It’s actually surprisingly easy to hydrate dry cat food. One quick way to do it is with a simple spray bottle Just add some water.
We all know cats need to drink water, but what about when they don’t want to? You can get them to drink more water in a couple of ways.
One way is by adding water to their dry food, and another way is by putting fresh or canned food in a bowl and topping it with some wet kibble.
If your cat has been eating dry food for most of its life, it will be easier to add wet food instead of mixing up everything.
For this method to work best, ensure enough moisture, so your cat doesn’t find any reason not to eat the wet stuff!
If both methods have failed, you could also try giving them a running faucet or an automatic watering system.
Wet food is more expensive but useful for cats prone to urinary tract infections, constipation, and overweight.
Dry cat food can be a very effective way to provide calories for cats with limited food volume. That’s why you can add water to dry cat food.
Table of Contents
Can You Add Water to Dry Cat Food?
Yes, of course. You can add water to dry cat food.
Many cat owners cannot feed their cats wet food because wet food is expensive and spoils quickly. That’s why they choose dry food for cats.
But in many cases, wet food is better than dry food. Wet food is more nutritious. It contains water, which helps the cat’s digestive system. It also contains more protein, potassium, and phosphorus than dry food.
However, if you have to feed your cats a dry diet due to financial or other reasons, you can add a little water to moisten the food and make it more palatable.
How Much Is Water Perfect To Add In Dry Cat Food?
The amount of water added to dry cat food will depend on the type of food. You need to add about 50% more water than kibble, and then once thoroughly mixed, and it should look like a drinkable gravy-like substance.
You can tell if your cat likes extra moisture by how many licks it takes before it starts drinking.
If it doesn’t take more than a few licks, you should keep adding water until your cat starts drinking.
If they don’t like the extra moisture, try adding about 50% less than recommended.
Generally, a cat gets a lot of moisture from wet food. Most wet foods have a moisture content of about 85%, similar to the moisture content of a cat’s natural diet.
A cat eating dry kibble may need up to 180ml of extra water to absorb the same moisture as a cat eating wet food!
According to veterinarians, according to standard dry food guidelines, a 10 – 12 pound cat should be fed one-third of a cup of kibble per day.
If you add 50 ml of water per meal, you get much closer to the moisture content of wet food.
What Type of Water Should I Use?
You should use either tap water or spring/ filtered water to add to the dry food. Bottled water is more expensive, and depending on where you are, and it may also be less healthy since there are no standards for bottled water quality.
If you don’t like drinking from the tap, invest in a good filtration system that removes chlorine and fluoride.
This will ensure that the water for your cat’s food is as clean and healthy as possible.
What Are The Benefits Of Adding Water To Dry Cat Food?
There are a few benefits to adding water to dry food. When you add moisture to dry food, it is more easily digested by your cat, and there’s less risk of constipation.
If your cat does happen to be suffering from feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), then feeding them moist food will also help with the problem.
Adding water to dry cat food can also help you gain a few extra days for your cat’s life if they were diagnosed with kidney failure or another serious disease. The moist food is easier to digest and metabolize, thus giving their organs more time before shutting down.
Best 5 Benefits Of Adding Water To Dry Cat Food
Here are 5 benefits of adding water to dry cat food:
1. It is easier to digest and process.
2. It May help cats suffering from FLUTD (lower urinary tract disease), kidney failure, or other serious illnesses.
3. Enhancing flavor and making it more appealing to fussy cats.
4. It helps when transitioning your cat to a completely new food by making the texture less dry and making your cat more likely to eat.
5. When cats are sick, they usually prefer wet food to dry food because it is easier for their stomachs to process.
How Do You Add Water To Dry Cat Food?
Mixing water with dry cat food can be done in several ways. Either mix up the whole batch once, let it sit, or mix up a smaller amount each day and crush the food into finer pieces to absorb the water better.
Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food
Of course, mixing it all at once is much faster, but when doing this, make sure that you are careful not to add too much water because if there’s too much, then your cat won’t eat it and will be wasting the money that you spent on kibble.
Can You Mix Dry And Wet Cat Food?
If your cat is used to eating wet food, then you can mix the two. It’s best to transition them slowly over a few days since cats often don’t like the taste of something new and may not eat at all if it’s given to them too suddenly.
