How Much Wet Food to Give a Cat: An Introduction

Feeding your cat the correct amount of wet food is a vital part of responsible cat ownership. There is no single, fixed amount of wet food that suits all cats, as multiple factors come into play.

What is the Difference Between Wet Food and Dry Food?

Why Choose Wet Food for Cats?

Wet food offers several benefits that make it an excellent choice for many cats:

• High moisture content

  The moisture content of wet food is usually above 70%, which helps cats to rehydrate, especially for those cats who do not like to drink water, wet food can prevent urinary tract diseases and kidney stones.

• Nutritionally rich

  Wet food is less processed and retains more nutrients and vitamins, helping to meet your cat's daily nutritional needs.

• Good palatability

  The texture and flavor of wet food are usually more popular with cats as they are closer to their natural diet in the wild.

• Suitable for special needs

  Wet food is easier to chew and digest for kittens, older cats or cats with dental problems.

• Weight control

  The high water content and high protein of wet food can help control weight by making your pet feel fuller for longer.

How Much Wet Food to Give a Cat?

I. Age of the cat

Kitten (0 - 12 months)

①2 - 3 months old kittens

They have a smaller stomach capacity and may need to be fed 4 - 6 times a day. The amount of wet food to be fed each time is around 10 - 20 grams, which can be adjusted according to the energy density of the wet food. For example, some high-energy wet foods for kittens, 10 grams per feeding may be sufficient.

②4 - 6 months old kittens

The frequency of feeding can be reduced to 3 - 4 times. The amount of wet food can be increased to 20 - 30 grams at a time, as they grow and develop they need more nutrients to support their body growth.

③Kittens 7 - 12 months old 

Feed 2 - 3 times a day. Each time the amount of wet food is around 30 - 40 grams, at this point the kitten is approaching adulthood and the amount of food is gradually approaching that of an adult cat.

Adult cats (1 - 7 years old)

Generally speaking, it is more appropriate for adult cats to be fed wet food 2 times a day.

Adult cats weighing 3 - 5 kilograms can have around 50 - 70 grams of wet food each time. However, if the cat is more active, this amount may need to be increased appropriately.

For adult cats weighing 5 - 7 kg, 70 - 90 grams of wet food per feeding may be appropriate.

Older cats (over 7 years old)

Older cats have a slower metabolism and may be less active.

Feeding wet food twice a day, senior cats weighing 3 - 5 kg can have around 40 - 60 grams of wet food per feeding.

For senior cats weighing 5 - 7 kilograms, the amount of wet food per feeding can be around 60 - 80 grams.

II. Weight of the cat

⑴Lean cats

If the cat's weight is below the normal range, the amount of wet food fed can be increased appropriately under the premise of ensuring that there are no health problems. For example, a cat that should normally be 5 kilograms but is actually only 4 kilograms, the feeding amount corresponding to the weight can be increased by 10% - 20% of the wet food.

⑵Overweight cats

Overweight cats need a controlled diet to achieve a healthy weight. For overweight cats, feeding wet food can be reduced by 10% - 20% of the normal amount, while increasing the cat's exercise.

III. Activity level of the cat

①Cats with a high activity level

For example, cats that often run, jump and play, they consume more energy and need more food to replenish energy. If a normal adult cat has a high daily activity level, its wet food feeding can be increased by 20% - 50% compared to normal.

②Cats with low activity levels

Those cats that are more lethargic, sleep all day or rarely exercise, the amount of wet food fed needs to be appropriately reduced. It can be reduced by 10% - 30% of the normal feeding amount.

Ⅳ Type and energy density of wet food

⒈High energy wet food

Some wet food specially designed for specific needs (such as post-operative recovery, rapidly growing kittens) has a high energy density. For this kind of wet food, the feeding amount should be less than ordinary wet food. For example, for the same weight, if 50 grams of regular wet food needs to be fed, high energy wet food may only need 30 - 40 grams.

⒉Regular wet food

Regular wet food can be fed in the amounts described above based on age, weight, activity level and other factors.

What to Do If My Cat Only Eats Wet Food?

If the cat only eats wet food, you can start from the following aspects.

I. Nutritional balance aspect

• Choose wet food with comprehensive nutrition

Check the ingredient label of the wet food carefully to ensure that it contains all the nutrients your cat needs, such as sufficient protein (including various essential amino acids), fat, vitamins (e.g. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, B vitamins, etc.) and minerals (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, potassium, etc.). For example, choose premium wet food brands that are labeled as being designed for cats of all ages and are nutritionally balanced.

