Ways To Save Money On Cat Food Expenses
Now you have known yet that you can save money on cat food expenses as you have read how much cat food costs and how it varies according to cat food brands and quality.
First of all, you must compare the prices of vendors. If you are purchasing cat food, look for more online platform options, then compare prices.
You can buy in bulk as it is always a great idea to bulk purchase and store it in a cool place. Always keep checking the expiry dates of the cat food product that you are going to purchase.
Remember, in-store shopping is always cheaper than the online store. It will just take a little bit of your time to go shopping. Online shopping includes delivery charges that make it more expensive.
If you are purchasing online, make enough quantity to make free delivery.
Try to use coupons and join sales for more cheap cat foods.
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For Dental Health: Dry Cat Food
Dry cat food can be better for dental health than wet food, but kibble diets are far from a complete dental care routine. Any balanced diet is limited in how much dental benefit it can provide if you are not incorporating daily brushing .
Brushing your cats teeth is still the number one way to promote healthy teeth in your feline. Dental food additives, such as ProDen Plaque Off, which can be added to both dry and wet cat food, have also shown promise in reducing the bacteria that cause gingivitis and bad breath in cats.
Dont Forget Your Cats Preference
Felines tend to have strong opinions on which foods they like or dont like. Often, this means theyll prefer dry food over wet, or vice versa. They may even have a preference on pate versus meat in gravy, size or texture of kibbles, or another very specific factor.
Sometimes, trying to change a picky eaters food can be an exercise in futility. Unless there is a pertinent medical consideration, it may be best to stick with the food your kitty prefers.
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Disadvantages Of Wet Cat Food
Yes, wet food has several benefits, but it is more costly than dry cat food, a negative factor. Many cat parents prefer dry food over wet cat food considering the price.
Additionally, the wet cat food has a shelf life of 24 hours and must be stored in the refrigerator once opened. Therefore, if your cat does not finish their wet meal, it should be stored in the refrigerator or discarded.
Leaving cat food out for longer than a few hours might develop the risk of contamination.
For Convenience: Dry Cat Food
Dry cat food wins hands-down in the convenience category. For storage and ease of feeding, dry cat food is the number one option. If you are looking for something mess-free and easy to take with you, have the kids help out with, or have your cat-sitter feed while youre away, cat kibble is the simplest choice. Wet vs dry cat food.
But that doesnt mean that you cant make canned cat food easy, either. Next to dry cat food, it would probably rank second for convenience, ahead of homemade and raw diets. Mostly, all you need is a can opener and to practice good cleaning habits.
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Best For Total Health: Wet Cat Food
Canned cat food is our clear winner when it comes to your cats best health. Your cat will benefit from including wet food in its diet, whether you choose to switch to all canned food or just to serve it a few times a week.
On top in terms of urinary tract health, meat protein content, and weight loss, canned cat food can provide numerous benefits to your feline. However, your pets best food choice must always be weighed against all pros and cons.
Theres no one-size-fits-all food solution for any pet. Choose what works best for your pet and your lifestyle. And above all else, always choose the best value food you can afford for your cat, whether dry or kibble, homemade or raw.
Which Should You Feed Your Cat
Both dry food and wet food have their merits, but its hard to say which one is better for your cat because it depends on several factors. One of the major deciding factors is the preferences of your cat, which will play a large part in what you choose to feed her. If she refuses to eat a certain food, it is unlikely that you would want to keep buying that type, brand, or flavor.
Next, cat parents should consider her overall health. Cats with bad teeth due to old age are better off with food specially designed for them, like Royal Canin Senior, which comes in both a wet and a dry version. But again, this depends on what kind of budget you have. If you can only afford one over the other, it might be better to buy the dry food and soften it with some water. For the most part, foods recommended by your vet for health concerns like digestion issues, allergies, or kidney problems come in both the wet and dry version.
As mentioned before, making sure she is getting enough water is extremely important for her health, so if she doesnt drink enough water and a water fountain didnt entice her, it may be necessary to incorporate wet food such as Wellness CORE Signature Selects into her diet. Doing so will be beneficial to both her overall health and your wallet because it will aid in reducing the chance of vet bills due to constipation or kidney problems.
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Wet Cat Food Pros And Cons
Wet cat food offers many health benefits, including high water content and more protein than dry cat food.
