich aroma and flavor of wet food, dry kibble can seem bland. Some picky eaters might ignore it entirely or eat less than needed.

“Dry food is generally less appetizing to pets, which could be good if your animal needs to shed some excess weight but could be detrimental to animals looking to gain weight,” said McGill University.

Risk of Overfeeding and Weight Gain

On the other hand, because kibble is calorie-dense and easy to leave out, some cats may overeat, leading to obesity. 

“Studies have shown a correlation between obesity and feeding dry cat food. This could be because a lot of cats that eat dry food are often free-fed, and owners do not realize how much their cats are actually eating in a day,” explained PetMD.

Our recommendation: use a weighing scale to measure your portions and limit free-feeding time.

What’s Better for Your Pusa?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your cat’s health, preferences, and your budget.

Choose Wet Cat Food If:

• Your cat is prone to urinary tract issues or dehydration.
  
• You have a picky eater or a cat recovering from illness.
  
• You're caring for kittens, seniors, or cats with dental problems.

Choose Dry Cat Food If:

• You want a cost-effective, low-maintenance feeding solution.
  
• Your cat has no hydration or dental issues and eats well on kibble.
  
• You free-feed or live in a warm, humid area (in short, all parts of the country except Baguio) where wet food spoils quickly.

Can I Feed My Pusa Both Wet and Dry Cat Food?

Yes! Introducing cats to a variety of textures (wet, dry, pâté, shredded, etc.) early in life can make future food transitions smoother. 

For instance, if your cat later develops a health condition requiring a prescription kibble (but has only ever eaten wet food) they may resist the change, making mealtime stressful. If you offer a mix of food types, consult your vet to ensure proper portion sizes for each.

Conclusion

The debate of wet vs dry cat food in the Philippines boils down to your cat’s individual needs and your ability to provide a consistent, balanced diet. Some cats thrive on dry food alone, while others benefit from wet meals or a combination of both.

Here’s a tip: Many Filipino cat owners now practice mixed feeding; wet food in the morning for hydration and dry kibble at night for convenience. It’s a great way to give your pusa variety and complete nutrition.

But no matter which feeding approach you choose, always partner with your vet to calculate the right daily calorie intake based on your cat’s ideal weight, age, and activity level. This helps prevent obesity or malnutrition while accommodating their preferences.

“Given the choice, the health and needs of cats should be the top most consideration when choosing what to give them," concluded Dr. Gaffud.

“Wet food, dry food, or a combination of both are all viable options for your cat, as long as they are happily eating and maintaining a lean body condition,” added Carly Fox, DVM, senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.