If your cat goes through its days only eating dry, kibble-style food, it might be time for a change. Kibble serves a purpose in feeding pets, but when it comes to cats, giving them nothing but kibble can potentially be hazardous. Here's why you should consider giving your cat wet food instead of—or at least in addition to—dry cat food.

Dry Food and Dehydration

Dry cat food is dehydrated, which means that when it's consumed, the body needs to use its own moisture to help break it down and digest it. Under normal circumstances, this isn't a problem. However, as cats grow older, it can become easier for them to become dehydrated, and it becomes harder for them to break down this kind of food.

Cats who suffer from long-term dehydration may also be at a higher risk of developing kidney disease later in life. Since this is an incurable condition, it's important to do what you can to ensure that your cat is getting adequate hydration, and switching to wet food can help you to do that.

Cats in the Wild

Cats need a set amount of fluid intake every single day, but that doesn't mean that they should only rely on their water bowl. In the wild, your cat would be eating prey and gaining a set amount of hydration from what they're eating. This would count towards their daily intake of water and fluids for the day. Unfortunately, dry kibble doesn't have any hydration to offer. Thankfully, wet food can emulate what your cat would experience out in the wild.

Water Assistance

Last but not least, if your cat doesn't have a water fountain yet, you might want to consider getting one. These fountains are designed to intrigue and interest a cat in drinking the water by having it continuously flow. Many cats dislike drinking from stagnant sources of water, often because in the wild, it could potentially be dangerous. It's part of the reason why some cats are so fond of drinking from the faucet.

By introducing a water fountain and wet food into your cat's diet, you can dramatically increase the amount of hydration they get every day, and in doing so, you may help to protect their kidneys for the future.

There's nothing wrong with offering your cat kibble, but you should definitely make it a side course and keep wet food as the main course. Talk to a pet store attendant and find out which pet food is best for your cat based on their personal health and weight.