When transitioning your cat from dry food to wet or vice versa, it’s a good idea to mix the two and gradually add more wet food or dry food in until you are only feeding the main meal in either type.
Can Cats Have Dry Food Only With Water Added?
Cats can eat dry food just fine, but it doesn’t provide them with the same benefits as wet cat food since dry food has no moisture.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Cats, Indoor, Chicken Recipe
If your cat is older and doesn’t drink much water, you can feed them dry food only, but make sure that you are feeding them a proper diet for their age and illness. If they are healthy, then wet food is better since there’s more to it than moisture content.
Can I Mix Dry Cat Food With Water?
You may wonder what the best proportion of dry food to water is.
In most cases, you can thicken the food by adding a little water. The exact proportion depends on the brand of cat food and your judgment.
But avoid adding too much water, making the food runny and unpalatable to your cat.
By finding out how much water cats get for wet food, you can add just the right amount of water to the cat’s dry food.
Should You Add Water To Dry Kibble?
Adding water to dry kibble is an important step that helps your cat’s digestive system since it makes the food easier for the body to digest and process.
If you are trying to transition your cat from wet food or sick, then mixing the two will help them eat more since it gives their stomach something new to the process.
Adding Warm Water To Dry Cat Food
You can add little warm water to dry cat food. Hot water will enhance the taste. Always make sure the water is not too hot to prevent burning your cat’s face.
The water should be heated to a temperature where you can put your finger in it without burning (~60℃/140℉.).
The Last Word
Putting water in dry cat food is a good idea. As a cat lover, you know that cats need to drink water. Cats are naturally drawn to running or dripping water and often refuse food containing it.
The best way for your cat to get the hydration they need is by adding wet food to its normal dry diet. This will keep them well-hydrated and help with digestion because of the increased fiber content in both types of food.
Comment below if you have any questions about feeding your furry friend.
Vet’s Comment
Good nutrition is key to a healthy and long life, not only for cats but for everyone!
Adding water to your cat’s dry food can primarily promote hydration. Cats are well known for not drinking enough water, so it is important to provide them with the daily water intake they need through all sorts of tricks, such as leaving water bowls around the house, in the places where they spend the most time, buying water fountains, or by adding water or other yummy liquids to their food.
– Dr. Iulia Mihai, DVM
Source: feedingmypet.com
FAQ
Why Is It Important To Add Water To Cat Food?
Most cats lack the enzymes needed to digest plant material (fiber). Most dry food contains a large amount of fiber in grain or corn. Some cats can’t digest this fiber well. It can cause problems such as hairballs and constipation.
Why Do So Many People Advise Against Adding Water To Cat Food?
Most cat food companies advise against adding water because they want you to buy more of their product. Cats don’t naturally drink water, so it’s not smart to put a bowl of water out for them, as it will encourage them to drink too much (and gain weight).
Why Should My Cat Only Drink Small Amounts Of Water During The Day?
Cats are small animals, and low-stress temperatures are good for them. If you live in a dry climate, your cat will be fine with just a few times per week that they’re allowed to drink water.
How Much Water Should You Add To Dry Cat Food?
We recommend you start feeding your cat wet and dry food at 3 – 4 weeks of age and always have it available for kittens at the weaning stage at 7 – 9 weeks.
Take about ¼ cup of filtered water and add it to the top of the kibble bowl to moisten and enhance the taste of the cat food. Cats will often benefit the most from this.
Can Cats Live On Dry Food?
Of course, they can! But to maximize your cat’s health, it’s important not to feed just dry food. You must also provide an adequate water supply for their health.
How Do You Know When To Add More Water?
If your cat is eating the food, he’s getting enough water. It is best to keep the dry food moist (but not too wet) and recheck it from time to time to see if more water is needed.
How Much Water Can I Add To Cat Food?
It’s best to always err on the side of adding less water than too much. 1-2 drops per day for an average-sized cat should be plenty.
Can I Mix Wet And Dry Cat Food?
Mixing dry and wet cat food for cats is not a problem. However, your cat needs to have a “wet” or “dry” diet for health or nutrition reasons. Please consult your veterinarian about developing a balanced meal plan for your cat to benefit their metabolism.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