• Supplementing with specific nutrients

If you are concerned about deficiencies in certain nutrients, you can supplement them under the guidance of your veterinarian. For example, if the amount of taurine in the wet food may be insufficient, a specialized taurine supplement can be purchased and added to the wet food according to the recommended dosage, as taurine is very important for your cat's vision and heart health.

II. Oral health aspects

• Regular oral care

As wet food is softer, cats eating wet food are prone to residual food on their teeth, so more attention should be paid to oral cleaning. You can brush your cat's teeth at least 2 - 3 times a week, using specialized pet toothpaste and toothbrushes. If your cat is not comfortable with brushing, you can use an oral cleansing gel that can be applied to your cat's teeth and gums to minimize the formation of plaque and calculus.

Dental Powder for Dogs/ Cats, 30g

Oral cleaning for cats and dogs; for bad breath/halitosis and tartar; fresh breath

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• Provide teething products

Provide cats with some safe teething products, such as chicken jerky, catnip toys, etc., so that cats can play in the process of certain grinding and cleaning teeth.

III. Adaptation and adjustment aspects

• Gradually introduce dry food

If you want your cat to accept dry food, you can use a gradual introduction method. At the beginning, a small amount of dry food will be crushed and sprinkled on the surface of wet food, and as the cat gradually adapts, the proportion of dry food will be slowly increased. For example, dry food accounts for 10% of the total food in the first week, increasing to 20% in the second week, and so on, until the ideal wet/dry ratio is achieved.

• Try different dry foods

Cats may not like the taste or texture of certain dry food. You can try several different brands, flavors (e.g., chicken, fish, beef, etc.) and textures (e.g., different pellet sizes and hardnesses) to find the type of dry food that cats may accept.

IV. Health monitoring aspects

• Weight monitoring

Weigh the cat regularly and observe the weight changes. If the cat shows excessive weight gain or loss, adjust the diet or seek veterinary help. This is because there may be a risk of excessive calorie intake or unbalanced nutrition resulting in weight changes when only wet food is consumed.

• Observation of Body Condition

Observe the cat's mental state, hair quality and defecation every day. If the cat is found to have abnormal conditions such as depressed spirit, rough hair, constipation or diarrhea, it may be a health problem caused by dietary issues and requires medical attention as soon as possible.

How to Feed Wet Food and Dry Food Together?

Feeding wet and dry food together can provide your cat with a more complete nutritional profile, while also meeting your cat's need for moisture. Here are some common ways to mix and match.

• All-day mixed feeding

Feed your cat a certain amount of wet food every day, together with an appropriate amount of dry food. The specific proportion can be adjusted according to the cat's preference and physical condition.

• Separate feeding of wet and dry food

Choose to feed wet food in the morning or afternoon and dry food in the evening. This ensures that the cat receives sufficient nutrition and water at different times of the day.

• Feeding on demand

Determine the time and amount of wet and dry food to be fed according to your cat's appetite and physical condition. If the cat particularly wants to eat wet food on a certain day, you can give it more.

• Half-dry, half-wet or all-wet food feeding

Half-dry and half-wet feeding method means that the day is divided into 2 or 3 meals, one meal is dry food and the other is wet food, and the two meals are separated by more than 6 hours; full wet food feeding method means that the cat is no longer fed dry food, and every meal is fed with wet food, which allows the cat to have a stronger gastrointestinal adaptive ability, and at the same time, the wet food contains high water, which can replenish the water in order to prevent urinary tract diseases, such as frequent urination and urination closure, due to the lack of water in the cat.

When combining wet food and dry food, the following points need to be noted.

Control the total amount of food: Avoid overfeeding leading to obesity and other health problems.
Observe the cat's reaction: Observe the cat's reaction and physical condition during feeding and adjust the feeding program in time.
Regular medical checkups and oral cleaning: Take your cat for regular medical checkups and oral cleaning to keep your cat healthy.
Pay attention to the preservation of wet food: after the wet food is opened, if the cat does not finish it at one time, seal it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to avoid food spoilage. Especially in hot weather, be sure to seal and store the opened wet food well, and if the food is already spoiled, throw it away.
Avoid feeding dry and wet food at the same time: dry food and wet food should not be mixed together and fed at the same time, which will affect the normal absorption of wet food, matching feeding should be spaced out between the feeding time of dry food and wet food.

FAQs

Conclusion

Determining how much wet food to feed your cat depends on factors like age, weight, activity level, and health. By reading labels, monitoring your cat’s condition, and consulting with your veterinarian, you can ensure your cat receives the perfect portion to stay healthy and happy. With proper care and feeding, wet food can provide the hydration and nutrition your feline companion needs.