Because of extra water content, wet food is great for cats that need to increase their water intake, such as cats with urinary tract disease like kidney disease, urinary crystals, or cystitis . Low-carbohydrate diets are sometimes recommended for diabetic cats, and wet cat food generally meets that requirement.
Wet cat food also contains more protein than dry cat food, especially animal protein. Cats, being obligate carnivores, are made to consume and digest high amounts of animal protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. Wet food checks all of those boxes nicely.
Many cats love the taste of wet food, especially picky eaters and older cats.
Older cats with dental problems benefit from the soft texture of wet food.
One of the biggest downsides of wet cat food is cost. Even though wet cat foods high moisture content is a good thing, all that extra water weight makes the food less nutrient-dense. So, you have to buy and feed more wet food to make sure your cat gets all of the nutrients they need. Also, ounce for ounce, wet food costs more than dry food.
Another downside of wet food is that its quickly perishable. You have to pick up your cats food after a few hours or it will spoil. This can be hard for cats that prefer to nibble throughout the day, especially if youre not home and cant feed three or four small meals a day.
When To Select Both
Its a good idea to feed your cat both wet and dry cat food instead of just one or the other. Both wet and dry cat food comes with their own advantages. Maximize the advantages of both by alternating your cats diet.
For example, feed your cat dry cat food in the morning but wet cat food at night. Another idea that cats go crazy over is doing a half portion of dry cat food and a half portion of wet cat food in the same bowl. Put the remaining wet cat food in a sealable container and place it in the refrigerator for next mealtime.
Not only will your cat love this but feeding it both can ensure your cat gets all the nutrients it needs without spending a fortune on a sole wet food diet. Win-win!
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How Your Budget Factors In
Its important to feed your furry friend the best diet you can reasonably afford. But in some cases, the expense of wet food just doesnt work for the family budget .
If finances are tight, it may make more sense to invest in a high quality dry food, then save the difference in cost for any future veterinary care your kitty may need.
The Best Of Both Worlds
To avoid picky eating habits later in life, offer kittens both dry food and wet food.
If youre torn about whether to feed your cat dry food or wet food, consider offering both. You might serve one meal of dry food in the morning before you leave for work, then offer wet food in the evening once you return home. Or, if your cat tends to eat her food all at once, mix the two types together. Any amount of wet food can boost your cats overall diet with extra water and protein.
If you have a kitten, offer dry and wet food early on. Cats usually develop preferences for taste and texture early in kittenhood. If your kitten eats only dry food, she might turn her nose up at wet food in the future .
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For all cats, always offer plenty of fresh, clean water.
Ask your veterinarian for advice if you are still wondering about the best food for your cat, especially if your cat has specific health issues like kidney disease or diabetes.
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Dry Food Vs Wet Food: Cats
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Itâs easy to get overwhelmed when youâre surveying the abundance of options in the cat food aisle of your local pet store. With a wide variety of brands, flavors and types of cat food, itâs hard to identify which food is the best for you cat. One questions cat owners often struggle with is whether they should be feeding their cat a diet of wet food or dry food.
There isnât a right or wrong answer when it comes to the wet food vs. dry food debate. The two types of cat food are different, and bring with them different things. Weâre going to explore these two food types to help you make an informed decision the next time youâre in the cat food aisle.
Dry Cat Food Benefits
Dry cat food is less expensive than canned food, so people who are on a strict budget or those that feed community cats may choose this option.
Dry food also does not have to be stored in the refrigerator and can be left out much longer than can food. This is a good option if you free-feed your cats, but any portion not eaten by the end of the day should be discarded.
You can also use dry cat food in automatic feeders or in puzzle feeder toys.
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The Wet Cat Food Debate
So, that means wet cat food is better, right? Well, not necessarily. A very cheaply produced wet food is not better for your cat than a premium quality dry food.
Check the ingredients. It should list an animal protein source as its number one ingredient, and ideally, it should not contain meat by-products.
Some argue that a canned food diet can lead to dental problems including gingivitis, but if you adhere to a schedule of regular dental checkups and cleanings, this really isnt an issue.
Feeding Both Canned And Dry Cat Food
To balance the benefits and drawbacks of both options, you may choose to feed a combination of both. This may be particularly useful with cats who require a higher water intake but enjoy eating dry better than canned.
If you are looking to mix wet cat food and dry cat food, talk with your veterinarian to find the best balance. Your veterinarian can help you calculate how much your cat should be eating and how to portion out the two food options.
Every cat is different, and the amount you feed a day will depend on the age of your cat, your cats current body condition, and the presence of any underlying diseases.
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What Wet And Dry Foods Are Recommended By Veterinarians
Regardless of what type of meal you choose for your cat, ensure a well-balanced diet to meet their body requirements. Some well-known brands like Science Diet and Royal Canin have excellent quality and these brands ensure that your cat is getting enough nutrients it requires.
However, your veterinarian can give you more specific recommendations based on your cats health history. Dont give them homemade food unless the vet recommends it.
Consulting with the vet is an important factor for choosing the right diet for your pet. If you dont seek help from a qualified vet, your cat might lack essential vitamins and minerals. That is why consulting with the vet is necessary to set up the appropriate diet for your cat.
Dry Vs Wet: Our Main Takeaway
Now that you know all the different benefits that come from dry food and wet food, you might be best offering your cat a combination of wet and dry food, introducing more wet food as the cat ages. There are clear benefits to both with dry kibbles being convenient and promoting healthy teeth and gums, while wet food keeps cats kidneys healthy and leaves them feeling full.
Talk to your veterinarian as your kitten ages and make sure to get routine testing. A cat wellness plan covers routine blood work, fecal exams, and urinalysis. These tests help ensure your cats kidneys are in tip-top shape. They can also give you a warning that your cat is showing signs of dehydration or kidney damage before its too late.
Pet health insurance will cover serious injuries and illnesses, but a cat wellness plan can help prevent chronic illness for as long as possible. If youre interested in a cat insurance plan and/or a cat wellness plan take Wagmos coverage quiz. This quiz can help you find your perfect pet health insurance plan at an affordable price.
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Dry Cat Food And Cat Obesity And And Feline Diabetes
Cats on dry food-only diets are slightly more prone to obesity and diabetes than cats who eat wet cat food. Part of this is due to the high carbohydrate levels in many kinds of kibble, and part is due to the free-choice feeding of dry cat food which gives cats 24-hour access to food.
If your cat is getting a little pudgy, ration the dry food rather than serving it all-you-can-eat style. To avoid feline diabetes, stick to a premium dry food or switch to a canned food diet.
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Should Cats Eat Both Wet And Dry Food
Most cats will eat both wet and dry food, although some may prefer one over the other. If you have a kitten, its best to feed them both wet and dry food to get them used to it. Kittens need to eat more often than adult cats, so they may prefer wet food because its easier to eat small meals more often.
Adult cats can be more finicky, so you may have to experiment to see what they prefer. If your cat is overweight, you may want to feed them mostly dry food to help them lose weight.
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Blended Or Mixed Feeding
Blended or mixed feeding routines can offer the best of both worlds. With a blended feeding routine, you may feed your cat dry food in the morning, and wet in the evening. This way, they can graze on the dry food throughout the day, and you can dispose of any dried out wet food before going to bed. There is also the option of mixing your cat’s dry food with wet cat food, which can also help her get additional moisture with their meal. Keep in mind, though, that it is still important to maintain proper portion control to ensure your cat is getting the proper amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight.
No matter which type of cat food you choose, the debate between wet vs. dry cat food isn’t one that’s easily answered. Each cat is unique with its own tastes and preferences. Consult with your cat’s vet if you have any questions about choosing wet vs. dry cat food, and let your little friend’s tastes guide you to their preferred flavors.
What Type Of Cat Food Most People Consider
People are far more likely to buy dry food than wet food because its easier to store and its cheaper. If you were to go to a pet store, youd probably find that the majority of their products are dry food, because thats what people want to buy.
Wet food is more expensive than dry food and when youre buying a lot of food for multiple animals, youre going to save a lot of money if you buy dry food.
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What Are The Factors To Consider
There are several things to consider before choosing a food for your cat. Your cats age and nutritional requirements are a key consideration, as cats need different balances of nutrients in their food at different ages. You will notice that most cat foods have a label stating the life stage they are for, so you should make sure you buy the right one for your pet. Its also important to consider your cats likes and dislikes when it comes to flavor and texture, as well as any medical needs as some cats need to be on special diets to cater to this. Your veterinarian can help and advise you if you are unsure of your pets health and nutritional requirements.